Speaking of Women's Health

SWH
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  • NUTRITION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Speaking of Women's Health Podcast is excited to bring you credible women's health information from host and Executive Director, Dr. Holly L. Thacker. Dr. Thacker will interview guest clinicians discussing relevant women's health topics and the latest news and tips.Please  consider supporting Speaking of Women's Health with a monetary donation to help us continue to provide free women's health content. Thank you!

  1. 2D AGO

    From genes to guidance: How ctDNA and MRD shape treatment choices

    Send a text A drop of blood can change the course of cancer care. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD sits down with variant curator Stetson Thacker, PhD to unpack how circulating tumor DNA and tumor‑informed minimal residual disease testing help clinicians see recurrence months before imaging, tailor adjuvant therapy, and track response in real time. Together, they translate complex genomics into clear choices: when a negative MRD result supports de‑escalation, when a persistent positive argues for chemotherapy and how colorectal and breast cancers have led the way in clinical validation. They also cover the guardrails. Not everyone has banked tissue for a tumor‑informed assay, and sensitivity and specificity vary by platform and cancer type. Early multi‑cancer detection tests promise a lot but risk overdiagnosis and anxiety if used without clear indications. The smarter path is matching the right test to the right person at the right time, ideally within guidelines and with an oncologist who can synthesize genomics, imaging, pathology, and patient goals. From colorectal screening shifts to balancing overtreatment in prostate and thyroid cancers, we focus on practical decisions that protect both survival and quality of life. If this deep dive helped you make sense of liquid biopsies and MRD, subscribe, share the episode with someone navigating cancer decisions and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Vita with Alita: Evidence-Based WellnessWellness that fits real life! A podcast for women who care about their health. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

    38 min

  2. FEB 11

    ALA - The Antioxidant That Multitasks Hard

    Send a text Alpha-lipoic acid gets a lot of buzz, but what does it actually do for your body—and when is it worth taking?  Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly L. Thacker takes a clear approach to explain how this unique antioxidant supports energy production, helps your cells handle carbohydrates, and may assist with blood sugar control and nerve comfort in people managing type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. She talks through the science in plain language, then connects it to daily life so you can make informed choices that fit your health goals. Dr. Thacker also zooms out to the bigger picture: how to pair ALA with methylated B vitamins for nerve health and why skin benefits show up when you combine antioxidants with vitamin C, vitamin A–rich foods, protein, and good routines. From organ meats and beets to spinach, broccoli, potatoes, and brewer’s yeast, Dr. Thacker highlights practical ALA food sources while calling out the pitfalls of ultra-processed products loaded with additives. Support the show

    13 min

  3. FEB 4

    Understanding Pelvic Ultrasounds and Ovarian Cysts

    Send a text Ever stared at a pelvic ultrasound report and felt more confused than reassured? Dr. Holly Thacker breaks down the images, the language, and the decisions behind them with gynecologic imaging expert Dr. Sharon Sutherland, whose day-to-day work focuses on translating patterns into practical care. From the first gel-on-belly scan to transvaginal views and saline infusion sonography, they walk through how each test works, what it shows, and how timing, equipment, and technique change the quality of the answers you get. Abnormal bleeding gets a focused, stepwise approach. They discuss why a good transvaginal ultrasound can reassure, when saline infusion sonography finds hidden polyps or fibroids, and why persistent symptoms call for hysteroscopy, the gold standard for seeing and sampling the entire cavity. You’ll hear practical prep tips—full bladder first, then empty for transvaginal images—plus when to avoid cervical softeners and how they manage cervical stenosis safely. If you’ve ever wondered what your report really means—and what to do next—this conversation turns jargon into judgment you can trust. Vita with Alita: Evidence-Based WellnessWellness that fits real life! A podcast for women who care about their health. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

    34 min

  4. JAN 28

    How to Build a Skincare Routine That Actually Works

    Send us a text In this episode, we’re revisiting one of our most popular conversations from Season 2 featuring Dr. Taryn Murray, a board-certified dermatologist known for her practical and science-backed skincare advice. Dr. Murray shared expert insights on how to build a skincare routine that actually works, debunked common myths, and offered tips for achieving healthier skin at any age. We’re replaying this episode as a lead-in to her upcoming return in Season 4, where she’ll be joining us once again to dive even deeper into skincare strategies and the latest in dermatological advancements. If you missed this episode the first time—or just want a refresher—now’s the perfect time to tune in before her new interview drops! Support the show

