

The Hotflash inc podcast
Hotflash inc
Hotflash inc is an evidence, expert and human-experience driven podcast looking for the true truth in perimenopause, menopause and beyond. In more than 200 episodes menopause and midlife journalist and host Ann Marie McQueen has spoken to a wide range of experts from around the globe, including practitioners, activists, researchers, doctors and industry leaders about this perplexing transition we still know too little about. She’s talked about her own frustrations and personal experiences. And she has connected with a perimenoposse of powerful women in the midst of a perplexing transition.As of March 2026, Hotflash inc Podcast is number 1 on GoodPods in Women's Health Podcasts. It is amongst the top 3% percentile on Listen Notes and in the Top 60 Menopause podcasts on Feedspot.*Last updated January 2026
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 10, 2024 • 43min
125: REPLAY: Dr Junella Chin knows all about pain (and perimenopause)
Send a textThis podcast was originally posted in November 23, 2023.Dr June Chin knows about pain and how to treat it on the deepest levels: from her own experiences that started in her teens years and through to that of patients. She’s an integrative medical cannabis physician and has spent more than20 years working in holistic medicine. She is currently a professor at New York University and Syracuse University teaching Cannabis Health and Science, Vice Chair for the Cannabis Advisory Board for the New York State Office of Cannabis Management and Chair of the Health, Safety and Research Committee for New York State’s Office of Cannabis Management. She is the author of the book Cannabis and CBD for Health and Wellness and founded and operated seven bicoastal integrative cannabis medicine clinics in California, New York, and Connecticut. Her training includes studying nutritional biochemistry at Cornell University, osteopathic medicine at Touro University, medical acupuncture at Harvard University, and research at Columbia University, Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Women’s Health. Through her work as a clinician, professor, and author, she has created medical protocols for the industry and internationally accepted methods for cannabinoid formulations, research, education, and training programs. She is also the chief medical officer for NNABI. Highlights: The personal experience that drew her to holistic medicine, and cannabis in particularThe 101 on our endocannabanoid system The different forms of cannabis – and how CBD is different The interplay between CBD and hormone therapyThe intersection between perimenopause and the endocannabanoid system?How specifically can cannabis and CBD help Her work with the startup NNABI, which is providing a CBD solution for perimenopauseHer take on some of the other alternative, plant-based medicines and psychedelics being developed to treat peri/menopauseHer top advice for women in perimenopauseWhere to find Dr Chin:IG: @nnabi.life @drjunechinJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Oct 3, 2024 • 41min
124: REPLAY: Ob-gyn Dr Vikram Talaulikar's straight talk on hormone therapy
Send a textThis podcast originally ran on October 21, 2023.This week we get down to basics, and basics are exactly what we need in this confusing world right now. This is THE podcast to listen to if you are confused about all things to do with taking hormone therapy.Dr Vikram Sinai Talaulikar is a specialist in reproductive medicine at University College London Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust and an associate professor in Women’s Health at the University College London. He graduated in medicine in India in 2003 and completed a postgraduate degree in obstetrics and gynecology in 2007. He is a certified menopause specialist by the British Menopause Society, a menopause trainer and he is constantly educating others on this transition as well, via online webinars, events and through social media. He is also part of the trio who established the Menopause Research Education Fund, alongside medical journalist Fiona Clarke and groundbreaking menopause campaigner Diane Danzebrink.Highlights of our discussion: Hormone therapy (HT) 101WHI: good, bad and what we can learn from it 20 years onEstrogen in the pill vs estrogen in HT All the kinds of estrogen and what they are used for strogen too ethinyl estradiolEstrone, Estriol, Estradiol, and Estetrol.17 beta estradiolGetting to the bottom of body simila, body identical and bioidentical – and why that varies from country to country Pharmaceutical company produced HT vs compounding pharmacy versionsthe big “Catch-22” with compounding pharmacies that keeps their bioidentical hormones out of official recommendationsthe pill, HRT and breast cancer riskwhy problems with the pill don’t get flagged and HRT does Evidence over estrogen and breast cancer risk (and randomized trials versus observational data)What’s what: progesterone, progestin and progestogens (how they work and which one carries a slight risk for breast cancer)how long you really need to take HRT to see if it’s workingwhy HT works for some people and not othersDr Talaulikar’s favourite non-hormonal treatmentsWhere to find Dr Talaulikar:X: @VikramSinai Web: Menopause Clinic LondonMenopause Research and Education FundJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Sep 28, 2024 • 58min
123: You’re Not Too F***ing Old: How Jen Marples is helping women over 40 get seen, heard, paid and make an impact
