disruptHER

Joanne LaMarca Mathisen spent nearly three decades behind the scenes at TODAY, rising from NBC page to executive producer of the show's fourth hour with Hoda & Jenna and winning three Emmys along the way. After walking away from a career she loved, she turned her storytelling skills to a subject television had largely ignored: menopause. The result was The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause, the first CME-accredited menopause documentary, now on PBS and screened around the world. Her latest film, The M Factor 2: Before the Pause – Perimenopause, takes the conversation even earlier.In today's episode, Joanne and I go beyond the résumé. Our families crossed paths long before her films did, and that friendship gives this conversation an honesty you don't often hear. We talk about what it really cost her to step away from the job she loved, how she built two documentaries on a shoestring budget, and why so many women in midlife are still left wondering what happened to the person they used to be.Joanne opens up about the insomnia, anxiety and brain fog that pushed her to walk away from a job she loved, before she even knew perimenopause was a word. She shares the close call in her driveway, the painful comment from her son that stopped her in her tracks, and why she once thought she was "allergic to her husband."We dive into how the 2002 WHI study pulled women off hormone therapy almost overnight, the "lost generation" of women it left behind, and what newer data says about starting treatment in perimenopause. We also talk about genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), why it's quietly ending marriages, and what the husbands in The M Factor 2 want every woman to know.Our conversation also covers why the first signs of perimenopause are often emotional rather than physical, why Joanne wants these films in every high school, what hormone testing can and can't tell you, and the Tyrer-Cuzick score that led to Joanne's stage 0 breast cancer diagnosis. I also share the non-oral estrogen options I recommend during the patch shortage.Join us today as we discuss perimenopause and menopause, brain fog and anxiety, the WHI study, hormone therapy, GSM and intimacy, midlife women in the workplace, breast cancer risk, insurance parity, and why it's not you, it's menopause.Watch The M Factor films:http://themfactorfilm.comNon-oral estrogen options mentioned in this episode:Evamist (estradiol spray): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/022014s015lbl.pdfDivigel (estradiol gel): https://www.drugs.com/pro/divigel.htmlFemring (estradiol acetate vaginal ring): https://www.drugs.com/pro/femring.htmlJoanne LaMarca Mathisen's Links:https://www.instagram.com/jolamathisen/https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-lamarca-mathisen-coachDr. Somi Javaid's Links:https://www.instagram.com/dr.somijavaid/https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid/https://www.tiktok.com/@somijavaidhttps://www.drsomi.com/

Jennifer Weiss-Wolf is a lawyer, author, and women's health policy advocate who has spent nearly 15 years advancing menstrual equity and women's health policy. She also helped push for the elimination of the tampon tax and for policies requiring period products in schools.In today's episode, Jennifer Weiss-Wolf joins me to discuss her journey to becoming a leading advocate for menopause policy, and why women's health is still being ignored by the law.We dive into why issues surrounding menstruation and menopause are often overlooked and how they can expose deeper problems with women's health, research, access, and representation.Jennifer Weiss-Wolf shares how her experience with perimenopause led her to investigate the public policy landscape surrounding menopause, despite initially knowing very little about the subject.We talk about Jennifer's Citizen's Guide to Menopause Advocacy, and Jennifer also explains what the law still gets wrong about women's bodies.Join us as we dive into menopause advocacy, menstrual equity, women's health policy, empowering yourself in the exam room, navigating medical information online, workplace issues, and how talking about the subjects society often avoids can create meaningful change.Dr. Jennifer Weiss-Wolf's Links:https://www.instagram.com/Jenniferweisswolf/Dr Somi Javaid's Links:https://www.instagram.com/dr.somijavaid/https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid/https://www.tiktok.com/@somijavaidhttps://www.drsomi.com/

