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Have you ever been technically doing nothing, sitting on the couch, at dinner with friends, lying in bed, while your brain runs through everything you can't forget? That's the mental load, and today's episode is all about it.
The mental load of motherhood isn't the physical work of cooking, cleaning, and driving. It's the invisible layer underneath: the remembering, the anticipating, the planning, the checking, the worrying. I share the research showing this isn't just a feeling and talk about why invisible work is so exhausting, and the association researchers have found between an unequal mental load and higher stress, burnout, and lower wellbeing, while being honest that this research is observational.
Then we get practical, because awareness isn't enough. I share the strategies I'm testing in my own life: getting it out of your head, transferring ownership rather than just delegating tasks, letting go of the badge of honor around asking for help, real stress regulation (not another bubble bath), reducing daily decisions, and talking to yourself with more compassion.
And one important note I don't want lost: not every symptom is "just the mental load." Persistent exhaustion, anxiety, hopelessness, and changes in sleep deserve real evaluation, because depression and anxiety are common and treatable.
If you've felt this weight but never had a name for it, this one's for you. Share it with someone who needs it.
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:06 Understanding the Mental Load of Motherhood
00:40 What the Mental Load Really Is
01:08 The Four Stages of Cognitive Labor
03:29 What the Research Shows
05:18 Why the Mental Load Is So Exhausting
08:29 Strategies to Alleviate the Mental Load
09:13 Strategy 1: Get It Out of Your Head
10:06 Strategy 2: Transfer Full Ownership
10:35 Strategy 3: Ask for Help
11:36 Strategy 4: Practice Stress Regulation
13:46 Strategy 5: Reduce Decision Fatigue
15:32 Key Takeaways for Lightening the Load
16:15 Recognizing Mental Health Beyond the Mental Load
17:54 Outro
Today we're getting into something nobody wants to talk about and everybody should: poop. I promise it's one of the most useful conversations we'll have, because your bowel movements are one of the clearest windows into your health, telling you about your hydration, your nutrition, how well you're absorbing nutrients, and how your gut is functioning day to day.
I start with the question everyone asks: how often should I actually be going? Then we get into the tool I pull up constantly in the clinic: the Bristol Stool Scale. I walk through all seven types, what they mean, and the range you're actually aiming for. We cover one of the most misunderstood truths in gut health, that you can go every single day and still be constipated, if you're straining, waiting, or never quite feeling emptied, and how that incomplete feeling can point to the pelvic floor.
From there I get practical: why stool gets hard in the first place, the different types of fiber and how much you actually need (and why you should build up slowly), what magnesium can and can't do, why movement matters, and why "detox" is the wrong way to think about all of this. I close with the red flags that deserve a workup, and a simple to-do list: look at your poop, and learn your normal.
This is educational, not medical advice, but it's the kind of everyday health literacy that genuinely changes outcomes.
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Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: HERE
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Pelvic Floor Podcast Episodes
Episode 7
Episode 8
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:06 Introduction and Personal Struggles
00:25 Understanding Bowel Movements
01:17 Normal Bowel Frequency and Health Indicators
04:40 The Bristol Stool Chart Explained
08:19 Causes of Constipation and Treatment Options
13:38 The Importance of Physical Activity and Detoxification
15:08 When to Seek Medical Attention
17:48 Key Takeaways and Conclusion
19:28 Outro
Ashley Madsen is one of our favorite guests, and after our peptides episode sparked a flood of questions about sex, desire, and libido, we had to bring her back.
This one is refreshingly honest. We start by untangling three words that get used interchangeably but mean very different things: libido, desire, and arousal. Then we walk through the stages of a woman's life and how desire shifts through each.
We get into the science without shame and why the single most powerful "treatment" is often a shift in relationship dynamics, a partner who lightens the load, offers affection with no agenda, and helps her feel supported rather than managed.
A note on this one: it's a clinical conversation, and it's candid. Ashley and Mimi discuss specific medical and hormonal treatments from a provider's perspective. All of that is educational and reflects their clinical experience, it is not medical advice, and every option mentioned is deeply individual and belongs in a conversation with your own qualified provider.
