Podcast Summary: What Every Woman Should Know About Menopause

Podcast: IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
Episode Date: October 8, 2025
Hosts: Michelle Obama, Craig Robinson
Guest: Dr. Sharon Malone (OB-GYN, author, host of Second Opinion)
Producer: Higher Ground

Episode Overview

In this candid, humorous, and deeply informative episode, Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson welcome back Dr. Sharon Malone, a leading OB-GYN and women’s health advocate, to bust myths, share personal stories, and answer pressing questions about menopause. Together, the trio explores the medical, psychological, and social aspects of menopause, aiming to demystify the experience for women—and educate the men in their lives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening: Keeping It Real and Candid

• Michelle and Craig’s lighthearted sibling banter sets a relaxed tone, discussing Martha’s Vineyard, personal photo shoots, and Michelle’s new book on her fashion evolution.
  • Quote: "You were safe, too." —Michelle Obama (00:12)
• They emphasize creating spaces where uncomfortable topics—like menopause—feel safe, accessible, and even fun.

Dr. Sharon Malone: Beyond the Credentials

• Dr. Malone’s backstory: youngest of eight, resilience after losing her mother young, and how community shaped her survival and medical journey.
  • Quote: "When you’re the youngest of eight children, you have to learn how to bob and weave." —Dr. Sharon Malone (06:58)
• The importance of supportive friend groups through life’s challenges, especially for professional women and mothers (09:01–11:37).

Women’s Health, Self-Advocacy, and Medical Access

• Sharon discusses early aspirations in medicine and the lack of accessible healthcare for Black families in the segregated South (12:16–13:49).
• She strongly advocates for women to own, understand, and advocate for their bodies.
  • Quote: "No one knows how you feel but you." —Dr. Sharon Malone (18:56)
• Michelle echoes the importance of tuning into one’s physical and emotional health (17:59–18:56).

Balancing Family, Career, and Self

• Dr. Malone on juggling motherhood, a high-powered husband (Eric Holder), and an OB-GYN practice:
  • "At some point in my life, I had a newborn, a two year old and a four year old, and my husband was doing his thing." (19:04)
• Community and reliable friends were essential for survival and mental health (23:07–23:58).

The Power of Female Communities

• The hosts reminisce about wellness “boot camps” at Camp David and the importance of supportive friends (24:31–26:41).
• Michelle credits Sharon for advocating for some fun (wine hour!) and balance in women’s wellness (25:16–25:35).

Dr. Malone’s Practice Philosophy

• She describes herself as an approachable, advocacy-driven doctor, addressing structural issues in women’s health—particularly for Black women.
  • Quote: "I'm not the doctor and you're the patient—that hierarchical thing? That's not how I work." —Dr. Sharon Malone (30:03–30:25)
• Lack of trust, paternalism in medicine, and the unique obstacles women and people of color face when seeking care (31:37–33:38).

Menopause: Breaking Taboos and Medical Myths

• Social stigma and lack of male involvement in supporting partners through menopause (41:03–42:26).
  • Craig: "There are many men who can’t even support the women in their lives because we have no idea what’s going on." (41:22)
• Dr. Malone explains how menopause, its symptoms, and their impact are often minimized and misunderstood:
  • Effects every organ system—skin, hair, sexuality, confidence, brain function, cardiovascular health (42:42–44:18).
• Menopause treatment options, especially Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), have been misrepresented and underutilized due to outdated fears about cancer risk (45:31–47:24).
  • Quote: "The benefits outweigh the risk. Suffering is a choice—don’t choose it." (46:51 & 47:24)

Men’s Roles in Menopause Support

• Craig asks how men can support partners and spot signs of perimenopause, with Sharon emphasizing empathy, patience, and shared healthcare visits.
  • "Don’t get mad at her for being mad at you—understand that she’s going through something." —Dr. Sharon Malone (55:44)
• Dr. Malone provides practical advice: give grace, help with daily responsibilities, encourage doctor visits, and support hormonal treatment when appropriate (54:44–63:35).

Medical Facts, Recommendations, and Challenges

• Clarifies common misconceptions about hormone therapy:
  • Current guidelines: "Unless you develop a contraindication, you can take them [hormone therapies] forever." (65:40–66:26)
• Lists medical contraindications and stresses the benefit of starting treatment as soon as symptoms occur rather than waiting (66:45–68:07).
• Early or premature menopause increases risk for Alzheimer's—HRT helps protect long-term brain health (63:34–65:16).

Embracing the Transition

• Michelle encourages women to embrace, not dread, life’s transitions and see menopause as an opportunity for freedom and self-discovery.
  • Quote: "If we’re alive enough to have transition, then we’re blessed." —Michelle Obama (70:24)
• Both women share that their 60s are the best years of their lives—health and support make all the difference (71:38–73:07).

Call-to-Action for Men

• Craig pledges to start attending doctor visits with his wife and to open lines of communication about symptoms.
• The episode concludes with a heartfelt reflection on the power of safe, honest, community-centered conversations.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Own your bodies, understand your healthy baseline, and don’t be afraid to talk about how you feel." —Michelle Obama (17:59)
• "Suffering is a choice—don’t choose it." —Dr. Sharon Malone (47:24)
• "Men don't know what’s going on... We have to get better at being able to discern that or at least saying, are you mad at me or are you not feeling well?" —Craig Robinson (56:15–56:53)
• "Embrace the transition. If we’re alive enough to have transition, then we’re blessed." —Michelle Obama (70:24)

Important Timestamps

• 06:58: Dr. Malone on growing up the youngest of eight.
• 17:59: Michelle Obama on body ownership and self-awareness.
• 30:03: Dr. Malone on patient care without hierarchy.
• 42:42: Impact of menopause across the body & myth-busting.
• 47:24/65:40: Up-to-date views on hormone therapy.
• 54:44/63:35: Advice for men: supporting partners through transition.
• 70:24/73:07: Michelle and Sharon on embracing life's transitions and thriving in later decades.

Tone & Style

Conversational, humorous, and deeply empathetic, with honest sharing about tough subjects, plenty of sibling teasing, and grounded in real-life anecdotes. Both medical expertise and life wisdom are dispensed generously and accessibly.

Recap & Takeaways

• Menopause is natural, complex, and treatable: Don't suffer in silence—seek support, consider medical advice, and explore hormone therapy if needed.
• Talking about transition matters: Removing stigma helps everyone, including men who want to be supportive.
• Women's health is everyone's concern: More open, accessible, and holistic dialogue benefits the whole community.
• Community sustains us: Friendship, laughter, and sharing real stories are as vital as medical advice.

Listen to Dr. Sharon Malone’s new podcast, Second Opinion, for more approachable, expert-led conversations about women’s health.