Women Mastering Midlife

Victoria Byrd
  • 5.0 (16)
  • Medicine
  • Daily

Women Mastering Midlife is the podcast for women in their 40s and 50s who want real answers about what is happening inside their bodies, and the confidence to advocate for themselves in every room they walk into. Hosted by Victoria Byrd, a licensed pharmacist, certified menopause practitioner, and integrative health and wellness coach, this show bridges the gap between clinical medicine and lived experience. Victoria brings 20 years of pharmacy training alongside a deep commitment to integrative, evidence-based care for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and the full arc of midlife transition. Each week, you will hear expert conversations and honest discussions covering: Hormones and HRT — what the evidence actually says about estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and the pharmacology of hormone therapy options Brain fog, cognition, and mood — the neuroscience of menopause and why your thinking and emotional life are changing Metabolism, weight, and body composition — how shifting hormones affect insulin sensitivity, cortisol, and fat distribution, and what to do about it with nutrition and movement that respects your midlife body Sleep — why it breaks down during perimenopause, what restores it, and why it matters for everything else Gut health and the estrobolome — the emerging science connecting your microbiome to hormone metabolism and inflammation Bone, cardiovascular, and long-term health — the conditions that accelerate after menopause, and the prevention strategies that actually make a difference Stress, nervous system regulation, and burnout — why high-achieving women in midlife are running on empty, and what sustainable recovery looks like Supplements, peptides, and emerging therapies — clear, unbiased clinical context so you can evaluate your options with a discerning eye Identity, relationships, and purpose — because midlife is not only a physiological transition; it is a reorientation of how you see yourself and what you want Guests have included functional medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, strength coaches, pharmacists, psychologists, and women who are simply in the thick of it, offering perspectives as varied as the experience of midlife itself. This podcast does not traffic in fear, wellness hype, or quick fixes. The goal is for you to leave every episode feeling more informed, less alone, and more capable of making decisions that are right for your body, your history, and your life. Women Mastering Midlife is proud to be ranked in the Goodpods Top 100 in both Medicine and Health & Fitness. New episodes release biweekly. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Visit womenmasteringmidlife.com for free guides, coaching, and community. This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for decisions related to your health.

  1. 4d ago

    120. Menopause Skin Changes Explained: Retinol, Estrogen Face Cream, and Sunscreen with Dermatologist Dr. Corinne Erickson

    If your skin seems to have changed its mind about everything lately, from how it holds moisture to how it reacts to products you've used for years, this conversation will help it make sense. My guest is Dr. Corinne Erickson, a board certified dermatologist, Menopause Society certified practitioner, and owner of Georgia Skin Specialists in Atlanta, who turned her focus to midlife skin after her own mid-40s brought hormonal acne, hair thinning, new sensitivity, and a chin hair she named Fred. Dr. Erickson walks us through a framework she and colleagues call the pilocutaneous syndrome of menopause (PSM), which links the skin and hair changes of perimenopause to two drivers: declining estrogen and the relative androgen excess that follows. Estrogen was quietly supporting collagen, elastin, hydration, blood flow, and antioxidant protection in the skin, so as it falls, skin often becomes thinner, drier, looser, and more reactive. At the same time, testosterone takes a more prominent role, which can show up as jawline acne, facial hair, and patterned thinning on the scalp. Seeing it this way can take some of the personal blame out of it, because your routine didn't fail you; your hormones changed the rules. We also talk about how to cut through the skincare noise on social media, starting with a simple morning and evening routine she recommends for many of her patients. From there, we get into estrogen face creams and what the current research does and does not show, the real difference between drugstore retinol and prescription retinoids, and how to approach Botox, fillers, and lasers with a clear sense of your own reasons. Dr. Erickson also shares why she came home from Seoul with a suitcase full of sunscreen, what a new UVA filter could mean for American sunscreens, and why skin cancer tends to show up more often on the left side of the face. In this episode, we cover:The two hormonal shifts behind dryness, laxity, sensitivity, hormonal acne, and hair changes in perimenopause and menopauseHow Dr. Erickson brings hormone therapy into dermatology conversations, and why skin changes alone are not an approved indicationWhy waiting to see a pattern before buying new products can save money and irritation during the hormonal swings of perimenopauseA "protect in the morning, repair at night" routine built on vitamin C, sunscreen, a gentle retinoid, and a barrier-supporting moisturizerWhat the evidence currently shows for estrogen face creams, and why she considers them an active hormone treatment rather than a beauty trend (Dr. Erickson discloses her advisory role with Alloy Health)Retinol vs. tretinoin and tazarotene, and why starting with a gentler over-the-counter option for three to six months is often the better pathAnnual full-body skin checks, the hard-to-see places skin cancer can hide, and Vicky's mother's experience with stage 0 melanoma under her chinQuestions to ask yourself before Botox, fillers, or lasers, and how to choose a qualified injectorKorean skincare, buzzy ingredients like PDRN, and how to try new products without overwhelming your skin barrierUVA vs. UVB protection, UVA exposure through car windows, and the newly approved UVA filter coming to the USSunscreen and vitamin D, including her general approach to supplementation and monitoring levels Episode timestamps00:00 Welcome and introduction to Dr. Corinne Erickson01:18 What led her to focus on midlife skin04:24 The pilocutaneous syndrome of menopause (PSM) explained08:40 Where hormone therapy fits in dermatology care10:15 Non-negotiables for a simpler midlife skincare routine14:45 Estrogen face creams: what the research shows17:38 Retinol vs. prescription retinoids20:03 Skin cancer prevention and when to schedule a skin check22:45 Botox, fillers, and lasers: starting with your why26:29 How to choose an injector or dermatology practice29:59 Korean skincare and French pharmacy trends34:14 Sunscreen, UVA filters, and car window exposure37:43 Sunscreen and vitamin D39:48 Where to find Dr. Erickson Connect with Dr. Corinne EricksonSubstack: The Skin PauseSocial media: @themenopausederm Practice: GeorgiaSkinSpecialists.com Let's Keep the Conversation Going If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let's grow stronger together. Order the Women Mastering Midlife Book Now! Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @women_mastering_midlife . Let's rewrite the narrative together! Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses. DisclaimerThis podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice. Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. Women Mastering Midlife is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

