midlife. unmasked

Hot flashes are oftentreated as an inevitable part of menopause—but what if there areevidence-informed approaches beyond simply “waiting it out”? In this episode of Midlife:Unmasked , I sit down with Dr. Brian Grosam, PhD, LAc, researcher, educator,and expert in Chinese medicine, to explore how acupuncture and integrativetherapies may help women navigate some of the most disruptive symptoms of the...

In this episode of Midlife: Unmasked, I’m joined by Kacy Fleming, anaward-winning workplace well-being strategist and CEO and founder of TheFuchsia Tent, to explore one of the most overlooked drivers of women’s healthand career trajectories: menopause in the workplace.   After more than two decades in biopharmaceuticals, Kacy personallyexperienced firsthand the confusion and fragmentation of menop...

Welcome to Midlife: Unmasked . I’m your host, Robin Austin—nurse researcher, educator, and someone navigating midlife right alongside you. Season Two goes deeper. There’s a decade in women’s lives where everything starts to change— sleep, focus, energy, mood, work, identity— and yet, no one really explains why. We call it “normal.” But normal doesn’t mean harmless. This season explores what I call...

In this episode of Midlife: Unmasked , I’m joined by Dr. Laura Sandquist, DNP, APRN, A-GNP-C , IFMCP a Whole Health Advanced Practice Nurse with more than 12 years of experience in functional medicine and women’s hormone health. Dr. Sandquist helps bring much-needed clarity to one of the most confusing stages of women’s health: the menopause transition. Today’s menopause landscape is crowded with...

Menopause does not occur in a vacuum. It is shaped by biology — but also by culture, environment, structural inequities, and lived experience across the life course. In this episode of Midlife: Unmasked , I sit down with Yamnia I. Cortés, PhD, MPH, RN, FAHA, FAAN , director of the CortésMenoLab and a national leader in menopause and cardiovascular health disparities research. Dr. Cortés’ work brid...

Midlife health is often reduced to prescriptions or quick fixes—but real, lasting change happens upstream. In today’s episode of Midlife: Unmasked , we explore lifestyle medicine as one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—drivers of health during perimenopause and beyond. I’m joined by Andie Otto, founder of Nourished, LLC, a lifestyle medicine coach specializing in metabolic health, perimenopa...

A Conversation with Patient Advocate Aimee Osgood Women’s sexual and vulvovaginal health is still surrounded by silence, confusion, and delayed diagnosis—despite how common these concerns are across the lifespan. In this episode of Midlife: Unmasked , I’m joined by Aimee , a vulvovaginal and sexual health patient advocate, educator, and researcher, and a proud member of the International Society f...

In this episode of Midlife: Unmasked, I’m joined by Dr. Kristen Mark, a nationally recognized sex and relationship researcher, to unpack what sexual health and well-being really look like in midlife. We explore common myths about desire, long-term relationships, and aging—and why so many women feel disconnected from their sexuality during their 40s and 50s. This conversation connects directly to T...

In this episode of Midlife: Unmasked , we’re joined by Dr. Ronda Marie Chakolis-Hassan , PharmD, MPH—frontline pharmacist, President of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, and nationally recognized public health leader—who’s changing the way we think about pharmacy care. From the CVS counter to community-wide opioid response efforts, Dr. Chakolis-Hassan shares why pharmacists are often the most trust...

In this powerful episode of Midlife: Unmasked , we sit down with the founders of Harmoni Wellness , two seasoned Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners with more than two decades of combined experience in OB/GYN care. After years of listening to women describe feeling dismissed, confused, or unsure whether their symptoms were “normal,” they decided to create something different—a place where women are...

In this inspiring episode of Midlife: Unmasked , we sit down with Jennifer M. Olson —a transformational healthcare executive, award-winning strategist, and board leader known for reshaping how organizations think, operate, and grow. As Founder and Managing Partner of BlueInnovo Advisors , Jennifer brings more than 20 years of experience driving enterprise-level impact across complex health systems...

Midlife: Unmasked — Let’s Talk Women: The Change (with Katie Severt) - Event Date November 6, 2025 Hot flashes. Brain fog. Sleep that ghosts you at 3 a.m. In this candid conversation, I’m joined by Katie Severt from Let’s Talk Women – The Change to demystify menopause and put midlife health back where it belongs—front and center. We unpack what’s normal , what’s treatable , and what every woman de...

In this empowering episode of Midlife: Unmasked , we uncover how women in midlife can take charge of their health, well-being, and independence with clarity—not confusion. From navigating hormonal changes and understanding preventive screenings to making sense of digital health tools and credible information sources, this conversation is about informed action, not overwhelm. Join host Dr. Robin Au...

In this powerful episode of 24 Days Without You: A Mother’s Story, A Movement for Change , we sit down with Annie Sterle—maternal health advocate, speaker, and filmmaker. After surviving amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), a rare and life-threatening obstetric emergency, Annie transformed her own near-tragedy into a mission for change. She shares her journey through resilience, caregiving, and postpart...

Midlife can feel like a season of depletion—but it’s also a powerful opportunity to realign and renew. In this episode of Midlife Unmasked , Dr. Sarah Bird, a functional medicine physician and women’s health expert, joins us to explore how resilience practices and functional medicine approaches can help women reclaim their health, vitality, and sense of self. We dive into the tools and strategies...

Are you feeling stretched thin caring for both your kids and your aging parents—while still trying to keep your own life afloat? You’re not alone. This episode of Midlife Unmasked dives deep into the realities of the sandwich generation and how midlife women can build resilience, set boundaries, and actually care for themselves while caring for others. We welcome Dr. Sherry Chesak is a Clinical Pr...

Is sitting the new smoking? In this episode of Midlife Unmasked , we tackle one of midlife’s biggest health hurdles—sedentary living. Between careers, caregiving, and the daily grind, it’s easy to slip into routines that keep us glued to our chairs. But the truth is, movement is medicine. We’ll explore how inactivity impacts our bodies, minds, and long-term health—and more importantly, simple, rea...

Is your home stressing you out more than supporting you? Inthis eye-opening episode, we welcome Michelle Hoff—professional organizer, mental wellness advocate, and founder of Home Coach Hoff—to explore how clutter impacts our minds, moods, and midlife transitions. Michelle’s main mission is to plant the seed that YOU matter and everyone deserves to feel supported BY their home and IN the declutter...

Anxiety that creeps in at 3am. Mood swings you didn’t see coming. A sense of being overwhelmed—by aging parents, changing bodies, shifting roles. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This week, we’re diving deep into the emotional landscape of midlife for women. From hormonal shifts to identity resets, we explore what’s really going on—and how to care for your mental health with the same int...

Midlife Unmasked is thrilled to share this outstanding interview with Dr. Harpreet Gujral - a women's health expert and leading integrative health coach. Please join us for this great conversation - you won't want to miss it!

This is Part 2 of Know your Numbers Episodes! Join us as we continue our conversation of important numbers to know for your health!

In this first episode of Midlife Unmasked , we kick off the conversation by diving into the essential health numbers every woman should know in midlife. From blood pressure and cholesterol to sleep quality and muscle mass, we unpack what these numbers mean, why they matter more as we age, and how they empower you to take control of your well-being. Join us as we lay the foundation for informed, pr...

The purpose of the Midlife: Unmasked podcast is to create an authentic, supportive, and empowering space for midlifers who are navigating the complexities of this transformative stage. Through open and honest conversations, backed by the latest research and expert insights, this podcast seeks to break down societal stereotypes and equip listeners with the tools to thrive physically, emotionally, a...