Beauty is a Bitch

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Audrey Hope, a distinguished healer and spiritual therapist with over two decades of experience in transformative and soul-centered healing. Audrey takes us on a deep dive into her revolutionary techniques, which she uses to get to the “root of the root” of the soul’s journey, including the exploration of past lives, soul contracts, karma and energy.

Audrey’s work goes beyond traditional healing methods, making her a renowned figure not only in her Brentwood-based practice but also online. Through her weekly YouTube show, Hope For Relationships, she shares profound insights on managing and healing relationship challenges. In addition, her expertise in addiction therapy at Seasons In Malibu has impacted countless lives, including a wide array of clients such as celebrities, CEOs, doctors and athletes.

Join us as Audrey shares her holistic approach to addressing life’s complexities and healing at the spirit level. Whether you’re interested in spiritual transformation, relationship guidance, or addiction recovery, this episode is filled with wisdom and inspiration for anyone seeking hope and meaningful change.

We discuss: what the root of women’s suffering really is; why self-esteem is so vital to a woman’s health and welfare; why self-doubt is dangerous for women; what soul healing is and how to practice it; how women can use spiritual tools to “de-age”; what is “sovereignty of the self” and why is it important for women; why boundaries are necessary and so much more.

This episode is packed with Audrey’s unique wisdom and actionable advice for women seeking to heal at every level.

Website: AudreyHope.com

Instagram: instagram.com/theaudreyhope

YouTube: youtube.com/user/audreyhopesrealtv

Facebook: facebook.com/TheAudreyHope

Are you struggling to figure out if what you’re feeling is anxiety or depression? It can be tricky to tell the difference, but don’t worry. That’s exactly what this episode is here to help with.

I’m joined by Laura Rhodes-Levin, LMFT, a licensed therapist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression and trauma. Laura is also the founder of The Missing Peace Center for Anxiety, a facility that offers a range of therapies designed to calm the nervous system and bring the mind and body back to a state of peace. Plus, she’s recently released her book The Missing Peace: Rewire Your Brain, Reduce Anxiety, and Recreate Your Life—and let me tell you, it’s a must-read.

In this episode, Laura and I dive into how to recognize whether you’re dealing with anxiety, key takeaways from her book, and how anxiety can actually be a superpower. We also explore the concepts of our “Wounded Child” and “Capable Adult” selves, how to change that negative inner dialogue, how to choose peace without guilt in midlife, and what tools we need to keep anxiety in check. We even cover how to support others during their most anxious times. You won’t want to miss this insightful conversation!

Book: The Missing Peace: Rewire Your Brain, Reduce Anxiety, and Recreate Your Life by Laura Rhodes-Levin

Website: missingpeace4anxiety.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.rhodes.311/

Did this past summer leave your skin struggling more than usual? Even with diligent sunscreen use, did you notice more “sun” spots than you typically do? You’re not alone. Hyperpigmentation hit an all-time high this year. But what you might think is sun damage could actually be melasma—or maybe even a mix of both. So how can you tell the difference? That’s what we’re diving into this week.

I thought the extra brown spots I was seeing were just sun damage, but as my guest explained, they were actually melasma—a condition triggered by heat, not just UV rays.

I’m joined by the incredibly knowledgeable Sharon Grasso, LME, CLT, and founder of Permanent Touch Cosmetics. With over 25 years of experience in aesthetics, medical micropigmentation, and laser treatments, Sharon is a true expert. She’s been working with Sciton aesthetic laser devices since 2004 and holds certifications in multiple light therapy and laser modalities.

In this episode, we break down how to distinguish between melasma and sun damage, the most effective treatments for each, whether melasma can be cured, if topical treatments actually work, and how to find the right provider for your needs. Tune in for all the insights on how to tackle hyperpigmentation once and for all!

Can our workouts actually be contributing to our anxiety? And if we already struggle with anxiety, could certain exercises make it worse? Believe it or not, some workouts may cause more stress than they relieve.

Molly McNamee, an online fitness coach and founder of MFit Workouts, believes the key to looking and feeling your best lies in managing your stress. Having dealt with high-functioning anxiety herself, Molly discovered that traditional exercise routines often worsened her symptoms. Her mission is to raise awareness and empower women to manage anxiety through mindful, therapeutic workouts.

Join Lauren and Molly as they dive into which types of workouts can increase stress, how misinformation in the wellness community adds to our anxiety, the impact of social media, and the not-so-obvious signs your fitness routine might be too stressful for you. They also explore: how stress and hormones affect weight loss; why ‘less is more’ when it comes to exercise; and the crucial ingredient to a workout routine that improves both mental health and physical results; plus so much more.