Send a textFULL DISCLOSURE: Jen and I recorded this interview last year. Almost a year ago. It was and is so important to me that I am sharing it with you now, with Jen’s blessing. (It fell into the “I took a short break to build my business and then my dad died suddenly” gap. You know the one ;)Anyway, Jen is a very hardworking, accomplished entrepreneur and champion of midlife women. She runs the Jen Marples Agency and her goal is to help women over 40 get seen, heard, paid and to make an impact. She’s also the host of The Jen Marples Show: You’re Not too F***ing Old (soon to be called just You’re Not Too F***ing Old). We talk about it all: why you need to find supportive groups and new tribes (and what to do when yours isn’t working), ending friendships, dealing with ageism and the profound beauty and peace that comes with middle age and menopause. Jen believes you have to be a strong advocate for your own health. And she shares her own challenging journey, with endometriosis, IVF, perimenopause/massive burnout and ultimately reclaiming her vitality through rest, reinvention and getting her sleep back through the power of hormone therapy (thanks for delaying your nightly progesterone wind-down for us, Jen! The episode also touches on the essential book The Upgrade by neuroscientist Dr Louann Brizendine and offers advice on how and why you need to prioritize health care, making investments even when it’s not covered by insurance. 01:42 The power of language03:00 Challenging ageism05:41 Embracing midlife10:06 Financial impacts of ageism12:15 Navigating negative programming26:15 Dealing with friendship loss28:46 Navigating toxic relationships29:44 Embracing new friendships32:08 Perimenopause and Burnout35:42 Hormone therapy journey39:29 Advocating for women's health49:59 Starting over at midlifeJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Sep 19, 2024 • 35min
122: Meet Joe Sealey, the Menopause Man
Send a textJoe Sealey is a former UK footballer who is married to UK businesswoman Nicole, and they are both cast members of The Real Housewives of Cheshire. He's also comforting and cracking men and women alike up with his ongoing commentary on living with a woman in menopause. Joe jokes a lot, but he also gets serious about the challenges and changes experienced during Nicole's perimenopause and menopause, the importance of communication between partners, and how the couple navigates their journey together. Joe also offers some solid menopause tips for men and women alike. Find Joe on: TikTok @Joe_SealeyInstagram @JoeSealeyJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Sep 12, 2024 • 22min
121: SOLO EPISODE: Menopause research, hormone therapy and spiritual consciousness
Send a textHotflash inc founder and host Ann Marie McQueen talks about the first-ever perimenopause month, Hot Flash Day (courtesy of Stripes) and the annual meeting of The Menopause Society of North America. She talks about sleep, hot flashes, weird quirks of research; hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy. Some new numbers on how many women in the US are taking hormone therapy (it’s way less than you think) and asks why only estrogen is considered hormone therapy. She talks about three of her best friends, who were transformed by exogenous hormones. And she talks about her own spiritual awakening through menopause, which sounds annoying but hopefully is not. Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Sep 5, 2024 • 1h 6min
120: Dr Salome Masghati knows how complicated perimenopause is
Send a textToday Hotflash inc founder Ann Marie McQueen is speaking with a board-certified gynecologist whose surgical career was focused on fibroids and endometriosis before she discovered her love for functional medicine and holistic therapy and discovered what it could do for women struggling with menopause, hormones and wellness. Dr Masghati, who offers virtual consults worldwide in four languages, talks about treating patients from Lebanon to the Philippines, about the balance of estrogen and progesterone, the role of testosterone, the relevance of detoxification, ADHD in midlife, why some people want compounded hormones and why no matter what, we all need individualized treatments. The conversation also delves into the misconceptions about hormone therapies, such as pellets, and how to support women as they undergo psychological and physical changes. 01:59 Dr Masghati’s journey to holistic medicine03:35 Understanding hormonal imbalances (and estrogen dominance, even if you call it something else)03:56 Global perspectives on women's health06:02 Environmental factors affecting hormones10:27 The importance of progesterone17:58 Challenges in hormone treatment20:02 The role of functional medicine29:03 Liver health and hormone balance34:11 Thyroid and insulin resistance34:44 Liver detox and macronutrients35:13 Hormones and sleep36:12 Diet and exercise tips38:28 ADHD and hormonal changes41:19 Managing ADHD symptoms in perimenopause47:29 Hormone therapy options52:07 Risks and side effects of hormone therapy57:55 Hormones and disease preventionJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Aug 29, 2024 • 27min
119: How to keep your bones, muscles, tendons and fascia strong through menopause with Buff Bones' Rebekah Rotstein (Part 2)
Send a textIn part 2 of her interview with Buff Bones' Rebekah Rotstein tells Hotflash inc founder Ann Marie McQueen about the complexities of health during perimenopause and menopause, highlighting the importance of both mineral density, muscles, tendons, collagen and fascia. She outlines the Buff Bones comprehensive exercise plan to hit all the targets in a week, emphasizing personalized care and the importance of mobility and motor control exercises. They explore the impact of collagen, estrogen and (briefly) progesterone on bone health and dive into the fascinating role of fascia in the body's connective tissue system – and in menopause. 02:01 Building bone and muscle through menopause04:38 The importance of mobility07:03 Collagen and bone density09:40 Hormone therapy and bone health18:46 The role of fascia in healthNB: These episodes were recorded in late 2023. Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Aug 27, 2024 • 33min
