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Latest Episodes
BONUS: Peri/Menopause are a Natural Function of Aging: See you later, Ovulator! with Esther Blum
I am honored to connect with Esther Blum today! She is the bestselling author of "Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat," "Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous," and most recently, "See Ya Later, Ovulator!". Esther currently maintains a busy virtual practice where she helps women balance hormones, lose stubborn body fat, and treat the root cause of health struggles.
Today we speak about medical gaslighting, how weight gain does not have to be a part of aging, andropause and menopause, and the Women’s Health Initiative. We dive into physical changes and significant symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, the role of the pelvic floor, deciphering what the dreaded “menopot” is, what does not work, and advocacy in terms of testing and hormones. We also address constipation, weight loss resistance, and how our tolerance for alcohol changes as we age, especially when using bioidenticals or hormone replacement therapy.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
How women can redefine their experience and continue having an active sex life after menopause.
How to surrender, lean in, and take the pressure off yourself while going through perimenopause and menopause.
Why is there so much misinformation and medical gaslighting in our society?
Why Esther wrote See Ya Later, Ovulator!
Some common symptoms of perimenopause.
Risks women may face after a hysterectomy.
Changes that happen in the vaginal canal and pelvic floor during menopause.
The significant and profound impact of the decline of sex hormones.
How to avoid weight gain in menopause.
What can menopausal women do to prevent fatty liver and digestive problems?
Lab tests women should be asking their health providers for.
Why should perimenopausal women avoid alcohol?
Some simple ways to address constipation.
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Connect with Esther Blum
On her website
On Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Get your free copy of Esther’s Happy Hormone Cocktail
Esther’s Books
Esther’s book, See Ya Later, Ovulator!, by Esther Blum
Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat, by Esther Blum
Eat, Drink, and Be Happy, by Esther Blum
Ep. 512 The Hormone-Gut Masterclass – The Most Overlooked Fix for Women's Health with Cynthia Thurlow, NP
I have received many requests for a masterclass on the gut microbiome, so I am excited to share one with you today.
In our masterclass today, I discuss the microgenderome, explaining how the gut microbiome changes throughout our lives, during puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause. I cover the key shifts in the microbiome that occur, especially as estrogen and progesterone fluctuate. I unpack the symptoms women experience that indicate their microbiome may be non-optimized, offering practical solutions, including lifestyle strategies, hormones, peptides, and targeted supplements.
My goal is to do a solo episode every month. Please let me know which aspect you enjoyed the most, and what you would like to hear more about in my future monthly solo episodes.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
Why protein is critical in midlife, and how much of it you need to consume
An easy way to incorporate the many different plant varieties you need to consume every week into your meals
Why fermented foods and prebiotics are essential for your gut health
The benefits of giving your digestive system a 12-hour break each day
How chronic stress affects your weight, hormones, and gut function
The connection between sleep quality, gut health, and hormonal changes in midlife
How to balance exercise intensity in midlife to support muscle maintenance and recovery
Specific supplements to support gut integrity and energy production
How hormone replacement therapy impacts the metabolism and microbial diversity
The value of improving your gut health to reduce menopausal symptoms
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Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com
Ep. 511 Can Chocolate Help You Live Longer? The Surprising Healthspan Benefits of Cocoa Flavanols with Dr. Amy Shah
Today, we have another episode in a series of conversations with experts and highly vetted companies.
In this episode, we feature CocoaVia, a brand of cocoa flavanol supplements made from a proprietary cocoa extract that aims to support cognition and heart health. I am delighted to welcome Dr. Amy Shah, who trained at Cornell, Harvard, and Columbia. Dr. Shah is a well-known expert on metabolic health and intermittent fasting. With a background in internal medicine, allergies, and immunology, she has helped many patients transform their health with cutting-edge nutritional and medical science.
In our conversation, we explore cocoa flavanols, explaining what they are, their benefits, and how they work mechanistically. We discuss how perimenopause and menopause can lead to endothelial dysfunction due to low sex hormones, and the effects of lifestyle factors like circadian rhythm alignment. Dr. Shah shares foods she finds particularly helpful for middle-aged women and reviews the research on cocoa flavanols. We also cover the impact of cocoa flavanols on health span, longevity, and brain health, including improvements in memory, word recall, and spatial reasoning, and Dr. Shah offers guidance on supporting the maturation and health of teens and young adults.
