Happy & Healthy with Amy

Amy Lang

Do you want to protect your brain from Alzheimer's disease so you can be sharp and stay sharp for life? This podcast is for you.Your host, Amy Lang, master certified health coach and founder of Moxie Club will be sharing with you the lessons learned and insights gained from 20+ years as a health club owner and Alzheimer's prevention coach.For more information, visit www.moxie-club.com

  1. 20h ago

    Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: How to Start "The Conversation" with Sandra Newsome (Part 2 of 3)

    The conversations that follow an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can feel tender, awkward, and overwhelming. But avoiding them does not make them easier. In this episode, Amy and end-of-life doula Sandra Newsome walk through a practical conversation starter guide that can help you begin with more calm, clarity, and compassion. What to Listen For [00:47] The tender place many families start from. [01:40] The conversation guide Sandra recommends. [02:20] The deceptively simple question that can reveal what your loved one values most. [03:08] The concept of compressed morbidity. [04:08] Why how you live today can affect how you live through the end of life. [06:52] The question that helps identify who and what supports you during difficult times. [07:40] Why “what matters to me through the end of my life” is not a question to rush. [10:09] What steps Sandra recommends before asking your parent. [12:14] The reason timing matters so much. [15:28] The family conversation that may need to happen if your parent does not want details, but you do. [17:10] Who should know what — and how family dynamics can affect what gets shared. [18:32] Why the right timing and setting can make this conversation feel more possible. [19:30] The sentence Sandra uses to explain why these conversations cannot wait forever. [21:00] How planning ahead can become a gift to the very people you are trying to protect. [22:54] Why role-playing the conversation can help you. An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can make the future feel uncertain, but these conversations help bring some steadiness back. Start with one question, give yourself time to sit with the answers, and remember: this is not about getting everything perfect. Listen to this episode to learn how to start the conversation, then continue with Part 3 where Amy and Sandra talk about the documents, decisions, and plans families need to have in place. Resources Mentioned The Conversation Project: https://theconversationproject.org/Amy’s First Steps Guide: https://www.amylangcoaching.com/firststepsBeing Mortal by Atul Gawande: https://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/How We Live Is How We Die by Pema Chödrön: https://pemachodronfoundation.org/product/how-we-live-is-how-we-die-book/Recommended Episodes Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The Conversation to Start Early with Sandra Newsome (Part 1 of 3)Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: What to Put in Place Now - Coming Soon!After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: A Family ChecklistHow to Build an Alzheimer’s Care TeamMy Mom Was Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Am I Next?RESOURCES: Book a FREE Discovery Call with AmyDownload After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant BrainSchedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with AmyFollow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoachingSubscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

    27 min

  2. Jun 24

    Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The Conversation to Start Early with Sandra Newsome

    When a parent receives an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, it can feel like everything becomes urgent overnight. What do we do first? What conversations need to happen now? And how do we talk about end-of-life wishes without making it feel like we’re rushing things? In Part 1 of this three-part series, Amy talks with Sandra Newsome, an end-of-life doula, about why timing matters, why families avoid talking about death, and how getting more comfortable with these conversations can reduce fear, guilt, and overwhelm later. WHAT TO LISTEN FOR: [0:00] The Alzheimer’s conversation most families avoid and need to normalize [00:42] What is a death cafe? [01:40] Why talking about death feels harder after diagnosis [03:38] What actually happens at a death cafe [05:30] How to make hard conversations easier [06:15] The document mistake families don’t realize they’re making [06:56] Swedish death cleaning and “the stuff” we leave behind [09:23] What an End-of-Life Doula actually does [11:02] Why crisis is the worst time to plan [12:43] Why Alzheimer’s changes the timeline [14:40] How to find a death cafe near you [15:42] The book that helped Amy think differently about end of life [17:26] What happens when families never talk about wishes [20:41] The hospital scenario that can derail decisions [21:10] The power of knowing “this is what Mom wanted” [21:41] Coming next: how to start the conversationEarly conversations are about thoughtful planning, honoring your loved one’s wishes, and giving your family the gift of clarity and peace. Listen to this episode to understand why these conversations matter.  RESOURCES: Book a FREE Discovery Call with AmyDownload After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant BrainSchedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with AmyFollow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoachingSubscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

