FemTech Focus - podcast cover

FemTech Focus

Dr. Brittany Barretofemtechfocus.org
FemTech Focus amplifies the voices of research, innovation, & investment in female health, where tech, science, & gender equality collide. Hosted by geneticist, entrepreneur, & women’s health advocate Dr. Brittany Barreto, this show exposes the shocking gaps in women’s health research while spotlighting cutting-edge innovations reshaping the industry. Join us for candid conversations with pioneers tackling topics like menopause, fertility, & sexual wellness. Each episode breaks down complex issues with honesty & expert insight—leaving you informed, inspired, & ready to advocate for change.
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Episodes

How pregnancy affects the brain - Ep 189

Dr Mary O’Neal is an expert in Women’s Neurology, serving as the Director of the Women’s Neurology Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She’s written multiple papers on this subject and edited several books including the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Continuum edition of “Neurological Illness in Pregnancy”, “Women’s Neurology- what do I do now?”, and “Neurology and Psychiatry of Women: A Guide to Gender-based Issues in Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment”. She also directs a Harvard M...

Nov 28, 202243 min

Caring for your breast health with Complex Creatures - Ep 188

Tara Elmore is the Co-Founder of Complex Creatures, a breast wellness brand that makes topical and ingestible products to support breasts. Women mostly pay attention to their breasts when there's a problem. Complex Creatures want to make breast care a regular practice, in the same way women take care of other body parts. In this interview, we discuss Tara’s experience being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer and how it inspired their product lines. This holiday season, treat the ones you lo...

Nov 21, 202245 min

Ida Sports designs the first female athletic cleat - Ep 187

Laura Youngson is the CEO and Co-founder of Ida Sports. Laura is a STEM advocate, TED speaker, and four-time Guinness World Record Holder. After completing a degree in physics, she worked at the 2012 Olympics and was immediately drawn to the power sport had in bringing people together. She founded the nonprofit Equal Playing Field which challenges inequalities in sports. During one of her Guinea World Records where 30 female athletes played 90 minutes of soccer at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, s...

Nov 14, 202233 min

Sprout Pharmaceutical's $1 Billion little pink pill - Ep 186

Cindy Eckert is a highly regarded entrepreneur, a strong advocate for female entrepreneurship, a pharmaceutical leader and one of the few women to have ever sold a company for a billion dollars. Over a distinguished 24-year career in healthcare, she started and sold two businesses for more than $1.5 billion. Having co-founded and sold Slate Pharmaceuticals, which redefined long lasting testosterone treatment for men, she launched Sprout Pharmaceuticals immediately thereafter. As Co-Founder &...

Nov 07, 202259 min

Venture Capital investing in FemTech with Fusion Fund - Ep 185

Lu Zhang is the Founder and Managing Partner of Fusion Fund. Lu is a renowned Silicon Valley based investor, a serial entrepreneur, and a Stanford Engineering alumna. Lu was recently selected as one of the Best 25 Female Early-stage Investors by Business Insider. The Fusion Fund just closed its third fund at $125M, to invest in founders innovating in deep tech and healthcare with a focus on seed and series A stage companies in North America. In this interview, we discuss what venture funds want ...

Oct 31, 202243 min

Occiguide soothes headaches & migraines that disproportionately affect females - Ep 184

Jillian Fink is the CEO and founder of Occiguide which is a medical device that treats headaches. Headaches are a leading cause of pain and disability, and routinely affect the well-being and work productivity of more than 45 million Americans each year. Women are twice as likely to have headaches than men and even worse, 85% of migraine patients are women. Many people suspect its hormonal fluctuations are to blame but research still needs to be done. Learn more at www.occiguide.com

Oct 24, 202232 min

Diagnosing & Managing ADHD in females with Understood.org - Ep 183

Jenny Wu is the Co-President & Chief Product Officer at Understood.org. Understood.org is a resource for more than 70 million people with learning and thinking differences like ADHD and dyslexia. They help these neurodivergent individuals understand and anticipate life’s challenges, and build their confidence through personalized and expert-driven experiences, community and content. Understood.org is a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation based in New York. In this episode, we dive deep in...

