On this episode of Innovate & Elevate, Sharon sits down with Dr. Corinne Menn, an OB-GYN, menopause specialist, and breast cancer survivor, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in women’s health: the relationship between breast cancer risk and hormone therapy. Recorded eight days after the FDA announced it will remove the long-standing black box language on hormone therapy, this conversation traces the legacy of the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative press conference, what the data actually showed, and how modern evidence can better guide women and their clinicians today.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

• What really happened in July 2002, and why the WHI press conference (held eight days before doctors saw the full study) reshaped hormone therapy for a generation.
• The difference between estrogen alone and combined estrogen–progestin therapy, and why age, timing, and formulation matter.
• Why every major professional society (ASCO, ACOG, American Urological Association, The Menopause Society) agrees that local, low-dose vaginal hormones do not increase breast cancer risk, recurrence, or mortality.
• The role of tools like the Tyrer–Cuzick breast cancer risk model in understanding your baseline risk - and how Dr. Menn interprets those results in the context of HRT.
• Dr. Menn’s own story: being diagnosed with ER/PR-positive breast cancer at 28 during OB-GYN residency, going through abrupt menopause, and later discovering a BRCA2 mutation after updated genetic testing
• How she now counsels breast cancer survivors about menopause, quality of life, and when hormone therapy may or may not be appropriate
• Practical ways women can prepare for a time-limited doctor’s visit to have more informed, individualized conversations about breast cancer risk and hormone therapy

As always, nothing in this episode is personal medical advice. Please talk with your own clinician about your individual history, risks, and options.

Connect with Sharon:

• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
• Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
• Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr. Corinne Menn:

• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more on her website

Breast Cancer Risk Models & Screening Tools:

Tyrer–Cuzick (IBIS) Breast Cancer Risk Model - https://ems-trials.org/riskevaluator/

Gail Model (Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool) - https://bcrisktool.cancer.gov

POSITIVE Trial – New England Journal of Medicine - https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2215851

Hormone Therapy, Menopause Guidelines & Professional...

Why do only 5% of women in America use hormone therapy today, when so many did just two decades ago? In this special live episode, host Sharon Kedar sits down with Dr. Kelly Casperson, urologist, author, and leading voice in women’s health, to unpack the truth about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — and how one misleading press release in 2002 changed everything.

Dr. Casperson explains what really happened with the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, how the fear around hormones took root, and why it’s time to write the new narrative. Together, Sharon and Kelly discuss estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone — what they do, who they help, and how new FDA attention may finally mark a turning point.

From brain fog to bone density, motivation to longevity, this conversation breaks down myths and builds hope for the next generation of women — and the doctors who care for them.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

• The 2002 Study That Changed Everything: How the Women’s Health Initiative was misinterpreted — and why a misleading press release reshaped women’s health for decades.
• The Truth About Hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are made naturally by the body — and modern therapies are safer, smarter, and more personalized than ever before.
• Longevity and Prevention: Hormones don’t just treat symptoms — they can protect your bones, brain, and heart, helping women live longer, healthier lives.
• The Next Generation of Change: From Gen X to Millennials, women are demanding better care, better education, and better science.

Connect with Sharon:

• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
• Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
• Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr. Kelly Casperson:

• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more on her website
• Buy The Menopause Moment now

Additional Resources:

• The 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (JAMA)
• FDA Menopause Panel Discussion (YouTube)
• Dr. Casperson’s book: You Are Not Broken
• Dr. Kelly Casperson Speaking at the FDA’s Announcement for Removing “Black Box” Warnings

Skip to the Good Part:

(0:00) Introduction: Sharon welcomes Dr. Kelly Casperson — live from the FDA Menopause Panel

(3:00) The emotional power of restoring hormones — “I’m not angry...

What happens when a successful professional is dismissed by her doctor, given sleeping pills for severe perimenopause symptoms, and instead decides to launch a company to help change women's healthcare forever? In this conversation, host Sharon Kedar welcomes Midi Health’s CEO Joanna Strober, who shares her personal story of being dismissed by her doctor and her mission to fix the women's health crisis. Joanna and Sharon tackle the pervasive fear and misinformation about HRT and breast cancer. They reveal the truth and misinformation about the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study. Joanna details how Midi provides expert, insurance-covered care and is shifting the paradigm so women can proactively protect their bones, brain, and heart. This is an essential listen for any woman ready to age with power.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

• The Care Crisis and Midi’s Solution: How Joanna's personal experience of being dismissed by doctors for symptoms like brain fog and anxiety led her to create Midi Health, a successful, insurance-covered virtual platform scaling expert care for midlife women.
• Dismantling HRT Fear: The truth about the 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, revealing that there is zero correlation between taking estrogen and getting breast cancer (unless you have estrogen-positive breast cancer) and that women on the estrogen-only arm had a 30% less likelihood of breast cancer.
• Longevity and HRT: Why the golden time to start estrogen is during perimenopause or within 10 years of menopause, and how staying on it may be essential for long-term protection of your bones, brain, and heart.

