Messy Midlife

Messy Midlife
  • 5.0 (7)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

Messy Midlife is what happens when three women, all naturopathic doctors and one a therapist, going through midlife, pull up a chair to talk honestly. It is all on the table - hormones, families, burnout, and rediscovering who we are. It’s unfiltered, funny, and healing, like eavesdropping on the table of women who just get it.

  1. Hormones 101

    9H AGO

    Hormones 101

    Send a text By listener request! Aliza takes us back to the basics with the role different hormones play in our health both before and during perimenopause. This chat is full of good foundations for conversations you are having with healthcare providers, and sets the stage for more details in upcoming episodes all about hormone replacement therapy and non-hormone support options.  Things to take note of:  Hormones have a MUCH bigger role than your menstrual cycle.Estrogen plays a role in sleep, blood sugar regulation, cholesterol, temperature regulation, sleep, memory, arterial elasticity, and more. There are three forms of estrogen in our body and not all are created equal. Progesterone also impacts sleep, cholesterol, mood, and more. Estrogen is more dominant or building, while progesterone is more inhibiting or calming. Books mentioned:  Do Less by Kate Northrup Wild Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hormones and Perimenopause 02:42 Understanding Estrogen: Types and Functions 05:35 The Role of Progesterone in Women's Health 08:19 The Interplay of Hormones During the Menstrual Cycle 10:49 Navigating Hormonal Changes in Perimenopause 19:43 Understanding Hormonal Fluctuations 23:31 The Role of Testosterone in Women's Health 27:06 Cycle Tracking and Life Planning 36:56 Navigating Perimenopause and Hormonal Changes If our messy is your kind of messy, we would love for you to rate, review and follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We would also love to know what is on your mind. If you were to join us, what would we be talking about? Email us at messymidlifepodcast@gmail.com or message us on Instagram or TikTok @messymidlifepodcast.

    39 min
  2. Perimenopause in HSPs (part 3) - Relationships and Self-actualization/Purpose

    MAR 10

    Perimenopause in HSPs (part 3) - Relationships and Self-actualization/Purpose

    Send a text Embodiment! Realignment! Transformation!  Karen's favorite thing to talk about - ever. Perimenopause is our chance to reclaim ourselves, especially as an HSP.  Some key takeaways:  Intuition lives in our bodies. When we retreat into our minds and our cognitive world, we are disconnecting from our intuition. This is especially relevant in perimenopause for both HSPs and non-HSPs because of how poorly understood perimenopause is. It is even more relevant for HSPs who have likely been told that their experiences aren't real for their whole lives and who have learned to retreat inward when the outer world said they were too much. Perimenopause is a shift away from being driven by hormones to literally create and provide for a community. It allows our minds and our bodies to return to ourselves. Our work in perimenopause is to realign with our body and to our inner truth. There is a purpose in the sensitivities you as an HSP have, and perimenopause provides a clear time of transition that allows discovery and a closer and deeper connection with that purpose. Perimenopause can be a time where the limits for an HSP living in a non-HSP world have been pushed to the limit, and change to connect more with yourself and your needs become non-negotiable. The book Jenn couldn't remember: The Power of When by Michael Breus, PhD Chapters 00:00 Introduction to HSPs and Perimenopause 02:50 The Impact of Perimenopause on Highly Sensitive People 05:39 Reclaiming Identity and Purpose in Midlife 08:24 The Good Girl Syndrome and Societal Expectations 10:57 The Role of Highly Sensitive People in Society 13:41 Navigating Relationships During Perimenopause 16:31 Transformation and Self-Actualization in Midlife 18:37 Embracing Change and Learning in the Transition 21:11 Conclusion and Reflections on the Journey If our messy is your kind of messy, we would love for you to rate, review and follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We would also love to know what is on your mind. If you were to join us, what would we be talking about? Email us at messymidlifepodcast@gmail.com or message us on Instagram or TikTok @messymidlifepodcast.

    27 min
  3. Perimenopause in HSPs (part 2) - Lab testing, Medications, and Hormones

    MAR 3

    Perimenopause in HSPs (part 2) - Lab testing, Medications, and Hormones

    Send a text Jenn & Karen are back again to dive even deeper into perimenopause and the highly sensitive person.  Some top takeaways:  The importance of magnesium and sodium in highly sensitive people, before and during perimenopause, especially when it comes to detoxification/removal of hormones, anxiety, sleep, and more. The impact of medications on nutrient status in the body, and the smaller window HSPs have for deficiencies. Gut and bowel function is impacted by both perimenopause and being an HSP. There are many symptoms of perimenopause that highly sensitive people have already sought help for, that Karen has not seen get worse in perimenopause because they are already supported. HSPs can have a strong or even paradoxical reaction to hormones, even at a low dose. HSPs often need lower doses of medications but might need higher doses of others. It is important to work with a provider who understand the needs of HSPs and is willing to pay attention to your response to any intervention. HSPs will likely start feeling symptoms long before anything outside of normal range will show up on lab tests. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Highly Sensitive People and Perimenopause 02:37 Understanding Hormonal Changes and Their Impact 05:24 Symptoms of Perimenopause in Highly Sensitive People 09:02 Nutritional Needs and Considerations 12:36 The Role of Magnesium and Vitamin C 14:29 Bowel Health and Its Connection to Sensitivity 17:18 Detoxification and Hormonal Balance 21:33 Mental Health Symptoms in Perimenopause 24:35 Sleep Changes and Sensitivity 26:24 Hormonal Changes and Sleep Disruption 27:28 The Role of Progesterone in Mood Regulation 28:01 Medication Sensitivity in Highly Sensitive People 29:50 Trial and Error in Medication Dosing 30:44 Listening to Your Body's Needs 32:25 Nutrient Depletion and Sensitivity 34:37 Embodiment and Disconnection 35:17 Complex Interplay of Hormones and Medications 41:23 Joint Pain and Hormonal Changes 44:16 Detoxification and Skin Changes 47:48 Lab Testing and Hormonal Changes If our messy is your kind of messy, we would love for you to rate, review and follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We would also love to know what is on your mind. If you were to join us, what would we be talking about? Email us at messymidlifepodcast@gmail.com or message us on Instagram or TikTok @messymidlifepodcast.

    53 min
  4. Perimenopause in Highly Sensitive People (part 1)

    FEB 24

    Perimenopause in Highly Sensitive People (part 1)

    Send a text We dive into Karen's professional expertise and personal lived experience to talk about being a highly sensitive person in perimenopause.  In this episode we talk about what a highly sensitive person actually is, from a neurological and medical perspective. We also talk about the lived experience of being a highly sensitive person.  We get a bit geeky about the overlap of stress hormones and sex hormones (especially progesterone), the overlap between higher needs for certain nutrients and the meds that can deplete those same nutrients.  Some important takeaways:  High sensitivity is present in many species beyond humans and has an evolutionary explanation. Sensitivity isn't just about emotions or pain. It is about how a person is wired, how they process sensory information, and how their body works. There are different nutrition and medical needs that a highly sensitive person has compared to less sensitive people. You can be an extroverted high sensation seeking person and still be highly sensitive. Progesterone plays a more critical role in the wellbeing of the HSP.Highly sensitive women can be more likely to have early perimenopause symptoms and more likely to experience fertility challenges. The impact of trauma on the HSP. You can be an HSP without realizing you are. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Midlife Challenges 02:33 Understanding ADHD and HSP 05:25 Defining Highly Sensitive People 07:50 The Impact of Sensitivity on Health 10:13 Nutrition and Sensitivity 11:51 Sensitivity and Emotional Perception 14:19 The Intersection of Sensitivity and ADHD 16:59 Hormonal Influences on Sensitivity 19:49 Physiological Differences in HSPs 21:41 Understanding Sensitivity and Health 22:49 Hormonal Changes in Highly Sensitive People 25:57 The Impact of Sensitivity on Midlife 26:59 Exploring Sensitivity Suppression 30:50 The Warrior Gene and Sensitivity 36:59 Looking Ahead: Sensitivity in Perimenopause If our messy is your kind of messy, we would love for you to rate, review and follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We would also love to know what is on your mind. If you were to join us, what would we be talking about? Email us at messymidlifepodcast@gmail.com or message us on Instagram or TikTok @messymidlifepodcast.

    43 min
  5. A Deeper Dive on Rage

    FEB 17

    A Deeper Dive on Rage

    Send a text We revisit rage today, because our last episode had us feeling a lot of it. We talk about our understanding of what it actually is, how it serves us, and how we got here in the first place.  00:00 Exploring Sacred Rage 02:51 The Balance of Emotions 05:30 Rage as a Secondary Emotion 08:08 Generational Perspectives on Rage 10:54 The Role of Helplessness in Anger 13:33 Paving the Way for Future Generations 16:15 Expressing Emotions Freely 19:05 The Complexity of Rage and Other Emotions If our messy is your kind of messy, we would love for you to rate, review and follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We would also love to know what is on your mind. If you were to join us, what would we be talking about? Email us at messymidlifepodcast@gmail.com or message us on Instagram or TikTok @messymidlifepodcast.

    24 min
  6. Endometriosis & Medical Gaslighting

    FEB 10

    Endometriosis & Medical Gaslighting

    Send a text Jenn shares all about her surprise diagnosis of endometriosis as a platform for learning and also discussing the importance of self-advocacy for your health. We talk about medical gaslighting, how we gaslight ourselves so often when it comes to health, and the ways we are set up to do this to ourselves.  This episode is a jumpstart to some upcoming, highly requested, more medically focused topics about all things that affect women in midlife.  We hope this episode helps someone give themselves permission to push harder - because women feeling good is good for everyone.  Chapters 00:00 Navigating Midlife Challenges 11:16 Understanding Endometriosis 44:46 Empowerment in Healthcare Decisions If our messy is your kind of messy, we would love for you to rate, review and follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We would also love to know what is on your mind. If you were to join us, what would we be talking about? Email us at messymidlifepodcast@gmail.com or message us on Instagram or TikTok @messymidlifepodcast.

    55 min
  7. Rage - The Fire of the Phoenix

    FEB 3

    Rage - The Fire of the Phoenix

    Send a text We don't start with rage, but through a conversation about unexpected solitude and the clarity that can come from it, we get there. The stark contrast between our daily lives and our lives in ideal circumstances leads to misaligned expectations within ourselves and within our relationships. And when we reach midlife and perimenopause, the center can no longer hold.  We talk about our inner voice, wisdom, or intuition telling us something that we ignore over and over again. We talk about co-dependency and over-functioning, where they overlap, and the ways that this has just become expected of women.  And of course, we talk about rage. Not just our experience of it, but what it actually means, and the role it plays in our lives and in personal transformation. We don't all agree on things here, but we work to find common understanding, or at least to understand each other's perspective.  Book referenced: Real Self Care by Pooja Lakshmin, MD  Brene Brown essay: The Midlife Unraveling Chapters 00:00 Crawling Out from Under a Rock 03:09 The Gift of Stillness and Hibernation 06:08 Navigating Perfectionism and Efficiency 09:01 The Power of Internal Awareness 12:11 Reintegration Challenges 15:03 Emotional Labor and Family Dynamics 17:56 Finding Balance in Love and Responsibility 20:59 Integrating Retreat Insights into Daily Life 23:48 Resetting Relationships and Expectations 31:48 Listening to Our Inner Voice 35:12 The Energetic Connection Between Mothers and Children 38:54 The Pressure of Self-Care 41:36 The Importance of Saying No 46:57 Navigating Over-Functioning and Under-Functioning 52:10 Understanding Rage in Motherhood 01:01:25 The Transformative Power of Rage If our messy is your kind of messy, we would love for you to rate, review and follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We would also love to know what is on your mind. If you were to join us, what would we be talking about? Email us at messymidlifepodcast@gmail.com or message us on Instagram or TikTok @messymidlifepodcast.

    1h 5m
  8. Masking & Our Authentic Selves

    JAN 27

    Masking & Our Authentic Selves

    Send a text Aliza jumpstarts the conversation by sharing her experience at a women's retreat that she attends every year and the challenges of trying to incorporate the insights into regular life.  Regular listeners know that Aliza has been struggling with some aspects of parenting, and one of the biggest takeaways from the retreat had a massive impact on how she relates to parenting and her daughter.  The retreat opened up a conversation on things about how we see ourselves versus how we are seen by others, and the masking that we do to try and bridge the gap. We also talked about shifts in intuition as we are reconnecting to our authentic selves and integrating it with who we have become, while also looking toward who we might be in the future.  This is another episode with some insights that we are revisiting again and again in our personal lives. We hope it connects with you too! Women's Purpose Community: https://www.womenspurposecommunity.com/ 00:00 Navigating Life's Challenges 08:39 Embracing the Divine Feminine 17:54 Reconnecting with Intuition and Authenticity 21:55 Navigating Personal Growth and Business Coaching 24:02 The Balance of Giving and Receiving 27:02 Self-Care and the Importance of Saying No 29:58 The Complexity of Midlife Transitions 35:17 The Masks We Wear and Their Impact 42:31 Embracing Discomfort and the Journey of Self-Discovery If our messy is your kind of messy, we would love for you to rate, review and follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We would also love to know what is on your mind. If you were to join us, what would we be talking about? Email us at messymidlifepodcast@gmail.com or message us on Instagram or TikTok @messymidlifepodcast.

    49 min
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About

Messy Midlife is what happens when three women, all naturopathic doctors and one a therapist, going through midlife, pull up a chair to talk honestly. It is all on the table - hormones, families, burnout, and rediscovering who we are. It’s unfiltered, funny, and healing, like eavesdropping on the table of women who just get it.

Information

  • Creator
    Messy Midlife
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Messy Midlife
  • Show Website
    Messy Midlife