The Menopause Disruptor Podcast

Is the productivity crisis in the workforce actually an ageism crisis? In this episode, I sit down with Lucy Standing, Chartered Psychologist and founder of Brave Starts, CIC – a non profit organisation supporting 300 – 400 people a year to plan and consider their future career development. Lucy specialising in mid career development with specific expertise in the ageing population. Together, we e...

Today, I bring back the Goddess Journey meditation series with a new guided meditation for the wise woman's personal shift toward intuition, letting go of mental rumination, while integrating spiritual wisdom.  You don't have to be a Gemini under a Sun or Moon sign to reap all the benfits of balancing dual forces that reside within each and every one of us. This journey will begin with s...

Feel like your body suddenly changed in midlife — increased belly fat, energy crashes, cravings, brain fog, disrupted sleep, or feeling like you’re “doing everything right” but nothing is working anymore — this episode is for you. In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by health coach Michelle Dwyer to unpack the critical connection between hormones, blood sugar, metabolism, stress, and overall...

What if pain isn’t just “wear and tear”… and aging doesn’t have to hurt? In this episode, Mary sits down with physical therapist and nurse Stacey Roberts to unpack a completely different approach to pain-free living. After decades in traditional medicine, Stacey began questioning why so many patients weren’t getting better. What she discovered changes everything: pain isn’t just structural—it’s in...

When a brain Injury, menopause, and trauma intersect, it can be a nervous system train wreck. In my solo episode, perfectly timed with Brain Injury/Brain Health Awareness Month this March, I humbly share how a mild injury while recently vacationing in Mexico reactivated old symptoms and emotions connected to a previous traumatic brain injury in 2015.  This story highlights how brain injury, hormon...

Pelvic health is one of the most important  and often overlooked aspects of women’s health. Many are told that bladder leaks, pelvic pressure, or discomfort during exercise are simply part of aging, pregnancy, or menopause. But the truth is, these symptoms are common and they are also treatable. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Kelly, Doctor of Physical Therapy and pelvic health specialist to...

Today, we welcome Dr. Lindsay Shirreff, OB-GYN, member of the Menopause Foundation of Canada medical advisory board, and Chief Medical Officer of Blair Health.  Dr. Shirreff shares her journey from traditional medicine to healthcare innovation, focusing on closing the specialist gap for menopause and women’s health through technology and AI.  The conversation dives into why access to menopause car...

Can't speak your truth? Experience gut-wrenching pain and butterflies when you visit your doctor? Does it feel like your feminine qualities are being suppressed? Could be your Chakras need a tune up! In this episode, Mary explore menopause through the lens of the subtle body system to build an understanding how many menopause symptoms connect to specific energy centers, known as chakras. The...

Today, we feature fashion designer Sarah Blaser and her mother, Donna, in a heartfelt conversation about bathing suits — from the challenges of shopping and finding the right fit to the menopause-related body changes and frustration many women feel when trying to squeeze into traditional swimsuits. Inspired by her mother’s struggle to find swimwear that offered both comfort and adaptability for a...

Today, we delve into the critical topic of sleep during perimenopause and menopause with Dr. Carleara Weiss, a renowned sleep scientist and advisor for Aeroflow Sleep. Dr. Weiss, who hold a PhD and Master's of Science and Nursing, and a nationally recognized sleep scientist, discusses the significant impact of hormonal changes on women’s sleep patterns. She emphasises how sleep apnea, often u...

Today, we welcome Dana Culp, a doctor of nursing practice, founder of Thrive Midlife Medicine , and a certified menopause expert, for a candid and empowering conversation about navigating the complexities of perimenopause and menopause. Dana shares her personal journey from critical care medicine to becoming a passionate advocate for women’s midlife health after her own symptoms were repeatedly di...

In this episode, Mary sits down with Colette Courtion, CEO and founder of Joylux, to explore one of the most overlooked—and misunderstood—parts of the menopause journey: intimate wellness. They unpack the persistent menopause knowledge gap in healthcare, where many primary care providers receive minimal formal training in menopause, leaving women dismissed or told their symptoms are simply somethi...

