Women Talking Frankly

Candace Burch and Kyle McAvoy

Kyle McAvoy (N.P.) and Candace Burch (M.A.) lead lively conversations that address the essential issues women face throughout life’s transitions. They bring decades of experience specializing in hormones and women’s healthcare to shed light on PMS, menopause, sex, aging and more. Their episodes cover topics you might be afraid or embarrassed to ask about, including dynamic “let’s-get-real” discussions with experts about the heart, head, and health topics that matter most to women!

  1. 6d ago

    Ep 71: A Weighty Topic - All Things Diet Related with Morgana Lakatos-Hayward

    If there is one topic that almost ALL women have dealt with at least once - and probably a gazillion times throughout their lives - it’s their weight. Today, we’re thrilled to interview Morgana Lakatos-Hayward, a former two-time world champion Latin dancer who struggled for years with her own weight issues, body dysmorphia, and burnout. Through her personal journey to regain hormone balance and health, Morgana discovered strategies that now help other women achieve their own goals of a healthy, balanced weight and lifestyle. As the founder of This Isn’t a Diet, author of Read This When You’re Done Dieting, and host of the podcast Listen to This When You’re Done Dieting, she joins the hosts of Women Talking Frankly to explore how reclaiming a healthy diet can bring an end to the constant weight struggles so many women face. This fascinating interview covers topics such as: - A dancer from the age of 3, Morgana suddenly found herself facing weight gain in her late teens. - Her many attempts at weight loss - including starvation diets, intense exercise routines, the Keto diet, and more - failed, leaving her feeling defeated and depressed. - How discovering that many of her struggles were linked to hormone imbalances led her down a years-long path of detoxing and self-education. - The personal eating and exercise plan that ultimately transformed her health, helped her maintain a healthy weight, and now enables her to help other women do the same. - Some of Morgana’s favorite “hacks,” such as drinking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in water before meals, that may help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. - Morgana’s advice on how much protein (yes, it really does matter), healthy fats, and carbohydrates you should be consuming regularly. - Why Morgana avoids using the word “diet,” prefers the concept of “food freedom,” and encourages women to learn how to listen to their own bodies. - Additional practical hacks, including making your own yogurt and creating resistant carbs. Morgana is offering our listeners a 30% discount on her 60-Day Shed Course. Go to www.thisisntadiet.com and mention “podcast” to get more information and claim your discount! Also watch Morgana in this fun video showcasing her incredible talent as an amazing and beautiful dancer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_wzsCN2j0 Connect w/ Kyle & Candace: Candace Burch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YourHormoneBalance.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ info@yourhormonebalance.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Kyle McAvoy: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ kylebmcavoy@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 20m
  2. May 27

    Ep 70: Real Talk on Hormones, Protein & Sugar Swaps

    In keeping with our commitment to stay informed about the news that matters to us - and in turn, the things that matter to YOU - we’re back with another one-on-one conversation, just the two of us. In this episode, we break down several timely and important health topics affecting women today, including: News Burst: PCOS Is Being Renamed We discuss the recent shift from PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) to the newly proposed term PMOS (Polymetabolic Ovarian Syndrome) and why this change matters. For decades, PCOS diagnoses relied on meeting two out of three criteria, often leading to confusion and inconsistent diagnoses. The updated terminology aims to better reflect the broad metabolic and endocrine effects of this condition — not just its impact on the ovaries. Did you know this condition affects more than 10% of women worldwide? We unpack what women need to know about the evolving understanding of this common disorder. How Much Protein Do Women Really Need? Protein recommendations for women are changing — and many experts now believe women need significantly more than previously thought. We discuss: - New federal dietary guideline recommendations - Why protein matters for metabolism, muscle maintenance, and healthy aging - How much protein women should actually aim for each day - Why women over 65, active women, and women on weight-loss medications may need even more We also cover practical ways to increase protein intake, including: - High-quality animal and plant-based protein sources - Protein powders and how to use them - Why spreading protein intake throughout the day matters - Essential amino acids and their role in maintaining lean muscle Healthy Sweeteners: What’s Actually Safe? If you’re trying to cut back on sugar or unhealthy carbs but still want to enjoy a little sweetness in your coffee, tea, or desserts, this segment is for you. We review some of the most common artificial sweeteners and discuss concerns linked to: - Aspartame - Sucralose - Erythritol Then we explore safer alternatives and their pros and cons, including: - Stevia - Monk fruit - Raw honey - Real maple syrup - Blackstrap molasses - Date sugar - Coconut sugar We also discuss: - Blood sugar impact - Nutritional benefits - Gut health considerations - Tips for reading labels and choosing better options Last but not least Candace and Kyle share favorite summer books, shows, podcasts and recipes, such as: - Gift From the Sea by Ann Morrow Lindbergh - Leave a Cheater, Gain a Life by Tracy Schorn - The Daily Podcast: Sites Unseen (what’s Revealed by Traveling with the Blind) - Summer Watermelon Gazpacho (easy recipe!) Kyle’s Favorite show: Shrinking on Apple TV Candace’s Favorite Show: Riot Women on Brit Box Connect w/ Kyle & Candace: Candace Burch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YourHormoneBalance.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ info@yourhormonebalance.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Kyle McAvoy: ⁠⁠⁠ kylebmcavoy@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    59 min
  3. May 13

