The Menopause Disruptor Podcast

Mary Lee

Welcome to The Menopause Disruptor Podcast, where we’re rewriting the story of perimenopause, menopause, and midlife — one conversation at a time. I’m Mary Lee, Menopause Doula, Women’s Coaching Specialist, and science communicator, on a mission to challenge outdated narratives, bust menopause myths, and bring credible information and real women’s lived experiences to the forefront. On each episode, I explore the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of midlife, tackling the conversations that are too often dismissed, misunderstood, or left unsaid. From hormones, brain health, sleep, strength training, nutrition, sexuality, and mental health to trauma, identity, purpose, relationships, workplace menopause, and spiritual awakening — we go beyond the hot flashes. You’ll hear real, raw, and relatable conversations with credible experts, researchers, practitioners, and women sharing their lived experiences — alongside solo episodes where I unpack the science, challenge the status quo, and ask the questions many women are afraid to ask. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause, this podcast is here to help you make sense of what’s happening in your body and brain, advocate for yourself with confidence, and embrace the possibilities of midlife. Because menopause is not a disease. It’s not a failure. And it certainly isn’t the end of the story. It’s a powerful biological, psychological, and emotional transition — one that can become an invitation to understand your body, your brain, your health, and yourself in an entirely new way.

  1. 2d ago

    Epic Mini: Could Menopause Be An Awakening To A Starseed Identity?

    In this solo episode, Mary challenges dismissive medical narratives and frames perimenopause/menopause as a neurological, psychological, physiological, as well as a spiritual awakening.  Inspired by discussion of “starseeds” by several intuitives including several of her own spiritual teachers, Mary explores menopause through two parallel lenses: a spiritual lens (heightened intuition, sensitivities, synchronicities, purpose) and a biopsychosocial neuroscience lens (estrogen-driven changes affecting mood, cognition, sleep, stress response, and identity).  Mary describes menopause as an Ayurvedic “great reveal” that drops long-used coping strategies, forces authenticity, and can catalyze creativity. She defines starseeds as a modern spiritual belief, an identity framework and encourages holding it lightly, integrating insights into purposeful, responsible life choices. What is your great reveal? Perhaps this album, a creation by Mary using SunoAI to enhance her lyrics, will inspire you to seek and find yours? 00:57 Starseeds Introduction 01:37 Two Lenses of Menopause 03:47 Great Reveal Begins 05:11 Signs of Awakening 09:23 Gen X Starseed Idea 11:42 Starseed to Service 12:47 Grounding Practices 15:20 Symptoms and Gut Clues 17:10 Discernment and Integration 22:56 Service and Purpose 25:23 Starseed Defined and Cautions 28:09 Metaphor and Closing Resources: This is Maryia on YouTubeAlexandra WenmanKirsty GallagherSonia Choquette, The Good Vibe TribeThe Great Reveal on SpotifyLet us know if you're liking the show! Support the show Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.  Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.  Connect:  Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoachingDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

  2. Aug 28

    The Intersection Between Anesthesia, Menopause, and Oral Health with Dr. Sandra Bargeron

    In this episode, Mary welcomes Sandra Bargeron, PA-C, CAA, an anesthesia clinician and brain health expert with more than 22 years in medicine and over 10,000 anesthesia cases. Sandra shares why preparing for surgery should involve more than medical clearance, and why the brain's neurological resilience may play a major role in how we respond to anesthesia and recover afterward. The conversation explores the overlooked connection between menopause, hormones, anesthesia, surgical stress, and brain health. Sandra explains her Neurologic Stress and Recovery Index (NSRI), how sleep, metabolic health, medications, lifestyle, and previous neurological injuries can influence resilience, and why women in perimenopause and menopause may need more attention before and after surgery. Connect: • Website: https://beyondbrainhealth.com/ • Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondbrainhealth • LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sandra-bargeron • YouTube: https://youtube.com/@sandebphd Resources: • Beyond Brain Health: https://beyondbrainhealth.com/ • Neurologic Stress & Recovery Index (NSRI): https://surveys.beyondbrainhealth.com/NSRI-live • Break Through Anesthesia Fog by Sandra Bargeron: https://beyondbrainhealth.com/book • NSRI Evidence & Research: https://beyondbrainhealth.com/nsri-evidence Let us know if you're liking the show! I would love it if you could support the show. Go into the show notes and click on the button where you read "support the show." You have the option to donate monthly, $3, 5, 8, 10. Be a loyal supporter for as long as you want with recurring fee as little of three as $3 a month, and opt out at any time. Each investment goes directly back into producing episodes with even better content, improved audio quality, and we'll go a long way in bringing great guests onto the show. Support the show Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.  Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.  Connect:  Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoachingDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

    The Intersection Between Anesthesia, Menopause, and Oral Health with Dr. Sandra Bargeron
  3. Aug 21

    Unapologetic Workplace Leadership and Power with Nicole Johnston

    In this episode, Mary is joined by Nicole Johnston, an executive and leadership coach, TEDx speaker, author, and founder of Innate Power, to explore workplace leadership, visibility, confidence, and the often-unspoken challenges women face during menopause. Nicole draws on 30 years of experience in major consumer brands including Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Hershey, and Newell Brands, where she witnessed women being diminished, sidelined, and overlooked despite their experience and capabilities. She now helps women understand the unwritten rules of corporate environments, communicate their value, build stronger personal brands, and step into leadership without shrinking themselves. The conversation explores why women can be over-mentored but under-sponsored, how an “Atta Girl” folder can protect their accomplishments and strengthen career conversations, and why personal brand is ultimately shaped by how other people perceive your value. Nicole also discusses menopause in the workplace, the importance of removing shame from the conversation, asking for support, and giving yourself permission to use new tools and strategies when your needs change. She shares how openly acknowledging brain fog helped her maintain credibility rather than hide what was happening. Connect: • Innate Power  on Instagram— Nicole Johnston's leadership coaching and professional work. Resource: • Taboo Topics: Things Women Should Talk About But Don't — Nicole Johnston's book, available in hardcover, paperback, and audio formats. Let us know if you're liking the show! I would love it if you could support the show. Go into the show notes and click on the button where you read "support the show." You have the option to donate monthly, $3, 5, 8, 10. Be a loyal supporter for as long as you want with recurring fee as little of three as $3 a month, and opt out at any time. Each investment goes directly back into producing episodes with even better content, improved audio quality, and we'll go a long way in bringing great guests onto the show. Support the show Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.  Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.  Connect:  Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoachingDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

    Unapologetic Workplace Leadership and Power with Nicole Johnston
  4. Aug 14

    GLP-1s Aren’t a Cop-Out: Rethinking Weight Loss with Dr. Laure DeMattia

    In this episode, host Mary is joined by obesity medicine physician Dr. Laure DeMattia to explore the complicated relationship between obesity, body image, food, and menopause. Dr. DeMattia shares her deeply personal journey from struggling with body image and binge eating from a young age to becoming a physician specializing in obesity medicine.  Together, Mary and Dr. D unpack why women's bodies can be particularly vulnerable to weight changes during puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause, and why the traditional "eat less, move more" approach can leave women feeling frustrated, ashamed, and blamed. The conversation challenges the idea that weight is simply a matter of willpower. Dr. DeMattia explains set point theory, discusses how the body can defend a particular weight, and explores why treatments such as GLP-1 medications and bariatric surgery can be legitimate tools for treating obesity rather than "cop-outs." She also emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the number on the scale and focusing on health, energy, confidence, and other non-scale victories. Dr. DeMattia also introduces her practical CHEF framework from her book, The Four Food Cues, helping people understand their individual relationship with food through Craving, Hunger, Energy, and Fullness. Connect: • Learn more about Dr. Laure DeMattia and her work: https://drdemattia.com/ • The Four Food Cues by Dr. Laure DeMattia — available on Amazon  Let us know if you're liking the show! I would love it if you could support the show. Go into the show notes and click on the button where you read "support the show." You have the option to donate monthly, $3, 5, 8, 10. Be a loyal supporter for as long as you want with recurring fee as little of three as $3 a month, and opt out at any time. Each investment goes directly back into producing episodes with even better content, improved audio quality, and we'll go a long way in bringing great guests onto the show. Support the show Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.  Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.  Connect:  Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoachingDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

