You Are Not Broken

In this episode of the You Are Not Broken, Dr. Kelly Casperson is joined by Joanna Strober, CEO of MIDI Health, for a direct and hopeful conversation about menopause care, hormone therapy, and what women actually need from the healthcare system. Joanna shares the story behind building MIDI Health and why access, education, and properly trained providers are essential to closing the massive gaps in menopause care. Despite the data, only a small fraction of eligible women are receiving hormone therapy—leaving millions undertreated, dismissed, or told to simply “push through.” This episode tackles outdated narratives around menopause, reframes hormones as foundational to long-term health and longevity, and makes a strong case for advocacy—by clinicians, companies, and women themselves. How MIDI Health is delivering hormone therapy to 25,000 women each week Why only ~5% of women over 40 are currently using hormone therapy The critical need for education and training in menopause care How hormone therapy can help prevent downstream health issues Why menopause care doesn’t end when periods stop What’s broken in women’s healthcare—and how to fix it Real patient success stories that show what’s possible The role of hormones in longevity, vitality, and overall health Why advocacy is essential for meaningful change MIDI Health’s vision to become a trusted, national brand for women’s health Menopause is not the end of care—it’s the beginning of a new phase that deserves attention, education, and evidence-based treatment. Hormone therapy isn’t about vanity or “anti-aging”; it’s about giving women access to the healthcare they’ve always deserved. To my fellow clinicians: listen to the You Are Not Broken podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Pinnacle's network to earn FREE CME credit⁠⁠⁠ Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Christine Maren, a board-certified family medicine physician specializing in functional medicine, joins the conversation on women's health. She discusses the unique adaptability of female physiology and how it impacts thyroid function and gut health, especially under chronic stress. Dr. Maren highlights the interplay between hormones, fertility, and environmental factors, emphasizing that women's bodies are not broken but responsive. She shares insights on Hashimoto's disease, stress management, and practical gut health tips for optimizing overall wellness.

This is the audio from an amazing webinar I did with Alloy Health. I was so fortunate to be interviewed by their community leader, Rachel Hughes. What I’m seeing clearly is that Gen X is leading the menopause conversation — we’re asking better questions, demanding better answers, and refusing to be dismissed. At the same time, Millennials are shifting the focus toward prevention, not just treating disease after it shows up. That mindset matters, and it’s changing healthcare. I talk a lot about why self-care isn’t indulgent — it’s essential if you want to thrive in midlife and beyond. That starts with education. You cannot make informed decisions about your body if no one ever taught you how hormones actually work. Hormones are not just reactive tools — they can be preventative, supporting long-term health when used thoughtfully and appropriately. Progesterone and testosterone play real, meaningful roles in women’s health, and vaginal estrogen is both safe and incredibly effective for many women — despite how rarely it’s discussed. We also have to talk about sex. Communication is foundational to a fulfilling sex life in midlife, and silence only benefits outdated narratives, not women. The bottom line? You have more control over your health than you’ve been led to believe. Empowerment doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from understanding your body and advocating for yourself in a system that often won’t do it for you. To my fellow clinicians: listen to the You Are Not Broken podcast on ⁠⁠Pinnacle's network to earn FREE CME credit⁠⁠ Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the You Are Not Broken podcast, Kelly Casperson and Dr. Mariza Snyder discuss the transformative journey of women navigating perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Mariza shares her personal experiences with chronic migraines and how they led her to become a functional medicine practitioner focused on women's health. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding hormonal changes, the impact of chronic stress, and the necessity of movement and nutrition in reclaiming health. Dr. Mariza encourages women to envision their future selves and take ownership of their health journeys, while also addressing the societal pressures that contribute to stress and unhealthy habits. Takeaways Dr. Mariza's journey from chiropractic to functional medicine was driven by her own health struggles. Chronic migraines often affect women in perimenopause due to hormonal changes. Empowering women through health can create a multiplier effect in communities. Movement is essential for recovery and overall well-being. Functional health practitioners focus on root causes rather than just symptoms. Women often feel pressured to be busy, which can lead to chronic stress. Adrenal fatigue is not a recognized medical diagnosis, but stress impacts health significantly. Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing health, especially regarding processed sugars. Insulin resistance is a growing concern for women in midlife. Reading and self-education can empower individuals to take control of their health. Dr. Snyder IG The Perimenopause Revolution To my fellow clinicians: listen to the You Are Not Broken podcast on ⁠⁠Pinnacle's network to earn FREE CME credit⁠⁠ Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I just wrapped 6 years of podcasting!!! Episode 350 marks a major milestone for You Are Not Broken: six years, 350 episodes, and a whole lot of growth—personally, professionally, and culturally. In this end-of-year “big winter blowout,” Dr. Kelly Casperson reflects on what 2025 brought, what changed (for better and worse), and why continuing to speak up for women’s health still matters more than ever. From world events that shaped the year to personal health wins (yes, including her first colonoscopy), Dr. Casperson shares an honest recap of the moments that mattered. She celebrates big professional milestones—like opening the Casperson Clinic, publishing her second book, winning a podcast award, and helping remove outdated FDA boxed warnings on hormone therapy—while also naming the frustrations, resistance, and misconceptions that persist. This episode also looks ahead: new courses, retreats, sexual health innovations (including a vibrator!), and the continued expansion of education around hormones, sex, and aging. Anchoring it all is a reminder from Theodore Roosevelt’s Man in the Arena: progress belongs to those willing to show up, be imperfect, and keep going. Six years and 350 episodes of You Are Not Broken A candid end-of-year reflection on 2025 and the state of the world “Baby’s first colonoscopy” and why health screenings matter Travel highlights, including Sydney and the Opera House Publishing a second book and opening the Casperson Clinic Major personal health improvements through strength training and lifestyle changes The book "you are not broken" winning an award and hosting a second annual retreat in Sedona Three separate FDA engagements—and successfully removing outdated boxed warnings on hormone therapy The biggest misconception about FDA changes and how fast (and messy) change can be A frank moment of accountability (and humor) around language and advocacy Updates from the Casperson Clinic, waitlists, and the subscription-based care model Addyi approval for postmenopausal women The future of online education, including upcoming “Summer School” hormone courses Takeaways from male-dominated FDA panels and what they miss What’s next: retreats, documentaries, new courses, and new products The top five most-listened-to You Are Not Broken episodes of 2025 Should I Take Hormones? (Ep. 328) How (and Why) to Prescribe Hormones (Ep. 318) GLP-1s with Dr. Salas-Whalen (Ep. 329) Getting Better at Sex – Part One (Ep. 333) Perimenopause Is Real (Ep. 324) New online courses covering testosterone for women, female sex education, GSM, perimenopause, and hormones for longevity A retreat in Whistler (August 2026 — limited spots remaining) The M Factor 2.0: Before the Pause (premieres expected early 2026) A sex education course with Commune launching in 2026 And yes—building a vibrator Dr. Casperson closes with Theodore Roosevelt’s Man in the Arena, a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t come from critics on the sidelines—it comes from those willing to step into the work, get messy, make mistakes, and keep advocating anyway. If you’ve been part of this community for one episode or all 350, thank you for being here. This work continues because it matters—and because you do. Listen to the You Are Not Broken podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Pinnacle's network to earn FREE CME credit⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Mindy Pelz and Dr. Kelly Casperson explore the transformative journey of menopause, emphasizing the importance of mindset, self-advocacy, and cultural conditioning. They discuss how women can awaken to their true selves during this pivotal life stage, the significance of understanding one's identity through tools like the Enneagram, and the necessity of engaging men in the conversation about women's health. The discussion highlights the generational shifts in attitudes towards menopause and the empowerment of women to reclaim their voices and advocate for their health and well-being. Mindy Pelz IG Mindy Pelz Book To my fellow clinicians: listen to the You Are Not Broken podcast on ⁠⁠Pinnacle's network to earn FREE CME credit⁠⁠ Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, a urologist specializing in testosterone therapy, dives into the myths surrounding testosterone and prostate cancer. He emphasizes the necessity of screening for low testosterone in men over 30. Joining him is Dr. Marianne Brandon, a clinical sex therapist, who discusses the role of mindfulness in battling sexual boredom and enhancing intimacy. They tackle topics like the reasons men fake orgasms and advocate for improved communication in relationships. Their insights offer a fresh perspective on male and female sexual health.

GSM = genitourinary syndrome of menopause - it is a mouthful - and a very common experience. Today Dr. Corinne Menn and Dr. Casperson talk all about it. This audio is taken from an IG live - follow us both there! In a world where women's health often takes a backseat, the conversation surrounding vaginal hormones is crucial yet frequently misunderstood. We dive deep into the complexities of vaginal estrogen, dispelling common myths and providing clarity on its importance for women, especially those facing menopausal challenges. Dr. Menn's IG To my fellow clinicians: listen to the You Are Not Broken podcast on ⁠Pinnacle's network to earn FREE CME credit⁠ Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit ⁠⁠via4her.com⁠⁠ and get 20% off your first order. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Providers can request patient materials or samples at ⁠⁠hcp.solvwellness.com⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the You Are Not Broken podcast, Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya, a urogynecologist, discusses the role of vibrators in women's health, particularly in addressing sexual health issues. She shares her journey into the field of urogynecology, the importance of sexual health, and her groundbreaking research on vibrators. The conversation explores the implications of her findings, the cultural perceptions surrounding sexual health, and practical recommendations for healthcare providers. Dr. Dubinskaya emphasizes the need for further research and the potential benefits of vibrators in improving blood flow and addressing conditions like lichen sclerosis and atrophy. Takeaways Vibrators can improve blood flow to the pelvic area. Cultural perceptions of sexual health impact women's experiences. Research on vibrators is a new frontier in women's health. Vibrators can help with conditions like lichen sclerosis and atrophy. The importance of sexual health in urogynecology cannot be overstated. Women often feel more comfortable using vibrators externally. The 'use it or lose it' concept needs a nuanced approach. Healthcare providers should recommend vibrators as a common practice. Better questionnaires are needed to assess solo sexual activity. Future research should focus on creating user-friendly vibrators. https://drurogyn.com/ To my fellow clinicians: listen to the You Are Not Broken podcast on ⁠Pinnacle's network to earn FREE CME credit⁠ Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit via4her.com and get 20% off your first order. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Providers can request patient materials or samples at hcp.solvwellness.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jennifer Lanoff, a board-certified women's health nurse practitioner and attorney, shares her journey from law to clinical care focused on reproductive health. She discusses the ethical implications of healthcare, emphasizing that informed consent goes beyond just signatures. Topics include the role of hormones in women's health, the challenges posed by social media misinformation, and the importance of shared decision-making. Lanoff advocates for thorough patient discussions to empower informed choices, highlighting the evolving conversation around menopause and hormone therapy.