SHARING OUT LOUD

Heather Danby

Midlife hit, the filter broke, and the truth started swinging. From menopause to alcoholism and sobriety, to identity and the mess we all pretend we’re not drowning in — she’s finally saying everything women were taught to swallow. And the guests? Bold, brilliant, and absolutely ready to say the quiet parts out loud.  Imagine what beautiful things could happen if we all chose to be vulnerable. If we all decided to be BRAVE, to start SHARING our personal stories OUT LOUD, because we knew it could help someone else who is going through the same thing. Want to be a part of the SHARING OUT LOUD movement? I want to hear from you! Please message me on Instagram @heathermdanby and of course, give me a follow!

  1. Aug 31

    Stop Treating the Hot Flash! Treat the Woman. With Dr. Mondona Goodwin

    If you’ve been listening to me for any amount of time, you know how strongly I feel that women deserve BETTER when it comes to our hormones and our health. We deserve to be heard, educated, taken seriously, and treated like partners in our own care. Enter Dr. Mondona Goodwin. Talking to Dr. Mondona is honestly like an educational meditation session. 😂 She KNOWS her stuff, but she has this incredibly calm, reassuring demeanor that I swear could put an angry mama bear at ease. And I absolutely loved talking with her. Dr. Goodwin is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner with more than a decade of clinical experience. She’s also the founder of CYRA Wellness, a practice inspired in part by her own journey with hormones, and by her desire to create the kind of healthcare experience she wished existed. One of the things I love most about Mondona’s philosophy is this: Don’t just treat the hot flash. Treat the WOMAN. YES. THIS. Because we are so much more than a list of menopause symptoms. We talked about hormones, metabolism, mood, long-term health, individualized hormone therapy, and why estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can all have a place in the conversation when appropriate. But we also talked about something that I think is just as important: how a woman FEELS when she leaves her doctor’s office. Did you feel heard? Did you feel taken seriously? Do you understand your options? Do you know what the plan is? And do you feel like your provider is actually your PARTNER in your healthcare? This conversation is educational, empowering, and, thanks to Dr. Mondona, somehow incredibly calming at the same time. Thank you for turning in, AND HUGE THANK YOU to Dr. Mondona for taking the time to hang out with me on Zoom😘. You can find out more about CRYA Wellness practice in California here: https://drmondona.com/ And please follow her on Instagram! @drmondona xoxo, Heather

    Stop Treating the Hot Flash! Treat the Woman. With Dr. Mondona Goodwin
  2. Aug 25

    She’s Been Through Some Stuff: Lisa Peterson on Health, Hormones & Midlife

    Podcast Introduction — Lisa PetersonToday’s guest is Lisa Peterson, a fitness and life coach who specializes in working with women over 40, and Lisa didn’t just find her way into the midlife space professionally. She lived it. And she’s been through some stuff. Fitness had always been a huge part of Lisa’s life. She even trained throughout her pregnancies. But after having children, her health began to unravel. She was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, and then, at just 39 years old, she went into premature ovarian failure, also known as premature menopause. Suddenly, Lisa was dealing with an alarming list of symptoms at an age when menopause wasn’t even on her radar. She went from provider to provider looking for answers, only to have her concerns brushed aside. She was offered antidepressants. Birth control pills. And when she finally asked a functional medicine doctor to test her hormones, he wrote the order—but not before asking her with a smirk, “Why, is that what your friends are doing these days?” That began what Lisa calls the answer-seeking period of her life. Looking back, Lisa can see just how much her body had endured: graduate school, infertility, an intense corporate career, a new marriage, three babies in four years, three years of breastfeeding, surgery—and then over-exercising and under-eating in an effort to “get her body back.” And then, two years ago, Lisa faced yet another life-changing health diagnosis: a benign brain tumor. While benign, the experience took an enormous emotional toll and, in Lisa’s words, left her feeling emotionally paralyzed. In this episode, we talk about all of it—the hormones, the health scares, the fear, the pressure women put on themselves and their bodies, and what Lisa has learned about fitness, nutrition, stress, and taking care of ourselves as we move through our 40s and beyond. Because Lisa’s approach to coaching women in midlife isn’t something she learned only from a textbook or certification. It comes from living through her own body changing, searching for answers when answers were hard to find, and ultimately finding her way forward. Let’s get into my conversation with Lisa Peterson. You can find Lisa on Instagram @lisavp305 and also on Substack https://lisavpeterson.substack.com/

