Transforming 45

What happens when menopause symptoms start changing what you can manage at work, and getting help becomes another job? Trish Barbato had spent years working toward a leadership goal. When the opportunity arrived, menopause symptoms and difficulty getting care stood in the way. That experience helped bring her to the work she now does as Co-Founder and Director of the Menopause Foundation of Canada. Trish joins me on Transforming 45 after we shared a stage at Queen’s Park. We talk about what women carry when care is hard to access, how workplace rules can make an already difficult day worse, and why employers need to understand the experience and knowledge they risk losing. We walk through the Foundation’s seven policy priorities, covering provider education, equitable care, physician payment, treatment access, research, workplace support and public awareness. We also talk about practical changes employers can make now, including reviewing existing policies and making room for basic needs such as washroom access. I share an experience from my years in the classroom that still makes me angry. Women have been expected to keep going through circumstances that deserve a much more humane response. This conversation is part of the advocacy I want more people to hear as menopause policy moves into public debate. If it resonates, listen, share it, and use the Foundation’s letter campaign to tell your elected representatives why this matters to you. Listeners will take away How gaps in menopause care can affect career choices and financial security. What the seven policy priorities ask governments to address. Why education and small workplace changes can make support more accessible. How to add a personal story to a letter to elected representatives. Connect with the Menopause Foundation of Canada: Take action: https://menopausefoundationcanada.ca/change/ Read the agenda: https://menopausefoundationcanada.ca/mpac/ Sign the Free HRT in Ontario petition: https://freehrtontario.ca/ Connect with Lisa: https://liberatedmenopause.ca/ For workplace learning: https://link.flowi.io/widget/bookings/menoempower • Instagram @lboate Interested in beautiful Canadian made clothes? Head to dotty.ca This conversation discusses advocacy and lived experience. Treatment decisions need individual assessment with a qualified healthcare professional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What parts of yourself have you learned to keep quiet? Voice coach, author and singer-songwriter Barbara McAfee joins Lisa Boate for a conversation about finding your voice in midlife, letting go of old expectations and making room for more of who you are. Barbara talks about the grief that can come with change, the fear of singing in front of other people and the lasting effect of being told your voice does not belong. We explore her five-element approach to vocal expression, what it means to be heard and how music can help us notice the people and moments we might otherwise pass by. There is humour here, and room for the hard stuff. A conversation for anyone getting curious about what she wants to say next. In this episode: Letting go of who you thought you were supposed to be Welcoming back the younger, wilder and less polished parts of yourself Grief, self-criticism and the expectations we carry into midlife Barbara’s experience of changing vocal capacity as she gets older Earth, fire, water, metal and air in her Five Elements Framework The story of a woman who sang happy birthday to her sons after years of believing she could not sing Camp songs, memory and the experience of singing together Barbara’s personal reframe for stage fright Making things we love and allowing ourselves to appreciate them Listening for someone’s intention as well as their words Chapters: 00:00 Preview and show intro 01:15 Welcome and introducing Barbara McAfee 01:40 Why women feel they lose their voice in midlife 03:46 Welcoming the parts of yourself you have kept quiet 05:06 Grief and the way we talk to ourselves 09:05 Letting go of the life you expected 11:38 Seeing the pattern in your life 13:41 A changing voice and room to play 16:39 Feeling safe enough to speak freely 16:55 Barbara’s five elements of vocal expression 18:27 How we respond to tone of voice 20:19 Dottie sponsor break 21:36 How our voices affect one another 23:12 The lasting impact of being told you cannot sing 24:45 Camp songs and the memories we carry 28:06 Why singing can feel so vulnerable 29:15 Barbara’s reframe for stage fright 32:13 Giving your wildness room 33:57 Appreciating what you create 35:21 Music and noticing the people around us 36:57 Rapid fire: water and a voice that keeps growing 37:58 What being heard really means 38:54 Where to connect with Barbara and closing About Barbara Barbara McAfee is a voice coach, author, keynote speaker and singer-songwriter with more than 30 years of experience in vocal coaching and performance. She is the author of Full Voice and Vocal Intelligence and the founder of the Morning Star Singers volunteer hospice choir. Connect with Barbara Website and coaching: https://www.barbaramcafee.com/ Books: https://www.barbaramcafee.com/store.html Five Elements practices: https://www.barbaramcafee.com/vocal-intelligence.html Music: https://barbaramcafee.bandcamp.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mcafeemusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbaramcafeesings/ Connect with Lisa Website: https://liberatedmenopause.