Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues

The Panel Discussion:  Recorded live after the Hot Flashes Menopause Monologues performances, Em Anastasi of In The Flow, Louise Harman, artist and social impact advocate, Mo Kanjilal of Watch This Space and of course Helena Jevons, chat to panel host and Hot Flashes actor Natalie Chisholm about the origins of the monologues, the people impacted by menopause from minority communities and the need for further conversations and awareness - especially in workplaces.   What can and should be done to help improve the lives of those affected? **Contains some strong language and frank discussion about menopause.** The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more about the books, events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. With grateful thanks to Ironworks Studios and the team! Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.

For one night only, Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues took to the stage at Ironworks Studios in Brighton to perform a selection of  the monologues live! Going behind the scenes on the day of the show, this episodes takes you right up to when the doors open; with interviews, clips and light-up-letter Wordle. Or at least the mischievous potential for it... Keep listening, as Part Two is the post-show discussion panel where Natalie Chisholm, Helena Jevons and guests discuss the issues raised in the monologues and the wider impact of menopause in the workplce, home and extended communities. *Contains some strong language and frank discussions about menopause.* The Hot Flashers are: Natalie Chisholm, Lisa Fairfield, Ally Fox, Louisa Gummer, Philippa Jevons, Katy Maw, Miranda Morris, Rosie Nalley and Pollie Rafferty.   The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more about the books (available now), events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.

Well, we know how these things start. A conversation began between two perimenopausal friends. One an Audio Producer, the other a Creative Branding Expert. What happened next was inevitable... In this first episode of Hot Flashes, find out how and why writer Helena Jevons was compelled to write The Menopause Monologues. Talking to Producer Helen Quigley, Helena describes how her experiences and conversations with friends manifested themselves as a creative writing process.  Featuring monologue extracts from the series performed by Natalie Chisholm, Katy Maw, Nano Nagle and Gayanne Potter. WARNING: Frank discussion about menopause, its symptoms and impact.   To find out more about the books, the podcast and upcoming events, visit the Hot Flashes website. Don't forget to like, follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Hot Flashes is a Soundliness production. Music via Artlist.  

"Quork-X7" - An alien visitor to Earth reports back to their senior management about a little green planet utterly baffled by the weird biological process called "menopause" which half of its human population endures.  Author Helena Jevons steps behind the mic to record "NuVag TM", a rebranding of the intimate reconstruction process required when giving birth later in life...   Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues features two dramatised monologues each week and the writer's inspiration behind each one.   "Quork-X7" is performed by Helen Goldwyn and "NuVag TM" is performed by Helena Jevons.   The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more about the books (available now), events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.

"The PTA Queen" - She's terrifyingly organised, she can be everywhere at once, she's always smiling! And then... something snaps and it's the cake stall that suffers. Loosely based on the true story of midwife Ursula Kemp, "Witch!" speculates that hard-working older women of the 1500s – if they lived that long – may have also suffered the mood swings and physical changes of menopause. And angry, outspoken women were often branded with one, powerful word.   Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues features two dramatised monologues each week and the writer's inspiration behind each one.   "The PTA Queen" is performed by Laura Shavin and "Witch!" is performed by Kate Heavenor.   The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more about the books (available now), events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.

"Rosie the Riveter's Sister" - You might know of a certain pin-up wartime icon.  But what if she had an older, perimenopausal sister? Watch out, they're coming for your hormones! When a pandemic, high demand and a departure from the European Union all collide to create some infuriating shortages, in "Brexit Heist".   Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues features two dramatised monologues each week and the writer's inspiration behind each one.   "Rosie the Riveter's Sister" is performed by Tia Dunn and "Brexit Heist" is performed by Kay Eluvian.   Thanks to Em Anastasi from In The Flow,  Mo Kanjilal from Watch This Sp ce and Kaye Shane from OneHR for their help and advice in the making of this episode.   The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more about the books (available now), events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.

"Free Dive" - Lena is a professional free diver, but age and perimenopause have impacted her fitness and ability to do the sport she loves. But one thing that will never change is her love of the ocean. Woe betide anyone who encounters Bethan in her shop on a bad day... In "We've Got Biscuits" she relates the challenges of its running becoming much harder work than it used to be - and don't you dare move the custard creams.   Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues features two dramatised monologues each week and the writer's inspiration behind each one.   "Free Dive" is performed by Amy Rockson and "We've Got Biscuits" is performed by Julie-Ann Dean.   The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more about the books (available now), events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.

"From PMS to WTF" - Even though we know it's coming, perimenopause can still be a surprise. The female reproductive system can deliver a lifetime of pain and trauma. In "The Silent Garden", menopause was expected to be a hoped-for welcome relief.* *Some listeners may find this monologue upsetting.   March 2025 is Endometriosis awareness month. For more information regarding Endometriosis support, visit Endometriosis UK,  The Endometriosis Foundation. Inclusion of these organisations does not imply endorsement.   Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues features two dramatised monologues each week and the writer's inspiration behind each one.   "From PMS to WTF" is performed by Ally Fox and "The Silent Garden" is performed by Tanya Rich. The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more about the books (available now), events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.  

In this episode released in the week of International Women's Day on 8th March, a perimenopausal woman has more hormones than she knows what to do with as they channel themselves into her libido in "Awakening the Fire". Then a young woman senses the growing isolation from her peer group as she learns she’s entered an irreversible early menopause in "Not the Same Clock".  Some listeners may find this monologue upsetting.   Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues features two dramatised monologues each week and the writer's inspiration behind each one.   "Awakening the Fire" is performed by Zoë Tapper (Cleo Morey, ITV's Grace) and "Not the Same Clock" is performed by Bhavnisha Parmar (Sonya Khan, Doctor Who).   The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more about the books (available now), events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.

"Out, Damned Menopause" - Anxiety and insomnia force Lady Macbeth to wander the halls of the castle. But is she wracked with guilt or is it perimenopause? "The Soy Secret" is no secret at all. For Yumi, it's a lifestyle, not a menopause miracle cure-all.   Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues features two dramatised monologues each week and the writer's inspiration behind each one.   "Out, Damned Menopause" is performed by Philippa Jevons and "The Soy Secret" is performed by Rebecca Yeo. The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons, with contributions from Philippa Jevons to "Out, Damned Menopause". For more about the books, events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.

"Mirror Mirror" is a realisation that fairy tale evil stepmothers might not be evil - perhaps they're just too hot, irritated and lacking sleep? "Memory Lane is Closed for Repairs" charts a day in the life of brain fog and a head full of so many things, that they fall out indiscriminately.   Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues features two dramatised monologues each week and the writer's inspiration behind each one.   "Mirror, Mirror" is performed by Louisa Gummer and "Memory Lane is Closed for Repairs" is performed by Gayanne Potter. The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more about the books, events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley, and is a Soundliness production.

Some welcome menopause,  learn from it and accept it - It's an act of "Rediscovering Joy". "Seven Equal Dabs" is a tirade about the difficulties in getting hold of testosterone on prescription for use during menopause isn’t just difficult – it’s a battle.    Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues features two dramatised monologues each week and the writer's inspiration behind each one.   "Seven Equal Dabs" is performed by Natalie Chisholm and "Rediscovering Joy" is performed by Nano Nagle. The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more about the books, events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.

"The Menopause Creation Myth". Taking advantage of her church pulpit, a woman outlines who is to blame, in detail, for exactly what's coming. "The Red Sea" describes the horror of discovering that just as you’ve reached an age where you’ve finally got used to your periods, menopause delivers some epic - and unwelcome - bonus content.   Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues features two dramatised monologues each week and the writer's inspiration behind each one.   "The Menopause Creation Myth" was performed by Katy Maw and "The Red Sea" was performed by Bethan Dixon Bate. The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more information about the podcast, books and events visit hotflashes.info Music from Artlist. Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.