    She’s Been Through Some Stuff: Lisa Peterson on Health, Hormones & Midlife
  3. Aug 17

    Why one Nurse Practitioner Built Her Own Women's Health Practice -- with Paige Nicole, APRN

    Welcome back to Sharing Out Loud! Today I’m talking with Paige Nicole, APRN, a nurse practitioner providing virtual menopause care to women across the states of Montana, Arizona, UT, WA and Colorado   Paige is part of a growing group of healthcare providers who recognize that women deserve more than being told their symptoms are simply part of getting older—or that they need to suffer through them. In this conversation, we talk about what IDEAL menopause care looks like and why access to knowledgeable providers can be such a challenge, especially in more rural areas, and how virtual care is helping to close that gap. We also talk about why medical providers are moving to privatized care -- who really has any idea what medical staff really has to go through when billing through insurance??? We also get into hormone therapy, symptom management, the misconceptions women are still hearing, and what Paige wishes more women understood about their bodies during perimenopause and menopause. If you live in one of the multiple States where Nicole practices,  and want to make an appointment to learn more about what working with Paige would look like, head over to her Instagram page (she is still working on her new website!) @paigenicole.npand click the link in her bio to fill out your information, or you can DM her there as well. In addition to her 1:1 services, Nicole also offers a program called "The Heard Method", which is a tool that helps you gain confidence for the appointment with your doctor. See below for a message from Paige: You walk into your next appointment, and you're not dismissed. You're not the anxious woman apologizing for taking up time. You're the one with the timeline, the right labs, the specific ask, and the study in your hand — and she takes you seriously, because you've made it impossible not to. And you know exactly what to do next if she doesn't. You stop losing years to the run-around. Instead of five, six, seven appointments that go nowhere, you know which door to walk through, exactly what to say when you get there, and what to do if the answer is still no. You finally understand your own body — not in vague "everything's normal" terms, but in the actual numbers, and what they mean for why you feel the way you do. And you get a real shot at the thing you actually came for: feeling like yourself again. Not the version running on fumes and willpower — the one whose energy matched her day, whose mood felt like hers, who slept. This guide can't hand you that. But it hands you the map to go get it — wherever you live, whatever your budget, insurance or not. Again, head over to Instagram @paigenicole.npand click the link in her bio to fill out your information, or you can DM her there as well.

    Why one Nurse Practitioner Built Her Own Women's Health Practice -- with Paige Nicole, APRN
  4. Aug 3

    Perimenopause, ADHD, and the Power of Being Heard -- with Jen Brown, aka, Jenopause_midlife

    If you've spent any time on social media looking for honest conversations about perimenopause and menopause, chances are you've come across today's guest. Jen Brown, better known as @Jenopause_Midlife on both Instagram and Tik Tok, is the founder of Jenopause Midlife, a women's health education and advocacy platform dedicated to bringing honesty, support, and empowerment to the midlife experience. With her signature warmth, humor, and authenticity, Jen has become a trusted voice for thousands of women who are searching for answers—and finally feeling seen. After spending more than 30 years in high-performance advertising sales, Jen found herself experiencing a whirlwind of physical and emotional symptoms that multiple doctors couldn't explain. After countless appointments with physicians and specialists, she finally learned she was in perimenopause. Later, receiving an ADHD diagnosis brought even more clarity, helping her understand challenges she had unknowingly navigated for much of her life. Rather than accepting the lack of education and support so many women receive, Jen decided to do something about it. She became a certified menopause coach and launched Jenopause Midlife to educate, validate, and advocate for women who deserve better care. Today, she helps women navigate midlife with confidence, teaches them how to find knowledgeable providers, and encourages the kind of open conversations that women haven't been taught to have. Her message has clearly resonated. Jen has built a community of more than 23,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, has appeared on numerous podcasts, speaks at events around the country, and was even cast in a New York City play after being discovered on TikTok. Beyond her advocacy work, Jen serves on the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater New York and is deeply involved in fundraising and community service. She splits her time between New York City and the Jersey Shore with her husband. After recording this conversation, Jen and I finally had the chance to meet in person in New York City, and I can honestly say she is every bit as wonderful offline as she is online. We had the best time together, and she truly feels like the sister I never had. She is just as kind, funny, authentic, and menopause-educated in person as she is on social media, and that authenticity is exactly why so many women trust her. In today's conversation, we talk about what it feels like to be dismissed by the medical system, the overlap between ADHD and perimenopause, the incredible power of social media to build real friendships and community, and why no woman should have to navigate midlife feeling alone. Please welcome my friend, Jen Brown, and be sure to follow her on all the social platforms! xoxo, Heather

    Perimenopause, ADHD, and the Power of Being Heard -- with Jen Brown, aka, Jenopause_midlife
  5. Jul 26

    Endometriosis Changed Her Life. Now She's Changing Women's Health.-- with Michelle Gelband, Sex Therapist, & Founder of Openly Health

    My guest today is Michelle Gelband, a sexual health expert with two master's degrees who is dedicated to transforming women's health through innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based care. In this episode, we talk about Michelle's journey into sexual health, what inspired her to dedicate her career to this often-overlooked field, and how her own endometriosis diagnosis exposed the frustrating gaps in women's healthcare. Like so many women, Michelle experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to find knowledgeable providers, trustworthy information, and meaningful support. That experience became the catalyst for creating Openly Health—a platform designed to make sexual healthcare more accessible, accurate, and connected. Openly Health brings together vetted sexual health providers who specialize in conditions and life stages including endometriosis, PCOS, pelvic pain, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, sexual dysfunction, intimacy concerns, hormones, and overall sexual wellness. Rather than relying on endless internet searches, users can connect with trusted experts, access evidence-based education, discover products tailored to their needs, and participate in an anonymous community where questions can be asked without fear or judgment. We also discuss why collaboration among healthcare providers is so important, the future of virtual sexual healthcare, and Michelle's vision for making it easier for people to find the right care at every stage of life. Whether you're navigating an endometriosis diagnosis, struggling with menopause, or simply looking for reliable sexual health information, this conversation is filled with practical insights and hope for the future of women's healthcare. Please follow Michelle @michellegelband and @openlyhealth. She welcomes any questions you might have! Or if you would like to collaborate with her. And please visit the Openly Health Website https://www.openlyhealth.io/

    Endometriosis Changed Her Life. Now She's Changing Women's Health.-- with Michelle Gelband, Sex Therapist, & Founder of Openly Health
  6. Jul 13

    Can GLP-1 Medications Change the Future of Bulimia Treatment? With advocate and author, Paige Gordon

    Can GLP-1 Medications Change the Future of Bulimia Treatment? For more than 20 years, Paige Gordon lived with bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. She tried therapy, antidepressants, nutrition counseling, psychiatry, and even inpatient treatment. Nothing stopped the relentless cycle—or the constant "food noise" that consumed her every waking moment. Then she heard someone say Ozempic could quiet those obsessive thoughts. What happened next changed her life. Just this past week, The Wall Street Journal featured Paige's remarkable story, highlighting not only her experience but also the growing scientific interest in whether GLP-1 medications could become an important treatment option for some people with bulimia and binge-eating disorder. While these medications are not FDA-approved for eating disorders and much more research is needed, early studies—and the experiences of some physicians treating these conditions—suggest they may dramatically reduce bingeing and the obsessive thoughts around food in certain patients. So today, I wanted to highlight the conversation (more details than the WSJ!) that I had with Paige several months ago, so you can learn more about her experience with Bulimia and the incredible research she's currently engaging in with doctors and scientists. This isn't a conversation about a miracle drug. It's a conversation about hope, science, and finally asking whether we've been looking at eating disorders the wrong way all along. Please note: Paige's experience is her own. GLP-1 medications are not currently approved to treat bulimia nervosa, and experts emphasize that more high-quality clinical trials are needed. These medications may not help everyone and should only be used under appropriate medical supervision.

