The Hotflash inc podcast

Send us a textIn this deep-dive episode, independent researcher and Energy Balance Podcast host Jay Feldman walks Hotflash inc founder Ann Marie McQueen through his bioenergetic approach to health, exploring how modern life disrupts our energy systems and misleads us around hormones.Jay explains why perimenopause symptoms aren’t necessarily signs of estrogen deficiency, what progesterone’s underrated role is, and how metabolism, stress, and gut health all converge to influence the midlife transition.His work has been instrumental in helping Ann Marie connect the dots between her own thyroid, gut health, fatty liver, and hormonal changes. If you're curious, overwhelmed, or stuck between conflicting advice – this one’s for you.Highlights:Why the mainstream medical model didn’t cut it for JayHow energy production impacts reproductive hormonesThe cultural lie of “eat less, move more”Seed oils, PUFAs and what they’re doing to your metabolismSunscreens, toenail polish, and endocrine disruptionWhy low estrogen blood levels don’t tell the whole storyWhat your liver and gut have to do with your hormonesWhy estrogen replacement might be a band-aid, not a solutionProgesterone as the overlooked hero hormoneA breakdown of the research around hormone therapy and preventionWhat’s missing from the Women’s Health Initiative findingsThe testosterone-for-everyone trend: risks and realitiesSmall shifts that support your hormones naturallyHow the carrot salad really worksAlcohol, slow motility, gut health and estrogen clearanceThe liver support and herbal options that actually helpA loving reminder: there is no magic pillSpecial thanks to our sponsor MenoLabsGet 20% off science-backed support for perimenopause and menopause at menolabs.com using code HOTFLASH20Guest bio Jay Feldman is a health coach, independent researcher, and the host of the Energy Balance Podcast. With a background in neuroscience and exercise physiology, he takes a bioenergetic approach to health that focuses on restoring cellular energy and dismantling modern myths around nutrition, metabolism, and hormones. Jay’s personal mission is to help people heal by reconnecting them with their bodies and understanding how modern life throws off our internal systems. Work with Jay & explore moreWebsite: jayfeldmanwellness.comFree Guide: jayfeldmanwellness.com/guidePodcast: The Energy Balance Podcast 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 of the Hotflash inc podcast, host and founder Ann Marie McQueen sits down with Dr Lara Briden – a naturopath, women’s health speaker, and author of Period Repair Manual, Hormone Repair Manual, and Metabolism Repair for Women. Together, they unpack some of the buzziest and most confusing midlife health trends: from hormone therapy + GLP-1 combos to supplement overwhelm, vaginal estrogen, and the sudden concern over labia shrinkage.Dr Briden brings a refreshing and deeply grounded perspective to the conversation, challenging common narratives and reminding us of the biological brilliance of the female body – especially in midlife.Highlights:The overhyped narrative about hormone therapy and GLP-1sWhat GLP-1 medications really do, and why they’re fascinating to Dr. BridenSupplements as a security blanket, and why Ann Marie and her friends are rethinking themTaking a “supplement holiday” – what it is and why it helpsThe connection between GLP-1s and gut healthWhat happens when you go off hormone therapy or GLP-1s? A naturopath’s minimalist supplement travel kitVaginal changes in menopause: what’s real, what’s clickbaitThe difference in how men vs women are told to view their bodies as they ageVaginal estrogen and the truth about genitourinary syndrome of menopauseThe bizarre labia shrinkage trend and the pressure of “perfect” body partsWhy menopause is not a mistake of evolution – it’s a featureThe danger of over-identifying with health labels“Wear it lightly” – a powerful reframe from Dr. BridenThe trend of diagnosing yourself through InstagramNot everyone suffers in perimenopause – and that’s okaySponsor: Shoutout to our sponsor MenoLabs – makers of MenoFit, a science-backed probiotic designed to relieve hot flashes, night sweats and more. Hotflash Inc listeners get 20% off with the code HOTFLASHINC20.Connect with Dr. Lara Briden:Website: www.larabriden.comInstagram: @larabridenX: @larabridenBooks: Available wherever books are sold, including Bookshop.org, Amazon, and Pan MacmillanJoin 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, founder and host Ann Marie McQueen talks with serial entrepreneur Carin Luna-Ostaseski – creator of Hot or Just Me?, a comprehensive online platform supporting women through perimenopause and menopause.Carin’s path from successful whiskey founder to menopause advocate is anything but ordinary. After launching the first American woman and Hispanic-created Scotch whisky (SIA), and pioneering a grant program for underserved entrepreneurs, she found herself navigating hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia and more. Rather than suffer silently, she launched a new venture focused on offering trusted products, expert advice, and a supportive community for other women going through the same.They talk candidly about hormonal sensitivity, the pressure to take HRT, entrepreneurial lessons, how to optimize sleep (even if your partner snores like a bear) and the most helpful (and unhelpful) products in the menopause space. If you'd like to check out Carin's marketplace Hot or Just Me? use our exclusive discount code for Hotflash inc listeners, HFINC, here for 25 percent off.  