Kyle & Candace are joined today by Susan Merenstein, RPh, who has 44 years of pharmacy practice under her belt and over 21 years of clinical experience in hormone therapy. She has owned her own pharmacy, Murray Avenue Apothecary, for 18 years and its sister company, Lab Naturals, Inc, for 7 years.

Susan specializes in Hormone Balance and Health consultations (24 years) and her expertise as a Holistic Pharmacist has led to positive changes in the health, well-being and quality of life of many of her clients. Susan is a walking encyclopedia on all things to do with women’s health and hormones - and in this episode we go deep into a discussion of the pillars of women’s health and the best ways to maintain a strong foundation as we move throughlife!

Kyle, Candace and Susan discuss:

- The main foundations of every woman’s health: diet, exercise, sleep, how we handle stress

- How to ramp up support of our foundational health as we age

- The particular challenges of perimenopause & menopause

- Susan’s Top 5 Supplements for women + why do we need to take them and how do we take them?

- How to sort through the huge array of supplements available online and in multiple stores and choose a brand that has high quality & known benefits, but doesn’t break the bank

- Our latest favorite things

- Advice we'd give our younger selves

Susan’s motto: “Be aware of your symptoms, get educated and take a proactive role in your health”

CONNECT WITH SUSAN

Email: [email protected]

https://vitalhealthpharmacist.com/

https://labnaturals.com/

CONNECT W/CANDACE + KYLE

Candace Burch:

YourHormoneBalance.com

[email protected]

Kyle McAvoy:

[email protected]

Weight loss drugs have been around forever but there is a new kid in town, GLP1 drugs: names like Ozempic, Wagovy, and Zepbound, to name a few.  

Wondering how these came about? Are they safe? Are they effective?  

Are they for me? Who are the best candidates? What about the cost? 

Kyle and Candace sit down and dig in with their local compounding pharmacist friend (owner of Lloyd Central Compounding Pharmacy) and explore all of these questions and more. 

Join us and learn: 

~ How were these drugs originally used? Where do they come from (a gila monster???) 

~ How do they work? 

~ What are the most common side effects? 

~ Who can use them?   

~ How effective are they? How much weight can I expect to lose? 

~ What happens when you go off of them: do you gain the weight right back? Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening? 

~ What about diets like Keto? Mediterranean? How do I know what is best for me? 

~ What about the shortage of these medications? 

~ Does insurance cover them? What is the cost? 

~ Controversies around compounded versions 

~ How do these medications work for weight loss? For diabetes? 

~ We have heard that there are MANY benefits on a wide variety of medical conditions: what are they (cardiovascular, neurogenerative, plus)? 

~ Are you hopeful that these medications will have long term health benefits? 

WTF Moment: Candace had commented to a man at the gym that he looked great, and he admitted to being on one of these drugs and then said, “I can eat whatever I want now” and she was aghast that this was NOT the best way to make lasting changes. 

Kyle’s favorite thing: Immune shots - these are available to buy but so easy to make at home and a great way to transition from winter into spring and keep yourself from getting sick. (See more in our most recent newsletter HERE!)

Candace’s inspiration: Dr. Katarina Dalton - a pioneer in the world of women’s health, she coined the term ‘PMS’ and unlocked some of the secrets of progesterone: (See more in our most recent newsletter HERE!) 

Natalie's favorite thing: finding the time to walk and feel grounded: a reminder to pause, take some deep breaths, walk barefoot if you can and soothe your nervous system. 

CONNECT W/CANDACE + KYLE

Candace Burch:

YourHormoneBalance.com

[email protected]

Kyle McAvoy:

[email protected]

In this episode, we’re talking frankly about the growing number of younger women (<50 years old) being diagnosed with breast cancer. According to new estimates released Thursday by the American Cancer Society, between 2012 and 2021,  breast cancer has been rising faster (1.4% per year) among “younger” women under age 50, than overall rates (1%  a year). Add to that younger women tend to have more aggressive forms of this disease.   WTF?!   

