The Dusty Muffins

The Dusty Muffins

Welcome to The Dusty Muffins, where three menopause specialists unite to inspire, empower, and uplift you through the wild ride of menopause and perimenopause. We're here to answer your burning questions, educate, and advocate with a touch of humor and a lot of heart. Whether you're curious, confused, or ready for authentic discussion, pull up a chair and join us. Remember: while we're clinicians, we're not your doctors. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. We encourage you to partner with your own medical clinician to address your unique health needs. This is The Dusty Muffins, where menopause meets sisterhood and strength! CONTACT: Rebbecca Hertel, DO, MSCP Osteopathic Midlife Health Rebbecca Hertel Consulting, LLC Website Instagram Linkedin Facebook Substack Aoife O’Sullivan, MD, MSCP Portland Menopause Doc LLC Website Instagram Linkedin Christine Hart Kress, DNP, MSCP Website Instagram Linkedin Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dusty-muffins--6539849/support.

Episodes

August 23, 2025 70 mins
Hormones, censorship, and midlife health—oh my! In this episode of The Dusty Muffins™, Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan, Dr. Christine Hart Kress, and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel tackle the challenges of hormone nomenclature, why social media censors words like “vaginal,” and what that means for women’s health education. They also break down Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)—what it really is (spoiler: way more than “vaginal dryness”) and the ...
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Get ready for a deliciously informative episode of The Dusty Muffins as Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) sit down with Dr. Jenny Han, PharmD, and Dr. Adrienne Bitar, PhD—the brilliant co-founders of SEEN Nutrition—to chew on the truth about bone health!

In this episode, you’ll discover:

🍬 Why SEEN’s calcium chews are a game-changer—made from 100% real food, no ...
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Join the hilarious and insightful trio of Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP)—aka The Dusty Muffins—as they dive deep into the world of sleep with renowned expert Dr. Andrea Matsumura, MD.

In this episode, you’ll uncover:

  •  The DREAM Sleep Method—a holistic approach to better rest (Daily habits, Resting   environment, Emotions, Archetype, and Medical factors).
  •  H...
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Welcome to The Dusty Muffins—a podcast where expert insights meet unfiltered conversations! Join your hosts, Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP), as they dive into the ever-evolving world of medicine, women’s health, and the unexpected intersections of healthcare and pop culture.


In this episode, the trio tackles the hot-button topic of medical influencers and the...
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This week, The Dusty Muffins – Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) – lace up their sneakers for an energizing chat with Lindsay Brooks, RRCA-certified run coach and founder of Lace-Up with Lindsay. They dive into her inspiring journey from corporate life to creating a full-blown sprint revolution, including her signature *Sixpack Sprint Series*.

In this episode, y...
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This week, The Dusty Muffins – Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan (@portlandmenopausedoc), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (@christinehartkress_dnp), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (@drrebbeccaherteldo) – sit down with the brilliant and boundary-pushing Dr. Shieva Ghofrany (@drshievag) for a candid conversation about the unexpected challenges of being a doctor-entrepreneur in the digital age.

🔥 They dive into:
  • The controversies of supplement selling and me...
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This week, The Dusty Muffins – Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) – are turning up the heat on menopause myths! They're tackling why "bandaid" solutions aren't enough when it comes to hot flashes and night sweats.

You'll Learn:
🌡️ Why hot flashes are more complex than you think (and harder to detect)
💊 The problem with treating symptoms instead of the root cause
⚡...
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This week, The Dusty Muffins – Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) – welcome workplace well-being powerhouse Kacy Fleming, M.A. for a game-changing conversation about menopause and careers. Between crustacean encounters and the inspiring origin story of The Fuchsia Tent, this episode will change how you think about women in the workplace.

You’ll Discover:
🔥 How un...
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This week, The Dusty Muffins – Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (PsyD, MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) – sit down with revolutionary women's health expert Dr. Jackie Piasta (DNP, WHNP-BC, MSCP) to expose what's really wrong with menopause care - and how to fix it.