Episode highlights:Carin’s journey from tech and whisky to menopause advocacyHow her own symptoms inspired Hot or Just Me?How she selects products for the site and what she avoidsHer top-selling tools for cooling, comfort, and sexual wellnessWhy she’s cautious about one-size-fits-all supplementsThoughts on the “menopause gold rush” and consumer choiceWhy she isn’t on hormone therapy and how that’s played outNavigating hormonal sensitivity and IVF strugglesThe nuance around HRT pressure and platform responsibilityNon-hormonal solutions that work for her (starting with sleep!)Caffeine and alcohol hacks that actually helpSponsor shoutout: Has your doctor told you that you're too young for perimenopause, but you just don’t feel like yourself? You’re not alone – perimenopause can start earlier than you think. That’s why MenoLabs is here, to support you with a range of products and the information you need to confidently speak up and get the care you deserve. They also offer science-backed solutions like their best-seller, MenoFit, a probiotic designed to help relieve symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats and more – all while supporting your overall health and wellness. Visit menolabs.com and get 20% off your order using code: HOTFLASH20This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.Relevant links:Website → https://hotorjustme.comIG → @hotorjustmeFind a certified menopause practitioner → 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 textThis week’s solo episode is all about supplements – the good, the bad, and the potentially dangerous. I open up about my own rocky road with pills, powders, and tinctures, including the time I returned a popular fat burner in the early 2000s and, more recently, when I accidentally took five times the recommended dose of desiccated thyroid.This episode is both a cautionary tale and an invitation to slow down, listen to your body, and ask what you really need – beyond the bottle. If you’ve been gagging on supplements, feeling unwell despite taking “all the right things,” or questioning what’s working and what’s not, this is for you.Episode highlights:That time I levitated from a fat burner (and returned it in a rage)How Ephedra was banned after high-profile deathsWhat early sensitivity to supplements taught me (and didn’t)When supplements become a security blanketThe Maca incident that triggered spotting and emotional chaos“Why didn’t you rest?” – the question that (started to) change everythingGenetic testing, fatigue and falling back into old patternsStage 2 hypertension and a terrifying headacheThe wakeup call Supplements vs. food – what we’re getting wrongWhat symptoms are really telling youA call to self-kindness and slowing downSponsor shoutout:Has your doctor told you that you’re too young for perimenopause, but you know you just don’t feel like yourself? You’re not alone – perimenopause can start earlier than you think. That’s why MenoLabs is here, to support you with a range of products and the information you need to confidently speak up and get the care you deserve. They also offer science-backed products like their best-seller, MenoFit, a probiotic designed to help relieve symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats and more – all while supporting your overall health and wellness. Don’t settle for less during this season of your life. Visit Menolabs.com and get the support you need today. Hotflash inc listeners get 20% off with code: HOTFLASH20Now for the small print: This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.Call to action:If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review and share it with someone who might need it. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss what’s coming next, we’ve got incredible guests and stories on the way.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 of the Hot Flash inc Podcast, host Annemarie McQueen sits down with Dr Stuart Phillips, a professor of Kinesiology at McMaster University, to explore the intricacies of exercise, aging, and nutrition, particularly focusing on the impact of these factors during perimenopause and menopause. They discuss common societal pressures and misinformation women face around exercise and health during midlife, emphasizing the importance of consistent and practical workout routines. Dr Phillips debunks myths about hormone therapy, estrogen, and muscle health, and offers evidence-based recommendations for maintaining physical function and overall well-being. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that sheds light on the real science behind muscle health, the benefits of physical activity, and practical advice for women navigating this challenging life stage.Topics Covered:Menopause and exercise challengesStarting the conversation with Dr PhillipsThe importance of consistency in exerciseSocial media’s impact on fitness adviceDebunking the heavy-lifting mythProgressive overload explainedBalancing exercise and lifeThe benefits of muscle healthThe importance of health span and physical mobilityBone health: hormone therapy vs. activityExercise and mental health benefitsHormone therapy and muscle mass: the evidenceFascia and connective tissue: the overlooked componentsInactivity and its impact on agingSupplements: creatine, protein, and moreWeight-loss drugs and muscle loss concernsLongevity and lifestyle: a balanced perspectiveAdvice for women in perimenopauseWhere to find Dr Stuart PhillipsX: @mackinprofInstagram: @mackinprofLinkedIn @stuartphillipsFacebook: SMPPh.D Sponsor shoutout: Has your doctor told you that you’re too young for peri/menopause, but you know you just