On January 11th, 2026, The Health Museum’s Healing Arts program welcomed guests to The Change: Unleashing the Wild Woman for an afternoon that blended film, storytelling, education, and community connection. Presented through the InnerSections series, the afternoon brought together the filmmaker, Linda Gibbs, and women’s health professionals to explore the realities of menopause with honesty, humor, and care.
About the Film: Laughter and Recognition
The Change offered a powerful reminder that menopause isn’t a niche topic; it’s a shared life transition among women, and one that deserves far more public conversation than it’s historically received. Throughout the screening, the room filled with laughter as audience members recognized themselves in the stories on screen: the surprises, the frustrations, the unexpected changes, and the resilience it takes to navigate a body that feels unfamiliar.
Even in moments of vulnerability, the film made space for lightness, turning what can often feel isolating into something communal and relatable.
Producer/Director,
Gibbs Media Group
About the Panel: Expertise, Compassion, and Real Talk
Rather than placing “expert answers” on a pedestal, the conversation centered on what many women are still asking in real time: How much do we actually know about the older woman’s body? What was never taught? What was dismissed? Panelists discussed how perimenopause and menopause can show up differently for each person—and why so many women feel unprepared for the experience. The discussion also reflected a broader cultural shift: women are asking more questions, sharing more openly, and advocating for better care at every stage of life.
What the Audience Asked (and What It Revealed)
During the Q&A, the energy in the room was unmistakable: guests were engaged, curious, and grateful for a space where women’s health could be discussed without shame or dismissal.
Audience questions touched on timely and real-world concerns, including:
- How menopause intersects with chronic conditions like diabetes
- questions about GLP medications and what people are hearing from friends or providers
- The flood of menopause content on social media, and how to tell what’s trustworthy
One of the most powerful moments came from a guest who shared that much of what she heard during the panel was never taught in medical school, and that she is a surgeon. Her comment underscored a core truth of the afternoon: conversations like these aren’t just informative, they’re necessary. They’re a form of advocacy, especially for mature women who deserve to be seen, supported, and taken seriously.
Why This Matters: A Space for Women to Speak Freely
The Change became more than a film screening. It became a space where women could open up about their health, compare experiences, ask direct questions, and leave feeling more empowered than when they arrived.
At The Health Museum, we believe women’s health is evolving knowledge that’s still unfolding. Programs like this create room for the stories and questions medicine once ignored, and they invite intergenerational participation so younger audiences can learn what previous generations were never told. Through creative experiences and community dialogue, we continue to build a culture where women can map memory, sensation, and change, and be met with respect, not dismissal.
Stay Connected
Keep learning, sharing, and staying connected to the work behind The Change.
Tammy Karni is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist with more than 30 years of experience specializing in functional and holistic nutrition. She uses food as medicine to uncover and treat the root causes of health issues, creating highly personalized programs based on biomedical markers, health history, lifestyle, and goals. Tammy holds multiple certifications and degrees across two states and currently focuses on Functional Nutrition and Metabolic Balance coaching.
Learn more at simplynutritionhtx.com or follow @simplynutritionhtx
Dr. Shelena C. Lalji is the founder of Dr. Shel Wellness & Aesthetic Center in Sugar Land, TX, where she’s served the wellness and aesthetic needs of women and men for over 20 years. As a board-certified OB/GYN, Dr. Shel transitioned from traditional medicine to functional and integrative care, addressing the root causes of illness and empowering patients toward whole-body healing. Since opening her center in 2008, she has built a respected team of medical practitioners, aesthetic specialists, and wellness experts who share her mission of helping patients look and feel their best. A physician, educator, wife, and mother, Dr. Shel embodies the belief that true beauty and wellness begin with balance, compassion, and purpose.
Learn more at www.drshel.com, or follow @drshelmd
Dr. Kourtney Sims is the first and only physician in the United States to be simultaneously certified by both the North American Menopause Society and the Institute of Functional Medicine, in addition to being board-certified in OB-GYN and Obesity Medicine. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Sims combines ancient holistic practices with modern medical science to deliver comprehensive care. She is also a Clinical Herbalist and an advocate for empowering women through every stage of midlife.
Learn more at drkourtney.com
Producer/Director,
Gibbs Media Group
Linda Gibbs is the founder of Gibbs Media Group, established in the early 2000s and relaunched in 2019 after her 12-year career as a Digital Media Production educator. A former Vice President and current member of Women in Film & Television – Houston (WIFT: Houston), she has executive-produced and directed the Life Through Art documentary series and is currently producing The Change: Unleashing the Wild Woman, a project focused on holistic approaches to women’s health and menopause awareness.
Learn more at gibbsmediagroup.com, or follow @gibbsmediagroup and @thechangedocuseries
Rose Tylinski
Healing Arts Program Managerrtylinski@thehealthmuseum.org713.337.8461Please reach out for questions or partnership about The Healing Arts Program