Academy Award–winning actress Marcia Gay Harden joins me on Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo for an intimate conversation about losing her mother to Alzheimer’s — and what it taught her about love, grief, and what truly endures.

In honour of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Marcia shares the heartbreaking and beautiful moments of walking beside her mother as memory fades, along with what she’s learned about women’s brain health, risk, and prevention — and the changes she has made in her own life since her mother’s battle with the disease.

I was fortunate to sit down with Marcia in Toronto at the first-ever Women’s Brain Health Summit, where she spoke powerfully about her personal journey and the urgent need for more research, funding, and awareness around a disease that disproportionately impacts women.

This is a conversation about more than illness — it’s about what remains when memory disappears, and how love never does.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@MelissaGrelo, @AgingPowerfullyWithMelissaGrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact [email protected] 

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in Canada, and this episode tackles a critical — and often overlooked — reality: nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer’s diagnoses are in women.

Melissa is joined by returning guest Dr. Liisa Galea (previous Episode #46), a world-renowned neuroscientist, inaugural womenmind Treliving Family Chair in Women’s Mental Health, Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, where she helps guide evidence-based research and innovation focused on brain health and aging.

Dr. Galea shares the latest science on women’s brain health, the menopausal brain, and why decades of male-focused research have left dangerous gaps in our understanding of Alzheimer’s risk in women. Together, they explore what we know, what we’re still learning, and where research must go next to close the gender gap in neuroscience.

• Why women account for the majority of Alzheimer’s cases
• How menopause and hormonal changes affect the brain
• The role of inflammation, stress, and aging in cognitive health
• Emerging research in dementia prevention
• What women can do now to support brain health — without fear

This is an empowering, evidence-based conversation about awareness, advocacy, and protecting women’s brains across the lifespan.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo

For any partnership inquires, contact [email protected] 

2025 was one of my busiest—and most meaningful—years yet. Thank you for being on this journey with me and for showing up week after week to learn, question, laugh, and age powerfully together.

As we wrap up the year, this episode is a Power Replay: a look back at the incredible conversations from Season 3, plus a preview of what’s coming in 2026.

Note: We’ll be taking a short break, with new episodes returning in January 2026—so now is the perfect time to catch up on anything you missed.

So much is coming next year, including deep dives into:

• PCOS
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Pregnancy during perimenopause
• Breast cancer
• Cancer screenings in midlife
• Evidence-based strategies for better sleep
• Caregiving in Canada (over 13 million unpaid caregivers)
• A very special episode featuring my parents, my most beloved role models

I want to hear from you.

What topics do you want us to tackle next?

Reach me via my website: agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

Or connect on Instagram: @melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo

Wishing you peace, good health, prosperity, and clarity in 2026.

Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah

Happy Holidays

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo

For any partnership inquires, contact [email protected] 

In this episode of Aging Powerfully, Melissa digs into one of the most emotional (and common!) midlife topics: hair loss, with medical and cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Renée A. Beach (@dermabeach). From thinning at the crown to shedding in the shower, we talk about why it happens, what’s normal, and when to investigate further.

We cover:

• How perimenopause, menopause, stress, and genetics impact hair
• The difference between “normal shedding” and true hair loss
• Medical causes to rule out (like thyroid issues, iron levels, and hormones)
• Evidence-based treatments vs. overhyped “miracle” cures
• Practical strategies to protect hair health from the inside out
• The emotional toll of hair loss and how to protect your confidence and identity

If you’ve ever felt panicked by the hair in your brush or avoided looking at your part in photos, this episode will give you clarity, options, and a lot of compassion.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact [email protected] 

(Originally aired May 23, 2024)

In this uplifting episode, Melissa sits down with mother-daughter powerhouse Joan MacDonald (@trainwithjoan) and Michelle MacDonald (@michellemacdonaldofficial) to explore what’s truly possible when women choose strength, consistency, and self-belief — no matter their age.

Joan began her fitness journey at 70 and has since inspired millions of women to reclaim their health. Michelle, her coach and daughter, shares the training, nutrition, and mindset strategies that made Joan’s transformation sustainable and life-changing.

• Joan’s turning point and how she began at age 70
• Michelle’s expert approach to strength training for women in midlife
• The emotional and identity shifts that come with reinventing yourself
• Why it’s never too late to build strength, confidence, and vitality
• How visibility and community empower women to age powerfully

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact [email protected] 

This week on Aging Powerfully, we’re getting brutally honest about one of the most avoided — yet most essential — topics in midlife: preparing your family for the unexpected.

Most people think they’re organized.

Spoiler: they’re not.

To cut through the confusion and give us the real roadmap, I’m joined by Canada’s financial powerhouse Pattie Lovett-Reid. Together, we break down the exact documents, details, and conversations every family needs long before a crisis hits.

In this eye-opening and empowering conversation, we explore:

• Last Will & Testament
• Powers of Attorney (financial + personal care)
• Healthcare directives
• Trust documents (where applicable)
• Life insurance and beneficiary designations
• Digital access planning (passwords, accounts, social media, subscriptions

Why planning ahead isn’t morbid — it’s mature.

It’s not about control — it’s about caring.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact [email protected] 

Guest: Dr. Amy Louis‑Bayliss

Original Air Date: January 30, 2025

Duration: ~89 minutes

In this deep-dive episode, Melissa sits down with Dr. Amy Louis-Bayliss to walk you through the seven key health metrics that every woman should know—especially as we navigate midlife and beyond.

