Episodes

  • Episode 12: THE BIG M with Lidia Yuknavitch, Reyna Grande, Pam Houston, Gina Frangello & Monica Drake
    Jan 30 2026
    ⚡️ARE YOU READY FOR THE BIG M?💥⚡️ ⚡️Electrifying new peri/meno essay anthology THE BIG M edited/curated by the brilliant Lidia Yuknavitch hits the universe this week and features a f💥cking fabulous host of intersectional writers divulging tales of adventurous midlife mayhem, euphoric period freedom, post-cancer sexual discovery, insomnia fueled slug warfare, menopause defense weaponization, the multitudinous glory of no f🤘cks left to give and so much more.💥❤️‍🔥🤘😈 ⚡️ We invited this powerful coven of contributing writers to read excerpts from their incredible essays and dish the fascinating meno dirt and loved immersing in so many different beautifully embodied perspectives in the peri/meno diaspora. So many women/AFAB will feel seen. ITS ABOUT FCKING TIME. 💥Chefs kiss to ultra legends Roxane Gay, Cheryl Strayed, Joey Soloway and others who couldn’t make the pod but whose stories we fully devoured - keep em coming! ❤️‍🔥 More about THE BIG M More about Lidia Yuknavitch More about Reyna Grande More about Pam Houston More about Gina Frangello More about Monica Drake ⚡️MENOPUNKS IS A MISINFORMATION SHATTERING FEATURE DOCUMENTARY AND PODCAST ABOUT PERI/MENOPAUSE AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS SEEN THROUGH THE LENS OF DEFIANT GENX MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS, TRAILBLAZING DOCTORS AND OPINIONATED CELEBRITY CULTURE BEARERS ⚡️🎬 Alicia J. Rose SUBSCRIBE ❤️‍🔥AMPLIFY⁠ ❤️‍🔥JOIN THE HORMONAL REVOLUTION DESIGN: JEN SBRAGIA DISTRO: RUINOUS MEDIA THEME: PARTY WITCH LEGAL: 6 MUSES ❤️‍🔥⁠GET ON THE LIST⁠ ❤️‍🔥 https://www.menopunks.com #menopause #perimenopause #hormonereplacementtherapy #menopausesupport #THEBIGM Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Big M Anthology 03:57 The Importance of Sharing Menopause Stories 07:02 Reyna's Garden Metaphor for Menopause 26:32 Gina's Journey Through Cancer and Menopause 37:37 The Interconnection of Life and Sexuality 40:12 Redefining Menopause: Living, Not Suffering 41:45 Embracing Menopause as Evolution 42:58 The Impact of Divorce and Legal Struggles 50:45 Cultural Devaluation of Women 56:24 The Menopause Defense and Its Implications 01:00:05 Breaking the Silence on Menopause 01:06:33 Empowerment Through Storytelling 01:16:07 Breaking Free from Compliance 01:18:34 The Power of Hormones and Aging 01:20:25 Embracing Elderhood and Community 01:23:26 Redefining Invisibility and Visibility 01:26:47 Interconnectedness with Nature 01:30:19 Growth and Transformation in Aging 01:32:45 The Importance of Saying No 01:34:30 Building a Community of Voices 01:37:40 The Ongoing Fight for Rights 01:39:26 Future Aspirations and Empowerment
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    2 hrs and 1 min
  • Episode 11: HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY BLACK BOX WARNING TAKEDOWN BREAKDOWN with Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan
    Jan 23 2026
