Today, I am delighted to connect with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a board-certified interventional cardiologist turned functional medicine pioneer. After 15 years in conventional medicine, Dr. B realized that true healing goes beyond prescriptions alone and founded Well12, a transformational health program that helps millions rethink what it means to be healthy. 

In today’s conversation, the first in a series of discussions with Dr. B, we dive into the progression of heart disease in perimenopause and menopause, discussing the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative, the physiology of the heart and blood vessels, endothelial dysfunction, high blood pressure, oxidative stress, and inflammation. We also explore the limitations of the standard lipid panel, advanced cardiovascular testing, statins as primary prevention, microvascular dysfunction in women, heart rate variability, wearables, and the autonomic nervous system. 

You won’t want to miss this invaluable discussion with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, and I look forward to having him back for a follow-up episode later this summer.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• The need for doctors to recognize the risk of heart disease in women, especially during menopause

• How nitric oxide maintains cardiovascular health and regulates blood pressure

• Why atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process and not just plaque buildup

• Addressing inflammation and oxidative stress 

• Benefits of HRT for improving women’s cardiovascular health 

• Advanced lipid testing reveals more about heart disease risk than standard cholesterol panels 

• What cardiologists are looking for when they do stress tests

• The challenges of treating microvascular dysfunction in women with medical interventions

• How heart rate variability can improve cardiovascular health

• How lifestyle changes and mindset interventions can lessen cardiovascular risk

Bio: Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj

Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj is a board-certified Interventional Cardiologist turned Functional Medicine pioneer. After 15 years in conventional practice, he realized that true healing is not found in prescriptions alone—it’s in the power of food, sleep, movement, and breath. He’s the founder of Well12, a transformational health program, and a leading voice online where his viral content is helping millions rethink what it means to be healthy.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

• Follow on Twitter

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Check out Cynthia’s website

• Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj

• The Laguna Institute for Functional Medicine

• Well12 Health Optimization Program

• On Facebook and Instagram 

I am delighted and honored to connect with Tamsen Fadal today. She is a New York Times bestselling author, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, a menopause advocate, a documentary filmmaker, and a content creator. 

In our discussion, Tamsen explains why the anti-aging approach is outdated and potentially harmful, and how she advocates for a pro-aging or age-positive perspective instead. We explore the perimenopausal journey, looking at why so many women suffer in silence, feeling isolated or ashamed during the transition to menopause, and how that was entrenched by longstanding silence from both the media and medical communities. We also debunk common myths and misconceptions about this pivotal life stage, discussing the importance of advocacy and lifestyle choices.

This invaluable conversation with Tamsen Fadal is rich and empowering, so you will likely want to listen to it again and share it with all the women in your life.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• Why Tamsen is opposed to the anti-aging narrative and advocates for a pro-aging approach instead

• How Tamsen became comfortable with her age after getting to know herself 

• Challenging ourselves intellectually and remaining socially connected as we age 

• Tamsen shares her experience with the inadequate explanations she received from doctors about her menopausal symptoms.

• There is a need for further efforts and advocacy to raise more awareness about menopause.

• Common misconceptions about menopause.

• Misinterpreted data from a 2002 study led to fears around HRT

• Benefits of HRT and the challenges women face in accessing testosterone

• Tamsen discusses her successful menopause event that featured many experts and celebrities and prompted 65,000 people to sign up globally.

• Daily well-being practices.

Bio: 

Tamsen Fadal is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, documentary filmmaker, and social media’s “midlife mentor.” After more than three decades as a news anchor, Tamsen pivoted her career towards women’s advocacy, guiding her audience of 4+ million (50+ million monthly views) through midlife and beyond. She is the creator and executive producer of the PBS documentary, The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause, which has been viewed by over 1 million women across 350+ cities and 42 countries, and the author of her new book, How To Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better than Before (Hachette 2025).

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

• Follow on Twitter

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Check out Cynthia’s website

• Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Tamsen Fadal

• On the How To Menopause website

• Her podcast, The Tamsen Show

• On social media: @TamsenFadal

In a world where human sexuality often remains shrouded in silence and misinformation, I had the incredible opportunity to engage in a thought-provoking conversation with the esteemed Dr. Jolene Brighton! 