In this eye-opening episode, you'll discover:
💊 Why the current medical training system fails midlife women
💰 The shocking truth ab...
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This week, The Dusty Muffins™ – Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) – welcome Dr. Vonda Wright, MD, the orthopedic surgeon-turned-longevity expert who’s rewriting the script on women’s health with a dose of laughter and a whole lot of wisdom.


In this unscripted, energizing episode, you’ll discover:
🩺 How Dr. Wright went from Rush University’s operating rooms to me...
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This week, The Dusty Muffins – Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, PsyD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) – welcome Dr. Amanda Skowron Romano, a clinical psychologist specializing in mindfulness and women’s health, for a transformative conversation about mental wellness during menopause.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
🧠 What mindfulness really is (and how to apply it to daily life)
🔥 Why Dr. R...
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Hold onto your muffins! Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) sit down with renowned menopause and sexual medicine specialist Dr. Kate White to shatter the myth that menopause means the end of your sex life.

In this no-holds-barred conversation, you’ll learn:
🔥 Why half your life happens after menopause – and how to make it your best half
💞 The real sexual issues no...
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In a Dusty Muffins first, Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) pass the mic to three Gen Z/Millennial men—including two of their own sons—for a hilarious and unexpectedly insightful reaction to Oprah’s Menopause Revolution (now streaming on Disney+/Hulu).

Meet the Panel:
Ethan (19) – Rebbecca’s son
Aiden (27) – Christine’s son
Aaron (23) – The podcast’s editor

What You...
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This week, The Dusty Muffins – Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan (MD, MSCP), Dr. Christine Hart Kress (DNP, MSCP), and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel (DO, MSCP) – step into the fitness world as special guests on Eager 2 Motivate’s Wellness Wednesday with Alicia Edwards (aka Ivana’s Fitness), a dedicated personal trainer with Eager to Motivate (E2M).. In this crossover episode, they tackle the realities of menopause, fitness, and why finding your best fitn...
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The Dusty Muffins are going global this week with special guest Dr. Kelly Casperson! Join Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan, Dr. Christine Hart Kress, DNP, and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel as they chat with the renowned urologist and menopause advocate fresh off her triumphant talk at Sydney Opera House's So Hot Right Now menopause event.

In this exciting episode, you'll discover:
🎤 Behind-the-scenes stories from Dr. Casperson's landmark Australian tour
�...
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This week, The Dusty Muffins sat down with renowned expert Rachel Frankenthal (PA-C, MPH, MSCP) for a powerful conversation about hormone therapy after cancer. In this deeply informative yet hopeful episode, they explore why these crucial discussions should happen while patients are still in treatment - because every survivor deserves to plan for thriving, not just surviving.

You'll learn:🩺 Why hormone therapy consultations should ...
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Grab your popcorn and your girlfriends - The Dusty Muffins are turning film critics this week! Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan, Dr. Christine Hart Kress, and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel share their reactions to PBS's groundbreaking menopause documentary "The M Factor," and why they believe every woman should watch it (preferably with a crew of your besties).
In this special episode, you'll discover:
🎥 What made these doctors cheer (and maybe cringe a ...
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April 26, 2025 41 mins
The Dusty Muffins are back to debunk the biggest menopause myth of all - that there's a universal treatment that works for everyone! Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan, Dr. Christine Hart Kress, and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel explain why personalized care is crucial during this life stage and how to find what works specifically for YOU.

In this empowering episode, you'll learn:📚 Must-read books to educate yourself about hormonal changes💬 How to assess...
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This week, The Dusty Muffins get REAL about their own hormone therapy journeys! Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan, Dr. Christine Hart Kress, and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel peel back their white coats to share personal stories of what worked (and what definitely didn't) in their menopausal medication experiences.
In this vulnerable and eye-opening episode, you'll hear:
💊 Their candid medication mishaps and "aha" moments
⏳ Why giving yourself grace during...
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The Dusty Muffins are cracking open the hormone therapy debate! Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan, Dr. Christine Hart Kress, and Dr. Rebbecca Hertel tackle the most persistent myths about menopausal hormone therapy that even some doctors still believe.

In this myth-busting episode, you'll discover:💊 Why hormone therapy is safer than you've been told🧠 The surprising benefits for your bones AND brain🩺 How to navigate insurance hurdles and find ...
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