    ⚡️ Brilliant certified menopause specialist Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan MD joins Alicia to gleefully rip up an insert and get to the bottom of the bullsh*t surrounding the infamous misinformation ridden HRT Black Box Warnings that have plagued peri/meno care since the falsified results of the WHI Study f🙌cked us all in 2002. NO - Vaginal Estrogen does NOT cause probable dementia, NO - systemic estradiol does NOT cause breast cancer, NO micronized Progesterone does NOT lead to heart disease, NO - testosterone will not turn you into an MMA wrestler overnight (we wish!). The FDA admitted their devastating “Mistake” this past November along with the ACTUAL FACT that HRT is THE single most preventative therapy for women/AFAB, REDUCING risk of breast cancer for most women by over 23% and adding up to 30% to our lifespans! 😱 It’s f🤘cking bananas!! We ALL deserve the right to FULL BODILY AUTONOMY, free and fair access to evidence based hormonal care and tools for informed self-advocacy 🤘❤️‍🔥🙌. DON’T F🙌CK WITH MENOPUNKS CAUSE WE KNOW HOW TO F🤘CK YOU RIGHT BACK AT THE BALLOT BOX AND BEYOND! 🗳️🤬🩸😈🤘⚡️ ⚡️MORE ABOUT DR. O'SULLIVAN⚡️ ⚡️MORE ABOUT THE FDA'S REMOVAL OF THE BLACK BOX WARNING OFF HRT⚡️ ⚡️RESOURCE: "A CONTEMPORARY VIEW OF MENOPAUSAL HORMONE THERAPY" BY DR. BARBARA LEVY AND DR. JAMES A. SIMON ⚡️ SUBSCRIBE ❤️‍🔥AMPLIFY⁠ ❤️‍🔥JOIN THE HORMONAL REVOLUTION ⚡️MENOPUNKS IS A MISINFORMATION SHATTERING FEATURE DOCUMENTARY AND PODCAST ABOUT PERI/MENOPAUSE AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS SEEN THROUGH THE LENS OF DEFIANT GENX MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS, TRAILBLAZING DOCTORS AND OPINIONATED CELEBRITY CULTURE BEARERS ⚡️🎬 @ajrhq DESIGN: JEN SBRAGIA DISTRO: RUINOUS MEDIA Theme Song: PARTY WITCH ❤️‍🔥⁠ARE YOU A MENOPUNK? GET ON THE LIST⁠ ❤️‍🔥 https://www.menopunks.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Menopause and Hormonal Health 01:10 The Impact of Hormonal Changes on Women's Lives 04:04 The Historical Context of Hormone Therapy 07:10 Personal Experiences with Hormonal Health 09:59 The Role of the FDA in Women's Health 12:47 Current Developments in Hormone Therapy 15:41 Navigating Misinformation and Stigma 18:17 Empowerment Through Knowledge and Advocacy 35:35 The Impact of FDA Decisions on Hormone Therapy 38:14 Expert Insights on Hormone Therapy 40:56 The Safety and Efficacy of Hormones 46:31 Reactions to FDA Changes in Hormone Therapy 52:36 Understanding Hormone Therapy Labels 01:02:24 Choosing the Right Hormone Therapy 01:11:26 Empowerment Through Knowledge 01:13:53 The Safety of Micronized Hormones 01:15:29 Personal Experiences with Hormone Therapy 01:17:40 The Importance of Hormone Therapy 01:20:38 Navigating Misinformation 01:22:44 Finding Reliable Resources 01:24:50 The Future of Women's Health 01:26:53 A Vision for Change 01:29:39 Community and Support 01:36:48 Upcoming Menopause Retreat 01:41:13 Introduction to Menopunk and Its Movement 01:41:14 Exploring the Cultural Impact of Menopause
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    1 hr and 46 mins
  • Episode 10: THE LESS THAN ZERO F*CKS CLUB with Margaret Cho
    Jan 16 2026