  2. Oct 19

    119. World Osteoporosis Day: Protecting Your Bones in Perimenopause and Menopause with Dr. Jenny Han, PharmD

    Released the day before World Osteoporosis Day, this episode welcomes back Dr. Jenny Han, PharmD, a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist and co-founder of SEEN Nutrition, a woman-owned company in Ithaca, New York, that makes a calcium chew from real food ingredients: milk minerals, organic dates, almonds, and vitamin D from mushrooms. Jenny's path into this work began with a diagnosis most of us would never expect, pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis, discovered when she fractured her back two months postpartum during the early days of COVID. Roughly one in two women over 50 in the United States will break a bone because of osteoporosis, and many of us don't think about our bones until one breaks. Jenny and I talk about what women in their 40s and 50s can do now, before the rapid bone loss that follows menopause, along with what has changed at SEEN since her first visit to the show and what it looks like to use a PharmD in a way most pharmacists never consider. In this episode, we talk about: Why synthetic calcium supplements are so bulky, and how a food-based calcium chew delivers 500 mg of dietary calcium (about a glass and a half of milk, without the lactose) What vitamin K2 (MK-7) does for bone health, and why eating chickpeas won't give you the K2 that SEEN sources from fermented chickpeas Why SEEN chose a nutrition facts label over a supplement facts panel, and what that extra regulatory oversight means for trust Winning $500,000 in the Grow New York Food and Agriculture startup competition, and growing from two founders to a team of five Why Duke orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein joined SEEN's scientific advisory board, and her work on the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause Adolescence as the most important window for building bone, peak bone mass around age 30, and the accelerated loss in the years after menopause The difference between a DEXA body composition scan and a DEXA bone density scan (only one of them diagnoses osteopenia or osteoporosis) Why getting a baseline bone density scan before 65 may be worth the out-of-pocket cost, and the advocacy work to lower the screening age to 50 Treating osteoporosis like any other chronic condition: nutrition, calcium and vitamin D, protein, resistance training, and medication when appropriate Why "I reversed my osteoporosis" claims on social media leave out the most important part Moving from patient care into entrepreneurship, and Jenny's advice to pharmacy students who want a path outside retail or hospital practice The growing role of pharmacists in menopause care, from hormone therapy titration to managing estrogen patch shortages A note from Jenny for women listening Bones are living, dynamic tissue, and your skeleton renews itself roughly every decade. A diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis can feel final, but the choices you make consistently, day after day, still shape your bone health, even when you can't feel the difference in a month or two. World Osteoporosis Day (October 20) To mark the month leading up to World Osteoporosis Day, SEEN Nutrition launched its Generations of Strength campaign and donated $10,000 to the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation and the National Spine Health Foundation. Listeners can use code SEENSTRONG at checkout for an extra 10% off a first purchase. Connect with Jenny and SEEN Nutrition Website: www.seennutrition.com Social media: The Calcium Queens Jenny's first episode on the show: 72. Bone Health, Calcium, and Clean Supplements” Pharmacist Jennifer Han on Creating SEEN Nutrition for Women’s Wellness Let's Keep the Conversation Going If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let's grow stronger together. Order the Women Mastering Midlife Book Now! Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @womenmasteringmidlife . Let's rewrite the narrative together! Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses. DisclaimerThis podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice. Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. Women Mastering Midlife is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

