106. What Midlife Women Need to Know About Psychedelics: Safety, Science, and Informed Choice with Linden Schaffer

106. What Midlife Women Need to Know About Psychedelics: Safety, Science, and Informed Choice with Linden Schaffer

This is a conversation that deserves more nuance than a seven-second social media clip. Victoria sits down with Linden Schaffer, psychedelic wellness educator, author, and founder of Reveal, for an honest, evidence-informed discussion on what psychedelics actually are, what the current research says, and how midlife women can think critically about whether any of this belongs in their own wellness journey. Linden is not a hype machine. She has spent more than two decades at the intersection of wellness, transformation, and psychedelic harm reduction, and she brings that same rigor to this conversation. What emerges is a grounded, thoughtful exchange that honors both the science and the complexity, including the parts the headlines leave out. What You'll Hear in This Episode * A plain-language overview of psychedelics, from classic compounds like psilocybin and LSD to lesser-known substances like ibogaine and MDMA * The history of psychedelic research, from Albert Hofmann's synthesis of LSD in the 1940s to the Nixon-era criminalization that halted decades of promising clinical work * Why the pandemic became an inflection point for renewed interest in these compounds * The current legal landscape in the U.S., including Oregon and Colorado's regulated frameworks, decriminalization efforts in cities nationwide, and what federal scheduling still means for your personal risk profile * How midlife women in particular are being underserved by a medical system that too often defaults to SSRIs without exploring root causes * What microdosing is, how it differs from larger dose experiences, and why Linden chose it herself when perimenopause symptoms arrived before she could get a hormone therapy appointment * The critical importance of preparation, integration, and what Linden calls the "wellness toolbox" — and why the compound alone is never the whole story * How to evaluate a retreat, a facilitator, or an experience using Linden's five-part Reveal Method: screening, set, setting, support, and sustainability * The intersection of psychedelics and GLP-1 medications, including what is and is not yet known about interactions and timing * The ethical and cultural concerns around ibogaine, biopiracy, and what happens when pharmaceutical companies enter sacred spaces * Red flags to watch for in a commercializing marketplace, from Instagram-polished retreat brochures to untested compounds sold in smoke shops A Note from Victoria As a licensed pharmacist and certified menopause practitioner, I brought a lot of questions to this conversation, including ones about drug interactions, scheduling law, and what informed consent actually looks like in practice. Linden met every one of them with honesty. This episode is not medical advice, and we are both clear on that throughout. But it is the kind of informed, grounded conversation that I believe midlife women deserve access to, especially as the research and policy landscape continues to shift. Resources and Links * Linden Schaffer's website and one-to-one coaching: http://revealcommunity.world/revealcommunity.world [http://revealcommunity.world/] * Reveal Community on TikTok (live education, Q&A, and community building) * Linden's online courses: microdosing and large-dose experience preparation * Global Psychedelic Society * MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) LET'S KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the http://victoriabyrd.substack.com/Women Mastering Midlife Community [http://victoriabyrd.substack.com/] and let's grow stronger together. Get your FREE guides HERE: https://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguideswww.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides [https://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides] Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us http://www.instagram.com/msvictoriabyrd@misvictoriabyrd [http://www.instagram.com/msvictoriabyrd]. Let's rewrite the narrative together! Find more information on our website: https://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/www.womenmasteringmidlife.com [https://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/] Book a FREE http://www.msvictoriabyrd.com/booknow1:1 discovery call [http://www.msvictoriabyrd.com/booknow] to learn more about coaching programs and courses. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice. Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. Women Mastering Midlife is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

105. Peptides Explained: What Midlife Women Need to Know About GLP-1s, Compounding, and Clinical Safety with Dr. Jill White, PharmD

