Top 10 Episode from The Hole Shebang Podcast

The Episodes You Loved Most

(And Why They Matter)

I've been hosting The Hole Shebang Podcast for over a year now, and honestly? Some days I still can't believe people actually listen to me talk about pelvic floors, perimenopause, and sex for an hour every week.

But you do. And you show up. Week after week.

So I wanted to take a minute to say thank you—and also to share something kind of cool. I recently looked at the data to see which episodes have resonated most with you, and the patterns that emerged told me something important: you're not here for surface-level wellness advice or vague encouragement to "love your body." You're here because you want real information about the things nobody else is talking about.

You want to know why sex feels different in your 40s. You want to understand what's actually happening with your hormones. You want permission to talk about leaking pee without shame. And you want credible experts who can translate complex medical concepts into something that makes sense.

So here they are—your top 10 most-loved episodes. If you haven't listened yet, consider this your reading list. And if you have? Maybe there's one here worth sharing with a friend who needs to hear it.

1. Why Good Sex Matters with Dr. Nan Wise (Episode #1)

This episode is far and away the most downloaded episode we've ever done. Which tells me something: people are hungry for honest, clinical conversations about sex.

Dr. Nan Wise is a neuroscientist and sex therapist, and she does something most experts don't—she explains the science of pleasure without making it feel sterile or awkward. We talked about why good sex matters for your health (not just your relationship), what happens in your brain during arousal, and why so many of us struggle with desire as we age.

If you've ever wondered why sex feels like a chore instead of something you actually want to do, this episode is for you. Dr. Wise doesn't shame you for not being in the mood. She just helps you understand what's happening—and what you can do about it.

Listen if: You've been wondering if it's "normal" to lose interest in sex, or if you're just curious about what pleasure actually does for your brain and body.

Check out: Our online store for some fun Pleasure Toys that can help light up the pleasure centers in your brains.

2. Perimenopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy with Dr. Alison Shea (Episode #12)

Hormone replacement therapy is one of those topics that feels overwhelming and confusing—and for good reason. There's so much conflicting information out there, and a lot of doctors still won't prescribe it even when it could genuinely help.

Dr. Alison Shea is an OB/GYN who specializes in menopause care, and she walked us through what HRT actually is, who it's for, and what the risks and benefits really look like (spoiler: the 2002 study that scared everyone away from HRT was deeply flawed).

We talked about hot flashes, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and why so many people suffer in silence instead of asking for help. If you're in your 40s and wondering if what you're experiencing is "just stress" or actually perimenopause, this episode will give you language to advocate for yourself.

Listen if: You're dealing with night sweats, brain fog, or a complete loss of patience for everyone in your life, and you want to know if HRT might be an option.

3. Mindfulness to Improve Sexual Desire with Dr. Lori Brotto (Episode #2)

Dr. Lori Brotto is a clinical psychologist and researcher who studies sexual desire, and her work focuses on something surprisingly simple: paying attention.

Most of us are so distracted during sex (thinking about our to-do list, worrying about how we look, wondering if our partner is enjoying it) that we never actually experience pleasure. Dr. Brotto teaches mindfulness-based sex therapy, which helps you stay present in your body instead of stuck in your head.

We talked about why desire isn't something you either have or don't have—it's something you can cultivate. And sometimes that starts with just noticing what you're actually feeling instead of what you think you're supposed to feel.

This episode is gentle, practical, and hopeful. If you've been feeling disconnected from your body or like sex is something you're just going through the motions with, this one's worth your time.

Listen if: You want to want sex again, but you're not sure how to get there.

4. It's NOT a Normal Period with Dr. Meghan O'Leary (Episode #5)

I love this episode because Dr. Meghan O'Leary said what so many of us needed to hear: just because something is common doesn't mean it's normal.

Heavy periods, painful cramps, bleeding through a tampon in an hour—none of that is "just part of being a woman." And yet so many of us are told to just deal with it.

Dr. O'Leary is a minimally invasive GYN surgeon who specializes in hormones and periods, and she broke down what a healthy menstrual cycle actually looks like, what causes common period problems (like PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroids), and what you can do about it.

If you've ever been brushed off by a doctor who told you your periods are "fine" when they absolutely do not feel fine, this episode will validate everything you've been feeling—and give you tools to push for better care.

Listen if: Your periods are miserable and you're tired of being told that's just how it is.

5. Bonus Episode: Kristen Turns 50 and Reflects on Pelvic Health (Nov 23, 2024)

This one's different—I'm usually the one asking the questions, but for this bonus episode, my friend Maureen MacDonald interviewed me as I turned 50. We talked about why I became a pelvic health physiotherapist (spoiler: I had rectal prolapse at 28 and navigated a healthcare system that didn't prepare me for what was happening), how I started Blueberry Therapy, and what it's actually like to own a business in this space.

But we also went deeper. We talked about being more authentic and vulnerable, setting boundaries with my time, navigating divorce and starting over, and how movement communities (shoutout to S Club—yes, we're named after the Satisfier) have kept me sane and strong.

This episode is personal. It's me being honest about the messy parts, the scary parts, and the parts where I'm still figuring it out. If you've ever wondered what drives someone to spend their days talking about pelvic floors and sexual health, this episode will answer that question.

Listen if: You want to hear the behind-the-scenes story of why I do what I do, or if you're navigating your own midlife transitions and need to know you're not alone.

6. Move the Body, Heal the Mind with Dr. Jennifer Heisz (Episode #16)

Dr. Jennifer Heisz is a neuroscientist who studies exercise and mental health, and this conversation was a reminder that movement isn't just about weight loss or "staying in shape"—it's about your brain.

