What Traditional Medicine Gets Wrong About Women’s Longevity

Even a gynecologist of two decades didn't recognize her own perimenopause symptoms

If a gynecologist with more than 20 years of experience didn't recognize her own perimenopause, what chance does the average woman have? In this episode of the Livelong Podcast, Dr. Ghazaleh Afshar shares how symptoms she struggled to make sense of—including anxiety and other subtle shifts—led her to rethink not only her own health, but the way women navigate midlife care. Afshar explains why perimenopause often looks very different from the hot flashes and irregular periods women are told to expect. Instead, hormonal changes may show up as anxiety, depression, insomnia, joint pain, bladder issues, or the nagging feeling that something simply isn't right. She also explores why women are frequently sent from specialist to specialist without anyone connecting the dots—and how a more holistic approach can help identify what's really going on. The conversation also dives into lifestyle medicine, metabolic health, and the five markers every woman should understand as she approaches menopause. But perhaps the larger takeaway is that perimenopause isn't something women should have to diagnose on their own. If even an expert can miss the signs, it's time for a healthcare system that does a better job recognizing them.

Aging with Power with Dr. Vonda Wright

Most longevity conversations focus on muscle, protein, and cardio fitness. But according to orthopedic surgeon and bestselling author Vonda Wright, the real foundation of healthy aging is bone-deep.  In this episode of the Livelong Podcast, Wright introduces the concept of “skeletal longevity”—the idea that bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and connective tissue work together to determine whether we remain active, independent, and resilient as we age. The conversation explores why mobility is often the gatekeeper to every other longevity habit. After all, it’s hard to build cardiovascular fitness, maintain muscle, or stay socially engaged when knee pain, arthritis, back pain, or injury make movement difficult. Wright explains why bone is far more than a structural tissue, how body composition scans can reveal hidden risks long before symptoms appear, and why our 30s largely establish peak bone density and muscle mass. The discussion also dives into the often-overlooked musculoskeletal effects of perimenopause and menopause, and Wright outlines the negative effects of declining estrogen on joint pain, frozen shoulder, back pain, and more. Perhaps the episode’s most practical takeaway is that stronger bones are built through a combination of habits, not a single intervention. Though aging may be inevitable, frailty is not.

The Ancient Longevity Secrets Modern Science Is Finally Catching Up To

“Natural remedies” were dismissed as folklore for years, but researchers are discovering that many of the herbs, mushrooms, and plant-based practices we've used for generations may genuinely support sleep, cognition, hormones, inflammation, and healthy aging. In this episode of the Livelong Podcast, founder and historian of medicine Iasmine Abdennabi explains why the future of longevity may actually require looking backward.  Raised in southern Brazil, Abdennabi grew up with plants as part of everyday life—not “alternative medicine.” Later, her studies in the history of science and medicine led her to explore how traditional remedies are now being validated by modern research. The conversation dives into adaptogens like Lion’s Mane mushroom, phytoestrogens, red clover, and Siberian rhubarb—and what they may reveal about menopause, brain fog, mood, sleep, and healthy aging. But one of the episode’s biggest takeaways is that longevity is rarely about one miracle supplement. Instead, healthy aging comes from the accumulation of daily habits: nutrient-dense foods, electrolytes, movement, gut health, gardening, hot meals, and meaningful rituals around food and community. It’s a grounded conversation about what modern wellness gets right, what it oversimplifies, and why some of the most powerful longevity tools may be hiding in plain sight.

The Evolutionary Secrets of the Female Body

Why do women experience periods, menopause, and why are sexual relationships so complicated?  The answers may lie deep in our evolutionary past.In this episode of the Livelong Podcast, Rachel Lehmann-Haupt speaks with Dr. Deena Emera, an evolutionary biologist and researcher at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, about how female biology evolved — and what that means for women’s health today. Drawing on her research in reproductive biology, Dr. Emera explains why certain features of the female body exist, including menstruation, breast development, pregnancy, and menopause — and how evolutionary tradeoffs continue to shape modern health outcomes. We also explore how biology and culture intersect in topics like relationships, gender, and parenting, and why understanding evolution can help us better understand women’s health across the lifespan. If you’ve ever wondered why the female body works the way it does, this conversation offers a fascinating, science-backed perspective What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why humans are one of the only species that menstruate ✅ The evolutionary mystery of breasts and female anatomy  ✅ Why pregnancy involves biological conflict  ✅ The science behind menopause and longevity ✅ How evolution shapes modern women’s health  ✅ The intersection of biology, relationships, and culture

Why Women Feel Dismissed in Healthcare

Women spend decades navigating the healthcare system — yet many leave appointments feeling dismissed, unheard, or misdiagnosed. In this episode of the Livelong Podcast, Rachel Lehmann-Haupt speaks with Dr. Somi Javaid, board-certified OB/GYN and founder of HerMD, about the systemic gaps in women’s healthcare — and what needs to change. Drawing from both her clinical experience and personal story, Dr. Javaid shares why so many women’s symptoms — from pain to menopause to sexual health — are often overlooked, and how those gaps are rooted in medical training, research, and healthcare systems that were not designed for women. We also discuss how women can better advocate for their health, what good care should actually look like, and why the future of women’s health requires both better data and better systems. If you’ve ever felt dismissed by a doctor — or want to better understand how to navigate your health with confidence — this conversation will resonate. What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why women’s symptoms are often dismissed in healthcare ✅ The gaps in menopause and sexual health care ✅ How medical research has historically overlooked women ✅ What better, more comprehensive care should look like ✅ How women can advocate for themselves in medical settings