EPISODE · Feb 15, 2026 · 32 MIN
Why Hot Flash is the talk of Yorkshire right now, with Jan Birley.
from Liberté - Free to Be · host Rachel Peru
“Hot Flash” is the talk of Yorkshire right now. It isn’t just a romantic comedy about menopause… it actually feels like a real shift in seeing midlife women being seen on screen. Because how many times have we seen women at this stage of life properly represented on screen? Writer and producer Jan Birley has created something that feels real. Real women. Real stories. Not glossy. Not pretending. Jan shares her journey of creating the film, the importance of representation in the film industry, and the unique challenges faced in bringing this project to life.Hot Flash is a romantic comedy celebrating Yorkshire grit and wit. A failed menopausal hairdresser is sacked from her job. Needing to fund her son's school trip, she discovers the only way to true success is to be true to herself. Even amidst brutal brain fog...One of Yorkshire’s favourite actors Gaynor Faye will be taking the lead and our very own Primed For Life, Christine Talbot will be featuring as herself. You may even spot a few more familiar faces appearing too!Jans own story of how she’s stepped out of her comfort zone to make this film happen is another example of how its never too lat to follow your dreams and you just don' t know what it may lead to.I had the pleasure of attending the press day and took a sneaky peak behind the scenes. The energy on set is amazing, you can tell there is so much passion and love for this film, I can't wait to see come to life.We need more of this. More stories that show women as funny, complicated, visible, not fading into the background. Chapters00:00 Introduction to 'Hot Flash' and Its Significance04:36 The Protagonist's Journey and Relatability07:46 The Importance of Representation in Film10:33 Challenges in Film Production13:35 Yorkshire as a Cultural Backdrop16:36. The Role of Music in Film19:38. Personal Journey and Motivation22:29 Anticipation for Filming and Future Plans25:21.Collaboration and Creative ControlGo and follow @hotflash.film to keep up to date with their progress.If this conversation resonated with you:Subscribe to Liberté – Free to BeLeave a rating or reviewShare it with a woman who might need to hear it todayThe more women who find this podcast, the more confidence, courage, and permission we can spread.✨ See you next week for another inspiring conversation.Keep being fabulousRachel xmenopause, women in film, Hot Flash, Yorkshire filmmakers, representation, comedy, women's stories, film industry, personal journey,
What this episode covers
“Hot Flash” is the talk of Yorkshire right now. It isn’t just a romantic comedy about menopause… it actually feels like a real shift in seeing midlife women being seen on screen. Because how many times have we seen women at this stage of life properly represented on screen? Writer and producer Jan Birley has created something that feels real. Real women. Real stories. Not glossy. Not pretending. Jan shares her journey of creating the film, the importance of representation in the film industry, and the unique challenges faced in bringing this project to life.Hot Flash is a romantic comedy celebrating Yorkshire grit and wit. A failed menopausal hairdresser is sacked from her job. Needing to fund her son's school trip, she discovers the only way to true success is to be true to herself. Even amidst brutal brain fog...One of Yorkshire’s favourite actors Gaynor Faye will be taking the lead and our very own Primed For Life, Christine Talbot will be featuring as herself. You may even spot a few more familiar faces appearing too!Jans own story of how she’s stepped out of her comfort zone to make this film happen is another example of how its never too lat to follow your dreams and you just don' t know what it may lead to.I had the pleasure of attending the press day and took a sneaky peak behind the scenes. The energy on set is amazing, you can tell there is so much passion and love for this film, I can't wait to see come to life.We need more of this. More stories that show women as funny, complicated, visible, not fading into the background. Chapters00:00 Introduction to 'Hot Flash' and Its Significance04:36 The Protagonist's Journey and Relatability07:46 The Importance of Representation in Film10:33 Challenges in Film Production13:35 Yorkshire as a Cultural Backdrop16:36. The Role of Music in Film19:38. Personal Journey and Motivation22:29 Anticipation for Filming and Future Plans25:21.Collaboration and Creative ControlGo and follow @hotflash.film to keep up to date with their progress.If this conversation resonated with you:Subscribe to Liberté – Free to BeLeave a rating or reviewShare it with a woman who might need to hear it todayThe more women who find this podcast, the more confidence, courage, and permission we can spread.✨ See you next week for another inspiring conversation.Keep being fabulousRachel xmenopause, women in film, Hot Flash, Yorkshire filmmakers, representation, comedy, women's stories, film industry, personal journey,
NOW PLAYING
Why Hot Flash is the talk of Yorkshire right now, with Jan Birley.
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m