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Transforming45 Follow Transforming 45 in your listening app. If this conversation brings someone to mind, send it her way. Content note: This episode includes strong language and discussion of grief and death. Barbara shares her own experiences and approach to voice work. This conversation is not individual medical advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when the dream you worked for no longer fits—and the woman in the mirror begins to change too? In this episode of Transforming 45, Lisa sits down with Sway Brows founder Tanny Diep to talk about failure, burnout, beauty, business and the courage to reinvent yourself more than once. Tanny shares how being kicked out of college, selling door-to-door, working in fashion and completing an unexpected yoga teacher training shaped the artist, educator and entrepreneur she is today. The conversation goes far beyond permanent makeup. Lisa and Tanny explore the vulnerability of changing faces, the difference between beauty as performance and beauty as self-expression, and why confidence cannot be researched or perfectly planned—it has to be built through action This Episode Is About Why reinvention is rarely a straight line What rejection can teach us about resilience Recognizing when a once-right dream no longer fits The relationship between burnout, worth and identity Why beauty treatments can be an act of agency and self-connection How changes to our face and body can affect midlife confidence Building confidence through small, consistent action Creating a business rooted in service, freedom and meaningful work You’ll Hear: How Tanny recovered after losing a full scholarship and being kicked out of college Why door-to-door sales became unexpected training for entrepreneurship What fashion taught her about creativity, business and knowing when to leave How yoga helped her move from blame and burnout toward self-awareness The client experience that changed the way she understood permanent makeup Why eyebrows can be deeply connected to identity and self-recognition Why Tanny keeps returning to building, teaching and serving clients Tanny’s mind-body-spirit approach to rebuilding confidence The Big Takeaway: You are allowed to change the dream. This conversation offers room to reconsider work, beauty and success as your life changes, then begin with a small action that feels useful to you. About Tanny Diep: Tanny Diep is the founder of Sway Brows, a beauty entrepreneur, permanent makeup artist, educator and marketing mentor helping beauty professionals build profitable, scalable brands. After growing a multi-service beauty business specializing in permanent makeup for brows, lip blush, eyeliner and plasma skin rejuvenation, she now teaches artists to master both their craft and their marketing through training, coaching and practical business strategy. Connect with Tanny: Training and coaching: www.swaybrows.com Services studio: www.swayinked.com PMU supplies: www.theswaystore.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swaybrows/ Connect with Lisa: Website: https://liberatedmenopause.ca Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Come find me at the National Menopause Show, October 17–18, 2026, at the International Centre in Mississauga. I’ll be recording Transforming 45 from the show floor. Use TRANSFORM45 for 15% off tickets: https://nationalmenopauseshow.com/ Have you really lost your libido, or were you never given the space, language or permission to discover your desire in the first place? In this honest conversation, Lisa sits down with psychologist and sexual-health researcher Dr. Lori Brotto, author of Better Sex Through Mindfulness. Together, they unpack the myths women have inherited about desire and how exhaustion, stress, pain, medication and relationship context can shape our sexual lives. We talk about knowing your body, what menopause can change, preparing for conversations with a healthcare practitioner, and what to say when your concerns are dismissed. We also explore how partners can talk about sex without making one person responsible for fixing everything. Maybe pleasure in midlife begins with getting curious about who we are now. Sexual health is health, and this conversation gives us language for something many of us have carried quietly. What listeners will take away: Desire can depend on what is happening within us, around us and in our relationships. Knowing what feels good helps us communicate what we want. Pain, discomfort and changes in desire are legitimate topics for healthcare. A conversation with a partner can start with: “I heard something that made me curious about us.” Chapters: 00:00 Did we lose desire—or never get to know it? 01:33 What sexual desire actually is 03:13 Have I ever felt desire in my own skin? 06:33 What “I’ve lost my libido” can mean 08:34 Sex education, agency and inherited stories 12:38 Knowing your body and what feels good 15:10 Hormones, menopause and sexual comfort 17:38 Why a blood test cannot tell the whole story 18:58 Shame, self-discovery and support 22:32 Midlife women and the demand for better healthcare 27:22 Preparing to talk to your healthcare provider 28:42 Sexual health is health 30:15 Responding when your concerns are dismissed 31:53 Alcohol, sleep and arousal 33:40 Talking with a partner about timing and sex 35:53 How partners’ bodies and roles can change too 38:22 A first step toward sexual self-awareness 40:22 How to begin the conversation with your partner 41:08 What Lisa is taking away CONNECT WITH LORI Website and books: https://www.loribrotto.com/ Research lab: https://brottolab.med.ubc.ca/ CONNECT WITH LISA https://liberatedmenopause.ca/ Instagram: @lboate Transforming 45 is a space for honest conversations about midlife transformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN ME AT THE NATIONAL MENOPAUSE SHOW Come for honest conversations, practical information and a whole lot of midlife connection. When: Oct 17, 2026–Oct 18, 2026 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Where: The International Centre, Hall 5, Mississauga, Ontario. I’ll be podcasting from the show floor, including a live conversation with Jessica Holmes on Saturday. Come say hello! Use my code TRANSFORM45 for 15% off your tickets. Tickets: National Menopause Show tickets What happens when you’ve done everything “right”—and still find yourself asking, Who am I now? Around her 50th birthday, Jennifer Arthurton faced divorce, unemployment, an empty nest and illness. The checklist she’d followed no longer offered an answer for what came next. In this episode of Transforming 45, Jennifer and Lisa Boate talk honestly about the grief and anger that can come with a changing identity, the energy it takes to perform a perfect life, and the small questions that can bring you back to yourself. Jennifer shares how writing opened a door to creativity she hadn’t recognised, why stillness was so uncomfortable, and how she learned to ask harder questions without taking responsibility for everyone else’s reaction. You’ll hear about: Letting go of the “good girl” script Finding identity beyond work, marriage and motherhood Listening to your preferences instead of automatically accommodating everyone Practising self-trust through