Oh! So No One Told You?

Sara Flamm and Liz Forman

A Hollywood producer and a Wellness Coach walk into menopause… Real talk on aging, identity, health, and WTF is even happening. Remember when you thought you had life figured out? Then menopause hit and suddenly you're Googling "Is this normal?" at 2am. Sara and Liz get real about everything women either glossed over or forgot to warn us about: hot flashes, brain fog, disappearing libidos, career shifts, and all the curveballs not mentioned. Oh! So no one told you? Yeah, we know. So... we're fixing that. Nobody prepared us for this journey either, so let's navigate it together.

  1. 1d ago

    Know Your Normal! - With Special Guest: Gina Lamanna, Founder of The Fondle Project

    This week's guest is Gina Lamanna, a stylist of 25 years whose 2016 breast cancer diagnosis was caught only because she trusted her gut after two clear screenings. Her doctor found nothing alarming on an ultrasound and told her to come back in six months. She paid out of pocket for an MRI instead. That decision likely saved her life. Gina walks through the whole arc: the diagnosis delivered on New Year's Eve, pursuing second and third opinions at Sloan Kettering and MD Anderson, choosing a double mastectomy over radiation and Tamoxifen, and losing herself so completely afterward that she avoided mirrors for over a year. She also gets into something a lot of women don't know: breast cancer survivors are often told they can't go on HRT, full stop, but that guidance is shifting, and Gina is now on hormone therapy with her oncologist's approval, monitored closely, after years of headaches and zero libido that nobody could explain. The conversation also covers the founding of The Fondle Project, the nonprofit Gina built after her teenage daughter found a lump and asked her mother if she had breast cancer too. Gina talks about closing her successful styling business to pursue it full time, what it's like to pivot into something with no steady paycheck, and why she's telling women who feel dismissed by a doctor to keep looking until someone actually listens. Her message, in her words: know your normal. Links from this episode: The Fondle Project: thefondleproject.substack.comInstagram: @thefondleprojectHave a story, a symptom, or a topic you want us to dig into? Send it to otellmepodcast@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram. This podcast is for informational and personal experience purposes only. We are not medical professionals and nothing shared should be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health, medications, or treatment.

  2. Aug 7

    The Identity Shift We Didn't See Coming

    Menopause doesn't just come with symptoms, it can also strip away the ability to perform, people-please, and smooth things over for everyone else's comfort. This episode is about what's left once that softening effect is gone, and the disorienting work of figuring out who you actually are underneath it. We read a Reddit post out loud that nails the shift: this isn't a transition, it's an identity collapse. From there we get into resentment, saying yes when we mean no, and what it actually takes to finally say no and mean it without the guilt hangover that used to follow. In this episode: An estrogen patch dose that had to get walked back after some very unwelcome side effectsA sleep score of 100 worth gloating aboutWhy "I don't feel like myself" might be the most honest sentence either of us has saidThe Reddit post that reframed everything: menopause as identity collapse, not just transitionLearning to say no without carrying the resentment for days afterwardGrieving who we used to be, and why we don't want to stay thereThe floor-sitting debate nobody asked for but everyone needsHave a symptom, a story, or a topic you want us to cover? Email us at otellmepodcast@gmail.com or send a DM on Instagram @ohtellmepodcast. We want to hear from you. This podcast is for informational and personal experience purposes only. We are not medical professionals and nothing shared should be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health, medications, or treatment.

  3. Jul 24

    The Symptom List Nobody Handed You. Chin Hairs, Vertigo, Phantom Smells... Yep. All Menopause.

    Hot flashes. Night sweats. Mood swings. Yeah yeah yeah. We know those ones. But what about the vertigo that lasts a year and a half? The hip pain that shows up out of nowhere and will not let you sleep? Plantar Fasciitis. Frozen shoulder. The heartbeat you can suddenly hear in your ear? The phantom smell that makes you wonder if you are having a stroke? The chin hair you find that is somehow already an inch long? Nobody handed us a list. So we made one. In this episode Sara and Liz go deep on the symptoms of menopause that nobody warned them about. The weird ones. The ones that sent them to orthopedic surgeons and neurologists and Reddit threads at 2am. The ones that turned out to be connected to menopause all along even though not a single doctor ever mentioned it. They also get into something that does not get talked about nearly enough. The shame that comes with having symptoms. The internal spiral of: am I complaining too much, am I being too sensitive, are these symptoms even real. And why so many women have been conditioned to dismiss their own experience before anyone else gets the chance to. And of course... Liz has some thoughts on that. This one is personal, a little wild, and genuinely useful. Whether you are deep in it or just starting to notice things that feel off, this episode is for you. Hit play. You are not losing your mind. And you are not alone. Find us at ohtellmepodcast@gmail.com For the full symptom breakdown, book recommendations, resources, and Liz's coaching perspective head over to our Substack and subscribe. This podcast is for informational and personal experience purposes only. We are not medical professionals and nothing shared should be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health, medications, or treatment.

