S.2. Ep4

This episode is for every woman who has ever felt like something is shifting… and no one is really talking about it in a way that makes sense.

The identity changes. The body changes. The emotions that feel louder, sharper, or harder to ignore. The quiet realization that the life you’ve built might not fully fit anymore.

In this episode, Lara sits down with Dr. Somi Javaid, a board-certified OB/GYN and women’s health expert who is redefining how we understand midlife, hormones, and what it actually means to feel well in your body.

And this conversation goes far beyond “this is just part of aging.”

Dr. Javaid breaks down how hormonal shifts impact everything — from mood, energy, sleep, libido, and mental clarity — and why so many women are dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told to just “push through it.”

She also shares what women should actually be looking for when it comes to their health: how to advocate for yourself, what real support can look like, and why understanding your body is one of the most powerful things you can do in this phase of life.

And because this is The Sweaty Pillow, we talk honestly about what it feels like when your body no longer responds the way it used to — and how that doesn’t mean something is wrong, it means something is changing.

Because sometimes feeling better doesn’t start with ignoring the symptoms.

Sometimes it starts with finally being heard.

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Join The Sweaty Pillow Community here thesweatypillow.com

Connect with Dr. Somi Javaid on Instagram

@dr.somijavaid

Learn more about Dr. Somi Javaid work here

@hermdheatlth

https://hermd.com

Connect with host Lara Smith on Instagram

@laralusome

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*The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional for medical concerns.

S.2. Ep3

This episode is for every woman who has ever thought, “I’m doing all the things… so why do I still feel like this?”

The weight that won’t move. The sleep that feels broken. The hot flashes. The stress. The exhaustion. The “is this menopause, or is something else going on?” of it all.

In this episode, Lara sits down with Angela Longo, a board-certified health coach and integrative nutrition expert who works with women on thyroid health, autoimmune issues, hormones, stress, and sleep.

And the conversation goes way beyond “eat better and sleep more.”

Angela breaks down how stress, toxic load, thyroid disruption, under-eating, over-exercising, dehydration, and everyday habits can quietly make perimenopause and menopause feel harder than it needs to.

She also shares the small things that can make a real difference: not reaching for your phone the second you wake up, getting morning sunlight, drinking water before coffee, choosing quality food over restriction, taking a few deep breaths before meals, and paying attention to what your body is actually asking for.

And because this is The Sweaty Pillow, we also talk sleep — including the story behind Slumber Cool, the mattress Angela created with women and hot sleepers in mind.

Because sometimes feeling better does not start with a complete life overhaul. Sometimes it starts with one small shift your nervous system has been begging for.

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@thesweatypillow

Join The Sweaty Pillow Community here thesweatypillow.com

Connect with Angela Longo on Instagram

@slumbercoolmattress

Learn more about Angela here

withinhealth.net

Learn more about Slumber Cool Mattress here

slumbercoolmattress.com

Connect with host Lara Smith on Instagram

@laralusome

Shop Lusomé Use Code “TSPPod26” for 26% Off

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*The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional for medical concerns.

S.2. Ep2 Season 2 is officially in full swing and we are not easing in quietly. The Sweaty Pillow is turning the volume up on the conversations women actually want to have, with smarter science, sharper truths, and support that feels like it was designed by women who get it.

What if menopause is not breaking your brain but rewiring it for power?

What if the depression, brain fog, and identity shift so many women feel is not failure but a biological reset you were never taught to understand?

In this episode we welcome Dr. Mindy Pelz to decode what is happening to the female brain during perimenopause and menopause. A functional health expert, bestselling author of Fast Like a Girl, Eat Like a Girl, and Age Like a Girl, Dr. Mindy explains the science behind brain fog, depression, metabolic shifts, and the neurological reset that can unlock a new level of clarity and self-leadership. What if this transition is not the end of who you were, but the beginning of who you are meant to become?

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Connect with Dr. Mindy Pelz on Instagram

@dr.mindypelz

Learn about Dr. Pelz here

Find her new book Age Like a Girl here

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@laralusome

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*The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional for medical concerns.

S.2. Ep1 The Sweaty Pillow returns with a brand new season. We are turning up the volume with deeper conversations, sharper science, and the real support you already know and trust for this Season 2 launch. This season will cover everything related to perimenopause and menopause, with bite-sized, life-saving tips to help you not just survive but actually thrive in midlife. Sleep, hormones, weight, mood, gut health, and the confidence to feel like yourself again. It is all back in Season 2, and yes, we brought receipts.

What if everything you have been told about menopause belly is wrong?

What if everything we’ve been taught—eat less, work out more, push harder—has been the biggest lie of all?

And here is the real plot twist. It is not about calories.

