Things Mom Never Said: Secrets to Aging Well

On this episode, April and Sherry dive into the mystery of sleep apnea and get honest about what it feels like, how it shows up, and why so many women ignore the signs until they’re already exhausted. They break down sleep apnea in plain English, explain the three types, and walks through the symptoms you should not brush off - from loud snoring and gasping to dry mouth, headaches, and daytime fatigue. Sherry shares what it was like to live with it for years before getting diagnosed, how a home sleep study changed everything, and why her CPAP machine became a real game-changer once she adjusted to it. They also get into the practical side of living with sleep apnea - the face marks, the drying effect, the travel hassle, and the small morning tricks that help. They even dig into airway health, hydration, and the bigger question of when surgery might make more sense than managing symptoms forever. If you’ve been told you snore, wake up tired, or stop breathing in your sleep, this conversation could be the nudge you need to finally get checked. 

Key Takeaways:

• Sleep apnea is not just a breathing problem - it's a sleep fragmentation problem
• The cheapest interventions often reveal the biggest leverage
• A diagnosis often arrives late because people normalize gradual decline
• Technology only works when people survive the adjustment period
• Data turns vague improvement into actionable feedback
• Appearance-based objections can block life-saving habits
• Prevention is often just maintenance done early enough

Medical Info/Resources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8718-sleep-apnea

https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/what-doctors-want-patients-know-about-sleep-apnea

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/obstructive-sleep-apnea

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22043-cpap-machine

https://www.careprohs.com/blog/post/cpap-mask-leaving-marks-on-your-face-what-can-help

Non-toxic eye masks:

https://truebotanicals.com/products/chebula-multi-corrective-eye-patches

https://clearstem.com/products/eye-candy

https://www.100percentpure.com/collections/masks/products/bright-eyes-masks

https://www.loopsbeauty.com

https://knesko.com/collections/collagen-eye-masks 

In this episode, April and Sherry unpack the science behind why connection, belonging, and community are not just nice to have, but essential for health, longevity, and emotional well-being. Together, they trace how community shapes every stage of life - from church circles and 4-H to women’s groups, family caregiving, neighborhood networks, and the kind of “moai” bonds Blue Zones is famous for. They also dig into the surprising research connecting social isolation to earlier death, higher dementia risk, and more inflammation, while showing how shared meals, group rituals, and regular gathering can create real protection over time. 

Key Takeaways:

• Blue Zones consistently find community at the center of long life
• A moai works to improve purpose and resilience
• Multi-generational living gives both older adults and younger families a richer life.
• Women’s groups, game nights, and shared tables are more powerful than they look
• You can create your own community if you feel disconnected where you live

Medical Info/Resources: 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/is-having-a-sense-of-belonging-important

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/wellness/journey/april

https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/the-importance-of-connections-ways-to-live-a-longer-healthier-life/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6125010/

https://www.who.int/news/item/30-06-2025-social-connection-linked-to-improved-heath-and-reduced-risk-of-early-death

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4725506/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK298903/

https://www.bluezones.com/articles/why-social-bonds-are-important-for-health/

https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/index.html

https://ccare.stanford.edu/uncategorized/connectedness-health-the-science-of-social-connection-infographic/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11403199/

https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/connection/index.html

On this episode, April and Sherry talk about the health screenings women may need in perimenopause and menopause—and why routine checkups can leave important questions unanswered. They discuss mammograms, breast density, bloodwork, heart and bone health, and how to advocate for care that fits your needs. With personal stories and practical reminders, this conversation encourages women to stay informed and speak up for their health.

• Learn which health screenings make sense for you during perimenopause and menopause.
• Personal and family health history will help your care team reflect your risks.
• One routine test does not answer every question; ask what follow-up may be appropriate.
• Keeping track of important health measures, such as blood pressure, will help you understand your baseline.
• Work with a clinician or physician who listens and considers the whole picture.
• Stay active and support your strength, balance, and mobility as you age.

Medical Resources/Info:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/breast-cancer-screenings

https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/screening

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html

https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/health-screenings-for-women-age-65-and-older

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2025/0500/health-maintenance-postmenopausal-women

On this episode, Sherry and April talk about finding clarity when life feels overwhelming, noisy, and uncertain. They explore how prayer, gratitude, scripture, meditation, journaling, and quiet time can help create space to hear yourself—and God—more clearly. April shares her experience of stepping back from burnout, simplifying her schedule, regulating her nervous system, and learning to trust the process instead of trying to control every outcome. Sherry reflects on faith, surrender, waiting, and a powerful personal story about receiving unexpected direction during a difficult season. Together, they discuss the importance of reducing mental and physical clutter, turning off the phone, practicing gratitude, writing down your thoughts, imagining your best-case future, and taking one small step forward. This heartfelt and honest conversation is a reminder that you don’t need to have everything figured out—you may simply need to pause, listen, and begin again.