  4. Jul 10

    Reunited and It Feels So Good... You Know Our Hormones, Now Meet Us.

    You know us as two women figuring out menopause together. But do you actually know who we are and how we got here? This is that episode. Sara and Liz are recording in person for the first time, and something about being in the same room just opens things up. Sara spent 27 years in film production, starting with LA Confidential straight out of college, traveling nine months out of the year, and eventually burning out in ways she is only now starting to connect to where she was hormonally. Liz went from science to CrossFit to coaching, found her calling at 35 on the sidelines of an early CrossFit competition, and has spent the years since helping people get out of their own way. That was only the beginning. They also get into how the podcast started, over dinner a year ago, and why they felt like this conversation needed to exist in the first place. But it would not be their show without the real stuff. Progesterone is now on shortage. Liz forgot her estrogen patch at her family reunion. Sara showed up in Michigan with an empty testosterone tube instead of the full one sitting on her counter at home. And both of them have a lot of feelings about all of it. They also touch on something important. Not every woman can do HRT, and that conversation deserves its own space. They are putting it on the list. This one feels a little different. It is warmer, a little more personal, and honestly one of their best ones yet. Hit play. Now you know us a little better. Find us at ohtellmepodcast@gmail.com For more on everything we discuss including links and resources, subscribe to our Substack.

  5. Jun 26

    So What Exactly Are You Injecting Yourself With? A candid discussion about Peptides, GLPs and HRT

    Episode Description: We promised you peptides. We are finally here. This episode we are getting into the five peptides women in menopause should know about, what they do, why they matter, and where to actually get them without buying something sketchy off the internet that says not for human consumption. We also get into GLPs. And not the weight loss hype. The real conversation about what these are actually doing in your body, the anti-inflammatory benefits, the emerging cancer research, and why this is not a magic fix for anyone. Plus hormone updates, the GLP and peptide gray market situation, why your gym membership should be covered by insurance, why most OB-GYNs have exactly one course on menopause, and the hope that the next generation of women gets something a whole lot better than what we got. We mean business. But we have fun doing it. Hit play. Have a question you want us to address? Find us at ohtellmepodcast@gmail.com Links and resources mentioned: Hone Health - (telehealth, hormonal health, functional health, and peptides) honehealth.com Fountain Life (functional health and peptides) fountainlife.com Marek Health (telehealth, hormone optimization, peptides) marekhealth.com Crowd Health (health sharing alternative to insurance, also has a functional doctor directory) **Liz's referral code: https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/?referral_code=078O7C Function Health (comprehensive biomarker testing) functionhealth.com Perelel (OB/GYN-Founded Vitamin Company) perelelhealth.com This podcast is for informational and personal experience purposes only. We are not medical professionals and nothing shared should be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health, medications, or treatment. Some topics discussed including peptides and compounded medications such as tirzepatide and semaglutide may not be FDA approved or may be prescribed off label. Always speak with a qualified healthcare provider about what is appropriate for your individual situation.

  6. Jun 5

    Are you aging on purpose or just going along for the ride?

    Sara and Liz get into hormone results, biological age testing, peptides, the scroll that is quietly making you okay with doing less, and why staying curious might be the most important thing you can do right now. Sara and Liz are finally both getting their numbers back and things are moving in the right direction. Sara's Function results are in with 124 biomarkers tested and only four out of range. Liz's estrogen and progesterone have doubled since switching to the patch and oral progesterone, her thyroid is suddenly functioning great, and she's starting a low dose compounded testosterone cream. They get into what these tests actually tell you, why your doctor probably isn't ordering them, and how to find discounts that make comprehensive testing actually accessible. They also get into BPC-157, what peptides actually are, shelf life and timing, and why that use by date matters more than you think. And then things go wonderfully sideways. Quicksand fears, sharks in pools, a surprise Galapagos story involving hammerhead sharks and a full panic attack, and the TikTok AI policy that is using your likeness without your knowledge or consent. The through line in all of it is something worth sitting with. The scroll is not just a distraction. It is actively making it easier to choose easy every single time. And as we get older that pull gets stronger. Staying curious, doing hard things, knowing your numbers, that is the fight. And it is worth fighting. Next episode: peptides, for real this time. And they are recording in person. Products and resources mentioned: Function Health (comprehensive biomarker testing) **Hone Health (hormone testing panel) honehealth.com Lugol's Iodine Solution (thyroid support) BPC-157 (peptide, compounding pharmacy, check your use by date) Viome (gut and health testing) Equinox member discount for Function Health **We make this podcast with descript.com. Interested in trying descript.com? click HERE and get a 50% discount for 2 months on the Creator plan Connect with us:ohtellmepodcast@gmail.com This podcast is for informational and personal experience purposes only. We are not medical professionals and nothing shared should be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health, medications, or treatment. Some topics discussed including peptides and compounded medications may not be FDA approved or may be prescribed off label. Always speak with a qualified healthcare provider about what is appropriate for your individual situation. **affiliate links

  7. May 22

    Zero F's Given. Turns out that's a menopause thing.