    40 min

  5. JAN 14

    Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy and How To Manage It

    Send a text Tingling toes. A strange electric buzz that won’t let you sleep. We sat down with Dr. John Morren, Director of the Neuromuscular Center at Cleveland Clinic, to unpack what truly drives peripheral neuropathy, how to read the early signs, and which treatments actually help you function and rest again. We trace the most common causes—diabetes and the broader metabolic syndrome—while surfacing underrecognized risks like rapid weight loss, malabsorption after bariatric surgery, chemotherapy, infections, alcohol, and hidden vitamin pitfalls. B12 deficiency takes center stage as a treatable driver; we talk real thresholds, why neurologists aim above 400, and how methylmalonic acid exposes low B12 even when standard labs look “normal.” Looking ahead, we explore AI as augmented intelligence: tools that flag high-risk patients in primary care, prompt simple screening steps, and sharpen EMG and nerve conduction studies to detect nerve damage earlier. It’s not man versus machine; it’s smarter care through synergy, personalizing treatment and expanding access without losing the human touch. Vita with Alita: Evidence-Based WellnessWellness that fits real life! A podcast for women who care about their health. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

    36 min

  6. JAN 1

    How 2025 Changed Women’s Health and Looking Ahead to 2026

    Send a text We kick off season four by unpacking the most important women’s health developments of 2025 and turning them into simple, confident actions for 2026. From menopausal care finally getting a long-overdue reboot to new tools for mood, pain, and preventive screening, we focus on what’s real, what helps and what to do next. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker walks through timely risks and practical choices: the new data linking long-term Depo-Provera use to meningioma, the way even therapeutic levothyroxine can chip away at bone density and why the Mediterranean diet still outperforms trends despite the GLP-1 spotlight. Menopause takes center stage with real progress: smarter labels, better education, and a broader toolkit. We finish by swapping brittle resolutions for intentions that stick: consistent sleep, daily movement you enjoy, water before meals, gratitude to steady your mood, and strong social ties that extend life. If you’re ready to feel informed and in charge, this guide to the year’s biggest shifts will help you act with calm confidence. If this helped you, subscribe free, turn on notifications, share it with a friend, and leave a quick five‑star review to help more people find the show. Vita with Alita: Evidence-Based WellnessWellness that fits real life! A podcast for women who care about their health. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

    32 min

  7. 12/24/2025

    Holiday Eating, Without The Guilt

    Send a text The holidays don’t have to be a choice between joy and well-being. We invite you into a cozy Christmas Eve conversation that blends candlelight traditions with clear, doable strategies for eating well, staying energized, and sleeping better. From a nourishing breakfast to a colorful plate at dinner, you’ll learn how to slow down and savor your favorites. We also share a one-minute breathing reset to melt stress and a warm, cinnamon baked apples recipe that makes your home smell like the season while keeping nutrition front and center. If you’re ready for a holiday that feels lighter, kinder, and more intentional, press play and join us by the tree lights. Vita with Alita: Evidence-Based WellnessWellness that fits real life! A podcast for women who care about their health. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show

    34 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    Why Chromium is Important for Your Metabolism and Mind

    Send us a text A tiny mineral with a big impact can change how you feel during the day -from steadier energy to clearer thinking and fewer snack attacks. So, what is this important mineral? Chromium, the quiet cofactor that helps your body process carbs, fats, and proteins more efficiently.  Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly L. Thacker explains why “food first” beats a crowded supplement shelf, and how easy wins—broccoli, green beans, quinoa, lean proteins, dairy, and even stainless steel cookware—can boost chromium naturally. Dr. Thacker shares how much chromium we need daily, highlights who might be at risk for deficiency, and explains why more isn’t better with trace minerals. Support the show

    17 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The Speaking of Women's Health Podcast is excited to bring you credible women's health information from host and Executive Director, Dr. Holly L. Thacker. Dr. Thacker will interview guest clinicians discussing relevant women's health topics and the latest news and tips.Please  consider supporting Speaking of Women's Health with a monetary donation to help us continue to provide free women's health content. Thank you!

Information

  • Creator
    SWH
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    201
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Speaking of Women's Health
  • Show Website
    Speaking of Women's Health