169: SOLO Hormone therapy confusion, five years of Hotflash inc, and how to figure out what's right for you

Send a textIn this powerful solo episode, Hotflash inc founder and host Ann Marie McQueen reflects on the five-year journey of building the platform, from launching her first newsletter in 2020 to preparing for the first Hotflash inc Summit and her first product launch – a much-needed tool to help women navigate the hormone therapy maze.Ann Marie opens up about how far the conversation has come, how far it still has to go, and what she’s learned through thousands of hours of research, interviews, and real-life experience. She unpacks the polarizing hormone therapy space – from the self-proclaimed “thought leaders” to the quiet majority of women who are still confused, cautious, or feeling pushed in every direction.Plus, a deeply relatable share from a harpist and UAE changemaker Shelley Frost, founder of The Fridge Entertainment, who talks about her turning point with hormone therapy after years of struggling with sleep and overwhelm.This is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever felt stuck between extremes when it comes to midlife, hormones, and who to trust.Highlights:The story behind launching the first Hotflash Inc newsletter in 2020The content-is-product philosophy Ann Marie’s early fear of using the words “menopause” or “perimenopause”What has (and hasn’t) changed in five yearsWhy the hormonal transition isn’t the problem – it reveals deeper issuesHormone therapy doesn’t always prevent disease, and the research is nuancedThe middle path between estrogen fear and hormone therapy evangelismWomen can’t just "get it together" – trauma and real-life responsibilities are at playMessaging trends and repeated doctor scripts that look a lot like PRThe supplement smear campaign: is it manufactured?Shelley Frost shares her transformation after starting hormone therapyReal messages from women who can’t tolerate MHT – and feel pressured to keep tryingBehind the scenes: doctors admit they’re worried about the current messagingPhysiologic dosing and why it’s so controversialThe full hormone therapy belief system spectrum, mapped outThe confusing (and dangerous) mix-up between progesterone and progestinAnn Marie’s first product: a tool to help women figure out HRT for themselvesWhat’s coming next: the Hotflash Inc Summit, the course, the bookA reminder that midlife is about remembering who’s really calling the shotsShoutout to our sponsor MenoLabs – makers of MenoFit, a science-backed probiotic designed to relieve symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats while supporting overall wellness. Hotflash Inc listeners get 20% off with code HOTFLASH20 at menolabs.com.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