  3. Oct 12

    118. Weight Health vs Weight Loss in Midlife with Ashley Koff, RD

    Registered dietitian Ashley Koff explains why weight loss rules can backfire in perimenopause and menopause, how GLP-1 hormones connect to gut health, bone, and muscle, and how to use AI for health questions without handing it your decisions. If you are in perimenopause or menopause and the eat less, move more advice is no longer working, this conversation offers a different starting point. Victoria Byrd, RPh, talks with Ashley Koff, RD, USA Today best-selling author of Your Best Shot: The Personalized System to Optimize Your Weight Health, GLP-1 Shot or Not and founder of the Better Nutrition Program. Ashley has spent more than 25 years in personalized nutrition, and she explains why she moved from weight loss language to weight health, and what that shift means for women in midlife. In this episode, you will learn: Why Ashley views weight as a health signal made up of bone, muscle, fat, and water How GLP-1, GIP, and other weight health hormones are produced in the gut lining, and how shifting sex hormones in perimenopause and menopause can affect them What to consider before starting a GLP-1 medication, and why Ashley calls it a tool rather than a solution Her perspective on pairing transdermal estrogen with a low-dose GLP-1, and why she urges caution with the word "microdose" Why population-based guidelines for fiber, calories, and protein may not fit your body How Ashley suggests using public AI for research and organizing your week, and where she says it falls short with labs, diagnoses, and recommendations What private AI is, and how it differs from tools like Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT How "better, not perfect" can replace all-or-nothing thinking about food Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and how consumers are using AI for health 03:45 Why Ashley moved from weight loss to weight health 08:41 Weight health hormones and midlife 13:13 Why personalization matters 21:00 Talking with women who are curious about GLP-1 shots 28:44 Estrogen, GLP-1s, and the microdose question 33:49 Using AI as a health tool 39:00 Public AI vs. private AI 47:03 The emotional and cultural side of food 52:41 Better, not perfect nutrition 58:24 Where to find Ashley Connect with Ashley Koff, RD: Grab her Book: "Your Best Shot," Check out her website: https://thebetternutritionprogram.com/ Let's Keep the Conversation Going If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let's grow stronger together. Order the Women Mastering Midlife Book Now! Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @women_mastering_midlife . Let's rewrite the narrative together! Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses. DisclaimerThis podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice. Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. Women Mastering Midlife is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

  4. Oct 5

    117. Menopause Awareness Month: Policy, Testosterone, & Advocacy with Dr Sarah Berg

    October is Menopause Awareness Month, and Dr. Sara Berg, an OB-GYN who stepped out of the exam room to build an education and advocacy platform, joins Victoria for a second conversation about where menopause care and policy stand right now. They begin with the FDA panel on testosterone for women. Dr. Berg explains that the research supports use for low sexual desire once other contributing factors have been sorted out, and Victoria raises the pharmacist concerns about cost and controlled substance scheduling. From there they turn to the long estrogen patch shortage, what it took for it to be acknowledged, and why letters to legislators and agencies can move things faster than most of us expect. Dr. Berg also talks about preparing for the first Perimenopause and Menopause Hill Day, and previews The Appointment, her new short-form podcast that gives patients the wording to bring hard questions to their doctors, starting with brain fog. Also in this episode: the difference between brain fog and a mental load that never lets up, adding menopause symptom questions to routine intake forms, Victoria's public comment to CMS on pharmacists and remote patient monitoring, why peptides and unregulated supplements call for caution, cultural attitudes that keep women whispering the word menopause, and how to raise menopause at work without it feeling like a liability. Timestamps 01:38 Dr. Berg's path from OB-GYN to advocate 05:49 How to read health claims on social media 09:36 The FDA testosterone panel 14:27 The estrogen patch shortage 17:30 Hill Day and writing to your legislators 23:31 Brain fog versus overload 28:38 The Appointment podcast 33:55 Asking your doctor about symptoms 42:01 CMS and pharmacist remote monitoring 48:16 Peptides and supplement marketing 54:08 Menopause Awareness Month 1:02:22 Menopause in the workplace Links and where to find Dr. Berg: www.selfority.com Let's Keep the Conversation Going If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let's grow stronger together. Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @women_mastering_midlife . Let's rewrite the narrative together! Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses. DisclaimerThis podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice. Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. Women Mastering Midlife is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

