Hotter Than Ever

“Sex isn't really worth having without vulnerability.”

If you’ve ever wondered why stories of women in midlife are so rare in movies and TV, you’re not alone.  In a landscape where male-centered narratives often take center stage, Laura Fischer (Co-President of director Paul Feig’s feature film company Feigco) stands out as a force for change. In partnership with the iconic comedy director, Laura champions films anchored by funny women (think Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy and Leslie Jones) and helps showcase the work of diverse creators while balancing the complexities of family life and career with remarkable grace and determination.

Join us as we delve into issues impacting women today, from societal expectations to the untapped potential of stories about older women, all through the lens of Laura’s inspiring career. Laura’s journey underscores the power of authentic storytelling and the importance of defining your own priorities amid the many roles we, as women, navigate. Here’s what’s on the table:

• Embracing failure as a normal part of creative and professional growth.
• Practical tips for managing the ever-elusive work-life balance as a mother and professional.
• Why prioritizing YOU—and the pursuits that ignite your passion—helps you best show up for the people you love and support.
• Post-divorce insights: successful co-parenting and the liberating freedom of prioritizing yourself and your work.
• Breaking free from the constraints of corporate life to unlock personal and creative freedom.
• The ongoing fight for representation of women over 40 in media and why more female voices in decision-making roles matter.
• A reminder that at every stage of life, you have the power to choose your own path.

OUR GUEST: Laura is Co-President of Feigco Entertainment, where she and Paul Feig oversee the company’s film and TV projects, currently including A Simple Favor 2 for Amazon. She also serves as CEO of Powderkeg, a content company dedicated to uplifting female, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC creators. Through Powderkeg, she has launched programs like Fuse, a short film initiative for emerging female directors, and Break the Room, focused on diverse writing talent. Previously, Laura led original series production at Yahoo! and worked on Emmy-winning projects at Disney-ABC. She is a member of the Producers Guild and the Television Academy.

Ever wondered why some women experience low libido and what can be done about it? Or what orgasms look and feel like for different women? These questions often go unanswered, but Dr. Maureen Slattery—a board-certified OBGYN specializing in sex and menopause—is here to change that. A leading advocate for women’s sexual health, Dr. Slattery joins us in this episode to share her mission of empowering women through education and enhancing sexual well-being during perimenopause and menopause.

Join Erin and Dr. Maureen as they dive deep into the complexities of women’s sexual health, exploring how reclaiming pleasure and purpose can be a transformative experience in midlife. We discuss:

• Why comprehensive sexual health education is often overlooked in the medical field, and the consequences for women’s health.
• How puritanical and patriarchal attitudes have shaped women’s sexual education and self-understanding.
• The effects of hormonal changes on sexual pleasure, desire, and overall well-being.
• Understanding low libido and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD).
• Tips for having open, productive conversations about sex and pleasure, especially in long-term relationships.
• The importance of raising sex-positive children and navigating talks about consent, relationships, and body positivity.

OUR GUEST: Dr. Maureen Slattery is a board-certified OBGYN with 20 years of experience, specializing in sexual health and menopausal care. An AASECT-certified sex counselor, she has contributed to AARP and Rochester Regional Health on topics like sexual health and hormone therapy. Maureen teaches medical students and professionals about menopause and sexual health in Rochester, NY, and at the University of Michigan. Her passion lies in helping patients rediscover pleasure and educating healthcare providers about sexuality. She is a sex-positive, kink-aware, and LGBTQIA+ ally.

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"I think our value and our values get all kinds of conflated and mixed up."

We often hear about self-love and its pivotal role in creating a joyful life. But defining self-love is subjective and multifaceted. It involves caring, self-respect, boundaries, and counteracting our harsh inner critic. Today, Erin delves beyond self-love to examine the societal and personal metrics we use to gauge our worth.

Join Erin as she questions the conflation of material wealth, career success, physical appearance, and external approval with our intrinsic value. She asks us to reconsider what true value means in our lives and how our values may have been skewed by societal norms.

In this episode, Erin discusses:

• The societal emphasis on material wealth and the pros and cons of caring a lot about financial success
• Whether career achievements and professional accolades truly correlate with self-worth
• The complicated relationship women have with physical appearance and desirability as we age
• The roles of daughter, sister, wife, friend, and mother, and how we assess our value within these relationships
• The deep-rooted cultural messages that impact our self-worth
• The internal qualities and strengths that may hold true value, such as creativity, resourcefulness, kindness, and impact on others

“Astrology is a tool, not a rule. And when you use it as a tool, it can expand your power, your consciousness, your awareness.”

Long-time listeners of Hotter Than Ever know Erin tends to be a skeptic when it comes to anything ‘woo’ (remember the episode “Woo Adjacent”?). So, it might come as a surprise that today’s episode dives deep into astrology. But after hearing from astrologer Ophira Edut, even the most doubtful minds might find themselves intrigued, if not completely converted. Ophira, along with her sister Tali, form the AstroTwins, the long-standing resident astrologers for Elle magazine, authors of over 20 books, and frequent faces on TV. Together, they’ve created a practical, digestible approach to astrology that goes beyond the stars and into your everyday life.

Join Erin and Ophira to learn more about how astrology isn’t just about horoscopes, but a powerful framework to help navigate life’s mysteries, challenges, and opportunities in the second half of life. We discuss:

• Ophira’s unplanned journey into astrology, sparked by her first birth chart reading
• Bringing the ‘woo’ of astrology into a logical, business-driven world
• The difference between horoscopes and astrology
• Unpacking the historical skepticism and gender discrimination that astrology has faced
• How astrology can be a practical tool for women in midlife to make decisions, plan ahead, and design a life aligned with their values
• Understanding astrology’s personal archetypes to help identify strengths and areas for growth