Know Thyself

Dr. Mindy Pelz returns to explore the deeper meaning of aging, menopause, and the profound psychological and neurological transformations women undergo as they grow older. Drawing from neuroscience, anthropology, mythology, and personal experience, Mindy reframes menopause not as a decline—but as an initiation into wisdom, sovereignty, and inner authority.We discuss the concept of the “second innocence,” the pruning and rewiring of the female brain across hormonal transitions, the grandmother hypothesis, and why modern culture fears aging women. Mindy shares how trauma, grief, solitude, and uncertainty can become gateways to resilience, neuroplasticity, and self-discovery—especially when women stop outsourcing their worth and begin listening inward.Boost your hydration with Pique Life Tea (20% off here):https://www.piquelife.com/knowthyselfAndrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro - Dr. Mindy Pelz03:39 The return to the second innocence08:18 What’s the purpose of menopause?16:09 Where the shift begins23:04 Supporting others without abandoning yourself31:57 Being considerate vs owning others’ emotions34:14 Ad: Pique Life35:55 The power of solitude43:26 Letting go52:48 From power over to power within56:48 The brain architecture of wisdom1:02:24 Transformation: From a caterpillar to a butterfly1:19:58 Fasting during menopause1:26:35 Knowing when and how to detox1:32:31 Healing through breathwork, EMDR, psilocybin1:45:12 Lacking a support system1:49:07 Closing thoughts___________Episode Resources: Her new book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/age-like-a-girl-why-the-brain-changes-that-happen-after-40-set-you-up-for-your-best-life-yet-dr-mindy-pelz/1d7c0fe95ab52c4f?ean=9781401975562&next=thttps://www.instagram.com/dr.mindypelzhttps://www.drmindypelz.com/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

In this episode, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz walks us through unseen forces shaping our health, energy, and emotional lives. From the chemicals in our food system to the hidden drivers of inflammation and burnout, we dive into why so many people today feel exhausted, misaligned, and disconnected from their true well-being.We examine how modern culture normalizes habits and environments that work against our biology, and why healing requires more than symptom management — it demands addressing the root causes, rebuilding alignment, and taking ownership of what we allow into our bodies and minds.20% off Pique Life Tea (FREE glass beaker and frother!):https://www.piquelife.com/knowthyselfAndrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro: Will Bulsiewicz02:34 How much of our mood is controlled by our gut?09:40 Two diseases: individualism and materialism23:30 The intelligence that lives in our gut35:31 Ad: Pique Life36:46 What is immune intelligence?48:01 Detoxing from environmental toxins54:54 Why are chemical companies allowed to poison us?57:39 A short horror story1:02:45 Looking out for what to avoid1:05:27 The effects of factory farming on our bodies1:17:36 Humans are the microbes of the Earth1:26:23 Conclusion: Changing the world___________Episode Resources: https://www.amazon.com/Plant-Powered-Plus-Activate-Inflammation/dp/0593418794https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthmd/https://theguthealthmd.com/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

Lucy Hale joins me for a deeply honest conversation about sobriety, identity, childhood wounds, fame, intuition, and learning to finally feel at home within yourself. Known globally as a singer and actress, Lucy opens up about the parts of her journey most people never see: the fear beneath early success, the alcoholism that followed her from childhood, the spiritual intervention that changed her life, and the inner work she’s committed to since.BONCHARGE Holiday Sale - 25% off the best red light therapy productshttps://www.boncharge.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]MUDWTR Black Friday Sale - Up to 50% off sitewidehttps://www.mudwtr.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]Andrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro: Lucy Hale03:27 What do you attribute your ambition to?04:49 Alcoholism14:23 Hitting rock bottom19:33 Finding meaning in yourself27:59 Old Lucy vs New Lucy33:30 Ad: Boncharge35:28 How has your connection with yourself revealed new insights?44:40 How do you navigate being in the public eye and staying true to yourself?47:26 What are you getting intuitively about the next chapter of your life?50:49 Ad: Mudwtr51:57 How do you handle rejection as an actor?54:34 From your young age, what called you to being in this line of work?57:12 Is there a moment that stood out to you that said "I made it"?59:51 Pretty Little Liars1:05:54 What would you say to past Lucy?1:08:01 Was taking responsibility of your life what shifted it all for you?1:12:37 How do you view your sense of spirituality?1:19:48 What is your relationship to boredom?1:23:00 How has the definition of beauty evolved for you?1:28:56 What does prayer look like to you?1:29:51 Being 36 and the biological clock1:34:46 Closing thoughts - Lucy's masculine vs feminine side___________Episode Resources: https://www.instagram.com/lucyhale/https://www.instagram.com/thelightdwellers/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