Oct 03, 202242 min

Cosm Medical is revolutionizing the vaginal pessary - Episode 182

Derek Sham, the founder and CEO of Cosm Medical, is an engineer who has launched over 8 medical devices in urology, gynecology, gastroenterology, and cardiology. His last urology diagnostic company was PE-back and exited in 2016. Inspired by the complications his grandmother faced, Derek set out to create a better solution for pelvic floor health like preventing pelvic organ prolapse and stopping urinary incontinence. Cosm Medical is creating a digital gynecology platform to personalize care for...

Sep 26, 202242 min

Dr. Silvia Mah from Stella Angels provides an angel's perspective on FemTech investing - Ep 181

Dr. Silvia Mah is the founder and chairwoman of Stella, a business accelerator for women, and the founder of Stella Angels. Stella Angels is a network of accredited angel investors who are funding women. In this interview, we cover what it’s like for angels investing in femtech, what they’re looking for, what challenges they see companies facing, and what they hope the future of femtech investing looks like.

Sep 21, 202248 min

The Honey Pot Co creating natural products for vaginal wellness - Ep 180

Beatrice Dixon is the founder and chief innovation officer at The Honey Pot Co. Their products are sold online and at major retailers including Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Bed Bath and Beyond, Wegmans and more. The Honey Pot Company currently offers feminine washes, wipes, tampons, pads, mommy-to-be products, sexual wellness and soon-to-be additional offerings in both the feminine hygiene and feminine care segments. Their plant-derived feminine hygiene line is created with the goal to provi...

Sep 13, 202248 min

Biofeedback & VR as a cutting edge treatment for pain and mental health with Flowly - Ep 179

Celine Tien is the founder and CEO of Flowly, a mobile app that combines Virtual Reality and biofeedback for pain and anxiety management. Using a mobile app and VR headset, Flowly uses biometric data such as Heart rate and Heart Rate Variability and converts it to visualizations in virtual experiences that reduce pain by over 46%. Flowly has also been studied in NIH-backed clinical trials that show an average 40% reduction in opioid usage. This conversation around bioneurofeedback is super fasci...

Sep 06, 202239 min

"Go Figure, The astonishing science of the female body" Author Interview with Lisa Falco - Ep 178

Lisa Falco is the author of “Go Figure! The astonishing science of the female body”. She was previously Director of Data Science at Ava, a Swiss FemTech startup, where she led a team developing algorithms and artificial intelligence in order to help women get pregnant faster by using their physiological data based on their menstrual cycle. Her book Go Figure, unravels the mystery surrounding women’s biology and explains what is happening underneath the surface. What triggers those changes and Wh...

Aug 29, 202251 min

Moonai uses psychoacoustic strategies to stop period pain - Ep 177

In today’s episode, I interview Laura-June Clarke, the CEO and founder of Moonai. Monnai is an app that uses audio wavelengths to improve pain experienced during one’s period. Certain sounds, frequencies, and rhythms can impact the central nervous system and help reduce the perception of menstrual pain. Moonai is partnered with neuroscientists, gynecologists, and psychoacoustic experts to provide the most effective sounds for period pain relief. Downloads Moonai in the App Store or visit their w...

Aug 22, 202246 min

Dimension Inx using 3D-printed biomaterials to restore bone regeneration and fertility - Ep 176

In today’s episode, I interview Dr. Caralynn Nowinski Collens, the CEO of Dimension Inx. She manufactures 3D structures that enable cells to think they are inside the human body and restores their function. Dimension Inx is a next-generation biomaterials and biofabrication company developing 3D-printed therapeutic products that direct cells to rebuild healthy tissues. They are currently developing medical products for various therapeutic applications ranging from bone regeneration to fertility p...

