Breast cancer doesn’t end when treatment ends.

In this episode of Unmuted, Amanda Otterman speaks with leadership strategist and breast cancer survivor Brooke Gordon about what recovery really looks like — from navigating treatment and chemical menopause to redefining intimacy, advocating for your needs, and finding strength through community.

This conversation is honest, grounding, and deeply validating for women navigating life after cancer — or supporting someone who is.

This episode shares real and emotional experiences with breast cancer that may be triggering for some listeners. Please listen with care and take breaks if needed.

Brooke Gordon resources:

• The Seasonal Blueprint is a reflective resource Brooke created as a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research - https://www.bestforwomen.ca/products/offers/view/1178140
• The Priority Brief Monthly Newsletter on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-priority-brief-7396975103739092992/

Brooke Gordon’s Socials are:

https://brookegordon.ca/link-tree/

https://www.instagram.com/brookegordon_ca/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookegordon/

• Christine Aarlaht from Sapphire Virtual Fitness. She offers individualized fitness-https://www.instagram.com/sapphirevirtualfitness/

• Jenny Dale at Dense Breasts Canada – https://densebreastcanada.ca

• Here is the link for Ontario which you can find in your province as well.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/breast-screening-centres

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) offers, high-quality, organized, and free (covered by OHIP) screening to residents to reduce breast cancer deaths. The program covers individuals aged 40 to 74 at average risk every two years.

Benefits of the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP):

• No Physician Referral Needed: Women aged 40 and over can self-refer to an OBSP location.
• Tracking and Support: The program tracks, sends invitations, and provides follow-up for abnormal results.
• Quality Assurance: Ensures high-quality, standardized screening services.

In this episode of Unmuted: The Midlife Roundtable, we open an informed, honest discussion about ADDYi, women’s health, and the realities of sexual desire—especially during menopause.

Guided by a highly qualified panel of women’s health and sexual wellness professionals, this conversation explores how medication, mental health, intimacy, and relationships intersect—and why informed, empowered choice matters.

We explore:

🔲 Why ADDYi is prescribed for women’s sexual desire and what women should understand before considering medication

🔲 How menopause, mental health, and relationships influence intimacy and sexual wellness

🔲 The difference between medicalized desire and a holistic health approach to women’s health

🔲 How marketing shapes perceptions of female sexuality and sexual wellness solutions

🔲 Why education, connection, and empowerment are essential for informed choices in women’s health

Our roundtable includes:

🔲 Serena Haines - Certified Sex Coach & SXI Certified Sexologist

🔲 Taylor McConnachie - AASECT Certified Sex Therapist

🔲 Amanda Otterman - RN, CPT & Certified Menopause Specialist

🔲 Lisa Boate - Menopause Consultant & Coach

🔲 Gina Marie - Somatic Coach & Love & Intimacy Specialist

🔲 Deborah Porteous - Co-Founder of Pleasure Pods Company

This episode empowers women to become informed advocates for their own care and reminds us that sexual wellness is not one-size-fits-all. Thoughtful, evidence-informed, and compassionate, this conversation offers clarity without pressure—and reinforces that choice, support, and understanding matter.

00:00 Intro

00:58 The Controversy of the ADDYi Pill

04:06 Understanding the Mechanism of ADDYi

06:59 The Nuances of Female Desire

10:03 The Impact of Diagnosis on Women's Sexual Health

12:57 Concerns About Medication and Relationships

16:03 Contraindications and Safety of ADDYi

19:02 The Broader Context of Women's Sexual Health

22:01 Marketing and Misrepresentation of ADDYi

24:39 Navigating Hormonal Changes and Personal Challenges

26:49 The Complexity of Medication and Sexual Health

29:53 The Importance of Holistic Approaches to Sexual Wellness

34:02 Empowerment Through Self-Discovery and Connection

38:51 Exploring Intimacy and Relational Dynamics

42:58 The Art of Touch and Presence in Sexual Relationships

47:43 The Role of Medication in Sexual Health

48:36 Celebrating Women's Leadership in Sexual Health

49:54 Understanding the Implications of New Medications

52:35 The Importance of Holistic Approaches in Menopause

55:22 Navigating Medical Guidance for Sexual Health

58:05 The Need for Specialized Support in Sexual Health

01:00:14 Addressing the Psychological Aspects of Desire

01:01:09 Comparing Medications: ADDYi vs. Zoloft

01:03:00 The Path of Least Resistance in Treatment

01:06:24 Understanding Age Restrictions for ADDYi

01:08:07 The Broader Implications of Sexual Health Medications

01:11:44 Wrapping Up: Key Takeaways and Future Conversations

Follow the panel of women on Instagram:

@Serena_haines

@embodiedsexualwellness - Taylor

@menohealthnurse - Amanda

@lboate - Lisa

@intimatelygigimarie - Gina Marie

@thepleasurepods - Deborah

@unmutedmidlifepodcast

Sponsor:

The Pleasure Pods - https://thepleasurepods.com

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube

In today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Jenn Salib Huber, a registered dietitian, naturopathic doctor, intuitive eating counsellor, and the host of The Midlife Feast. Her work is redefining how women experience perimenopause and menopause—without diets, shame, or the pressure to “fix” their changing bodies.

