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Perfection is loud during the holidays. Presence is quieter—and far more powerful. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Executive Producer Leigh Klekar sat down with clinical social worker and holistic psychotherapist Marita Pompeani to unpack why this season ratchets up stress and how to find steady ground with simple, science-backed tools you can use anywhere.

We talk about expectations and how social media scripts can push us to overspend, overcommit, and overlook our bandwidth. Marita shares a flexible framework for planning with blended families, setting a realistic budget, and rethinking gift giving with meaningful alternatives like experiences, contributions toward big items, and handwritten notes that land deeper than stuff.

If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who could use some peace, and leave a review so more listeners can find these tools.

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The wellness industry thrives on convincing us we need the latest supplements for optimal health. But do those trendy powders and pills pushed by social media influencers actually deliver results? In this eye-opening episode, Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker cuts through the marketing noise surrounding four popular supplements dominating online conversations: Creatine, L-Carnitine, Taurine, and Boron.

As Director for the Center for Specialized Women's Health, Dr. Thacker brings evidence-based clarity to the supplement conversation. She explains how these compounds naturally function in our bodies, what foods provide them naturally, and who might genuinely benefit from supplementation.

This podcast delivers exactly what modern health consumers need—straightforward information that cuts through marketing hype and empowers us to make smarter wellness decisions. Remember: when it comes to your health, knowledge truly is power!

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When family dynamics break down, who protects the bond between grandparents and grandchildren? Attorney Eva Saulnier returns to the Speaking of Women's Health Podcast to tackle this often-overlooked but emotionally charged area of family law.

Most grandparents are shocked to discover they have limited legal standing regarding their grandchildren. As Saulnier explains to Host Dr. Holly Thacker, courts maintain a strong preference for parental rights, even when those parents aren't perfect.

Whether you're concerned about your own grandchildren or supporting someone facing these difficult circumstances, this episode provides essential insights into the complex intersection of family bonds and legal rights.

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Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker unpacks what collagen actually is, why production slows with age and menopause, and how to protect and build it with food and daily habits. She weighs the evidence on collagen supplements, shares safety guardrails, and lays out a practical plan for skin, joints, and bones.

Dr. Thacker starts with the big levers: why smoking, alcohol, sugar, and UV exposure damage collagen, and how simple shifts—SPF on chronically exposed skin, smarter sun for vitamin D, and a realistic supplement plan after age 40—help you age slower. 

Then she moves to the plate. Dr. Thacker lists the collagen-rich foods like bone broth, chicken skin, and fish skin, plus the nutrients that actually drive collagen synthesis: complete protein, vitamin C, zinc, and copper.

Curious about powders and peptides? Dr. Thacker dives into when and how to choose safe supplement products.

If this conversation helps you think differently about your routine, tap follow, share it with a friend who’s collagen-curious, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find us. Have a question or a topic you want explored next? Send us a note at speakingofwomenshealth.com and let’s keep the conversation going.

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Breast cancer survivors are sometimes told to endure the fallout of estrogen deprivation. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host sits down with Dr. Corinne Menn, a long‑term breast cancer survivor, to unpack what real, evidence‑based menopause care looks like for breast cancer survivors, high‑risk women, and BRCA previvors—without fear and without shame.

For more information on Dr. Corinne Menn, visit drmenn.com.

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Your bones are silently changing beneath the surface, and for women entering menopause, that change accelerates at an alarming rate. Did you know you could lose up to 30% of your bone mass in the first 5-7 years after menopause? This silent thief works without symptoms until a fracture occurs, often when it's too late for prevention.

In this episode, Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker reads Chapter 12 of her book, "The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause," and offers additional insights and tips you won't find in the book.

This isn't just about preventing fractures – it's about maintaining independence and quality of life as you age. Breaking a hip after 65 carries a 40% one-year mortality rate, yet this risk is preventable with proper screening and treatment. Whether you're approaching menopause, recently diagnosed with bone loss, or simply planning for healthy aging, this episode provides crucial knowledge to keep your skeleton strong for decades to come.

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Every October 18th marks World Menopause Day, highlighting a transition affecting over a billion women worldwide who spend at least a third to half of their lives in this phase. Despite its universal nature, menopause remains poorly understood and inadequately addressed in many healthcare settings.

Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker walks you through the menopause journey in this episode. She touches on the increasing severity of health issues during menopause, including metabolic syndrome and hypertension, which compound cognitive challenges like word-finding difficulties and "brain fog."

Dr. Thacker will focus on the key to navigating menopause - establishing care with a knowledgeable women's healthcare clinician who can create an individualized approach based on a woman's unique symptoms, medical history, and preferences. By addressing menopause proactively rather than reactively, women can minimize symptoms while protecting their long-term health and vitality during this important life stage.

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Hormone therapy remains the gold standard for treating menopausal symptoms—hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. When started within 10 years of menopause onset, it offers a remarkable 30% reduction in all-cause mortality. Yet this fact rarely makes headlines.

Join Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker as she reads and discusses Chapter 10: The Risks and Benefits of Hormone Therapy from her book, "The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause."

The most important takeaway? Don't let fear dictate your menopause journey. Work with a knowledgeable physician to assess your individual risks and benefits. Whether you're experiencing severe symptoms, concerned about bone health, or dealing with early menopause, safe and effective options exist.

Have you been avoiding hormone therapy based on outdated information? It might be time to reconsider. 

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Are you tired of feeling like you're navigating menopause or perimenopause alone, armed only with contradictory advice and sensationalized headlines? Dr. Holly Thacker, Director of the Center for Specialized Women's Health at Cleveland Clinic, is here to change that. 

In honor of October being World Menopause Month, we are replaying this first episode of Dr. Thacker's podcast series based on her book, "The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause."

In Chapter 1, Choosing and Seeing a Doctor at Midlife, Dr. Thacker addresses a fundamental truth often overlooked in women's healthcare: there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. What works perfectly for your neighbor might be completely wrong for you. This personalized approach extends to finding the right healthcare clinician who understands that women's health concerns are rarely black and white. She offers practical guidance on identifying red flags in healthcare interactions and selecting a physician who specializes in midlife women's health.

Ready to reclaim control of your midlife health journey? Join Dr. Thacker throughout World Menopause Month as she continues this series with more episodes on menopause. Remember—it's your body, your hormones, and your choices.

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In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Holly Thacker tackles the complex relationship between alcohol and health, particularly for women. Drawing from both scientific evidence and personal stories, she explains why women experience more severe effects from alcohol than men—even when drinking the same amount.

The conversation goes beyond basic facts about alcoholism to explore how alcohol uniquely impacts women's bodies. Dr. Thacker reveals that women metabolize alcohol more slowly and experience more concentrated effects due to naturally lower body water content. She shares concerning observations from her own medical practice, where she's seen women develop liver and heart damage from what many would consider "moderate" drinking—just one drink per day over many years.

Particularly alarming are the potential interactions between alcohol and medications. With over 150 medicines known to interact dangerously with alcohol—from common pain relievers to prescription medications—understanding these risks becomes crucial, especially for older adults who typically take multiple medications daily.

For pregnant or breastfeeding women, Dr. Thacker doesn't mince words: there is no safe amount of alcohol. She shares a personal experience of how quickly even a small sip of champagne transferred to her breast milk and affected her nursing infant.

Whether you're concerned about your own relationship with alcohol or worried about a loved one, this episode provides valuable insights into recognizing problematic drinking patterns, understanding treatment options, and accessing resources for help. Dr. Thacker emphasizes that alcoholism is a disease that can be treated effectively, though it requires honesty and appropriate support.

Subscribe to the Speaking of Women's Health podcast for more essential health information that empowers you to be strong, be healthy, and be in charge of your wellbeing.

For referral to drug and alcohol treatment programs in your area, call:

Assessment Center Drug and Alcohol Abuse Hotline
1.800.234.0420
National Alcohol and Drug Help Line
1.800.821.HELP (4357)

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