Renowned as a hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and thought leader in women's medicine, Dr. Brighton's expertise spans multiple disciplines, including naturopathic endocrinology and clinical sexology. With her recent book, Is This Normal, she offers a non-judgmental guide to achieving hormone balance, eliminating unwanted symptoms, and nurturing the sexual desire we all crave. 

In this enlightening discussion, we explore the cultural factors fueling ignorance around sexuality, the origins of hormone imbalances, the significant impact of lifestyle choices on our hormones, and the often-overlooked role of detoxification. We also delve into the profound implications of oral contraceptives and synthetic hormones on our health and intriguing topics such as PCOS, PMDD, and PMS. 

With so many questions to explore, this is the first in a series of two podcasts that promise to provide invaluable insights for women at every stage of life. Join me as we embark on this journey to unravel the mysteries of our bodies and empower ourselves with knowledge from Dr. Jolene Brighton's remarkable book, Is This Normal?.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• How shame impacts the libido and sexuality of women.

• Why sex education should include the concept of consent.

• The impact of coming off oral contraceptives.

• Changing the narrative for all women.

• Why do women need more time to get aroused?

• The mind-body connection.

• How hormones and menopause influence women’s sexuality.

• Everything we do in our 20s and 30s affects our transition into perimenopause and beyond.

• How to avoid endocrine disruptors.

• Dr. Brighten discusses her 28-day detox program.

• Some important differentiators between PMS and PMDD.

Bio: Dr. Jolene Brighten

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and thought leader in women’s medicine. She is board-certified in naturopathic endocrinology and trained in clinical sexology. Dr. Brighten is the author of Is This Normal, a non-judgmental guide to creating hormone balance, eliminating unwanted symptoms, and building the sexual desire you crave. A fierce patient advocate, Dr. Brighten is completely dedicated to uncovering the root cause of hormonal imbalances. She empowers women worldwide to take control of their health and hormones through her website and social media channels. Dr. Brighten is an international speaker, clinical educator, and medical advisor within the tech community.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow

Follow on ⁠Twitter

⁠Instagram

⁠LinkedIn⁠

Check out Cynthia’s ⁠website⁠

Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten

On her ⁠website⁠

Find Dr. Brighton on social media: @Dr. Jolene Brighten

Order your copy of⁠ Is This Normal⁠

Dr. Brighten’s ⁠digital cookbook⁠ 

Today, I am thrilled to reconnect with my friend and colleague, Jackie Piasta. Jackie is a Vanderbilt-trained nurse practitioner. She is board-certified in women's and gender health, and has been practicing since 2010. She serves on medical advisory committees for several foundations and co-hosts the justASK Podcast. 

In our discussion today, we dive into the challenges menopausal women face with hormone replacement therapy due to the lack of provider education on the effects of oral estrogen, the importance of bio-individuality, and how nuanced messaging can make all the difference for women. Jackie unpacks the latest guidelines from the American Urological Society, which address vulvovaginal, urinary, and sexual health symptoms, and explains the importance of addressing those issues proactively. We also explore fertility tracking in perimenopause, especially for women using long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs), and the latest trends in hormone testing.

You will not want to miss this insightful conversation where Jackie sheds light and offers practical guidance on the often-missed details of women’s health.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• Why bio-individuality is essential in menopause treatments

• The challenges OB-GYNs and other clinicians face in staying updated on menopause treatments.

• Why healthcare providers must become more educated about hormone therapy

• Jackie explains the historical context surrounding the vilification of oral estrogen.

• How the new American Urological Society guidelines are now addressing symptoms of perimenopause and menopause

• Why vaginal laser therapy might be harmful for some individuals

• Why diagnosing menopause in women using long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) is so challenging

• Why hormone level labs are needed to guide clinical decision-making on menopause treatments

• Jackie highlights the need for more research to understand the hormone levels that protect bone health.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

• Follow on Twitter

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Check out Cynthia’s website

• Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Jaclyn Piasta

• Monarch Health 

• Jackie on all social media: Jackiep_gynnp

• The justASK Podcast

I am honored to speak with Dr. John Demartini today. He is an international speaker, philosopher, and bestselling author who founded the Demartini Method, a revolutionary tool in modern psychology. 

