The Hotflash inc podcast

Send us a textHosted by journalist and Hotflash inc founder Ann Marie McQueen, this week’s episode features Sonja Rincon, founder and CEO of Menotracker, an AI-powered menopause app based in Austria. Sonja is also a lawyer and single mother who built the tool she wished she had when navigating her own confusing and often dismissed perimenopause symptoms.In this honest and empowering conversation, Sonja explains how she went from being gaslit by doctors to developing a secure, multilingual, research-driven tracking tool that empowers women to identify patterns, advocate for themselves, and share vital data with their healthcare providers.You'll hear about how Menotracker differs from other apps by protecting user privacy, generating detailed reports, offering translations in over 30 languages and allowing deep integrations with wearables. Sonja also opens up about her own HRT journey and the frustrating road to understanding what was really going on in her body.If you’ve ever wondered whether tracking symptoms is worth it, or how midlife women can step into their power as their own health advocates, this conversation is for you.Sponsor Shoutout: Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order.Also a big thanks to Kion Aminos, gold sponsor of the first-ever Hotflash Inc Summit. Their clean, leucine-rich amino acid blend is up to 6x more effective than food-based protein, and helps support recovery, strength, and energy – especially under stress. Learn more at getkion.com/hotflash for 20% off your order.HIGHLIGHTSHow Sonja’s own perimenopause symptoms led her to HRT and away from SSRIsWhy her early symptoms were misdiagnosed as stressHow tracking helped her fine-tune her hormone therapyThe importance of not giving up too soon when adjusting HRTThe tipping point: her friend’s promotion was denied due to visible perimenopause symptomsWhy most trackers fail: lack of reports, language barriers, and questionable data useMenotracker’s privacy-first approachWhy pattern recognition is key for symptom awareness and medical advocacy40+ symptoms available to track and growing through user feedbackHow she taught herself low-code tools and AI to launch the first versionThe power of knowing enough to not be bamboozled by developersOffering the app in 30+ languages Why Europe is lagging behind in the menopause conversationCommunity-based growth strategy and bringing in experts of diverse backgroundsGuest info: Founder & CEO, Menotracker Website: www.menotracker.com Instagram: 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

Send us a textIn this episode, Ann Marie speaks with Dr Gary Elkins, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University and director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory, in Waco, Texas. Dr. Elkins is the leading researcher in the field of clinical hypnosis for menopause, with more than 25 years of experience and more 100 peer-reviewed publications.He joins Hotflash inc to explore the groundbreaking science behind hypnosis for hot flashes, its surprising effectiveness (up to 70% reduction!), how it works in the brain, why it matters for breast cancer survivors, and how hypnosis may also support sleep, stress, and other midlife symptoms. They also discuss Evia, the self-hypnosis app built on Dr. Elkins’ research, and the critical importance of hjaving non-pharmaceutical options for symptom relief.Support shoutout Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order.Thank you to KION for sponsoring the first-ever Hotflash inc Summit. Their aminos is a clean, science-backed essential amino acid supplement that gives your body what it needs to build and repair muscle. It's sugar-free, vegan, non-GMO, and most importantly, third-party tested. Try it for yourself at getkion.com/hotflash  for 20% off your first order.HighlightsHow hypnosis became part of NAMS (now The Menopause Society) guidelinesResearch showing hypnosis reduces hot flashes by 70%What hypnosis is and what it definitely isn’t What happens in the brain during hypnosis The “triple fallacy” and misunderstanding physical symptoms Comparing hypnosis to hormone therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) How hypnosis helps improve sleep and calm anxiety Why hot flashes are a physiological issue, not a psychological one What to expect: when and how hypnosis starts to work The power of daily practice and support from others Addressing misconceptions about hypnotizability and intelligence What the research says about empathy, creativity and hypnosis The mind-body connection and the experiential system How hypnosis taps into the subconscious (without the woo) Dr. Elkins on consulting for the Evia app and why it matters Future research: hypnosis for sleep and psychedelic states without drugsGuest Info – Dr. Gary Elkins Website: www.garyelkins.org Book: Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy: What You Need to Know Handbook: Handbook of Medical and Psychological Hypnosis Evia App: https://www.eviamenopause.comJoin 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

