You Are Not Broken

Kelly Casperson, MD

Welcome to the podcast that rewrites everything you thought you knew about sex, hormones, and midlife. I help women—and the people who love them—reconnect with their bodies, their minds, and their partners through science, mindset, and a whole lot of humor. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, rediscovering desire, or just curious what’s possible, this show will remind you: you are not broken. (No medical advice here, just truth bombs and good conversation.)

  1. 16H AGO

    366. Coaching, Training Trauma, and Becoming with Dr. Smith

    In this episode of You Are Not Broken, I sit down with Dr. Sunny Smith — physician, coach, and fierce advocate for women in medicine — for a conversation that felt both deeply personal and urgently necessary. We talk about the transformative power of coaching and why so many high-achieving women still struggle with self-doubt. If you’ve ever downplayed your accomplishments, hesitated to speak up in a room full of men, or questioned whether you’re “expert enough,” this episode is for you. Dr. Smith and I share personal stories from our own careers that highlight the subtle (and not-so-subtle) gender dynamics embedded in medical culture. We explore how women physicians are often socialized to overwork, over-give, and under-claim their authority — and how that conditioning impacts not only our careers, but our health. This conversation is about agency. It’s about recognizing that your thoughts create your feelings, your feelings drive your actions, and your actions determine your results. If you believe you’re “not ready,” you’ll play small. If you believe you belong, you’ll act differently — and the world will respond differently. We also talk about: Why coaching works (especially for high-achieving professionals) How women are conditioned to minimize their expertise The cost of self-abandonment in medicine Gender bias in healthcare — both as physicians and as patients What it actually means to advocate for yourself Why questioning limiting beliefs is a radical act The ripple effect of empowered women physicians This episode isn’t about blaming the system. It’s about understanding it — and then deciding who you want to be inside of it. Because when women own their expertise, take up space, and stop apologizing for their ambition, everything changes — for us, for our patients, and for medicine itself. You are not broken. You are powerful. And you’re allowed to act like it. Dr. Smith's Empowering Women Physician Website Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my ⁠⁠⁠⁠Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit ⁠via4her.com⁠ and get 20% off your first order. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Clinicians can request patient materials or samples at ⁠hcp.solvwellness.com⁠. Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    57 min
  2. APR 5

    365. The Awakened Brain

    In this episode of You Are Not Broken, I sit down with Dr. Lisa Miller — psychologist, researcher, and author — to talk about something we don’t discuss enough in medicine: spirituality as a measurable, protective force in women’s lives. Not religion. Not dogma. But spirituality — the innate human capacity to feel connected, guided, and held in meaning. And friends… this one is powerful. Dr. Miller shares the science behind spirituality, including data showing that an active spiritual life can dramatically reduce the risk of depression, substance use, and hopelessness. We talk about how spirituality isn’t fluffy — it’s neurologically real, biologically protective, and especially alive in women. I loved this conversation because it reframes struggle. So many of us think our hardest seasons mean we’re broken. What if they’re actually the doorway? We discuss: Why every woman is a Ferrari — powerful, finely tuned, and built for depth The research showing spirituality cuts depression and addiction risk How crisis can become spiritual awakening The concept of “high counsel” — the guidance that is available to us when we’re willing to listen Why engaging with our feelings (instead of bypassing them) is the path forward The unique spiritual intelligence women carry Why men often struggle differently in their spiritual development Post-traumatic spiritual growth And how to cultivate your innate spirituality without subscribing to anyone else’s rulebook One of my favorite takeaways? Spirituality isn’t something you earn. It’s something you remember. We talk about how women are often socialized to disconnect from their inner voice — from intuition, from knowing. Reconnecting to that voice is not indulgent. It’s medicine. This episode isn’t about telling you what to believe. It’s about reminding you that you are wired for meaning. And that you are never alone in your becoming. If you’ve been walking through something hard… If you’ve felt unmoored… If you’ve wondered whether there’s something more… This conversation is for you. The Awakened Brain by Dr. Miller Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my ⁠⁠⁠⁠Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit via4her.com and get 20% off your first order. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Clinicians can request patient materials or samples at hcp.solvwellness.com. Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    49 min
  3. MAR 29

    364. Marriage, Midlife and Staying Connected with the Whites

    In this episode of You Are Not Broken, I sit down with Dr. Kate White and Jay White to talk about something we don’t discuss enough: what actually happens to marriages in midlife. Because midlife isn’t just hot flashes and hormones. It’s identity shifts. Career pivots. Aging parents. Changing bodies. Evolving desire. And if we don’t talk about it, it can quietly unravel connection. We explore how hormonal changes — especially in perimenopause and menopause — can significantly impact intimacy, mood, and relational dynamics. When libido shifts or sex becomes uncomfortable, couples often misinterpret it as rejection instead of biology. That misunderstanding creates distance. We talk about how communication — real, vulnerable, scheduled communication — is essential. Not just “How was your day?” but “How are we doing?” So many couples assume the other person should just know what they need. They don’t. Curiosity is a skill. We also discuss: Why midlife is often framed negatively — but can actually be deeply transformative The common pattern of women initiating divorce when they feel unseen or unheard The difference between sex and intimacy — and why emotional closeness fuels physical connection How counseling can create a safe space to untangle resentment and rebuild trust Why adapting to change — instead of resisting it — is key to long-term partnership One of the most powerful themes of this episode is that midlife doesn’t destroy marriages. Silence does. When couples understand what’s happening — hormonally, emotionally, relationally — they can respond with compassion instead of blame. Marriage in midlife requires evolution. It requires honesty. It requires both people staying curious about who their partner is becoming. And when that happens? Midlife can be a season of deeper connection — not disconnection. https://www.headsandtailspodcast.com/ Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my ⁠⁠⁠⁠Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    58 min
  4. MAR 22

    363. Mesh, Vaginal Estrogen, Female Urology and More with Dr. Una Lee

    In this episode of You Are Not Broken, I sit down with urologist Dr. Una Lee to talk about what women actually need in midlife care — and why the system still makes it so hard to get. We dive into the importance of patient-centered research — studying what truly matters to women: quality of life, sexual health, urinary symptoms, and comfort. If we don’t measure those things, we miss the point. We also discuss the removal of the boxed warning language on vaginal estrogen and how correcting misinformation has already improved prescribing and access. Fear limited care for years. Data changes that. We cover: Why education on vaginal estrogen and GSM is essential The research gap in testosterone therapy for women The importance of pelvic floor physical therapy as first-line care Informed consent and nuance in surgical conversations Ongoing barriers to hormonal access The big theme? Women are living longer — and our healthcare system needs to evolve with them. Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my ⁠⁠⁠⁠Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    52 min
  5. MAR 15

    362. The Pink Pill

    Today I talk with the producers, directors and star (Cindy Eckert) of The Pink Pill out on Paramount +  @thepinkpillfilm   Aisling Chin-Yee, Director: @aislingchinyee  Cindy Eckert: @cindypinkceoExecutive Producers: Julie Bristow (Catalyst), Abby Greensfelder (Everywoman Studios), Vibika Bianchi, Aisling Chin-Yee and Joanna Griffiths (Knix).  Now streaming on @paramountplus @paramountplusca M Factor Screening March 22 Bellingham, WA Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    31 min
  6. MAR 8

    361. Midlife Comedy and Transformation - An Inspiring Story

    In this episode of You Are Not Broken, I sit down with Susan Guidi — and this conversation is such a beautiful reminder that it is never too late to become who you were meant to be. Susan shares her journey growing up in a Cuban Catholic family, where cultural expectations around marriage, sexuality, and identity were very clear — and very rigid. We talk about how those early narratives shape the way we see ourselves as women… and how hard it can be to untangle them later in life. After a difficult divorce, Susan didn’t shrink. She expanded. She reinvented herself through stand-up comedy (yes, really) and eventually stepped onto a bodybuilding stage — proving that transformation isn’t reserved for the young. It’s reserved for the brave. We talk about: How culture influences the stories we believe about ourselves Why comedy can be deeply therapeutic What it takes to compete in bodybuilding later in life The power of community support during major life transitions Why mindset matters more than motivation The role of nutrition in strength and longevity Redefining your identity after divorce, career shifts, or midlife change Why sharing your story can liberate someone else This episode is about empowerment — not the fluffy kind, but the earned kind. The kind that comes from taking control of your health, your body, your voice, and your future. Susan is living proof that you are not too old, too late, too divorced, too inexperienced, or too anything. You are just in the middle of becoming. If this conversation resonates, share it with a woman who needs to hear that reinvention is still on the table. Because it is. Susan's Instagram Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my ⁠⁠⁠⁠Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    59 min
  7. FEB 22

    359. Fitness Tips and Inspo For Midlife with Alicia Erickson

    This week on You Are Not Broken, I’m joined by the strong, grounded, and refreshingly honest Alicia Erickson for a conversation about midlife reinvention — from hormones to heavy lifting. We talk about the real-life impact of perimenopause (and why projects like The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause matter), Alicia’s decision to get sober at 45, and what happens when women stop shrinking and start building — muscle, boundaries, and belief in themselves. Alicia shares her journey into strength training, progressive overload, and even stepping on a bikini competition stage — not for validation, but for growth. We break down body recomposition (yes, you can build muscle and lose fat at the same time), the critical role of sleep, and how hormone replacement therapy can dramatically shift quality of life in midlife. This is a conversation about doing hard things on purpose. About eating enough. About lifting heavy. About community. About deciding your second half will be stronger than your first. You are not broken. You might just need a barbell. Why perimenopause feels chaotic — and what’s actually happening hormonally Alicia’s sobriety journey and the connection between alcohol, mental health, and midlife Why strength training is non-negotiable for women over 40 Progressive overload explained simply Sleep as the foundation for body composition Hormone replacement therapy and quality of life Body recomposition: burning fat while building muscle Eating more (not less) to support muscle growth The mindset shift from “smaller” to “stronger” The power of community and doing hard things together If this episode resonates, share it with a woman in your life who needs permission to take up space — in the gym, in her body, and in her life. Because midlife isn’t the beginning of decline. It’s the beginning of power. https://www.instagram.com/aliciae/ Listen to my Tedx Talk: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why we need adult sex ed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my ⁠⁠Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    46 min
4.8
out of 5
1,066 Ratings

About

Welcome to the podcast that rewrites everything you thought you knew about sex, hormones, and midlife. I help women—and the people who love them—reconnect with their bodies, their minds, and their partners through science, mindset, and a whole lot of humor. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, rediscovering desire, or just curious what’s possible, this show will remind you: you are not broken. (No medical advice here, just truth bombs and good conversation.)

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