don’t feel like yourself? You’re not alone – perimenopause can start earlier than you think. That’s why MenoLabs is here, to support you with a range of products and the information you need to confidently speak up and get the care you deserve. They also offer science-backed solutions like their best-seller, MenoFit, a probiotic designed to help relieve symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats and more – all while supporting your overall health and wellness. Don’t settle for less during this season of your life. Visit Menolabs.com and get the support you need today! Hotflash inc listeners get 20% off with code: HOTFLASH20Join 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 to the Hotflash inc Podcast! I’m Ann Marie McQueen, journalist and founder of Hotflash Inc, and today I’m joined by Dr Tiffany Duffing, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist, US Army Veteran, and co-founder of GI Psychology. Dr Duffing is an expert in the gut–brain connection, integrative therapy and clinical hypnosis for GI disorders, chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety. There is such an intersection with everything we are facing in perimenopause, so stay tuned as we dive into the science behind one of the most  practical tools for healing.HighlightsDr Duffing’s path to GI Psychology and clinical hypnosisOvercoming skepticism: “If you don’t show me the data, I’m gonna go collect some information.”Dr Duffing’s personal experience with gut issues and family historyThe emotional and mental toll of GI distressPerimenopause, menopause, and the gut: what the research saysThe gut–brain connection explained: enteric nervous system, vagus nerve, and moreHow stress, trauma, and hypervigilance affect gut healthThe power of clinical hypnosis and how it worksSelf-hypnosis, apps, and how to find a qualified providerDr Duffing’s advice: “If you have physical distress, Google Scholar that and see how clinical hypnosis can help. Boom.”Sponsor shoutout: Has your doctor told you that you’re too young for peri/menopause, but you know you just don’t feel like yourself? You’re not alone – perimenopause can start earlier than you think. That’s why MenoLabs is here, to support you with a range of products and the information you need to confidently speak up and get the care you deserve. They also offer science-backed solutions like their best-seller, MenoFit, a probiotic designed to help relieve symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats and more – all while supporting your overall health and wellness. Don’t settle for less during this season of your life. Visit Menolabs.com and get the support you need today! Hotflash inc listeners get 20% off with code: HOTFLASH20Where to find Dr Tiffany:Website: gipsychology.comIG: duffing4gastrohealthLinkedIn: Dr. DuffingAmerican Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH)Evia App for Hot FlashesJoin 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 textThis week on the Hotflash inc Podcast, I’m talking with board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist Dr Sara Reardon, aka The Vagina Whisperer. With 650,000 followers on Instagram and 8 million TikTok views, Sara has become a trusted source for breaking down pelvic floor health in a way that’s clear, empowering and, yes, even fun.Her upcoming book, FLOORED: A Woman’s Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage (out June 10 from HarperCollins Park Row), is an honest, comprehensive guide to the often-ignored foundation of our bodies. In our conversation, we get into how stress, childbirth, perimenopause and menopause affect the pelvic floor — and how we can take back our strength and vitality at every age.From the perils of peeing too fast to disappearing orgasms, Dr Sara brings science, compassion and truth to a topic most of us were never taught about.Episode highlights:Understanding Stress and Pelvic Floor TensionIntro to the Hot Flash Ink PodcastPelvic Floor 101: Anatomy and FunctionPelvic Floor Health During PerimenopauseThe Role of Hormones and StressSponsor shoutout: Has your doctor told you that you’re too young for peri/menopause, but you know you just don’t feel like yourself? You’re not alone – perimenopause can start earlier than you think. That’s why MenoLabs is here, to support you with a range of products and the information you need to confidently speak up and get the care you deserve. They also offer science-backed solutions like their best-seller, MenoFit, a probiotic designed to help relieve symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats and more – all while supporting your overall health and wellness. Don’t settle for less during this season of your life. Visit Menolabs.com and get the support you need today! Hotflash inc listeners get 20% off with code: HOTFLASH20This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.Where to find Dr Sara Preorder FLOORED by Dr Sara Reardon (HarperCollins, June 10) Instagram: @the.vagina.whispererWebsite: thevagwhisperer.comTikTok: @thevaginawhispererJoin 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

Dr. Heidi Lescanec, a seasoned naturopathic physician, shares her insightful approach to navigating perimenopause and menopause. She introduces the concept of 'The Pink Zones,' environments that empower women in midlife. The discussion dives into the interplay between hormone health and emotional well-being, urging women to prioritize connection and self-care. Heidi also challenges outdated menopause narratives, encouraging a shift in perspective to view this transition as a transformative opportunity rather than a decline.

