

The Second Opinion with Dr. Sharon
Higher Ground
Menopause isn’t a moment, it’s the rest of your life. Hosted by leading OBGYN Dr. Sharon Malone, a perimenopause and menopause expert with over 30 years of experience, The Second Opinion with Dr. Sharon is where women take back the conversation on hormones and aging. Each week, Dr. Sharon will be joined by well known guests, board-certified experts, and women just like you, to tackle all things menopause– from joint ache, muscle pains, and heart health to brain fog, fertility, weight gain and more. Hormone changes touch almost every aspect of women’s health, and Dr. Sharon is here to give you the right tools to reclaim the rest of your life. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Have health questions? Submit them here.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 19, 2026 • 48min
Why Endometrial Cancer Cases Are on the Rise
Did you know endometrial cancer cases are projected to rise significantly by 2050? Dr. Carol Brown comes on the show to explain why the Gynecologic Oncology speciality is so important for women to understand. Dr. Brown also discusses with Dr. Sharon why those numbers are on the rise, and what you can do to educate yourself on it. The doctors highlight how to ensure you know what type of treatment you should be getting when going to see a doctor as it can be treated and often curable if caught early. WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR HEALTH QUESTIONS! Submit them here.Dr. Carol Brown is a gynecologic cancer surgeon and Chief Health Equity Officer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she holds the Nicholls-Biondi chair for health equity and is Vice Chair of health equity in the department of surgery. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard and her medical degree from Columbia, and completed her clinical and research fellowships in gynecologic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Dr. Brown’s research, clinical, and advocacy work is focused on reducing and eliminating disparities experienced by medically underserved people affected by cancer. She developed and leads the Cancer Health Equity Research Program, a unique partnership between an NCI-designated Cancer Center and community oncologists that brings clinical trials and cancer genomic profiling to underserved patients in their local community. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the 2017 Minorities in Cancer Research American Association for Cancer Research Jane Cooke Wright Memorial Lectureship. Dr. Brown served as the 50th president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and is currently a member of the Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons.Resources:https://www.sgo.org/ https://prescancerpanel.cancer.gov/members/brownhttps://www.mskcc.org/experience/physicians-at-work/carol-brown-work https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/uterine-endometrial/improving-equity-endometrial-cancer-care The Second Opinion with Dr. Sharon is a production of Higher Ground.Hosted by Dr. Sharon Malone.Produced by Stella Hartmann.Production Assistance by Camila Thur de Koos and CJ Archerd.Sound Design and Engineering by Ryan Kozlowski and Andrew Eapen.Head over to Alloy Health, where Dr. Sharon Malone serves as Chief Medical Advisor, and discover why 95% of women who tried Alloy experienced menopause relief within just two weeks. Plus, as a special offer, use code TSO25 at checkout to receive $25 off your first order today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 12, 2026 • 41min
Two Strokes and a Heart Attack! ft. ShantaQuilette Carter
Comedian and heart health advocate ShantaQuilette Carter joins the podcast to share the story behind her heart attack and multiple strokes. Carter shares how her age and lack of family history knowledge threw doctors off for years. Plus Dr. Sharon walks us through how heart attacks might appear for women and what signs you should definitely NOT ignore.ShantaQuilette Carter, famously known as HeyShantaQ, is a force of nature—an award-winning humorist, entrepreneur, and two-time stroke and heart attack survivor who turns life’s challenges into powerful lessons of resilience, joy, and empowerment. With her signature humor and authenticity, she has built a community of over 2 million followers, generating 1 billion+ impressions across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. As a nationally recognized health equity advocate and founder of Quiddity Media & Entertainment and Girl Be Natural, she uplifts women and underrepresented creators while raising awareness of health disparities. Resources:https://www.instagram.com/heyshantaq/ American Heart Association - Heart Attack Symptoms in WomenAmerican Heart Association - Stroke SymptomsThe Second Opinion with Dr. Sharon is a production of Higher Ground.Hosted by Dr. Sharon Malone.Produced by Stella Hartmann.Production Assistance by Camila Thur de Koos and CJ Archerd.Sound Design and Engineering by Ryan Kozlowski and Andrew Eapen.Head over to Alloy Health, where Dr. Sharon Malone serves as Chief Medical Advisor, and discover why 95% of women who tried Alloy experienced menopause relief within just two weeks. Plus, as a special offer, use code TSO25 at checkout to receive $25 off your first order today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 5, 2026 • 44min
The Lucky Egg ft Dr. Lucky Sekhon
Dr. Lucky Sekhon, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist who wrote The Lucky Egg, joins to unpack egg freezing, IVF, and family building for LGBTQ+ people. They explore ideal ages for harvesting, AMH and what it measures, embryo versus egg freezing, clinic choice and costs, genetic testing debates, and future technologies in fertility preservation.

Dec 22, 2025 • 34min
Equitable Healthcare Is Better Care for Everyone ft Dr. Uché Blackstock
00:15:41:05Physician, health advocate, and author Dr. Uché Blackstock joins the show to talk about health equity and her work to advance it. The NYT bestselling author of Legacy, A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, he talks about the detrimental effects of racism, how disparities in the U.S. healthcare system affect everybody, and how we can all begin to address these inequities. Plus, she shares how the recent rollback on DEI programs and policies has impacted her work. Do you have health questions? Submit them here.Resources:Advancing Health EquityTurn health equity talk into action: 5 steps for health systemsThe Second Opinion with Dr. Sharon is a production of Higher Ground.Hosted by Dr. Sharon Malone.Produced by Stella Hartmann.Production Assistance by Camila Thur de Koos and CJ Archerd.Sound Design and Engineering by Ryan Kozlowski and Andrew Eapen.Head over to Alloy Health, where Dr. Sharon Malone serves as Chief Medical Advisor, and discover why 95% of women who tried Alloy experienced menopause relief within just two weeks. Plus, as a special offer, use code TSO25 at checkout to receive $25 off your first order today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 15, 2025 • 38min
Is it Within Your Power to Avoid Cancer? Ft. Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee
How much can you actually do to avoid getting cancer? Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee sits down with Dr. Sharon and shares what we've learned about cancer in the last 15 years. His four new major chapters added to the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Emperor of All Maladies shares how differently we look at cancer, since the book was first published. So much has changed in the universe of cancer, the understanding of its causes; our attempts to prevent it; and in the revolutionary new treatments that are being put out every week. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Have questions? Submit them here.Siddhartha Mukherjee is an Indian physician, biologist, and author. He is best known for his 2010 book, The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer, that won notable literary prizes including the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, and Guardian First Book Award, among others. It is a NYT top 100 Book of the Century and Best Book of the Year, as well as a Time All-Time 100 Nonfiction book.Resources:https://www.cancer.columbia.edu/profile/siddhartha-mukherjee-mdhttps://www.newyorker.com/contributors/siddhartha-mukherjeehttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3032451.Siddhartha_MukherjeeThe Second Opinion with Dr. Sharon is a production of Higher Ground.Hosted by Dr. Sharon Malone.Produced by Stella Hartmann.Production Assistance by Camila Thur de Koos and CJ Archerd.Sound Design and Engineering by Ryan Kozlowski and Andrew Eapen.Head over to Alloy Health, where Dr. Sharon Malone serves as Chief Medical Advisor, and discover why 95% of women who tried Alloy experienced menopause relief within just two weeks. Plus, as a special offer, use code TSO25 at checkout to receive $25 off your first order today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 8, 2025 • 42min
Are Hair Relaxers Bad for Your Health? ft Linda Villarosa
New York Times and 1619 Project journalist Linda Villarosa joins Dr. Sharon to talk in-depth about the viral article discussing the study on hair relaxers and their link to a higher risk of cancer. How real is the risk? Dr. Sharon digs into the study and Linda speaks on her journalistic findings. Do you have health questions? Submit them here!Linda Villarosa is a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, where she covers race, inequality and public health. Her award-winning work has examined HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality, environmental justice, COVID-19 racial health disparities and life expectancy. A former executive editor of Essence Magazine, she is the author of the book Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation. The New York Times named it one of the top five nonfiction books of 2022 and it was a finalist for the 2023 Pulitzer Prize. Resources:Linda’s websiteRead Linda's article hereAmerican Cancer Society - Cervical Cancer Prevention and Detection GuidelinesThe Second Opinion with Dr. Sharon is a production of Higher Ground.Hosted by Dr. Sharon Malone.Produced by Stella Hartmann.Production Assistance by Camila Thur de Koos and CJ Archerd.Sound Design and Engineering by Ryan Kozlowski and Andrew Eapen.Head over to Alloy Health, where Dr. Sharon Malone serves as Chief Medical Advisor, and discover why 95% of women who tried Alloy experienced menopause relief within just two weeks. Plus, as a special offer, use code TSO25 at checkout to receive $25 off your first order today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 1, 2025 • 39min
High Functioning and Hidden Depression ft Dr. Judith Joseph
Board certified psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph talks with Dr. Sharon about her research on the large number of people experiencing high functioning depression. Dr. Judith, at the forefront of this first of its kind research, lays out the inspiration and details behind this study. Plus Dr. Sharon and Dr. Joseph go through the steps it takes to reclaim your joy while going through the thick of it! Do you have health questions? Submit them here.Dr. Judith Joseph MD MBA is a board-certified psychiatrist, researcher and award-winning content creator who specializes in mental health and trauma. She is chair of the women in medicine initiative at Columbia University, clinical assistant professor in child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU Principal Investigator at Manhattan Behavioral Medicine, New York City’s Premier Clinical Research Site. Her National Bestselling book, “High Functioning” is based on the first-of-its-kind study on high functioning depression which she conducted in her all-women research lab in New York City. This study is the first peer-reviewed published study in the world on High Functioning Depression. Dr. Judith uses her platform of over 1 million followers to educate her community about mental health topics and she trains doctors at NYU about how to use various forms of media to educate the public about mental health issues.Resources:High Functioning BookDr. Judith Joseph SiteThe Second Opinion with Dr. Sharon is a production of Higher Ground.Hosted by Dr. Sharon Malone.Produced by Stella Hartmann.Production Assistance by Camila Thur de Koos and CJ Archerd.Sound Design and Engineering by Ryan Kozlowski and Andrew Eapen.Head over to Alloy Health, where Dr. Sharon Malone serves as Chief Medical Advisor, and discover why 95% of women who tried Alloy experienced menopause relief within just two weeks. Plus, as a special offer, use code TSO25 at checkout to receive $25 off your first order today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 24, 2025 • 51min