Send us a textWelcome back to the Hotflash inc podcast, hosted by journalist and founder Ann Marie McQueen – the only reader-supported, evidence, expert opinion and human experience-based platform dedicated to all aspects of menopause and midlife. Today’s guest is Jennifer Block, an independent investigative journalist based in the United States. who reports on medicine, health, science and power. In this episode, Ann Marie and Jennifer explore the rising tide of estrogen-focused messaging in menopause care – and how it might not be as organic or evidence-based as it seems. Jennifer has just published three major articles — in The Free Press, The British Medical Journal and on her Substack Unpopular Science — that connect long-suspected dots between pharma-backed advocacy, conflicts of interest and the shifting tone around hormone therapy. Together, these pieces paint a picture of an industry-backed campaign influencing policy, public opinion, and clinical guidance. If you’ve been wondering why estrogen is suddenly everywhere, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.Sponsor Shoutout: Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order.Also, thank you to our friends at Bonafide. Visit hellobonafide.com and use code SUMMIT20 to receive 20% off your first month of any Bonafide subscription product.HighlightsHow Jennifer’s recent reporting was sparked by the FDA black box warning changeThe behind-the-scenes forces pushing for estrogen’s big comebackWhy the “menopause awareness movement” isn’t as grassroots as it seemsWhat Jennifer uncovered about the industry ties behind the Menopause SocietyWhy many doctors may not be aware of their own industry entanglementsHow these dynamics affect everyday women making decisions about HRTWhat informed consent really means in this climateThe importance of journalistic scrutiny in medical debatesFact check:Addyi (flibanserin) offers a modest benefit for certain premenopausal women with HSDD (hypoactive sexual desire disorder), averaging 0.5 to 1 additional satisfying sexual event per month compared to placebo.Compounded hormones typically do not carry standardized FDA boxed warnings or package inserts. These customized medications are exempt from federal labeling regulations, meaning key risk information may not be included.About Jennifer Website: www.jenniferblock.comSubstack: Unpopular ScienceJoin 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

Send us a textIn this episode of the Hotflash Inc Podcast, host and journalist Ann Marie McQueen is joined by Dr. Rachel Pope, an OB-GYN and certified menopause practitioner at the Institute University Hospitals Cleveland, with an appointment in the Department of Reproductive Biology. Dr. Pope is also a public health researcher, currently working to clarify gaps in hormone therapy research that impact real women every day.Dr. Pope’s recent study set social media on fire, with claims that hormone therapy in perimenopause reduces breast cancer, stroke, and heart attack risk by 60%. But is that actually what the data said? In this episode, Dr. Pope gives a clear, honest account of what her study really found – and what it didn’t. She speaks about the confusion that followed, why nuance matters, her belief in the power of hormone therapy and how to move forward in the menopause conversation with more care, accuracy and integrity.This is a must-listen for anyone navigating perimenopause, hormone therapy decisions or working in the midlife health space.Sponsor ShoutoutThank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order.Thank you to Bonafide, a gold sponsor at the Hotflash Inc Summit. To learn more, visit hellobonafide.com and be sure to use code SUMMIT20 to receive 20% off the first month of any Bonafide subscription product.HighlightsThe truth behind the viral claim that hormone therapy “reduces risk by 60%.”Why misinterpretation of data spreads so fast — especially on social media.What the research actually says about breast cancer, stroke, and heart attack.The gaps in current evidence, especially around compounded hormones and long-term outcomes.How healthy-user bias and retrospective databases can distort study results.Why individualized care matters — and why hormone therapy isn’t universally preventative.GUEST LINKSUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical CenterInstagram: @drrpopeX: @drrpope 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

Send us a textIn this solo episode of the Hotflash inc Podcast, host and founder Ann Marie McQueen dives into the rising conversation around ADHD and perimenopause. Drawing from personal experience, research, and lived insight, Ann Marie explores how midlife hormone shifts may intersect with neurodivergence – and how confusing, frustrating and illuminating that process can be. This episode is a candid, powerful reflection on mental health, executive function and how being a woman in midlife calls for compassion and curiosity.Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order.HighlightsAnn Marie reflects on the constant battle to get information right in a world full of misinformation.The emerging connection between perimenopause, ADHD, and hormonal changes.Research shows ADHD traits can intensify menopausal symptoms—even in undiagnosed women.Ann Marie shares her own experience recognizing lifelong ADHD tendencies.Sensory sensitivity, rejection sensitivity, and how they show up in midlife.Why she hasn’t pursued an official diagnosis – and how nervous system healing has helped.The pain of not being taken seriously when you open up about neurodivergence.Testosterone’s overlooked role in executive function and how HRT may help.Why a holistic approach is essential for navigating neurodivergence in midlife.The power of being seen and heard – how a simple conversation at work changed everything.This podcast is hosted by Ann Marie McQueen, journalist and founder of Hotflash inc, the world’s only reader-supported, research-based platform covering all aspects of menopause and midlife. With more than 30 years in journalism, Ann Marie provides evidence-based content, expert interviews, and deeply personal conversations to help women around the world navigate this pivotal life stage.If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit –  and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show. To get the latest research and real talk on perimenopause, menopause, and midlife straight to your inbox, subscribe to the Hotflash inc newsletter at hotflashinc.com.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

