The Luminescence Podcast with Schuyler Grant

Luminescence

The Luminescence Podcast with Schuyler Grant is a space for science-based, culturally curious, and politically fearless conversations illuminating women’s health.  For decades, science treated women as simply “little men.” No more. Women’s health is complex, but for the 51% of the population with a vagina, understanding it is imperative. Each episode features a roundtable of female health experts to cut through the shame, explain the latest research, and have honest, raw conversations about what we are experiencing, in our bodies and in the world we share. To discuss the podcast directly with Schuyler, join our community at https://www.luminescence.health/.

  1. 1d ago

    Alcohol, SSRIs & Midlife Coping: What Used to Work Doesn’t Part 1 of 2

    Your favorite coping mechanisms — wine, edibles, even your go-to SSRI — might suddenly betray you in midlife. In this episode of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with Dr. Sarah de la Torre, Elena Brower, and Dr. Somi Javaid to dig into why alcohol hits harder after 40, antidepressants become less reliable, and the things that used to take the edge off start creating new problems instead. They explore the neuroscience of why your old stress relievers stop working as hormones shift. They discuss: Why hormonal shifts change how you experience pleasure, reward, and stress — how declining estrogen affects dopamine and serotonin, and what that means for mood and cravings What makes alcohol and cannabis hit differently during perimenopause and post-menopause — the metabolism changes, sleep disruption, and anxiety that weren't there before The truth about SSRIs in midlife — when they help, when they don't, and what the risks actually are as your brain chemistry changes The real impact of your nightly glass of wine — when it crosses from pleasure into problem, and why that line moves in midlife How to tell the difference between what actually supports you and what just keeps you stuck — and why your coping mechanisms need to evolve For any woman whose go-to stress relief isn't working anymore and wants to understand why — before figuring out what comes next. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

  2. Jul 21

    Work, Relationships & Finding Your Power: Your Brain on Hormones Part 2 of 2

    Why does perimenopause feel like you're losing your edge? This is part two of the conversation on your brain during hormonal transitions. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, Dr. Somi Javaid, and Elena Brower get into what's actually happening in your brain and nervous system as estrogen shifts — and what you can do to feel like yourself again, including one of the most underreported findings in menopause research. They discuss: Simple breathing and hands-on techniques to activate your rest-and-digest mode — practical tools for a nervous system that's genuinely overloaded right now How HRT can restore mood, focus, and cognitive function — often faster than most women expect, and what to do when it's not enough The emotional and professional impact of neurological changes — what workplace accommodations actually matter, and how to navigate relationships when your brain feels different Why empathy and emotional intelligence tend to increase after menopause — what the science says about how your brain's wiring shifts in ways that are worth knowing about Nutrition and supplement truths for brain health — carbs, phytoestrogens, and the brain boosters most women overlook For any woman who wants to understand that what feels like decline might actually be rewiring — and how to work with your brain instead of against it. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

  3. Jul 14

    Rage, Brain Fog, and Midlife Neuroscience: Your Brain on Hormones Part 1 of 1

    You're capable. You're high-functioning. And then something shifts. You can't remember words, you're snapping at everyone, you're lying awake at 3am soaked in sweat, or you're so flattened by anhedonia that nothing feels worth doing. In this episode of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with Dr. Sarah de la Torre, Dr. Somi Javaid, and Elena Brower to get personal and then scientific about what perimenopause and menopause actually do to the brain. Dr. Somi opens with losing her speech mid-presentation on stage. Elena talks about white-hot rage that arrived at 47 with no warning. Dr. Sarah describes the moment she realized she could no longer tolerate the chaos she'd always managed with ease. They discuss: How estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone regulate dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate — and what happens when these hormones fluctuate wildly Why perimenopause can look like depression in one woman, anxiety in another, and new-onset ADHD in a third — and how clinicians tell the difference between hormonal changes and underlying psychiatric conditions How hot flashes and night sweats are actually a brain regulation problem, not just an ovary problem — and why sleep fragmentation is both symptom and accelerant The real cost of untreated menopausal symptoms — 900,000 women left the UK workforce, and $1.8 billion lost in the US economy How GLP-1 medications are unexpectedly quieting anxiety and rumination in midlife women — and why neuroinflammation might be the missing link For any woman wondering if she's losing her mind, or if there's a reason for the rage, the fog, and the 3am spiral. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

  4. Jul 7

    Red Light, Testosterone & Pelvic Health: WTF Is Happening to My Lady Parts? Part 2 of 2

    Most women are handed lube and told the changes are normal. This episode goes considerably further than that. This is part two of the conversation on sexual health in midlife. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, and Dr. Sarah de la Torre go through the full toolkit for vaginal health, pelvic floor strength, and sexual function. From red light therapy and testosterone delivery methods to why most women are doing their Kegels wrong. They discuss: How red light therapy stimulates collagen, elastin, and blood flow in vaginal tissue — why it works similarly to estrogen and what the research actually shows The difference between stress and urge incontinence — why the fix is different for each, and what pelvic floor PT, wands, and vibration devices can do that Kegels alone can't How Botox for vaginismus works — why the success rate is remarkably high, and what the treatment actually involves Testosterone delivery methods — pellets vs. gels vs. injections, absorption differences, and why estradiol, FSH, and DHT labs are non-negotiable for monitoring What DHT is and how your genetic predisposition affects hair loss, acne, and facial hair — the trade-offs of testosterone therapy most women don't expect For any woman who wants solutions that go beyond "use more lube" — your sexual health deserves the same attention as everything else you're tracking. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Lube Recommendations:  Foria Plant-based intimacy oils and arousal products (including CBD options) designed to enhance sensation and relaxation.⁠ https://www.foriawellness.com⁠ Joylux — Let’s Spin A water-based intimacy gel focused on hydration and comfort, created with women’s hormonal changes in mind. ⁠https://joylux.com⁠ Stripes Beauty — Oh My Glide An oil-based lubricant formulated with nourishing ingredients like squalane for longer-lasting glide. ⁠https://iamstripes.com⁠ Playground A gentle, water-based lubricant with a clean ingredient profile and an approachable, modern feel. https://itsplayground.com Nécessaire — The Sex Gel A simple, aloe-based intimacy gel designed to support hydration and pH balance. ⁠https://necessaire.com⁠ Maude Minimal, design-forward lubricants including both water-based and oil-based options.⁠ https://getmaude.com⁠ Überlube A high-quality silicone-based lubricant known for its long-lasting, ultra-smooth glide.⁠ https://uberlube.com⁠

  5. Jun 30

    Libido, GSM & Vaginal Health: WTF Is Happening to My Lady Parts? Part 1 of 2

    When estrogen starts to decline, the vagina is one of the first places you feel it, and one of the last things women talk about. In this episode, we're going there. In this episode of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with Dr. Somi Javaid and Dr. Sarah de la Torre — two OB-GYNs who specialize in women's sexual health — plus Elena Brower, who brings the honest, personal perspective we all need. Together they break down what's actually happening inside the body, from tissue changes and UTIs to libido that's gone quiet and orgasms that feel out of reach. They discuss: What genital urinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) actually is — why estrogen and testosterone are essential to vaginal tissue health, sensation, and lubrication, and why this affects nearly everyone The difference between spontaneous and responsive desire — why most women have always been wired for the latter, and what that means for navigating changes in midlife How low libido shows up before you even realize hormones are involved — and why your Peloton seat may tip you off first What happens to fibroids, endometriosis, and PMDD during perimenopause — the changes to expect and what shifts after menopause The truth about orgasm in midlife — what the data says, what anatomy has to do with it, and why inattention may be the biggest factor For any woman who wants the real conversation about sexual health in midlife — no awkwardness, no hedging, zero judgment. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit ⁠stripesbeauty.com⁠ and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit ⁠connect.gdx.net⁠. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at ⁠LivOnLabs.com⁠. BiOptimizers: Go to ⁠bioptimizers.com/luminescence⁠ and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Lube Recommendations:  Foria Plant-based intimacy oils and arousal products (including CBD options) designed to enhance sensation and relaxation.⁠⁠ https://www.foriawellness.com⁠⁠ Joylux — Let’s Spin A water-based intimacy gel focused on hydration and comfort, created with women’s hormonal changes in mind. ⁠⁠https://joylux.com⁠⁠ Stripes Beauty — Oh My Glide An oil-based lubricant formulated with nourishing ingredients like squalane for longer-lasting glide. ⁠⁠https://iamstripes.com⁠⁠ Playground A gentle, water-based lubricant with a clean ingredient profile and an approachable, modern feel. https://itsplayground.com Nécessaire — The Sex Gel A simple, aloe-based intimacy gel designed to support hydration and pH balance. ⁠⁠https://necessaire.com⁠⁠ Maude Minimal, design-forward lubricants including both water-based and oil-based options.⁠⁠ https://getmaude.com⁠⁠ Überlube A high-quality silicone-based lubricant known for its long-lasting, ultra-smooth glide.⁠⁠ https://uberlube.com Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app⁠⁠

  6. Jun 23

    Thyroid, Testing & Medical Dismissal: The Risks No One Told You About Part 2 of 2

    Women are medically dismissed every single day, and knowing that doesn't help you unless you know what to do about it. This is part two of the conversation on what's changing inside your body. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, and Dr. Sarah de la Torre break down the thyroid-hormone connection that conventional medicine consistently underestimates. Because brain fog, fatigue, hair changes, and weight gain could be perimenopause, or your thyroid, and the answer is often both. They discuss: Why thyroid dysfunction and perimenopause symptoms are so easily confused — and the full thyroid panel you should be asking for beyond just TSH How estrogen and thyroid hormone influence each other — why fluctuating hormones destabilize both systems, and why autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's surface during perimenopause How to advocate for yourself in short appointments — what to say when your doctor says no, why asking them to put a refusal in writing might be your most powerful move The case for tracking your symptoms and bringing your own data — how to frame difficult conversations with providers and when to get a second opinion Lightning round on saunas, grip strength, nasal breathing, Brazil nuts, and yes, the tequila protocol For any woman who's tired of being dismissed and wants concrete strategies for getting better care inside a broken system. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

  7. Jun 16

    Your Heart on Hormones: The Risks No One Told You About Part 1 of 2

    Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the US, more than all cancers combined, and yet the cardiovascular changes happening during perimenopause are still widely misunderstood, undertested, and dismissed. In this episode of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with Dr. Somi Javaid and Dr. Sarah de la Torre to get into what's actually happening to your heart as estrogen declines. Dr. Somi opens with the call that became her calling: her mother's near-fatal heart attack at 45, dismissed for six weeks as "too much caffeine." A story that is far too common. They discuss: Why perimenopause dramatically shifts cardiovascular risk — how estrogen loss stiffens arteries, raises blood pressure, and changes cholesterol profiles in ways most women aren't being told about The difference between standard lipid panels and the advanced markers that actually matter — ApoB, LipoA, hs-CRP, and why your doctor might not be ordering them What "cotton candy vs. gummy bear" LDL means — why particle type and number both count, and how this changes your treatment approach The direct link between metabolic health and heart disease — how glucose regulation affects everything, and why CGMs are revealing patterns doctors miss Why women are more likely to die from a heart attack than men — the diagnostic gaps, symptom differences, and systemic issues that have to change For any woman who wants to understand her cardiovascular risk before something happens. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

  8. Jun 9

    Metabolic Protocols, GLP-1s & Habit Stacking: WTF Is Happening Inside Me? Part 3 of 3

    Hormone therapy, GLP-1 medications, vitamin D, creatine, vibration plates, cold plunging, butter coffee. The list of things women in midlife are being told to try keeps growing. This is part three of the conversation on what's happening structurally in your body. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, and Dr. Sarah de la Torre get into what the science actually supports for metabolic health, muscle preservation, and bone density in perimenopause and menopause and go deep on GLP-1 medications, including why microdosing is quieting food noise and anxiety in ways that go well beyond weight loss. They discuss: Why GLP-1 medications are changing the conversation around weight, metabolism, and anxiety in midlife — and what microdosing actually does that full doses don't What you need to know to protect muscle mass if you're on a GLP-1 — why the medication doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle loss, and how to work with that The role of vitamin D, calcium, and omega-3s for bones and hormones — what the research supports and what's marketing What actually moves the needle for metabolic health beyond the basics — from strength training to vibration plates, and why some interventions work better than others Lightning round verdicts on step tracking, butter coffee, creatine, squats after meals, and cold plunging — what's worth your time and what isn't For any woman trying to sort through the noise around what actually works for midlife health. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

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About

The Luminescence Podcast with Schuyler Grant is a space for science-based, culturally curious, and politically fearless conversations illuminating women’s health.  For decades, science treated women as simply “little men.” No more. Women’s health is complex, but for the 51% of the population with a vagina, understanding it is imperative. Each episode features a roundtable of female health experts to cut through the shame, explain the latest research, and have honest, raw conversations about what we are experiencing, in our bodies and in the world we share. To discuss the podcast directly with Schuyler, join our community at https://www.luminescence.health/.

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