In our discussion, we break down the anatomy and physiology of self-regulation, examining the impact of trauma and perception, and how to reframe those experiences. We explore dissociation, the moral licensing effect, moral hypocrisy, and how delusion can disempower us. We also dive into the power of prioritization, the role of values, and what it truly means to live authentically.

You will love today's valuable, thought-provoking, and insightful conversation with Dr. Demartini.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• Dr. Demartini explains self-regulation

• The importance of being accountable, self-regulated, and living by your highest values 

• Ways we can transform trauma by changing our perceptions and attitudes

• How the brain creates anti-memories to balance traumatic experiences

• The freeze response and dissociation as survival mechanisms

• How the moral licensing effect relates to shame and pride

• Why we must compare our actions with our highest values rather than comparing ourselves with others

• Living more authentically

• Dr. Demartini has an exercise on his website to help identify your highest values and prioritize your actions.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

• Follow on X

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Check out Cynthia’s website

• Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Dr. John Demartini

• On his website

I’m delighted to have Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge back on the show again! She joined me previously on Episode 174.

Dr. Roseann is an exceptional pediatric mental health expert who utilizes a combination of traditional and non-traditional modalities for her patient population. She joins me today to discuss the role of Myo-inositol from a mood and mental health perspective. We delve into what Myo-inositol does in the body, what depletes it, and how the gut and brain connect through the vagus nerve. We talk about the mental health benefits of Myo-inositol and how it impacts mood disorders- specifically eating disorders and binge eating, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder, stress and anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. We also discuss Dr. Roseann’s unique approaches to calming the autonomic nervous system and reducing brain inflammation, the current medical model and its limitations, and the impact of trauma.

I sincerely hope you enjoy listening to today’s interesting and informative conversation with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• Benefits of Myo-inositol

• Impact of having low magnesium in the body

• Protecting yourself from microbiome depletion

• Why is it essential to listen to your body?

• Connection between the gut and the vagus nerve

• The magic in mental health lies in the micro-changes.

• Where to start when helping a teenager or young adult struggling with OCD, anxiety, or depression

• Importance of reframing negative thoughts

• What’s happening when the brain is dysregulated?

• Examining the brain under stress

• Root cause of mental illness

• Ways to improve your brain health

• The role of trauma in mood disorders

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow

Follow on X

⁠Instagram

⁠LinkedIn⁠

Check out Cynthia’s ⁠website⁠

Connect with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge

On her ⁠website⁠

Dr. Roseann’s podcast, ⁠It’s Gonna Be OK!⁠

Ep. 174 Identifying and Treating Your Children's Mental Health: How We Can Be Their Greatest Support with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge

Today, I am delighted to reconnect with my friend and colleague, Dr. Amy B. Killen, a board-certified physician with expertise in bioidentical hormones, personalized medication, and cutting-edge rejuvenation techniques.

In our conversation, we dive into the spectrum of progesterone sensitivity, exploring why estrogen is considered the best longevity drug available and how it reduces the risk of heart disease. We discuss bone health and bioidenticals, outline ways to improve cognition, brain function, and cardiovascular health, and examine the ongoing debate around oral estrogen therapy. Dr. Amy also sheds light on slowing ovarian aging, explains the concept of hair pause and how to address it proactively, and offers her take on overrated or ineffective strategies for navigating perimenopause and beyond.

You will not want to miss this insightful episode with Dr. Amy Killen, and I look forward to having her back for another conversation.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• Dr. Amy sheds light on the spectrum of progesterone sensitivity.

• Progesterone treatment options for women with progesterone sensitivity

• Why estrogen is crucial for longevity

• How estrogen protects the heart and blood vessels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease

• When is the best time to start taking estrogen for optimal cardiovascular benefits?

• Estrogen and bone strength and flexibility

• Can starting estrogen treatments early help prevent dementia and cognitive decline?

• Pros and cons of using a combination of estriol and estradiol

• Slow ovarian senescence and prevent hormonal changes from affecting your hair health.

Bio:

Dr. Amy B. Killen, M.D., is a leading physician in regenerative and hormone optimization medicine, specializing in women's health and helping patients navigate their "Queen PhaseTM" with evidence-based interventions. As a board-certified emergency physician turned longevity specialist, she combines cutting-edge treatments, such as stem cell therapy, hormone optimization, and peptides, with practical lifestyle wisdom at her clinics in Utah and Texas, while sharing her expertise through international speaking engagements and educational content creation.