  5. Sep 28

    116. Why Eat Less, Move More Stops Working in Perimenopause: Metabolic Health, Protein, and Gut Health with Kristi Bowlby

    Many women reach perimenopause doing what has always worked and find that it no longer does. Kristi Bowlby (physical therapist, holistic nutritionist, Pilates instructor, and certified perimenopause and menopause women's health specialist) explains what changes with food and metabolism in midlife, why calories in and calories out are only one piece, and how to build a way of eating that fits a real week. We also talk about her free Thrive Through Perimenopause and Beyond Virtual Summit, where I am a speaker in October. What We Talk About When your numbers shift despite doing everything right Kristi shares her own blood work and continuous glucose monitor data. Her LDL cholesterol, inflammatory markers, and glucose swings changed even though every value stayed in the standard range, and she connects them to falling estrogen and progesterone and a long stretch of stress. What eat less, move more leaves out Gut health, liver function, nervous system state, and muscle mass all influence whether food is used to build hormones, muscle, and bone or stored as fat. Breakfast, protein, and blood sugar A protein and fiber breakfast can shape cravings, afternoon energy, and 3 a.m. wake-ups. Kristi's starting point is about 0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight, with 30 to 40 grams per meal. She suggests building up slowly, since digestion and absorption change with age and extra protein can crowd out fiber. Estrogen, the gut, and hormone therapy We cover the estrobiome, the gut bacteria that influence estrogen metabolism, and why she describes the research as promising but early. Fiber diversity and a calm nervous system support digestion, and she suggests watching symptoms if you use hormone therapy. Nutrition on GLP-1 medications With a smaller appetite, nutrient density, enough carbohydrate, protein, and strength training matter more. The summit More than 25 women's health experts, free to attend, with an optional VIP upgrade. About Kristi Bowlby Kristi is the founder of This Meal by Design, creator of the Metabolic Health Reboot Program, and host of the Thrive Through Perimenopause and Beyond Virtual Summit. She holds a BS in Human Physiology and a master's in physical therapy, and has more than 20 years of experience coaching patients and clients. Connect with Kristi • Register for the free summit: thrivethroughperimenopauseevent.com • Website: thismealbydesign.com • Instagram: @thismealbydesign Let's Keep the Conversation Going If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let's grow stronger together. Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @women_mastering_midlife . Let's rewrite the narrative together! Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses. DisclaimerThis podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice. Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. Women Mastering Midlife is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

  6. Sep 21

    115. Simon Salt on Menopause From the Other Side of the Bed: How Men Can Become True Allies at Home and at Work

    Menopause doesn't happen in isolation. It ripples out to the partners who love us, and for many women, that partner is a man with no roadmap for what she's going through. Victoria talks with Simon Salt, a writer, speaker, and certified menopause coach whose work, The Quiet Transition, looks at menopause from the other side of the bed. Simon shares how it took four years and multiple misdiagnoses before his wife's symptoms were correctly identified as perimenopause, and how that experience shaped the evidence-based approach he now brings to couples and workplaces. In this episode: Why 72% of men say they're part of the menopause conversation, while 72% of women say they had to start it themselvesMoving from "fixing" to acceptance and grace as a partnerBuilding curiosity and vocabulary instead of relying on a partner to educate youWhy joining OB-GYN appointments matters, and how to do it wellAndropause, and why men's midlife health deserves attention tooA University of Michigan study on the emotional and physical labor gap in long-term relationshipsWhat the "meno-divorce" statistics actually show, and what they don'tThe story behind the name The Quiet TransitionA simple "easy win" strategy for partners who resist the conversationWhat real allyship looks like in the workplace, from policy to locker-room talkWhy education about women's health needs to start with our sons Connect with Simon Salt: www.thequiettransition.com Let's Keep the Conversation Going If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let's grow stronger together. Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @women_mastering_midlife . Let's rewrite the narrative together! Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses. DisclaimerThis podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice. Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. Women Mastering Midlife is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