    25 min

  3. Jun 17

    Protect Your Brain with the MIND Diet: How It Fights the Four Horsemen of Alzheimer’s

    What if protecting your brain could start with your very next meal? In this episode of Happy & Healthy with Amy, Amy explains why the MIND diet may be one of the most powerful tools you have for supporting brain health and reducing your risk of cognitive decline. Rather than focusing on one “magic” brain food, Amy walks you through how this eating pattern helps create a healthier internal environment for your one and only brain.  Using Dr. Dean Sherzai’s “Four Horsemen of Alzheimer’s” framework, Amy breaks down four core drivers of Alzheimer’s progression: glucose dysregulation, lipid dysregulation, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation. Then she connects each one to her wildfire metaphor so you can understand why your food choices matter and how the MIND diet helps calm the conditions that make the brain more vulnerable.  This is education, not medical advice. Please work with a qualified healthcare provider for decisions about your health or a loved one’s care. What to Listen For [00:00] Why food is one of the most powerful levers for preventing cognitive decline [01:00] How this episode builds on episode 256 about the MIND diet [02:00] Amy’s wildfire metaphor for Alzheimer’s progression [04:00] The Four Horsemen of Alzheimer’s: glucose, lipids, inflammation, and oxidative stress [05:30] What MIND stands for and why it is not a weight-loss diet [07:00] What the original MIND diet studies found about Alzheimer’s risk [09:00] Why glucose dysregulation is like “low humidity” in the brain [13:00] How lipid dysregulation becomes the “dry brush” that affects blood flow [17:00] Why oxidative stress is like biological heat and cellular wear and tear [21:00] How chronic inflammation acts like strong winds that spread the fire [25:00] Why the MIND diet is about changing internal conditions, not perfection [28:00] How to get the printable wallet-sized MIND diet guideThe MIND diet isn't about eating perfectly. It's about consistently creating better conditions for your brain. As Amy explains, nutrition is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and it is not a replacement for medical care. But it is one of the most powerful tools in your prevention toolkit. RESOURCES: Book a FREE Discovery Call with AmyDownload After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant BrainSchedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with AmyFollow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoachingSubscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

    26 min

  4. Jun 10

    Alzheimer’s Risk in Women vs. Men: What’s Different

    If your mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may already be wondering, “Am I next?” But if your dad, husband, brother, or partner is the one you’re worried about, this episode is for you too. Amy breaks down the differences in Alzheimer’s risk in women and men, including why women carry more modifiable risk factors, why certain risk factors may hit women’s cognition harder, and why Alzheimer’s may show up in men in ways that can blindside you. What to Listen For [00:00] Why this episode is for women and the men they love [02:00] Why “early is everything” in Alzheimer’s prevention [05:00] Why women’s Alzheimer’s risk is not just about longevity [07:00] The UC San Diego study findings that surprised researchers [10:00] The 13 modifiable dementia risk factors studied [12:00] Who carries more risk factors versus who is more affected by them[15:00] How BMI affects cognitive performance differently in women vs men [18:00] What you need to know about the effects of cholesterol management [22:00] How heart health affects Alzheimer’s risk in men[27:00] What behavioral symptoms show up more often in men with Alzheimer’sOver 7.2 million adults in the U.S. have clinical Alzheimer's, and 2 out of 3 are women. But men are not immune, and there are significant differences. Knowing what they are and which modifiable risk factors to pay attention to means more effective prevention as well as treatment. Listen to the full episode, subscribe to Happy and Healthy with Amy, and download Amy’s free RESTORED Protocol guide so you can start building an Alzheimer’s-resistant brain—one habit at a time. RESOURCES: Book a FREE Discovery Call with AmyDownload After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant BrainSchedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with AmyFollow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoachingSubscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

    29 min

  5. Jun 3

    Neuroinflammation and Brain Health: 8 Steps To Protect Your Brain in Midlife

    What if amyloid is only the match, tau is the brush fire, and neuroinflammation is the wildfire that causes the most damage in Alzheimer’s disease? In this episode of Happy & Healthy with Amy, Amy explains why researchers are paying closer attention to neuroinflammation, what may be keeping the brain’s immune system stuck in the “on” position, and why midlife is such an important window for protecting your brain. You’ll learn how sleep, blood sugar, chronic stress, infections, oral health, and social connection may all influence the conditions that make the brain more—or less—flammable. What to Listen For [00:00] Why amyloid may be the match—but neuroinflammation is the wildfire. [02:30] What the Cochrane review found about anti-amyloid drugs. [04:30] Why timing matters in Alzheimer’s disease. [07:00] Is neuroinflammation a side effect—or a driver? [09:00] Why inflammation itself is not the villain. [11:00] Meet microglia: the brain’s immune cells. [14:00] Why gum disease matters for Alzheimer’s risk.[18:00] The shingles vaccine and dementia risk. [22:00] Blood sugar, insulin resistance, stress, and sleep. [29:00] How to make your brain less “flammable.” Neuroinflammation may be one of the most important pieces of the Alzheimer’s prevention puzzle because it connects so many things we often treat separately: sleep, stress, blood sugar, oral health, infections, diet, and connection. Listen to the full episode to understand what may be making your brain more “flammable,” then download the free RESTORED Protocol so you can choose one simple, evidence-based next step for protecting your brain. Mentioned in The Episode Download the RESTORED ProtocolDownload The First Steps Guide for supporting a parent after Alzheimer’s diagnosisRelated Episodes Alzheimer’s Prevention: What the Cochrane Review MeansAlzheimer’s Drugs: Why Amyloid Removal May Not Be EnoughGum Disease, Menopause & Your Alzheimer's RiskSources RESOURCES: Book a FREE Discovery Call with AmyDownload After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant BrainSchedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with AmyFollow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoachingSubscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

    26 min

  6. May 27

    Alzheimer’s Drugs: Why Amyloid Removal May Not Be Enough

    If your parent was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may have heard about the latest Alzheimer’s treatments - Kisunla and Lequembi - being described as breakthrough "disease-modifying" drugs. And yes, the science is promising in some ways. But here’s the part most families are not told clearly: a drug may successfully remove amyloid from the brain and still not create a meaningful improvement in memory, thinking, reasoning, or day-to-day function. In this episode, Amy explains why. This is not medical advice. It is education designed to help you ask better questions, advocate more clearly, and make decisions with your eyes wide open. You’ll learn what happens in the brain long before symptoms appear, why amyloid is only one part of the Alzheimer’s disease process, and why tau, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration matter so much when you’re trying to make informed decisions for someone you love. What to Listen For [00:00] Why amyloid removal may not translate into meaningful improvement. [02:00] What the Cochrane review found about anti-amyloid drugs. [04:30] Why memory problems are not the beginning of Alzheimer’s. [07:00] The Alzheimer’s disease timeline. [10:00] Why treating amyloid after symptoms appear may be too late. [12:30] What tau does in healthy brain cells. [14:00] What tracks closely with cognitive decline. [16:30] What ARIA is and why it matters. [18:00] The role of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s.[22:00] Questions to ask the neurologist before deciding. Mentioned in the Episode Alzheimer’s Prevention: What the Cochrane Review MeansCochrane Review: Anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s drugs show no clinically meaningful effectListen now, subscribe to Happy & Healthy with Amy, and share this episode with someone who is trying to make sense of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in their family. RESOURCES: Book a FREE Discovery Call with AmyDownload After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant BrainSchedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with AmyFollow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoachingSubscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