From lab numbers to lifestyle markers, these data points give you a snapshot of where your health is now—and more importantly—where it can go. Dr. Louis-Bayliss shares how to interpret each metric, when to start checking it, how often to revisit it, and how to connect the dots between numbers and your life goals.

Whether you’re feeling fine and want to stay ahead, or you’re grappling with change and want clarity, this episode gives you the insight you need to take ownership of your health—not just survive, but thrive.

What you'll learn

• The “why” behind each of the seven metrics: what they signal and why they matter at midlife.
• How often to test or check each metric—and what changes warrant action.
• How to move from “just a number” to meaningful progress that aligns with your goals.
• How to bring your clinician into the loop and ask the right questions.
• How to track health not from fear, but from empowerment and clarity.
• Why knowing your numbers isn’t about perfection—it’s about possibility.

To find Dr. Louis-Bayliss: IG @lumewomenshealth, www.lumewomenshealth.com 

Episode sponsored by Avène (@avene on Instagram).

Website: https://www.eau-thermale-avene.ca/en_ca

Find Melissa Grelo on Instagram @MelissaGrelo and @AgingPowerfullyWithMG, or on her website AgingPowerfullyWithMelissaGrelo.com. 

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact [email protected] 

Guest: Dr. Stephanie Faubion, Director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health & Medical Director of The Menopause Society

Part One: Menopause Myths & Medicine

Menopause has gone viral — but not always for the right reasons. From claims that a woman’s brain “eats itself” in menopause to this week’s breaking FDA news about estrogen therapy, it’s harder than ever to know what’s true.

In this first half of the episode, Melissa sits down with Dr. Stephanie Faubion, one of the world’s leading voices in women’s health, to cut through the confusion with evidence, empathy, and straight talk.

Together, they unpack:

The latest FDA decision and what it means for hormone therapy and women’s health

Whether estrogen can protect against heart disease or stroke

The state of research and funding in women’s health and menopause

AI and Menopause Care: helpful or hurtful?

How to discern who you should — and shouldn’t — trust for menopause information online

About Dr. Stephanie Faubion:

Dr. Faubion is the Director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health, Medical Director for The Menopause Society, and author of The New Rules of Menopause. A professor and chair at Mayo Clinic, she’s a globally recognized expert on hormone therapy, sexual health, and healthy aging — leading groundbreaking research through the DREAMS Registry and beyond.

The Menopause Society

Mayo Clinic

Part Two: Aging Powerfully — The Retreat Debrief

Then, Melissa switches gears to share a heartfelt recap of her inaugural “Aging Powerfully” retreat weekend — a three-day experience designed to help women reconnect with their strength, wisdom, and joy in midlife and beyond.

From expert-led workshops on menopause, mental health, fitness, and nutrition to unforgettable moments of laughter, vulnerability, and sisterhood — Melissa reflects on what truly made the weekend magical, what surprised her most, and what’s next for the Aging Powerfully movement.

www.agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com/retreat 

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts — and tag a friend who deserves to age powerfully, with truth, community, and confidence.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact: [email protected] 

Guest: Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, Clinical Psychologist & Friendship Researcher

As we age, our friendships can evolve—some deepen, others drift, and new ones can feel harder to form. In this episode of Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo, Melissa speaks with Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, a clinical psychologist and leading expert on adult friendship, about why meaningful connection is vital for women in midlife and beyond.

Together, they explore:

• How women’s friendships change as we age—and why that’s normal
• Why it’s harder to make new friends in adulthood and how to overcome it
• The link between strong friendships, longevity, and overall health
• Navigating friendship loss, loneliness, and life transitions
• The benefits of friendships across generations
• How cultivating supportive relationships helps us age powerfully—with confidence, joy, and resilience

Find Dr. Kirmayer on her website, https://www.miriamkirmayer.com/

This episode is supported by Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo: The Retreat and partners @GoodLifeFitness, @lovemy.iris, @avene and @rexalldrugstoreofficial.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact [email protected] 

Episode supported by Starbucks Protein at Starbucks Canada @starbuckscanada 

https://protein.starbucks.ca/

When it comes to aging powerfully, there’s one thing we can’t afford to lose: muscle.

In this episode, Melissa sits down with one of the world’s foremost experts on muscle health and aging — Dr. Stuart Phillips, Professor of Kinesiology at McMaster University, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health and Aging, and Director of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence. With over 400 scientific papers and 31,000 citations, Dr. Phillips is one of the most cited researchers in the world when it comes to how nutrition and exercise shape our bodies over time.

Together, Melissa and Dr. Phillips unpack why building and maintaining muscle is essential for women — not just for strength or appearance, but for metabolic health, independence, and longevity. They dig into:

• The truth about muscle loss through menopause — and how to fight it
• What the data actually says about how to build muscle after 40
• Why protein and resistance training matter more than endless cardio
• The biggest myths and misconceptions women have about strength training
• How just a little bit of movement can make a massive difference in aging well

Because when it comes to longevity, strength isn’t optional — it’s powerful.

As Melissa says, there are those who “do their research,” and then there are those, like Dr. Phillips, who are doing the research. This is your chance to hear directly from the scientist changing how we think about aging, health, and the power of muscle.

• Learn more about Dr. Stuart Phillips’ research:
• https://mira.mcmaster.ca/our-faculty/stuart-phillips/
• Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) – 
• https://pace.mcmaster.ca/home/about-pace/

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo