Beyond The Paper Gown Podcast

Hype vs. Help: How to Decode Supplements for Midlife Women

Standing in the supplement aisle and wondering what actually works? In this episode of Beyond the Paper Gown, Dr. Mitzi Krockover is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Shikha Snigdha, Senior Director of Scientific Affairs at OLLY, who brings more than 16 years of experience in neuropharmacology, clinical research, and translating complex science into practical women’s health solutions. Together, they break down the science behind nutraceuticals and supplements for women in perimenopause and menopause. They discuss how to tell evidence-based products from marketing hype, why clinical trials matter—even for over-the-counter supplements—and how to read labels with a more critical eye. The conversation also puts supplements in context, highlighting the essential role of lifestyle pillars like exercise, sleep, nutrition, gut health, and social connection. This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your personal health decisions. Please visit Beyond the Paper Gown [https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts] (https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts [https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts]) to join our community and to learn more about achieving your optimal health. SHOW NOTES: * Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/] * Shikha Snigdha, PhD & Senior Director of Scientific Affairs, OLLY [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shikha-snigdha-56750068/] * OLLY [http://www.olly.com/] * PubMed [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/] * National Institutes of Health (NIH) [https://www.nih.gov/] * U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) — Dietary Supplements [https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements] * Federal Trade Commission (FTC) [https://www.ftc.gov/]

Women’s Health Innovation Isn’t Niche — This Report Proves It

Why does women’s health still struggle to get the attention and investment it deserves—despite affecting half the population? In this episode of Beyond the Paper Gown, Dr. Mitzi Krockover is joined by Anna Jeter, co-founder and Chief Regulatory Officer of AOA Dx, for a conversation that challenges how we think about progress in women’s health. Anna shares the story behind her work on early detection for ovarian cancer—and why it takes far too long for many women to get answers. She also explains the findings of her new report, Women’s Health Exits, which looks at what has actually happened when women’s health innovations succeed and grow. This episode goes beyond money. It’s about why these moments matter for patients—because they often determine whether a promising idea stays limited or becomes care that’s widely available. When women’s health innovations scale, they reach more clinicians, shorten delays in diagnosis, and improve outcomes in ways women can feel in their everyday lives. For listeners interested in the bigger picture, the conversation also offers a clear, data-driven look at how women’s health companies grow, why that growth has been misunderstood, and how changing the narrative can unlock faster progress. Whether you’re a patient, clinician, founder, investor, or advocate, this episode reframes women’s health as what it truly is: essential, overdue—and full of opportunity to improve lives. Please visit Beyond the Paper Gown [https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts] (https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts [https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts]) to join our community and to learn more about achieving your optimal health. SHOW NOTES: * Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ * Anna Jeter, co-founder and Chief Regulatory Officer, AOA Dx [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-milik-jeter-88036329/] * AOA Dx [https://aoadx.com/] * Women’s Health Exits Report [https://aoadx.com/exit-report/] * University of Washington Ovarian Symptom Index [https://www.uwmedicine.org/health-library/conditions/ovarian-cancer-symptom-index]

From Idea to Impact: Building Women-Centered Health Apps

How do you turn a women’s health problem into a real, usable digital product? In this bonus mini-episode of Beyond the Paper Gown, Dr. Mitzi Krockover is joined again by Josefina Ruiz, Head of Growth at Light it, for a behind-the-scenes conversation designed for founders, innovators, and anyone thinking about building in femtech or digital health. Josefina breaks down what founders often get wrong—from skipping product discovery to misusing AI—and explains why trust, community, and compliance matter just as much as code. She shares practical guidance on MVPs, feedback loops, technical co-founders, and building responsibly in healthcare. 🎧 Be sure to catch the main episode for the full discussion on women’s health apps, femtech innovation, data privacy, and patient experience. Please visit Beyond the Paper Gown [https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts] (https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts [https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts]) to join our community and to learn more about achieving your optimal health. SHOW NOTES: * Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/] * Josefina Ruiz, Head of Growth at Light-it [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefina-ruiz/] * Light-it [https://lightit.io/] * Mavida Health [https://www.mavidahealth.com/] * Digital Health Insider Newsletter [https://digitalhealthinsider.io/]

How Women's Health Apps Come To Life - And How To Choose One

What makes a digital health app truly trustworthy—and who decides? In this episode of Beyond the Paper Gown, Dr. Mitzi Krockover speaks with Josefina Ruiz, Head of Growth at Light it, a global healthcare product agency building femtech and mental health platforms. Together, they explore what separates meaningful women’s health technology from “just another app”—from evidence-based design and patient experience to privacy, AI, and data security. Josefina also shares her personal journey of discovering she carries the BRCA2 genetic mutation, and how that experience reshaped her perspective on healthcare, advocacy, and the importance of empathy and community in digital health tools. 🎧 Plus: Don’t miss the bonus mini-episode where Josefina shares practical advice for founders building women’s health and digital health products. Please visit Beyond the Paper Gown [https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts] (https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts [https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts]) to join our community and to learn more about achieving your optimal health. SHOW NOTES: * Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/] * Josefina Ruiz, Head of Growth at Light-it [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefina-ruiz/] * Light-it [https://lightit.io/] * Seven Starling [https://www.sevenstarling.com/] * Mavida Health [https://www.mavidahealth.com/] * Cerula Care [http://www.cerulacare.com/]  * Unease Health [https://www.uneasehealth.com/]  * Puppeteer [https://puppeteer.ai/]

Midlife Metabolism Reset: Nutrition Secrets for Women 40+

How can women over 40 eat for energy, longevity, and a healthier, saner relationship with weight? On Beyond the Paper Gown, Ro Huntriss—award-winning registered dietitian and Chief Nutrition Officer at Simple—breaks down how midlife shifts like estrogen decline and insulin resistance change the way our bodies respond to food, and what we can do to feel better. Ro shares an evidence-based roadmap: how much protein we really need, how to pair foods to steady blood sugar, why fiber and healthy fats matter, and how to approach time-restricted eating in a sustainable way. We also cover which labs to ask for (A1C, lipids, vitamin D/B12/iron) and when glucose monitoring is actually useful. You’ll hear her balanced take on GLP-1 medications, phytoestrogens like soy and flax, and the role of calcium and vitamin D in bone health. Plus: stress, sleep, and strength-training strategies to support cognition and cardiometabolic health—along with simple, doable swaps you can start this week. Visit Beyond the Paper Gown [https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts] to join our community and to learn more about achieving your optimal health. SHOW NOTES: * Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/] * Ro Huntriss, Chief Nutrition Officer, Simple [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ro-huntriss-b8a968193/?originalSubdomain=uk] * Simple [https://simple.life/]