Dr. Judith Joseph is a board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, and author of the national bestseller "High Functioning." She runs Manhattan Behavioral Medicine, chairs the Women in Medicine Initiative at Columbia, and has worked on about 130 clinical trials, including the first peer-reviewed study on high-functioning depression. She is also one of the most followed psychiatrists in the world, known for making mental health science approachable without watering it down.In today's episode, Judith joins me to talk about the women medicine has overlooked: the ones who show up to everything, take care of everyone, and look completely fine while feeling nothing inside. She opens up about her own experience with high-functioning depression during 2020, and how naming it publicly sparked a global conversation.We dive into anhedonia, the loss of joy, pleasure, and interest that so many high achievers push through without realizing what it is. Judith also explains why our brains are wired to focus on the negative, and why simply acknowledging what you're going through can be therapeutic on its own.Judith breaks down her 5 V's framework (validation, venting, values, vitals, and vision) and shares which one to start with first. She also explains how to map your own "joy fingerprint" using the biopsychosocial model, and why joy is the missing link in today's longevity and optimization culture.Our conversation also covers the mental health side of perimenopause and menopause, brain fog, sleep, the research gaps we still need funded, and why mind and body care can't stay siloed. Judith also shares three simple steps to take before your next doctor's appointment so you don't walk out dismissed.Join us today as we discuss high-functioning depression, anhedonia, joy as a longevity tool, the mind-body connection, menopause and mental health, self-advocacy in healthcare, doctors on social media, and why looking fine and being fine are not the same thing.Dr. Judith Joseph's Links:https://www.instagram.com/drjudithjoseph/https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjudithjosephmdmba/https://www.tiktok.com/@drjudithjosephhttps://drjudithjoseph.com/Dr. Somi Javaid's Links:https://www.instagram.com/dr.somijavaid/https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaid/https://www.tiktok.com/@somijavaidhttps://www.drsomi.com/

Dr. Jennifer Reid is a psychiatrist, women’s behavioral health expert, speaker, and author of “Guilt-Free: Reclaiming Your Life From Unreasonable Expectations”. She has worked with high-achieving women struggling with burnout and perfectionism, helping them break free from unrealistic expectations and create healthier, more fulfilling lives. In today’s episode, Jennifer joins me to unpack why so many successful women experience chronic guilt and constantly feel like they’re failing, even when they’re succeeding professionally, raising families, and accomplishing incredible things. We dive into the emotional weight women carry as caregivers, professionals, and mothers, and why burnout has become normalized. Jennifer also explains why many women end up neglecting their own health and emotional wellbeing while trying to solve other people’s problems. Jennifer shares the four major categories of expectations that drive guilt and burnout in women. We also discuss physical burnout, maternal guilt, postpartum mental health, and the emotional chaos many women experience during perimenopause and menopause. Jennifer also explains why most women’s self-care practices are ineffective, and she shares how to use her therapeutic SPEAK framework to recognize unrealistic expectations, practice self-compassion, reframe negative thoughts, and reconnect with lives that actually align with their values. Join us today as we dive into female burnout, people-pleasing, motherhood, self-compassion, physician wellness, perimenopause, healing beyond traditional medicine, and how women can finally release unreasonable guilt and reclaim their lives.Dr. Jennifer Reid’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/jenreidmd/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-reid-m-d-59146893/https://amindofherown.substack.com/https://www.jenniferreidmd.com/Dr Somi Javaid's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaidhttps://www.drsomi.com/