Above all, this episode carries one message we care about deeply: your desire and sexual wellbeing are a real part of your health, and you do not have to just take it. There is so much more that can be done than most women realize.
More info:
Combined oral contraceptives are linked to lower levels of several nutrients, most consistently vitamin B6, along with B2, folate, B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, and zinc; vitamin A tends to rise. A few caveats: the B12 change usually reflects altered transport rather than true deficiency, and symptomatic deficiency is uncommon on today's low-dose pills. Targeted supplementation may help, though it isn't routinely recommended, and diet matters.
The gut data are limited and inconsistent. A few small studies found minor shifts, but the largest and most rigorous (160 women) found no effect on gut composition or diversity, though it did find the menstrual cycle affected the vaginal and oral microbiome, just not the gut.
There's also a debated idea that because the pill suppresses ovulation, it may blunt the preferences naturally cycling women show, for more masculine faces, or the scent of genetically dissimilar men. The evidence for this is mixed and unresolved.
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Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: HERE
Learn at Pinnacle to earn FREE CE/CME credit for listening to this episode: HERE
Ashley Madsen
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Instagram
Peptide Course
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:08 Guest Introduction: Ashley Madsen
01:32 Libido vs. Arousal: What's the Difference?
03:49 Why Desire Changes Across Life Stages
06:36 Sexual Health in Your 20s: Birth Control, Desire & Orgasm
13:00 Postpartum Intimacy: Hormones, Exhaustion & Connection
25:12 Perimenopause: Energy, Hormones & Arousal
33:26 Pain, Pelvic Floor Health & Taking Time to Warm Up
37:54 Postmenopausal Sexual Wellness & Vaginal Estrogen
44:16 PT-141: Benefits, Side Effects & Personalized Dosing
49:44 Final Takeaways: Ask Questions and Advocate for Your Health
52:06 Outro
Some of the best connections happen by accident. I met Becca Medvin during a car meditation at a wellness event. I'd climbed into her car to escape the heat and left feeling calmer than I had in ages. So I asked her on the show. Becca is a meditation and yoga teacher rooted in the Himalayan tradition, with a decade of study at the Clairvoyant Center of Hawaii and a passion for breathwork, flower essences, and herbalism. As she puts it, all your answers already exist within you, these practices simply help you see them.
We talk about presence, and why most of us are rarely where we actually are. We get candid, empath to empath, about setting energetic boundaries and how sensitive people so often end up carrying everyone else's emotions. And we get practical: Becca walks through a simple breath-and-movement practice anyone can do, how to tone the vagus nerve using your own voice, and why playfulness and self-compassion aren't distractions from healing but part of it.
As two recovering perfectionists, we land on her favorite reminder of all, just give yourself a break.
A quick note: Becca's tradition includes spiritual and energetic practices, which we share as her perspective and lived experience. This is an educational conversation, not medical advice.
If you've been running from one thing to the next without a full breath, consider this your invitation to pause.
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Ethlete 15% off code: REVER15
Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: HERE
Learn at Pinnacle to earn FREE CE/CME credit for listening to this episode: HERE
Becca Medvin
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Instagram
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:06 Guest Introduction: Becca Medvin
01:33 Becca’s Approach to Meditation, Yoga & Flower Essences
02:07 Clairvoyance and Intuitive Development
04:38 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Sensitivity
06:31 Setting Boundaries as an Empath
09:45 Empowerment Through Self-Awareness
14:47 The Lifelong Journey of Self-Discovery
17:15 Accepting Your Present State
19:23 The Connection Between Yoga and Mindfulness
21:25 Starting Your Yoga Journey: Small Steps Matter
22:09 Integrating Breath with Movement
24:01 The Importance of Breath Awareness
24:29 A Simple Daily Breathing Practice
25:59 Different Styles of Breathwork
27:27 Breathwork for Emotional Release
28:59 Toning the Vagus Nerve Through Voice and Breath
31:06 Rediscovering Playfulness and Joy
32:12 Giving Yourself Permission to Be Free
33:20 Understanding Flower Essences
35:17 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
37:01 Outro
A year ago, Dr. Sarah Avila did my eyelid surgery, and the questions haven't stopped since. So I finally brought her on to answer them. Dr. Sarah Avila is the board-certified oculoplastic surgeon who performed my own upper eyelid surgery, and after all the questions that experience generated, I knew I had to bring her on. An oculoplastic surgeon specializes entirely in the upper face and everything to do with the eyes: the eyelids, brows, the lacrimal (tear) system, and the eye socket.