Send us a textOn this solo episode of the Hotflash inc Podcast, journalist and founder Ann Marie McQueen breaks down one of the biggest developments in menopause care in years: the FDA’s decision to remove the black box warning on vaginal and topical estrogen. Ann Marie unpacks what this means, what it doesn’t mean, and what we’re not being told in the flurry of headlines and social media excitement. She also shares insight from two menopause certified practitioners who are upcoming guest on the podcast – US ob-gyn Dr. Rachel Pope and Canadian naturopathic doctor Dr. Kirsten Smith – and reflects on the legacy of Dr Burt Webb, a beloved podcast guest and women’s health champion.Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order.It’s not too late to get an All Access Pass to the Hotflash inc Summit! You get lifetime access to the videos, as well as Hotflash inc Summit Book of Knowledge (top takeaways from all the interviews) and the BETA version of the Hotflash inc Hormone Therapy Navigator.HighlightsThe FDA’s removal of the black box warning on vaginal and topical estrogen — what it really meansThe disconnect between science and media messagingExpert insights from Dr. Kirsten Smith and Dr. Rachel Pope on nuance, safety, and responsible communicationWhy sudden menopause isn’t the same as natural menopause — and why that distinction mattersThe quiet truth about progestins vs. progesteroneSocial media, private practice, and the influencer-doctor economyVaginal options like DHEA and testosterone — and what’s missing from the conversationThree questions to ask yourself before starting hormone therapyRemembering Dr. Burt Webb — one of Ann Marie’s favorite guestsThis is a solo episode hosted by Ann Marie McQueen. Additional expert commentary is provided by:Dr. Kirsten Smith, a naturopathic doctor practicing in Canada and Costa Rica with a focus on women’s health and hormone balancing.Dr. Rachel Pope, obstetrician-gynecologist, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and associate professor at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.Dr. Burt Webb, late OB/GYN and beloved advocate for women’s vaginal and hormonal health.This podcast is hosted by Ann Marie McQueen, journalist and founder of Hotflash inc, the world’s only reader-supported, research-based platform covering all aspects of menopause and midlife. With more than 30 years in journalism, Ann Marie provides evidence-based content, expert interviews, and deeply personal conversations to help women around the world navigate this 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

Send us a textHosted by journalist and Hotflash inc founder Ann Marie McQueen, this episode features Dr Leigha Saunders, a naturopathic doctor, menopause specialist and mom of two whose own postpartum sleep struggles ignited a mission to help women reclaim their rest and balance.From her sold-out “Woman Up” event to her candid insights on burnout, radical self-responsibility, and the real roots of fatigue, Leigha and Ann Marie dig into the science and soul of women’s health. They unpack why everything is suddenly labeled “perimenopause,” the hidden role of iron deficiency, and how stress, relationships and lost self-connection lie beneath so many midlife symptoms.Sponsor shout-out Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order.HighlightsDr Leigha Saunders shares how her Woman Up event united over 100 women seeking health and happiness.Why “normal” bloodwork isn’t always optimal — and how the medical system continues to fail women.How midlife hormones lower our tolerance for stress and change the way we recover.Leigha’s own burnout and “dark night of the soul” — and how she turned it into a healing experience.Why perimenopause can sound like “I don’t feel like myself” — and what that really means.The danger of assuming every symptom is perimenopause — and what to test instead.Iron, B12, and protein deficiencies: the hidden causes behind fatigue and low mood.Why collaboration between medical and naturopathic doctors is the future of women’s health.Where to find Dr LeighWebsite: leighasaundersnd.com Instagram: @drleighasaundersndHost bioThis podcast is hosted by Ann Marie McQueen, journalist and founder of Hotflash Inc, the world’s only reader-supported, research-based platform covering all aspects of menopause and midlife. With more than 30 years in journalism, Ann Marie provides evidence-based content, expert interviews, and deeply personal conversations to help women around the world navigate this pivotal life stage.Thank you for being hereIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show. For the latest research and real talk on perimenopause, menopause, and midlife straight to your inbox, subscribe to the Hotflash inc newsletter here.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

Send us a textThank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order.In this episode of the Hotflash inc Podcast, host and founder Ann Marie McQueen sits down with Laura Ghita, a Romanian psychotherapist and Family Constellation practitioner, for a deeply personal and revealing conversation about how unresolved ancestral patterns can shape our midlife experiences – and how we can shift them.Ann Marie recorded this interview several years ago, in the middle of going through menopause, just after experiencing her own Family Constellation session. What followed was a profound rethinking of how past generations and hidden dynamics impact our relationships, our health, and how we move through the world in perimenopause and beyond.Laura explains how this therapeutic modality works, what the science says about inherited trauma, and how this work can reconnect us to our intuition, our bodies, and our personal truth. Whether you're new to Family Constellation Therapy or already curious, this episode will move you to think differently about healing – and the invisible threads that connect us all.Highlights:How Family Constellation helps women in perimenopause and menopauseUnderstanding the inherited beliefs about womanhood from your maternal lineWhy we can’t think our way through healingHow trauma gets stored in our bodies – and why it mattersThe turning point when Ann Marie felt emotion linked to her great-grandmotherWhy healing is never “done” – it’s a lifelong journeyLaura Ghita is a Romania-based psychotherapist and Family Constellation facilitator with more than a decade of experience helping individuals and groups uncover the unconscious patterns passed down through generations. Her approach is grounded in psychology, trauma-informed practices, and energetic awareness. Laura travels internationally to offer workshops and one-on-one sessions, including regular visits to Seva Wellness in Dubai. Her work helps people reconnect with their deeper selves, their bodies, and their ancestral lines to bring clarity, healing, and peaceConnect with Laura:LinkedIn Laura Ghita Instagram: @lauraghita.psychologistJoin 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