Dr. Holly Richmond is a prominent somatic psychotherapist, certified sex therapist, speaker, author, and Associate Director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes, where she helps train the next generation of sex therapists. She specializes in trauma recovery, relationships, sexuality, nervous system regulation, and has spent nearly two decades helping people reconnect with their bodies and pleasure.In today’s episode, Holly joins me to discuss the connection between trauma, burnout, stress, sexuality, and nervous system health. She explains why so many women feel disconnected from themselves, their desire, and their pleasure.We dive into the hidden effects of chronic stress, pushing yourself too hard, and the factors that cause the body to forcibly shut down.Holly explains somatic psychology and why traditional talk therapy is sometimes not enough for healing trauma. She breaks down how the mind and nervous system respond to stress, how trauma impacts sexuality and intimacy, and the most common periods when women often lose sexual desire.Our conversation also covers female pleasure, orgasm, sexual shame, and the unrealistic expectations many women develop around sex and relationships. Holly shares how women can reconnect with their bodies, understand their own sexual template, and create healthier sex lives.Join us today as we discuss the connection between trauma, burnout, and sexual desire, nervous system regulation, individual therapy versus couples therapy, rebuilding intimacy, listening to your body, and creating more fulfilling intimacy.Dr. Holly Richmond’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/drhollyrichmond/https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-richmond-phd-71a86233/https://www.facebook.com/DrHollyRichmond/https://twitter.com/DrHollyRichmondDr Somi Javaid's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaidhttps://www.drsomi.com/Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

Shannon Cohn is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, attorney, and endometriosis advocate. She is the creator of the groundbreaking documentaries "Endo What?" and "Below the Belt," which have helped transform public awareness, influence medical education, and drive policy reform in women's health.In today's episode, Shannon joins me to share her remarkable journey to becoming one of the leading voices exposing the hidden systems that fail women with endometriosis.Shannon opens up about her own 13-year journey to diagnosis and how she realized that her experience wasn't unique, but part of a much larger systemic problem affecting millions of women.We dive into the reality of medical gaslighting, and the devastating impact of delayed diagnosis. We also explore how storytelling has influenced policymakers, medical schools, and healthcare providers, while advocating for increased research funding, better physician education, and improved insurance coverage for endometriosis care.Shannon reveals why painful periods should never be considered normal, the challenges surrounding reimbursement for excision surgery, and the future of endometriosis diagnostics.Join us today as we discuss medical gaslighting, diagnostic delays, healthcare advocacy, documentary filmmaking as a tool for change, improving medical education, advancing women's health policy, empowering patients to advocate for themselves, and much more.Shannon Cohn's Links:https://www.instagram.com/shancohn/https://www.instagram.com/endowhat/https://endowhat.com/Dr Somi Javaid's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaidhttps://www.drsomi.com/Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

Dr. Jennifer Wagner, MD, is a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist who has become a women's health and performance expert at Canyon Ranch. After working with elite performers, including Olympians, Special Operations teams, and high-performing executives, she now focuses on helping midlife women optimize their health, performance, and longevity.In today's episode, Jennifer joins me to discuss why so many women feel invisible in today's healthcare system and what needs to change. She shares her journey to building innovative wellness programs designed specifically for women navigating midlife.We dive into the challenges women face during perimenopause and menopause. Jennifer also shares why so many women leave their doctor's appointments without answers and explains the importance of evidence-based education, collaboration, and community in improving women's healthcare.Jennifer explains the five core habits that serve as the foundation of long-term health and performance. She also shares why women need to stop viewing food and exercise through the lens of weight loss and how to develop a mindset around food that helps them build strength, prevent disease, and live healthier for longer.Our conversation also covers physician burnout, why many women are leaving traditional medicine, cardiovascular disease, bone health, and what an ideal healthcare team for midlife women should look like.Join us today as we discuss women's midlife care, menopause, burnout, longevity, preventive medicine, redefining midlife, why women feel invisible in today's healthcare system, and how women can take control of their health with confidence.Dr. Jennifer Wagner's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-wagner-65609a210Dr Somi Javaid's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaidhttps://www.drsomi.com/Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