We talked about how exercise actually changes your brain chemistry, why it's one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression, and what "enough" exercise actually looks like (hint: you don't need to run marathons).

This episode felt different from a lot of the pelvic health and sex content we usually do, but it clearly struck a chord. Maybe because so many of us are struggling with mental health right now, and we're looking for tools that actually work.

Listen if: You're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck, and you want to understand how movement might help.

7. Protein and Muscle Health in Perimenopause with Dr. Stuart Phillips (Episode #14)

Dr. Stuart Phillips is one of the world's leading researchers on protein and muscle health, and this conversation changed the way I think about nutrition for midlife bodies.

We lose muscle as we age—that's just biology. But we can slow that loss (and even reverse it) with the right combination of protein and strength training. Dr. Phillips explained how much protein we actually need (it's probably more than you think), why timing matters, and what happens to our bodies when we don't get enough.

This episode is especially important for people in perimenopause and menopause, because estrogen loss accelerates muscle loss. And muscle isn't just about aesthetics—it's about staying strong, mobile, and independent as we age.

Listen if: You're wondering if you're eating enough protein, or if you've noticed you're losing strength and you don't know why.

8. The Intersection of Menopause and Sexual Health with Dr. Maureen Slattery (Episode #3)

Dr. Maureen Slattery is an OB/GYN, and she specializes in sexual health and menopause. This conversation was all about what happens to our bodies—and our sex lives—when estrogen drops.

Vaginal dryness, painful sex, loss of libido, changes in sensation—these are all real, common, and treatable. But so many people think they just have to live with it. Dr. Slattery walked us through what's actually happening (estrogen keeps your vaginal tissue healthy, and without it, things get dry and fragile), and what you can do about it (hint: vaginal estrogen is life-changing for a lot of people).

This episode is compassionate, practical, and full of solutions. If you've been avoiding sex because it hurts, or if you just don't feel like yourself anymore, this one's for you.

Listen if: Menopause has changed your sex life and you want to know what's actually happening—and how to fix it.

9. Empowering Financial Wellness with Gillian Stovel Rivers (Episode #27)

Okay, I'll admit—I wasn't sure how a financial wellness episode would go over on a pelvic health podcast. But Gillian Stovel Rivers is a financial planner who works specifically with women, and this conversation was eye-opening.

We talked about why so many women feel stressed about money, how to start planning for retirement (even if you feel like you're starting late), and why financial health is so deeply connected to overall wellbeing. Gillian made finance feel approachable instead of intimidating, and she gave actionable steps you can take today.

Turns out, a lot of you are thinking about money, retirement, and financial independence—and you want someone to talk about it in a way that doesn't make you feel dumb for not having it all figured out yet.

Listen if: You're worried about your financial future and you don't know where to start.

Check out: Episodes #36 and #40 to learn how to grow your wealth and plan for retirement.

10. Sex, Pelvic Health, and Breaking Taboos with Dr. Rachel Gelman (Episode #37)

Dr. Rachel Gelman is a pelvic health physical therapist who specializes in sexual pain, and this conversation was all about breaking the silence around painful sex.

We talked about vaginismus, vulvodynia, pelvic floor tension, and why so many people suffer for years before they finally get help. Dr. Gelman explained how pelvic floor dysfunction can cause pain during sex, and—most importantly—how treatable it is.

This episode mattered because it gave language to something a lot of people experience but don't know how to talk about. If sex hurts, that's not something you just have to accept. It's something you can get help for.

Listen if: Sex is painful and you don't know why, or if you've been avoiding intimacy because you're afraid it's going to hurt.

What These Episodes Tell Me (And Why It Matters)

Looking at this list, a few things become really clear:

• You want to talk about sex—not in a vague, "self-care Sunday" kind of way, but in a real, clinical, let's-actually-figure-this-out kind of way.

• You're dealing with perimenopause and menopause, and you're not getting enough information from your doctors.

• You're tired of being told that leaking pee, painful periods, and painful sex are just "normal" parts of being a woman.

• You want experts who actually know what they're talking about—MDs, PhDs, researchers, therapists—people who can give you real answers, not just platitudes.

• And you want all of this delivered in a way that feels honest, compassionate, and human. No shame. No condescension. Just information you can actually use.

  
  

That's what I'm trying to build with The Hole Shebang Podcast. A place where we can talk about the stuff that makes people uncomfortable—poop, pee, pelvic health, pain, parenting, pleasure, sex, aging—and do it with curiosity, humor, and respect.

What's Next

If you've made it this far, thank you. Seriously. The fact that you're here, reading this, listening to the podcast, and showing up for these conversations means everything.

If you haven't listened to these episodes yet, pick one that speaks to you. Maybe it's the one about sex, or perimenopause, or financial wellness. Start there. And if it resonates? Share it. Send it to a friend who needs to hear it. Post it on your Instagram story. Talk about it at your next book club meeting.

Because here's the thing: the more we talk about this stuff, the less shameful it becomes. The more we normalize conversations about pelvic health, sexual wellness, and perimenopause, the easier it is for the next person to ask for help.

So let's keep talking.

And if you're not already subscribed to The Hole Shebang Podcast, now's the time. We publish new episodes every week, and I promise you—we're just getting started.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram. And if you've got a topic you want us to cover or a guest you think we should interview, send me a message. I actually read them.

Thanks for being here.

Kristen

Ready to listen?

Subscribe to The Hole Shebang Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Visit blueberrytherapy.ca for more resources on pelvic health, sexual wellness, and healthy aging.

P.S. If these episodes helped you, they'll probably help someone you know. Share your favorite episode with one person today. That's how we build a community of people who refuse to accept that pelvic health issues, painful sex, and perimenopause symptoms are just "part of life."

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