The Luminescence Podcast with Schuyler Grant

Luminescence

The Luminescence Podcast with Schuyler Grant is a space for science-based, culturally curious, and politically fearless conversations illuminating women’s health.  For decades, science treated women as simply “little men.” No more. Women’s health is complex, but for the 51% of the population with a vagina, understanding it is imperative. Each episode features a roundtable of female health experts to cut through the shame, explain the latest research, and have honest, raw conversations about what we are experiencing, in our bodies and in the world we share. To discuss the podcast directly with Schuyler, join our community at https://www.luminescence.health/.

  1. 5D AGO

    Botox, Fillers & What Actually Works: WTF Is Happening to My Face? Part 3 of 3

    Botox. Fillers. Lasers. Red light masks. Geranium oil and gua sha. If you've wondered about any of these — what they actually do, whether they're worth it, and what two menopause-focused OB-GYNs and a Zen teacher actually do themselves — this is that conversation. In part three of their conversation on the visible changes of midlife, Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and Elena Brower get personal about what they actually do, what they recommend, and where they disagree. They discuss: Botox: The medical uses most people don't know about, the case for and against, and what happens when you freeze too much of your face Lasers: How they actually work, the difference between superficial and deeper treatments, and what to look for in a provider Red light therapy masks: What the data actually says and what to look for before you buy Fillers: Why one doctor completely changed her position on them The natural alternatives, geranium oil, gua sha, retinol vs. estrogen, and dermaplaning Each woman's personal philosophy on aging (which turns out to be the most clarifying part of the conversation) A lightning round: Face yoga, staying out of the sun, ring lights, shorter haircuts, tweezers in the car, and more This episode is for any woman who wants real opinions, not just options. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit ⁠www.luminescence.health⁠.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit ⁠stripesbeauty.com⁠ and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit ⁠connect.gdx.net⁠. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at ⁠LivOnLabs.com⁠. BiOptimizers: Go to ⁠bioptimizers.com/luminescence⁠ and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off.

    27 min

  2. APR 28

    Hormones, Skin & Hair: WTF Is Happening to My Face? Part 2 of 3

    You look in the mirror and something's different. Your skin, your hair. And nobody really warned you that this was coming, or that it was hormonal. This is part two of the conversation on the visible changes of midlife. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and Elena Brower get into the biology behind what's actually happening to skin and hair as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone decline.  They discuss: What declining hormones actually do to collagen, elastin, and blood flow and why your skin is your largest organ, not just a vanity concern Topical estrogen for the face. What it is, how it differs from vaginal estrogen, and why even the doctors in this conversation hadn't heard of it The Women's Health Initiative, the black box warning that just came off vaginal estrogen, and what two decades of misinformation actually cost women Whether starting HRT earlier makes a visible difference and what the data does and doesn't support How to tell the difference between a choice that's genuinely yours and one that's been shaped by outside pressure Most women are handed moisturizer and told to drink more water. This episode goes considerably further than that.  For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit ⁠www.luminescence.health⁠.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit ⁠stripesbeauty.com⁠ and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit ⁠connect.gdx.net⁠. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at ⁠LivOnLabs.com⁠. BiOptimizers: Go to ⁠bioptimizers.com/luminescence⁠ and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off.

    25 min

  3. APR 21

    Aging, Identity & Autonomy: WTF Is Happening to My Face? Part 1 of 3

    Nobody warned you that midlife would feel like this. Right as you're starting to see yourself more clearly, the world starts looking at you differently. In the Season 2 premiere of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with OB-GYNs Dr. Somi Javaid and Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and writer and teacher Elena Brower, to open a conversation that's been a long time coming: what actually happens to women's looks as we age. This is about a lot more than skin and hair. They discuss: The impossible standard around how women age: Damned if you do, damned if you don't, and why aging has become the new debate that pits women against each other The archetypes of maiden, mother, and crone: The gifts and shadow sides of each, and why midlife isn't about leaving one behind but learning to hold all of them at once The appreciation gap: Why we can't see ourselves clearly when we're in it, and the practice of learning to appreciate what's actually there before hindsight forces it For any woman navigating the noise around aging and looking for a conversation that actually goes somewhere. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off.

    24 min

  4. MAR 24

    Reignite Pleasure, Intimacy, and Connection at Every Age

    Sex therapist and legendary podcast host Dr. Emily Morse joins Schuyler Grant at Luminescence Los Angeles for an open, honest conversation about why so many women feel disconnected from their pleasure — and what to do about it. Together, they explore how shame, stress, trauma, and cultural messaging impact sexual health; why communication is the ultimate lubrication; and practical strategies to reignite intimacy in long-term relationships. From nervous system regulation to mindful masturbation, you'll discover empowering tools to reconnect with your body, your desires, and your partner — at any stage of life. This talk was recorded live at Luminescence Los Angeles - February 1, 2025. Learn more about future events at ⁠onecommune.com/luminescence⁠.

    37 min

  5. MAR 17

    In the Mood (Or Not): What Every Woman Should Know About Libido

    In this empowering and refreshingly honest talk from Luminescence Los Angeles, Dr. Jolene Brighten reveals why low libido isn’t "just part of being a woman" — and how hormones, stress, metabolism, relationships, and even body image all intersect to influence sexual health. You’ll learn how estrogen, testosterone, insulin, and cortisol impact desire, why prioritizing your pleasure is essential for total health, and practical, science-backed strategies to reclaim your vitality. Whether you’re cycling, postpartum, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal, this conversation will help you understand your body and your power on a whole new level. This talk was recorded live at Luminescence Los Angeles - February 1, 2025. Learn more about future events at onecommune.com/luminescence.