Dr. Killen is the Chief Medical Officer of Humanaut Health, a longevity clinic franchise, and founder of the Human Optimization Project (HOP), a female-focused supplement company.

She lives in Salt Lake City with her family of five.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

• Follow on Twitter

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Check out Cynthia’s website

• Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Dr. Amy Killen

• On her website

• HopBox (Supplement Company)

• Subscribe to Dr. Amy’s Substack   

Today, I am delighted to connect with James Kimmel Jr., a Yale psychiatry lecturer, a lawyer, and the founder and co-director of the Yale Collaborative for Motive Control Studies. 

In our conversation, we explore the science of revenge, examining how it affects the brain and identifying risk factors that could contribute to extremes in revenge activity. James shares his journey from childhood to law and academia and offers his perspective on the intersection of justice, neuroscience, and human behavior. We talk about forgiveness, exploring how it reshapes the brain, counteracts revenge addiction, and serves as a tool for healing. We also cover specific interventions, including the non-justice system and the warning signs for extremes in addictive behaviors.

This invaluable and insightful conversation with James Kimmel Jr. is an incredible resource for moms everywhere.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• How revenge impacts the brain

• How psychological harm can lead to revenge cravings

• The link between addiction and revenge-seeking

• Why some individuals are more at risk for revenge-seeking than others

• Some common forms of revenge-driven behavior

• What does a revenge attack look like?

• James shares how revenge motivated his choice to become a lawyer and how he came to do the work he does now

• The benefits of forgiveness as an antidote to revenge cravings

• How social media platforms exploit the addictive process of revenge-seeking

• Interventions and support systems for managing revenge addiction

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

• Follow on ⁠X⁠

• ⁠Instagram⁠

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠

• Check out Cynthia’s ⁠website⁠

• Submit your questions to ⁠[email protected]⁠

Connect with James Kimmel Jr.

• On his⁠ website⁠

• Buy a copy of James’ latest book,⁠ The Science of Revenge⁠

• ⁠SavingCain.org⁠: Preventing Murd

I am excited to connect with one of my favorite neuroscience experts today! Louisa Nicola is at the intersection of neuroscience and athleticism. She helps to bring a fresh understanding of what it takes to achieve peak performance through science-based tools and methods. She is also the host of The Neuro Experience podcast, which focuses on brain health, neuroscience, longevity, and athletics. 

Louisa knows how to take complicated subjects related to brain physiology and hormones and explain them so that people can fully understand and appreciate them. In this episode, she and I dive into her background. We discuss her three pillars for peak performance, alcohol, and how sleep impacts the glymphatic system. We get into strategies for better sleep, the perimenopausal brain, how chronobiology impacts sleep, how to address jet lag, and how exercise improves brain performance and health. We also discuss the best foods and supplements for brain health and how creatine enhances performance. 

I hope you enjoy listening to today’s conversation as much as I did recording it! 

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• How an accident shifted the trajectory of Louisa’s life. 

• Louisa unpacks the various stages of sleep and explains why sleep is so important.

• How sleep impacts the glymphatic system.

• Some common characteristics of perimenopause.

• Some simple ways to aid the penetration of naturally secreted hormones into the brain. 

• How blood pressure fluctuations impact the brain.

• What is jet lag, and how can we combat it?

• How does alcohol affect the brain?

• Louisa explains cardiac remodeling.

• The value of different types of exercise for brain health.

• The difference between physical activity and exercise.

• How our food choices impact our brain health.

• How to mitigate the effects of traumatic brain injuries.

• How does creatine monohydrate improve brain performance?

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow

Follow on X

⁠ ⁠Instagram

⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Check out Cynthia’s ⁠website⁠ 

Connect with Louisa Nicola

On X and ⁠Instagram⁠ 

⁠The Neuro Experience Podcast⁠

Book mentioned

⁠The XX Brain⁠ by Dr. Lisa Mosconi

Today, I am thrilled to connect with Charles Piller, an award-winning investigative journalist for Science magazine whose work has also appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Sacramento Bee, and other major publications. Charles is the author of Doctored, and he has been honored with several national journalism awards.