In this episode, certified menopause and weight-loss specialist Cindy Topel blows up the biggest myths about menopause belly and midlife weight gain and asks the uncomfortable question no one else is asking: have women been given the wrong advice about their bodies for decades?

This is not new year, new you.

It is new year, same you, just finally supported.

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@thesweatypillow

Join The Sweaty Pillow Community here

Connect with Cindy Topel on Instagram

@menopausepath

Learn about Cindy’s one on one coaching programs here

Connect with host Lara Smith on Instagram

@laralusome

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US:https://us.lusome.com

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*The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Today, Lara is joined by one of the leading voices in women’s sleep health: the extraordinary Dr. Andrea Matsumura, Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Specialist, Internal Medicine Physician, and nationally recognized expert on the biology of midlife sleep.

As a clinician, educator, and advocate, Dr. Matsumura has dedicated her career to understanding why so many women stop sleeping in midlife, and why the answers are almost never as simple as “stress” or “hormones.” From her work diagnosing complex sleep disorders at The Oregon Clinic to her leadership roles within the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Dr. Matsumura brings clarity, compassion, and science to a topic too often minimized or misunderstood.

In this episode, Dr. Matsumura breaks down the real physiology behind women’s changing sleep in midlife including how shifting estrogen impacts your sleep architecture, why hot flashes aren’t the whole story, and the surprising number of women who unknowingly meet criteria for conditions like restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea, and chronic insomnia. She explains the difference between normal aging and true sleep pathology, the role of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, and why women deserve a far more thorough, and specialized, approach to their sleep concerns.

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re suddenly wide awake at 2 AM, why your doctor waved away your symptoms, or what a sleep evaluation should look like for women in midlife, you’re in the right place. Dr. Matsumura is here to offer real answers, real validation, and real tools to help you return to deep, restorative sleep.

Connect with Dr. Andrea Matsumura on Instagram @sleepgoddessmd

Join The Sweaty Pillow Community here

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Connect with Lara Smith @laralusome

Shop Lusomé Sleepwear here

*The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.

Today, Lara is joined by one of the most respected voices in modern sleep science: the brilliant Dr. Michael Breus, Clinical Psychologist and Board-Certified Sleep Specialist.

Recently named the Top Sleep Specialist in California and recognized as one of the ten most influential people in sleep, Dr. Breus has built an extraordinary career reshaping how we understand rest, energy, and the biological timing that drives every part of our lives. With more than 40 appearances on The Dr. Oz Show and multiple bestselling books—including The Power of When and Energize!—Dr. Breus has helped millions discover that there is a science-backed right time to do everything: sleep, eat, think, exercise, connect, and reboot.

In this episode, Dr. Breus unpacks the truth about chronotypes—your internal biological rhythm—and explains why honoring your unique timing is the key to better sleep and more consistent energy, especially in midlife. He breaks down the genetics behind your chronotype, why menopause can dramatically shift your sleep patterns, and what you can do about it. From metabolic health and movement to strategic habits that support your circadian rhythm, he lays out an actionable path forward for anyone who feels like their sleep or energy has come undone.

If you’ve ever wondered why you “can’t sleep like you used to,” why your nights changed the moment midlife arrived, or how to finally align your biology with your lifestyle, you’re in the right place. Dr. Breus shows us that when you understand your chronotype, you unlock more than better sleep—you unlock a smarter, calmer, more energized version of yourself in menopause and beyond.

Connect with Dr. Breus below!

Take the Chronotype Quiz: Chronotype Quiz

Discover the Mattress Toppers: Mattress Toppers

Read Dr. Breus’ latest book: Sleep, Drink, Breathe (2024)

Explore all of Dr. Breus’ books: Other books

Join The Sweaty Pillow Community here

Shop LUSOMÉ here

Use code: TSP25 for 25% off

Connect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillow 

Find us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillow

Connect with Lara Smith @laralusome

***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***

Today, Lara is joined by one of the most respected voices in modern sleep science: the brilliant Dr. Michael Breus, Clinical Psychologist and Board-Certified Sleep Specialist.

Recently named the Top Sleep Specialist in California and recognized as one of the ten most influential people in sleep, Dr. Breus has built an extraordinary career reshaping how we understand rest, energy, and the biological timing that drives every part of our lives. With more than 40 appearances on The Dr. Oz Show and multiple bestselling books—including The Power of When and Energize!—Dr. Breus has helped millions discover that there is a science-backed right time to do everything: sleep, eat, think, exercise, connect, and reboot.

In this episode, Dr. Breus unpacks the truth about chronotypes—your internal biological rhythm—and explains why honoring your unique timing is the key to better sleep and more consistent energy, especially in midlife. He breaks down the genetics behind your chronotype, why menopause can dramatically shift your sleep patterns, and what you can do about it. From metabolic health and movement to strategic habits that support your circadian rhythm, he lays out an actionable path forward for anyone who feels like their sleep or energy has come undone.