    Sara and Liz are finally talking about one of the better kept secrets of menopause. The zero f's given shift. The moment you stop managing everyone else's feelings and start being okay with your own. It's real, it's liberating, and it turns out it happens to a lot of us. But this episode covers a lot of ground. Liz has been feeling off and is done waiting for her doctor to order the tests she's asking for. Sara is done with the scroll and has been quietly pulling back from social media in ways that are actually helping. They both get into the gratitude practice that works without the pressure, why getting outside is sometimes the only reset that cuts through a bad menopause mood, and how corporations quietly taking over everything from your vet to your grocery store is affecting all of us more than we realize. Oh, and there's an iPhone red light trick for middle of the night wake ups that you are going to want to know about. What we cover:The zero f's given shift and why it might be a gift. Perimenopause symptoms nobody recognized until years later. Taking hormone testing into your own hands. The gratitude flood practice. Resetting when the mood takes over. Corporate takeovers and what they cost us. Social media fasts and the scroll that eats your afternoon. The red light iPhone trick. Products and resources mentioned: (some of these are affiliate links) Hone Health (hormone testing panel) https://honehealth.com/ get a free month of basic membership: https://start.honehealth.com/hermes/landing?utm_source=user&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=7837E41B Bodyguard screen protector (red light blue light blocker) https://www.bodyguardz.com/ Crowd Health (health sharing alternative to insurance) Liz's referral code: https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/?referral_code=078O7C Function Health (mentioned, not fully researched yet) functionhealth.com Dr. Stacy Sims, women are not small men https://www.drstacysims.com/wansm iPhone red light trick: triple click the side button (may need to enable in accessibility settings) Connect with us:ohtellmepodcast@gmail.com This podcast is for informational and personal experience purposes only. We are not medical professionals and nothing shared should be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health, medications, or treatment. We've recorded this and all episodes on DESCRIPT. Wanna try DESCRIPT? here's our affiliate link: https://descript.cello.so/zlrIwDTNkkE Use this link to sign up and you'll receive 50% off for 2 months if you choose the Creator Monthly Plan

  8. May 8

    Everything changes in menopause. Even the stuff you thought you had figured out... Duh!

    In this episode Sara and Liz get into sleep struggles, gym anxiety, how menopause has changed their workouts, and why lifting weights might be the most important thing you can do for your body right now. What we cover: Sleep during menopause and why wine isn't helping anyone anymoreSara tries Feals Wind Down gummies as a sleep and relaxation alternativePets in the bed, the eternal struggleGym anxiety, why it's real, why it happens to everyone, and how to push through itHow menopause changes your body's response to exerciseWhy strength training and lifting heavy matters more now than ever for bone densityHip pain, joint discomfort, and the fun surprises menopause brings to your bodyLiz's NASM recertification and her plans to work with perimenopausal and postmenopausal women on life and strength trainingSara's strength training progress and pushing past her comfort zone at the gymHome gyms vs going out, what works and what doesn'tMattresses, because hip pain at night is a whole thingProducts and resources mentioned: Feals Gummies (wind down and sleep) feals.comBig Fig Mattress bigfigmattress.com (Liz's new mattress, made in Ohio, firm support, highly recommends)NASM Certification nasm.orgConnect with us:ohtellmepodcast@gmail.com This podcast is for informational and personal experience purposes only. Don't get it twisted... we are not medical professionals and nothing shared should be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health, medications, or treatment.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A Hollywood producer and a Wellness Coach walk into menopause… Real talk on aging, identity, health, and WTF is even happening. Remember when you thought you had life figured out? Then menopause hit and suddenly you're Googling "Is this normal?" at 2am. Sara and Liz get real about everything women either glossed over or forgot to warn us about: hot flashes, brain fog, disappearing libidos, career shifts, and all the curveballs not mentioned. Oh! So no one told you? Yeah, we know. So... we're fixing that. Nobody prepared us for this journey either, so let's navigate it together.

Information

  • Creator
    Sara Flamm and Liz Forman
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sara Flamm and Liz Forman
  • Show Website
    Oh! So No One Told You?