Key Takeaways:

• Clarity often comes when you slow down and reduce the noise.
• Prayer, gratitude, and quiet time can help you find direction.
• You don’t need the entire plan—just take one small step.
• Pay attention to what your body is telling you.
• A clear vision can guide your decisions.
• Set boundaries around people and commitments that drain you.
• Resetting your life happens through small, consistent changes.

In this episode, April and Sherry dig into the forgotten routines that actually support aging well—starting with the one beauty habit most of us abandoned: brushing your hair. From scalp health to blood flow, natural oils, tangles, and even why a high-quality French brush can change the way your hair feels in just days, this conversation turns an old-fashioned ritual into a surprisingly practical wellness tool. April connects the dots between modern convenience and what we've lost along the way—from homemade chicken soup and real bone broth to everyday movement, clotheslines, gardening, and the kind of slow living that used to be built into daily life. While Sherry adds the generational perspective, recalling the hard-earned wisdom of grandmothers who cooked from scratch, stayed active, and made health a way of life. This episode is a wake-up call for anyone who suspects modern life has made too many things harder than they need to be. It's thoughtful, funny, practical, and a little nostalgic—perfect for listeners who want simple, sustainable ways to feel better, age better, and bring back what actually worked.

Key Takeaways:

• Simple routines can support long-term wellness.
• Daily hair brushing may benefit scalp and hair health.
• Convenience can sometimes replace healthy natural habits.
• Consistency matters more than dramatic health changes.
• Traditional practices often contain practical wisdom.
• Homemade food, such as broth and soup, can be nourishing and restorative.
• Everyday movement is an important part of aging well.
• Slowing down can protect energy, health, and well-being.
• Modern life can benefit from bringing back habits that genuinely worked.
• The goal is not to live in the past, but to recover its balance.

Medical Resources/Info:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4740347/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12094410/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12251769/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11035691/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9659005/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7001769/

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/three-types-exercise-can-improve-your-health-and-physical

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10242587/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4016571/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24167194/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279077/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585062/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12468415/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11929992/

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/dig-into-the-benefits-of-gardening

In this episode of Things Mom Never Said: Secrets to Aging Well, April and Sherry explore the importance of nervous system regulation and how it affects everything from stress and anxiety to inflammation, energy, and overall well-being. April shares how grounding, time in nature, and a personal “neurobalance” routine helped her move out of burnout and back toward balance, while Sherry reflects on how easily modern life pushes us into autopilot.They talk through simple, accessible tools like rebounders, vibrational plates, Tai Chi, breath work, journaling, calming routines, and the power of creating a peaceful home environment. Along the way, they connect the conversation to women’s health, chronic stress, neurodivergence, and the importance of listening to your body before it reaches a breaking point.If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, dis-regulated, or just constantly “on,” this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that healing often starts with small, intentional moments of rest, movement, and awareness.

Key Takeaways:

• Regulation is the real health primitive
• Your environment is either co-regulating you or draining you
• Movement can calm you without being exercise
• High stimulation often looks productive until the body starts collecting the bill
• The best regulation tools are often weird, simple, and body-specific
• Self-awareness is a practice, not a trait
• Regulation works best when it becomes a lifestyle, not a rescue plan

Medical Resources/Info:

https://lifestylemedicine.stanford.edu/survival-mode/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11356649/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12289630/

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/neuro/conditioninfo/functions

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11591838/

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/trampoline-workout-benefits

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/whole-body-vibration/faq-20057958

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10323263/

Life Pro Vibrational Plate https://a.co/d/0fNcsEDn

BCAN Rebounder https://a.co/d/08YDvK7n

In this episode, April and Sherry explore grounding, also called earthing, and why direct contact with the earth may help regulate the body, reduce inflammation, and improve overall wellbeing. They discuss Clint Ober’s research, “The Earthing Movie” documentary, and the science, stories, and personal experiments that made the topic feel compelling. April shares her own experience using grounding products for sleep, hot flashes, inflammation, and recovery, while Sherry reflects on the documentary’s curiosity-driven origin and the value of paying attention, asking questions, and testing ideas for yourself.