    GLP-1s Aren’t a Cop-Out: Rethinking Weight Loss with Dr. Laure DeMattia
  5. Aug 6

    An Eclipse to Surrender, A Portal to Receive

    In this Goddess Journey meditation, we explore the symbolic energies of the 8/8 Lion's Gate and the August 12 South Node Solar Eclipse. Rather than asking you to strive for more, this practice offers something far more courageous: permission to slow down, soften, and receive. As the Year of the Fire Horse and the Universal Year 1 invite bold new beginnings, this meditation reminds us that every beginning first requires space. Before something new can enter, something old must be released.T Whether you connect with the symbolism of astrology or simply appreciate it as a beautiful metaphor for personal reflection, this meditation is an opportunity to pause, breathe, and trust the unfolding of your own journey. Journal Reflection: What feels complete in this season of my life?What am I ready to release with gratitude?Where have I confused constant doing with my worth?What would it feel like to trust life enough to receive?If I rested without guilt, what might become possible?Continue Your Goddess Journey If this meditation resonated with you, subscribe so you never miss a new episode in the Goddess Journey Meditation Series, where we explore the intersection of women's wisdom, nervous system healing, science, and spirituality. Let us know if you're liking the show! Support the show Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.  Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.  Connect:  Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoachingDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

    An Eclipse to Surrender, A Portal to Receive
  6. Jul 31

    The Menopause Conversation Your Doctor May Never Have with Cindy Dupuie

    In this episode, Mary welcomes functional medicine practitioner Cindy Dupuie, who shares her deeply personal journey from experiencing early menopause after a stressful divorce to becoming one of the leading voices helping women understand the root causes of hormonal changes. Together they unpack why menopause is about far more than hot flashes and why estrogen influences nearly every tissue and organ in the body. The conversation explores the principles of functional medicine, emphasizing how hormones, digestion, inflammation, the microbiome, and metabolic health are deeply interconnected. Cindy explains why declining estrogen can contribute to digestive problems including acid reflux, food sensitivities, constipation, SIBO, leaky gut, and poor bile production, while also discussing how hormone therapy may support long-term brain, heart, and bone health beyond symptom relief. Mary and Cindy also discuss the current barriers women face in today's healthcare system, the importance of becoming educated advocates for your own health, and why individualized care—not one-size-fits-all medicine—is essential for thriving throughout midlife and beyond. Whether you're navigating perimenopause, menopause, or simply want to understand how your body changes with age, this episode offers practical insights, empowering perspectives, and hope for building a healthier future. Connect: 🌐 A Living Balance https://alivingbalance.netResources Mentioned: Dr. Mark Hyman — https://drhyman.comInstitute for Functional Medicine (IFM) — https://www.ifm.orgDr. Ben Lynch — https://www.drbenlynch.comDirty Genes by Dr. Ben Lynch — https://www.drbenlynch.com/dirty-genes/Seeking Health — https://www.seekinghealth.comDr. Tim Spector (ZOE) — https://zoe.com/learn/author/tim-spectorLet us know if you're liking the show! Support the show Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.  Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.  Connect:  Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoachingDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

    The Menopause Conversation Your Doctor May Never Have with Cindy Dupuie
  7. Jun 2

    Working Women Will Face Ageism At The Peak of Their Careers with Lucy Standing

    Is the productivity crisis in the workforce actually an ageism crisis? In this episode, I sit down with Lucy Standing, Chartered Psychologist and founder of Brave Starts, CIC – a non profit organisation supporting 300 – 400 people a year to plan and consider their future career development. Lucy specialising in mid career development with specific expertise in the ageing population. Together, we explore ageism in the workplace, reinvention after 50, the rise of "quilted careers," and why many experienced professionals are choosing a a pay cut for fulfilling work that brings purpose and meaning. Lucy challenges the outdated belief that our value declines with age and shares compelling evidence that resilience, emotional intelligence, experience, and purpose-driven leadership often peak in midlife. She has contributed hert research to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and spoken in the UK Parliament on ageing and employment policy.  Lucy is co-author of Age Against the Machine with Martin Hyde and Dr. Maggi Evans that argues the talent shortage gripping British business isn't a talent problem - it's a filtering problem.  Connect: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucystanding/ Brave Starts: https://www.bravestarts.com/ Let us know if you're liking the show! I would love it if you could support the show. Go into the show notes and click on the button where you read "support the show." You have the option to donate monthly, $3, 5, 8, 10. Be a loyal supporter for as long as you want with recurring fee as little of three as $3 a month, and opt out at any time. Each investment goes directly back into producing episodes with even better content, improved audio quality, and we'll go a long way in bringing great guests onto the show. Support the show Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.  Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.  Connect:  Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoachingDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

    Working Women Will Face Ageism At The Peak of Their Careers with Lucy Standing
  8. May 20

    Harness the Balancing Energy of Gemini: A Meditation for Intuition and Mindfulness

    Today, I bring back the Goddess Journey meditation series with a new guided meditation for the wise woman's personal shift toward intuition, letting go of mental rumination, while integrating spiritual wisdom.  You don't have to be a Gemini under a Sun or Moon sign to reap all the benfits of balancing dual forces that reside within each and every one of us. This journey will begin with storytelling of how I arrived back in a place of quiet reflection while taking a pause from pushing the play button on life,  accepting  the intuitive call to rest in the flow of life instead. This meditation calls for you to soak in stillness and allow what arrives in mind and body without pushing against it, judging, or analysing. Listeners will be guided through breathwork, nervous-system calming, and positive affirmations to cultivate heart-centre self-trust with intuition.  Use this practice to begin your day, during a work break, or to gently close out your evening. Anytime of day is a beautiful time to return home to you. 00:00 Intuitive Stirring 02:36 Astrology Shift 04:02 Heart Chakra Bridge 04:59 Grounding and Sisterhood 06:51 Settle In and Breathe 09:22 Gemini Breath Balance 10:55 Hands and Integration 13:35 Safety Affirmations 14:55 Embody Your Wise Self 17:18 Closing and Return Let us know if you're liking the show! Support the show Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.  Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.  Connect:  Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoachingDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

    Harness the Balancing Energy of Gemini: A Meditation for Intuition and Mindfulness

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Menopause Disruptor Podcast, where we’re rewriting the story of perimenopause, menopause, and midlife — one conversation at a time. I’m Mary Lee, Menopause Doula, Women’s Coaching Specialist, and science communicator, on a mission to challenge outdated narratives, bust menopause myths, and bring credible information and real women’s lived experiences to the forefront. On each episode, I explore the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of midlife, tackling the conversations that are too often dismissed, misunderstood, or left unsaid. From hormones, brain health, sleep, strength training, nutrition, sexuality, and mental health to trauma, identity, purpose, relationships, workplace menopause, and spiritual awakening — we go beyond the hot flashes. You’ll hear real, raw, and relatable conversations with credible experts, researchers, practitioners, and women sharing their lived experiences — alongside solo episodes where I unpack the science, challenge the status quo, and ask the questions many women are afraid to ask. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause, this podcast is here to help you make sense of what’s happening in your body and brain, advocate for yourself with confidence, and embrace the possibilities of midlife. Because menopause is not a disease. It’s not a failure. And it certainly isn’t the end of the story. It’s a powerful biological, psychological, and emotional transition — one that can become an invitation to understand your body, your brain, your health, and yourself in an entirely new way.

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