    30 min

  7. May 20

    How to Build an Alzheimer’s Care Team

    If your mom or dad was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may already feel the weight of caregiving starting to land on your shoulders. But here’s the good news: being the primary caregiver does not mean doing it alone. In this episode of Happy & Healthy with Amy, Amy walks you through how to build an Alzheimer’s care team early, before caregiving by default becomes an unwanted reality. You’ll learn who belongs on the team, what each person holds, and how to ask for help without feeling like you’re begging people to care.  What to Listen For 01:20 — What caregiving in the Alzheimer's space actually means03:00 — How caregiving by default happens 04:45 — Why building a care team is also prevention06:30 — The three professional anchors10:00 — How the neurologist helps you understand the brain-specific picture and future options. 12:15 — Why asking for a social worker may be the one question that changes everything. 15:30 — The one-page care team note that keeps everyone from relying on your memory alone. 18:00 — How to ask family and friends for help so you don't feel like you're beggingBuilding an Alzheimer’s care team early is one of the most loving and practical things you can do for your parent, your family, and yourself.  Listen to this episode now, then subscribe to Happy & Healthy with Amy and download the free guide, Mom Was Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Now What? Resources from the Episode Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.orgAlzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900 ALZConnected: https://www.alzconnected.orgCaregiver Action Network: https://www.caregiveraction.orgAging Life Care Association: https://www.aginglifecare.orgAmy's Free Guide: https://www.amylangcoaching.com/firststepsRecommended Complimentary Episodes My Mom Was Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Am I Next? — This is the natural starting point for listeners who are scared that a parent’s diagnosis means their own future is already written. It covers family history, modifiable risk factors, menopause, and the first five brain-health moves Amy recommends. After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: A Family Checklist — A strong companion episode because it walks families through the first practical questions to ask after diagnosis, including how to move from panic into grounded action. Alzheimer’s Prevention: What the Cochrane Review Means — Helpful for listeners trying to make sense of scary headlines, anti-amyloid drugs, and what “clinically meaningful” really means for Alzheimer’s prevention. GLP-1s and Alzheimer’s Prevention: Hope or Hype? — A good fit for midlife women hearing about GLP-1s, APOE4, and dementia risk and wanting a more grounded way to evaluate the hype. The Menopause–Alzheimer’s Link: How to Protect Your Brain Health Now — Recommended for women in perimenopause or menopause who want to understand why this transition matters for cognitive health. RESOURCES: Book a FREE Discovery Call with AmyDownload After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant BrainSchedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with AmyFollow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoachingSubscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

    31 min

  8. May 13

    After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: A Family Checklist

    If your mom or dad was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, your brain may be trying to solve everything at once. What does this mean? How fast will it progress? Are they safe? What questions should you ask? And what are you supposed to do first? In this episode of Happy & Healthy with Amy, Amy walks you through a a practical checklist to help you move from panic and overwhelm into clarity, grounded action, and better advocacy. Think of it like a pre-flight checklist for one of the hardest journeys your family may ever take.  What to Listen For [00:00] The 47-tabs-at-3-a.m. feeling after a parent’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis [01:35] Why you don't need to feel guilty for thinking about your brain health[04:45] The three roles you may suddenly be carrying[06:20] Two grounding questions to calm your nervous system[08:30] How to make sense of the diagnosis [11:00]  The questions to bring to the next neurologist appointment[14:00] Why the prescription is not the whole plan[20:00] Why Alzheimer’s is not just memory loss[24:30]  The grief underneath the diagnosis[29:00] The hard conversations to start earlyAn Alzheimer’s diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to figure everything out today. Start with what you know for sure, choose one next step, and use this episode as your checklist for asking better questions and supporting your parent with love in practical form.  Resources Mentioned My Mom Was Diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Am I Next? (Season 2, Episode 39)Early Is Everything: How Blood Tests Offer New Hope (Season 1, Episode 278)The Latest Alzheimer's Treatments: What Works, What Doesn't, and What's Next - 2025 Update (Season 1, Episode 274)Protect Your Brain with the MIND Diet: Essential Tips for Brain Health (Season 1, Episode 256)The Critical Role of Sleep in Alzheimer's Prevention (Season 1, Episode 249)The 5 As of Alzheimer's Progression: Beyond Memory Loss (Season 2, Episode 17)Listen now, subscribe to Happy & Healthy with Amy, and come back for the next episode on how to build a care team. RESOURCES: Book a FREE Discovery Call with AmyDownload After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant BrainSchedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with AmyFollow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoachingSubscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

    34 min
See All (346)

5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Do you want to protect your brain from Alzheimer's disease so you can be sharp and stay sharp for life? This podcast is for you.Your host, Amy Lang, master certified health coach and founder of Moxie Club will be sharing with you the lessons learned and insights gained from 20+ years as a health club owner and Alzheimer's prevention coach.For more information, visit www.moxie-club.com

Information

  • Creator
    Amy Lang
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    346
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Happy & Healthy with Amy
  • Show Website
    Happy & Healthy with Amy

You Might Also Like