118: BONUS SOLO EPISODE: Me and hormone therapy
Send a textIn this episode, host Ann Marie McQueen tries to explain her long and convoluted relationship to and quest for hormone therapy. This is an episode about her experiences, made more complicated by living abroad, reluctant doctors and by years spent wandering in a wilderness of emotional and physical symptoms no one could explain. Until everything blew up. And let's not forget the gut issues.In it you will see that even with all her resources, and a global platform all about menopause and midlife, Ann Marie is still trying to find the right recipe for her. The search continues. Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Aug 22, 2024 • 40min
117: Navigating menopause and bone health with Buff Bones' Rebekah Rotstein (Part 1)
Send a textIn this episode, host and Hotflash inc founder Ann Marie McQueen interviews Rebecca Rotstein.Rebekah is the founder of Buff Bones, a medically endorsed exercise method for bone and joint health with on-demand classes and trained instructors in more than 30 countries. Rebekah is a former ballet dancer who has trained athletes and deeply studied the body, including cadaver dissections, along with coursework and fascia research, somatic studies, and visceral manipulation. She serves on bone health working groups in the US, contributing to their recommendations. She's a Pilates teacher, advocate and well-known speaker.Part 1 of this conversation delves into into the intricacies of bone and joint health, sharing evidence-based studies that emphasize the need for high-intensity exercise to increase bone density after menopause. They discuss societal misconceptions, the importance of understanding one's body type, the critical roles of muscle tension and gravity in bone health, and the impacts of early life habits on long-term bone health.Next week in Part 2: What you do to keep your bones, muscles, tendons and fascia strong. NB: These episodes were recorded in late 2023. 02:52 The Importance of bone health04:00 Research and misconceptions in bone health05:49 Backlash and misunderstandings10:46 Rebekah's personal journey with osteoporosis19:03 The interconnectedness of bones and muscles33:14 Preventing bone problems from early lifeJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Aug 15, 2024 • 57min
116: Let's optimize our hormones and not get cancer with Dr Leigh Erin Connealy
Send a textHotflash inc founder and host Ann Marie McQueen sits down with Dr Leigh Erin Connealy, a leading figure in integrative medicine, known for her unique approach in combining conventional and alternative treatments in addressing chronic illnesses and cancer. Dr Connealy is the founder of the Center for New Medicine and the Cancer Center for Healing in Irvine, California and author of two books: The Cancer Revolution and the Be Perfectly Healthy. She is also co-founder of leading hormone brand, Raena Health.She talks about why so many people are getting cancer, how to make chemotherapy more effective and less lethal, why prevention needs to be the focus. For Dr Connealy, the question we need to be asking: what is going on with your terrain, and why is it making cancer? Everything from the food we eat to the chemicals we surround ourselves with to the emotional work we aren’t doing is causing this. And find out what she thinks our number one risk is – why and what we can do about it. (It’s probably not what you are thinking)Dr Connealy wants us all to know that in most cases, cancer is 10 years in the making. She has really good guidance for women considering hormone therapy, explaining the differences in synthetic hormones and the importance of the “orchestra”, including progesterone and pregnanalone, and more than one kind of estrogen. She explains why there is no one solution that fits all women – even though that’s what mainstream medicine wants us to believe – and gives guidance on the particular cocktail, with tweaks, that she likes to prescribe. She also gives her take on whether hormone therapy prevents cancer – its worth listening to the end just to hear what she has to say about that – and addresses that ongoing fear women have, which is weighing our fear of breast cancer risk when considering hormone therapy. Dr Connealy is recognized for her personalized, holistic approach. This episode is nothing short of a masterclass on how to get our inner house in order. Highlights: 01:56 The importance of personalized medicine02:07 The rise of chronic diseases03:09 The need for preventive healthcare04:44 Challenges in cancer treatment13:08 The importance of self-care14:40 The impact of EMFs on health28:12 The power of essential oils28:46 Reprogramming the mind with EVOX29:41 Healing affirmations and subconscious reprogramming33:37 The importance of sleep and water purification34:14 Nourishing rour body with proper nutrition35:01 The role of exercise and movement35:47 Detoxification and cleasing methods38:42 Understanding hormonal health and therapy39:23 Personal experiences with hormonal treatments46:10 The importance of individualized hormonal careJoin the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.comNewsletter: Hotflash inc. on SubstackTikTok: @hotflashincInstagram: @hotflashincX: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information