Key Takeaways:

• Curiosity is a health technology, not just a personality trait 
• Modern convenience may have solved the wrong problem 
• Inflammation is a systems problem, not a single-symptom problem 
• The body often responds before the mind is convinced 
• Small daily contact beats occasional dramatic fixes 
• The environment can either amplify healing or block it 
• Regulation is the real goal, not quick repair 

The Movie - https://youtu.be/44ddtR0XDVU?si=64ABxM3dbTStCw-b 

Clint Ober - www.earthing.com 

On this episode, April and Sherry are having  a warm, funny conversation about the power of memoirs and storytelling with special guest (and April’s Mother-in-Law), Pam Raque. Pam shares how writing her life story helped her rediscover forgotten memories, process both joyful and painful moments, and preserve family history for the next generations. April and Sherry add their own reflections on journaling, memory, and how telling our stories helps us understand ourselves and stay connected to the people we love.

Key Takeaways:

• Writing your life story can be therapeutic and help you process your past.
• Memoirs preserve family history for kids, grandkids, and future generations.
• Storytelling helps people connect across age groups and life experiences.
• Writing down memories can bring back forgotten moments and details.
• Vulnerability in sharing your story can deepen relationships and understanding.
• Aging gives you a chance to reflect on life’s different chapters and lessons.
• Journaling or memoir writing can create closure around painful memories.
• Specific details make personal stories more meaningful and interesting.

To get started in writing your memoirs, like Pam:  Memowrite

In this episode, April and Sherry talk about the surprising link between menopause and dental health, sharing real-life experiences with expensive dental work, shifting standards of care, and the importance of asking questions before agreeing to treatment. They also compare traditional dentistry with biologic and concierge models, and discuss natural alternatives for oral care.The conversation highlights how menopause can affect the mouth in ways many women are never told about, including dry mouth, bleeding gums, gum recession, jawbone loss, and burning mouth syndrome. April emphasizes that these symptoms may be connected to hormonal changes, not just dental neglect, and that women should advocate for themselves and explore root causes.The episode also explores the value of dentists who take time to listen, explain options, and treat the whole person instead of just the tooth. April and Sherry encourage listeners to trust their instincts, speak up when something feels off, and find care that feels honest, affordable, and aligned with their health goals.

Key Takeaways

• Menopause can significantly affect dental health.
• Dry mouth, bleeding gums, gum recession, and jawbone loss may all be linked to hormonal changes.
• Dental symptoms in midlife should not always be treated as isolated problems.
• Women should ask whether estrogen changes may be contributing to oral health issues.
• It’s important to question expensive procedures and get a second opinion when needed.
• Traditional dentistry, biologic dentistry, and concierge dentistry each offer different approaches.
• Biologic and concierge dentists may take a more holistic, patient-centered view.
• Finding a dentist you trust can save money, stress, and unnecessary procedures.
• Oral health affects whole-body health, including the gut, heart, kidneys, and liver.
• Natural alternatives like xylitol, hydroxyapatite, coconut oil, peppermint oil toothpaste, and certain rinses may support oral health.

Medical Resources/Info:

International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine (IABDM) - https://iabdm.org/ 

The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology - https://iaomt.org/ 

Holistic Dental Association - https://holisticdental.org/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3793432/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11601932/

https://www.deltadentalinstitute.com/news/delta-dental-news/menopause-may-be-linked-to-change-in-teeth-or-gums-for-women-over-forty/

https://adanews.ada.org/huddles/how-menopause-impacts-oral-health/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11781263/

On this episode, Sherry and April explore the real meaning of independence and freedom, arguing that they are not just about money or physical self-sufficiency, but about mental, emotional, and spiritual autonomy. They also challengesthe systems and cultural messages that keep people dependent, especially through gender roles, social conditioning, and control. The conversation emphasizes that true aging well includes critical thinking, self-reliance, and building healthier relationships through partnership and shared responsibility.

Key Takeaways:

• Independence is more than financial or physical autonomy.
• Practical life skills build confidence and self-reliance.
• Freedom starts with the ability to think and act without coercion.
• Systems and social conditioning can limit personal agency.
• Healthy independence includes partnership, not domination.
• Gender stereotypes can weaken authentic growth and equality.
• Critical thinking and discernment are essential for true freedom.

GET INVOLVED…

https://now.org/

https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/

https://www.womensmarch.com/