Aug 15, 202244 min

Nua Surgical improving cesareans with a novel retractable device- Ep 175

In today’s episode, I interview Barry McCann, the Founder and CEO NUA Surgical. NUA Surgical is a multi-award-winning start-up dedicated to creating innovative surgical solutions in obstetrics and gynecology. Headquartered on the West Coast of Ireland, the company has developed the patented SteriCISION C-Section Retractor. This c-section retractor is designed to improve ergonomics and make cesarean delivery of newborns safer by providing better access and visualization during surgery. You are ne...

Aug 08, 202242 min

Natural Cycles, FDA-approved birth control app based on body temperature - Ep 174

In today’s episode, I interview Dr. Elina Berglund Scherwitzl, the co-founder and CEO of Natural Cycles. Natural Cycles° is a birth control app used by millions of women around the world. As a Class II medical device, the Natural Cycles app is cleared by the FDA in the United States and certified to be used as a contraceptive in Europe, Australia, and Singapore. Their internal research team has contributed to 14 peer-reviewed research papers. After contributing to physics research that led to a ...

Aug 01, 202237 min

BD's newest HPV screening assay - Episode 173

In today’s episode, I interview Molly Broache, a women’s health nurse practitioner and currently the Associate Director of Medical Affairs in the US Region for BD Integrated Diagnostic Solutions. BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world with 75,000 employees in virtually every country. The BD Onclarity™ HPV Assay is the only FDA-approved HPV assay that identifies six high-risk HPV genotypes individually, including HPV 31. As more women received the HPV vaccine, t...

Jul 25, 202241 min

Prenatal genetic screening as a critical maternal health tool with Natera - Episode 172

In today’s episode, I interview Jennifer Saucier, the Senior Director of Clinical Genetic Services at Natera. Natera is one of the largest non-invasive prenatal testing and genetic counseling providers. Prenatal testing provides insights into the risk of a fetal genetic abnormality and can help inform pregnancy management before and after birth. Genetic counselors are critical healthcare providers that help families understand the results of their genetic tests and guide them in making decisions...

Jul 18, 202250 min

Data Privacy of FemTech Apps in a post Roe v Wade America - Bonus

In today’s episode, I interview Laura Lazaro Cabrera, a Legal Officer at Privacy International. Since the overturning of the constitutional right to abortion in the United States, you may have seen social media posts telling you to delete your period tracking app or posts on Facebook about going "camping" in other states. We wanted to have a clear understanding for both the users of femtech digital health apps and the teams building them on what is the legal implications of tracking your reprodu...

Jul 15, 202237 min

Verity Now wants car safety standards to include females - Episode 171

In today’s episode, I interview Beth Brooke, the co-chair of verity now. Beth is a prominent voice worldwide on Diversity and Inclusion, including most prominently on LGBT inclusion and women. She has been named eleven times to the Forbes “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women“list. Today Beth is working towards equal safety standards in the transportation industry. In the United States, women are over 17 percent more likely to die and 73 percent more likely to be seriously injured in a vehicle crash ...

Jul 11, 202238 min

MYAVANA takes a scientific approach to healthy hair - Episode 168

In today’s episode, I interview Candace Mitchell, the CEO and Founder MYAVANA. Candace is a computer scientist and visionary entrepreneur transforming the hair care industry through science & technology. She serves as Founder & CEO of MYAVANA, a beauty technology company that uses artificial intelligence to recommend the perfect products for your hair. Through their mobile application, you're able to take a photo of your hair and receive an instant analysis of your hair type along with r...

Jun 06, 202247 min

MAS Holdings, the global leader in femtech apparel and textiles - Episode 170

In today’s episode, I interview Pilar Diaz, the Global Head of FemTech at MAS holdings. MAS specializes in creating reusable and sustainable apparel and textile solutions for women’s health and hygiene. They work in collaboration with femtech companies and startups such as Thinx period underwear and Become menopause sleepwear to create apparel and textile solutions across all female life stages, from menstruation to maternity to menopause, and everything in between. Headquartered in Sri Lanka, M...

