For decades, women have been told their symptoms are “normal,” “just stress,” or something they need to push through. But what if the problem isn’t your body—it's a healthcare system that hasn’t been built with women in mind?

In this powerful episode, Stephanie Shaw sits down with award-winning journalist and author Meghan Rabbitt to unpack why so many women in midlife feel unheard, dismissed, or confused about their health—and what it actually takes to change that. Meghan shares insights from her book New Rules of Women’s Health, revealing how women can move from passive patients to informed, confident advocates.

This conversation is especially important for women navigating menopause, fatigue, stubborn weight changes, and energy crashes—who are often told “everything looks normal” while feeling anything but. Meghan breaks down how to prepare for medical appointments, ask better questions, and recognize when something isn’t being fully addressed.

You’ll also hear why involving partners and loved ones in women’s health conversations matters more than ever, and how bridging the gender gap in healthcare understanding can lead to better outcomes—not just for women, but for families as a whole.

If you’ve ever left an appointment feeling dismissed, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, this episode will help you reclaim your voice and your confidence in caring for your health.

• Why women are more likely to experience medical gaslighting—and how to prevent it
• How to prepare for healthcare appointments so your concerns are taken seriously
• Tools for navigating complex health decisions during menopause and midlife
• The importance of understanding medical information instead of outsourcing your authority
• How involving partners and allies can improve women’s long-term health outcomes

About Our Guest: Meghan Rabbitt is an award-winning journalist, author, and women’s health advocate. Through her book New Rules of Women’s Health, she empowers women with practical, evidence-based tools to navigate healthcare, advocate for proper care, and bridge the gender gap in medical understanding.

To learn more about our guest, click here: https://hellohotflash.com/episodes/new-rules-meghan-rabbitt

Learn how to feel clear, steady, and in control again: https://hellohotflash.com/assessments

Listen to the limited-series podcast Christian Women and Menopause: https://hellohotflash.com/christian-women-and-menopause

Show Notes

Life in midlife can feel like a constant sprint—especially during perimenopause and post-menopause. Between shifting hormones, changing energy levels, and the mental load of work, family, and health, many women find themselves simply trying to get through the day. But surviving is not the same as thriving.

In this short but powerful episode, we explore what it really means to meditate on God all day—not as a formal practice reserved for quiet mornings, but as a way of living that shapes your thoughts, decisions, and responses in every moment. Grounded in Scripture and real-life experience, this segment connects faith, mindset, and intentional living during seasons of physical and emotional change.

Using Psalm 19:14 and Joshua 1:8 as anchors, this episode reframes meditation as an active, daily alignment of your heart and mind with God’s Word. You’ll hear how intentional meditation—just like intentional health goals—creates clarity, steadiness, and direction, even when your body feels unpredictable.

This conversation is especially meaningful for women navigating menopause who feel overwhelmed, depleted, or disconnected from themselves and from God. True healing doesn’t come from faith alone or physical strategies alone—it comes when both work together. Even one intentional minute, repeated throughout the day, can restore peace, confidence, and purpose.

What You Will Learn

• Why meditating on God’s Word throughout the day matters more than a single quiet-time routine
• How subconscious thought patterns influence stress, energy, and emotional resilience during menopause
• The connection between intentional meditation, mindset, and aligning daily actions with your values
• Simple, practical ways to integrate Scripture and prayer into ordinary moments
• How consistent, small acts of faith can lead to deep spiritual and emotional transformation

Show Notes

Menopause is often treated as a reproductive milestone—but the brain may be the most impacted organ of all. As estrogen declines, many women experience brain fog, memory changes, mood shifts, and rising concern about long-term neurological health. This episode reframes menopause as a critical window for protecting the brain, not something to simply “push through.”

Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, neurologist and professor at UCLA, explains why women are more vulnerable than men to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis—and how estrogen plays a central, protective role. She shares science-backed insights into Estriol, a patented form of estrogen that targets the brain’s estrogen receptor beta, offering neuroprotection while reducing breast-related risks.

This conversation empowers women to move beyond fear-based messaging around hormone therapy and instead understand how individualized estrogen treatment, combined with lifestyle support, can protect cognitive health and quality of life in midlife and beyond.

What You Will Learn

• Why declining estrogen during menopause directly impacts brain health, cognition, and inflammation
• How Estriol differs from traditional estrogen therapies and why it may offer safer neuroprotection
• The connection between estrogen, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease risk in women
• Why individualized hormone therapy matters more than one-size-fits-all approaches
• How lifestyle strategies work alongside estrogen therapy to support long-term cognitive well-being

About Our Guest:

Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl is a renowned neurologist and professor at UCLA, specializing in women’s brain health, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Her research focuses on estrogen therapy and neuroprotection during menopause.

To learn more about our guest, click here:https://hellohotflash.com/episodes/brain-health-Rhonda-Voskuhl-UCLA