May 07, 2025

Episode 283 - Claire Coder & Smita Asrani - From Closet Concerts to Capitol Hill: A Conversation on Dreams, Detours, and Driving Change in Women’s Health

46 minutes

We sat down with two trailblazers in women’s health Claire Coder, founder and CEO of Aunt Flow and Smita Asrani, VP of Partnerships at UE Life Sciences. The episode opened with childhood dreams—Claire reminisced about staging Britney Spears concerts in her closet, while Smita shared her early love of horses. Neither imagined a future in healthcare, but both ultimately found themselves tackling some of the most overlooked (and long overdue) issues in women’s wellness.

Claire shared her journey from being a Party Princess to becoming a purpose-driven entrepreneur, a path sparked by a frustrating moment on her college campus that inspired the creation of Aunt Flow. Smita talked about her pivot from a career in finance to one focused on health innovation, where she now works to expand access to early breast cancer screening for women under 40.

Their conversation delved into the challenges of career pivots, the weight of imposter syndrome, and what it’s like to lead in industries still dominated by men. They explored the impact of advocacy too—Claire’s work has helped bring period products into schools in 28 states, while Smita is helping to bring lifesaving tools like iBreast Exam to underserved communities.

The episode wrapped on a fun note with a game of “real vs. fake legislation,” revealing how surprising—and sometimes downright inspiring—health policy can be.

At its heart, this episode was a reminder to speak up, stay curious, and ask the tough questions. Because more often than not, real change starts with one brave voice.

A must-listen for anyone passionate about innovation, equity, and the power of personal stories to drive public impact. Check out more info on both guests brands at GoAuntFlow.com and UELifeSciences.com.

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By Jodi Katz