In this highly requested replay of the Awake & Winning Podcast, Kaylor brings back one of the most impactful conversations ever released on the show. This episode originally shook listeners, sparked massive discussion, and continues to circulate for a reason. Kaylor sits down with Dr. Sarah E. Hill, PhD, a research psychologist and author whose work explores how hormonal birth control affects the female brain, stress response, attraction, mood, and identity. Together, they unpack why "safe and effective" is an incomplete narrative, how hormones shape lived experience, and why informed consent around birth control matters more than ever. From teen brain development to partner attraction and the hidden trade-offs women are rarely told about, this conversation challenges assumptions and invites deeper personal sovereignty.

If you missed it the first time—or felt it land hard—this replay is worth revisiting.

Episode Highlights: hormonal birth control, birth control side effects, birth control and the brain, female hormones, women's health podcast, birth control and depression, hormonal imbalance, cortisol and stress response, informed consent in medicine, women's brain health, attraction and hormones, partner attraction and birth control, fertility awareness, teen brain development, pharmaceutical trade-offs, women's mental health, holistic women's health, hormone suppression, medical autonomy, functional medicine perspective, natural hormone balance

Takeaways:

• Hormonal birth control can change more than fertility—it can influence stress, mood, libido, and attraction
• "Safe and effective" often ignores the lived reality of trade-offs in energy, emotions, and identity
• Teen brains are still developing into the early 20s and sex hormones help coordinate that development
• Side effects are often "averaged out" in research even when individuals experience real changes
• If you're choosing a long-term partner, consider whether being on hormonal birth control could nudge preferences
• Fertility awareness works best when cycles are consistent and the cost of unexpected pregnancy is low
• Men can share responsibility through condoms, vasectomy conversations, and supportive decision-making

If this episode lit a fire under you, don't keep it to yourself. Screenshot it, throw it up on Instagram, and tag @thekaylorbetts or @bettsnation so we can share the love. And hey, if you're vibing with the show, take 30 seconds to drop us a 5-star review, it helps us reach more freedom-loving legends like you.

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RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sarahehillphd/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/sarahehillphd

X | https://x.com/sarahehillphd Websites | https://www.sarahehill.com/ Book | This Is Your Brain On Birth Control By Dr. Sarah Hill

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SPONSORS:

Truly Tallow | https://www.trulytallow.com/ Use code "SUNNYBALLS10" at checkout for 10% off your order

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IMPORTANT UPDATES:

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Join Kaylor's Newsletter | https://awakeandwinning.lpages.co/optin/

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CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Intro

01:00 – "I Woke Up" After Birth Control

03:00 – How Hormones Affect The Brain

06:00 – Why Doctors Prescribe It So Easily

10:00 – The Teen Brain & Hormone Suppression

14:00 – "There Are No Side Effects"

18:00 – Safe, Effective… But At What Cost?

36:00 – When Birth Control Makes Sense

41:00 – Attraction, Masculinity & Hormones

50:00 – Men's Role In Birth Control