small everyday choices Building community that supports you and challenges you Chapters: 00:00 Who am I now? Introducing Jennifer Arthurton 01:40 The corporate checklist and the “good girl” script 04:37 Divorce, empty nest and the grief behind starting over 08:04 Finding an identity beyond your roles 10:41 Discovering creativity and Old Chicks Know Sh*t 13:56 The energy cost of performing a perfect life 19:15 Learning to stop—and making room for stillness 23:23 Practising self-trust through small choices 25:24 Lisa’s personal experience of stillness and memory 28:25 What do I want? Questions and boundaries 30:44 People-pleasing and asking difficult questions 32:17 Community, collaboration and being fully expressed 38:36 Jennifer’s personal perspective on menopause and purpose 41:11 Trusting yourself in your next chapter About Jennifer Jennifer Arthurton is the founder of Old Chicks Know Sh*t, a platform, podcast and community supporting women navigating midlife and their next chapter. In the conversation, she also discusses her Maven Collective community. CONNECT WITH JENNIFER Instagram: @oldchicksknowshit Facebook: Jennifer on Facebook Website: Old Chicks Know Sh*t Podcast: Old Chicks Know Sh*t Podcast CONNECT WITH LISA Website: Liberated Menopause Consulting & Coaching Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Instagram: @lboate Facebook: Lisa on Facebook Facebook community: Join Lisa’s community Follow Transforming 45 in your listening app so the next conversation is easy to find. If this episode makes you think of someone, send it to her. Personal experiences and perspectives are shared in this episode; they do not establish causes of illness or replace individual healthcare advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get tickets for the National Menopause Show, October 17–18, 2026: https://nationalmenopauseshow.com/buy-tickets/ Use code TRANSFORM45. Has your body changed in perimenopause or menopause and suddenly your clothes don’t feel like you anymore? Heather Bolt, founder of Dotty Clothing, joins Lisa Boate for a funny, honest conversation about midlife fashion, changing bodies, body confidence and what happens when we stop trying to dress the woman we used to be. We talk about the messages Gen X women inherited about our bodies, the ridiculous rules around dressing “age appropriately,” sensory and body changes in midlife, colour, comfort, visibility and why getting dressed can be a surprisingly powerful part of reclaiming your identity. Because the goal isn’t to get your old body back. It’s to dress the body you have now in a way that makes you feel like yourself. And sometimes, as Heather puts it, we need to remember who the hell we are. In this episode: • How perimenopause and menopause can change the way clothes feel and fit • Why “age appropriate” style rules deserve to be questioned • Body confidence after 40 and 50 • The messages Gen X women learned about taking up space • Dressing for the body you have instead of waiting for your body to change • Using colour, comfort and personal style to reconnect with yourself • Why midlife can be the moment we stop disappearing Chapters 00:00 How to Dress a Changing Midlife Body 00:47 How Clothes Change How We Feel 02:34 “I’m 56. It’s My Time to Shine” 03:51 Who Decided What’s Age Appropriate? 05:10 Dressing for Perimenopause & Menopause Body Changes 08:25 Let Go of Clothes That Make You Feel Like Garbage 14:00 Fashion, Body Confidence & Taking Up Space 24:00 What Gen X Learned About Women’s Bodies 34:00 Colour, Visibility & Midlife Style 39:48 Why Midlife Women Are Done Disappearing 44:07 Remember Who the Hell You Are 47:30 Dress for How You Want to Feel Connect with Heather: Dotty: https://www.dotty.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dottyclothing/ Connect with Lisa: Website: liberatedmenopause.ca Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Instagram: @lboate YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Transforming45 If you’re figuring out who you are in this version of midlife, subscribe to Transforming 45. These are the conversations we should have been having all along. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It’s not a problem that you can’t keep it together enough. It’s a problem that you have too much to keep together.” — Dr. Michelle Jacobson What happens when a leading menopause specialist and a seasoned business builder decide that “this is just how it is” is no longer an acceptable answer? In this episode, Lisa sits down with Dr. Michelle Jacobson and Jenn Patterson, co-founders of Coven Health, to explore why women’s healthcare so often feels fragmented—and what becomes possible when care is evidence-informed, collaborative and built around the whole woman. They talk honestly about perimenopause, migraine, iron deficiency, anxiety, rage, libido, medical dismissal and the impossible pressure to keep everything together. They also unpack why individualized care matters, why a patient must have agency in every treatment plan, and how better education now could change the experience of the next generation. In this epsiode: How a two-and-a-half-year specialist wait list helped inspire a new model of care Why publicly funded physician care is only one piece of comprehensive health support How migraines, mood changes, fatigue and rage can intersect with the menopause transition Why not every midlife symptom is “just hormones” The value of prioritizing one meaningful health change at a time What true patient-centred care and informed choice look like How Gen X women were trained to keep it together—and what that has cost us Why teaching the full life cycle of women’s health could change everything The deeper meaning behind the name Coven Chapters: 00:00 Meet Dr. Michelle Jacobson and Jenn Patterson 01:37 Building a Better Model for Women’s Healthcare 04:12 Jenn’s Journey from Patient to Co-Founder 07:10 Why Women Struggle to Find the Right Care 08:56 Public Healthcare, Private Clinics and the Missing Nuance 12:17 Closing the Gaps in Women’s Healthcare 14:29 What’s Missing from the Menopause Conversation 19:20 Migraines, Anxiety and Early Perimenopause 20:14 Menopause Rage—and the Power Inside It 25:25 Why Women Feel They Must Keep It All Together 28:44 What We’re Teaching the Next Generation 30:13 Supporting Women Earlier in Their Lives 31:59 The Menopause Education Gap 37:39 What Patient-Centred Care Actually Looks Like 43:33 Why the Name Coven? 