What's Actually Happening to Women's Brains in Midlife with Dr. Alex Grunsfeld

What's Actually Happening to Women's Brains in Midlife with Dr. Alex Grunsfeld

In this fascinating and myth-busting episode of Things I Want My Daughters to Know, I'm joined by neurologist Dr. Alex Grunsfeld for a powerful conversation about brain health, metabolism, stress, and what's really happening to women during perimenopause and menopause. Together, we challenge the increasingly narrow conversation around menopause and cognition, particularly the idea that estrogen alone determines brain health. Instead, we explore the much bigger picture: metabolic health, inflammation, insulin resistance, chronic stress, movement, nutrition, and the way modern lifestyles are fundamentally impacting women's brains and bodies. Dr. Grunsfeld explains how chronic inflammation and high cortisol levels contribute to brain fog, anxiety, cognitive decline, and fatigue, while also unpacking the role of ketones, metabolic flexibility, and the ketogenic diet in supporting neurological health. We also dive into the powerful influence of the nocebo effect and how fear-based menopause narratives may actually shape women's experiences more than we realise. This episode is a profound, myth busting reminder that women's brains are not "breaking" in midlife but rather they need a different kind of support. This episode is a profound and deeply important reminder that women's brains are not "breaking" in midlife but rather they need a different kind of support. 🎙️ If this episode re sonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps more women and practitioners find these conversations. ✨ Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-grunsfeld-0a0812159/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-grunsfeld-0a0812159/] ✨ Connect with Jacqueline Rose 📌 Join my Newsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1225699/160641692811134066/share 💜Learn more about my Menopause Informed Training Program: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/mitprogram [https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/mitprogram] Follow Me: 🖥️ Website: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/ [https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/] ▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosehealth [https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosehealth] 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinerose-womenshealth/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinerose-womenshealth/] 🏷️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyogaroom120 [https://www.facebook.com/theyogaroom120] 🔔 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerose_womenshealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerose_womenshealth/]

Your Symptoms are Telling You Something, Are you Listening? with Kristin Sitek

In this deeply thought-provoking episode of Things I Want My Daughters to Know, I'm joined by Kristin Sitek for a conversation that challenges the way we think about women's health, menopause, healing, and the body itself. Kristin combines functional health with energetic healing, exploring how unresolved emotions, stress, trauma, and disconnection from self can manifest physically — particularly through the gut, hormones, nervous system, and chronic symptoms so many women experience in midlife. Together, we unpack why so many women are searching for quick fixes while ignoring the deeper messages their bodies may be trying to communicate. We explore menopause as more than a hormonal event — but as a profound invitation into self-awareness, boundaries, healing, and transformation. This episode is expansive, holistic, and deeply empowering. It asks women to stop seeing their bodies as broken — and start listening to what their symptoms may actually be revealing. 🎙️ If this episode re sonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps more women and practitioners find these conversations. ✨ Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: https://www.instagram.com/kristin.sitek/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinsitek/ https://www.facebook.com/kristin.sitek https://www.kristinsitek.com/gut-health [https://www.kristinsitek.com/gut-health] ✨ Connect with Jacqueline Rose 📌 Join my Newsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1225699/160641692811134066/share 💜Learn more about my Menopause Informed Training Program: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/mitprogram [https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/mitprogram] Follow Me: 🖥️ Website: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/ [https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/] ▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosehealth [https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosehealth] 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinerose-womenshealth/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinerose-womenshealth/] 🏷️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyogaroom120 [https://www.facebook.com/theyogaroom120] 🔔 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerose_womenshealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerose_womenshealth/]

Why Midlife Women Are Being Failed by Healthcare with Shannon McDonald

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Things I Want My Daughters to Know, I'm joined by Shannon McDonald for a conversation about the growing crisis in midlife women's health — and why so many women are being left unsupported, dismissed, and misunderstood by mainstream healthcare systems. We explore the reality that most midlife women are navigating complex hormonal, metabolic, emotional, and lifestyle changes with little meaningful guidance beyond quick fixes, rushed appointments, and symptom management. Shannon shares her holistic framework for supporting women through midlife, focusing on nourishment instead of restriction, building strength instead of shrinking, and creating sustainable health practices that support long-term wellbeing. We also dive into the rapidly growing use of GLP-1 medications, the dangers of under-eating and muscle loss, and why women need a far more informed and balanced conversation around weight, aging, and health. This episode is a reminder that midlife women deserve healthcare that sees the whole person, not just the symptoms. 🎙️ If this episode re sonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps more women and practitioners find these conversations. ✨ Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561961137561 https://www.instagram.com/navigating_to_wellness/ Book a Call: https://forms.gle/PNnFzWBUtTKec4pE6 ✨ Connect with Jacqueline Rose 📌 Join my Newsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1225699/160641692811134066/share 💜Learn more about my Menopause Informed Training Program: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/mitprogram [https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/mitprogram] Follow Me: 🖥️ Website: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/ [https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/] ▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosehealth [https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosehealth] 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinerose-womenshealth/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinerose-womenshealth/] 🏷️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyogaroom120 [https://www.facebook.com/theyogaroom120] 🔔 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerose_womenshealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerose_womenshealth/]

The Truth About Sex Women Were Never Told with Angela Griffith

In this bold, honest, and deeply important episode of Things I Want My Daughters to Know, I'm joined by Angela — known online as The Christian Sexpert — for a conversation about female sexuality, intimacy, marriage, and the realities of sex during perimenopause and menopause. Together, we challenge many of the narratives women have inherited around sex — from purity culture and religious shame to the impact of pornography and the unrealistic expectations it has created for both men and women. We explore why so many women feel disconnected from their sexuality, why painful sex and low libido are so common in midlife, and why intimacy needs to be understood as so much more than penetrative sex. This episode is not just about sex — it's about reclaiming ownership of the female body, redefining intimacy, and creating healthier, more honest conversations for the next generation Disclaimer: This episode deals with adult topics. You may want to listen to in privately first before sharing the conversation with your daughters. 🎙️ If this episode re sonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps more women and practitioners find these conversations. ✨ Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Freebie: https://www.thechristiansexpert.com/shop/p/small-moments-of-connection-freebie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechristiansexpert TikTok :https://www.tiktok.com/@thechristians_xpert Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechristiansexpert/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMrHEas4zWmIIHpa4ZmM-JA ✨ Connect with Jacqueline Rose 📌 Join my Newsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1225699/160641692811134066/share 💜Learn more about my Menopause Informed Training Program: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/mitprogram [https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/mitprogram] Follow Me: 🖥️ Website: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/ [https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/] ▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosehealth [https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosehealth] 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinerose-womenshealth/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinerose-womenshealth/] 🏷️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyogaroom120 [https://www.facebook.com/theyogaroom120] 🔔 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerose_womenshealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerose_womenshealth/]

Menopause Is Bigger Than Hormones with Colette Edwards

In this powerful and deeply important episode of Things I Want My Daughters to Know, I'm joined by Colette Edwards, founder and Chief Medical Officer of Positive Health, for a conversation about what's missing from today's menopause conversation — and why women deserve so much more than symptom management alone. Together, we explore the deep gaps that still exist in women's healthcare, from the historical underrepresentation of women in medical research to the lack of menopause-specific training among healthcare providers. We discuss why menopause cannot be separated from the rest of a woman's life story — including stress, pregnancy, pelvic health, trauma, lifestyle, and long-term wellbeing. We also explore the future of healthcare, the role of AI and digital medicine, and why education and self-advocacy are becoming essential tools for women navigating midlife today. This episode challenges the increasingly simplistic narrative around menopause and hormone therapy, and instead advocates for a more nuanced, personalised, and empowering approach to women's health. 🎙️ If this episode re sonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps more women and practitioners find these conversations. ✨ Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Facebook: pausitive health Instagram: pausitive_health Pinterest: pausitive_health LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/z-colette-edwards-md-mba/ ✨ Connect with Jacqueline Rose 📌 Join my Newsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1225699/160641692811134066/share 💜Learn more about my Menopause Informed Training Program: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/mitprogram [https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/mitprogram] Follow Me: 🖥️ Website: https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/ [https://www.jacquelinerosehealth.com/] ▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosehealth [https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosehealth] 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinerose-womenshealth/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinerose-womenshealth/] 🏷️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyogaroom120 [https://www.facebook.com/theyogaroom120] 🔔 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerose_womenshealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerose_womenshealth/]