Ever wonder what happens when a menopausal woman and a deeply unprepared man get locked in a studio together to record a holiday episode? Congratulations — you’re about to find out.

In this special Christmas episode of Hot Flash Files: After Dark, Aussprey gets abandoned by the rest of the team and stuck in the recording booth with the only man brave (or unlucky) enough to stay behind: John. Everyone else is out partying, eating cookies, and pretending they understand holiday boundaries. Meanwhile, these two are trapped under fluorescent lights discussing menopause, marriage survival, emotional turbulence, and why standing in front of the freezer is a death wish.

John arrives with a notebook, a trembling sense of optimism, and absolutely no idea what he’s about to walk into. Within minutes, he learns the first rule of menopause: do not attempt to fix anything unless you’re ready to experience emotional consequences usually reserved for Greek tragedies. He also learns why “calm down” should be federally banned, why sweaters are a threat, and how a woman can go from volcanic heat to Arctic helplessness in the time it takes him to blink.

Together, they dive into every uncomfortable, hilarious, and painfully honest truth about midlife: the hot flashes that hit like surprise lightning, the mood swings that feel like emotional whiplash, the mental load women carry without applause, the intimacy shifts no one talks about, and the deep exhaustion that makes even the nicest mother-of-the-year reconsider hosting Christmas ever again.

Aussprey brings the hard truths.

John brings the fear.

Raine (the judgmental cat) brings the side-eye from a distance.

And somehow, in the chaos of fans, sweat, bad decisions, and frantic note-taking, John actually becomes the unlikely spokesperson for men everywhere: the ones who love their partners but don’t understand what’s happening inside those hormonal fireworks. He asks the questions men are too scared to ask, admits the mistakes he’s made, and walks right into the line of fire so the rest of the male population doesn’t have to.

Will he survive? Will he learn anything? Will he ever be allowed near the thermostat again?

By the time he escapes — leaving Aussprey alone to sign off, drenched, glowing, and narratively victorious — listeners are left with laughter, honesty, practical advice, and the reassurance that menopause might be chaotic, but women aren’t losing it. They’re simply navigating a biological circus while still running their lives, households, and holiday schedules.

If you’re a woman in this season of life, this episode will make you feel seen, understood, and absolutely justified in threatening people who block your cold air.

If you’re a man listening… take notes. Take them seriously. And maybe bring home chocolate.

Merry Christmas to all our listeners — may your season be peaceful, your boundaries respected, your thermostats responsive, and your coworkers braver than John.

This one’s for the women who go from calm to volcanic in six seconds flat — and the men who love them. Aussprey breaks down midlife rage: the overstimulation, the emotional spikes, the sensory overload, and the sudden zero tolerance for nonsense. Featuring a male guest perspective, this episode shows what women feel, what men misunderstand, and how everyone can survive the hormonal heat. Spoiler: snacks help. So does not saying “calm down.”

Every woman over 35 knows the truth: one day, out of nowhere, a rogue chin hair appears with the confidence of a man explaining crypto. In this hilarious, strangely comforting episode, Aussprey dives into why it happens, why it grows faster than a weed in July, and why the car mirror always exposes it first. From tweezing tips to emotional validation, this episode turns the chin-hair struggle into a sisterhood moment you didn’t know you needed.

Welcome to the episode that needs no introduction: the Hot Flash Saga. Aussprey dives into the sudden heat waves, the random overheating, the “why am I sweating in the frozen food aisle?” moments, and the emotional whiplash that comes with it. Learn what triggers them, what helps, what absolutely does NOT help, and why women deserve medals for surviving this volcanic nonsense. Grab your fan — things are about to get spicy.

Anyone can desire you. Few can value you. In this bonus episode, Aussprey breaks down why desire isn’t the flex — being treated well is. Dedicated to Michael, this is a heartfelt thank-you for the man who shows up with respect, intention, and love that grows deeper with time. It’s a midlife reminder that the loudest attention isn’t the best attention — the quiet, steady kind is what actually transforms you.

Why can’t you sleep anymore? Why are you awake at 3 AM eating crackers in the dark like a Victorian orphan? In this episode, Aussprey breaks down the midlife sleep crisis — night sweats, cortisol spikes, racing thoughts, early wakeups, and that bizarre mix of exhaustion and wired energy. Learn what’s causing the chaos, why your sleep changed overnight, and how to survive the nightly circus with humor, grace, and a really good fan.

Welcome to Cougar Puberty — the stage of life where your hormones suddenly go feral and your emotions forget how to behave. In this kickoff episode, Aussprey breaks down the chaos: mood swings, sleep betrayal, hot flashes, brain fog, overstimulation, and the sneaky body changes that make you wonder if you’re losing it. You’re not. You’re transforming. This episode explains what’s happening, why it’s happening, and why you’re not alone for one second of it.