  7. Sep 14

    114. Lipedema and Menopause: What Every Woman Needs to Know with Andrea Giancontieri (The Whiny GYNie)

    Vicky talks with Andrea Giancontieri, known online as The Whiny GYNie, about a condition that affects an estimated one in nine women and still takes most doctors by surprise: lipedema. Andrea was diagnosed with lipedema after years of being told to eat less and exercise more, even as she trained multiple times a day and tracked every calorie. In this conversation, she explains what lipedema actually is, how it differs from ordinary weight gain and cellulite, why hormonal transitions like puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause tend to trigger progression, and what conservative treatment (compression, low-impact movement, anti-inflammatory habits) can look like before surgery ever enters the conversation. The conversation moves beyond the clinical picture into the systems that make care harder to access: insurance companies that classify medically necessary surgery as cosmetic, the ongoing estrogen patch shortage, PBM practices that squeeze independent pharmacies, and the mid-year formulary changes that can strip coverage from a prescription that was already approved. Andrea also shares how she turned a dismissive nickname into a trademarked platform for advocacy, what it's like to testify at a statehouse, and why she believes non-clinicians have a critical role to play in moving women's health legislation forward. In this episode:What lipedema is, how common it is, and why it takes an average of decades to get attention or research fundingHow lipedema differs from cellulite and ordinary weight gain, including the symmetry, texture, and "cuffing" that can signal itWhy hormonal transitions (puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause) tend to trigger progressionWhy conventional weight-loss advice can actually worsen lipedema-related inflammationThe conservative treatment path: compression, dry brushing, low-impact movement, a Mediterranean-style approach to eating, and where GLP-1 medications fit inWhy plastic surgery is typically framed as a later step, and why insurance so often refuses to cover itThe estrogen patch shortage: why it isn't showing up on the FDA's official shortage list, and what women can ask about insteadOral versus transdermal estradiol, and who is (and isn't) a good candidate for oral optionsWhat "bioidentical" actually means as a marketing term, and where the confusion startedThe downstream health consequences researchers are now connecting to the post-WHI drop in hormone therapy useHow Andrea turned a dismissive nickname into a trademarked advocacy platformWhat it's like to testify at a statehouse, and how non-clinicians can move health policy forwardAndrea's upcoming work on Capitol Hill and what listeners can do to support it Andrea's upcoming advocacyAndrea will be on Capitol Hill on September 22, 2026, lobbying for menopause legislation, and again on September 23 for breast cancer legislation and funding. She encourages listeners to write to their legislators and to make time to meet with the advocates who will be there. Change.org petition link Connect with Andrea Website: thewhinygynie.comInstagram & TikTok: @the_whiny_gynieLinkedIn: Andrea Giancontieri — for her political and social advocacy content, including a webinar on preparing written and oral legislative testimony Let's Keep the Conversation Going If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let's grow stronger together. Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @misvictoriabyrd. Let's rewrite the narrative together! Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses. DisclaimerThis podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice. Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. Women Mastering Midlife is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

  8. Sep 7

    113. Parenting Teenagers Without Losing the Relationship, a Conversation with the Teenage Guide, Ashley Chandler

    Vicky sits down with Ashley Chandler, founder of The Teenage Guide, for a conversation about the shift every parent faces once their child hits middle school: moving from "boss" to "guide." Ashley draws on nearly two decades in education and coaching, along with her own teenage years in the 90s, to explain why the teen years don't have to be something families just survive. They talk about the real skill behind getting a teenager to listen (hint: it starts with listening to them first), why a mother's identity often goes through its own reconstruction right alongside her teenager's, and how to build a friendship-shaped relationship that lasts long after the kids move out. If you've ever wondered why your once-easy elementary schooler suddenly feels unreachable, or found yourself grieving a version of parenting you're not ready to let go of, this one is for you. What You'll HearAshley's path to this work (03:33) — A dual-credentialed educator with 18 years in schools and coaching, Ashley shares what led her to found The Teenage Guide, including her own experience of feeling under-guided as a teenager in the 80s and 90s. From boss to guide (08:04) — The invisible shift that happens around middle school, why parents feel like they're losing control, and what actually changes underneath that feeling. Midlife as adolescence in reverse (12:20) — Ashley's framework for understanding why so many women's mental health dips right as their kids hit adolescence, and why the loss of the "PTA mom" identity deserves more attention than it gets. Redefining self-care and permission (16:00) — Why self-care isn't about bubble baths, and the very Gen X habit of waiting for someone else's permission to rest. The one move that gets a teenager to actually listen (32:14) — Ashley's approach to validating a teen's opinion before offering your own, even when you strongly disagree, and why "you shouldn't believe that" backfires every time. What you actually control as a parent (40:00) — With friend groups and outside influences largely out of a parent's hands, Ashley walks through what's left to work with: how you show up, what you allow in your home, and the example you set. Building perspective and resilience (43:11) — Why exposure to different ways of living matters for teens' emotional intelligence, and Ashley's take on letting kids struggle enough to find out what they're made of. The sandwich generation, reconsidered (50:23) — A conversation about the parents' side of adolescence: aging parents, kids preparing to launch, and the identity work happening for women in midlife at the same time. A generational thread (54:19) — Vicky and Ashley trace the throughline from their grandmothers' limited options to their own "you can be anything" upbringing, and what they hope changes for their daughters' generation. About Ashley ChandlerAshley Chandler is the founder of The Teenage Guide, where she coaches parents to become guides rather than bosses inside their own homes. A dual-credentialed educator with 18 years of experience across public and private education and adult and teen coaching, Ashley blends neuroscience, behavior change, and communication strategy into practical tools for families navigating the middle and high school years. Connect with Ashley: Website: theteenageguide.com Resources MentionedThe Confident Connected Blueprint (Ashley's live class) Have a question about navigating the teen years, or a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Reach out through Women Mastering Midlife. Let's Keep the Conversation Going If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let's grow stronger together. Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @misvictoriabyrd. Let's rewrite the narrative together! Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses. DisclaimerThis podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice. Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. Women Mastering Midlife is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

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Women Mastering Midlife is the podcast for women in their 40s and 50s who want real answers about what is happening inside their bodies, and the confidence to advocate for themselves in every room they walk into. Hosted by Victoria Byrd, a licensed pharmacist, certified menopause practitioner, and integrative health and wellness coach, this show bridges the gap between clinical medicine and lived experience. Victoria brings 20 years of pharmacy training alongside a deep commitment to integrative, evidence-based care for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and the full arc of midlife transition. Each week, you will hear expert conversations and honest discussions covering: Hormones and HRT — what the evidence actually says about estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and the pharmacology of hormone therapy options Brain fog, cognition, and mood — the neuroscience of menopause and why your thinking and emotional life are changing Metabolism, weight, and body composition — how shifting hormones affect insulin sensitivity, cortisol, and fat distribution, and what to do about it with nutrition and movement that respects your midlife body Sleep — why it breaks down during perimenopause, what restores it, and why it matters for everything else Gut health and the estrobolome — the emerging science connecting your microbiome to hormone metabolism and inflammation Bone, cardiovascular, and long-term health — the conditions that accelerate after menopause, and the prevention strategies that actually make a difference Stress, nervous system regulation, and burnout — why high-achieving women in midlife are running on empty, and what sustainable recovery looks like Supplements, peptides, and emerging therapies — clear, unbiased clinical context so you can evaluate your options with a discerning eye Identity, relationships, and purpose — because midlife is not only a physiological transition; it is a reorientation of how you see yourself and what you want Guests have included functional medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, strength coaches, pharmacists, psychologists, and women who are simply in the thick of it, offering perspectives as varied as the experience of midlife itself. This podcast does not traffic in fear, wellness hype, or quick fixes. The goal is for you to leave every episode feeling more informed, less alone, and more capable of making decisions that are right for your body, your history, and your life. Women Mastering Midlife is proud to be ranked in the Goodpods Top 100 in both Medicine and Health & Fitness. New episodes release biweekly. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Visit womenmasteringmidlife.com for free guides, coaching, and community. This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for decisions related to your health.

Information

  • Creator
    Victoria Byrd
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Victoria Byrd, Pharmacist and Certified Menopause Health Coach
  • Show Website
    Women Mastering Midlife

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