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The Gritty Nurse

The Gritty Nurse is back, and NO TOPIC is off-limits! Launching in September 2025 with host Amie Archibald Varley, this podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of nurses and others who work in healthcare to explore the most pressing issues they face. Join Amie as she continues to take a deep dive into powerful and often uncomfortable topics. Though shared experriences, storytelling and the discussions surrounding the intersection of power, we will navigate the challenges facing healthcare nationally and internationally--as of course--challenge the status quo. The show's core belief remains unwavering: that compassion is the through understanding diverse narratives and perspectives is KEY. Amie will continue to explore hot-button issues like mental health, social justice, women's health, and the daily challenges within the nursing profession. The Gritty Nurse is more than just a podcast—it's a community where nurses and healthcare workers can feel heard, empowered, and recognized as the community leaders they truly are. Change is HERE.
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  2. Perimenopause, Pleasure Principles and Purpose: Menopause On MY Terms with Shirley Weir

Perimenopause, Pleasure Principles and Purpose: Menopause On MY Terms with Shirley Weir

Apr 16, 2026

"Normal is a setting on your dryer—not a standard for your health."

In this episode of The Gritty Nurse, we’re joined by Shirley Weir, the "Vagina Health Evangelist" and founder of Menopause Chicks. Shirley didn't just start a community of 50,000+ women; she started a revolution against the "Mokita"—the things we all know but refuse to discuss.

As nurses, we see patients every day who dismiss their own suffering because they’ve been told it’s "just part of being a woman." Shirley challenges this narrative head-on. We dive into the systemic gaps in women’s health research, the "pleasure gap" in genitourinary care, and the grit required to navigate a healthcare system that was never designed with midlife women in mind.

We’re breaking down:

  • The Perimenopause Pivot: Why your late 30s are the most critical time to start paying attention.

  • The "Script Tip": A literal sentence you can use when a doctor tries to dismiss your symptoms.

  • The Investment Phase: How to prioritize brain, bone, and heart health for your "second half."

  • Systemic Advocacy: Why nurses are the ultimate bridge between clinical research and patient empowerment.

Stop "sucking it up" and start advocating. This isn't just an ending—it's a milestone for celebration and a window for health investment.

Guest Bio: Shirley Weir is a celebrated women’s health advocate, author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of Menopause Chicks.Since 2012, she has been on a mission to dismantle the silence surrounding perimenopause and menopause, reframing this life stage as a milestone for celebration rather than a season of suffering. Through her private online community of over 300,000 women, Shirley empowers her audience to get curious about their hormone health and provides them with the evidence-based tools they need to advocate for themselves in the exam room.

Find Her Here:

Official Website

Social Media Handles

Community & Resources

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