Hot Flush Happy Hour with Kat & Tori

In this short and sweet episode, Tori and Kat get real about the "toxic sludge" of doomscrolling and the unique challenge of being the "sandwich generation". The heart of today’s chat is how to stay informed without losing your mind as we navigate global conflicts and rising living costs. The ladies explain that your nervous system treats a news notification like a tiger in the room, and while "witnessing guilt" is real, your high blood pressure doesn't actually lower fuel costs or bring world peace. Grab a herbal tea—or maybe a wine if your cortisol is already hitting the ceiling, sit back, relax and enjoy!

In this episode of Hot Flush Happy Hour, Kat and Tori are joined by their lovely friend Lou Rubie, a trauma-aware counsellor and somatic practitioner . Together they explore a whole-person approach to menopause—and why learning to work with your body can change everything.Lou shares her own experience navigating menopause after a hysterectomy, including the shock of being diagnosed with osteoporosis despite living a really healthy, active lifestyle. It’s such a powerful reminder that there’s a lot going on during this phase that we don’t always see.We get into how menopause is about so much more than just hormones, how it can affect your nervous system in ways you might not expect, and why so many women end up feeling like they’re not quite themselves.This conversation is really an invitation to slow down, tune in, and start listening to your body in a different way.Because maybe it’s not about pushing through…Maybe it’s about learning to work with your body instead.So grab your favourite beverage and join us for an informative, feel-good chat—full of laughs and the beautiful warmth of the lovely Lou.Lou's business details:Fig Counselling https://figcounselling.com.au/Grounding meditation: https://figcounselling.com.au/inner-resource/

In this episode of Hot Flush Happy Hour, Kat and Tori kick things off with a real-life catch-up — the wins, the wobbles, the health updates, the busy times, and the “why is my body doing this now?” moments — before diving into a topic that hits differently in midlife: boundaries.We’re talking about why your tolerance suddenly goes missing, why your energy feels more precious than ever, and why the old people-pleasing settings just aren’t working anymore. Funny that. 😉Kat and Tori unpack the difference between time boundaries and energy boundaries, how hormonal and identity shifts play a role, and why that little flash of irritation might actually be your inner wisdom tapping you on the shoulder (not you becoming a grumpy human).We also chat about guilt — yes, that sneaky little tag-along — and why feeling guilty when you start protecting your peace doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong… it usually means you’re doing something new.Expect practical tips, honest stories, a few laughs, and some simple reflection prompts to help you spot where your energy is leaking and how to start plugging the holes — gently, not dramatically.Less burnout, more boundaries, better happy hour energy.

In this episode of Hot Flush Happy Hour, Tori and Kat ease into the new year with a relaxed catch-up before diving into the pressure-packed world of New Year’s resolutions — and why so many of them don’t last.They chat about going “too big too fast,” making goals from guilt or exhaustion, and the familiar trap of buying a beautiful new journal that never quite gets used. Instead, they explore why small, consistent changes are far more powerful than dramatic overhauls, especially when hormones, energy levels, and real life are all in the mix.This episode is all about normalising stopping and starting, breaking big goals into doable habits, and shifting the focus from what you want to achieve to how you want to feel and who you’re becoming. Gentle, honest, and encouraging, it’s a reminder that you don’t need a new year — or perfection — to create meaningful change.

In this deeply honest and heartfelt episode of Hot Flush Happy Hour, Tori and Kat sit down with their beautiful friend Tracey to talk about the menopause journey so many women experience — but rarely feel prepared for.Tracey shares her raw, real story of navigating perimenopause and menopause without a manual: from brain fog, mood swings, joint pain and fatigue, to being misdiagnosed with depression and arthritis before realising hormones were at the heart of it all. Together, the three unpack how menopause affects every woman differently, why so many symptoms go unrecognised, and how the lack of education leaves women feeling isolated, confused, and “like they’re losing the plot.”They dive into lesser-known but incredibly important topics like menopausal depression and hormone-related joint pain, explore the emotional and identity shifts that come with this stage of life, and offer powerful insight into how partners can better support women through it all (hint: men… pause).The conversation also touches on intuition, boundaries, reframing symptoms (hello “power surges”), and the idea that menopause isn’t a breakdown — it’s a becoming. Honest, emotional, funny, and validating, this episode is for any woman who’s ever wondered, “What is happening to me?” — and anyone who loves one.You’re not broken. You’re not alone. You’re becoming.

In this episode of Hot Flush Happy Hour, Tori and Kat explore menopause through the ages — from ancient goddesses and herbal healers to Victorian “hysteria” and now modern times. They uncover how different cultures have understood (and misunderstood) menopause, why so much stigma still lingers, and what we can learn from societies that actually celebrate this life stage. With their usual blend of humour, honesty, and the occasional brain-fog moment, they remind us that women in every era have faced the heat — and come out stronger.

In this episode of Hot Flush Happy Hour, Tori and Kat catch up on life and laugh through the brain fog , while unpacking what’s really going on during perimenopause—aka “Cougar Puberty.” From hot flushes and mood swings to the deeper health impacts, they explore how little research has been done on women’s health until recently, and why that matters. With their mix of personal stories, humour, and honest conversation, they shine a light on the science gaps while keeping it real about the everyday struggles that so many women face.

Feeling a little “meh” about midlife? Wondering where you went in the middle of kids, careers, and hot flushes? You’re not alone! In this episode, Tori and Kat spill the tea on feeling stuck, share their own “who even am I?” moments, and give you simple ways to reconnect with yourself and your purpose. Because midlife isn’t a crisis — it’s your invitation to become her (with a laugh or two along the way).

Welcome to our first episode! In this introductory episode you get to find out a little about us, who we are and what we do. We also talk a little bit about menopause and what the stages are. We aren't perfect, we fumble over words (Tori starts the introduction by saying Menopies instead of menopause) but we get there in the end. So join us in this new adventure in our lives- you're never to old to start something new!