We start with something most people never consider, that the eyes have to function before they can look good. From there we get practical. We get honest about the non-surgical options too: when under-eye filler genuinely helps and when it backfires, what PRP and PRF can and can't do, and her candid, study-informed take on PDGF, the injectable that's everywhere in Miami right now. We talk about the skin pinch trend and why she's seeing complications from it, when surgery is genuinely the better value, and why she'll never give you a "trendy" result.
A quick and important note: this is an educational conversation about aesthetic and surgical options, not medical advice, and it reflects our guest's clinical perspective. Every concern discussed is deeply individual, and as Sarah says, there's no substitute for a real, in-person consultation with a qualified provider.
Whether you've thought about eye surgery or just want to understand what you see in the mirror, this one is full of clarity.
Additional info: A landmark study published in PLOS ONE analyzed data from 16,408 adults to measure the exact mental health impact of dry eyes. The researchers found the following risk metrics:
Suicidal Ideation Risk (Diagnosed DED): Patients with a clinical diagnosis of dry eye disease had a 1.24 times higher risk (an increased odds ratio of 24%) of experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Suicidal Ideation Risk (Severe Symptoms): Patients experiencing active, painful dry eye symptoms had a 1.47 times higher risk (an increased odds ratio of 47%) of suicidal thoughts compared to healthy peers.
Depression Risk: Those with active dry eye symptoms had a 1.50 times higher risk of developing clinical depression.
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Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: HERE
Learn at Pinnacle to earn FREE CE/CME credit for listening to this episode: HERE
Dr. Sarah Avila
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:06 Introduction: Dr. Sarah Avila
01:09 The Importance of Eye Health and Tear Film
01:36 Exploring Non-Surgical Options: Fillers and PRP
08:45 The Controversy of PDGF in Aesthetic Treatments
13:05 Surgical Interventions: When and Why?
13:41 Understanding Brow and Eyelid Aesthetics
17:48 Navigating Eyelid Surgery and Insurance
22:21 Exploring Lower Eyelid Procedures
33:16 The Impact of Prostaglandins on Eyelash Growth
41:41 Outro
Today's guest is someone near and dear to my heart: my brother, Dr. Norman Ruiz-Castaneda, whom I lovingly call Tito. After earning his doctorate of pharmacy from the University of Florida, he spent the last decade specializing in compounding pharmacy and personalized care, and in 2020 he and his wife Christy opened Uptown Chemist, North Naples' first USP 800-compliant compounding pharmacy.
We get into the heart of his work: compounding pharmacy and why it matters. We talk about why the same dose doesn't fit everyone, how compounding solves real problems, why a made-to-order medication takes time, and why that's a good thing. If you've ever wondered why compounded care feels so different from the retail pharmacy experience, this explains it.
We also explore several medications being used and studied in the functional and longevity space, including methylene blue and low-dose naltrexone, and the broader concept of repurposed drugs, medications with an established use being explored, under a provider's guidance, for new ones. We touch on ivermectin as well, and the complicated, contested history of how it was discussed during the pandemic.
A quick and important note: this is one of our more clinical conversations. Everything here is educational, not medical advice, and it reflects our guest's perspective and clinical experience. Some of what's discussed remains genuinely debated in the medical community, and we'd encourage you to weigh it with your own clinician.
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Become a Patient: HERE
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Ethlete 15% off code: REVER15
Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: HERE
Learn at Pinnacle to earn FREE CE/CME credit for listening to this episode: HERE
Dr. Norman Ruiz-Castaneda
Website
Instagram
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:06 Introduction to Dr. Norman Ruiz-Castaneda
01:16 Journey into Pharmacy and Personal Health
10:27 Transitioning to Functional Medicine
12:13 Exploring Methylene Blue
24:26 Understanding Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
25:51 Understanding Inflammation and Its Management
30:51 Exploring Ivermectin: Uses and Controversies
43:10 The Concept of Repurposed Drugs in Medicine
47:52 Outro
We first met Geri Del Vento when we were hunting for a space to record this very podcast, and hers was so beautifully designed we couldn't stop talking about it. Geri is a Venezuelan-born, Miami-raised creative whose path wound through dance, church environments, and motherhood before landing in interior design, and she brings real warmth and intention to everything she touches.
