Women of a Certain Stage

In this episode, I sit down with Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Menopause Coach Caroline Moore for an open and deeply honest conversation about the profound intersection of perimenopause, late-diagnosed ADHD, and women’s health. Together, we explore how hormonal shifts can feel like "losing the plot," why traditional 15-minute consultations fall short, and how holistic coaching empowers women to take back control of their health and careers.

We dive into Caroline’s 17-year nursing career in oncology, hematology, and primary care, detailing her shift into menopause coaching through Women of a Certain Stage. Caroline shares her personal journey with perimenopause and a late ADHD diagnosis following her son's diagnosis—unpacking how fluctuating hormones dramatically impact neurodivergent women, why coping mechanisms suddenly break down, and how understanding these links transformed her entire life. We also discuss her work delivering workplace education talks, launching monthly accessible coaching workshops, and supporting local charities addressing period and menopause poverty.

00:00 Introduction & Technical Resilience
01:06 Caroline’s Background: 17 Years in Nursing & Advanced Clinical Practice
02:41 The Evolution of Nursing and Post-COVID Challenges
03:32 Falling Down the Menopause "Rabbit Hole" in Primary Care
05:30 Limitations of 15-Minute Consultations & The Shift to Coaching
07:43 Why Caroline Chose Women of a Certain Stage
09:43 The Power of Experiencing & Delivering Coaching
11:35 Learning Within a Diverse, Supportive Cohort
13:10 Insights & Surprises from Coaching Practice Clients
15:15 Message to Healthcare Practitioners & ENPs
17:35 Transactional Medicine vs. Client-Led Habit Change
18:35 Readiness for Change & Motivational Interviewing
20:00 Balancing Primary Care with Menopause Coaching
22:30 Near-Burnout, Workplace Retention, and Perimenopause in Younger Women
24:16 Shifting the Outdated Image of Menopause
26:00 The Turning Point: Late ADHD Diagnosis & The Hormonal Connection
29:30 Overlapping ADHD & Perimenopause Symptoms in Women
31:39 Self-Compassion, Incremental Micro-Changes, and Support
33:09 Future Plans: Workplace Talks & Accessible Community Workshops
34:31 Closing Remarks & Wrapping Up

Connect with Caroline Moore: charity project: Freedom 4 Girls
Meet your host Lauren Chiren Lauren Chiren is a leading voice in menopause awareness and workplace inclusion, dedicated to ensuring no one navigates menopause alone.
As the Founder and CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, she works with organisations worldwide to create menopause-savvy and supportive environments.
With a background in psychology, sports therapy, and nutrition, and an extensive suite of coaching certifications, Lauren is on a mission to train 20,000 Menopause Coaches and Champions, equipping them with the tools to support individuals and workplaces through this transformative life stage.
Join her as she breaks the silence, challenges the stigma, and empowers people to thrive at midlife and beyond.
About Women of a Certain Stage We are committed to transforming the menopause experience—both for individuals and the organisations that support them.
Our mission is to empower people through education, advocacy, and expert-led training, ensuring menopause is no longer a barrier to confidence, health, or career success.
Join us and our global network of professionals dedicated to breaking the stigma, improving workplace culture, and ensuring no one navigates menopause alone.
Find out more here: https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/
Connect with Lauren
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage
Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChiren

In this episode, I sit down with Claire Addiscott for an inspiring conversation about her transition from a stay-at-home mum to an independent menopause coach and workplace trainer. Together, we discuss how major life events, such as divorce and menopause, can serve as powerful catalysts for rethinking our paths, stepping off the daily treadmill, and finding new purpose.

We dive into Claire’s personal and professional journey—from making the bold decision to shut down her previous business to going all-in on supporting women and educating men in the menopause space. We explore the realities of building an entrepreneurial vision, why she is focusing her social media energy on LinkedIn, and the importance of honing in on core products rather than diverting focus.

Importantly, we address the critical need for menopause support in smaller businesses, where the loss of key talent has a profound operational impact. Claire shares the vision for her upcoming signature product, the Menopause Mayhem Membership, launching in January with an alcohol-free challenge, and we reflect on the immense value of community, collaboration, and self-care in the entrepreneurial journey.

00:00 Introduction
01:01 Career Catalyst
03:27 Finding Drive
06:24 LinkedIn Strategy
09:21 Menopause Mayhem
13:16 Workplace Awareness
15:00 Choosing the Program
17:15 Power of Community
23:18 Collaboration
27:31 Small Business Impact
31:20 Lauren’s Turning Point
33:09 Entrepreneurial Self-Care
35:25 Closing Thoughts

Connect with Claire Addiscott
Website: themenopausedawn.com

Meet your host Lauren Chiren
Lauren Chiren is a leading voice in menopause awareness and workplace inclusion, dedicated to ensuring no one navigates menopause alone.
As the Founder and CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, she works with organisations worldwide to create menopause-savvy and supportive environments.
With a background in psychology, sports therapy, and nutrition, and an extensive suite of coaching certifications, Lauren is on a mission to train 20,000 Menopause Coaches and Champions, equipping them with the tools to support individuals and workplaces through this transformative life stage.
Join her as she breaks the silence, challenges the stigma, and empowers people to thrive at midlife and beyond.

About Women of a Certain Stage
We are committed to transforming the menopause experience—both for individuals and the organisations that support them.
Our mission is to empower people through education, advocacy, and expert-led training, ensuring menopause is no longer a barrier to confidence, health, or career success.
Join us and our global network of professionals dedicated to breaking the stigma, improving workplace culture, and ensuring no one navigates menopause alone.
Find out more here: https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/

Connect with Lauren
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage
Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChiren

In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Dorwart Crane, a certified nurse midwife and menopause coach, for an insightful conversation about perimenopause, burnout, and the importance of listening to our bodies. We discuss how even trained healthcare professionals can miss the early signs of perimenopause, often mislabeling them as stress or burnout due to demanding careers and family life.

We dive into Andrea’s personal and professional journey—from her deep roots in women's health and reproductive care to her realization at age 38 that her severe symptoms were actually perimenopause. We explore her transition from clinical midwifery to coaching, highlighting the synergy between the two, and why creating "white space" and practicing self-compassion are vital for midlife women. Andrea also shares her inspiring experience training with Women of a Certain Stage and her upcoming collaborative workshops focusing on Ayurveda, internal family systems, and strength training.

00:00 Introduction & Ignoring Body Signals
03:24 Discovering the "Highly Social Introvert" During COVID
05:35 Heart-Based Meditation and Redirecting Focus
07:26 Andrea’s Background: From Sociology to Nurse Midwifery
10:37 The Philosophy of Medical Care and Patient Agency
13:41 Hitting the Wall: Misdiagnosing Perimenopause as Burnout at 38
18:25 Finding "Women of a Certain Stage" and Exploring Coaching
24:11 The Power of Community Learning and Building a Business
34:22 Upcoming Midlife Workshops: Ayurveda, Therapy, and Strength Training

Connect with Andrea Dorwart Crane:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-dorwart-crane-cnm-b8b44639/

Meet your host Lauren Chiren
Lauren Chiren is a leading voice in menopause awareness and workplace inclusion, dedicated to ensuring no one navigates menopause alone.
As the Founder and CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, she works with organisations worldwide to create menopause-savvy and supportive environments.
With a background in psychology, sports therapy, and nutrition, and an extensive suite of coaching certifications, Lauren is on a mission to train 20,000 Menopause Coaches and Champions, equipping them with the tools to support individuals and workplaces through this transformative life stage.
Join her as she breaks the silence, challenges the stigma, and empowers people to thrive at midlife and beyond.

About Women of a Certain Stage
We are committed to transforming the menopause experience—both for individuals and the organisations that support them.
Our mission is to empower people through education, advocacy, and expert-led training, ensuring menopause is no longer a barrier to confidence, health, or career success.
Join us and our global network of professionals dedicated to breaking the stigma, improving workplace culture, and ensuring no one navigates menopause alone.
Find out more here: https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/

Connect with Lauren
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage
Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChiren

In this episode, I sit down with Kirstie Walker Poole for an empowering and deeply moving conversation about navigating menopause after a cancer diagnosis, handling identity shifts in midlife, and learning to advocate for yourself in healthcare and the workplace. Together, we discuss the nuances of hormone therapy, early menopause, and why midlife can be a powerful opportunity for personal transformation.
We dive into Kirstie’s personal and professional journey—from her background in corporate operations and change management to her breast cancer diagnosis at age 37, which triggered an sudden menopausal transition due to hormone-blocking treatment (Tamoxifen). We explore the hidden physical and emotional impacts of cancer treatment, the loneliness of facing early menopause ahead of your peer group, and the critical importance of informed consent and self-advocacy when navigating medical choices.
Importantly, we address the unique challenges of experiencing menopause in corporate environments and why policy alone is not enough to support women in leadership. Kirstie shares how her journey led her to become a transformational menopause and cancer coach, helping women navigate midlife transitions, rediscover their identity, and find joy in the everyday.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast & Guest
00:37 Kirstie’s Journey: Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Early Menopause
01:34 The Menopause Transition & Identity Shifts in Midlife
03:35 Midlife as an Opportunity for Reflection & Reinvention
05:04 Cancer Treatment, Tamoxifen, and Hormone-Blocking Side Effects
06:29 The Isolation of Early Menopause & Lack of Evidence-Based Resources
08:15 From Corporate Operations to Transformational Coaching
10:52 How Kirstie Supports Clients: 1-to-1, Group Coaching, & Community
12:22 Finding Joy, Solitude, and Balance Post-Diagnosis
14:33 The Impact of the Women of a Certain Stage Coaching Diploma
16:12 The Gap in Medical Training & the Role of Menopause Coaches
17:26 Self-Advocacy & Making the Decision to Stop Tamoxifen
21:00 What to Expect When Working with Kirstie
22:57 Menopause in the Workplace: Beyond Policies & Action Plans
25:07 Retaining Midlife Female Talent & Closing Thoughts
Connect with Kirstie Walker Poole:
Location: Chesham, Buckinghamshire (In-person & Online support)

Meet your host Lauren Chiren
Lauren Chiren is a leading voice in menopause awareness and workplace inclusion, dedicated to ensuring no one navigates menopause alone.
As the Founder and CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, she works with organisations worldwide to create menopause-savvy and supportive environments.
With a background in psychology, sports therapy, and nutrition, and an extensive suite of coaching certifications, Lauren is on a mission to train 20,000 Menopause Coaches and Champions, equipping them with the tools to support individuals and workplaces through this transformative life stage.
Join her as she breaks the silence, challenges the stigma, and empowers people to thrive at midlife and beyond.
About Women of a Certain Stage
We are committed to transforming the menopause experience—both for individuals and the organisations that support them.
Our mission is to empower people through education, advocacy, and expert-led training, ensuring menopause is no longer a barrier to confidence, health, or career success.
Join us and our global network of professionals dedicated to breaking the stigma, improving workplace culture, and ensuring no one navigates menopause alone.
Find out more here: https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/
Connect with Lauren
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage
Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChiren

In this episode, I sit down with Emma Stronell for an inspiring and deeply candid conversation on how personal style, color, and wardrobe confidence can help women navigate the challenges of perimenopause and menopause. Together, we explore how sudden health shifts—such as medical menopause and severe endometriosis—can impact self-esteem, and how clothing can be used as a powerful tool to regain control and identity.

We dive into Emma’s professional journey, from her early passion for design and two-decade career in high-end retail management to facing severe health struggles that altered her life path. Emma shares her personal experience going through medical menopause and seven laparoscopies, the workplace stigma she hid for years, and how training as a menopause coach empowered her to rebuild her confidence. We discuss practical ways to dress for changing bodies, the role of color and fabrics during hot flushes, and how small style shifts can transform how women feel inside and out.

00:00 Episode Introduction
00:37 Early Career in Fashion Retail
03:42 Store Management & Visual Styling
05:27 Endometriosis & Medical Menopause
07:31 Workplace Stigma & Erosion of Confidence
09:16 Career Burnout & Health Challenges
11:34 Self-Advocacy in Healthcare
12:41 Transition to Menopause & Style Coaching
16:34 "Small Hinges Swing Big Doors"
18:10 Personal Styling & Color Analysis
21:43 Underwear, Foundations & Shapewear
23:59 Managing Symptoms with Fabrics & Layering
25:12 Surgical Menopause & Peer Support
28:30 Connecting with Emma Stronell

Connect with Emma Stronell:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theforward_edit

Meet your host Lauren Chiren
Lauren Chiren is a leading voice in menopause awareness and workplace inclusion, dedicated to ensuring no one navigates menopause alone.

As the Founder and CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, she works with organisations worldwide to create menopause-savvy and supportive environments.

With a background in psychology, sports therapy, and nutrition, and an extensive suite of coaching certifications, Lauren is on a mission to train 20,000 Menopause Coaches and Champions, equipping them with the tools to support individuals and workplaces through this transformative life stage.

Join her as she breaks the silence, challenges the stigma, and empowers people to thrive at midlife and beyond.

About Women of a Certain Stage
We are committed to transforming the menopause experience—both for individuals and the organisations that support them.

Our mission is to empower people through education, advocacy, and expert-led training, ensuring menopause is no longer a barrier to confidence, health, or career success.

Join us and our global network of professionals dedicated to breaking the stigma, improving workplace culture, and ensuring no one navigates menopause alone.

Find out more here: https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/

Connect with Lauren
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage
Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChiren