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. Loud, Political, and Pro-HRT: Dr. Alexis Dunne Unfiltered

    1D AGO

    Loud, Political, and Pro-HRT: Dr. Alexis Dunne Unfiltered

    Today’s guest is the kind of physician who doesn’t just practice medicine — she lives it out loud. Dr. Alexis Dunne is an Internal Medicine physician who pivoted her career to become a menopause specialist after witnessing how deeply women were being dismissed, misinformed, and left to suffer in silence. But she didn’t just stay inside the exam room. She picked up her phone. Yes, she jumped headfirst onto the social media bandwagon — and her very first video? It went viral after Dr. Mary Claire Haver reposted it. Practically overnight, her voice reached thousands of women hungry for clear, evidence-based, no-BS education about what is actually happening in their bodies. And she has not been quiet since. Dr. Dunne has become known for her LOUD voice — not only in the menopause space, but in the human rights space as well. She takes her oath to “do no harm” very seriously, and for her, that extends beyond prescriptions and lab results. It includes speaking up. Advocating for bodily autonomy. Calling out misinformation. Addressing the very real political forces shaping healthcare in this country right now. Because, as she says — medicine is political. And silence? That can cause harm. What makes her even more magnetic is her dry sense of humor and unapologetic, no-BS attitude. It’s refreshing. It’s sharp. It cuts through fear and confusion with clarity and just the right amount of wit. She tells the truth — even when it makes people uncomfortable — and somehow makes you laugh while she’s doing it. Dr. Dunne is deeply passionate about women taking charge of their health earlier — not later. When women say, “I’ll wait to start HRT,” she asks: Why? What exactly are you waiting for? To lose bone density? To increase your cardiovascular risk? To watch your brain fog, joint pain, sleep disruption, and mood shifts steal your quality of life? She believes in proactive, preventative care — not waiting until the damage is done. This conversation is bold. It’s empowering. It might ruffle a few feathers — and that’s exactly the point. Let’s dive in. Be sure to follow Dr. Dunne on Instagram @dunnewithmenopause Want to make a virtual appt with her in Illinois? https://www.advocatehealth.com/doctors/alexis-p-dunne-1336324367?address_id=60489&source=sparkle&patient_type=returning_patient Thank you, Dr. Dunne, for taking so much time to hang out with me!  xoxo, Heather

    40 min
  2. What 24 Years of Medical Gaslighting Cost One Woman -- with Callie Greenberg, Endometriosis Warrior

    FEB 3

    What 24 Years of Medical Gaslighting Cost One Woman -- with Callie Greenberg, Endometriosis Warrior

    In this episode of Sharing Out Loud, I’m joined by Callie Greenberg — healthcare insider, endometriosis survivor, and a woman who is LOUD when it comes to owning your body and your story. Callie spent nearly two decades working inside the healthcare system — only to be dismissed, gaslit, and failed by it. Her pain began at 13, and for 24 years she was told it was “just bad cramps,” “in her head,” or simply “part of being a woman.”  Spoiler: it wasn’t. At 37, Callie was finally diagnosed with stage 4/5 advanced endometriosis. After surgery to remove invasive tissue and masses from her uterus, ovaries, tubes, and bladder, she hoped the worst was behind her. But endometriosis had other plans. Multiple failed IVF rounds followed as the disease impacted her egg quality, and just 18 months later, the pain — and the masses — returned. At 39, Callie was forced to make the devastating decision to have a total hysterectomy. Endometriosis stole Callie’s chance to carry a child. And like so many women, she spent most of her life never being told what endometriosis was — or how deeply it can affect fertility, physical health, and mental well-being. Callie is an open book — because, like me, she believes sharing is caring… and sharing is being a badass. In this raw, honest conversation, we talk about medical gaslighting, grief, loss, rage, advocacy, and the power of speaking your truth out loud so other women know they’re not alone. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever been dismissed by the medical system, struggled with chronic pain, or felt unheard in their own body. Because what happened to Callie shouldn’t keep happening to anyone else. You can find Callie on her Endo Warriors Podcast , on Instagram @endowarriorspodcast , and on her website, www.ownmyendo.com , where she offers more information/resources about Endometriosis as well as how you can sign up for "ENDO BESTIE", a program that offers personalized guidance, grounded support, and real conversation from someone who has walked the endometriosis path and learned how to move from surviving to partnering with her body, her care team, and her life.

