Pause To Go Podcast: What You Need to Know About Menopause and Midlife Transitions

In this episode, Bree discusses the hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause, including key hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, among others. The conversation also includes how these changes cause various symptoms, why these are natural transformations and not a disease, and when it's advisable to consult a doctor. Bree also shares some of her personal experiences regarding her hormone levels and her decision not to use hormone therapy (at least for now!), encouraging listeners to seek individualized treatment plans based on their own needs and experiences.

Referenced Texts/Sites

North American Menopause Society (NAMS)

• Referenced as a major source of information regarding menopause and hormonal changes.

https://www.webmd.com/ and https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397

Cited as a resource for information on menopause and hormones.

Dr. Jen Gunter

• Author of "The Menopause Manifesto," mentioned for her emphasis on empirical evidence in her recommendations.

Huberman Lab Podcast

• Specifically, an episode featuring Dr. Natalie Crawford discussing hormones in various life stages.

Pause to Go Podcast Website

• Visit the pause to go website for additional resources like the "five tips for talking to your medical provider about perimenopause and menopause.

Some of our topics of discussion include

• Julie's menopause experience

• Julie's Career Coaching Website: JulieArtisCoaching.com

• The benefit of somatic practices for stress relief

Have you ever wondered about the connection between your ever-evolving roles in life and your identity? Our latest episode of 'Pause to Go Podcast' delves into this important topic. Join Bree Luck on a journey exploring 'The Shifting Identity in Perimenopause'.

Explore your Inner Role System with Bree

https://calendly.com/awkwardsage/90-minute-session

Want to Support the Pause to Go Podcast?

Here are three ways:

1. Leave a written review on Apple Podcasts or drop 5 stars on Spotify

2. Send me a voice memo, letting me know your thoughts about the show

3. Buy me a coffee.  A little caffeine goes a long way to ignite midlife convos.

Learn more About the Disappearance of Shere Hite

https://www.ifcfilms.com/films/the-disappearance-of-shere-hite

More About Lisette Ostrander

Lisette Ostrander, Life Coach, Sex & Intimacy Coach in training, and founder of My Kind of Pleasure Community.

www.lisetteostrander.com

Check out the full show notes and transcripts for all the P2G episodes at www.pausetogopodcast.com

Lisa Manyon, the bestselling author of "Spiritual Sugar: The Divine Ingredients to Heal Yourself With Love" shares her midlife health journey and her unique perspective on "Healing with Love." Lisa not only shares her own account, which involved dealing with fibroids and cancer, but she also provides a roadmap for integrating love and spirituality into one's healing journey through her book (now available where many books are sold).

Fortify Your Faith

Fortify Yourself and Your Family

Fortify Your Mind

Fortify Your Body

Fortify Your Environment and Community

Fortify Your Creativity

Fortify Your Intuition

Here's how to find Lisa:

Website:

https://spiritualsugar.com/

Buy the Book:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lisa-Manyon/author/B07Q6Z1MTW?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Your Message Matters Podcast:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/yourmessagematters

IG:

https://www.instagram.com/spiritualsugarofficial/

FB:

https://www.facebook.com/SpiritualSugar

YouTube:

Wanna connect with Bree? (I'm here for it!!!)

Find me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/awkwardsagemedia/

Find me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/breeluck/

Awkward Sage Media:

www.awkwardsage.com

The Lovely Unbecoming Coaching Services:

www.thelovelyunbecoming.com

Join me on the Pause To Go podcast as I celebrate 50 years by delving into the beautiful complexities of midlife and menopause. Discover 50 valuable insights and lessons (one for each year of my life) for embracing change, finding joy in small moments, and prioritizing self-care.

Midlife is not a crisis, it's an opportunity. Embrace new beginnings and transformation. Move forward with confidence. - Bree Luck

• Check out the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) website to find a menopause specialist in your area.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:02 - Welcome to Pause To Go, 00:01:11 - I'm turning 50. 00:02:22 - Side effects of perimenopause. 00:03:32 - Embracing changes and challenges. 00:08:02 - Celebrating small wins. 00:12:27 - Finding the right doctor. 00:17:27 - Stay Curious.  00:17:43 - Thank You and Break. 00:18:06 - Leave me a message!  00:19:17 - Thanks and Credits.

• https://www.twitter.com/awkwardsagepod

In a world of hormonal peaks and valleys, Jamie Virostko shares her intimate journey through perimenopause, exposing the emotional rollercoaster of grief, sensuality, and self-discovery. But just when she thought she had found her footing, a series of life events left her questioning who she could trust. Find out how Jamie navigated these difficult situations and what it means for her journey through perimenopause.

Our guest is Jamie Virostko, an accomplished theater artist, actor, and writer. In this interview, she brings a fresh narrative to her life experiences, most notably, her journey through perimenopause amid massive changes in her personal life. Through it all, Jamie's been able to boost self-compassion and strength to navigate this transformative period, offering valuable insight to all women braving similar paths.

I wish I just had more information. It would have been good to understand what was really going on with my body so I could factor that into how I'm processing and dealing with things. - Jamie Virostko

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Gain insights into the triumphs and trials during the phases of perimenopause and menopause.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Join the Pause To Go podcast group on Facebook for deeper and richer conversations about menopause and perimenopause issues. (www.facebook.com/groups/pausetogopodcast/)

You can (anonymously) share your story in writing here: 

https://forms.gle/xiZ75geEbEwrrf2y7

Or share an anonymous voice memo here:

https://www.frfr.ai/awkwardsage55

The key moments in this episode are:

Did you love this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or send a quick voicemail to let Bree know what you think! And if you'd like to work with me to maximize your moments, find greater fulfillment in your career, and clear away societal expectations to make room for YOUR dreams, visit me at www.thelovelyunbecoming.com/work-with-me Stay curious, y'all! xo Bree

• https://pausetogopodcast.com

Did you like this episode? Try these next:

• https://www.podpage.com/pause-to-go-podcast/-love-and-relationships-in-midlife-with-kira-hower/

About our guest:

Jamie Virostko is a writer, actor, and theater artist. For six years, she also worked for the local elections office managing the early and mail voting process. Jamie has lived in London, Chicago, and Los Angeles after growing up in the small town of Clinton, Indiana. Following acting school in England, she spent almost a decade as a Chicago storefront theater actor. In Los Angeles, her focus turned to writing and directing. She became a regular presence in the LA spoken word and storytelling scenes. Her original play, The Outskirts of Paradise, was produced at the Met Theater. She and her husband recently relocated from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Baltimore, Maryland.

You can follow her work at: 

https://www.instagram.com/jamie.virostko/

https://www.facebook.com/jamie.virostko

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamievirostko/

In this solo episode, we explore the concept of mindset during perimenopause and menopause. Our mindset significantly influences how we perceive ourselves and navigate life's changes. We'll discuss psychological studies supporting the impact of language and self-talk on personal outcomes. The goal is to cultivate a growth-oriented and positive mindset to enhance well-being and resilience.

Segment 1: Understanding the Impact of Mindset

• Dr. Carol Dweck, a psychology professor, introduced two key mindsets: growth mindset and fixed mindset.

Segment 2: Navigating Midlife Transitions

• Midlife transitions involve challenges like children leaving home, turning 50, and hormonal shifts, leading to various emotions, including sadness.

Segment 3: Recognizing Self-Deprecating Patterns

• Reflecting on subtle self-deprecating patterns, we recognize the importance of addressing them to cultivate a positive mindset.

Segment 4: Shifting Mindset: Accepting Compliments

• Often, women downplay compliments and deflect praise, which can negatively affect self-esteem and self-worth.

Conclusion

• Embracing a growth-oriented and positive mindset is essential during midlife transitions.

Thank you for listening to Pause to Go. Subscribe for more empowering discussions and join us next time! 

If you're feeling a deep sense of frustration and sadness because your attempts to connect with your adult child are met with resistance or distance, then you are not alone!  Join our guest, Carol Mishkin, as she shares her strategies for improving communication and fostering healthier relationships with adult children.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understand how aging can become an avenue for personal evolution.

My special guest is Carol Mishkin, a woman who brings a fresh perspective to the table in terms of parent and grown-up child relationships. Emigrating from Venezuela, Carol carries a rich blend of cultural experiences that shape her understanding of life’s chapters. When her children grew up and moved away from home, Carol realized that she had an opportunity to explore a new realm as an un-mother, forming a mutual respect and communication with her adult-children. 

Carol transforms challenges into growth points with her mantra of shifting narrative through thoughtful use of language. Through the power of words, she believes we can co-create our realities. Her wisdom, deeply rooted in her personal journey, will inspire you to embrace and initiate change in your relationships.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Consider shifting your language and thoughts to create a more positive and empowering mindset. Replace negative phrases like can't wait with more positive alternatives such as excited to or looking forward to.

Every breath we take, every day counts, and every day we don't live fully is a day we lost. - Carol Mishkin

Nothing exists besides the thoughts we have in our head. - Carol Mishkin

Our words and our thoughts have power. Every time we think a thought and every time we speak a word, we are co-creating with the universe. - Carol Mishkin

Choose better words to describe our realities. Building words like 'I'm excited to meet you' instead of 'I can't wait' can make a difference in our lives. - Carol Mishkin

We have the power to change our beliefs and ways of thinking to adapt to the changing world. Flexibility is key to aging gracefully. - Carol Mishkin

Special offer on parenting adult children

https://buy.stripe.com/00g28k9rZgzKctG6os

Carol's Workshop on Thursday July 20, at 1:00 pm ET

https://bit.ly/thrivewithadultchildren

Wanna make a podcast with Bree? Join PodCamp 2023 -- special beta rate for listeners who register before August 1! 

Click here for more info about PodCamp2023!

"Dear Bree, Should I let my hair go gray? I'm a  45 year old woman, and I've been dyeing my hair since I was 17. Frankly, I'm sick of it. It's expensive and takes up so much time. On the other hand, I'm afraid that I'll look old if I go natural. Why am I afraid of looking old? What the heck is that about? "

Sound familiar? Society tells you that in order to feel beautiful and accepted, you must conform to ageist beauty standards. You've tried countless products and treatments, spent hours in front of the mirror, and yet, the results are never enough. You feel the pain of constantly striving for an unattainable ideal, only to be met with disappointment and self-doubt. But what if there was another way? What if you could challenge these beauty norms, embrace your natural self, and find empowerment in doing so? Join us as we unravel the impact of age bias and sexism on beauty standards, and discover how you can rewrite the narrative to create a more inclusive and self-accepting society.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Dive deep into age bias and sexism, exploring their impact on established standards of beauty.

Your worth is not defined by the color of your hair or by societal beauty standards.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Visit the Pause To Go website at www.pausetogopodcast.com to leave a voice memo sharing your midlife experiences, delights, or humor.

In the depths of despair, Cora Schenberg had just about given up , and was resolved to live a life of inexplicable pain.  But after attending a workshop led by James Yates , she found strength to embark on a relentless pursuit for answers, refusing to accept the dismissals and vague explanations she had endured for far too long. Little did she know, this journey would lead her to a shocking revelation that would change everything...

Keep advocating for yourself, even when doctors dismiss your concerns.

Introducing Cora Schenberg, an accomplished professor in the German department at the University of Virginia and an inspiring woman of strength. Cora faced a startling health mystery, endured drawn-out diagnostic processes, and rose above the experience stronger than ever. Her story of persisting through perceived medical dismissal is one laden with grit and resilience. These experiences have shaped Cora into a powerful advocate for trusting one’s instincts when navigating healthcare.

This is Cora Schenberg's story:

At 51, Cora Schenberg celebrated her transition into menopause, saying goodbye to the years of menstrual cramping that plagued her. However, after four years of blessed relief, she found herself facing a new, unexpected ordeal. A mysterious bleeding episode on a family beach trip was her first sign of trouble. As the bleeding continued, Cora found herself shuttled between doctors, each one shrugging off her concerns. Cora's persistence was met with dismissive remarks, misplaced diagnoses, and countless delays. She felt herself losing strength as she battled not just her symptoms, but also the very system that was supposed to help her. Her story, however, took a turn when she attended a workshop led by James Yates. Encouraged by his words, she reignited her search for answers, refusing to accept the vague explanations and dismissals she'd been given.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Uncover the significance of standing up for oneself in matters of healthcare.

Advocating for oneself is a critical process that influences the quality of care received. The person one should trust most when it comes to detailing experiences or symptoms is oneself. Speaking up about personal experiences during healthcare consultations, voicing concerns, or questioning authority an important part of working with our medical providers to get the help we need.

Cora Schenberg’s narrative is a perfect testament to this. She shared with Bree how her journey to diagnosis was marked with multiple instances where she had to relentlessly advocate for herself. By persisting in her valuable quest for answers, Cora imparts an essential lesson - individuals should remain steadfast in communicating their experiences, challenging dismissive responses, and facilitating necessary investigations in their pursuit of correct diagnoses and care.

• Read Cora's article in Fulll Grown People -- https://fullgrownpeople.com/2015/07/16/sepia/