    ⚡️PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A MENOPUNK LEGEND!⚡️Genius comedian and punk AF unfiltered voice of GENX, Margaret Cho pops by to discuss the importance of Gender Affirming Care for All, how HRT transformed her mental and physical health, how America must break free from the abuse of this idiotic p*edo administration and so much more!⚡️It was an absolute dream to have her join the conversation - thank you for your diligent advocacy and punk AF activism and FOR KEEPING US SANE AND ENTERTAINED during these batshit crazy times! WE 🩷 U!⚡️ MORE ABOUT MARGARET CHO & THE CHOLIGARCHY TOUR SUBSCRIBE ❤️‍🔥SUPPORT❤️‍🔥AMPLIFY⁠ ⚡️MENOPUNKS IS A MISINFORMATION SHATTERING FEATURE DOCUMENTARY AND PODCAST ABOUT PERI/MENOPAUSE AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS SEEN THROUGH THE LENS OF DEFIANT GENX MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS, TRAILBLAZING DOCTORS AND OPINIONATED CELEBRITY CULTURE BEARERS ⚡️🎬 @ajrhq CREATED/HOSTED BY: ALICIA J. ROSE DESIGN: JEN SBRAGIA DISTRO: RUINOUS MEDIA Theme Song: PARTY WITCH ❤️‍🔥 GET ON THE LIST❤️‍🔥 #menopause #perimenopause #hormonereplacementtherapy #menopausesupport #perimenopausehealth
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Episode 9: TAPPING INTO THE CRONE POWER OF MENOPAUSE with Lidia Yuknavitch
    Jan 9 2026
    ⚡️Brilliant artist/author/activist Lidia Yuknavitch joins the Menopunks conversation to celebrate the wide release of Kristen Stewart’s new film adaptation of her earthshaking novel “The Chronology of Water" and dish the dirt . Lidia and Alicia discuss fighting genocidal violence against women, reclaiming our blood & power post-meno, the audacious rebel yell of midlife, how community building can spark systemic change and the high stakes importance of making unflinching feminist art in the face of F*CK.🤘❤️‍🔥⚡️Lidia also dives into her work editing “THE BIG M” an upcoming all-star intersectional anthology of true peri/menopause stories out 1/27/26 that’s soooo fn on point! We will be featuring soon in another episode! ❤️‍🔥 Lidia is a true revolutionary and punk AF thought leader - what an absolute joy to go deep with her, just what we needed during these idiotic fascistic times. ❤️‍🔥⚡️MENOPUNKS X LIDIA FOREVER WE❤️ U⚡️ MORE FROM LIDIA CHRONOLOGY OF WATER MOVIE THE BIG M CORPOREAL WRITING SUBSCRIBE ❤️‍🔥SUPPORT❤️‍🔥AMPLIFY ⚡️MENOPUNKS IS A MISINFORMATION SHATTERING FEATURE DOCUMENTARY AND PODCAST ABOUT PERI/MENOPAUSE AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS SEEN THROUGH THE LENS OF DEFIANT GENX MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS, TRAILBLAZING DOCTORS AND OPINIONATED CELEBRITY CULTURE BEARERS ⚡️ CREATED/DIRECTED/HOSTED BY: ⁠⁠ALICIA J. ROSE⁠⁠ DESIGN: ⁠⁠JEN SBRAGIA⁠⁠ DISTRO: ⁠⁠RUINOUS MEDIA⁠⁠ Theme Song: ⁠⁠PARTY WITCH⁠⁠ ❤️‍🔥GET ON THE LIST ❤️‍🔥 Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Connection 05:57 The Role of Women in Society and the Power of Storytelling 08:51 The Impact of Menopause and Hormonal Health 11:57 Chronology of Water: A Personal Journey 15:02 Reclaiming Voice and Identity 17:48 The Importance of Sharing Diverse Experiences 20:36 The Future of Women's Health and Empowerment 31:10 Women Empowering Each Other 31:48 The 95%: Hormonal Access and Awareness 34:12 Navigating Hormonal Therapy 37:15 The Power of Hormonal Optimization 39:17 Sharing Stories and Experiences 40:28 Self-Advocacy in Healthcare 42:20 Menopause: A Time of Power 45:06 Revolutionizing Perspectives on Aging 47:57 Building Community and Sharing Knowledge 49:19 The Big M: A Collective Experience 52:00 Diversity in Menopause Narratives 53:52 Liberation Through Storytelling 55:51 Rebranding Menopause 58:19 Empowerment and Activism in Menopause 59:18 The Impact of Menopause on Creativity 01:00:39 Amplifying Women's Stories 01:02:29 Reclaiming Worth Beyond Reproductive Value 01:04:04 Liberation from Menstruation 01:09:06 Building Community and Revolution 01:11:57 Envisioning a New World 01:17:19 Celebrating Community and Art 01:18:35 The Journey of Filmmaking and Adaptation 01:29:12 Empowering Women Through Hormonal Knowledge 01:32:17 Shifting Power Dynamics in Society 01:35:03 The Role of Mutual Aid and Community 01:37:19 Hope Amidst Destruction
