Host Edith welcomes regular guest and co-host Teri M. Brown to discuss her upcoming novel “Peg Unhinged,” releasing April 21, 2026. Brown introduces Peg, a near-50 woman navigating menopause symptoms, brain fog, hot flashes, and anger while her husband abruptly leaves to date younger women. The conversation explores how women’s health concerns are often dismissed, cultural pressures on women to stay quiet and “perfect,” and the double standards women face in professional settings. Brown explains the book’s inspiration from reading “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” and describes humorous yet realistic scenes including disastrous dating-app encounters and frank “conversations with God” chapters. They also touch on Peg’s evolving friendships, her rediscovering self-worth, and Brown’s next writing idea involving Incan quipu storytelling, plus where to find her online and the importance of reviews.
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
01:24 New Book Premise
03:02 Menopause Reality Check
04:14 From Margaret to Peg
05:50 Is Peg Based on Teri
10:42 Culture Aging and Freedom
15:21 Menopause Rage Moments
16:49 Double Standards for Women
21:44 Husband Leaves and Dating Apps
26:39 Why Peg Stays Likable
28:31 Friends Who No Longer Fit
31:25 Finding Herself Again
32:18 Worth and Wake Up
33:45 Romance Not the Point
34:45 Hormones and Teen Brain
35:22 God Talks Interludes
38:08 Writing Humor Tightrope
41:39 Making Menopause Funny
46:54 Write What You Feel
49:27 Boundaries and Parenting
54:07 Team Peg Wrap Up
54:40 Next Book Quipu Mystery
57:41 Where to Find Teri
58:23 Reviews and Goodbye
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