47:14 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Coven About the guests: Dr. Michelle Jacobson is an OB-GYN and menopause specialist whose work focuses on evidence-informed, individualized women’s healthcare. Jenn Patterson is an entrepreneur, business leader and CEO of Coven Health. Together, they are building a collaborative model designed to help women feel heard, informed and supported across midlife and beyond. Connect with Coven Health: Website: https://www.covenhealth.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/covenhealth/ Connect with Lisa: Website: https://liberatedmenopause.ca Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/ And come connect with Coven in person at The National Menopause Show! 📍 International Centre, Hall 5 📅 October 17 & 18, 2026 🎟️ Use code TRANSFORM45 for 15% off your tickets. Gather your own coven and come join us. This episode is for education and conversation only. It does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your own symptoms and care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me at this year’s National Menopause Show, October 17 and 18 at the International Centre in Mississauga. Go to https://nationalmenopauseshow.com/ and use code TRANSFORM45. For years, Jessica Holmes built a career playing other people. Now, in midlife, she is discovering the freedom of becoming more fully herself. In this episode of Transforming 45, Lisa and Jessica talk about the pressure Gen X women inherited to do everything, the fear of having a professional “best-before date,” and the identity shift that arrives when children leave home. Jessica shares the phrase guiding her life now: “I travel at the pace of my own well-being.” Together, they explore why boundaries are not the same as abandoning community, how self-kindness changes with age, and why workplace well-being cannot be used as a bandage for unsafe systems. There is also a giant sun hat, a rebellious braless dog walk and a reminder that midlife liberation can be both meaningful and gloriously ridiculous. In this conversation Identity after years of performing for other people Menopause, ageism and the myth of a professional expiration date Empty-nest transitions and changing caregiving roles Moving at the pace of your own well-being Saying no without an apology essay Self-care, community and the difference between boundaries and disconnection Psychological safety and why resilience cannot fix harmful systems Modelling a different relationship with achievement for young adults If this episode connected with you, share it with the woman who needs permission to stop racing a clock she never chose. Guest bio Jessica Holmes is a celebrated Canadian comedian, speaker, author and mental health advocate. She has opened for Ellen DeGeneres, Jerry Seinfeld and Oprah Winfrey; performed with Just for Laughs and The Second City; and starred in The Holmes Show and Royal Canadian Air Farce. Her book, Depression The Comedy: A Tale of Perseverance, uses humour and honesty to explore resilience, mental health and joy. Website: https://jessicaholmes.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyfunholmes/ Chapters 00:45 – Meet Jessica Holmes: comedy, mental health and finding funny when life goes off-book 03:30 – From playing other people to learning to play yourself 04:23 – Empty-nest identity and having something hopeful to move toward 06:49 – The invisible backpack of work, motherhood and pressure 09:51 – Ageism and the myth of a professional best-before date 13:30 – “I travel at the pace of my own well-being” 18:08 – Comparison, rejection and running your own race 20:17 – The self-kindness that can arrive with age 21:20 – Practising no without over-explaining 24:18 – Self-care, service and community are not opposites 27:58 – UV clothing and the everyday rebellion of dressing for yourself 31:44 – What midlife parents can model for young adults 34:48 – Achievement, money and what actually supports well-being 38:13 – Psychological safety must come from leadership 42:55 – Why workplace well-being cannot be a bandage 44:05 – What makes Jessica feel most alive Learn more about Lisa and Liberated Menopause: https://liberatedmenopause.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Transforming 45 Podcast, Lisa sits down with Karen Armes, founder of ZuZu Unleashed, holistic health educator, retreat leader, entrepreneur, and passionate disruptor in the wellness space. Together, they unpack the modern midlife experience through the lens of nervous system health, depletion, minerals, emotional overwhelm, identity shifts, connection, and what happens when women stop abandoning themselves. This conversation moves beyond surface-level wellness trends and into the deeper questions so many women are asking right now: Why am I exhausted? Why doesn’t my body feel like mine anymore? Why do I still feel depleted even after “doing all the things”? Expect a spicy, thought-provoking conversation about modern health culture, human connection, nervous systems, emotional load, and how we move from survival mode into possibility. Episodes of Transforming 45 drop every Thursday on all listening platforms and YouTube. Why modern women are feeling so depleted Nervous system overload and emotional exhaustion The role of minerals and nourishment Human connection and energetic health Midlife identity shifts Returning to yourself after years of survival mode Chapters: 00:00 Meet Karen “ZuZu” Armes 02:30 Why Aging Looks Different for Women Today 07:21 Menopause, Minerals & the Nervous System 11:47 What Does It Mean to Be “Electric”? 18:21 Why “Vibration” Isn’t Just Woo-Woo 19:50 Human Connection, Energy & the Nervous System 23:07 How Collective Experiences Change Us 26:10 What’s Actually in Your Supplements? 30:09 The Overwhelming Wellness Landscape 31:06 Where Do Midlife Women Even Start? 35:02 Why We Long to Reconnect With Our Roots 37:36 Grief, Spiritual Connection & Those We’ve Lost 40:00 “I’ve Done Everything and Still Don’t Feel Like Myself” 41:03 Are You Stuck in Fight-or-Flight? 