In this solo Q&A episode, I’m answering the questions so many of you have asked me over the past few days—about ego, identity, relationships, breakups, shadow work, discipline, grounding, and what the spiritual path actually looks like in real life.I share honestly about the subtle ego patterns I still face, how I navigate heartbreak with grace, what it means to “perform” spirituality versus actually live it, and the practices that keep me connected when I fall off center. I also speak about dating, celibacy, intimacy, and how I think about love at this stage of my life.Get 15% off Magnesium Breakthrough from BiOptimizershttps://www.bioptimizers.com/knowthyself Use code KNOWTHYSELF for 15% off!Andrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:25 How do you feel about people using spirituality as an identity?04:34 What is a subtle form of ego that you still catch yourself falling into?06:22 Relationships ending08:30 I would like to hear about your struggles10:19 How do you stay & grow in a relationship when your partner doesn’t meet you in that growth?13:50 What are your top spiritual books?14:39 What’s the simplistic way you ground yourself when you feel an imbalance?15:50 Who is André underneath all the labels?17:35 Do you ever fall off your practices with meditation or music?19:26 Are you single?22:23 - Ad - BiOptimizers23:47 What do you use to know yourself deeply?25:27 What makes you most optimistic about the future of humanity?27:38 Which meditations do you practice?28:37 How did you believe so much in yourself to create something at this scale?30:31 What’s your vision for KT for the coming year?32:57 When did you start playing piano?33:40 What practices keep spiritual insight grounded and accountable?34:36 What illusion do you see most are still caught in without realizing it?37:55 What was your earliest experience that awakened you to God within?40:35 How do you know it’s your calling when it comes?44:25 Do you think the more one knows themselves, the harder it is to fall in love?48:03 Do you believe in free will?51:26 How are you approaching dating and relationships?52:54 What is the most overlooked doorway in consciousness?53:54 What’s the deepest question you can ever imagine asking yourself?55:21 What you feel is most important for calling in sacred union, your person?57:06 What are some of the biggest patterns you’ve unraveled in yourself?59:22 How were you raised spiritually/religiously?1:00:55 What kind of diet do you follow & why?1:02:04 What was the book that launched you into seeking?1:03:20 What’s the deepest truth you’ve met this year?1:03:58 Do you as André think that God is consciousness?1:05:49 Do you still go through episodes of depression?___________Episode Resources: https://www.substack.com/@andreduqumhttps://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

Dr. Alan Goldhammer, co-founder of TrueNorth Health Center, joins us to reveal the science and psychology of water fasting, detoxification, and healing the body through nature’s intelligence. Drawing from 40 years of clinical experience with over 20,000 supervised fasts, he explains why many chronic illnesses—hypertension, autoimmune conditions, metabolic disease, and even depression—respond when the body is given a chance to reset.BONCHARGE Holiday Sale - Up to 25% off the best red light therapy productshttps://www.boncharge.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]MUDWTR Black Friday Sale - Up to 50% off sitewidehttps://www.mudwtr.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]Andrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro04:25 The Body’s Innate Ability to Heal08:45 TrueNorth: How Water Fasting Is Done Safely13:10 Dopamine, Pleasure, and Modern Addiction17:40 The Food Environment That Makes Us Sick22:00 The Problem With Hyper-Processed Eating25:47 Ad: Boncharge26:20 What Happens to the Body During a Fast30:55 Detoxification and the Healing Crisis35:10 Who Should and Shouldn’t Fast36:16 Ad: Mudwtr39:30 Refeeding: The Most Important Phase44:00 Case Studies: Reversing Chronic Disease48:25 Weight Loss vs. Health Restoration52:40 Why Most Diet Advice Fails56:55 The Discipline of “Nothing”1:01:15 The Psychology of Cravings1:05:40 How Environment Shapes Behavior1:10:05 Living in Alignment With Natural Law1:14:20 How Much Is “Enough” for a Healthy Life?1:18:40 The Simplicity of Whole Plant Foods1:22:00 Conclusion___________Episode Resources: https://www.healthpromoting.com/https://www.instagram.com/truenorthhealthfoundation/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com