    Ep 69: Longevity Matters - It’s Not Just About How Long We Live - But How Well We Live

    The conversation around healthy aging is evolving in exciting ways! In this interview, WTF talks with longevity physician, Dr. Jennifer Timmons, MD, founder & medical director of Timmons Wellness, a concierge medical practice focused on helping people stay vibrant, energetic, and independent as they age. Dr. Timmons is especially interested in menopause and aging over time.   Here’s a sampling of our eye-opening discussion about how lifestyle, nutrition, hormones, and daily habits work together to shape long-term health:  - What is HEALTH SPAN - not just adding years to life, but adding life to those years? - Are the health behaviors of people living in global Blue Zones still the gold standard for longevity, and what does it really mean to age well? - What is the best way to eat for metabolic health, including how much protein we should be eating each day? - What are the best forms of exercise for living longer and stronger? - How essential is 7–8 hours of sleep to health span - and can short sleepers or those who rely on sleep medications still achieve longevity? - Which lifestyle changes make the biggest impact on health span? - Which supplements and therapies have the strongest evidence-based support for longevity, and why are peptides all the rage? - What are the biggest risks to long-term health - and the top 3 things to focus on in the next year to improve quality of life and increase the odds of living longer? Resources: Visit Dr. Timmons at https://timmonswellnessmd.com/  Magnesium Options (sleep, recovery, nervous system support): BIOoptimizers Find Dr. Jennifer Timmons--Timmons Wellness on us.fullscript.com - Fullscript is an online supplement marketplace where you can get trusted brands and 10% retail price. Check out the supplement bundles she lists, particularly the “Female Hormone Health” bundle or the “Foundational Health” bundle.  Connect w/ Kyle & Candace: Candace Burch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YourHormoneBalance.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ info@yourhormonebalance.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Kyle McAvoy: ⁠⁠⁠kylebmcavoy@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 15m
  4. Apr 29

    Ep 68: Kyle and Candace Talk Hypertension’s Silent Threat, Blood Sugar Hacks & Honoring Mothers of All Kinds

    Too often, we live by the mindset of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” - especially when it comes to our health. But waiting for symptoms can come with serious consequences. Join Kyle & Candace this week for another one-on-one conversation as they unpack the silent threat of hypertension, share practical blood sugar hacks, and more. They dive into hypertension: - How to screen for hypertension (high blood pressure), a major silent health risk - Why the guidelines changed from >140/90 to >130/80 in 2017 - and why many people may be at risk without knowing it - Updated 2025 guidance now aims for 120/80 when possible - The risks of untreated hypertension - How to prevent it through lifestyle changes - Foods that help - it's not just about sodium - Treatment options to consider They also cover: - Good carbs to GREAT carbs: How to create resistant starches to lower blood sugar impact from foods like potatoes, grains, and legumes - Glucose-lowering hacks: Including how apple cider vinegar before meals may help blood sugar response - Mother’s Day is coming: let’s remember to honor ALL friends who mother others, whether it be children, pets, favorite organizations or even their friends. And DON'T FORGET TO MOTHER YOURSELF!! Make the lifestyle changes that you know you need to do so that you can achieve longevity and a fuller health and lifespan. See you in May for our next episode with a longevity expert, then in June where our guest will share how to eat healthfully without being “on a diet.” Thank you for listening & don’t forget to review our podcast and send us suggestions for future episodes! Connect w/ Kyle & Candace: Candace Burch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YourHormoneBalance.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@yourhormonebalance.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kyle McAvoy: ⁠⁠kylebmcavoy@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

    55 min
  5. Apr 8

    Ep 67: Good Grief – an interview with Toni Filipone, International Grief Expert, Author, Speaker, and the Founder of Master Grief

    In this episode, Kyle & Candace sit down with Toni Filipone, international grief expert, author, speaker, and the founder of Master Grief. Toni is a leader in personal development, working alongside Tony Robbins for over three decades. Today she teaches people in over 82 countries how to understand grief, manage emotions, and rebuild their lives. During this inspiring conversation with Toni, she shares her own personal story of grief when three years ago, she lost her partner to suicide. Alongside this touching story, she shares her expert insights and advice, some of which include: - Why anxiety prescriptions and talk therapy are more mainstream, but grief is different - A walk through the facets of grief, what it looks like, & how to cope - How loss can shatter your identity - not just when someone dies, but any unwanted loss - Grieving everyday traumas - how to cope with all the bad news out there - Why we don’t like talking about death or loss - How do you grieve? - Confessions of a grief expert - Changing how the world understands grief Recommended Books: In the Trenches: A Coach's Walk Through Grief by Toni Filipone Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler Connect w/ Toni: Website: https://mastergrief.com/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tiktoktoni75 Past Speaking: Media Reel Connect w/ Kyle & Candace:  Candace Burch:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠YourHormoneBalance.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠info@yourhormonebalance.com⁠⁠⁠  Kyle McAvoy:  ⁠kylebmcavoy@gmail.com⁠⁠

    1h 20m
  6. Mar 11

    Ep 66: Buyer Beware! Finding Hormone Help - What to Ask & What to Expect to Find the Care That’s Right for YOU

    This week, Kyle and Candace leap into the breach and explain their decision to pull a previously recorded episode with the CEO and Medical director of a high end medi-spa consortium.  Early into the interview, we found ourselves at odds with our guests, whose approach to hormone therapy sounded more about what’s good for business than what’s best for patients. The unfortunate reality is that many of these medi-spas that women are flocking to for a quick hormone fix are offering one-size-fits all hormone treatments without first testing hormone levels! It is our experience that prescribing without testing is just not good enough. Nor is it safe. We call it what it is - Bad practice. So, in good faith we are steering away from what does not serve women and in the direction of education and informed, SAFE hormone care. To that end we’ve put together WTF’s Key Questions to Ask when embarking on any course of hormone therapy:  1. What are the symptoms of hormone imbalance? 2. What are the best resources to help me find a reputable hormone provider? 3. What are some things that I can read to educate myself? 4. What are the questions that I should have ready to ask the provider to make sure he/she is a good fit? [REMEMBER: the provider works for YOU, not vice versa: the relationship should be collaborative; you should feel HEARD not talked down to] 5. What information should I bring with me to my first appointment? 6. What type of hormone testing should I expect to have done (blood, saliva, dried urine)? 7. What is the process I can expect to go through? 8. How long could it take to get hormones balanced, and to  ‘feel like myself’ again’? 9. Typical monthly costs of treatment? (Take insurance? HSA?) 10. What are the risks/benefits of treatment? 11. What are the risks of NOT pursuing hormone balance? Find a Hormone Savvy Provider: Institute of Functional Medicine ZRT Lab, Find a Provider The ZRT Blog Dr. Aviva Romm blog Books We Recommend: Hormone Intelligence by Dr. Aviva Romm A holistic guide to understanding and balancing hormones at any age. Before the Change: Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause by Ann Louise Gittleman Covers stress, sex hormones, thyroid, and cortisol—useful baseline for women across the hormonal spectrum. Is This Normal? by Dr. Jolene Brighten Answers to common questions about sexual wellness and hormonal health. The Hormone Cure by Dr. Sara Gottfried Covers stress, sex hormones, thyroid, and cortisol—useful for women across the hormonal spectrum. WomanCode by Alisa Vitti Introduces cycle syncing for hormonal balance and fertility. In the FLO by Alisa Vitti Focuses on optimizing productivity and energy through cycle syncing. Connect w/ Kyle & Candace:  Candace Burch:  ⁠⁠⁠YourHormoneBalance.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠info@yourhormonebalance.com⁠⁠  Kyle McAvoy:  kylebmcavoy@gmail.com⁠

    57 min
  7. Feb 26

    Ep 65: February Bonus Episode: A Look at Topics Pertaining to All Women with Kyle and Candace

    Join us for a special bonus episode as Kyle and Candace dig into a plethora of topics that women are wondering about! ~ Quick recap of our Valentine’s Day podcast on women and libido + important takeaways ~ How social connection keeps emerging as a pivotal factor in longevity and healthspan ~ Some of the hosts' favorite podcasts that they’re listening to ~ How to keep our brains healthy as we age: Think ‘be SWEET to your brain’ S = Sleep W = Water E = Exercise (physical, mental, social) E = Eat healthy diet T = Time: this takes time Keeping your brain healthy is a lifelong endeavor! READ: Brainwaves: How does a brain stay healthy? ~ Do women really need more sleep than men? Or are other factors at play here?  READ: Do Women Need More Sleep Than Men? ~ An overlooked RX for happiness: take the “Creativity Challenge”. You don’t need to be an artist to be artistic. What are some of the ways that you can be more creative?  READ: An Overlooked Prescription for Happiness ~ Favorite new TV show: the Riot Women on Britbox. The show follows a group of peri and post menopausal women in the UK who join together and form a punk rock band. It’s funny & kind, you’ll laugh out loud and shed a few tears - don’t miss this one! READ: ‘Riot Women’ Review: Women of a Certain Rage ~ Favorite recipes: remember ‘Zoodles’? Kyle talks about fun ways to incorporate them into your weekly meal planning. RECIPE: Zucchini ‘Pasta’ Connect w/ Kyle & Candace:  Candace Burch: ⁠⁠⁠YourHormoneBalance.com⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠info@yourhormonebalance.com Kyle McAvoy: ⁠ kylebmcavoy@gmail.com⁠

    1h 2m
  8. Feb 11

    Ep 64: Low Libido in Women: How Hormones, the Brain, and Modern Life Shape Desire

    Low libido is one of the most common concerns women experience — and one of the least openly discussed. In this episode of Women Talking Frankly, Holistic Consultant Pharmacist Susan Merenstein reframes libido as a health signal, not a personal failure.  Susan explains how desire is shaped by hormones, brain chemistry, muscle and metabolic health, circulation, diet, medications, anatomy, and lifestyle. This conversation replaces shame with understanding and offers a clear, science-based framework women can actually use.  Here’s a sampling of the talking points we tackle:  - Key hormones that matter most for libido  - The Good Libido checklist  - Our sexual anatomy  - The female brain and desire  - The “hugging hormone,” Oxytocin   - Do women need testosterone? - Does stress suppress desire? - Why sugar and simple carbs are libido blockers  - Foods that support sexual health  - Why self-pleasure is not just an indulgence, but good for your sexual health  - The skinny on vibrators  - GLP’s and low libido  - Supplements and bioidentical hormones for libido support   To read the full article and revisit the concepts discussed in our interview, visit VitalHealthPharmacist.com Shop & Learn:  https://www.LabNaturals.com  Join their newsletter for wellness tips & updates: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/2hMdfFh  Contact: Susan Merenstein, RPh Holistic Consultant Pharmacist P: 412-586-4678 Connect w/ Kyle & Candace:  Candace Burch:  ⁠⁠YourHormoneBalance.com⁠⁠  ⁠⁠info@yourhormonebalance.com⁠  Kyle McAvoy:  kylebmcavoy@gmail.com

    1h 42m
4.9
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Kyle McAvoy (N.P.) and Candace Burch (M.A.) lead lively conversations that address the essential issues women face throughout life’s transitions. They bring decades of experience specializing in hormones and women’s healthcare to shed light on PMS, menopause, sex, aging and more. Their episodes cover topics you might be afraid or embarrassed to ask about, including dynamic “let’s-get-real” discussions with experts about the heart, head, and health topics that matter most to women!

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