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Menopause should not be allowed to define women. This episode explores the power of woman through the various stages of life, especially in the workplace. Podcast host Sue’s guest for this episode is the epitome of a powerful, relentless woman. Sherree Shereni is a highly accomplished and respected business leader with a solid footprint across Africa, Europe, and Asia and who has led and mentored many women through various stages of life. 

For many people, a general practitioner is a woman’s first line of defense. This is particularly true for a woman going through the menopause stages. Dr. Helen, an audacious yet compassionate doctor from Ethiopia has a fascinating conversation with Sue, as they together explore menopause from the perspective of a general practitioner from a developing country. 

A significant number of the symptoms and concerns associated with the menopause transition are gynecological. This episode adopts an evidence-based, medical approach to understand these gynecological symptoms; their causes, and approaches to prevention and treatment. Podcast host Sue speaks with Dr. Nelly Bosire, a phenomenal health care professional who uses her experience in Kenya to paint a picture of trends in gynecological implications of menopause and how these are being addressed. 

Every man will, at some point in his life come into contact with menopause. Men are fathers, husbands, workmates, employers, and health care providers. In this episode Podcast host, Sue speaks to a man who occupies all these roles to understand men’s experience and contribution to easing the impact of menopause. Sue’s guest is Dr. Bismark Metekeve a son, a husband, and a leading obstetric gynaecologist from Southern Africa. 

Investment in issues affecting women and their communities doesn’t just happen – women must demand change they want to see. This episode interrogates decision-making from the perspective of the women’s movement. Podcast host Sue has a rich discussion with Letty Chiwara, a woman and the helm of global policymaking organisations. Together they explore how women can push for policies that prioritise menopause. 

The emerging dialogue on the menopause transition has not successfully engaged young women. This episode aims to trigger a discussion with and among young people who are future candidates for menopause. Podcast host Sue has a wonderful time with 2 amazing guests, Dr. Chido Siame from South Africa and Dr. Tash Fothergill-Misbah from the UK. The conversation explores the perspectives of younger women about menopause and what it would take to create a generation of women who approach the menopause transition from an informed and confident disposition. 

The interface between menopause and psychiatry is a fascinating place. Here we encounter two areas that are not openly discussed. In this episode Podcast host, Sue takes on the double ‘hush hush’ of menopause and mental health to walk through the main conditions, symptoms, and some ideas on how women can thrive in their mental health during the menopause transition. 

Podcast host Sue Mbaya welcomes a guest with a fascinating mix of experiences and perspectives as a women’s rights activist and medical doctor who is, herself, a survivor of early onset menopause. This conversation with Dr. Farhana Ahmad from Bangladesh also unveils how the contemporary South Asian woman experiences and rationalises her experience with menopause

A refreshingly frank exchange of experiences between Podcast Host, Sue Mbaya with women from three different continents who share one thing in common – an experience with menopause: Mavis Musindo, a globe-trotting expatriate; Lynette Searle – a wonder-woman in the flesh; and… a mystery guest, ‘Anonymous’ – who is a highly qualified executive in the international financial sector. This conversation unveils how the contemporary woman experiences and rationalises and copes with her experience with the menopause transition. 

The refreshingly frank exchange of experiences between Podcast Host, Sue Mbaya with her guests continues. Three women from different continents who share one thing in common – an experience with menopause: Mavis Musindo, a globe-trotting expatriate; Lynette Searle – a wonder-woman in the flesh; and… a mystery guest, ‘Anonymous’ – who is a highly qualified executive in the international financial sector. This conversation unveils how the contemporary woman experiences and rationalises her experience with the menopause transition. 

In this season's intro, Pause for Menopause Podcast host, Sue Mbaya, kicks off the season by answering the questions - Why Pause for Menopause Podcast? What inspired it? How has the journey been so far? Sue then goes on to unveil the aspiration of the new season, providing a tantalizing overview of the kind of conversations listeners can expect – without letting any cats out of the bag!

Sue takes you through a high pace tour of the high points of Season 1 of the Pause for Menopause podcast. Thank you for pausing for menopause and we will see you in Season 2. 

Every man will, at some point, be in close proximity to a woman going through menopause stages. Sue shares deep personal insights with men to help them gain more understanding, find comfort and inspiration that there is life and vibrancy during and after menopause! 

Menopause affects half the population directly and the other half indirectly – and yet it remains a largely neglected issue. Find out how societal taboos have contributed to women suffering silently without the support they deserve. This episode will challenge you to think about who needs to do what to change the status quo.   

A bumper episode on the Who, the What, and the Why of hormones and menopause. It turns out estrogen is not the only culprit! This episode uncovers the sophisticated interplay between an impressive list of hormones. Just when you think you have understood one interplay – you realize that it is reinforced by a different interplay between another set of hormones…

A no-holds-barred discussion with Auntie Sue as she debunks different types of sexual dysfunction which are usually lumped together. This episode reminds listeners that women don’t have a ‘sale by’ date and confirms that satisfying intimate relationship after menopause can be achieved. Beyond intimacy, this episode also discusses the issues and responses to broader sexual health during the stage of menopause. 

Who would have ever thought that sleep was such a complex endeavor? This episode breaks it all down and then unpacks the centrality of sleep disturbances to a surprising number of complications associated with menopause. Essential listening towards improved wellbeing during menopause stages through improved quantity and quality of sleep.  

Weight gain is painfully common during menopause. Where does the weight come from? Why is it so hard to avoid and to lose? What effects does it have? Listen to this intriguing episode for an expose on the little-understood drivers of weight gain and the mix of problems that accompany menopause pounds.   

The hot flush is the symptom most commonly associated with menopause. It is also the symptom that makes an otherwise private condition very public. Put aside what you thought you knew about host flushes and prepare for a deep dive into the complex world of the so-called- hot flushes and how to address them. 

Why does menopause happen? How does it happen? To whom does it happen? This episode addresses these ‘big picture’ questions to help you understand what is happening to you, your loved one, or your workmate.