Pause and Laughter

Pauseandlaughter

Pause and Laughter is the podcast that takes the misery and a good amount of mystery out of menopause. Hosted by producer and voice over artist Tabitha Onofri and scientist/researcher Amy Piacentino, each episode blends real talk with laughter as they swap personal stories dealing with the change. Along the way, they test out products and treatments, compare notes on what helps, and speak with a diverse lineup of guests to share their experience and knowledge. Honest, funny, and refreshingly relatable, PAL reminds you that the transition doesn't have to be faced without a sense of humor.

  1. Sep 21

    #28 5 Blood Tests Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Understand

    When getting bloodwork done, do you know what the numbers mean — or do you just nod when your doctor mentions them? In this episode, Tabitha and Amy break down FIVE necessary blood tests you need to request at your next physical and how to interpret the numbers. They dig into all five tests — A1C, CRP, triglycerides, GFR and homocysteine — covering everything from prediabetes and inflammation to kidney function, blood clots, and stroke risk. Along the way, Tabitha shares an unfortunate story about a friend who was forced to sleep in a hospital waiting room, twenty feet from an empty bed, because insurance wouldn't cover it. Plus, a laugh-out-loud detour into Trapper Keepers and building your own health binder. 00:27 — Tabitha's story: friend forced to sleep in waiting room after insurance wouldn't cover to stay in NICU 04:07 — Test 1: A1C — what it measures,  10:26 — Test 2: CRP (and HS-CRP) — the "internal smoke alarm," inflammation, cardiac health,  13:27 — Test 3: Triglycerides — normal/borderline/high ranges, estrogen's role, metabolic syndrome, heart disease/stroke risk 18:03 — Test 4: GFR — kidney filtration function, normal range (90+), chronic kidney disease risk below 60 18:18 — Health binders / Trapper Keepers 21:35 — Fasting requirements recap (A1C doesn't require fasting, triglycerides does) 24:09 — Test 5: Homocysteine — soft tissue/collagen damage, blood clot and stroke risk, normal range (5–15), B12's role, MTHFR genetic factor

  2. Sep 1

    # 27 Earth, Water, or Stone? Which Body Type Are You - and How to Work With It

    Did you know that in Chinese medicine, there are three distinct body types—Earth, Water, and Stone? In this episode, Tabitha and Amy dive into the fascinating world of Eastern medicine and how each body type, may influence your physical and emotional health, particularly during perimenopause.  They discuss the role of chi and energy flow, how acupuncture and cupping work, and the potential benefits of these holistic approaches. The ladies also share personal experiences and practical tips, from grounding techniques and changing your energy flow, which connects your body type and perimenopause symptoms. 02:14 Exploring Eastern Medicine and Body Types 06:52 The Three Main Body Types in Chinese Medicine 10:20 Features and Traits of Earth Body Type 12:03 Water Body Type: Features and Symptoms 14:11 Stone/Metal Body Type and Its Characteristics 16:41 Impact of Body Types on Perimenopause Symptoms 20:01 Grounding Techniques and Lifestyle Tips 28:25 Determining Your Body Type and Personal Insights 36:37 Final Thoughts on Chinese Medicine Body Types

  3. Aug 24

    #26 Meno Stuck Feeling? 4 Supplements You Don’t Know About To Bring You Back to YOURSELF. Science Answers & Healing to the Rescue!

    Tired of not feeling like yourself and struggling with low energy and sluggishness? In this episode, Tabitha and Amy explore FOUR advanced supplements that may tackle some of the factors behind these symptoms, including bile salts, HCL (hydrochloric acid), HPA/adrenal support, and ferrous bisglycinate. The ladies break down the unique role each supplement plays and how they may support overall health, energy, and well-being. Key Topics Bile and its role in detoxification and hormone regulationThe importance of HPA axis health during menopauseStomach acid and its impact on digestion and refluxFerritin and iron levels as red flags for health Chapters 01:52 - Understanding bile and its importance in detoxification 08:07-How bile sludge affects hormone balance and energy 12:02- The role of bile salts in improving digestion and detox 16:00- Right shoulder pain and its link to gallbladder health 16:52- What is the HPA axis and why it matters 18:57- Supporting adrenal health with supplements 23:02- The importance of stomach acid and HCL supplements 25:05- Ferritin and iron levels as health indicators

  4. Aug 17

    # 25 The Hidden Reason Your Hot Flashes Won't Stop

    What if your liver might actually be the hidden culprit behind those hot flashes? In this episode, Tabitha and Amy break down how the liver cycles estrogen out of your body - and that a sluggish, overburdened liver during "the pause" can intensify your symptoms. The ladies explore how lifestyle factors like alcohol, poor diet, and lack of movement compromise your liver's ability to function, then share practical tips to help your liver function at its best and keep those hot flashes at bay. They also discuss cultural perspectives on the liver and some fascinating facts, such as it can completely regenerate. 0:59 — Fight attendant’s hot-flash story3:04 — How liver health may connect to hot flashes3:34 — Liver fun facts: size, function, and regeneration6:14 — Estrogen, hormone clearance, and liver function10:14 — Supporting liver health during perimenopause and menopause12:48 — What can overburden the liver: alcohol, late meals, and sugar14:31 — The liver in Chinese, Japanese, Greek, and Italian traditions17:50 — Liver-supporting habits: Mediterranean food, coffee, and hydration18:53 — Daily routines: twists, earlier dinners, and sleep22:10 — Digestion, bedtime habits, and sleep positions27:12 — Yoga, gentle movement, and 4-step daily routine