Send us a textThank you to Timeline for sponsoring this podcast. Powered by Mitopure®, Timeline’s clinically proven Urolithin A gummies are designed to boost energy and support healthy aging at the cellular level. Use code HOTFLASH at timeline.com for 20% off your first order.In this episode of the Hotflash inc podcast, host and founder Ann Marie McQueen speaks with award-winning journalist, broadcaster and women’s health advocate Fiona Clark. Together they unpack how media, medicine and marketing collided to create confusion and polarization in menopause care – and what needs to change.Fiona, co-founder of the Menopause Research and Education Fund, shares why she wrote Meno Wars, the impact of social media “medical influencers,” how evidence gets cherry-picked and misused, and why better data, plain-language summaries and shared decision-making are vital for women’s health. They also discuss vaginal health – including her own issues – testosterone, GLP-1s, trauma, diet culture and the urgent need for more menopause research funding.HighlightsHow the menopause movement went off the rails,The rise of medical influencers and how misinformation spreads onlineWhat hormone therapy can and can’t doThe overlooked importance of vaginal health and simple, effective treatmentsHow marketing shapes narrativesWhy anger is valid, and how women can demand better data, research, and careAbout Fiona ClarkFiona Clark is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and women’s health advocate. She is the author of Meno Wars: Why Menopause’s Moment Has Gone Horribly Wrong, which examines how media, medicine and marketing have shaped today’s menopause narrative. Fiona is also co-founder of the Menopause Research and Education Fund, dedicated to improving scientific research, education and equity in women’s health.Meno Wars: wherever books are sold IG: @fiona_clark_writesJoin 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

Send us a textThank you to Timeline for sponsoring this podcast. Powered by Mitopure®, Timeline’s clinically proven Urolithin A gummies are designed to boost energy and support healthy aging at the cellular level. Use code HOTFLASH at timeline.com for 20% off your first order.In this empowering episode of the Hotflash inc podcast, journalist and founder Ann Marie McQueen speaks with Riana Malia, a transformation coach with over 20 years of experience helping ambitious women break free from emotional blocks, unconscious patterns, and limiting beliefs. Riana shares her Clear to Create method, which blends neuroscience, advanced trauma-aware coaching, and energetic techniques like Quantum Time Release to help women shed old stories and reclaim their personal power.We dig into people pleasing, forgiveness, midlife transitions, and why so many of us are unconsciously stuck in survival loops that keep us from fully living. We also discuss how midlife – and perimenopause – can serve as a powerful energetic reset, and what it really takes to step into your next chapter, unapologetically.Highlights4:20 – How childhood conditioning creates the nice girl persona6:50 – What it means to “clear before you can create”8:30 – The cost of repeating old patterns and people pleasing9:45 – What is Quantum Time Release and how does it work?12:15 – Why mindset isn’t enough and the unconscious mind always wins13:45 – Trauma, cycles, and the deep work that actually frees us16:30 – Alchemical forgiveness – what it is and how it sets you free20:00 – How emotional blocks show up physically in perimenopause and menopause22:00 – Stepping into your full power in midlife24:10 – Speaking up at work and at home – and dealing with the fallout26:30 – Reintroducing yourself after transformation29:10 – A dress disaster becomes a metaphor for authenticity32:30 – When you’re done being the one who fixes everything34:30 – You can’t solve a problem with the same mind that created it35:10 – How to work with Riana one-on-one or take her free assessmentRiana Malia is a transformational coach, advanced trauma practitioner, and creator of the Clear to Create method. With over two decades of experience and training in modalities like evolved neurolinguistic programming and Quantum Time Release, she helps ambitious women break free from the emotional and energetic blocks that keep them stuck. Her work blends neuroscience, deep compassion, and intuitive guidance to help clients step into their true power and create the life and love they desire.Where to find RaniaWebsite: https://www.rianamalia.com (currently being relaunched)Take the quiz: https://quiz.rianamalia.com – Find out what’s standing between you and extraordinary loveInstagram: https://instagram.com/rianamaliaJoin 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