Brenda sits down with Imen Maaroufi Clark, founder of Prickly Pear Health, to explore the intersection of women’s brain health, menopause, and emerging technology.

From her roots in Tunisia to her groundbreaking work in health tech, Imen shares how personal experience and scientific curiosity fueled her mission to redefine how women experience midlife. Together, they unpack why menopause is less of a breakdown and more of a brain shift and how hormonal changes, cognitive health, and emotional clarity are deeply intertwined.

This episode dives into the neurological toll of midlife transitions, the promise (and limits) of AI in mental wellness, and the role of generational trauma in shaping women’s health narratives. Imen also reveals how Prickly Pear Health is pioneering voice technology to deliver personalized, proactive mental health support helping women feel seen, supported, and empowered in every stage of life.

If you’ve ever been told “it’s just in your head,” this conversation will make you rethink everything you know about hormones, health, and healing.

In This Episode, We Cover:
✔️ Why 70% of Alzheimer’s diagnoses are in women and why it’s rarely discussed

✔️ How hormonal changes reshape brain health and cognition

✔️ The emotional and cultural silence surrounding menopause

✔️ How voice technology can personalize mental wellness support

✔️ Why generational trauma must be part of the women’s health conversation

✔️ What founders in health tech need to know about empathy and innovation

✔️ Why trusting your intuition can be a radical act of self-advocacy

Timeline
00:00 Introduction to Women’s Brain Health

01:44 Imen’s Background and Global Perspective

07:11 Understanding the Real Challenges of Women’s Health

15:38 Founding Prickly Pear Health: The Why and How

22:12 The Power of Voice Tech for Mental Wellness

28:30 Empathy, Trauma, and Mental Health in Women’s Lives

37:05 Barriers to Advocacy in Women’s Brain Health

43:09 Advice for Emerging Leaders in Health Tech

46:07 Welcome to the RedefineHER Movement

46:35 Your Call to Action: Get Involved

Mentioned in the Episode
🔹 “Midlife isn’t a breakdown, it’s a brain shift.”

🔹 “Your lifestyle will override your genetics.”

🔹 “70% of Alzheimer’s diagnoses are in women.”

🔹 Voice technology as a diagnostic and wellness companion

Connect with Imen
🌐 Website: pricklypearhealth.com

💻 LinkedIn: Prickly Pear Health

📱 Instagram: @pricklypearhealth_

RedefineHER Podcast Credits
🎙 Host: Brenda Armstrong

🎧 Producer: Tarryn Long

💼 Sponsor: CH2 Solutions:

Where Technical Depth Meets Business Agility.
CH2 helps healthcare and healthtech companies modernize legacy systems to scale faster, innovate smarter, and deliver impact where it matters most. Learn more at ch2solutions.com.

📜 Disclaimer

⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. ©2025 RedefineHER Podcast. Please share with credit and direct link.