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    1 hr and 33 mins
  • Episode 8: REIGNITING CREATIVITY IN PERI/MENOPAUSE with Shannon Funchess of Light Asylum
    Jan 2 2026
    In this episode Shannon Funchess, BIPOC Menopunk and fierce artist/activist behind brilliant darkwave synth icons Light Asylum goes deep into myth busting the mysteries and misinformation that shroud menopause with host Alicia J. Rose. Their wide ranging chat goes from building community to counter the peri/menopause education desert, to confronting systemic medical neglect of BIPOCA women/AFAB, to learning how to cite quality of life to help access HRT. They also dive into Shannon's creative process with Light Asylum and discuss the power of reigniting creativity while combating the meno symptom minefield and ramping up the whisper network into a MOTHERF 🤘CKING GOTH SHRIEK ⭐️🖤 👻⚡️ We are huge fans of Shannon’s incredible voice and visionary art! So honored to welcome her into the Menopunks conversation!❤️‍🔥😍⚡️ MORE ABOUT LIGHT ASYLUM IG: https://www.instagram.com/light_asylum YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@LightAsylumOfficial MORE ABOUT ALICIA ⚡️MENOPUNKS IS A MISINFORMATION SHATTERING FEATURE DOCUMENTARY AND PODCAST ABOUT PERI/MENOPAUSE AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS SEEN THROUGH THE LENS OF DEFIANT GENX MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS, TRAILBLAZING DOCTORS AND OPINIONATED CELEBRITY CULTURE BEARERS ⚡️ 🎬 @ajrhq ❤️‍🔥⚡️ ⚡️GET ON THE LIST: www.Menopunks.com⚡️ LINK IN BIO ⚡️ ❤️‍🔥Theme: @party_witch ❤️‍🔥Art: @jens_jams_creative ❤️‍🔥Distro: @ruinousmedia #menopause #perimenopause #hrt #menopausesupport #hormonereplacementtherapy
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Episode 7: BREAKING THROUGH THE GENX ADHD PERI/MENOPAUSE HELLSPIRAL with Andi Zeisler
    Dec 19 2025
    ⚡️DOES THE PATRIARCHY FEAR THE UNF*CKABLE CRONE? 🧙🏻🖕⚡️ On this weeks episode Host Alicia & Andi Zeisler - Bitch Media founder and Senior Culture Writer at Salon.com - have a rollicking conversation about adult onset ADHD and the rollercoaster of being a neurodivergent peri/menopausal woman in 2025. They dive into how the patriarchy’s fear of women aging into their power has been fueling criminal systemic disempowerment, how the ADHD peri-meno brain drain is REAL, and how reclaiming/restoring gender affirming hormonal health care FOR ALL HUMANS MUST be GENX’s legacy. ⁠MORE FROM ANDI ZEISLER⁠ ⁠⚡️SUBSCRIBE ❤️‍🔥SHARE❤️‍🔥AMPLIFY ⚡️ ⁠ ⚡️ ⁠MENOPUNKS ON YOUTUBE⁠⚡️ ⚡️MENOPUNKS IS A MISINFORMATION SHATTERING FEATURE DOCUMENTARY AND PODCAST ABOUT PERI/MENOPAUSE AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS SEEN THROUGH THE LENS OF DEFIANT GENX MUSICIANS, TRAILBLAZING DOCTORS AND OPINIONATED CELEBRITY CULTURE BEARERS⚡️ ⚡️GET ON THE LIST: ⁠www.menopunks.com⁠⚡️ CREATED/HOSTED BY: ⁠ALICIA J. ROSE⁠ DESIGN: ⁠JEN SBRAGIA⁠ DISTRO: ⁠RUINOUS MEDIA⁠ Theme Song: ⁠PARTY WITCH⁠ ⚡️❤️‍🔥⚡️❤️‍🔥⚡️🤘⚡️❤️‍🔥⚡️❤️‍🔥⚡️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:57 Exploring Gen X Women's Mental Health 05:43 The Impact of Hormones on Brain Health 09:53 Navigating Hormone Replacement Therapy 13:51 Coping with Aging and Mental Health 17:52 The Future of Hormonal Care for Women 22:01 Embracing the Present: Women Thriving in Midlife 26:42 The Structural Inequalities: Women and Mental Load 33:46 The Women's Health Initiative: A Turning Point in Women's Health 38:58 The Backlash: Hormone Therapy and the War on Women 47:43 The Generational Impact: Boomers, Gen X, and Hormonal Health 50:45 The Cultural Perception of Aging Women 53:52 The Impact of Misinformation on Women's Health 56:50 The Need for Knowledge and Self-Advocacy 59:44 Pop Culture's Role in Women's Health Awareness 01:02:31 The Hormonal Journey and Future Perspectives
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • HARNESSING MENOPUNK POWER TO EXPOSE THE LIES IN WOMEN'S HEALTH with Corin Tucker and Nikki Kuehl NP
    Dec 12 2025
    ⚡️WILL GENX MENOPUNKS LEAD THE WAY TO A HORMONAL REVOLUTION?⚡️ In this episode Alicia, Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney and menopause specialist Nikki Kuehl NP deep dive into myth busting the dangerous lies about HRT and women’s health. They get into the importance of having the energy and creativity to maintain quality of life, using our platforms to amplify activism through pop culture, and how Corin’s early 90’s Riot Grrrl origins helped her carve a feminist life path through music. Corin is a HUGE inspiration to Menopunks worldwide and is also a core participant in the Menopunks Documentary. We ❤️‍🔥 you Corin! More info: Corin Tucker Nikki Kuehl, NP Alicia J. Rose LISTEN ❤️‍🔥SUBSCRIBE❤️‍🔥AMPLIFY ❤️‍🔥 FUNDRAISING NOW❤️‍🔥 ⚡️GET ON THE LIST: www.menopunks.com ⚡️ ⚡️MENOPUNKS IS A MYTH SHATTERING FEATURE DOCUMENTARY AND PODCAST ABOUT PERI/MENOPAUSE AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS SEEN THROUGH THE LENS OF DEFIANT GENX MUSICIANS, TRAILBLAZING DOCTORS AND OPINIONATED CELEBRITY CULTURE BEARERS ⚡️ ⚡️Created by Alicia J. Rose⚡️ ⚡️DISTRO: Ruinous Media ⚡️ ⚡️ Show Card Design Jen Sbragia ⚡️ ⚡️Show theme "Fall In Line" by Party Witch⚡️ Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Menopunk: A Conversation Begins 06:33 Introducing the Guests: Corin Tucker and Nikki Kiel 08:55 The Impact of Misinformation on Women's Health 12:28 The Golden Girls and the Women's Health Initiative 16:29 Art as a Catalyst for Change 25:29 Reclaiming Power: The Role of Women in Society 31:53 Breaking the Taboo: Menopause Conversations 32:40 Navigating Menopause: Options and Activism 34:26 The Role of Lifestyle in Menopause Management 36:13 Sleep and Its Impact on Menopause 37:50 Personal Journey: Breast Cancer and Early Menopause 39:46 Hormone Replacement Therapy: A Personal Decision 41:40 Understanding Hormone Types and Their Effects 44:39 The Challenges of Medical Guidelines and Training 45:55 Addressing Risks and Misconceptions in HRT 48:28 The Evolution of Hormonal Treatments 51:35 Contraindications and Considerations for HRT 54:30 Individualized Care: Finding the Right Hormonal Balance 56:54 The Broader Conversation: Gender and Health Care 57:48 The Cruelty of Denying Hormones 59:25 Trans Rights and Political Propaganda 01:00:21 The Historical Context of Trans Identity 01:01:11 Punk as a Form of Defiance 01:03:05 Empowering the Next Generation of Artists 01:05:06 The Role of Music in Political Activism 01:07:15 Mobilizing for Change: Menopunkapalooza 01:08:54 The White Male Death Rattle and Future Generations 01:11:08 Taking Action: Getting Out the Vote 01:13:02 Closing Thoughts and Future Conversations C 2025 MENOPUNKS LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • CALLING BULLSH*T ON THE GENDER & HORMONE BINARY with Gilly Ann Hanner