    58 min
  3. Sobriety, Menopause, and Thriving as Women Age -- with Sarah Rutsbatch (edited re-release)

    JAN 20

    Sobriety, Menopause, and Thriving as Women Age -- with Sarah Rutsbatch (edited re-release)

    Sarah is the best-selling author of Beyond Booze: How to Create a Life You Love Alcohol-Free, and a passionate advocate for women’s wellbeing at every stage of life. She is also: a multi-award-winning Health and Wellbeing Coachan accredited Grey Area Drinking Coacha menopause coachand a keynote speaker, bravely sharing her journey to sobrietySarah quite literally supports women all over the world in creating—and truly living—their best lives as they age. But what shaped her into doing this deeply meaningful work? After developing what she describes as a dysfunctional relationship with alcohol, Sarah made the courageous decision to remove alcohol from her life in early 2019. Was it easy? No. Did she try more than once before it finally stuck? Absolutely. And that’s exactly what makes her story so relatable. Like so many women—especially moms—Sarah found herself caught in a culture where it felt socially acceptable (even expected) to turn children’s playdates into drinking dates. After all, moms “deserve” wine because moms do everything, right? 😲😁  If that resonates with you… You’re not alone. It certainly resonates with me, because that was my story too. Today, Sarah is doing extraordinary work helping women become the best versions of themselves—whether that means cutting back on alcohol, stopping altogether, navigating menopause, or taking an honest look at their lives and asking: How can I thrive, not just survive? Sarah works 1:1 with clients and also leads a powerful global online community on Facebook, The Women’s Wellbeing Collective 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/342319476897067 Women are facing more challenges than ever before, and what we need now—more than anything—is a safe, supportive space where we can share our pain, our struggles, and our wins… and feel truly safe while doing it. And that is exactly what Sarah has created You can find Sarah in lots of places: on Instagram @sararusbatchher website https://sarahrusbatch.comon Amazon to purchase her book, Beyond Booze: https://a.co/d/hCcBBGZ

    42 min
  4. Empower Women in Midlife: From Isolation to Advocacy -- with Angie Knierim

    JAN 13

    Empower Women in Midlife: From Isolation to Advocacy -- with Angie Knierim

    Today on the podcast, I’m so excited to welcome Angie Knierim — a menopause advocate and the founder of Empower Women in Midlife, a FREE space (app) created for women like you to connect, share experiences, and become advocates for your own health and life. In midlife — especially during perimenopause and menopause — you no longer have to feel confused, isolated, or overwhelmed. We’re breaking the stigma, talking openly about everything from vaginal health to GLP-1s, and embracing this season with courage, confidence, and a deep sense of belonging.  Angie’s passion for this work was born from her own health struggles, which opened her eyes to just how isolating perimenopause and the messy middle of life can feel. Instead of staying silent, Angie chose to speak up — sharing real stories and creating spaces where women feel truly seen, heard, and supported. At the core of Angie’s work is community — the belief that we are not meant to walk through midlife alone. This is about breaking the silence, lifting one another up, and creating meaningful connections where real conversations meet real resources. Angie’s mission is clear: to remind women they are not alone, that their experiences matter, that they are in charge of their hormone/health journey, and that together, we are stronger. Be sure to follow Angie on Instagram @angieknierim Thank you, Angie, for taking even more time out of your day than just this final recording 🥰 to hang out with me. Life really is all about connection, and I 100% know I made one with you.  xoxo, Heather

    1h 7m
  5. What if healing meant walking back into the rooms you’ve spent your whole life trying to escape? -- with April Garcia

    12/30/2025

    What if healing meant walking back into the rooms you’ve spent your whole life trying to escape? -- with April Garcia

    Welcome to the podcast — I’m so honored to welcome April Day Garcia. April is the author of the breathtaking memoir The Room to Be Brave, a book built around one powerful question: What if healing meant walking back into the rooms you’ve spent your whole life trying to escape? In Room to Be Brave, April invites us into the invisible house we all carry — the one made of memories that shaped us, moments that broke us, and rooms we’ve kept locked for far too long. Because every memory lives in a room. The apartment where Child Protective Services came.  The stranger’s couch where she woke up filled with shame.  The living room where she decided to leave California for good. Some rooms hold laughter and light. Others hold grief, fear, and the kind of shame we’re convinced we’ve buried forever. For a long time, April believed healing meant closing doors. Now she knows it means opening them — slowly, honestly — and letting the light in. Through surviving a brush with death, recovering in a body she didn’t recognize, living with chronic illness, navigating addiction, divorce, and a deeply complicated relationship with her mother, April has learned something profound: Bravery isn’t about feeling brave. It’s about showing up for yourself again and again — even when you’re exhausted. This memoir isn’t about perfection or resolution. It’s about the messy, ongoing work of piecing yourself back together — room by room, breath by breath — and finding the courage to step into the very spaces you once believed would break you. I cannot wait for you to hear this conversation. Please follow April on Instagram @theroomtobebrave You can also pre-order her book on Amazon (launches JANUARY 27!) And you can visit her website https://www.aprildaygarcia.com/ Consider this book as a gift for friends or propose reading it for your book group. This is a memoir that will be in your thoughts for a long, long time. xoxo, Heather

    1h 7m
  6. Menopause, But Make It Sudden: When Surgery Changes Everything -- with Fliss Hoyle

    12/19/2025

    Menopause, But Make It Sudden: When Surgery Changes Everything -- with Fliss Hoyle

    Today’s episode is an important one — and an honest one. Fliss Hoyle is back for her second conversation with me, and this time she’s sharing a story that far too many women are living quietly: surgical menopause. Fliss is the founder of Lived Experience Inspires, a company dedicated to bringing the patient voice and lived experience into the heart of healthcare, education, and workplace culture. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to break the stigma, build compassion, and empower people — from students to senior leaders — to create environments rooted in understanding, well-being, and genuine human connection. In this episode, Fliss opens up about her hysterectomy and the sudden hormonal crash that followed. While the world is finally starting to talk about menopause — often framed as “natural menopause” — very few conversations address what happens when a woman is thrust overnight into surgical menopause. There is no “peri.” There is no gradual transition. There is just a crash.  A crash of estrogen. A crash of progesterone. A crash of identity, well-being, and stability — often without adequate education, support, or hormone replacement offered. Fliss speaks candidly about what it feels like when hormones are abruptly removed, the impact on mental health, physical health, relationships, and self-trust, and how historically, women in this situation were expected to cope — silently. This conversation matters.  Because surgical menopause is menopause.  Because hormone loss is not benign.  And because lived experience deserves to be heard, believed, and acted on. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, confused, or blindsided by your body — or if you care about creating safer, more compassionate systems for women — this episode is for you. This is Sharing Out Loud. And this is a conversation every woman deserves to hear. Please follow Fliss @fliss_livedexperienceinspires And visit her brand new website! https://www.livedexperienceinspires.com/ And let's keep the conversation going by SHARING THIS EPISODE! xoxo, Heather

    55 min
  7. 🎙️ Midlife Table Talk: The Conversation Every Woman Deserves

    12/09/2025

    🎙️ Midlife Table Talk: The Conversation Every Woman Deserves

    Because midlife doesn’t need a makeover; it needs a microphone! And it also needs LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of women talking about it, sometimes for hours at a time😘. So, what happens when women drop the polite, watered-down version of midlife and finally say what’s actually going on? Magic. Truth. Relief. And a whole lot of “Why did no one tell me this sooner?” That’s exactly what unfolded during the very first Midlife Table Talk—a raw, unrushed, radically honest roundtable hosted by me and Angela Burk, speaker, midlife blogger, and author of the new book, The Real Girls Guide to Midlife! We are joined by three powerhouse women who work on the front lines of midlife every single day: Cris Amato, RN, MSN, RNFA, APN-C, founder of Grace Concierge, and an expert in hormones and women’s health. Committed to treating women differently by treating them as individuals with unique symptoms and issues.Amy Johnston, founder of Amy Johnston Fitness. She’s been a fitness and wellness expert over 30 years and helps midlife women rebuild strength, metabolism, and confidence through her private fitness group where she focuses on workouts best suited for women over 40 (WEIGHTS!).Heather Dillavou, PT, MS, a pelvic floor specialist who brings clarity (and hope!) to the parts no one ever talks about. Heather has been doing this for 25 years... where was she when I had my 2 kids???Together, we dive into the unfiltered reality of hormones, aging, identity shifts, pelvic floor challenges, strength changes, brain fog, energy fluctuations—and the empowering truth that midlife isn’t the end of anything. It’s the beginning of understanding your body, your power, and your voice on a whole new level. If you’ve ever felt confused, dismissed, or alone in your midlife experience, pull up a chair. This is the conversation every woman deserves to hear. Listen on a walk, in the car, on your lunch break—however it fits into your day. You don’t even have to listen all at once. But trust me… the information is that good. You won’t want to miss a single minute. Please be sure to SHARE THIS EPISODE WITH FRIENDS and, of course, follow these amazing women on social media (except for Heather D., who is not yet active for her professional life). Cris: @graceconcierge and graceconcierge.com Amy: @amyjohnstonfitness and amyjohnstonfitness.com Angela: @realgirlsguide55 and realgirlsguide55.com xoxo, Heather

    1h 58m
  8. The Brain–Hormone Connection -- with Dr. Kim Johnson Hatchett, Board Certified Neurologist

    12/01/2025

    The Brain–Hormone Connection -- with Dr. Kim Johnson Hatchett, Board Certified Neurologist

    In this enlightening episode, I had the privilege of speaking with the brilliant Dr. Kim Johnson Hatchett, a board-certified neurologist, author, and motivational speaker. Together, we dove into the fascinating interplay between brain health and hormonal changes during menopause, uncovering how this life stage impacts cognitive function and overall well-being. Dr. Hatchett shared her expertise on how hormonal shifts during menopause influence brain chemistry, potentially affecting memory, focus, and emotional resilience. She emphasized the importance of understanding these changes to empower women during this transformative phase of life. We also explored the profound role lifestyle choices play in maintaining brain health. From the benefits of regular exercise and balanced nutrition to the importance of stress management, Dr. Hatchett provided actionable insights to help listeners nurture their brains earlier so they can thrive through menopause and beyond. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about the brain-hormone connection and how intentional changes (including HRT) can lead to a healthier, sharper mind, and maybe even reduce your risk for Alzheimer's and Dementia.  Be sure to follow Dr. Kim on Instagram @drkimneurodoc And check out her website: drkimberlyjhatchett.com, where you can learn more about Dr. Kim, listen to other media interviews, AND sign up for her FREE newsletter! If you haven't yet started to educate yourself about the impact of hormones on your overall health, consider grabbing the following books and find a qualified doctor today to discuss your symptoms and options: ESTROGEN MATTERS THE MENOPAUSE MOMENT THE PERIMENOPAUSE SURVIVAL GUIDE Find a doctor here: THE MENOPAUSE SOCIETY Other Instagram Doctors to follow: @askdrnoor @dunnewithmenopause @menopause_doctor

    1h 3m
4.7
out of 5
21 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!