Today’s conversation with Dr. Shah is practical and evidence-based. I also share how cocoa flavanols have helped my younger son’s focus and attention, and how my husband and I use these products in our daily lives.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
How cocoa flavanols support heart health, brain health, and longevity
Why nitric oxide production matters for vascular flexibility, especially in perimenopause
How circadian rhythm optimization improves energy, mood, and metabolic health
Why introducing fiber and probiotic foods slowly may be necessary for gut adaptation
How cocoa flavanols and other bioactives can enhance health span and lifespan
The importance of selecting the right supplement quality and dose to prevent ineffectiveness or excess
How cocoa flavanols can improve cognition, memory, and brain function over 8–12 weeks
Why natural drinks (coffee, cocoa flavanols) are far better than energy drinks or caffeine for teens
How combining core lifestyle habits with targeted bioactive compounds supports long-term health and longevity
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Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com
Connect with Dr. Amy Shah
On her website
CocoaVia
BONUS: Rethinking Diabetes: Treatment and Management in the Modern Era with Gary Taubes
I am thrilled to have Gary Taubes back on the show today. (He was with me before on episode 137. Gary is an investigative science and health journalist whose work has been pivotal in catalyzing the low-carb keto movement. He has written many books, including his most recent, Rethinking Diabetes, and his articles are in many of the best anthologies. He has also received many science awards.
Today's discussion is particularly significant, given the recent report from the American Diabetes Association revealing that the annual cost of diabetes in the United States reached a staggering $412.9 billion in 2022, with individuals diagnosed with diabetes now representing one in every four dollars spent on healthcare.
In our discussion today, we dive into the history of diabetes, pertinent statistics, the prevailing standard of care, and the transformative influence of insulin on diabetes management and reactive hypoglycemia. Gary provides insights into his reactions to GLP ones, the integration of medical and nutrition science into the medical field, and the influence of organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, AHA, USDA, and NIH. Our discussion also extends to the effects of pharmaceuticals, the shortcomings in our approach to diabetes management and existing models, and the challenge the low-carb community faces.
Stay tuned for today's eye-opening conversation, where we shed light on the complexities surrounding diabetes care, explaining how simple lifestyle changes can tremendously improve quality of life.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
Rethinking Diabetes is a groundbreaking exploration of diabetes diagnosis, management, and treatment
Gary discusses the evolution of evidence-based medicine
Why the traditional medical approach to treating diabetes is inadequate
How the guidelines of the American Diabetes Association were based on outdated assumptions
How medical treatments compare with lifestyle changes for managing diabetes
Controversies surrounding how the pharmaceutical industry has influenced the way medical associations have shaped their diabetes management policies
How medical guidelines and dietary advice have evolved
What constitutes a healthy diet?
How patients often have trouble following diet recommendations, despite their best intentions
Is obesity a hormonal disorder or caused by overeating?
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Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com
Connect with Gary Taubes
On his website
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Previous Episode Mentioned
Ep. 137 – High Blood Sugar Levels And Its Long-Term Damage with Gary Taubes
Book Mentioned:
Rethinking Diabetes: What Science Reveals About Diet, Insulin, and Successful Treatments is available from most bookstores or on Amazon.
Ep. 510 Confused by Mammograms, Breast MRIs & Ultrasounds? The Clear Guide to Breast Imaging with Dr. Robyn Roth
As a nurse practitioner, I feel a deep responsibility to my listeners and community to ensure that every guest I bring on shares accurate, evidence-based information. A few months ago, I decided to remove two podcasts from earlier this year to make way for an expert who could speak specifically and authoritatively on breast cancer health. So, I am honored to welcome Dr. Robin Roth today, better known as The Boobie Docs, on her popular breast health social media platform, where she shares information about breast cancer in a fun and educational way.
Dr. Roth is an associate professor of radiology, specializing in breast and abdominal imaging. She is also the host of The Girlfriend's Guide to Breast Cancer podcast, created to support those navigating a breast cancer diagnosis or caring for a loved one.
In our discussion today, we dive into misinformation about breast health and breast imaging. We explore the importance of acknowledging disinformation on social media, risk factors for early breast cancer screening, significant and modifiable risk factors, and the effects of dense breast tissue. We examine breast imaging, exploring ultrasound and mammography, the differences between 2D and 3D mammograms (the gold standard), and when to use MRIs. We clarify why thermography and QT imaging are not the gold standard, and why we need to request different types of imaging modalities. We discuss the importance of screenings, challenges, including diagnoses like DCIS, personalized approaches to breast cancer screening, breast cancer staging, and issues with imaging after mastectomies and with implant placement. Dr. Roth also explains how 80% of breast biopsies end up being benign, how to manage anxiety and callbacks for mammograms, how to understand lab reports in plain language terms, and the benefits of supportive resources like cancerbesties.com.
With her expertise and approachable style, Dr. Roth reminds us that proper information can make all the difference when it comes to breast health. You will not want to miss this conversation, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
How online platforms fuel confusion around breast health and imaging
Disinformation may influence breast cancer screening decisions
Modifiable factors that can reduce or increase your risk of breast cancer
Why dense breast tissue matters for imaging accuracy
Ultrasounds, 2D and 3D mammograms, and MRIs
Thermography and QT imaging are not gold standards
Why every individual DCIS diagnosis needs a personalized approach
Breast cancer staging and how it guides treatment
80% of biopsies are benign, but still essential
How to manage anxiety around callbacks and make sense of lab reports
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
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Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com
Connect with Dr. Robyn Roth
On her website
Social Media: @the boobie docs
Preorder a copy of Everyone Has Boobies
Ep. 509 We’ve Been Ignoring This Vital Sign – The Most Powerful Tool to Track Hormonal Health with Dr. Mariza Snyder
Today, I am thrilled to reconnect with a friend and colleague, Dr. Mariza Snyder, to discuss her new book, The Perimenopause Revolution.
In our conversation, we explore some of the most pressing challenges around aging, including shame in a youth-obsessed culture, the lack of research on women’s health, and the physical toll of the aging process. We explain why the menstrual cycle should be considered a fifth vital sign, and what happens when metabolic health begins to decline in midlife, highlighting the value of apps and technology in empowering women to track their cycles. Dr. Mariza clarifies why biometrics, VO₂ Max, DEXA scans, and grip strength matter. She also shares her core pillars of metabolic health and the non-negotiables she believes make the most difference for women navigating the perimenopause-to-menopause transition.
I truly enjoyed Dr. Mariza’s book, and I know it will be a powerful resource for women who want to take charge of their metabolic health during perimenopause and beyond.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
How hormonal shifts in midlife can alter energy, mood, and metabolism in unexpected ways
Changes that ripple through sleep, stress, and cognition during perimenopause
Why, in perimenopause, old diet and exercise strategies often stop working the way they used to
How cultural messages around aging fuel shame and confusion for women
How DEXA scans reveal much more about your body composition than weighing yourself does
What lab work can reveal about hidden risks
Why you should consider doing bone and muscle scans early in life
The benefits of daily strength training for maintaining vitality and independence
How regular movement stabilizes energy and glucose levels
Why food choices become a critical foundation during midlife transitions
Bio:
Dr. Mariza Snyder is a powerhouse advocate for midlife women, leveraging 17+ years as a practitioner, author, and speaker to spark a massive movement for women in perimenopause and beyond. With her top-rated Energized with Dr. Mariza podcast (13 million downloads) and a passionate social media audience with over 400K and 8 million monthly views, she’s a trusted guide—offering science-backed solutions for perimenopause and metabolic health.
Her upcoming book, The Perimenopause Revolution (Hay House, October 2025), is the ultimate resource for women ready to take charge of their health and embrace perimenopause with resilience and confidence.
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Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com
Connect with Dr. Mariza Snyder
On her website
Energized with Dr. Mariza Podcast
The Perimenopause Revolution
BONUS: Perimenopause and Menopause: What you Didn't Know with Dr. Felice Gersh
I’m honored to reconnect with Dr. Felice Gersh today! She is a multi-award-winning physician with dual board certification in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. We connected once before in Episode 221, where we spoke about PCOS and metabolic health.
Today, Dr. Gersh joins me to dive into perimenopause and menopause. We discuss various issues surrounding the Women’s Health Initiative and talk about estrogen as a family of hormones, estrogen-mimicking chemicals, synthetic hormones, and oral contraceptives. We get into the importance of thyroid function, the pro-inflammatory state of a loss of estrogen in perimenopause and menopause, and the importance of nutrition and exercise for metabolism. We also speak about the lesser-known changes that occur in menopause, including changes in body odor, constipation, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and vocal changes.
I intend to invite Dr. Gersh back again to discuss women and mitochondrial health, and then once again to talk about her latest book, Menopause: The Fifty Things You Need to Know.
Stay tuned to find out what menopause really is, and what it does to a woman’s metabolic system.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
The Women’s Health Initiative study and its devastating effects
Differences between synthetic and bioidentical hormones
How chronic diseases of aging can be delayed when hormones are incorporated along with other lifestyle refinements
What do hormones do?
Why every immune cell in the body has receptors for vital hormones
Menopause is not defined by a specific moment in time.
Changes that occur physiologically during the perimenopause years
How hormones can change the perimenopause paradigm
Why perimenopause translates into many sleep issues
Phytoestrogens: nature’s gift to women
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Connect with Dr. Felice Gersh
On her website: Integrative Medical Group of Irvine
Instagram
All of Dr. Gersh’s books are available on Amazon
Episode 221 on PCOS with Dr. Felice Gersh
Ep. 508 Perimenopause Uncovered: From Heavy Periods to Stubborn Weight Gain – A Talk with Dr. Heather Hirsch
I am delighted to connect with a physician friend and colleague, Dr. Heather Hirsch, today. Dr. Hirsch is an entrepreneur and a board-certified internist by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is also the Founder and CEO of Health by Heather Hirsch, and has a telemedicine practice offering best-in-class individualized care for perimenopause and menopause.
In our discussion, we explore heavy menstrual cycles and the benefits of journaling and shared decision-making. We discuss common and frustrating causes of weight loss resistance in middle age, the power of strength training and adequate protein intake, and estrogen as a metabolic regulator that is intricately linked to many physical systems, including digestion. We also examine how educating clinicians on shifts in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone during perimenopause could prevent countless ER visits, and we tackle concerns surrounding contraception and pregnancy prevention in perimenopause, a biopsychosocial approach to low libido, and the often-overlooked silent symptoms Dr. Hirsch often sees in perimenopause and beyond.
Today’s conversation with Dr. Hirsch is truly invaluable. I highly recommend her Perimenopause Survival Guide, written by an internal medicine doctor extremely well-versed in perimenopause and menopause.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
How hormonal fluctuations disrupt the body and create confusion in perimenopause
The benefits of journaling
How hormonal and lifestyle shifts disrupt metabolism, weight, and insulin sensitivity during perimenopause
Why body composition changes matter more than your weight
How declining estrogen affects insulin resistance, metabolism, and diabetes risk
The value of shared decision-making
How hormones, medications, sleep, relationships, and past trauma can cause changes in libido
How siloed healthcare often leaves perimenopause symptoms misunderstood
How irregular ovulation increases pregnancy risk and why hormone therapy is not a contraceptive
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Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com
Connect with Dr. Heather Hirsch
On her website
YouTube
Social media: @Heather Hirsch MD
Ep. 507 Feel Disconnected? The Most Overlooked Symptom of Childhood Trauma & How to Heal It with Anna Runkle
I am thrilled to connect with Anna Runkle today. Anna is known to more than a million subscribers across many platforms as the Crappy Childhood Fairy. For the last 30 years, she has shown people how to heal the symptoms of childhood trauma to live happier, freer, and more fulfilling lives.
In her work, Anna almost always noticed a haunting sense of disconnection from others as an adult symptom of childhood trauma. Today, she shares her story, and we dive into complex PTSD and shame, exploring the adverse childhood event study, dysregulation, and how neglect affects the brain and impacts emotional regulation, memory, and learning. We discuss disconnection as a trauma response, obstacles to isolation, and finding your voice in complex PTSD and menopause. Anna also shares her daily practice and explains how writing helps to regulate the nervous system.
You will love this invaluable conversation with Anna, also known as The Crappy Childhood Fairy, who is a fantastic resource for thousands, if not millions.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
How Crappy Childhood Fairy originated
The differences between Complex PTSD and PTSD
What does dysregulation look like?
Unseen aspects of emotional dysregulation affect daily life
Ways that childhood traumas can impact the brain
How early trauma often leads to a chronic sense of disconnection
Ways those with CPTSD can learn to cope with the stress of dealing with others and start connecting
Anna shares her daily practice technique for emotional regulation
Why the transition to menopause can be particularly hard for trauma survivors
The importance of addressing trauma in healthcare and the need for better education and support for trauma survivors
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
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Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com
Connect with Anna Runkle
On YouTube
Anna’s book, Re-Regulated, is available on most online bookstores
Pre-order Anna’s new book, Connectability, and insert your receipt number to gain access to exclusive free bonuses.
Bio of Everyday Wellness
Everyday Wellness podcast, hosted by Cynthia Thurlow, NP, is a platform dedicated to empowering individuals with knowledge and tools for achieving optimal health and wellness. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Cynthia is a renowned expert in intermittent fasting and women's health.
As a nurse practitioner, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker with millions of views, Cynthia brings a wealth of expertise to the podcast. Through engaging conversations and insightful interviews, she shares practical tips and strategies that listeners can incorporate into their daily lives to enhance their overall well-being.
Cynthia's mission is to educate women on the benefits of intermittent fasting and provide holistic approaches to health and wellness. By highlighting the importance of making simple yet impactful changes, she aims to empower her audience to take charge of their health and live their best lives.