43:11 Moving From Fear Into Possibility 44:39 One Tiny Morning Practice That Can Shift Your Day 45:29 Why Social Media Keeps Us Stuck in the List 47:36 Smile, Mineralize & Ask Questions Connect with Lisa: Website: Liberated Menopause Consulting & Coaching Instagram: @lboate Facebook: Lisa Boate Facebook Group: Transforming 45 Community YouTube: Transforming 45 Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Website: ZuZu UnleashedHolistic Health Education: Holistic Health EducatorsRetreat Centre: Lily Fields Retreat CenterInstagram: @zuzu_unleashedFacebook: ZuZu Unleashed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if aging isn't something that simply happens to us? This week's conversation completely shifted how I think about longevity. Not because it promised magic supplements or miracle cures. Because it reminded me that the goal isn't living longer. It's protecting the years we're living. If you've ever wondered… ✨ Should I take supplements? ✨ Does intermittent fasting really work? ✨ What happens to our bodies during menopause? ✨ How do I know what's real? ...this conversation is for you. Chapters: 00:00 Can We Actually Slow Aging? 02:39 Why Do We Age? 08:25 Why Aging Sneaks Up on Gen X 10:00 What Menopause Has to Do With Aging 12:06 When Should You Seek Menopause Treatment? 13:19 The 7 Biological Causes of Aging 18:58 Mitochondria, Energy & Aging 20:01 Why Sleep Changes As We Age 21:07 Estrogen's Effect Throughout the Body 23:40 Inflammation and the Aging Immune System 27:07 Glucose, Insulin Resistance & Aging 29:25 Lifespan vs Healthspan 33:50 Which Supplements Actually Have Evidence? 40:03 Where Do You Start? 42:15 Exercise, Bones & Women's Longevity 52:58 What Quality of Life Do You Want? Aging begins long before menopause. Healthspan matters more than lifespan. Hormones are only one piece of healthy aging. Strength training becomes increasingly important after 40. Good science embraces uncertainty. Longevity isn't about perfection—it's about reducing disease risk over time. Fact Check: Rosalind Franklin Connect with Dr. Kaufmann: Website: https://kaufmannprotocol.com Clinical website: https://kaufmannlongevity.com Instagram: @kaufmannlongevity Connect with Lisa: Website: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca Podcast: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467 Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Menopause was kept quiet for decades. Alicia J. Rose is done whispering. In this fierce, funny and deeply cathartic conversation, Lisa sits down with the award-winning filmmaker, photographer and musician behind MENOPUNKS—a documentary, podcast and growing movement using punk-rock rebellion to challenge menopause misinformation and demand hormonal justice. Alicia shares her own path from medical dismissal to becoming “hormonally radicalized,” why music remains one of Gen X’s most powerful languages, and what happens when midlife rage is channeled into creativity, community and action. Lisa and Alicia also unpack the cultural fallout from decades of fear surrounding hormone therapy, the stories Alicia is hearing from iconic musicians, and the electric energy of Menopunkapalooza. This episode is for anyone who has wondered whether the problem was their body—or a system that never gave them the information, care and choices they deserved. Content note: This conversation contains strong language and discussion of medical dismissal, cancer, dementia, reproductive rights and political systems. It shares lived experience and advocacy perspectives and is not personal medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your individual circumstances. What we talk about: Alicia’s symptoms became impossible to dismiss in her early 50s, but getting informed, appropriate care was anything but straightforward. MENOPUNKS grew from a personal health reckoning into a documentary, podcast and movement focused on misinformation, access and hormonal justice. Gen X’s relationship with music matters: for the last analog generation, art did not just entertain us—it helped us define ourselves. Alicia is gathering menopause stories from musicians and artists, revealing common experiences of dismissal, confusion and feeling as though something was seriously wrong. Lisa and Alicia explore the lasting cultural fear created by the early reporting on the Women’s Health Initiative and why informed, individualized care matters. Menopunkapalooza put menopause advocacy onstage with music, comedy, clinicians, politicians, resources and joy. Rage can consume us, but it can also carry information. When combined with creativity and community, it can become fuel for change. Listeners can support MENOPUNKS by following and sharing the project, listening to the podcast, buying merch or donating toward documentary post-production. Chapters: 00:01 — Meet Alicia J. Rose and the MENOPUNKS movement 00:57 — When menopause became bigger than Alicia’s own body 03:45 — The echo chamber of hormone fear and misinformation 08:22 — Why Gen X may be uniquely equipped to change the story 10:47 — Music, identity and the last analog generation 17:18 — What musicians are revealing about menopause 20:21 — Feminism, cultural backlash and the future women expected 23:30 — The Women’s Health Initiative and the consequences of its reporting 30:43 — Menopunkapalooza: reclamation, healing and euphoria 37:12 — Why resistance also needs joy 38:46 — How Gen X wants to age differently 40:38 — Storytelling as an uncensored source of power 41:55 — How to support the MENOPUNKS film, podcast and movement 44:07 — Alanis Morissette, consider this your invitation 45:10 — Uncaging rage and turning it into action MENOPUNKS website: https://www.menopunks.com/ About Alicia and the MENOPUNKS team: https://www.menopunks.com/about-1 Alicia J. Rose: https://www.aliciajrose.com/bio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menopunks/ Email: menopunks@gmail.com Podcast, merch, documentary updates and donations are available through the MENOPUNKS website. The Estrogen Dilemma - Historical Article Connect with Lisa: Lisa Boate | Menopause Consultant, Coach and host of Transforming 45 Website: https://liberatedmenopause.ca/ Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me at the National Menopause Show, October 17–18 at the International Centre in Mississauga! Get your tickets at nationalmenopauseshow.com and use code TRANSFORM45 at checkout. What happens when you stop trying to hold it all together… and start laughing instead? This week, Lisa sits down with Kara Murray—aka MediocreMom76—former teacher turned viral content creator and now stand-up comedian. Kara built a massive audience by telling the truth about motherhood, menopause, and the absolute chaos of midlife—and people felt it. In this episode, we explore what happens when you stop striving for perfection and start embracing “good enough.”  