Dr. Maria Uloko is a board certified urologist, sexual medicine specialist, and founder of Vulva AI, a company building the infrastructure for women's sexual health and vulvovaginal care delivery. She trained under pioneering sexual medicine specialist Dr. Irwin Goldstein and has become one of the most vocal advocates for closing the gender gap in medical education, research, and reimbursement. In today's episode, Maria joins me to discuss her journey into sexual medicine and how she discovered how little she, and most physicians, knew about vulvar anatomy, hormonal health, and female sexual function. We dive deep into the concept of medical misogyny, exploring how deeply rooted cultural bias has shaped what we call objective science and why women are still routinely told their pain is "all in their head." Maria breaks down the staggering numbers behind the diagnostic gap for women suffering from conditions such as pelvic pain, overactive bladder, and recurrent urinary tract infections. On average, women wait seven years and spend $20,000 out of pocket before receiving the correct diagnosis. Our conversation covers groundbreaking research on clitoral anatomy, the lack of diverse and accurate vulvar imagery in medical textbooks, and common myths surrounding estrogen and testosterone. Maria also shares how Vulva AI is using technology and patient education to empower patients to become active partners in their own care. Join us as we explore medical misogyny, the science of vulvar health, common myths about women's health, the future of women's sexual medicine, and what it truly takes to become the CEO of your own healthcare.Dr. Maria Uloko's Links:http://instagram.com/mariaulokomd/?hl=enDr Somi Javaid's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaidhttps://www.drsomi.com/Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

Cara Kamenev is the CEO of Stripes Beauty, a menopause and wellness brand founded by Naomi Watts. After spending more than a decade at L'Oréal, Cara left the corporate world to help transform the conversation around menopause by making women's health, intimacy, and aging more approachable, empowering, and accessible.In today's episode, Cara joins me to discuss why menopause has been ignored for so long and why millions of women feel unseen during one of the longest stages of their lives. She shares how Stripes evolved from a struggling startup into a category defining company that is changing how women experience menopause.We dive into the biggest misconceptions surrounding menopause, why the beauty industry has traditionally focused on anti aging instead of healthy aging, and the three factors that can help women better understand what is happening to their bodies.Cara explains the importance of treating the whole woman during menopause and why the future of women's health goes far beyond products.She discusses why products should complement medical care, how to remove the stigma around menopause, and why women deserve solutions that make them feel confident instead of embarrassed.Join us today as we dive into menopause, perimenopause, healthy aging, intimacy, women's wellness, building confidence during midlife, making informed treatment decisions, why menopause deserves more investment, and much more.Cara Kamenev's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-kamenev-22019236Dr Somi Javaid's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaidhttps://www.drsomi.com/Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com

Meghan Rabbitt is an award-winning health journalist, women’s health advocate, and the author of “The New Rules of Women’s Health.” With more than 20 years of experience reporting on health and wellness, Meghan has interviewed leading doctors, researchers, and scientists throughout her career and has worked alongside Maria Shriver on The Sunday Paper.In today’s episode, Meghan joins me to discuss her new book, “The New Rules of Women’s Health,” the medical myths still harming women, and why women need to become the CEO of their own healthcare.We dive into the importance of understanding your own body, how to recognize symptoms that are often dismissed as “normal,” and how to ask the right questions during medical appointments.Meghan explains the impact of the language used by women’s healthcare providers, her personal experiences with such terminology, her journey into medical journalism, and the purpose of her new book. She also shares her experience with fibroids, hysterectomy, and other conditions that are not receiving the attention they deserve in women’s healthcare.We also talk about cardiovascular health, the dangers of ignored heart disease, menopause, and the most effective preventative care. Meghan also explains the long-term damage caused by certain misguided treatment methods in women’s healthcare.Join us today as we dive into harmful myths in women’s healthcare, menopause, heart disease, medical gaslighting, women’s pain, hormone therapy, fibroids, and how women can take control of their health and thrive at every stage of life.Meghan Rabbitt's Links:https://www.instagram.com/meghanrabbitt/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-rabbitt-04b80116Dr Somi Javaid's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/somi-javaidhttps://www.drsomi.com/Personalized menopause and sexual health care, longer visits, trusted experts, all from home: https://www.HerMD.com