    Dec 5 2025
    In this episode, Alicia chats with dear friend and early 90's punk legend Gilly Ann Hanner of Calamity Jane. They dive into everything from peri/menopausal chaos to standing up for the rights of the trans community, to that time Calamity Jane opened for Nirvana in Argentina and wound up imploding as a band immediately after. They reminisce about being punk firestarters in the early 90's, the not-so-glorious misogyny that came with it, and why women in music deserve way more than mansplaining over effects pedals at Guitar Center. They also take aim at the wild world of women’s health misinformation, the deeply unfair gender/hormone binary, and the bullshit HRT scandal that is still ruining women's lives on the daily - because half the population hits menopause and the medical establishment is still working from a playbook that needs to get up to speed RIGHT F*CKING NOW. So many laughs, truth bombs, and at least one moment where you say, “Wait—why the f*ck didn’t anybody tell me that about perimenopause?” Gilly and Alicia break down the power of building a Menopunks community, the magic of women supporting women, and the absolute necessity of demanding better—preferably while starting a band in your 50's or asking your doctor for HRT. Tune in, buckle up, and embrace the chaos. Menopause has never sounded so good. 🎸🔥 MORE FROM GILLY MORE FROM ALICIA GET ON THE LIST: https://www.menopunks.com FUNDRAISING NOW PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION: http://fundraiser.support/menopunks.com THEME SONG BY PARTY WITCH DISTRIBUTION: RUINOUS MEDIA Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Menopunks Podcast 02:55 Exploring the Menopunks Documentary 05:49 The Impact of Music and Community 08:52 Health Challenges and Hormone Replacement Therapy 11:46 Misinformation and the Medical Community 14:45 The Journey of Creating Menopunks 17:42 The Power of Hormonal Optimization 20:35 The Evolution of the Menopunks Concept 23:34 Community Engagement and Movement Building 26:34 Navigating Modern Challenges and Misinformation 30:18 The Rise of Menopunks 34:16 Empowerment Through Information 36:22 Bodily Autonomy and Civil Rights 37:44 Punk Roots and Feminism 45:45 The Journey of Calamity Jane 51:57 Facing Misogyny in Music 57:47 Creating Community and Connection 58:14 The Power of Community in Music 59:39 Menopunks: A Celebration of Connection 01:01:02 Rediscovering Identity and Power in Midlife 01:02:59 The Impact of Hormonal Changes on Women 01:04:53 Reclaiming Agency and Power 01:08:14 Navigating Hormone Therapy and Self-Discovery 01:11:16 The Role of Hormones in Personal Transformation 01:14:46 Building a Supportive Community 01:17:29 Empowering Women and the Fight for Equality 01:22:40 Optimism in the Face of Adversity
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    1 hr and 27 mins