What You’ll Hear: The accidental creation of the “Menopause Hotline” (and why it exploded) Why midlife unlocks confidence you didn’t have before Teacher ➡️ creator ➡️ comedian: how reinvention actually happens The mental load, brain fog, and identity shifts of menopause Body image, generational patterns, and what we pass to our kids Why comedy might be one of the most powerful forms of advocacy Letting go of perfection and embracing “mediocre”  Key Takeaways: You don’t have to suffer in your body Reinvention isn’t reckless—it’s necessary “Good enough” is more powerful than perfect Midlife isn’t shrinking you—it’s expanding you Laughter is connection—and we need more of it   About Kara Murray Kara Murray (MediocreMom76) is a former teacher turned social media personality and emerging stand-up comedian. She shares honest, hilarious takes on motherhood, menopause, and midlife identity, building a community through truth and humour. 🔗 Connect with Kara Instagram: @mediocremom76 Merch Shop: https://mediocremom76.com/ Connect with Lisa Website: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467 Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me at this year's National Menopause Show, October 17th and 18th at the International Center in Mississauga. Go to https://nationalmenopauseshow.com/ and use code :TRANSFORM45 Menopause isn't the end of the story. In this episode of Transforming 45, Lisa sits down with functional medicine practitioner and nutritionist Cindy Dupuie to talk about what happens after menopause and why women need to pay attention to their health long after the hot flashes fade. Together they tackle hormone therapy myths, the lasting impact of the WHI study, bone health, vaginal estrogen, inflammation, muscle loss, heart disease risk, and the importance of becoming the CEO of your own health. If you've ever thought "I'm past menopause, so I'm done worrying about it," this episode may change the way you think about your future health. ✔ Why post-menopause deserves more attention ✔ The lasting impact of the WHI study ✔ What estrogen actually does throughout the body ✔ Why heart disease is the leading cause of death for post-menopausal women ✔ Bone density, osteoporosis and preventing fractures ✔ The role of vaginal estrogen in preventing UTIs ✔ Why muscle matters more than ever ✔ The importance of building your healthcare team ✔ How to advocate for yourself in medical appointments ✔ Why it's never too late to improve your health Menopause is one day. Post-menopause lasts the rest of your life. Hormones affect far more than reproduction. Bone loss begins long before most women receive screening. Vaginal estrogen may help prevent recurring UTIs and improve quality of life. Movement is medicine, especially strength training. Women deserve preventative care, not just reactive care. You are the CEO of your own health. Connect with Cindy: Website: alivingbalance.net https://alivingbalance.net  Instagram: @cindy_dupuie https://www.instagram.com/cindy_dupuie/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@alivingbalance Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdupuie/ Signature Course: Grace In Transition for Women Of A Certain Age https://alivingbalance.net/course/ Free Download Lab Checklist for The Pause Years https://mailchi.mp/ec838eef0e74/lab-checklist Connect with Lisa Website: https://liberatedmenopause.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467 Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca New episodes of Transforming 45 drop every Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’re not stuck—you’re running patterns. And patterns can be rewritten. In this episode of Transforming 45, Lisa sits down with Thayne Martin, creator of ELAH™ and an experiential neuroscience entrepreneur helping people rewire emotional patterns in real time. After surviving severe childhood trauma, addiction, and a near-death experience, Thayne rebuilt his life by understanding one powerful truth: 👉 Most of what drives us isn’t conscious—it’s subconscious programming. What we cover: Why 95% of your thoughts are subconscious (and running the show) How childhood experiences shape adult identity The body’s role in storing and repeating emotional patterns What it actually takes to create lasting change (hint: not mindset alone) Heart vs. brain: why intuition matters more than you think The cost of living a “double life” and how to come back to yourself A simple but powerful self-love practice to begin rewiring today Chapters: 00:00 You’re not broken—you’re programmed 02:30 Childhood stories that shape your identity 05:00 Trauma, addiction, and hitting rock bottom 08:00 The “armor” we wear to survive 12:30 Near-death experience + wake-up call 18:00 Heart-brain coherence explained 23:00 Why your body knows before your brain 32:00 Life review + emotional impact on others 37:00 The 3 things every human must learn 46:00 The mirror exercise that changes everything Connect with Lisa: 🌐 Website: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/ 👥 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467 📩 Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Connect with Thayne Martin: itspurelove.com linkedin.com/in/thaynemartin https://www.facebook.com/thaynemartin instagram/thaynemartin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midlife isn’t a breakdown—it’s a signal. In this episode, Lisa sits down with Harmony Slater to explore how menopause, burnout, and body image conditioning disconnect women from their bodies—and how somatic practices, breathwork, and nervous system regulation can help you reconnect. What this episode covers: Menopause and body changes in midlife Why women feel disconnected from their bodies The impact of burnout, stress, and overtraining How the body stores trauma, stress, and emotion What somatic healing and embodiment practices actually are Simple tools for nervous system regulation and self-connection Key Takeaways: You’ve been conditioned to fix your body instead of listen to it Menopause and perimenopause amplify body awareness and discomfort Chronic stress and burnout keep you stuck in your head, not your body Somatic