Menopause is a natural life transition that half the population will experience, yet somehow it remains medicine's best-kept secret.

I (Nicole) spent months getting shuffled between specialists, each one treating individual symptoms without connecting the obvious dots. Itchy skin? See a dermatologist. Mood changes? Try therapy. Bone loss? Take calcium supplements.

Each doctor had a different diagnosis. None of them mentioned menopause.

Then came the osteoporosis diagnosis, and suddenly everything clicked. But it shouldn't have taken a bone density scan to get answers about something as predictable as menopause.

Today we're talking about why women's health care is broken, how hormone replacement therapy changed everything, and why the medical establishment would rather prescribe antidepressants than admit they don't understand women's bodies.

DISCLAIMER:

While we make every effort to make sure the information in this podcast/article is accurate and informative, the information does not take the place of professional or medical advice.

Do not use our information:

• to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease
• for therapeutic purposes
• as a substitute for the advice of a health professional.

We do not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage caused by use of the information provided in our podcast.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Dr. Mary Claire Haver (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/drmaryclaire/?hl=en

Dr. Mary Claire Haver on Armchair Expert: https://armchairexpertpod.com/pods/mary-claire-haver

The Dr. Hyman Show Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-hyman-show/id1382804627

North American Menopause Society: https://menopause.org/

Dr. Adrienne Simone: https://dradriennesimone.com/

Dr. Amy Grace (Tulane): https://medicine.tulane.edu/departments/obstetrics-gynecology/faculty/amy-grace-md

Dr. Vonda Wright (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/drvondawright/?hl=en

Dr. Kelly Casperson (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/kellycaspersonmd/?hl=en

Midlife Private Parts: https://www.midlifeprivateparts.com/

Video Content:

YouTube Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/_2ZRlOivC5M?si=FtyFdcBwX2eoPeQl

Dr Mary Claire on Katie Couric: https://youtu.be/lkDNlXHzD2M?si=BWNBIamLD0d1NJ_n

Dr Mary Claire on Mel Robbins: https://youtu.be/ReFZ__ZeSEQ?si=YNrZHvY6b8CXh03t

Dr Mary Claire on Diary of A CEO:

California Governor Gavin Newsom is everywhere right now - doing podcasts, engaging with conservative voices, and very obviously positioning himself for a 2028 presidential run. He's got the hair, the charisma, and the baggage that comes with governing California. Today we're talking about whether Newsom could actually win a national election, and whether the kid I (Nicole) knew from afar in high school, wearing blazers and slicked-back hair, could actually become president.

I (Nicole) went to high school with Gavin Newsom. Even back then, he had this air of sophistication that set him apart. While the rest of us were in jeans and t-shirts, Gavin showed up in blazers looking like he was already running for something. It's surreal to think that the same person I knew as a teenager might shape America's political future. But what's actually beneath that perfectly coiffed exterior?

Jolene's been watching Newsom with curiosity. As a conservative, she sees him as the political shapeshifter of our time. Someone with Bill Clinton-level charisma who can connect across party lines, but who also carries the weight of California's very visible problems. Homelessness, crime, cost of living, people fleeing the state - these aren't just Republican talking points; they're real issues that Newsom would have to answer for on a national stage.

What's interesting to both of us is how Newsom forces a conversation about what we actually want in leaders. Do we want perfectly polished politicians who never make mistakes, or do we want flawed humans who own their failures and try to do better? Do we want leaders who only talk to people who agree with them, or do we want someone willing to engage across ideological lines?

Jolene's watching to see if Newsom can address California's problems convincingly. I'm watching to see if his authenticity and communication skills can translate to a national campaign. We're both curious about whether someone who's willing to talk to Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk can actually bridge America's political divide, or if that's just good PR.

The real test will be whether Newsom can turn his podcast conversations and long-form interviews into actual policy solutions that resonate with voters outside of California. Charisma is great, vulnerability is appealing, but ultimately people want leaders who can improve their lives. Can Newsom make that case? We'll find out.

CHAPTER MARKERS:

00:00 Introduction

00:22 Community Building and Sponsorship

01:21 Diving into Gavin Newsom

02:54 High School Memories and Personal Anecdotes

04:37 Gavin Newsom's Political Journey

08:14 Reflections on Newsom's Public Image

16:34 Newsom's COVID Controversy

19:38 Challenges and Criticisms of Newsom's Governance

21:37 Homelessness and Housing Policies

22:15 Election Integrity Concerns

22:46 Gavin Newsom's Public Perception

24:33 Podcast Discussions and Public Reactions

26:55 Transgender Athletes in Sports

27:28 Gavin Newsom's Political Journey

33:38 Personal Reflections and Vulnerability

35:41 Social Media and Political Image

39:17 Would You Rather

42:32 Concluding Thoughts and Future Speculations

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Gavin Newsom Content: Gavin Newsom TikTok (Specific Video): https://www.tiktok.com/@gavinnewsom/video/7557082684074315039 Gavin Newsom TikTok Profile: https://www.tiktok.com/@gavinnewsom?lang=en

Interview and Media Appearances: Steven Colbert Interview 1:...

President Trump is building a new ballroom at the White House, and predictably, everyone has lost their minds. Some people see it as a practical addition for official events. Others see it as an extravagant monument to Trump's ego being permanently installed in the people's house. Today, we're talking about why a ballroom has become yet another flashpoint in American politics, and whether maybe we're all just exhausted and looking for things to be angry about.

I (Jolene) get why people are upset about this, but honestly, the ballroom doesn't bother me. Here's why: it's being funded by private donations, not taxpayer money. Every president leaves their mark on the White House - renovations, updates, changes that reflect their time in office. Trump sees this ballroom as his legacy project, and since he's not using public funds, I don't see the problem. Having a dedicated space for official events instead of constantly setting up temporary solutions is actually practical.

Nicole's reaction wasn’t too dissimilar as far as understanding the need for a larger space for events, but from a Liberal’s perspective, the ballroom feels like Trump literally building a monument to himself in the White House. It's not just about the money; it's about what it represents. At a time when Americans are struggling financially, when budgets are tight and people are worried about making ends meet, building an opulent ballroom feels tone-deaf and dismissive.

The ballroom will get built and Trump will leave office eventually. But the way we treat each other, the way we engage with people who disagree with us, the way we choose dialogue over dismissal - that's what will determine whether we can actually function as a country.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

White House Information: White House Official History: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/the-white-house/

News and Analysis: Jessica Yellin (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQK8_hUEluJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link The Hill - 5

Takeaways from East Wing Construction: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5570860-trump-white-house-ballroom-east-wing-takeaways/

The Hill - White House Releases Donor List: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5569197-major-companies-fund-whitehouse/

Good for the Soul:

Monica Lewinsky's Reclaiming Podcast: https://wondery.com/shows/reclaiming-with-monica-lewinsky/

Ken Colman (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOOLHvZhzxX/?igsh=MXBiaHA1ZGpjM3MzaA==

LINKS

On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wevegottotalk/

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeveGotToTalk

How to find Nicole