Today, I am excited to connect with Dr. Daved Rosensweet, the founder of The Institute of BioIdentical Medicine and The Menopause Method, a leading expert in andropause and menopause treatment, and an internationally recognized lecturer and presenter with over 30 years of experience. Dr. Rosensweet has written three books, including his latest, Happy Healthy Hormones. 

In our discussion today, we dive into factors that influence long-term health and cognitive function during menopause, exploring strategies to help you avoid becoming a nursing home patient. We look at the role of hormone replacement therapy, the neurocognitive shifts that occur in perimenopause and menopause, why pellet therapy may not be the best choice for most women, and the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative. Dr. Rosensweet also shares valuable insights on the differences between compounded and synthetic HRT, the importance of testing, and the best routes of administration, and we examine what happens to hormone receptors more than a decade into menopause and how to support brain health by maintaining optimal estrogen levels. 

This insightful conversation with Dr. Rosensweet is invaluable, so you may want to listen to it more than once.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Bio: Dr. Daved Rosensweet

Daved Rosensweet, MD, is the Founder of The Institute of BioIdentical Medicine and The Menopause Method, as well as the author of three books on the subject, including his latest "Happy Healthy Hormones". With over 30 years of experience specializing in andropause and menopause treatment, Dr. Rosensweet is an internationally known lecturer and presenter. Early in his career, he trained the first nurse practitioners in the United States and was in charge of health promotion for the State of New Mexico. Currently, Dr.Rosensweet spends the majority of his time as the Medical Director of The Institute of BioIdentical Medicine, where he trains medical practitioners to specialize in menopause and andropause medicine.

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I was thrilled to connect with Dr. Daryl Gioffre today. He is a certified nutritionist, gut health expert, and the author of two bestselling books. 

In our discussion, we explore myths around immunity, looking at the importance of gut health and immune function, specific areas of physiology in the gut, the impact of plant-based compounds and diets, and gut-brain access. Dr. Daryl explains why we are only as good as what we digest, absorb, and assimilate, and shares the specific stool tests he uses in his practice. We also dive into supplementation, what the symptoms surrounding bloating can help us identify, why fiber is most important, and how trauma and stress can affect the immune system. 

I know you will love this fascinating conversation with Dr. Daryl. It was such a joy to interview him!

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I am honored to have Dr. Stephanie Estima back on the show today! (She was with me before in 2020, on Episode 123.)

Dr. Estima is an exceptionally well-read and well-versed individual! She is an expert on female metabolism and body composition, the author of a fantastic resource called the Betty Body, and the host of an incredible podcast called The Better Podcast. 

Dr. Estima is one of my favorite voices in the health and wellness space! She and I dive into an Ask Me Anything format today. We speak at length about the ideal percentage of body fat for perimenopause and menopause, thyroid health, the impact of diastasis, and weight training based on that core imbalance. We discuss the Gardasil vaccine, optimal nutrients, Hashimoto’s, period cramps, and general PMS symptoms- particularly with inter-uterine devices. We also get into sleep basics, supplement support, the role of parasympathetic days and hormesis, and talk about load management and optimization. 

I know you will love today’s conversation with Dr. Stephanie Estima!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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On her podcast, Better! With Dr. Stephanie, where she explores the human potential, hormones, metabolism, and a life well-lived.

Get a copy of Dr. Stephanie Estima’s #1 bestselling book, The Betty Body: A Geeky Goddess' Guide to Intuitive Eating, Balanced Hormones, and Transformative Sex

Previous Episode Mentioned:

Episode 123 – Menstruation, Muscle, Maternity, & Metabolism: What Every Woman Should Know with Dr. Stephanie Estima

Today, I have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Drew Ramsey, a board-certified psychiatrist, author, and a leading voice in nutritional psychiatry and integrative mental health. 

