Things Mom Never Said: Secrets to Aging Well

Things Mom Never Said

“Things Mom Never Said: Secrets to Aging Well” is a show for women age 45 and over who are concerned with all things aging from random chin hair to your “garden variety” menopause and all the things your mom never said about aging. Join host April Raque and her co-host (and MOM) Sherry Perkins-Brunes as they discuss healthy aging, what we know, what we were never told, and how each generation of women are still learning to age better, feel younger, and live longer than the next.

  1. Oct 23

    The Longevity Lunch Club

    In this episode, April and Sherry unpack the science behind why connection, belonging, and community are not just nice to have, but essential for health, longevity, and emotional well-being. Together, they trace how community shapes every stage of life - from church circles and 4-H to women’s groups, family caregiving, neighborhood networks, and the kind of “moai” bonds Blue Zones is famous for. They also dig into the surprising research connecting social isolation to earlier death, higher dementia risk, and more inflammation, while showing how shared meals, group rituals, and regular gathering can create real protection over time.  Key Takeaways: Blue Zones consistently find community at the center of long lifeA moai works to improve purpose and resilienceMulti-generational living gives both older adults and younger families a richer life.Women’s groups, game nights, and shared tables are more powerful than they lookYou can create your own community if you feel disconnected where you live Medical Info/Resources:  https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860 https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/is-having-a-sense-of-belonging-important https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/wellness/journey/april https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/the-importance-of-connections-ways-to-live-a-longer-healthier-life/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6125010/ https://www.who.int/news/item/30-06-2025-social-connection-linked-to-improved-heath-and-reduced-risk-of-early-death https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4725506/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK298903/ https://www.bluezones.com/articles/why-social-bonds-are-important-for-health/ https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/index.html https://ccare.stanford.edu/uncategorized/connectedness-health-the-science-of-social-connection-infographic/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11403199/ https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/connection/index.html

    The Longevity Lunch Club
  2. Sep 11

    The Lost Art of Slow Living

    In this episode, April and Sherry dig into the forgotten routines that actually support aging well—starting with the one beauty habit most of us abandoned: brushing your hair. From scalp health to blood flow, natural oils, tangles, and even why a high-quality French brush can change the way your hair feels in just days, this conversation turns an old-fashioned ritual into a surprisingly practical wellness tool. April connects the dots between modern convenience and what we've lost along the way—from homemade chicken soup and real bone broth to everyday movement, clotheslines, gardening, and the kind of slow living that used to be built into daily life. While Sherry adds the generational perspective, recalling the hard-earned wisdom of grandmothers who cooked from scratch, stayed active, and made health a way of life. This episode is a wake-up call for anyone who suspects modern life has made too many things harder than they need to be. It's thoughtful, funny, practical, and a little nostalgic—perfect for listeners who want simple, sustainable ways to feel better, age better, and bring back what actually worked. Key Takeaways: Simple routines can support long-term wellness.Daily hair brushing may benefit scalp and hair health.Convenience can sometimes replace healthy natural habits.Consistency matters more than dramatic health changes.Traditional practices often contain practical wisdom.Homemade food, such as broth and soup, can be nourishing and restorative.Everyday movement is an important part of aging well.Slowing down can protect energy, health, and well-being.Modern life can benefit from bringing back habits that genuinely worked.The goal is not to live in the past, but to recover its balance. Medical Resources/Info: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4740347/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12094410/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12251769/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11035691/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9659005/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7001769/ https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/three-types-exercise-can-improve-your-health-and-physical https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10242587/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4016571/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24167194/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279077/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585062/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12468415/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11929992/ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/dig-into-the-benefits-of-gardening

    The Lost Art of Slow Living
  3. Aug 28

    R is for Regulation

    In this episode of Things Mom Never Said: Secrets to Aging Well, April and Sherry explore the importance of nervous system regulation and how it affects everything from stress and anxiety to inflammation, energy, and overall well-being. April shares how grounding, time in nature, and a personal “neurobalance” routine helped her move out of burnout and back toward balance, while Sherry reflects on how easily modern life pushes us into autopilot.They talk through simple, accessible tools like rebounders, vibrational plates, Tai Chi, breath work, journaling, calming routines, and the power of creating a peaceful home environment. Along the way, they connect the conversation to women’s health, chronic stress, neurodivergence, and the importance of listening to your body before it reaches a breaking point.If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, dis-regulated, or just constantly “on,” this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that healing often starts with small, intentional moments of rest, movement, and awareness. Key Takeaways: Regulation is the real health primitiveYour environment is either co-regulating you or draining youMovement can calm you without being exerciseHigh stimulation often looks productive until the body starts collecting the billThe best regulation tools are often weird, simple, and body-specificSelf-awareness is a practice, not a traitRegulation works best when it becomes a lifestyle, not a rescue plan Medical Resources/Info: https://lifestylemedicine.stanford.edu/survival-mode/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11356649/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12289630/ https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/neuro/conditioninfo/functions https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11591838/ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/trampoline-workout-benefits https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/whole-body-vibration/faq-20057958 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10323263/ Life Pro Vibrational Plate https://a.co/d/0fNcsEDn BCAN Rebounder https://a.co/d/08YDvK7n

    R is for Regulation
  4. Jul 17

    Smiles Everyone, Smiles

    In this episode, April and Sherry talk about the surprising link between menopause and dental health, sharing real-life experiences with expensive dental work, shifting standards of care, and the importance of asking questions before agreeing to treatment. They also compare traditional dentistry with biologic and concierge models, and discuss natural alternatives for oral care.The conversation highlights how menopause can affect the mouth in ways many women are never told about, including dry mouth, bleeding gums, gum recession, jawbone loss, and burning mouth syndrome. April emphasizes that these symptoms may be connected to hormonal changes, not just dental neglect, and that women should advocate for themselves and explore root causes.The episode also explores the value of dentists who take time to listen, explain options, and treat the whole person instead of just the tooth. April and Sherry encourage listeners to trust their instincts, speak up when something feels off, and find care that feels honest, affordable, and aligned with their health goals. Key Takeaways Menopause can significantly affect dental health.Dry mouth, bleeding gums, gum recession, and jawbone loss may all be linked to hormonal changes.Dental symptoms in midlife should not always be treated as isolated problems.Women should ask whether estrogen changes may be contributing to oral health issues.It’s important to question expensive procedures and get a second opinion when needed.Traditional dentistry, biologic dentistry, and concierge dentistry each offer different approaches.Biologic and concierge dentists may take a more holistic, patient-centered view.Finding a dentist you trust can save money, stress, and unnecessary procedures.Oral health affects whole-body health, including the gut, heart, kidneys, and liver.Natural alternatives like xylitol, hydroxyapatite, coconut oil, peppermint oil toothpaste, and certain rinses may support oral health. Medical Resources/Info: International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine (IABDM) - https://iabdm.org/  The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology - https://iaomt.org/  Holistic Dental Association - https://holisticdental.org/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3793432/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11601932/ https://www.deltadentalinstitute.com/news/delta-dental-news/menopause-may-be-linked-to-change-in-teeth-or-gums-for-women-over-forty/ https://adanews.ada.org/huddles/how-menopause-impacts-oral-health/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11781263/

    Smiles Everyone, Smiles

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

“Things Mom Never Said: Secrets to Aging Well” is a show for women age 45 and over who are concerned with all things aging from random chin hair to your “garden variety” menopause and all the things your mom never said about aging. Join host April Raque and her co-host (and MOM) Sherry Perkins-Brunes as they discuss healthy aging, what we know, what we were never told, and how each generation of women are still learning to age better, feel younger, and live longer than the next.

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