Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Menopause, and Science for Women 35+

I am honored to be joined today by James Swanwick, a renowned stop-drinking expert and author of Clear: The Only Neuroscience-Based Approach for High Achievers to Quit Drinking Without AA, Rehab, or Willpower. He is a former SportsCenter anchor on ESPN and the creator and founder of the Stop Drinking Process. In today’s personal and thought-provoking conversation, James and I talk about alcohol use disorder, exploring how family dynamics and early environments shape our drinking habits, how alcohol use becomes normalized, the perceived benefits of drinking, and the very real health risks and consequences. James explains why alcohol is considered one of the most harmful drugs, how younger generations are approaching alcohol differently, the role of peer pressure in an alcohol-free lifestyle, and the importance of gratitude. Join us for an insightful and informative discussion on why we drink, how to reframe our relationship with alcohol, and for those who are sober-curious, a stepwise approach to making that shift. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How family dynamics and early environments shape our relationship with alcohol How alcohol becomes normalized long before we ever take our first drink The real cost of using alcohol as a social lubricant How the health consequences of alcohol show up as we age Where alcohol ranks among the most harmful drugs Why appropriate accountability and community matter more than willpower The importance of structured support when quitting alcohol How gratitude, reframing, and daily practices can reduce cravings and support lasting change Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow  Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with James Swanwick On Instagram Alcohol-free Lifestyle Alcohol-free Lifestyle on YouTube Alcohol-free Lifestyle Podcast CLEAR: The Only Neuroscience-Based Method for High Achievers to Quit Drinking Without Willpower, Rehab, or AA

We’re back with another episode in a series of highly vetted companies that I love sharing with my community. Today, I’m joined by Forrest Smith, the co-founder and CEO of Kineon. A dynamic entrepreneur with an infectious enthusiasm for his work, Forrest reads and writes fluent Chinese, lives in Mexico, and brings over 20 years of experience building and scaling successful startups. His work at Kineon reflects his optimism and innovative approach in the field of health and wellness technology. In our conversation, we explore what red light therapy (photobiomodulation) is and its cellular and mitochondrial effects. We unpack the benefits of methylene blue, the impact of photobiomodulation on joint pain and thyroid health, and specific contraindications. We also discuss red light therapy and the gut hormone access, peptides, recovery toolkits, and female-centric research related to infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid health, and more. This is one of those conversations you will likely want to listen to more than once. Be sure to check the show notes for a special offer from Kineon, exclusively for my listeners. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: What is red light therapy? How red light therapy supports the body at the cellular level, particularly during the aging process How methylene blue enhances the effects of red light therapy The value of photobiomodulation for treating chronically inflamed joints and muscle tissue How local inflammation in the joints impacts gut health The benefits of red light therapy for female-specific pathologies, such as endometriosis, hypothyroidism, and dysmenorrhea The way that red light therapy works in combination with stem cell treatments, PRP, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow  Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Forrest Smith https://kineon.io/CYNTHIA Kineon Labs on Instagram We’re giving away TWO Kineon Move+ Pro devices (worth $499 each!) Want to enter? Leave a review of the Everyday Wellness podcast in English on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  Take a screenshot of your review. Email the screenshot and one reason why you’d like to win to [email protected] (You must live in the U.S. to enter.)

Today, I am thrilled to connect with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a board-certified gastroenterologist, gut health authority, and New York Times bestselling author with an upcoming book called Plant Powered Plus.  In our discussion today, we examine the gut-immune connection, looking at how inflammation affects the gut microbiome and gut barrier, and how technology and lifestyle impact our health. We discuss the limitations of conventional allopathic medical approaches to disease, the telltale signs that inflammation may underlie your gut-related symptoms, why fiber is the longevity nutrient, and the critical importance of short-chain fatty acids. We also explore the food matrix, changes in perimenopause and menopause regarding fiber intake, the significance of lipopolysaccharides and circadian biology, and how fiber can improve your sleep quality.  This episode is truly a must-listen. I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with Dr. B. I have admired his work for years, and his new book is one you will want to buy for its insights and your enjoyment. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Lifestyle changes that are essential for preventing and managing chronic diseases The importance of fiber for chronic disease prevention How fiber feeds the gut microbes  Why women need more fiber during perimenopause and menopause Why you need to increase your fiber intake gradually How fermented foods support microbiome diversity and reduce inflammation How gut barrier leaks can trigger immune activation and inflammation How circadian rhythm disruptions affect the microbiome The value of consistent fiber intake for better sleep quality Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community (The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow)  Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause supplement line Connect with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz On his website Preorder a copy of Plant Powered Plus

We have another episode today where I answer questions from my podcast listeners, providing more details than I usually would in the podcast. I genuinely hope you’re enjoying these short-form videos and podcasts. I’d love to know which topics you'd like me to cover in this YouTube format, where I can dive a little deeper into your questions. Please share your thoughts! IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: What our ability to eat fiber reflects about the health of our microbiome How hormonal changes in midlife influence women’s weight patterns and metabolic flexibility How declining estrogen during perimenopause and menopause affects the gut microbiome How fiber can indirectly support weight loss  How fiber helps maintain gut barrier integrity and reduces systemic inflammation Why middle-aged women need more protein  The role the strobilome plays in supporting estrogen recycling and gut detoxification  Practical strategies for increasing fiber intake safely and sustainably Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow  Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

Today, we have the second episode of a two-part mashup series focused on weight-loss resistance.  For today’s episode, I am delighted to welcome experts Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, and Physician’s Assistant McCall McPherson.  Dr. Haver and I explore how inflammation drives weight gain and unpack specific strategies for macronutrients, meal timing, and more. Dr. Salas-Whalen and I examine body composition changes during perimenopause and menopause, our family responsibilities, the importance of strength training for maintaining muscle mass, and the targeted use of GLP-1 agonist drugs. Finally, McCall and I break down the labs that help guide decision-making, also discussing informed consent, the effects of hormonal replenishment therapy (now known as personalized endocrine treatment), the strategic use of GLP-1s, personalized dosages, and microdosing. This mashup includes many timely and relevant insights from three experts at the forefront of women’s health. Join us as we explore the science, strategies, and solutions shaping the future of weight loss resistance. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How slowing sugar absorption reduces insulin spikes and inflammation The value of combining healthy fats, complex carbs, and lean protein at every meal  Why spreading protein intake throughout the day is crucial for metabolism, hormone regulation, and muscle preservation How prioritizing self-care and modeling it for children helps break the cycle of parental over-sacrifice Why strength training is more effective than cardio for long-term body composition and metabolic health The mounting stress, family pressures, and reduced self-care that many women face in their 40s and 50s How synthetic hormones in oral contraceptives disrupt thyroid, testosterone, and reproductive hormones How GLP-1 agonists can improve weight loss, food freedom, and metabolic flexibility How supporting adrenal health enhances energy, balances hormones, and improves metabolic flexibility Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community (The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow)  Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause supplement line Connect with Dr. Mary Claire Haver On her website Instagram and TikTok The Galveston Diet Book Ep. 308 Weight Gain in Middle Age, Perimenopause and Inflammation with Mary Claire Haver Connect with Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen On her website Instagram Ep. 384 Why Weight Loss is Complex: Obesity’s Multi-Factorial Nature with Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen Connect with McCall McPherson Modern Thyroid Clinic On Instagram and TikTok Modern Thyroid and Wellness Podcast Thyroid Lab Guide Ep. 282 Thyroid Health: Hormones, Medications & Weight Loss with McCall McPherson