Ep 44 - Stimulating Change: How One Founder Is Redefining Sexual Wellness

Dr. Kelly Barron sits down with Nicole Leinbach Hoffman—founder of Stimulate, North America’s only trade show dedicated entirely to sexual wellness. Nicole shares her journey from the fashion industry to becoming a trailblazer in a space that has long been overlooked, stigmatized, and misunderstood. Together, they dive into why sexual wellness is far more than just “pleasure”—it’s deeply connected to overall health, accessibility, and education. You’ll hear how Stimulate is breaking barriers by bringing together doctors, therapists, retailers, and innovators under one roof to reshape how we think about sexual health; from menopause and hormone care to pelvic floor therapy and beyond. Nicole also opens up about the challenges of entering a male-dominated industry, the importance of supporting female leaders, and how collaboration across fields is driving real change. This conversation is eye-opening, empowering, and packed with insights for entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and anyone curious about the future of sexual wellness. In this episode, we cover: How sexual wellness is evolving into a mainstream health conversation The role of retail in making these products more accessible Breaking stigma through education and collaboration Why healthcare providers and businesses need to work together Lessons in entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation Whether you’re a founder, practitioner, or simply someone who wants to better understand this growing industry, this episode will challenge the way you think about sexual wellness.