If you’ve ever wondered why you “can’t sleep like you used to,” why your nights changed the moment midlife arrived, or how to finally align your biology with your lifestyle, you’re in the right place. Dr. Breus shows us that when you understand your chronotype, you unlock more than better sleep—you unlock a smarter, calmer, more energized version of yourself in menopause and beyond.

Connect with Dr. Breus below!

Take the Chronotype Quiz: Chronotype Quiz

Discover the Mattress Toppers: Mattress Toppers

Read Dr. Breus’ latest book: Sleep, Drink, Breathe (2024)

Explore all of Dr. Breus’ books: Other books

Join The Sweaty Pillow Community here

Shop LUSOMÉ here

Use code: TSP25 for 25% off

Connect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillow 

Find us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillow

Connect with Lara Smith @laralusome

***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***

Today, Lara is joined by one of the world’s most respected voices in sleep science: the brilliant Dr. Michael Breus, Clinical Psychologist and Board-Certified Sleep Specialist.

Recently named the Top Sleep Specialist in California and one of the 10 most influential people in sleep, Dr. Breus has spent his career rewriting what we think we know about rest, energy, and biological timing. From his appearances on The Dr. Oz Show to his bestselling books, his work proves there is a right time to do everything—sleep, eat, have sex, run a mile—and that your unique chronotype holds the key to true rest, even through menopause.

Dr. Breus joins us to break down the science of chronotypes, how to optimize sleep at every age, and why midlife and menopause can be a pivotal and empowering time to transform your relationship with rest. He shares the genetics behind your biological timing, the real impact of movement and intermittent fasting on your energy, and actionable tools to help you go from dragging to thriving.

If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t sleep, how to sync your life with your natural rhythms, or what your doctor should be telling you about sleep health, you’re in the right place. Dr. Breus is here to show us how unlocking your chronotype is truly the gateway to better sleep, better energy, and a better midlife.

Connect with Dr. Breus below!

Take the Chronotype Quiz: Chronotype Quiz

Discover the Mattress Toppers: Mattress Toppers

Read Dr. Breus’ latest book: Sleep, Drink, Breathe (2024)

Explore all of Dr. Breus’ books: Other books

Join The Sweaty Pillow Community here

Connect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillow

Find us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillow

Connect with Lara Smith @laralusome

***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***

Welcome to a very special episode of The Sweaty Pillow! For the first time ever, we’re welcoming a man into our sanctuary: the brilliant Dr. Bill Bruno, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in West Hollywood.

Dr. Bruno’s work extends far beyond aesthetics. After a personal health scare involving heart disease, he pioneered the integration of longevity and wellness into modern medical practice, creating a proven prescription for healing, thriving, and prevention at every age.

Dr. Bruno joins us to share his incredible personal health journey and why the foundational elements of lifestyle—nutrition, exercise, and sleep—are responsible for 80% of your health outcomes, defying the “it’s just genetics” excuse, and shares the exact formula to ask your doctor for. Dr. Bruno is living proof that becoming the CEO of your own health is the true path to thriving in midlife and beyond.

Connect with Dr. Bruno on Instagram @williambrunomd

Join The Sweaty Pillow Community here

Connect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillow

Find us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillow

Connect with Lara Smith @laralusome

***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***

This episode of the Sweaty Pillow Podcast features an illuminating conversation with Dr. Vonda Wright, a pioneering health innovator and double board-certified orthopedic surgeon. We dive deep into the often-overlooked yet critical aspects of menopause, its profound impact on mobility, bone density, and overall physical and mental vitality.

Dr. Wright, who openly shares her personal journey from "menopause misery to midlife mastery," explains the biological underpinnings of physical changes experienced by women, including conditions like brain fog, frozen shoulder, and the significant loss of muscle and bone mass. Listeners will gain a vital understanding of why these physical symptoms are just as important as hot flashes and how they relate to long-term health, including cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's risk.

Dr. Vonda emphasizes the crucial role of lifestyle choices over genetics, highlighting what she’s coined as “The Critical Decade" (ages 35-45) as a pivotal time for women to establish proactive health habits. Dr. Wright challenges the notion of "table scraps" when it comes to women's health research and passionately advocates for women to prioritize their well-being. She also teases her upcoming book, Unbreakable: Women's Guide to Aging with Power, introducing concepts like the "six time bombs of aging" and offering a roadmap for women to navigate this transformative life stage with strength and resilience.

Connect with Dr. Dalfen on Instagram @drvondawright

Preorder her book ‘Unbreakable’ here

Join The Sweaty Pillow Community here

Connect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillow

Find us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillow

Connect with Lara Smith @laralusome

***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***