work helps release stored tension and emotional patterns Rest, breath, and awareness are essential for hormonal and nervous system health. Standout Insights: “We are trained to notice what needs to be fixed.” “It doesn’t feel safe to be in a body that’s constantly criticized.” “Your body is always trying to heal—you just need to listen.” Chapters: 00:00 The biggest lie we’ve been taught 03:30 Living in your head vs your body 07:00 The war women have with their bodies 12:30 Overtraining, burnout, and guilt 18:00 The 8:30am exhaustion moment 23:00 What somatic work actually is 31:00 Why your body doesn’t feel safe 34:00 “When did you decide you had to earn rest?” 40:00 Simple practices to reconnect 44:00 Rewiring what you notice about yourself  If you’re navigating menopause symptoms, stress, or burnout, start here: Lie on the floor, feet grounded Place your hands on your chest or belly Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth Notice where your breath moves in your body Follow the sensation—no judgment, no fixing This supports nervous system regulation, stress reduction, and body awareness. Harmony Slater is a somatic coach and certified Ashtanga yoga teacher who helps people reconnect with their bodies through breathwork, movement, and nervous system healing. Her work focuses on helping individuals move beyond stress, anxiety, and physical tension to create more aligned, energized lives. Instagram: @harmonyslaterofficial Website: harmonyslater.com YouTube: Harmony Slater Connect with Lisa: 🌐 Website: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/ 👥 Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467 📧 Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Tickets for the National Menopause Show: https://nationalmenopauseshow.com/ - use my exclusive code TRANSFORMING 45 and be my guest! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when the life you built no longer fits the woman you’re becoming? In this episode of Transforming 45, Lisa sits down with Kim Costa—author of Live in Your Wheelhouse and creator of The Wheelhouse Method—to explore the powerful connection between identity, environment, and midlife reinvention. Because here’s the truth no one talks about: Sometimes the most “perfect” life… is the most misaligned one. From a life-altering accident to walking away from a home that looked beautiful on paper but felt completely off, Kim shares how midlife has a way of shaking loose everything that no longer fits—and how your physical space might be the first place you feel it. Together, we explore: ✨ Why your home can start to feel like a job instead of a sanctuary ✨ The hidden emotional weight of “having it all” ✨ How misalignment shows up in subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways ✨ The connection between your internal world and your physical space ✨ Simple ways to start realigning your life—without blowing everything up 00:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery 01:13 Recognizing Misalignment in Life 04:06 The Impact of Physical Space on Well-Being 08:45 The Weight of Expectations 11:30 Midlife Transitions and New Beginnings 15:05 Finding Bravery in Change 20:29 Taking Action in Physical Spaces 21:10 Creating Intentional Spaces 23:59 The Wheelhouse Framework for Life Reflection 26:58 Shifting Energy Through Home Environment 30:00 The Impact of Clutter on Emotional Well-being 33:01 Navigating Change in Family Dynamics 36:03 Aligning Home with Personal Growth 40:03 Finding Your True Self in Midlife If you’ve been feeling restless, disconnected, or like something just isn’t right… this conversation will hit. Because sometimes it’s not you that needs fixing— it’s the life you’ve outgrown. Website: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467 Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Website: https://lifestylefoundations.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/kim.e.costa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimecostarealtor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimecosta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been told your symptoms are “just aging,” this episode will challenge everything you’ve been taught. Lisa sits down with biologist and holistic nutritionist Laura McLennan to unpack what’s actually happening in the perimenopausal and menopausal body—and why working harder isn’t the answer. This is a conversation about metabolism, insulin resistance, and the truth about why what used to work…doesn’t anymore. What You’ll Learn Why “eat less, move more” stops working in midlife What insulin resistance actually means (in real life terms) The biggest mistake women make with food Why skipping meals is backfiring on your body How to start feeling better without overhauling your life Key Takeaways Your body isn’t broken—it needs different support now Metabolism shifts are real—but they are not permanent damage Undereating is one of the biggest drivers of fatigue and weight gain Protein + consistent meals = foundational change Small shifts create massive results Standout Quotes “It’s not about working harder—it’s about working smarter.” “Your body isn’t failing you—it’s asking you for something different.” “Would you drive to Montreal on an empty tank?” “We’ve been trained to look for what’s wrong instead of appreciating what’s working.” Topics Covered Perimenopause metabolism changes Insulin resistance explained simply Nutrition vs. hormone therapy Intermittent fasting in midlife Body image + identity shifts Connect with Laura: Biologist, Holistic Nutritionist, Founder of HealthScope Specializing in personalized, lab-based nutrition for midlife women. Website: www.health-scope.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077078720014 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramwellness_/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lauramclennan2865 Connect with Lisa: Website: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467 📩 lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if burnout isn’t a personal failure—but a system design flaw? This week on Transforming 45, Lisa sits down with leadership disruptor Theresa Bailey, founder of Starfish Synergies and North America’s partner for Play-Doh Power Solutions (yes, really). What starts as a surprising conversation about Play-Doh quickly becomes a powerful exploration of leadership, burnout, workplace culture, and why we can’t think our way out of feeling problems. This episode connects the dots between how we lead, how we work, and why midlife women are quietly walking away from workplaces that were never designed for them. 