We get into something I care about deeply: the connection between your environment and how you feel. Geri explains why design is more than aesthetics, it's intentionality, and how the spaces we live in speak directly to our nervous system, our sense of calm, and even our sleep.
We dig into lighting, talk about color, and why the goal is never to chase a trend but to find what genuinely brings you peace. We get into texture and we talk about which rooms matter most, why the kitchen and family room might be your true sanctuary, and how to treat the bedroom as a place of rest.
Whether you want to refresh one room on a budget or rethink how your whole home makes you feel, this one will change how you see the space around you.
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See full show notes
Become a Patient: HERE
Medical Providers: Join my Clinician Education Platform and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month
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Hume Health - Get $20 off
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Ethlete 15% off code: REVER15
Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: HERE
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Geri Del Vento
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Instagram
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:06 Introduction and Personal Background
00:06 The Impact of Environment on Wellness
02:14 Journey to Interior Design
04:50 Building a Design Career
07:27 The Connection Between Space and Well-Being
10:24 The Impact of Lighting on Mood
12:22 Home Office Trends During COVID
14:01 Creating Sanctuary Spaces in Homes
17:32 The Role of Color in Interior Design
22:54 The Design Process: From Concept to Creation
25:00 Challenges and Comparisons in Entrepreneurship
25:25 The Comparison Trap in Entrepreneurship
28:18 Building Strong Foundations: Systems and Processes
29:29 The Importance of Environment and Textiles
31:45 Designing with Intent: The Impact of Space
35:05 Affordable Design Hacks for Everyone
37:19 Rapid Fire Favorites: Design Preferences
38:54 Outro
I slid into Dr. Alyssa Olenick's DMs because I love her content that much, and this conversation did not disappoint. Alyssa has a PhD in exercise physiology specializing in women's health and metabolism, plus postdoctoral training in menopause, and she has run eighteen ultramarathons, so she brings both the research and the lived experience.
We start where so much confusion lives: the sea of fitness misinformation aimed at women.She lays out a genuinely useful blueprint: the three pillars of a complete program, how to actually tell if you're working hard enough, and why two to three quality strength sessions a week is enough. We get into power specifically, and why we lose it even faster than muscle as we age, which matters far more than it sounds.
Then we get into the reframe that changed how I train: the truth about your menstrual cycle and exercise. Your body's actual capacity doesn't meaningfully change across your cycle, but how it feels does, and understanding that difference is freeing. We get into why rigid cycle syncing falls apart, and how to work with your body instead of against it.
Empowering, honest, and packed with things you can actually use, whether you're a lifelong athlete or someone who's never set foot in a gym.
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See full show notes
Become a Patient: HERE
Medical Providers: Join my Clinician Education Platform and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month
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Ethlete 15% off code: REVER15
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Learn at Pinnacle to earn FREE CE/CME credit for listening to this episode: HERE
Dr. Alyssa Olenick
Website
Instagram
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:06 Introduction to Alyssa Olenick and Her Journey
02:46 Debunking Myths in Women's Training
06:44 Understanding Women's Training Needs
08:00 The Importance of Strength Training for Young Women
15:36 Building a Holistic Training Program
21:37 The Role of Power in Aging and Functionality
30:13 Understanding Bone Health and Gender Differences
33:07 The Impact of Hormones on Bone Density
35:03 Menstrual Cycle and Energy Availability
39:31 Hormonal Influence on Exercise Performance
47:23 Training Through Perimenopause and Beyond
53:11 Outro
I've been a fangirl of Ashley Madsen's work for a while, so getting her on the show was a real treat. Ashley is a double board-certified physician associate, international speaker, and educator in functional medicine, longevity science, and performance optimization.
We start with NAD and Ashley explains why the real story is far more nuanced than "we lose it with age, so replace it." We get into why the body degrades NAD in the first place, why testing NAD is so tricky, and why the idea of a weekly NAD drip for everyone doesn't hold up. She also explains the role of methylation support, and why building a foundation matters before layering on the fancy stuff.
From there we talk peptides. Ashley breaks down how it works, who it may help, and why the human safety data behind it stands out. We even play a rapid-fire round on peptides.
We close on where personalized medicine is going, why "knowledge replaces fear," and Ashley's lovely idea of the lily pad effect, how every pivot and even every failure prepares you for what comes next.
A note: this is one of our more clinical conversations, and everything discussed is educational, not medical advice. Any therapy mentioned should be considered only with a qualified clinician.
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See full show notes
Become a Patient: HERE
Medical Providers: Join my Clinician Education Platform and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month
Subscribe to our Newsletter: HERE
Hume Health - Get $20 off
Gramms Protein - Get $20 off
Ethlete 15% off code: REVER15
Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: HERE
Learn at Pinnacle to earn FREE CE/CME credit for listening to this episode: HERE
Purchase Methyl Guard Plus: HERE
Ashley Madsen
Website
Peptide Course
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:06 Introduction to Ashley Madsen
03:38 Ashley Madsen's Journey in Medicine
08:22 Understanding NAD: The Basics
14:07 NAD in Practice: Personal Experiences and Insights
20:28 Methylation and Personalized Medicine
21:43 Exploring SS-31: A Game-Changing Peptide
23:06 Mitochondrial Health and Peptide Therapy
29:18 Personalized Medicine and the Future of Peptides
35:28 Knowledge and Curiosity in Health Decisions
38:19 The Lily Pad Effect and Life Lessons
38:51 Outro
I met Dr. Teresa Chamorro at our perimenopause premiere, and afterward everyone said the same thing: bring the psychologist back. So here she is. Teresa is a clinical psychologist specializing in sleep and women's reproductive mental health, supporting women through fertility, pregnancy, loss, the postpartum period, and menopause.
We start with something that isn't talked about nearly enough: postpartum mental health. We get into why postpartum depression and anxiety carry so much shame, why the six-week checkup gives a false sense of a finish line when this can take many months to move through, and how to know when a hard season has become something worth getting help for.
From there we talk about the identity shift of becoming a mother, and how to hold onto yourself inside it. We get into the perimenopause transition and how a whole team, not just hormones, supports you through it, and why tracking your symptoms gives you back a sense of control.
We also cover the things I could talk about for hours: why failure is not only survivable but necessary, how to actually set and hold a boundary, the invisible mental load women carry.
If you take one thing from this: express how you're feeling, don't be afraid to set boundaries, and give yourself real breaks. You are not alone.
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See full show notes
Become a Patient: HERE
Medical Providers: Join my Clinician Education Platform and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month
Subscribe to our Newsletter: HERE
Hume Health - Get $20 off
Gramms Protein - Get $20 off
Ethlete 15% off code: REVER15
Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: HERE
Learn at Pinnacle to earn FREE CE/CME credit for listening to this episode: HERE
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:06 Introduction to Women's Health Psychology
04:28 Navigating Postpartum Depression
07:29 Finding Identity in Motherhood
11:05 Communication in Relationships During Transition
15:23 Flexibility and Self-Compassion
19:44 Mindful vs. Mindless Relaxation
20:55 The Role of Movement in Stress Relief
22:27 Breathing Techniques for Stress Management
26:25 The Value of Failure
28:51 Teaching Resilience to Children
31:55 Facing Fear and Embracing Change
32:49 The Journey to Becoming a Psychologist
34:09 The Importance of Social Support
35:19 Perspective Shifting in Therapy
36:15 Expressing Emotions and Overcoming Shame
38:21 Understanding Gender Differences in Emotional Expression
38:43 Setting Boundaries: The Key to Healthy Relationships
42:38 Distinguishing Between Mental Health Professionals
43:54 The Rise of Narcissism in Modern Discourse
45:32 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
48:13 Outro
From the publisher's feed