In this episode, Margaret and Nicole share two stories that hit close to home — one from a listener, and one from Margaret’s own family — about what happens when women’s symptoms are brushed aside, minimized, or dismissed altogether.

The episode opens with a listener’s journey: months (or years) of unexplained symptoms, repeated appointments, and the familiar chorus of “It’s probably stress,” “You’re overreacting,” or “Your labs look fine.” Her story takes a turn only when she finally meets a provider willing to dig deeper — uncovering a serious condition that had been there all along.

Then Margaret shares something personal: her mom’s experience of being dismissed by doctors despite clear signs that something was wrong. The fear, the frustration, the self‑doubt, and the eventual relief when someone finally listened. It’s a story about persistence, intuition, and the emotional toll of fighting for care in a system that too often overlooks women’s pain.

Together, these stories shine a light on a pattern far too many women recognize — and they open a conversation about advocacy, intuition, and what it really takes to get answers. This episode is validating, eye‑opening, and a reminder that being believed can change everything.

If you have a story you would like to share, please message us on social media or email us at [email protected]

Pregnancy is often portrayed as predictable and glowing—but for millions of women, it’s anything but. In this episode, Nicole and Margaret confront the reality of pregnancy complications and the systemic issues that leave many women misdiagnosed, dismissed, or unsupported. They discuss the warning signs that should never be ignored, the gaps in maternal healthcare, and the urgent need for better education and advocacy. This is a powerful, truth‑telling conversation for anyone who believes women deserve real information and real care. Thank you to Tiffany for sharing your story!

If you would like to tell us your story and have us share it on our podcast, email us at [email protected]. Or you can send us a message on any of our socials! Just search for The Dismissed Woman!

In Part 2 of our perimenopause series, Nicole and Margaret go beyond the basics and dig into the real‑life patterns women experience during this hormonal transition. They break down how fluctuating estrogen and progesterone affect everything from histamine and inflammation to sleep, mood, and energy. They explore why symptoms seem to “stack” in certain phases of the cycle, why some days feel impossible, and how to recognize the difference between normal hormonal shifts and signs that something else might be going on. This episode is packed with clarity, compassion, and the science women deserve to understand.

Send us your story and we will add it to one of our episodes: [email protected]

The Menopause Society | HomepageHome - National Menopause Foundation

Perimenopause affects millions of women, yet the symptoms are often dismissed, minimized, or misdiagnosed. In this episode, Nicole and Margaret challenge the silence surrounding this life stage and dive into the real physical and emotional changes women face. They explore how fluctuating hormones impact everything from mood to inflammation to sleep, why so many women feel blindsided, and what needs to change in the medical system. This is an episode for every woman who’s ever been told “it’s normal” when she knew something deeper was happening.We purposely left the "bloopers" in this episode so you can see, in real time, how perimenopause affects us. If you have any of these symptoms and want us to talk about them in Part 2, please email us at [email protected]!

In this episode, Nicole opens up about her mental health journey with a level of honesty that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled in silence. She shares the moments that shaped her, the patterns she had to unlearn, and the turning points that pushed her toward healing. Margaret and Nicole talk through the stigma, the setbacks, and the small victories that often go unseen. This conversation is a reminder that mental health isn’t a straight line — it’s a process of understanding yourself, asking for help, and choosing to keep going.

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In this episode, Margaret and Nicole have a guest and a listener whose lives have been completely reshaped by alpha‑gal syndrome, the tick‑borne allergy that makes the body react to mammal meat and mammal‑derived products. Together, they unpack what it’s really like to live with a condition most people have never heard of — one that can trigger everything from digestive distress to full‑blown anaphylaxis hours after eating.

Our guests share their personal journeys:

• ​how they first realized something was wrong
• ​the confusing, often frightening symptoms that didn’t fit any typical allergy pattern
• ​the long road to getting a correct diagnosis
• ​the lifestyle changes they’ve had to make to stay safe
• ​the emotional and social impact of navigating a condition that’s still widely misunderstood

Margaret brings her own family’s experience into the conversation, offering insight into what it’s like to support a loved one with alpha‑gal — the constant label‑reading, the hidden mammal‑derived ingredients, the fear of accidental exposure, and the trial‑and‑error of finding medications and foods that are safe.

This episode is honest, educational, and deeply human. Whether you’re living with alpha‑gal, love someone who is, or are just curious about a condition that’s becoming increasingly common, this conversation will leave you informed, grounded, and more aware of the invisible challenges people face every day.

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Nicole and Margaret open up about the conversations they’re having with their daughters about periods—what’s normal, what’s not, and why so many girls grow up thinking painful or disruptive cycles are “just part of being a woman.” They unpack the cultural taboo around menstruation, how it shapes girls’ understanding of their bodies, and the serious conditions that often get dismissed as “normal periods.” This episode is an honest, practical guide for parents who want to break the silence and give their daughters real information and confidence.

After years of chronic strep throat and sinus infections, Margaret searches for a doctor that will allow her to get her tonsils removed. We explore the long journey of finally getting the surgery, but does that actually alleviate her symptoms? If you have an experience like this, please comment or send us an email at [email protected]!

Episode #1! We are excited to share our experiences with all of you. In today's episode, Nicole shares her story of the time when she knew she had appendicitis, but the doctor thought it was her time of the month or constipation or combination of both. Take a trip down memory lane with us. Do you have a similar story? Send us an email or give a comment. Our email address is [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.