Send us a text In today’s episode of The Nourished Nervous System, I’m joined by Alyx Coble-Frakes, founder of The Agenda, for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation about menstrual cycles, perimenopause, and what happens when women stop overriding their bodies. This episode lands perfectly in the middle of my three-part series on Ayurveda and perimenopause, expanding the conversation beyond hormones as something to “fix” and into hormones as sources of insight, rhythm, and power. Together, we explore how understanding the menstrual cycle can radically change how we work, relate, parent, create, and lead — and why ignoring cyclical biology has contributed to burnout, relationship strain, and increasingly difficult perimenopause experiences in modern culture. One of the central themes we explore is the concept of “meno divorce” — a term used to describe the increased likelihood of separation or divorce during perimenopause and menopause, often initiated by women. Rather than framing this as hormones “ruining relationships,” we talk about perimenopause as a truth-revealing portal, where long-standing imbalances, unmet needs, and emotional inequities become impossible to ignore. This conversation is honest, validating, fiery, and deeply compassionate — touching on patriarchy, unpaid labor, nervous system overload, erotic aliveness, and the reclamation of feminine wisdom. In This Episode, We Discuss: • The menstrual cycle as an internal seasonal rhythm • The four phases of the cycle and how they affect energy, mood, libido, and cognition • Why women aren’t meant to function on linear, masculine productivity models • Perimenopause as a portal into clarity, sovereignty, and self-truth • What “meno divorce” really reflects — and why it’s not about women being “crazy” • Hormonal shifts and reduced tolerance for emotional and relational inequity • The mental load, unpaid labor, and libido loss many women carry in midlife • How understanding cycles can transform partnerships and communication • Why tracking your cycle is a foundational self-care and self-advocacy tool • The overlap between Ayurvedic wisdom and cycle awareness • Reclaiming erotic aliveness, intuition, and feminine leadership in midlife About Today’s Guest: Alex Kabul Franks is the founder of The Agenda, a platform dedicated to helping menstruating people sync their lives with their hormonal rhythms so they can feel more in flow physically, emotionally, and mentally. Through cycle-syncing tools, education, and advocacy, Alex’s work helps women shift from battling their hormones to recognizing them as a powerful internal guidance system. You can learn more about Alex and her work through The Agenda app and planner (links below). Instagram Check out The Agenda App: App Store Resources: Ayurvedic Dosha Quick Reference Guide Abhyanga Self Massage Guide Weekend Nervous System Reset Nourished For Resilience Workbook Find me at www.nourishednervoussystem.com and @nourishednervoussytem on Instagram