In our fascinating conversation, we dive into the trajectory of Alzheimer’s from its early framing as a diagnosis to its modern-day research landscape. We explore the concept of publish or perish within academic research, and we examine the dominant amyloid hypothesis, the forces shaping scientific narratives, and the role of institutions like the FDA, NIH, and research publishing in influencing research priorities. Charles shares his insights on the impact of falsified data and the broader implications for scientific integrity of the doctored images published in Nature in 2006. We also tackle the importance of lifestyle and risk factor modification in preventing neurocognitive decline. 

You will not want to miss this compelling conversation with Charles Piller. His book is a gripping must-read on the fraud, arrogance, and tragedy in the quest to cure Alzheimer’s.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• How Alzheimer’s impacts our society and affects the caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s 

• Charles gives a historical overview of Alzheimer's

• Some typical symptoms of Alzheimer's

• How the amyloid cascade hypothesis led to the development of drugs that removed amyloid from the brain but failed to halt or reverse dementia

• How doctored images can support experimental hypotheses and influence research 

• Charles highlights the need for more accountability within the scientific field.  

• How pressure to publish and perverse incentives have influenced Alzheimer’s research

• Why ethical concerns matter when developing potentially hazardous drugs with limited benefits

• Charles shares the potential benefits of GLP-1s for cognitive decline.

• Why a multi-factorial approach to understanding and treating Alzheimer's is essential

• Charles highlights the importance of self-criticism and humility within the scientific community.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

• Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn

• Check out Cynthia’s website

• Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Charles Piller

• On his website 

Today, I am delighted to connect with Dr. Joycelyn Wittstein, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and associate professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Duke who conducts NIH-funded research into post-traumatic knee arthritis. She has shared presentations at many prestigious medical conferences, and her work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals. 

In our discussion, we dive into many of the joint pain symptoms Dr. Wittstein sees in her perimenopausal and menopausal patients, and we look at the impact of specific, targeted supplementations, including curcumin, collagen peptides, and creatine monohydrate. We explore effusions, the effects of osteoarthritic risk factors like prior injuries, obesity, the perimenopause to menopause transition, and the impact of GLP-1s on joint symptoms and bone physiology. We discuss REDS (Relative Energy Deficiency Syndrome) and the causes of osteoporosis, and Dr. Wittstein also shares what she does to protect her bones and why she believes DEXA scans must get done early in the aging trajectory, why fractures can be problematic, and the significance of exercise and bone-building foods.

You will not want to miss today’s valuable and super action-oriented conversation with Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• How women in their mid-40s and 50s often experience an acute increase in joint pain 

• How hormone therapy can help women improve their bone health, prevent osteoporosis, and overcome joint pain  

• Dr. Wittstein recommends supplements for reducing joint inflammation

• Various foods that can drive inflammation and cause joint health problems  

• How the inflammatory state of obesity impacts joint health

• The benefits of GLP-1s for those with joint pain from inflammation

• Why early bone density screening is essential for women in their 40s

• How creatine monohydrate improves cognitive function and muscle mass

• The value of strength training and balance exercises for improving joint health

• The best foods and beverages for bone-building

Bio: Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein

I am an associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at Duke University Medical Center. I completed residency in 2009 and a fellowship in sports medicine in 2010 at Duke. Prior to medical school, I studied nutritional science at Cornell University. My practice focuses on sports medicine, with a particular interest in treating female athletes across the lifespan. I am currently president of the Forum: Women in Sports Medicine. I am part of the core leadership of the Duke Female Athlete Program. I am also a clinician researcher with NIH-funded studies of ACL and meniscus injuries and post-traumatic arthritis in knees. I am a co-author of the Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan, which was released on May 6, 2025. On a personal note, I am a former collegiate gymnast, lifelong athlete, and mom of five. I live in Raleigh, NC, with my husband, Tal Lassiter, who is also an orthopedic surgeon.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

• Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn

• Check out Cynthia’s website

• Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein

• On the Duke Health website

• Instagram

• The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan, co-authored by Jocelyn Wittstein, MD, and Sydney Nitzkorski, MS, RD, is available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, and from most bookstores.