This is not a conversation about decline.

This is a conversation about rediscovery, body trust, and the freedom that comes when women finally hear the truth about midlife.

Jenn guides us through:

·       Why menopause education needs to start years earlier

·       How perimenopause gets dismissed and misdiagnosed

·       Why diet culture harms women most during hormonal transition

·       The science behind intuitive eating & rebuilding body trust

·       What HRT can do — and what it can’t

·       The rise of “menowashing” in marketing

·       Why weight is an outcome, not a behavior

·       And how midlife can become a chapter of joy,

confidence, and connection

Jenn’s message is simple and revolutionary:
Your midlife body isn’t a problem. It’s a partner. And it’s time to start listening.

Episode Chapters

[00:00] Introduction
[03:00] What No One Teaches Us About Perimenopause
[05:48] Why Early Education Would Change Everything
[08:40] Midlife Is a Time to Thrive, Not Shrink
[11:44] Intuitive Eating & Rebuilding Body Trust
[14:45] The Truth About HRT
[17:18] How Diet Culture Fuels Midlife Shame
[20:35] The Carb Debate: Fact vs Myth
[23:25] Listening to Your Body’s Signals
[26:40] Navigating Healthcare When No One Is Listening
[29:29] Menopause & Nutrition Insights
[38:11] Satisfaction, Cravings & Food Freedom
[40:13] Real Women, Real Stories
[43:01] AI, Access & Midlife Health Information
[47:22] Menowashing: The Marketing Problem No One Talks About
[59:22] Menopause Is Individual — Stop Comparing
[1:06:15] Jenn’s Top 3 Midlife Must-Knows

Explore Dr. Jenn’s Work:

Website: www.menopausenutritionist.ca

Book – Eat to Thrive During Menopause: www.menopausenutritionist.ca/Book

Instagram: @menopause.nutritionist

Free Menopause Nutrition Guide: 

https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/MenopauseNutritionGuide

Sponsor:

The Pleasure Pods: https://thepleasurepods.com

Episode 2 of Unmuted: The Midlife Roundtable is live — and it’s a powerful one.

We sat down with Angela MacGregor, Founder and Event Director of the National Menopause Show, a groundbreaking Canadian event bridging the gap between the medical community and women in midlife.

This conversation goes far beyond symptoms.

It’s about education, advocacy, connection, and aging with power — not fear.

Angela shares how the National Menopause Show is reshaping the conversation by:
✨ Bringing together healthcare providers who truly understand perimenopause & menopause
✨ Curating products + services designed to help women feel better
✨ Creating clinical education opportunities for providers
✨ Building a community where women finally feel seen, heard, and supported

We dive into:
• Why menopause education is essential for women and healthcare providers
• The role partners play in supporting women
• Mental health and the emotional load of midlife
• Building the right menopause care team
• Vaginal health and the importance of open conversations
• How communication strengthens relationships during menopause
• HRT: what women need to know
• Why pleasure and intimacy should never come with shame
• The power of peer support to break isolation

If you’re a woman in your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond — a partner who wants to support better — or a healthcare professional committed to doing better…
this episode is a must-listen.

Midlife podcast for women 40+: Real talk on perimenopause, menopause symptoms, vaginal dryness (GSM), libido, HRT (hormone replacement therapy), intimacy & body image. 

In Episode 1 of Unmuted – The Midlife Roundtable, hosts Deborah (Pleasure Pods co-founder) and Serena Haines (sex educator & podcast host) sit with an expert panel to unmute what women are actually experiencing—no whispers, no shame, just practical help and humor (hello, “cougar puberty” energy).

Featuring:
• Gina Marie — Somatic Sex & Intimacy Coach
• Amanda Otterman, RN — Certified Menopause Specialist

• Taylor McConnachie — Registered Psychotherapist & AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist (only for Episode #1)

You’ll learn:
• What GSM/vaginal dryness is—and why vaginal estrogen can be a game-changer
• The truth about HRT (beyond the scary headlines)
• How mood, anxiety & neurodivergence show up in perimenopause
• Somatic practices to reconnect with pleasure & confidence
• How plant-based, solid moisturizers/lubes (e.g., Pleasure Pods) support comfort & intimacy

Chapters:
• 00:00 Why “Unmuted”

• 01:15 Meet the panel

• 10:55 HRT myths

• 16:23 Vaginal estrogen & GSM

• 21:16 Mood & anxiety

• 25:36 Body image & somatics

• 31:24 What Pleasure Pods is

• 38:14 Midlife ≠ end of sex

Subscribe for weekly episodes on women’s health, sexual wellness, and midlife confidence.

Comment with your questions—we’ll cover them in future shows.

Educational discussion, not medical advice.

Talk to your licensed clinician for personal care.