Send us a textIn this episode, Ann Marie McQueen speaks with globally recognized strategist Dr Lydia Kostopoulos, whose work spans emerging technology, national security, and macrotrends. But it’s her deep interest in human performance and healthy aging that brings her into the perimenopause conversation.Lydia shares her experience preparing for this life phase with intention, data, and strategy – including a military-style “perimenopause game plan”. Through her Project N of 1 series and personal research, she’s built a unique, highly organized approach to symptom tracking, risk assessment, and hormone therapy prep – while emphasizing emotional and psychological resilience.What we cover:• Why Lydia created her Perimenopause Game Plan series as part of Project N of 1• Her strategic approach to tracking symptoms, health data, and preparing for hormone therapy• Insights from interviewing women across generations, disciplines, and cultures• Why mental and emotional health are critical pillars of healthy agingQuote:“If you don’t know you have choices, then you never had a choice.” – Dr Lydia KostopoulosResources & Links:Perimenopause Game Plan YouTube PlaylistDr Lydia Kostopoulos on LinkedInInstagram: @hilydiakX @lkcyberEpisode sponsor: Thanks to Menolabs for sponsoring this episode. Perimenopause can start earlier than you think. That’s why Menolabs is here to support you with trusted information and science-backed products like MenoFit, a probiotic designed to help relieve symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and more, all while supporting your overall wellness. Use code HOTFLASH20 for 20% off at menolabs.com *This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who’s navigating big transitions. Leave a review, subscribe, and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram at @hotflashinc for daily inspiration and support in midlife and beyond.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 textAre psychedelics a missing key to personal transformation in midlife?This week, I speak with Rob Grover and Gary Logan, the founders of The Journeymen Collective, a luxury guided psilocybin retreat company based in the mountains outside Vancouver, BC. These two have helped entrepreneurs, performers, couples—and yes, many women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and midlife transitions—use guided mushroom journeys to reconnect to themselves and release emotional burdens that therapy, medication, or self-help books haven’t resolved.We talk grief, depression, anxiety, the inner critic, and how to tap into the body’s sacred intelligence when everything feels disconnected. Rob and Gary explain the difference between “tripping” and undergoing a true guided journey, and why that distinction matters so deeply for healing and growth.Highlights: “Most people who find us have done the therapy, read the books, tried the biohacking—and still feel stuck.”– Rob Grover“This isn’t about escaping—it’s about meeting yourself more deeply than ever before.” – Gary LoganHow grief led both Rob and Gary to their first journeys with magic mushrooms—and why it changed everything.Why psilocybin is not a shortcut or magic bullet, but a profound reset for the nervous system.The science, spirituality, and deep preparation that goes into their luxury retreats.Why talk therapy for 10 years often gets outpaced by 4 days of immersive guided work.A frank and beautiful discussion about anger, sadness, menopause symptoms—and how they’re often calls to listen to the body, not suppress it.Links + resources:Learn more: The Journeymen CollectiveFollow Rob and Gary on Instagram and LinkedInMentioned: Red School: Menstruality EducationResearch: MAPS – Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic StudiesUse code HOTFLASH20 for 20% off at MenoLabs.comEpisode sponsor: Thanks to Menolabs for sponsoring this episode. Use code HOTFLASH20 for 20% off at menolabs.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