Connect with Sharon:

• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
• Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
• Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Joanna Strober:

• On LinkedIn
• Learn more about Midi Health

Additional Resources:

• The 2002 Women's Health Initiative

Skip to the Good Part:

(0:00) Introduction: Sharon's Advocacy and Welcome Joanna Strober, CEO of Midi Health

(2:00) Joanna’s Personal Story: From Brain Fog, Anxiety, and Marriage Problems to Finding a Specialist

(9:00) Finding the Right Care: HRT, Transformed Life, and the Bone Protection Dose

(18:45) Solving the Care Crisis: Founding Midi Health and Scaling Expertise with Insurance Coverage

(25:00) Midi's Word-of-Mouth Success and Dispelling the Breast Cancer Myth

(33:00) Longevity and HRT: The Golden Window for Bones, Brain, and Heart Protection

(36:30) HRT and Stigma: Why We Need to Talk About Hormones and Staying on the Patch Forever

(39:00) The Financial and Family Case: Midi Patients Cost Less for Insurers

(41:30) Midi's Mission, Funding, and the Future of Virtual Care

(45:00) Conclusion and Thank You

Please note: The information on...

What if aging wasn't about being discarded, but about reclaiming your dignity and power? In this powerful episode of Innovate and Elevate, host Sharon Kedar sits down with her personal doctor, Dr. Rachel Rubin, a board-certified urologist and sexual medicine specialist. Dubbed "The Women's Dignity Doctor" by Sharon, Dr. Rubin is on a mission to fix the menopause care crisis by educating both patients and clinicians. The two unpack the systemic failures of modern medicine, from the misinterpretation of the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study to the shocking fact that doctors are still not adequately trained in women's midlife health. Dr. Rubin shares her five-step "prescribing" guide for HRT, including testosterone and vaginal estrogen, and a deeply personal story about why this work is a matter of life and death. This is a must-listen for every woman who feels like a "hot mess," or is an advocate for a woman in her life, who is not feeling like herself.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

• The Midlife Care Crisis: Understand why women are often left to navigate menopause symptoms like brain fog, joint pain, and sleep issues on their own, and how the medical community's siloed approach to care has failed them. Dr. Rubin explains why this is a systemic problem, not a failure of individual doctors.
• The "NFLM" Diagnosis: Learn about the "Not Feeling Like Myself" diagnosis that Dr. Rubin uses to describe the common, but often dismissed, symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
• The Five Pillars of HRT: Get a detailed look at the five key areas of hormone replacement therapy that Dr. Rubin covers in her course for clinicians: systemic estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, vaginal hormones, and vulvar vestibule cream.
• A Call for Dignity: Hear why Dr. Rubin and Sharon believe that access to proper menopause care is about more than just managing symptoms—it's about a woman's fundamental dignity. Dr. Rubin shares a poignant story about a patient who was at risk of dying from a UTI due to lack of treatment

Connect with Sharon:

• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
• Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
• Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr. Rachel Rubin:

• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more on her website
• Take the Hormone Therapy for Early Adopters course

Additional Resources:

• Find a sexual medicine provider at ISSWSH.org
• The 2002 Women's Health Initiative
• American Urologic Association guidelines on genital urinary syndrome of...

What if everything you thought you knew about testosterone was completely wrong? This episode of Innovate and Elevate features a groundbreaking conversation with Dr. Kelly Casperson, a renowned urologist and women’s health advocate who is rewriting the narrative around testosterone and women. She makes a compelling case for why testosterone is not just for men and why it is so much more than just a hormone for libido. Dr. Casperson, whom host Sharon saw speak in-person at the FDA Menopause Panel, unpacks the outdated medical dogma that has created a massive gap in women's health. The message is clear: our midlife journey isn't just about managing symptoms, but about aging with power, which starts with advocating for proper hormone health and understanding what your body needs to thrive. This is a must-listen for every woman who loves HRT and wants to live a better, stronger second half.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

• The New Testosterone Story: Learn why testosterone is a human hormone that helps with motivation, energy, and brain clarity—not just libido. Dr. Casperson reveals that female bodies have four times the amount of testosterone than estrogen and why this hormone is vital for longevity.
• Barriers to Access: Understand the shocking truth about what’s holding women’s health back—from outdated regulations and the misinterpretation of data that has driven black box warnings to the lack of training for well-meaning doctors. You'll hear why the system is in "catch-up mode," and how doctors and organizations, including the FDA, are now working hard to correct the misinformation from decades ago and bring accurate information to the public.
• The Power of Patient Advocacy: Discover why women are turning to sources like Instagram and ChatGPT for medical advice and how this is a sign of a larger problem. Dr. Casperson provides a powerful call to action for women and men to advocate for proper health and to stop accepting a life of struggle and ill health.