    Can GLP-1 Medications Change the Future of Bulimia Treatment? With advocate and author, Paige Gordon
  7. Jul 6

    Victoria Barber reduced Her Cancer Risk—But No One Prepared Her for What Came Next

    There are moments in life that completely change the direction of your story. For today's guest, those moments came in rapid succession—a BRCA1 diagnosis, the loss of both parents, preventative cancer surgeries, and surgical menopause at just 43 years old. Instead of allowing those experiences to define her, Victoria Barber transformed them into a mission to ensure other women never have to navigate midlife feeling confused, unsupported, or alone. Victoria is the founder of KŌNENKI Wellness, a women's wellbeing brand dedicated to changing the experience of perimenopause, menopause, and midlife through education, nervous system regulation, and compassionate support. Blending modern science with Eastern wellness practices, she helps women understand what's happening in their bodies while giving them practical tools to navigate stress, overwhelm, and the many transitions of midlife. This conversation goes far beyond hormones. We talk about grief, trauma, resilience, surgical menopause, the nervous system, and why slowing down may be one of the most powerful things we can do for our health. I think you're going to walk away from this episode feeling seen, supported, and with a few new tools you can start using today. Please share this episode with every woman in your life!  Social Media:  (website still WIP) Connect on Instagram: @konenkiwellness https://www.instagram.com/konenkiwellness   Free Support Tool: KŌNENKI Reset — Instant Calm A free 6-minute nervous system reset for moments when life feels too loud. Created to support women navigating stress, overwhelm, racing thoughts, emotional exhaustion, and the intensity of midlife, this guided practice helps you pause, breathe, soften the noise, and gently return to yourself. Press play whenever you need a moment of calm. https://soundcloud.com/konenkiwellness/konenki-reset_instant

    Victoria Barber reduced Her Cancer Risk—But No One Prepared Her for What Came Next
  8. Jun 29

    Your Skin Is Changing—Here's Why: The Science Behind Midlife Skin with Danielle Ruess

    Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, "Why doesn't my skin respond the way it used to?" If you're in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, you're definitely not alone. Today's guest, Danielle Ruess, knows that feeling firsthand. After spending more than 26 years leading marketing in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and technology industries, Danielle never imagined she'd become the founder of a skincare company. But when her own skin began changing in her early 40s and the products she trusted stopped working, she did what many of us wish we knew how to do—she started asking questions. That journey led her to collaborate with dermatologists, estheticians, functional medicine physicians, and cosmetic chemists to better understand what happens to our skin as we age. What she discovered challenged much of what we've been told about skincare. Today, Danielle is the founder and CEO of Eonian Skincare, a company focused not on "anti-aging," but on supporting healthy, resilient skin through clean, science-backed formulations designed specifically for maturing skin. Her mission is simple: cut through the marketing hype, strengthen the skin barrier, and help people feel confident in the skin they're in. In this episode, we're talking about what really changes in our skin as hormones shift, why more products don't necessarily mean better results, the truth about ingredients, and how skincare fits into the much bigger conversation of healthy aging and longevity. If you've ever wondered whether your skincare routine is actually helping, or hurting, you won't want to miss this conversation. I hope you enjoy this FUN and informative chat with Danielle Ruess! You can find Eonian on their official website (don't forget to sign up for their loyalty program! It's FREE and you get points just for purchasing!): eonianskincare.com And be sure to follow Eonian on instagram @eonian_skincare

    Your Skin Is Changing—Here's Why: The Science Behind Midlife Skin with Danielle Ruess
4.7
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Midlife hit, the filter broke, and the truth started swinging. From menopause to alcoholism and sobriety, to identity and the mess we all pretend we’re not drowning in — she’s finally saying everything women were taught to swallow. And the guests? Bold, brilliant, and absolutely ready to say the quiet parts out loud.  Imagine what beautiful things could happen if we all chose to be vulnerable. If we all decided to be BRAVE, to start SHARING our personal stories OUT LOUD, because we knew it could help someone else who is going through the same thing. Want to be a part of the SHARING OUT LOUD movement? I want to hear from you! Please message me on Instagram @heathermdanby and of course, give me a follow!

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