    34 min

  6. MAR 10

    Not the Sex You See In Movies: Pleasure Beyond Penetration, Kink, Communication & Chronic Pain

    Pleasure Beyond Penetration, Kink, Communication & Chronic Pain It’s time to dismantle the outdated script that defines intimacy as penetration with orgasm as the goal. From queer sex to neurodivergent pleasure to the realities of long-term relationships, this conversation invites you to rethink what connection and satisfaction truly mean. We talk intimacy beyond heteronormative norms, why connection — not orgasm — is what people actually say makes sex satisfying, how kink communities model clear consent and communication, why novelty and curiosity matter (especially for neurodivergent brains), and how chronic pain, fatigue, and health conditions change intimacy without ending it. This is about redefining pleasure on your terms, not the movie version. You'll Learn: Why connection, not orgasm, predicts sexual satisfaction How heteronormative scripts limit pleasure for many women What kink communities teach us about consent + communication Why novelty, sensory input, and curiosity keep desire alive How to explore pleasure if you don’t even know what you like yet Why self-pleasure improves partnered sex and communication Intimacy without penetration: expanding what “sex” means How chronic pain, endometriosis, fatigue, or disability affect intimacy Tools, positioning aids, and adaptations that make sex more accessible Why orgasms are a nervous system event — not just genital If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing sex wrong,” this episode is your reminder: there is no one right way — only what creates safety, connection, and pleasure for you. Featured Guests: Dr. Jolene Brighten – Naturopathic endocrinologist, author of Is This Normal? and Beyond the Pill Dr. Mariza Snyder – Functional wellness expert, author of The Perimenopause Revolution Rosie Acosta – Host of Radically Loved, yoga and meditation teacher

    48 min

  7. MAR 3

    Big T: Testosterone for Women

    Testosterone for Women: Libido, Muscle, Mood, Brain Fog & HRT Truths Testosterone is not just a “guy thing;” it’s the most abundant biologically active hormone in a woman’s body, and it powers far more than libido. This conversation gets real about how modern life depletes testosterone and why women are often shut out of treatment options. We unpack what happens when testosterone declines from your 20s through perimenopause and menopause, why it affects motivation, confidence, muscle, brain function, and libido, and why so many women are told it “doesn’t matter.” We break down testing, HRT options (creams, gels, injections, pellets), risks vs benefits, and why stress, belly fat, and modern life can tank testosterone long before menopause. You’ll learn: Why testosterone impacts energy, confidence, muscle, bone, and sex drive Signs of low T in women: brain fog, low motivation, poor recovery, low libido Why it’s not FDA-approved for women (and what that means for access) Total vs free testosterone, SHBG, and what to actually test HRT delivery methods: cream, gel, injections, pellets pros and cons Possible side effects: acne, hair changes, mood shifts, cholesterol changes Why stress, insulin resistance, and endocrine disruptors lower testosterone Natural boosters: strength training, protein, vitamin D, reducing plastics, better sleep Why hormones are a full-body system, not just “sex hormones” If you’ve ever felt less driven, less strong, less clear-headed and wondered if it’s “just aging” this conversation might change how you see your hormones. Featured Guests: Dr. Jolene Brighten – Naturopathic endocrinologist, author of Is This Normal? and Beyond the Pill Dr. Mariza Snyder – Functional wellness expert, author of The Perimenopause Revolution Rosie Acosta – Host of Radically Loved, yoga and meditation teacher

    1 hr

  8. FEB 24

    Stress, Survival, and Sex: Why Burnout Kills Desire and How to Reset

    Nothing will tank your libido faster than stress, which cranks up your cortisol and puts your body in survival mode. Learn what’s really happening in your brain when you feel anxious, numb, or disconnected, and how you can reset your stress hormones and get your mojo back. We talk about how chronic stress can disrupt sleep, metabolism, mood, and connection, and why desire is not “broken,” it is often responding to a nervous system that does not feel safe. Plus, practical tools to regulate stress, send safety signals, and get your vitality back. You'll learn: What the HPA axis is and how cortisol can suppress sex hormones Why chronic stress drives cravings, inflammation, and insulin resistance The difference between spontaneous desire and responsive desire How the mental load and relationship strain can put the brakes on libido Simple nervous system resets like breathwork, walking, and co regulation Sleep basics that support healthier cortisol rhythms How to spot early stress cues so you can intervene sooner Featured Guests: Dr. Jolene Brighten – Naturopathic endocrinologist, author of Is This Normal? and Beyond the Pill Dr. Mariza Snyder – Functional wellness expert, author of The Perimenopause Revolution Rosie Acosta – Host of Radically Loved, yoga and meditation teacher

    53 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Luminescence Podcast with Schuyler Grant is a space for science-based, culturally curious, and politically fearless conversations illuminating women’s health.  For decades, science treated women as simply “little men.” No more. Women’s health is complex, but for the 51% of the population with a vagina, understanding it is imperative. Each episode features a roundtable of female health experts to cut through the shame, explain the latest research, and have honest, raw conversations about what we are experiencing, in our bodies and in the world we share. To discuss the podcast directly with Schuyler, join our community at https://www.luminescence.health/.

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