  5. Aug 10

    # 24 Can’t Get Your Estrogen Patch? What to Do Next

    In this episode, Tabitha and Amy tackle an urgent issue affecting women across the country: the ongoing estrogen patch shortage.  They unpack what is driving the shortages, how to stay ahead of prescription gaps, and practical ways to partner effectively with pharmacists and doctors when your usual patch is unavailable. The conversation also explores strategies like finding compounding pharmacies, navigating out-of-pocket costs, and using technology and trusted resources such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) shortage database to track availability. while stressing the importance of individualized medical guidance 01:56 Impact of Shortages on Women Using Estrogen Patches 03:57 Why Are Estrogen Patches in Short Supply? 07:11 How to Prepare and Plan for Medication Shortages 11:51 Working with Pharmacists and Pharmacies Effectively 15:03 Alternative Delivery Systems: Creams, Pills, and Compounding 19:56 Resources and Tools for Managing Shortages 24:59 The Importance of Planning and Communication 30:02 Understanding the Technology Behind Patches 33:03 Final Tips and Encouragement for Women on Hormone Therapy

  6. Aug 3

    # 23 Is HRT Right for You? Navigating Menopause Treatment with Confidence

    In this episode, Tabitha and Amy tackle the hot topic of HRT, breaking down the science, the myths, and the practical steps women need to take when building a personalized treatment plan. They explain why having a proper baseline is essential before starting any hormone therapy, and how to determine if HRT is right for you. They discuss the range of delivery systems available — from patches to vaginal suppositories — and the key differences between estrogen-only and combination HRT.  From there, they explore how genetics and family history should shape your treatment approach, since no two women's hormonal journeys look the same. 06:06 What HRT is and how it works10:28 HRT options and hormones involved12:43 How to choose the right delivery system13:59 Estrogen-only vs combined therapy14:48 Delivery systems: pills, creams, injections22:25 Genetics, family history, and testing26:03 Bioidentical vs synthetic hormones and detox pathways28:14 Benefits of HRT and who may not need it30:40 Patience, timing, and what to expect34:23 Menopause Society resource and finding specialists • 35:03 Women’s health clinics and whole-patient care

  7. Jul 22

    #22 Are You In Denial? You have Symptoms and Perimenopause Has Started

    Many women believe they haven't entered the Pause because they still have a regular cycle or may not be experiencing the "classic" symptoms, like hot flashes. But perimenopause can begin years before those signs appear—and as early as your mid-30s. In this episode of Pause and Laughter, Tabitha and Amy discuss why so many women unknowingly dismiss the early signs of perimenopause, mistaking symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, poor sleep, and mood changes for stress or simply getting older. The hosts also explain why having a regular cycle doesn't necessarily mean your hormones haven't begun to change and emphasize the importance of establishing a hormone baseline as early as possible, giving you a point of reference to recognize when you've entered the Pause.

  8. Jul 13

    # 21 The Reasons Your Skin is Aging Faster (and how you can get “Tight” back)

    Most women begin noticing crepey, fragile skin in their 40s, but few understand what's happening beneath the surface—or how to fight back. On this episode of Pause and Laughter, Tabitha and Amy unpack the science behind crepey skin, from hormonal shifts and collagen loss to sun damage and environmental stressors that weaken the skin's cellular matrix, leaving it thinner, less plump, and less resilient than it once was. More importantly, they share the strategies that can help fight back. From collagen masks, hyaluronic acid, red light therapy, and microneedling to building a smarter skincare routine, you'll learn practical ways to support firmer, healthier-looking skin. They also discuss the importance of ingredient safety, hydration, dry brushing, natural oils, exfoliation, and patch testing new products—simple habits that can make a meaningful difference in how your skin looks and feels.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Pause and Laughter is the podcast that takes the misery and a good amount of mystery out of menopause. Hosted by producer and voice over artist Tabitha Onofri and scientist/researcher Amy Piacentino, each episode blends real talk with laughter as they swap personal stories dealing with the change. Along the way, they test out products and treatments, compare notes on what helps, and speak with a diverse lineup of guests to share their experience and knowledge. Honest, funny, and refreshingly relatable, PAL reminds you that the transition doesn't have to be faced without a sense of humor.

Information

  • Creator
    Pauseandlaughter
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Pauseandlaughter
  • Show Website
    Pause and Laughter