Show Notes:

Website: mollymcnamee.com

Instagram: @mfit.workouts

Burnout. The struggle is real. If you feel simultaneously tired and wired, yet struggle with sleep at night, or if the activities that once brought you joy now feel like chores…you could be experiencing burnout. In our fast-paced world, feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and detached has become all too common.

Burnout in midlife is a bit different. This stage of life can be particularly challenging due to various factors such as career pressures, caregiving responsibilities for both children and aging parents, and the physical and psychological changes associated with aging. But there are things you can do to take on burnout head-on.

In this special solo episode, I’ll share the 7 warning signs of midlife burnout, 7 things you can do to address it and what I am personally doing about it. Because yes, I am burned out, and am finally acknowledging it.

Stay tuned for a special announcement at the end of this short episode.

Here are some previous podcasts that should not be missed. Enjoy your “summer listening” list.

S6 E2 What To Do About Midlife Burnout with Dr. Haley Perlus

S5 E15  Cutting Through The Confusion About Menopause With Dr. Kelly Casperson

S7 E3 How To Get Deep Sleep Without Medication in Midlife with Morgan Adams

S4 E7 How To Rewrite Your Food Story and Unfu*k Your Relationship With Food With Elise Museles

S6 E13 How Environmental Pollutants Are Affecting Our Health with Clayton Thomas

S5 E12 What We Can Do To De-Age Internally and Externally With Jan Marini

S3 E15 Top Tips For Aging Well With Dr. Vonda Wright

S5 E1 Leaving Your Mark and Changing Careers In Midlife with Aliza Licht

S5 E6 How To Feed Your Skin For Radiant Aging With Dr. Mark Tager

S4 E13 Midlife Bites! You’re Not Alone If You Feel You’re Falling Apart With Jen Mann

Welcome to the 100th episode of Beauty is a Bitch!  It would seem dementia is on the rise, and that is a scary realization. The truth is, women have a greater risk of developing dementia during their lifetime. In fact, around twice as many women have Alzheimer’s disease – the most common type of dementia – compared to men. The main reason for this greater risk is because women live longer than men, and old age is the biggest risk factor for this disease. However, other factors also play a role.

Some of these risks can be mitigated, which begs the question, “What can we do for better brain health?”

Health coach Susan Saunders, specializes in helping women over 50 reduce dementia risk and optimize brain health through science-backed habits. She is the author of three books on healthy aging and longevity, with her most recent being The Power Decade: How to Thrive After Menopause.

Susan holds a high-level qualification as a dementia prevention coach under the guidance of neuroscientist Dr. Dale Bredesen, author of The End of Alzheimer’s. She was among the first in the UK to qualify as a coach in his program. Susan has successfully coached hundreds of people globally, helping them build habits scientifically proven to reduce dementia risk.

Book: The Power Decade: how to thrive after menopause

Website: Susan Saunders Health

Instagram: @susansuandershealth

Susan’s 12 tips for better brain health every day

Midlife women are finally beginning to talk about everything, so why not poop? After all, eveybody poops. But as we get older it gets harder to to eliminate, especially when we travel. Why? Well we are going to discuss the digestive issues that could be causing the problem and what to do about it.

Dr. Roshini Raj is a distinguished alumna of Harvard College and NYU School of Medicine. She holds dual roles as a board-certified gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Beyond her thriving medical practice, she has carved a successful path as a television personality and medical journalist.

In 2015, Dr. Raj ventured into skincare entrepreneurship, founding TULA Skincare, a line rooted in probiotics and available at prominent retailers like Ulta Beauty, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Tula.com, Amazon and QVC.

She serves as a trusted contributor on renowned programs such as TODAY, Inside Edition, Dr. Oz, Rachael Ray, CNN and Fox News. She has also made notable appearances on The Talk, The View, Live with Kelly and Michael, AC360, CNN Tonight, The Doctors, NBC News and more. Additionally, she contributes as the medical editor for Health Magazine and is a sought-after source for national publications like Cosmopolitan, Glamour, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Dr. Raj is also an accomplished author, known for her books “What the Yuck? The Freaky and Fabulous Truth About Your Body” (Oxmoor House, 2010) and “Gut Renovation: Unlock the Age-Defying Power of the Microbiome to Remodel Your Health from the Inside Out.”

Join Lauren and Dr. Raj as the discuss: the common stomach aliments that happen when traveling; what’s causing them; 5 tips to alleviate travel digestive issues; how jet lag affects your gut; what is YayDay and how it helps; and so much more.

YayDay: myyayday.com

Instagram: @drroshiniraj

Book: What the Yuck?: The Freaky and Fabulous Truth About Your Body

Book: Gut Renovation: Unlock the Age-Defying Power of the Microbiome to Remodel Your Health from the Inside Out

Is plastic surgery the latest sector to be engulfed by the AI revolution, from the latest TikTok filters to other AI-generated images? TikTok boasts thousands of filters capable of altering eye color, rejuvenating appearance, or smoothing facial features, among others. These AI enhancements offer a glimpse into potential real-life changes through plastic surgery. But what ramifications will AI’s ultimate impact have on the field of plastic surgery?

Dr. Hani Sinno, an esteemed plastic and cosmetic surgeon located in Montreal, provides a transformative experience at his upscale clinic, Victoria Park Medispa. Influenced by his experiences witnessing the repercussions of war-related injuries, Dr. Sinno specializes in reconstructive surgery, with a focus on aiding breast cancer survivors. Renowned for his dedication to achieving natural-looking results and prioritizing patient-centered care, he has become a highly sought-after authority in procedures such as rhinoplasty and facelifts. With extensive training from McGill University and Harvard, Dr. Sinno’s blend of expertise and compassionate approach has consistently placed him among Canada’s leading plastic surgeons for over five years.

Please join Lauren and Dr. Sinno for a lively discussion about: how AI is transforming/influencing plastic surgery; is AI leading to body dysmorphia where people can no longer see the difference between real and fake?; how Dr. Sinno balances patient requests with what would work best for them aesthetically; if patients now have extreme requests from AI filters; the most current trends Dr. Sinno now sees in his practice; other ways in which social media and social media filters affect plastic surgery, and more.

Website: drhanisinno.com

Instagram: @drhanisinno

YouTube: youtube.com/HaniSinno

Facebook: facebook.com/drhanisinno

The skin is the body’s largest organ. It serves as a protective barrier between our internal organs and the outside world. Despite its vital role in maintaining our overall health and well-being, we tend to abuse it the most. And it’s not just sun, environmental aggressors and skincare that damage the skin either. It’s also what we are putting into our bodies that’s reflecting on the outside.

Leigh Brandon boasts over twenty years of expertise as a functional medicine practitioner and a renowned authority on skin health. His profound journey from grappling with severe cystic acne to emerging as a prominent advocate for holistic wellness is evident in his book titled “Eliminate Adult Acne for Good.” This comprehensive guide offers invaluable insights into enhancing skin health from the inside out, reflecting Brandon’s dedication to empowering individuals on their path to clear and radiant skin.

As an author, podcaster, and esteemed member of The CHEK Institute Faculty, Leigh Brandon disseminates his expertise worldwide, encouraging individuals to adopt an integrated approach to health and wellness. Through his various platforms, Leigh inspires audiences globally to prioritize holistic well-being and embark on a journey towards optimal health.

Join Lauren and Leigh as they engage in a discussion about: why a skin-friendly diet is not one-size-fits-all; what we should NOT be eating for optimal skin health; what we SHOULD be eating, why mindset is so important; Leigh’s own journey with skin health and how it effected him personally; the four main causes of adult acne and how to take steps today to improve your skin.

Book: Eliminating Adult Acne For Good

Website: eliminateadultacne.com

YouTube: youtube.com/@adultacnepodcast

Facebook: facebook.com/eliminateadultacne

Instagram: @adultacnepod

X: @AdultAcnePod

We have touched on sleep before but it still eludes many of us in midlife. So we can always learn more! Even if we have tried to improve our sleep hygiene, bedtime routines and have done “all the things” we can still become desperate. Therefore, some of us have turned to sleeping pills and aids which can become highly addictive. So what are the alternatives?

Morgan Adams is a transformative holistic sleep coach who empowers women to conquer their battle with sleepless nights, without reliance on sleep medications. She guides them in rekindling their relationship with sleep, paving the way for less stressful and more fulfilling days. Having struggled herself with insomnia and dependency on prescription sleeping pills for almost a decade, she knows intimately the profound impact sleep has on one’s quality of life.

Join Lauren and Morgan as they talk about: the disadvantages of sleeping pills; evidence-based alternatives; the pros and cons of sleep trackers; the importance of morning and evening routines and what they look like; 3 impactful and free ways to improve your sleep; the constructive worry technique; and why sleep divorces, while popular, are not always the best solution.

Website: morganadamswellness.com

Free “Sleep Reset” Mini Course: morganadamswellness.com/sleepresetsolution

Instagram: @morganadams.wellness