Jun 06, 202246 min

VDOM providing that 'Big D' energy at the push of a button - Episode 169

In today’s episode, I interview Glenise Kinard - Moore, the Founder and CEO Skii MooTech which produces their product the VDOM. SkiiMoo Tech was created to disrupt the status quo and break through societal barriers by leveraging "all things tech". Their focus is on creating tech-based consumer products for niche markets that are usually not at the forefront. Their premier product, The VDOM, is the first app-connected prosthetic penis that can go from flaccid to erect at the push of a button or v...

Jun 06, 202248 min

Center for Intimacy Justice wants equality in advertisement policies -Episode 167

In today’s episode, I interview Jackie Rotman, the founder of the Center for Intimacy Justice. Jackie has been a social entrepreneur for over 15 years. She has also worked in venture capital with a particular focus on women's health and sexual wellness. In 2019 she wrote a New York Times investigative op-ed on the sexual wellness market, which made the NY Times "Most Popular" list and was the Opinion section's display piece. Today Jackie is the founder and CEO of the Center for Intimacy Justice....

Jun 06, 202248 min

Live UTI Free advocates for females suffering with chronic UTIs - Episode 166

In today’s episode, I interview Melissa Kramer the CEO and Founder of Live UTI free. As a women's health advocate Melissa works closely with researchers, clinicians, and members of the public to ensure the patient perspective is acknowledged, particularly in the area of recurrent urinary tract infection - the second most common infection in adults, globally. In 2017, she founded Live UTI Free, a patient advocacy and research organization with a highly engaged community. 7 million females experie...

May 02, 202246 min

Abortion in the United States and what's at stake this June - Episode 165

In today’s episode, I interview Madeline Waugh, a social scientist with a focus on reproductive rights in the United States. In this episode, we walk you through the history of abortion in the United States and the present-day situation we find ourselves in. Unfortunately, it feels like most of the world is in chaos so many of us may not realize how close we are in the United States to losing our right to an abortion. In June the Supreme Court will review a Mississippi abortion law and there is ...

May 02, 202258 min

Virtual eating disorder treatments by Equip Health - Episode 164

In today’s episode, I interview Erin Parks, PhD the co-founder and chief operating officer of Equip Health. Equip helps families recover from eating disorders at home. Equip’s virtual, evidence-based care is provided by a dedicated five-person team that empowers families to help their loved ones achieve lasting recovery. In the US alone 5 million people will develop an eating disorder which has the 2nd highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses. In fact, there’s been a 70% increase in eating...

Apr 18, 202251 min

AllVoices enables a healthier work environment and company culture - Episode 163

In today’s episode, I interview Claire Schmidt the founder & CEO of AllVoices. AllVoices is an employee feedback management platform that is taking a modern approach to driving change within organizations by giving all employees a way to speak up, provide feedback, ask questions, share positive input, and report harassment, bias, or culture issues directly to their company’s leadership. Before founding AllVoices, Claire served as Vice President of Technology and Innovation at 20th Century Fo...

Apr 18, 202250 min

Decoding the vaginal microbiome with Juno Bio - Episode 162

In today’s episode, I interview Hana Janebdar, the co-founder and CEO of Juno Bio. Juno Bio is decoding the vaginal microbiome with its at-home vaginal microbiome test. To date, there has been very little attention to the vaginal microbiome event though it has massive implications for women’s lives. That's why this microbe-obsessed team from London developed a breakthrough test that decodes your microbes and powers up research for the betterment of everyone with a vagina. Disrupted vaginal micro...

Apr 04, 202245 min

Flourish combats diet culture and negative body image - Episode 161

In today’s episode, I interview Claire Siegel, the co-founder and CEO of Flourish. Flourish is a wellness platform that helps women “get healthy for good” with zero focus on weight loss or food tracking. Diet culture is so deeply embedded into the American psyche that it is difficult to find programs and platforms that don’t subscribe to the diet approach to wellness. Claire Siegel is a registered dietician and knows first-hand how damaging yo-yo dieting can be–both physically and emotionally. A...

Mar 31, 202251 min
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