With over 50 million Americans facing mental health challenges, Dr. Ramsey and I discuss the effects of loneliness, connection, and the quality of attachment. We explore the importance of boundaries and self-awareness, as well as the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and we dive into public awareness of mental health, factors that negatively affect brain health, and the crucial role of sleep in overall well-being. Our conversation also includes insights on how to find high-quality mental health care from qualified professionals, and we look at protective factors for our brains, like neuroplasticity, inflammation reduction, and maintaining a diverse microbiome. 

I hope you find this insightful discussion with Dr. Ramsey as valuable, engaging, and enlightening as I did while recording it.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Bio: Dr. Drew Ramsey

Drew Ramsey, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist, author, and leading voice in Nutritional Psychiatry and integrative mental health. He is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the founder of the Brain Food Clinic and Spruce Mental Health. For twenty years, he served as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, where he taught and supervised psychotherapy and nutritional psychiatry.

Dr. Ramsey has authored five books, including Healing the Modern Brain, and three e-courses. He is a dynamic speaker, podcast host, and educator who has delivered three TEDx talks, and his work has been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Today Show, NPR, and other notable outlets. He lives in Jackson, WY, with his wife and family.

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I am delighted to connect with Gretchen Rubin today. She is one of the most insightful and influential observers of happiness and human nature today, with a remarkable gift for clearly conveying complex ideas from science, literature, and her life experiences engagingly, with a lighthearted touch. Gretchen has written many bestselling books, including her latest, Secrets of Adulthood. 

In our conversation today, we explore the open-door metaphor and the concept of drift in Secrets of Adulthood, and Gretchen explains how the proverbs she used in it can help us shape our most significant life choices. 

You will love this invaluable conversation with Gretchen Rubin. She is one of my favorite podcast hosts and authors, with a remarkable talent for conveying information and emotion beautifully and thoughtfully.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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Today, I have the pleasure of connecting with Dr. Sue Varma.

Dr. Varma is a privately-practicing board-certified psychiatrist and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University. She is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker, medical contributor, media consultant, and advisor to leading television networks and programs.

In our discussion today, we examine the impact of shared life experiences like 9/11 and the pandemic, exploring the role of PTSD and the effects of practical optimism, self-care, and self-reliance. We discuss optimism, its inheritability, and the significance of milestones for women, including transitioning from high school to college, navigating midlife, and addressing feelings of loneliness. We also look into purpose and compassion, the complexities of processing emotions, the challenges of the perfectionism façade, the role of trauma, ACE scores, autoimmunity, and the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. 

Stay tuned for more!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Bio:

Dr. Sue Varma is a board-certified psychiatrist in private practice and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University (NYU) Langone Health. She is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Varma was the first medical director and attending psychiatrist at the World Trade Center Mental Health Program at NYU Langone Health, treating civilians and first responders in the aftermath of 9/11. Dr. Varma is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker, medical contributor, media advisor, and consultant to major networks and shows. She regularly appears on the Today Show, Nightly News, CBS Mornings, and Good Morning America and is frequently interviewed by Time, Washington Post, NPR, and beyond. Dr. Varma is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for her ground-breaking efforts in mental health education and advocacy, including a Sharecare Emmy. Her forthcoming book, “Practical Optimism,” is eagerly anticipated worldwide, with translations in several languages.

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Dr. Varma's book, Practical Optimism: 

The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being

I am delighted to connect with Dr. Rena Malik today. She is a trailblazing urologist who is revolutionizing the conversation around taboo topics. With over 400 million views and 2 million subscribers on her YouTube channel, Dr. Malik has become a leading voice in combatting medical misinformation and empowering individuals with knowledge on critical health issues. 

In our discussion today, we dive into the shame and stigma many women face when addressing genitourinary concerns, offering information on the pelvic floor and pelvic floor dysfunction. We explore urinary tract infections, overactive bladder, and the causes of pelvic floor dysfunction and touch on the impact of incontinence, prolapse, and the changes women experience in perimenopause and menopause. 

This conversation is an invaluable masterclass for women, and I am excited to have Dr. Malik returning in the fall for an exploration of topics related to women’s sexual health issues and arousal in perimenopause and menopause.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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Today, I am thrilled to welcome Jeff Krasno, the Co-founder and CEO of the Commune well-being master class platform and the author of Good Stress, as my guest. Jeff also hosts the Commune podcast, where he has interviewed various luminaries, and writes a weekly personal essay called Commusings to explore spirituality, wellness, and culture. 

In today’s discussion, we discuss the marginal decades, contrasting the allopathic and integrative medicine approaches, looking at the advantages of hormesis and intentional stress, the idea of balance, and the Goldilocks zone. We also dive into the effects of cold and heat therapies on emotional and thermal regulation, the role of heat shock proteins, the impact of distraction and dopamine foraging, the importance of relationships, and the benefits of xenohormetics, polyphenols, and more. 

This conversation with Jeff Krasno is incredibly insightful, and his book is well-written and beautiful to read.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Bio: 

Jeff Krasno is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, a masterclass platform for personal and societal well-being. He hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of luminaries from Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson to Matthew McConaughey and Gabor Maté. Jeff pens a personal weekly essay titled “Commusings” that explores spirituality, wellness, and culture and is distributed to over one million subscribers every Sunday. Jeff is the author of Good Stress, a collection of protocols he created to counteract the "chronic ease" that created our modern epidemic of dis-ease. Good Stress is available March 25, 2025, wherever books are sold.

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I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon today! She is a dear friend and a physician whose work has profoundly impacted my own work, particularly during the past few years. She previously appeared on the podcast in episode 95 about three years ago.  

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a highly respected functional medicine provider, the founder of the Institute for Muscle-centric Medicine, a nationally recognized speaker and media contributor, and the author of the book Forever Strong. 

In our conversation, we dive into areas where confusion often clouds our understanding of protein intake. We explore the distinctions between commodities and consumer packaged goods and the impact of sarcopenia and other muscle-related changes that affect women during perimenopause and menopause. Our discussion also goes into the hallmarks of aging, uncovers the critical importance of a specific protein threshold to initiate muscle protein synthesis, and examines the role of food matrices and Leucine thresholds, misconceptions surrounding carbohydrates, and the most effective methods for tracking muscle mass. Additionally, we explore the connections between poor metabolic health and cognitive decline, making this conversation exceptionally relevant and informative. 

I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Lyon's forthcoming book coming out in early October. Her work has played a significant role in shaping my personal and professional life and had a profound impact on many of my female patients and clients. 

I am confident that you will find today’s show with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon as enlightening and valuable as I do.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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Previous Episode Mentioned:

Episode 95 – Why Muscle Is The Organ Of Longevity – with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

Today, I am delighted to connect with Dr. Omer Ibrahim, a board-certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist and the Co-director of Research at Chicago Cosmetics Surgery and Dermatology. Dr. Ibrahim completed his residency at the Cleveland Clinic. 

In our discussion today, we dive into the concept of hair loss in women, exploring how our hair follicles change during perimenopause and menopause, the prevalence of hair loss and hair thinning, and the many factors that contribute to it, including nutritional deficiencies, chronic stress, heat damage, weight loss (especially with GLP-1 medications), alcohol, and smoking. We discuss the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, essential supplements, red light therapy, PRP, exosomes, and topical and oral medications, and we also cover specific lab tests to request, the impact of endocrine-mimicking chemicals, and how to find qualified hair specialists or dermatologists in your area. 

You will not want to miss this conversation with Dr. Omer Inrahim, and I look forward to having him back on the podcast in the future.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Bio: Dr. Omer Ibrahim

Omer Ibrahim, MD FAAD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist and co-director of research at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology. He completed his residency at Cleveland Clinic, followed by an ASDS-accredited fellowship in cosmetic, laser, and dermatologic surgery at SkinCare Physicians in Boston. Dr. Ibrahim serves as adjunct faculty at Cleveland Clinic and Rush University, where he teaches residents the fundamentals of cosmetic and surgical dermatology.

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