Ever wondered how menopause impacts more than just physical health? In this episode, age enthusiast, community health advocate, and media pioneer Denise Pines shares her incredible journey from the entertainment world to becoming a leading voice in menopause awareness. Denise recounts her transformation after experiencing hot flashes while serving as vice president of the medical board of California, leading her to co-create Tea Botanics and empower women through menopause-focused teas. Her mission is clear: to provide women in midlife with evidence-based information and support.

As menopause gains visibility, thanks to social media and advocates like Oprah, Denise sheds light on the significant challenges still faced in this field. From the difficulty of getting doctors to publicly engage to the shortage of substantial funding from major foundations and corporations, Denise underscores the urgent need for more investment and understanding in menopause research. Our discussion reveals the alarming lack of recent data on menopause, highlighting the pressing necessity for comprehensive research to better support women's health and well-being.

Join us as we explore Denise's impactful advocacy and educational endeavors, including her groundbreaking documentary "The (M) Factor." This film not only highlights the brain changes during perimenopause and the risks of permanent brain decline but also aims to secure more funding for menopause research. Denise shares her vision of transforming "The (M) Factor" from a film into a comprehensive community platform, supporting women, employers, and practitioners. With upcoming screenings and a PBS airing on October 17th, this episode promises to inspire and inform anyone interested in advancing women's health through menopause awareness.

About Denise: An age enthusiast, longtime community health advocate, and media pioneer, Denise Pines is a trusted resource for women as they pursue midlife wellness. She founded WisePause Wellness, a pro-aging health, education, and workplace platform and co-founder of the FemAging Project which hosts pitch competitions and provides innovators and investors in the health and tech industry sector with research reports addressing innovations specifically designed for women ages 40+. She’s the co-founder and CEO of Tea Botanics and the inspiration behind Hot Flash Tea. Pines is the president of the Osteopathic Medical Board of California and past president of the Medical Board of California and serves on the Board of the Federation for State Medical Board. Pines co-founded Women in the Room Productions and is an award-winning filmmaker producing 12 documentaries including “Birthing Justice” which examines the Black maternal health crisis in America and her next film “The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause” opens up the conversation on menopause.

Websites: www.themfactorfilm.com (https://www.themfactorfilm.com) www.wisepause.com (https://www.wisepause.com) Continuing Ed for The (M) Factor Film: www.fsmb.org (https://www.fsmb.org)