To shed more light on why and what we can do to protect ourselves, we turn to naturopathic physician, Alison McAllister, on all thing’s womanhood and protecting ourselves against breast cancer. Dr. Alison has been a clinical consultant at ZRT Laboratory for over 20 years and has taught thousands of doctors how to use bioidentical hormone therapy. She completed her medical doctorate in 1999 at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, and her residency at Cancer Treatment Centers and Southwestern Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she became interested in hormones in helping survivors of cancer.    

Here’s a sampling of what we cover in this eyepopping conversation:  

• Historically younger women who got breast cancer had family history, but that’s no longer true, why is this? 

• A lot more insulin resistance - today’s children  are way heavier than they should be, with more belly fat, less muscle, periods starting younger, and estrogens higher.  

• Windows of vulnerability – exposure to toxins in utero, or when breasts are developing etc

• Microplastic exposure – in everything from Teflon to teabags; highly inflammatory, assist aggressive cancers; found in >60% of urine samples  

• Delayed Diagnosis due to medical bias that says symptoms in younger women do not = breast cancer; plus why you must insist on a mammogram or an MRI  

• Stress effects: environmental toxins, sleep deprivation, overexercise 

• Protecting Our Girls against early breast cancer: non-negotiables, eg. kids + vegetables 

 
Our favorite ways to reduce exposure:

Alison Favs:

Environmental Working Group - follow the science https://www.ewg.org/ 

Hydroflask - stainless steel water bottles https://www.hydroflask.com/ 

Planet Lunchbox - detox the lunchbox  https://www.planetbox.com/ 

Kyle Favs:

The GROVE Collaborative - plastic-free cleaning and household products

https://www.grove.co/ 

Candace Favs:

Thrive Market – Save on organic and non-GMO foods https://thrivemarket.com/  

Kitsch Rice - water shampoo and conditioner https://www.mykitsch.com/ 

Bonus read:

Alison RAVES about this book: Having Faith, An Ecologist's Journey to Motherhood 

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/287060/having-faith-by-sandra-steingraber/ 

CONNECT W/CANDACE + KYLE

Candace Burch:

YourHormoneBalance.com

[email protected]

Kyle McAvoy:

[email protected]

*Don't miss this episode: it is chock full of news about our podcast and how you can become part of our conversation!*

At the beginning of each year, Kyle and Candace catch up on the last year and look ahead to the new one.  

For our newer listeners, Kyle gives a brief bio of both hosts and also refers you to our first 2 episodes to learn more:

Episode 1 - WTF is Going On?

Episode 2 - Hormonal Health: The 10 Essential Truths

Menopause is having a moment all over the world. We have 51 plus episodes plus 3 years of blogging about women’s health.  

Our next chapter: create a community for our listeners, a way to have a dialogue with YOU.  

Here is what we will be offering: 

Facebook page: search for Women Talking Frankly: new posts every  MWF: write a review (all it takes is 25 characters!), drop a mention 

Podcast release: first Wednesday of each month: topical and timely 

New segments each episode: WTF moments / Our favorite things / Things that inspire us 

Monthly newsletter: third Wednesday of each month: filled with tips, inspirations, links to our favorite things, recipes, etc.

Calendar of Podcasts: expect a relevant new episode each month: for example, why are certain cancers on the rise in younger people, a dive into the GLP1 diet drugs (like Ozempic), + are hormones okay for older women??? 

Naomi Watts is on the interview circuit. She went through menopause at 36 and was completely gobsmacked. A quote from her interview: if you are a woman and you live long enough, you WILL go through menopause.  Here is a clip from her interview: 

https://www.whqr.org/2025-01-21/naomi-watts-new-book-reflects-on-the-hidden-parts-of-menopause 

One of our favorite episodes was “The Happy Menopause” with Jackie Lynch (a British nutritionist). Have a listen:

https://www.whqr.org/2025-01-21/naomi-watts-new-book-reflects-on-the-hidden-parts-of-menopause 

Kyle and Candace then share their WTF moments, a few of their favorite things plus things that inspired them.  

Kyle’s hopes for 2025: increasing connections with old and current friends, strengthening her core, and continuing to explore her creative side with drawing and painting. 

Candace’s hopes for 2025: nourishing relationships and delving more into her hobby of painting (how ironic that they have similar goals!).

An episode that explores creativity is: 

https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/women-talking/ep-47-youre-never-too-old-to-L0KpWjQ3_xZ/ 

You now have to tune in to hear the entire conversation. 

Grab a cup of tea, curl up and enjoy this lively and inspiring episode. 

You don’t want to miss this one. 

And don’t forget: we want to hear from YOU.  

CONNECT W/CANDACE + KYLE

Candace Burch:

YourHormoneBalance.com

[email protected]

Kyle McAvoy:

[email protected]

Carol Petersen is an accomplished compounding pharmacist and certified nutritional practitioner with decades of experience helping patients improve their quality of life through bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. She is a widely recognized expert on the remarkable benefits of Progesterone. Candace and Kyle sat down with Carol for part 2 of this fascinating interview about the story of Progesterone and the remarkable benefits of this versatile hormone, AKA “the great balancer.”

Talking points covered in Parts 1 and 2 of  our interview: 

Resources: 

Women in Balance Institute https://womeninbalance.org/

The Wellness by Design Project

https://thewellnessbydesignproject.com/

Take Charge of Your Health Radio

https://takechargeofyourhealth.podbean.com/

CONNECT W/CANDACE + KYLE

Candace Burch:

YourHormoneBalance.com

[email protected]

Kyle McAvoy:

[email protected]

Carol Petersen is an accomplished compounding pharmacist and certified nutritional practitioner with decades of experience helping patients improve their quality of life through bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. She is a widely recognized expert on the remarkable benefits of Progesterone. Candace and Kyle sat down with Carol for part 1 of this fascinating interview about the story of Progesterone and the remarkable benefits of this versatile hormone, AKA “the great balancer.”

Talking points covered in this episode: 

CONNECT WITH CAROL:

The Wellness by Design Project https://thewellnessbydesignproject.com/

Take Charge of Your Health Radio

https://takechargeofyourhealth.podbean.com/

CONNECT W/CANDACE + KYLE

Candace Burch:

YourHormoneBalance.com

[email protected]

Kyle McAvoy:

[email protected]

Today, Candace and Kyle are sharing their interview with Dr. Jenny Tufenkian, N.D., a naturopath with a proven track record of helping patients heal from long term illnesses thought to be incurable!

Drawing on a deep toolbox built from decades of studying and practicing naturopathic medicine, Dr. Jenny works with each patient long-term to explore the “5 Root Causes” of all disease – with a specific focus on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), anxiety, and depression. In recent years, she has broadened her scope to tackle more amorphous health syndromes such as autoimmune disease and long haul Covid. 

Over the years, Dr. Jenny has helped thousands of patients grapple with these complicated conditions and has overseen health breakthroughs that are nothing short of amazing. Listen along with Candace and Kyle as they learn more about: 

ABOUT DR TUFENKIAN
Dr. Jenny Tufenkian is available for one-on-one consultations online or in person at her clinic “Enjoy Full Health” LLC - located at 1616 SE Ankeny St., Portland OR 97214.

--> To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 503-894-9677 or schedule an appointment online.

CONNECT W/CANDACE + KYLE

Candace Burch:

YourHormoneBalance.com

[email protected]

Kyle McAvoy:

[email protected]

In this episode, the hosts of Women Talking Frankly interview Susan Douglas.

Sue has worked in Technology since graduating from Oregon State in 1984, almost 40 years now, for Companies such as Dell, InfoSys, and NEC. Because fighting bad actors is particularly a passion for her, the last 10 years, Sue has specialized in Cyber Security.  She currently works for Fortinet, the #3 cybersecurity corporation in the world. She also volunteers with the FBI Citizens Academy.  

Sue goes over guidelines for actions that will help prevent us from getting scammed:

Sue also educates us about additional ways we can protect ourselves, from password protection, two step authentication, security software, etc. 

Bottom line: DON'T FRICKING CLICK!!!

USE YOUR CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS.

When in doubt, hang up, don’t respond to a text or email.

This is the ‘stranger danger’. We learned NOT to open the door to strangers. We need to adapt to the world we live in and avoid the strangers in cyberspace.

Sue has additional resources to share:

The $50K Scam: New York magazine’s money columnist wrote about being conned out of $50,000 by crooks pretending to be from Amazon and government agencies:  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/16/your-money/scam-new-york-magazine-amazon-ftc-cia.html

How to Protect Your Personal Information Online: https://my.aarpfoundation.org/article/how-to-spot-scams/

What to Do After You've Experienced a Scam: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2024/what-to-do-after-scam.html 

CONNECT W/CANDACE + KYLE

Candace Burch:

YourHormoneBalance.com

[email protected]

Kyle McAvoy:

[email protected]

In our latest episode, Candace and Kyle have the pleasure of talking to Sharon Cook, and Claudia Herber, artist friends and co-owners of an art gallery in wine country Oregon. https://currentsgallery.com/

Each of these women practices an art all their own, Claudia as crafter extraordinaire of native gourds and Sharon as an intuitive painter. As you will pick up in this inspiring interview, though they create very different works of art, Sharon and Claudia both approach their artwork as an adventure, one that speaks to them and brings them joy....especially at this time in life when expressing feelings through creative outlets keeps us young. As the brilliant sculptor Louise Nevelson once said, "I never feel age when I am making art."  Listen and Enjoy!

RESOURCES / QUOTES MENTIONED:

How the Arts Can Benefit Your Mental Health (No Talent Required)

Drawing, music and writing can elevate your mood. Here are some easy ways to welcome them into your life.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/22/well/mind/art-mental-health.html

How Art Heals: 5 Ways That Art Makes Everything Better

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rethinking-mental-health/202104/how-art-heals-5-ways-art-makes-everything-better

The Big Impact of a Small Hobby 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/well/mind/coronavirus-health-benefits-drawing-art-hobbies.html

I knew that drawing could change my mood. When I started doing it on a regular basis, I discovered it could change my life. It may now be keeping me out of the hospital, or more. 

There’s scientific evidence for the health benefits of a drawing practice. A 2016 study at Drexel University found significantly lower levels of cortisol after 45 minutes of making art. 

It’s not just making art that improves health and mood. Almost any hobby or act of leisure helps. A 2013 study at Pennsylvania State University found that gardening, sewing, completing puzzles and other relaxing activities lowered blood pressure.

_ NYT author, John Donohue

“As I worked with my patients, I realized that …self-expression through art brought forth a transforming self-discovery. Many of these women were unable to articulate their deepest feelings, but their emotions poured out through their hands into an art form. I noticed that those who completed a project gained a sense of mastery and competence, even if they felt overwhelmed by other aspects of daily living.

_Kenna Stephenson, M.D. / Awakening Athena, Ch. 5: The Value of Handwork (painting, sculpting, woodworking, weaving, knitting etc.)

CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA + SHARON:

The Artwork of Claudia Herber 

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNovqs_tbwQ

Claudia Herber

https://currentsgallery.com/pages/claudia-herber

Sharon C. Cook - Oil and Cold Wax artist

https://sharonccookartist.com/

The Artwork of Sharon Cook

https://currentsgallery.com/pages/sharon-cook

Currents Gallery, Mcminnville, Oregon

https://currentsgallery.com/

CONNECT W/CANDACE + KYLE

Candace Burch:

YourHormoneBalance.com

[email protected]

Kyle McAvoy:

[email protected]

Join Candace and Kyle for a fascinating discussion about the modality of hypnotherapy and how it can create lasting changes in someone’s life.

Guest: Amy Green Smith is a hypnotherapist, public speaker, personal improvement coach, and experienced podcaster with over nine years and 500+ episodes under her belt. One of her main goals is to help people move beyond their ‘limiting beliefs.’

Visit her website and podcast, The Bold Faced Truth, which addresses the issue of people-pleasing and many more topics: Amy Green Smith's Website.

Covered in this Episode:

Ways to Connect with Amy Green Smith:

Some of Amy's Favorite Influences:

Tune in to this insightful episode and discover how hypnotherapy can help you banish toxic thinking and boost your self-confidence!

CONNECT W/CANDACE + KYLE

Candace Burch:

YourHormoneBalance.com

[email protected]

Kyle McAvoy:

[email protected]