🎧 New episodes drop every Thursday. Listen on all podcast platforms + YouTube. What You'll Learn: Why traditional leadership models are failing (especially for women in midlife) The real reason burnout is skyrocketing across sectors How disconnection from the body impacts communication and culture Why “fixing communication” doesn’t mean more meetings or emails The leadership move that can shift your team starting tomorrow How workplaces can retain experienced women instead of losing them Key Take Aways You can’t think your way out of feeling problems Burnout is often a system issue—not an individual weakness Psychological safety is the foundation of effective teams Small changes (when people feel heard) rebuild trust fast Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about connection Episode Chapters 00:00 Why Play-Doh is disrupting leadership 03:00 Burnout, the body, and why thinking harder isn’t working 07:00 Why workplaces wait for problems instead of preventing them 09:00 Leadership styles that are no longer effective 12:00 Women in leadership, armor, and internalized pressure 16:00 The power of leaders participating with their teams 20:00 Menopause, midlife, and the workforce exodus 24:00 Communication breakdowns (and what’s really happening) 28:00 Why one-off workshops don’t create change 32:00 The simplest leadership shift you can make tomorrow 37:00 Final reflection: building systems for humans About Theresa Bailey Theresa Bailey is the founder of Starfish Synergies and the exclusive North American partner for Play-Doh Power Solutions. She helps organizations rethink leadership, communication, and burnout by bringing people out of their heads and into real human connection. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresabailey/ Website: www.starfishsynergies.com Book a call: https://calendly.com/theresa-bailey/time-with-theresa Let's Stay Connected Website: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467 📧 lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if your burnout isn’t about doing too much…but about believing your value comes from being needed? This week on Transforming 45, Lisa sits down with Dr. Julie Merriman—PhD, Certified Sex Counselor, trauma specialist, and creator of Soul Joy™—for a conversation that goes way deeper than “self-care.” They unpack the virtuous woman trap: the lifelong conditioning that teaches women to over-function, over-give, and override their own needs… until they don’t even feel themselves anymore. This episode is about nervous system survival, emotional numbness, identity loss—and what it actually takes to come home to yourself again. 🎧 New episodes drop every Thursday Listen on all podcast platforms + YouTube In this episode we talk about: The “good girl” conditioning that wires women for burnout Why high-achieving women feel empty (even when they’re successful) What “functional freeze” actually looks like in real life The moment Lisa realized: “I don’t feel my feet” Why you can’t think your way out of a feeling problem How disconnection impacts intimacy, desire, and relationships The truth about masculinity, safety, and emotional regulation Empty nest grief and identity loss in midlife What it means to “have a homecoming” back to yourself Key Takeaways: You are not broken. Your nervous system adapted to keep you safe. But the life you want? It requires more than survival—it requires coming back into your body. Connet with Julie Merriman: Dr. Julie Merriman, Ph.D., LPC-S, CSC is a counselor educator, author, speaker, and clinician with over 25 years of experience helping high-achieving women break free from burnout and self-sacrifice. She is the creator of Soul Joy™, host of the Compassion Fatigue Cure podcast, and author of: In Pursuit of Soul Joy Are We Gonna Have Sex or What? (Spring 2026) Her work blends neuroscience, somatics, and real-life application to help women reconnect to desire, identity, and pleasure in midlife. 🔗 Learn more: https://juliemerrimanphd.com 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.juliemerriman/ 🎧 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjuliemerriman 🔥 In This Episode, We Talk About:💥 Key Takeaway👤 About Julie Merriman🎙️ Let’s Stay Connected🌐 Website: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/👥 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467📩 Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do wine and parenting have in common? More than you think. In this insightful and surprisingly funny conversation, Lisa sits down with luxury wine expert and author Danielle Frank to explore how the language of wine can help us rethink how we raise humans. From control and expectations to identity, independence, and imperfection—this episode challenges modern parenting norms and reminds us that growth isn’t about perfection… it’s about becoming. What We Explore: Why kids (like wine) need space to breathe The hidden pressure of “perfect parenting” How expectations can quietly damage relationships Why community—not control—raises healthy humans The power of letting go and trusting the process What “faults” teach us about identity and resilience Standout Moments: “The majority of your relationship with your child will be with them as an adult.” “Sometimes the best thing you can do… is step back and let it breathe.” “We teach kids how to behave—but also what to expect from others.” “It’s not failure. It’s evolution.” “Imperfection doesn’t ruin the bottle—it makes it unique.” About Danielle: Danielle Frank is a luxury wine and spirits expert with over 20 years of experience, including leadership roles at Moët Hennessy and Bacardi. She is the author of A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting—a witty, insightful book that blends wine terminology with real-life parenting wisdom. 🔗 Connect with Danielle: instragram @createagreatstory website: www.daniellefrankauthor.net Available on all podcast platforms + YouTube Connect with Lisa: Website: https://liberatedmenopause.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467 📩 Email: lisa@liberatedmenopause.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices