In this episode of The Positive Pause®, Claire Gill sits down with Dr. Soma Mandal, a leading board-certified Internist and midlife women’s health expert, to talk about her personal path into women’s health, the evolution of menopause care, her podcast “Soma Says”, and her major new role developing a comprehensive Women’s Health Center. The conversation highlights advocacy, education, prevention, and the importance of empowering women to put themselves first.

Dr. Mandal never planned to specialize in women’s health, but her patients naturally gravitated toward her—first younger women facing infertility, then midlife women navigating menopause and aging. Her own health challenges reinforced her passion for this work. Training during the Women’s Health Initiative fallout shaped her early medical approach. With hormone therapy suddenly deemed dangerous, an entire generation of clinicians avoided it. Today’s improved understanding requires re-educating both clinicians and patients

Beginning in January 2026, she will be joining Hackensack Meridian Health as the Medical Director of Women’s Health at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where she’ll be building a comprehensive, multidisciplinary women’s health center. The goal is integrated care coordinated across cardiology, endocrinology, gynecology, behavioral health, and primary care

Key Points Covered

• Why Advocacy Matters — Even for Doctors - Through her own infertility and medical challenges, Dr. Mandal learned how essential self-advocacy is. She encourages women to speak up, ask questions, and push for what they need—even when clinicians are dismissive or overburdened.
• The Origin of Her Podcast, Soma Says is a return to her lifelong passion for educating and uplifting women. Guests discuss menopause, Alzheimer’s, incontinence, prevention, emotional well-being, and more—reaching listeners worldwide.
• The Challenge of Navigating a Fragmented Healthcare System - Women often get lost between specialists, especially when dealing with complex diagnoses. A coordinated center reduces confusion, prevents delays in treatment, and eases the burden on women who already juggle caregiving and work responsibilities.
• The #1 Thing Women Don’t Know: Heart Disease Is Their Greatest Risk - Many women still don’t realize that heart disease—not breast cancer—is the leading cause of death for women. Dr. Mandal stresses early screening, understanding family history, and taking preventive measures long before symptoms appear.
• The Power of Education & Community Advocacy - Podcasts, social media, and patient advocacy groups help fill major gaps in clinical education. Giving women accurate information—especially about menopause, heart health, and bone health—empowers them to take control of their wellbeing.
• Her #1 Action Step for Women: Put yourself first - Whether it’s scheduling a physical, taking a walk, asking a partner to cover a chore, or carving out 15 minutes to breathe—women must prioritize their own health. Most women aren’t even on their own to-do lists.

This episode highlights the gaps in women’s health—and the passionate experts committed to closing them. Dr. Soma Mandal offers women a roadmap: learn, advocate, ask questions, and prioritize your own wellbeing.

Connect with Dr. Mandal 

• Website: https://www.somamandalmd.com/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Soma-Mandal-MD-437643206820996/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsomamandalmd
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somamandal/ 
• YouTube Channel:

In this episode of The Positive Pause, host Claire Gill sits down with EJ Kim and Marina Pen, co-founders of NNABI, the first company built specifically to support women in perimenopause, for a discussion around the massive awareness gap surrounding this life stage, their groundbreaking “Peri Power Report 2025”, and why women deserve better education, community, and tools as they navigate perimenopause.

EJ Kim’s personal struggles with PCOS and later perimenopause led her to seek natural, evidence-based solutions. When Marina began experiencing anxiety, sleepless nights, and mood swings, she discovered it wasn’t stress; it was perimenopause. Surprised by how little conversation and guidance existed, she turned frustration into purpose. Together they created NNABI, which means butterfly in Korean and represents love, hope, beauty and transformation, a brand created to educate and empower women through one of the most transformative stages of their lives through credible information, supportive community and doctor-formulated solutions designed specifically for Perimenopause. EJ is passionate about redefining the conversation around perimenopause as a power era, and ensuring that women are understood, seen, and recognized for the power they hold and reflected accurately in media and narratives.

This episode sheds light on a stage of life that affects millions of women yet remains widely misunderstood -- many women begin experiencing perimenopause years before they expect to, often in their 30s or early 40s, without recognizing the signs.

Key Points Covered

• There is a significant awareness gap - women often experience multiple symptoms (fatigue, anxiety, sleep disruption, joint pain, irritability, brain fog, and weight changes) yet do not associate them with perimenopause and are frequently misattributed to stress or aging instead of hormonal shifts. 
• Education is critical - Understanding the term “perimenopause” and being able to name what’s happening helps counter feelings of confusion or self-blame. 
• Community support—at home, in the workplace, and among peers—plays a major role in helping women navigate this stage. We all need to learn and talk about how to share the loads! 
• Perimenopause is not strictly a negative phase - Many women experience newfound clarity, confidence, boundary-setting, and personal power during this time, which becomes sources of their power. 
• There is no single solution or a quick fix - Instead, women benefit from a toolkit approach that may include medical guidance, lifestyle changes, sleep support, movement, supplements, and stress management.

This episode sheds light on a stage of life that affects millions of women yet remains widely misunderstood. Claire, EJ, and Marina explore the symptoms most women overlook, the emotional impact of not knowing what’s happening, and the importance of education, community, and supportive tools. Through NNABI’s “Peri Power Report” and their mission, they highlight both the challenges and the strengths that define this transitional chapter and underscore why women deserve clarity, compassion, and resources that truly reflect their experience.

Connect with EJ & Marina

• NNABI website: https://nnabilife.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nnabi.life 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nnabi/
• NNABI’s “The Peri Power Report 2025”: https://nnabilife.com/pages/get-the-peri-power-report 

On this episode of The Positive Pause®, host Claire Gill welcomes Maryon Stewart, BEM, a pioneer in natural menopause care, the Founder & CEO at Femmar, and Creator of N-HRP™, the Natural Hormone Rebalancing Protocol, to discuss how nutrition, phytoestrogens, and lifestyle protocols can transform the menopausal journey. With over three decades of research, Maryon shares practical insights on how women can move from simply coping with symptoms to truly thriving in midlife and beyond.

Over the years, Maryon has helped tens of thousands of women firsthand through a clinic she ran for over a decade in the U.K.— an experience that shaped her whole-person approach to hormonal wellbeing. Now, she is building a modern legacy by expanding access to her evidence-based protocol—prioritizing the U.S. market, where demand for credible, natural solutions is growing rapidly. A Forbes-recognized menopause leader, Maryon is the author of 28 books published on topics to manage menopause naturally with over one million copies sold internationally. She has served as a long-time columnist for major outlets and is a regular voice in webinars and conferences. In 2018 she was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM). In 2024, Maryon hosted a 4-part education broadcast series that can be found on PBS -- Maryon Stewart’s Menopause Solutions.

Key Concepts Covered

• Nutritional Deficiency & Hormonal Imbalance
• Phytoestrogens & Natural Hormone Rebalancing
• A Rules-Based Protocol for Thriving
• Symptom Relief Meets Long-Term Prevention
• Community and Accessibility

Maryon champions a powerful message: menopause is not an ending—it’s an opportunity to reclaim well-being. Through nutrition, education, and evidence-based practices, women can reduce symptoms, protect long-term health, and rediscover vitality. Investing in oneself for just a few months can yield a lifetime of strength, energy, and self-worth.

Connect with Maryon and Femmar:

Websites:

• https://www.femmar.com 
• https://www.naturalmenopause.tv 
• PBS TV series: https://www.pbs.org/show/maryon-stewarts-menopause-solutions

Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/maryonstewartmenopause 
• https://www.instagram.com/femmar.hormonal.health 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryon-stewart-bem-b806634

In this episode of The Positive Pause®, host Claire Gill sits down with integrative and hormonal medicine expert Shivani Doctor, PA-C, BHMS, MPAS, founder of Integrative Health and Aesthetics in Springfield, VA, for a discussion to help demystify midlife women’s health by covering what integrative/functional medicine actually is, how to spot hormone-driven symptoms (beyond hot flashes), when and why bioidentical hormone therapy can help, and the everyday nutrition/movement habits that support thriving, not just “getting through” menopause.

With advanced training in bioidentical hormone therapy and a background in integrative medicine and counseling psychology, Shivani specializes in midlife women’s health, hormonal balance, and lifestyle-based treatment strategies. Her practice helps women navigate perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause with personalized care rooted in both science and compassion. She blends her background in integrative medicine and counseling with advanced training in Western medicine to deliver personalized, functional and integrative care. Her unique approach combines evidence-based medicine, lifestyle therapies, and a deep commitment to whole-person wellness.

Key Concepts Covered:

• What “integrative/functional medicine” means
• Midlife focus & hormones
• Upstream & downstream matters
• Commonly missed symptoms
• Bioidentical vs synthetic hormones
• Guidelines & the evidence gap
• Advocacy with clinicians
• Nutrition foundations that support hormones
• Vitamin D3 + K2 & bones
• Movement priorities in midlife

Menopause care should be proactive, personalized, and whole-person. If your symptoms are dismissed, seek a menopause-savvy clinician, review reputable resources (e.g., NAMS), and advocate for a plan that matches science and your body. Bioidentical HRT can be life-changing, often restoring sleep, cognition, mood, sexual health, and comfort. Pair therapy with lifestyle pillars for best results.

Connect with Shivani Doctor, PA-C:

• Website: https://i-haa.com/functional-health/hormonal-health/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Integrative-Health-Aesthetics/61556914877652 
• Instagram: @integrativehanda

In this episode of The Positive Pause®, host Claire Gill speaks with Dr. Adrienne Bitar, PhD and Dr. Jennifer Han, PharmD, BCACP, co-founders of Seen Nutrition about their personal experiences with bone health issues, including pre-menopausal osteoporosis, the important role of calcium in bone health & bone density, how to protect bone health at midlife, and the creation of their brand & its new calcium chew. Drawing from their personal and family experiences with osteoporosis, they created a food-first calcium chew, free of added sugars, synthetics, preservatives, and fillers, to help women protect their bones across all stages of life.

Adrienne Bitar, PhD is a food studies researcher and lecturer in the Program in American Studies at Cornell University. She is the author of Diet and the Disease of Civilization (published by Rutgers University Press in 2018), a cultural history of diets in the US and analyzes how the obesity epidemic and diet book narratives reflect and shape broad cultural, religious, historical, and moral meaning. An expert in gender studies, food research, and the history of nutrition, Bitar has been widely consulted by journalists in the academic and popular press. 

Jennifer Han, PharmD is a Board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist (BCACP) practitioner at Syracuse Veterans Affairs Health System in New York, where she directs the chronic pain and whole health program. She has treated patients with full scope of practice to prescribe medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, pain and heart disease. Previously at Pomona Valley Hospital in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Han created the first interdisciplinary clinical pharmacy practice at the Women and Family Medicine Clinic, as well as serving as clinical faculty of the Family Medicine Residency and residency coordinator for the Pharmacy Residency Program.

Key Points Covered

• Personal Journeys & Motivation
• Understanding Bone Health Across the Lifespan
• Calcium’s Role in Bone Health
• The Problem with Traditional Supplements
• Prevention & Early Action
• Practical Advice for Listeners

Resources Available: 

• Purchase your first order of the Seen Calcium Chew Complete - 1 Month Supply for only $35
• Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF)
• International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)
• IOF Calcium Calculator

Dr. Han and Dr. Bitar emphasize prevention, education, and smarter supplementation.  

Start now, start small, and prioritize your bones for lifelong strength and mobility.

Connect with Dr. Bitar and Dr. Han: 

• Website 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seennutrition  
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennerosebitar 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-han-pharmd-bcacp  
• Facebook
• Instagram

Resources:

• American Migraine Foundation
  • American Migraine Foundation: Why Don't We Use the Terms "migraines," "migraine headaches" and "migraineur"?
• Canadian Headache Society
   

In this episode of The Positive Pause®, host Claire Gill speaks with Claire Sandoe, MD, MSc, neurologist, educator, and American Migraine Foundation board member, for a discussion about migraine’s impact on women, especially during key hormonal transitions like menopause. Dr. Sandoe shares clinical insights, recent research, and practical advice to empower women to seek help and break the stigma around migraine.

Dr. Sandoe is an Assistant Professor of Medicine (Neurology) at the University of Toronto and a headache neurologist at the Women's College Hospital Centre for Headache, where she directs the City-Wide Headache Medicine Fellowship. She serves on the boards of the Canadian Headache Society and the American Migraine Foundation, the Education Committees of the International Headache Society and the American Headache Society and is co-chair of the Canadian Headache Society National Neurology Resident Headache Course as well as the American Headache Society’s Mastering Migraine Therapies program.

Key Points Covered:

• Migraine is a brain disorder, not just a headache - Migraine can include a range of symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity, brain fog, and more, even between attacks.
• Hormones play a major role in migraine - Estrogen fluctuations during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause significantly affect migraine patterns in women.
• One in seven people globally are affected - Migraine is common, especially among women (1 in 4) but still underdiagnosed and often misunderstood.
• Migraine attacks vs. migraine - Dr. Sandoe explains why language matters and how "migraine attack" better reflects the episodic yet serious nature of the disorder.
• Migraine and menopause - Perimenopause can worsen migraine symptoms. While some women improve post-menopause, others do not, and early treatment is key.
• Treatment options are diverse and evolving - From lifestyle changes and supplements (like magnesium) to cutting-edge medications (like CGRP blockers) and neuromodulation devices, a range of tools are available.
• Trial and error are part of treatment but shouldn’t mean suffering in silence - The right treatment often requires experimentation. Women should feel empowered to explore options without guilt or stigma.
• Stigma still exists - Migraine is often dismissed as “just a headache” or associated with outdated stereotypes of “hysterical women.” Raising awareness is vital.
• Migraine can worsen over time if left untreated - Dr. Sandoe compares it to a path in the brain, if traveled too often, it becomes a highway. Early treatment can prevent chronic, worsening symptoms.
• Resources are available - The American Migraine Foundation offers patient-friendly, clinician-verified resources on migraine, women’s health, and more.

Connect with the American Migraine Foundation (AMF):

• Website: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org 
• Facebook: @AmericanMigraineFoundation -- https://www.facebook.com/americanmigrainefoundation &

In this episode, Jenna Perkins, RN, WHNP-BC, a board-certified women’s health and gender-related nurse practitioner and founder of DiscovHER Health joins us for a discussion about the importance understanding of pelvic health, which includes both urinary, bladder and gynecological issues, especially during perimenopause and menopause, the growing role and responsibilities of that nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA) have in patient care, and changes in estrogen during perimenopause and hormonal therapy options. 

Raised by her grandmother, a community healer, Jenna knew from a young age she would work in health care. Nursing became her path because of its focus on education and empowerment. After working in academic and corporate medicine, Jenna became disillusioned by the system’s inability to provide holistic care and opened her practice to help women overcome their most intimate health needs through education and care.

Jenna urges women to give themselves grace—healing often begins with awareness and gentleness, not doing more.

Jenna and Claire Discuss: 

• Pelvic Floor 101: Jenna calls it the “seat of life.” The pelvic floor is essential for urination, defecation, intimacy, breathing, and even emotional regulation. Dysfunction in this area can impact—and be impacted by—multiple body systems.
• How to Have a Healthy Pelvic Health: Deep and intentional breathing is foundational, and well-hydration supports bladder health. 
• When to Seek Help: Don’t wait until symptoms are severe. If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness or itchiness, urinary changes (i.e., frequency or incontinence), discomfort during intimacy, or emotional distress, it's time to consult a professional.
• Symptom Management with Hormonal and non-hormonal Therapy: Local estrogen (cream or vaginal insert) that works only where it is place and systemic estrogen (topical patch or oral pill) that work system-wide; and non-hormonal medications that help with just hot flashes, skin treatments, hair loss and other issues but they do not address the root-cause of decreasing estrogen levels.

Knowledge is power. Claire and Jenna emphasize how essential it is for women to understand their options and advocate for care that supports their whole-body health.

This is a must-listen conversation for anyone seeking holistic, compassionate, and science-based care during midlife and beyond.

Connect with Jenna:

• Website: https://discovherhealth.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiscovHERhealth
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discovherhealth/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DiscovHERhealth/podcasts

DiscoverHER Health FREE Resources: https://discovherhealth.com/discovher-health-resources/

In this episode, Joe Hoye, Owner/Operator of Hoye Fit, joins us for a discussion about how he helps women, especially those over the age of 40, in creating lasting change through fitness, nutrition, health and mindset.

Most coaches tell women to eat less and move more—Joe Hoye does the opposite. Through Diet Detox, he simplifies nutrition and fitness, helping women eat more, exercise less, and focus on what truly matters: breaking free from self-sabotage, shifting their identity, and achieving healthy forever weight loss.

With a background in surgery and years of coaching, Joe has helped over 1,000 women ditch restrictive diets, rebuild their metabolism, and reshape their lives. His bold approach proves that lasting change isn’t found in another diet—it’s found in a total mindset shift. 

Joe and Claire discuss: 

• Why Most Diets Fail - Restrictive diets lead to short-term results but long-term failure. Joe’s “Diet Detox” method focuses on enjoyment, consistency, and sustainable habits rather than extreme restrictions.
  
  
• Strength Training is the Key at Every Age - Women don’t need new workouts at midlife—they need the right ones, and that means building and preserving muscle through strength training. It's not about bulky lifting—it's about keeping and gaining balance as well as muscular and bone strength as you age.
  
  
• Midlife Isn’t Too Late to Start - Even women who’ve never exercised can begin with bodyweight movements, resistance bands, and gradual progress. It's never too late to start building strength and reclaiming energy.
  
  
• Mindset Makes the Difference - Long-term success requires identity change. For results to last a lifetime, it requires a mindset shift to think and act differently for a healthy lifestyle.

Joe emphasizes shifting from “I’m trying to be healthy” to “I’m a healthy person,” and explains how mindset is often the missing link in lasting transformation. 

Connect with Joe:

• Website: https://hoyefit.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoye-fit
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joe.h.hoye
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joe.dietdetox/

Additional Resources:

• FREE Fix Your Fat Loss quiz: https://quiz.hoyefit.com 
• Diet Detox book for $1: https://dietdetox.hoyefit.com

In this episode, Dawn Van Berkel, LPC, CCTP, CST, a mental health counselor and founder of H.E.R. Therapy, joins us for a discussion to explore the emotional challenges and opportunities women face during midlife and menopause. 

Dawn shares her inspiring story of going back to school in her mid-40s to earn a master’s degree in counseling, proving that reinvention is possible at any age. She wants women to know it’s never too late to make a career change, to go back to school to obtain a degree that will focus on what will make you thrive and always be learning. 

Dawn is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a perimenopause mental health specialist, certified clinical trauma professional therapist (CCTP), certified sex therapist (CST) specializing in sexual assault and advocate for women’s mental health, she helps women navigate the complex changes of midlife to reclaim and celebrate their sense of self through her practice, HER Therapy (Heal, Evolve, Reignite). In addition, EMDR and a parent coach for families with autistic children.

It’s important to recognize that the midlife and perimenopause phase of life is challenging, so each woman needs to first accept it and find ways that work best for them to move forward. Many women don’t realize symptoms like heart palpitations, debilitating anxiety, or mood changes can be connected to perimenopause and that they often go unheard by healthcare providers and feel unvalidated.

She discusses:

• The profound emotional shifts caused by hormonal fluctuations that often accompany perimenopause and menopause including anxiety, depression, and the heavy "mental load" women carry, managing both home and work life.
• The realities of trauma, not just catastrophic events, but the buildup of everyday stressors that wear down emotional resilience over time. 
• The “light at the end of the menopause tunnel” -- that research shows postmenopausal women often experience greater life satisfaction, patience and inner peace. It’s not the end, it’s a reinvention.

Dawn emphasized the importance to find the best first defense (e.g., talk therapy, antidepressants / SSRIs, hormone therapy, etc.) and to find a medical provider who understand women’s midlife health and will help you on your menopause journey. She offers practical tools like breathwork exercises (make the exhale longer than the inhale), meditation and radical self-care strategies to help women reclaim their well-being.

Connect with Dawn:

• Websites: 
  • https://www.hertherapyva.com
  • https://www.lifedoesntpause.org/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-van-berkel 
• Instagram:
  • https://www.instagram.com/hertherapyva 
  • https://www.instagram.com/lifedoesntpause 

In this episode, Colleen McIntosh, author of Menopause: The Horror, Humility, and Humor of It All joins us to discuss her candid and humorous approach to navigating menopause. She shares insights on how humor, support, and self-care can help women thrive during this challenging life transition.

Colleen’s story is one of humor, resilience, and self-discovery. Having spent years in acting and advertising, Colleen turned to writing to document her personal journey through menopause, a phase she felt was largely ignored or misunderstood in society. Colleen describes the moment that inspired her to write her book, recalling a frustrating encounter at an airport where she realized how invisible she felt as an older woman. It was then that she began writing down her experiences, making humor a central theme in her narrative.

Humor has been Colleen’s lifeline, even in the most difficult moments. She recalls a particularly hilarious monologue about her menopausal journey that had her family in stitches, despite a few moments of shock. Humor allowed her to process her emotions and, ultimately, embrace the changes she was experiencing with a lighter heart.

One of Colleen’s core missions is to normalize conversations about menopause and aging. She encourages women to share their experiences with their families and communities. She believes that this openness is essential for breaking down the stigma surrounding menopause and empowering the next generation of women.

She discussed the importance of:

• Having a support system during menopause, whether through friends, family, or local communities.  
• Using humor in helping you to get through menopause
• Educating and communicating with the men in our lives to understand menopause
• Prioritizing self-care and being "selfish" in a way that ultimately benefits everyone around you

Colleen’s story is a testament to the power of humor, self-care, and support in navigating the menopausal journey. She reminds women that they are not alone and encourages them to embrace the changes with compassion, humor, and open communication. Menopause, like any life transition, can be a time of growth, learning, and connection.

Connect with Colleen: 

• Website and blog: https://www.colleenmcintosh.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095174347324
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleen.mcintosh.31/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenmcintosh 

Resources referenced in the podcast: 

• Menopause: The Horror, Humility, and Humor of It All!!!