In this episode, I interviewed Ruth and Brian from The Kaleidoscopes (Menopause Education and Support for All) who again are part of my wonderful Collaborate MK networking community. I am fascinated by what is being described as the “Menopause Revolution” – it is something that very much needed to happen in my book – to finally scrap all the taboo around the subject of something that happens to half the population.

This amazing organisation is using a two-prong approach to be at the forefront of this movement by tackling head-on, both supporting women directly and through community to deal with all the many flavours of symptoms that they experience during this season and hooking them up with holistic experts to help them navigate it all and most importantly not feel alone. Then in addition they are going into corporate environments to open up the discussion and talk to everyone about menopause so that everyone knows what it entails, knowledge really is power!

The Kaleidoscopes was launched in January this year (2023) by Cerus and Ruth so that they could find ways to support other women through the menopause years. Each with their different stories around menopause and lack of support, they felt they could find ways to support other women … and so they did.

To learn more about Kaleidoscopes and all their offerings please connect with them/ give them a follow:

• Website

• LinkedIn

• Instagram

Time Stamps:

00:00:00 – Welcome to the JamJarGill Podcast

00:05:32 – Introducing the Guests - Ruth Harrison-Swift and Bruce Ludden from Kaleidoscopes.

00:16:47 – How the NHS defines Menopause.

00:19:35 – Curiosity: How can menstrual and lunar cycles be related? – “A full lunar cycle lasts from one new moon to the next and takes 29.5 days. The average menstrual cycle is also around 28–29 days long. However, the actual duration varies from person to person and month to month, ranging from approximately 21 to 35 days.”

00:21:58 – Why is it called Kaleidoscopes

00:25:09 – What is the culture about Menopause in the United States (Male Perspective)

00:37:53 – Kaleidoscopes – The community side of the business. How it manifested and what it now looks like. (??)

00:45:55 – How flexible are big corporations with employees going through menopause?

01:11:23 – What is the Vagus Nerve and how can it affect your anxiety levels?

01:20:06 – Where to find The Kaleidoscopes (Upcoming events and coffee morning meeting)

01:29:37 – How to book a Kaleidoscopes Workshop.