HOT FLASHES & COOL TOPICS

There are far too many examples in history when a man has overshadowed a woman's achievements.

Our guests this week, Lori Zimmer and Maria Krasinski, authored and illustrated a book which highlights the achievements of 31 women artists and visionaries who experienced this.  I'M NOT YOUR MUSE: Uncovering the Overshadowed Brilliance of Women Artists & Visionaries, shares stories of women in music, art, architecture and more whose...

We love sharing our conversations with inspiring women like Nicole Eggert.

You may remember Nicole from her roles in Charge in Charge and Baywatch and we talk about both of those journeys. From despicable behavior from a fellow cast member to slow motion running on the beach, she shares her journey with honesty and humor. 

She also shares her current battle with Cribriform Breast Cancer, a ...

Women over 50 are getting the message that we are not invisible.  In fact, we have stories to share and many new adventures still to enjoy.

Our guest this week is 50+ essayist and speaker Kerri Devine.  Kerri is the creator of Hot in Charleston, an intergenerational community of women sharing their stories, struggles and insights on midlife, motherhood and menopause.  She is also a producer for the new Midlife Monologue events.

Ker...

There is so much more to the pelvic floor than most women realize.

This week we invited Dr. Sara Reardon to explain the anatomy of the pelvic floor and the problems many women may silently struggle with in that area.  From menstruation to menopause, Dr. Reardon has created a comprehensive book entitled FLOORED: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage.

Whether you are struggling with painful sex or incontinence...

We are talking decluttering your home on this last July replay episode.

We are joined by former guest Dana K. White.  Dana is an author and podcaster as well as creator of the No Mess Decluttering process.  She shares with us the importance of a good black trash bag and the 4 simple things we should do everyday to keep our house clean. We talk about two valuable questions you should ask when starting to declutter and how to break t...

We are excited to revisit our conversation with the joyful actress Kate Flannery.

Many will remember Kate as Drunk Meredith Palmer on The Office.  That role resulted in her winning 2 Screen Actors Guild Award. She has continued to build her career in television, independent films and the comedy circuit.

She shares funny stories from The Office, the joys of embracing this career success post 40 and how she is looking forward to her ...

Talking about women's sexual health always deserves a replay.

This week, we are replaying our conversation with Dr Kelly Casperson.  Dr. Casperson is a Board Certified Urologist, international educator on women's sexual health, podcaster and author. 

We talk low libido, the use and misuse of testosterone, menopause symptoms, and how to have great sex in midlife and beyond. You deserve it!

Show Notes: www.hotflashescooltopics.com

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For the month of July, we are replaying some of our listener's favorite episodes. The first is with organizer Marni Jameson.

There are many transitions in midlife.  Organizing your home is a big one.

Do you keep a larger home as an empty nester? Do you downsize?  Are you overwhelmed with memories and things and you can't decide what to do with them?  Do you have a parent moving in or do you have to clean...

It's time to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Marriage Equality Act!

We invited back Tammy and Kim Franklin, two of original plaintiffs in the Obergefell vs. Hodges to talk about their experiences and how their lives have changed.  The Franklins were one of six couples that brought this case to the Supreme Court in 2015. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of same sex marriages and that same sex marriages will be recognized natio...

What do you think of the term "midlife crisis'?  Is it a burden or a reboot?

Our guest this week is author and documentary filmmaker, Kate Muir.  Kate believes that:

"‘A midlife crisis is a magnificent moment, and nobody should miss out on it. We need to reframe this time of questioning for a new generation of women who want to revive and thrive for longer. We must reclaim the midlife crisis from madmen with red sports cars - and m...

Join us for an other incredible conversation with actress and vibrant women over 50, Annette O'Toole.

At a very young age, she started her career as a dancer, then theatre actress and has now appeared in over 40 series.  Her most recent role is Mayor Hope McCrea on Nextflix's longest running drama Virgin River. 

We also talk about her personal life including her wonderful marriage to actor and musician Michael McKeon. 

Annette is l...

"It's Not Your Job to Like Me, It's Mine." Byron Katie

The need to people please is our discussion for this week's Cool Topics Series. Are you a people pleaser?

Most of us will answer yes. We say yes before thinking about our own needs.  We put everyone else above us on our list of priorities.  We often seek acceptance in people we shouldn't and we worry about hurting the feeling of others who do not reciprocate that.

We are lookin...

Are you familiar with the term Hormesis?

Simply put, Hormesis is a when you body responds in a positive way to low and quick bursts of stress.

This week, we are speaking with Harvard Trained Internal Medicine Physician and Researcher, Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist. In her new book, THE STRESS PARADOX: Why You Need Stress to Live Longer, Healthier and Happier, Dr. Horesh reveals how to optimiz...

"Creativity is our birthright." Author/Poet Maggie Smith

Do you notice in midlife that you have stories and wisdom to share but maybe you don't know how to express them on paper?  

Our guest this week is NYT Best Selling Author and Poet, Maggie Smith.  Maggie's new book, DEAR WRITER: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life, explains how to do it. 

We discuss important ways to foster your creativity with the first one...

We continue our conversation with the amazing actress Elizabeth Perkins.

From her start in theater to her iconic roles in Big, Miracle on 34th Street and Weeds, she shares how these characters changed the trajectory of her career.  She also talks who was the original lead in Big, and it wasn't Tom Hanks.

Elizabeth has no intent on slowing down her career (even with her adult onset Type 1 Diabetes) and she looks forward to more in d...

Elizabeth Perkins is an iconic actress and producer that we are thrilled to have join us this week for a two part episode. (Wednesday and Friday).

Elizabeth Perkins has entertained the world through her roles in movies, tv and stage.  From Big to Weeds, her talent is boundless.  At this stage of life, she is now calling the shots to make herself a priority. That decision has resulted in some big changes in her life.

Elizabeth has m...

Last week's episode shared how to break up with friends. 

This week, we are talking about making new ones. 

Our guest this week is AARP's Executive Editor of The Girlfriend and The Ethel, Shelley Emling.  The Ethel's new Gathering Groups are a modern and easy way for women 55+ to make new female friends and build a supportive community. The Girlfriend's platform offers the same for the 40+ group.

Think "Bumble BFF" for midlife and ...

Breaking Up is hard to do, especially when it is with a friend.

On this Cool Topics YouTube Episode, we discuss the best ways to break up with a friends that honor the friendship you had while standing firm in the boundaries you need. 

People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime.  It is ok to say that this friendship is no longer healthy for me and we explain the best ways to do that.  Please remember, ghosting ...

We can easily get overwhelmed with the conversations around toxins in the environment, our food, and skincare.

What to avoid?  What is safe?

This week, we invited Dr. Aly Cohen to explain what is happening when we re exposed to these chemicals. In her new book, DETOXIFY: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them, she explains what chemicals may be hiding in our food or exposed in our environment ...