In this episode, Mary sits down with a young visionary entrepreneur Chelsea Jambo. She is the CEO and Founder of OURBody, a Canadian wellness brand built on a mission to make hormone support taste great, work gently, and fit real life.  Chelsea has created an organic herbal blend of teas uniquely crafted  to bring comfort and support to women through various hormonal phases. Her entreprenurial jou...

In this episode, Mary sits down with Jennifer Gularson, certified physician assistant and functional medicine practitioner, to explore what women truly need during midlife—and why the current healthcare system often falls short. Together, they unpack hormone therapy across the lifespan, including estrogen, progesterone, and the often-overlooked role of testosterone for women, as well as the growin...

In this episode, Mary delves into the nuances of exercise for women during menopause and perimenopause.  Mary discusses the physiology of exercise she learned as a student of Dr. Stacy Sims (Menopause 2.0), emphasizing the importance of both heavy lifting and high volume workouts for muscle growth, metabolic health, and overall resilience.  This episode covers why and how exercise should be adapte...

In this solo podcast episode, Mary closes out 2025 and welcomes in 2026 through reflections on numerology and Chinese astrology. This final episode of the year offers another guided meditation in the Goddess Series. Highlighting the significance of the universal year one and the year of the horse, the episode encourages women to reflect on their past nine years, trust their instincts, and embrace...

Today's episode features Dr. Sara Tariq, an internal medicine physician at Northern Virginia Family Practice with over two decades of clinical experience. Dr. Tariq is a dedicated advocate for systemic transformation within healthcare, passionately addressing inequities and fostering cultural shifts through relationship-centered care. Dr. Tariq discusses the challenges of navigating midlife w...

In this episode, host Mary breaks down the misconception that menopause is merely about hot flashes and mood swings, and emphasizes the importance of bone, brain, and heart health during this life phase. The role of estrogen goes far beyond reproductive health, and its decline can have serious physiological impacts if left unchecked. Drawing on insights from prominent researchers and authors such...

In this episode, Mary is joined by Sarah Ham, a Mammography Supervisor, Medical Radiography Technologist, and Yoga Teacher with more than two decades of experience in women’s breast health. Originally from the Comox Valley, Sarah moved to Burnaby after high school to attend the Medical Radiography Technology program at BCIT, graduating in 1999. She went on to gain extensive clinical experience at...

In this episode, Mary welcomes Hannah Hembree Bell, an award-winning Austin family law attorney, mom of four, and founder and CEO of one of the fastest-growing family law firms in the United States, Hembree Bell Law. Hannah shares her deeply personal journey of losing custody and financial ground in her own divorce. She transformed those hard-won lessons into a national community helping women pre...

In this episode, Mary is joined by Katie Beecher, a medical and spiritual intuitive, licensed professional counselor, and internationally recognized healer whose transformative work bridges science, intuition, and lived experience. Katie shares her powerful journey from battling a life-threatening eating disorder at age 16 to becoming a celebrated healer with over 35 years of experience. The conve...

In this groundbreaking episode of the Menopause Disruptor Podcast, host Mary Lee welcomes Dr. Betsy Greenleaf—the first woman in the United States to become board certified in urogynecology. Triple board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, and procedural medicine and aesthetics, Dr. Greenleaf is a true pioneer challenging outdated narratives i...

In this Season 3 kick-off, Mary sits down with Elizabeth Katzman, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN) and founder of Strong Choices, to unpack the long-term impact of birth control on women’s health, the concept of “the pill hangover,” and holistic strategies for thriving through perimenopause and menopause. Elizabeth shares her personal journey from attorney to FDN, and how her own...

Season 2 finale we kick off with a replay, a visit back to my first guest interview, the inaugral episode featuring Shannon Donahoe-Simpson. Shannon is a cancer survivor and lifelong people pleaser who embarked on a transformative journey of radical self-acceptance, self-love, and self-responsibility.  Her story highlights how she connected the dots between her trauma, health, and lifelong habits...

Today, we welcome Dr. Michelle Cromwell, founder of Sœur du Sol, for a deep and inspiring conversation about disrupting the menopause narrative around traditional and holistic medicine to support symptoms.  Dr. Michelle is a former C-suite executive and vice president in higher education, with over 18 years of experience as a professor, administrator, and leader. She holds a PhD in conflict analys...