Connect with Sharon:

• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
• Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
• Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr. Kelly Casperson:

• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more on her website
• Buy The Menopause Moment now

Additional Resources:

• FDA Menopause Panel Video
• Dr. Kelly Casperson at the FDA Menopause Panel Video
• Dr. Heather Hirsch Academy -...

Aging is inevitable, but decline is not. This episode of Innovate and Elevate features a powerful conversation with Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic surgeon and advocate for aging with power. She makes a compelling case for women to take control of their health long before menopause, starting in their 30s and 40s, or even earlier. Using the moving story of her patient, Miriam, who suffered a preventable hip fracture, Dr. Wright highlights the critical, often-overlooked link between estrogen and bone health. She unpacks the staggering statistics on bone density loss and osteoporosis, revealing that one in two women will experience a fracture. The message is clear: our midlife journey isn't just about managing symptoms, but about aging with power, which starts with proactive steps to build and protect your body. This is a must-listen for every woman who loves HRT and wants to live a better, stronger second half.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

• Proactive Steps for Your 30s & 40s: Learn the "Vonda rules" for proactive health, including why it's crucial to get a baseline DEXA scan, REMS scan, how to feed your bones with protein, and the importance of lifting heavy weights.
• The Truth About Estrogen: Understand the profound, protective role of estrogen in bone health and why the widespread fear of hormone replacement therapy is often based on old, misinterpreted data. Dr. Wright explains why there is "zero debate" about its preventative role on bone.
• A Call to Action: Discover practical, actionable steps you can take today—from seeking out your own DEXA Scan to starting a progressive weightlifting routine—to invest in your future health and avoid becoming a burden on your loved ones.

Connect with Sharon:

• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
• Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
• Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr Vonda Wright:

• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more on her website
• Buy Unbreakable now

Additional Resources:

• FDA Menopause Panel Video
• Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris
• Adesso

Skip to the Good Part:

00:00 Introduction to Estrogen and Women's Health

02:20 The Impact of Hip Fractures on Women

04:37 Understanding Bone Health and Estrogen

10:51 The Importance of DEXA Scans

18:19 Making Informed Decisions About Estrogen

25:33 Preventative Measures for Bone Health

32:17 Empowering Women Through Knowledge and Action

Please note: The...

It's time to redefine what it means to age with power and dignity. On the Innovate and Elevate podcast, we go beyond surface-level symptoms to expose the hidden care crisis of perimenopause and menopause. We'll dive deep into women's health and longevity, challenging historical taboos with a data-driven approach. Learn about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the benefits of HRT, and how to combat symptoms like brain fog, hot flashes, and bone health issues. We feature brilliant guests like Dr. Vonda Wright, Dr. Kelly Casperson, and Dr. Rachel Rubin who are providing menopause solutions and changing the world.

This show is for the woman in her 40s or 50s who wants to age with power and live a better second half. It's for the partners who want to understand the menopause and divorce crisis and support their loved ones. And it's for healthcare providers who want to fill the gaps in their own training and provide the menopause care their patients deserve. Tune in to a new kind of conversation on midlife health, and discover how we can live a life of purpose and power.

Please note: The information on this podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs.

In this episode of Innovate & Elevate, Sharon Kedar is joined by Carolee Lee, Founder and CEO of Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM). Carolee shares her journey from fashion entrepreneur to women's health trailblazer, highlighting how her experience building a global jewelry brand led her to recognize the critical need for change in women's health funding and research.

The conversation delves into the reality of the current state of women's health research and investment. Less than 1% of global research funding is allocated to studying women's health and only 2% of venture capital goes to female-founded startups, with an even smaller percentage dedicated to women's health companies. However, organizations like WHAM are making strides in changing that reality.

Carolee outlines WHAM's groundbreaking initiative, "3Not30," which aims to accelerate change in women's health research and investment within three years. The Initiative is the first of a series of activities WHAM is spearheading in recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Revitalization Act of 1993, a law which established guidelines that women and minorities should be included in all clinical trials and research which are funded by the NIH. The goals of the program include doubling research funding for women's health, increasing venture capital investment in women-founded companies from 2% to 4%, and improving diversity in clinical trials.

This conversation underscores that women's health is everyone's health. By raising awareness about these disparities, WHAM is driving collaborative efforts across sectors to create meaningful change. Carolee’s parting message is powerful: while individual efforts are crucial, it's the collective power of everyone working together that will ultimately create substantial change in women's health research and investment.

Connect with Sharon

• Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
• Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
• Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
• Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Connect with Carolee

• Follow Carolee LinkedIn
• Follow WHAM on LinkedIn

Additional Resources

• WHAM (Women's Health Access Matters)
• The WHAM Report
• WHAM 3Not30 Initiative

This podcast is produced by The Wave Podcasting