Your Gut Health is Taking a Punch! Ultra Processed Foods and Hormone Changes ft Dr. Trisha Pasricha
Thanksgiving is the time for learning about your family's health history!Dr. Trisha Pasricha is on the show talking all things gut related! Your microbiome, antibiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, IBS, GI issues, and...fecal transplants? The two doctors discuss how your gut develops and changes from birth all the way up to midlife. Plus, Dr. Trisha shares her take on the latest gut fads. Do you have health questions? Submit them here.Dr. Trisha Pasricha, MD, MPH is a gastroenterologist and scientist at Harvard Medical School. You may know her as the “Ask A Doctor” columnist for The Washington Post where she translates complex medical topics into must-read insights—with a touch of humor—for millions each week. A graduate of Harvard College, Dr. Pasricha earned her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her training includes an internal medicine residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and gastroenterology and motility fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital. Currently, Dr. Pasricha serves as director of the Institute for Gut-Brain Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, leading an NIH-funded research laboratory at the forefront of gut-brain science. Her work has been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA Network Open, and Nature Reviews.References:Institute for Gut Brain Researchhttps://www.trishapasricha.com/Tig Notaro EpisodeThe Second Opinion with Dr. Sharon is a production of Higher Ground.Hosted by Dr. Sharon Malone.Produced by Stella Hartmann.Production Assistance by Camila Thur de Koos and CJ Archerd.Sound Design and Engineering by Ryan Kozlowski and Andrew Eapen.Head over to Alloy Health, where Dr. Sharon Malone serves as Chief Medical Advisor, and discover why 95% of women who tried Alloy experienced menopause relief within just two weeks. Plus, as a special offer, use code TSO25 at checkout to receive $25 off your first order today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 17, 2025 • 47min
Your Ancestry May Reveal Crucial Breast Cancer Insights ft. Dr. Lisa Newman
This heartfelt episode kicks off with Dr. Lisa Newman and Dr. Sharon, both having lost a sister to breast cancer. Dr. Newman shares details about her life saving research on genetics and aggressive breast cancers. She explains the disparities in breast cancer rates, especially for Black women and how certain breast cancers can be tied to ancestry. Plus, Dr. Newman shares some of today’s state of the art options for high risk breast cancer treatments, screening recommendations, and underlines the importance of continuing research in the field. Do you have health questions? Submit them here!Dr. Lisa Newman is one of the leading voices in breast cancer, the chief of the section of breast surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medicine. She has been awarded for her work in oncology and was the surgical oncologist who performed Katie Couric’s lumpectomy.Resources:https://www.bcrf.org/https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer.htmlhttps://tnbcfoundation.org/https://www.komen.org/The Second Opinion with Dr. Sharon is a production of Higher Ground.Hosted by Dr. Sharon Malone.Produced by Stella Hartmann.Production Assistance by Camila Thur de Koos and CJ Archerd.Sound Design and Engineering by Ryan Kozlowski and Andrew Eapen.Head over to Alloy Health, where Dr. Sharon Malone serves as Chief Medical Advisor, and discover why 95% of women who tried Alloy experienced menopause relief within just two weeks. Plus, as a special offer, use code TSO25 at checkout to receive $25 off your first order today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 10, 2025 • 48min
Obesity Today: Getting Real about False Narratives and New Science ft Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford
Obesity is on the rise worldwide, and over 100 million Americans live with obesity. Dr. Fatima explains how obesity is more than just calories in and calories out issue and how it can lead to a large number of other health risks. Dr. Fatima and Dr. Sharon discuss what causes obesity outside of food and who is most at risk. Plus, Dr. Fatima shares what taking GLP-1’s for weight loss should really look like. Do you have health questions? Submit them here!Dr. Fatima Stanford, is an Obesity Medicine Physician, Internist, Pediatrician, and Scientist. She is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Obesity Medicine Physician Scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Center. She is one of the most highly cited obesity medicine physician-scientists with over 170 peer-reviewed publications, meaning that her peers cite her research work more than any other in her field. She’s been featured in 60 Minutes, Oprah, ABC News, and more. Resources:Dr. Fatima Cody StanfordMass General HospitalNew Definitions and Criteria for ObesityThe Second Opinion with Dr. Sharon is a production of Higher Ground.Hosted by Dr. Sharon Malone.Produced by Stella Hartmann.Production Assistance by Camila Thur de Koos and CJ Archerd.Sound Design and Engineering by Ryan Kozlowski and Andrew Eapen.Head over to Alloy Health, where Dr. Sharon Malone serves as Chief Medical Advisor, and discover why 95% of women who tried Alloy experienced menopause relief within just two weeks. Plus, as a special offer, use code TSO25 at checkout to receive $25 off your first order today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