The word "peptides" is everywhere right now, from your Instagram feed to your doctor's waiting room. But for most women, the information circulating online ranges from genuinely promising science to marketing that moves well ahead of the evidence. In this episode, Victoria sits down with Dr. Jill White, PharmD, a pharmacist with deep expertise in peptide therapy, to have the kind of grounded, evidence-based conversation the topic actually deserves. This is not a conversation about quick fixes or anti-aging trends. It is a conversation about biology, clinical decision-making, and how to ask the right questions of the people who are caring for you. What You'll Learn in This Episode: * The basics of peptide science * Why peptides are not new * The GLP-1 story * Compounded vs. FDA-approved medications * Who is and is not a good candidate for GLP-1 therapy * Why muscle preservation matters more than the number on the scale * Injectable vs. oral peptides * Other peptides worth knowing about * How to vet a provider * Why prescription-sourced compounds matter About Dr. Jill White, PharmD Dr. Jill White is a licensed pharmacist and peptide educator who works with both healthcare practitioners and individual clients. She offers a high-touch, one-on-one GLP-1 mentorship program for women and a group-based peptide membership that helps clients build personalized peptide protocols using prescription-sourced compounds. She also provides dedicated pharmacist training in this emerging space. Connect with Dr. Jill White: GLP-1 mentorship for women (one-on-one): www.JillWhiteCoaching.com [http://www.jillwhitecoaching.com/] Personalized peptide protocol membership: www.peptidemembership.com [http://www.peptidemembership.com/] Use promo code VICTORIA25 at peptidemembership.com to save 25% on your membership fee. Let's Keep the Conversation Going If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community [http://victoriabyrd.substack.com/] and let's grow stronger together. Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides [https://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides] Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @misvictoriabyrd [http://www.instagram.com/msvictoriabyrd]. Let's rewrite the narrative together! Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com [https://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/] Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call [http://www.msvictoriabyrd.com/booknow] to learn more about coaching programs and courses. Disclaimer This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice. Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. Women Mastering Midlife is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

104. Why High-Performing Women Feel Exhausted: The Hidden Systems Failing Midlife Women

What if the problem isn’t you? In this powerful conversation, Victoria sits down with clinical psychologist and founder of Risewell Performance Consulting, Dr. Sachi Horback, to unpack why so many high-performing women in midlife feel exhausted, overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, and unable to “push through” the way they once could. Together, they explore the hidden systems failing women in midlife — from workplace expectations and invisible labor to hormonal transitions, decision fatigue, identity shifts, and chronic over-capacity living. Dr. Horback explains why burnout is often misidentified, why “mindset” and productivity hacks are not enough, and how high-achieving women have been conditioned to internalize structural problems as personal failures. This episode is for the woman who feels like she is doing everything right and still feels depleted. Inside this episode, we discuss: * Why high-performing women are not failing — the systems around them are * The difference between burnout and chronic capacity overload * How identity suppression impacts women’s performance and well-being * Why midlife creates a “perfect storm” of hormonal, emotional, cognitive, and professional demands * The hidden effects of decision fatigue and invisible labor * Why women often mistake capacity depletion for imposter syndrome * The concept of “pressure loading” and how it silently drains energy reserves * How structured recovery differs from traditional “self-care” * Why pushing harder is not the solution for midlife women * What sustainable performance actually looks like for women in this season of life Key Takeaway: “You are not broken. Your system is overloaded.” This conversation offers a deeply validating and practical reframe for women navigating career demands, caregiving, hormonal changes, leadership roles, and the invisible emotional labor that often comes with midlife. Connect with Dr. Sachi Horback: Website: Risewell Performance Consulting [https://www.risewellperformance.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Let’s Keep the Conversation Going: If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community [http://victoriabyrd.substack.com] and let’s grow stronger together. Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides  [http://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides] Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @misvictoriabyrd [http://www.instagram.com/msvictoriabyrd] Let’s rewrite the narrative together!   Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com [http://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com]  Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call [http://www.msvictoriabyrd.com/booknow] to learn more about coaching programs and courses  Disclaimer   This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.   Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

103. The Menopause Industrial Complex: How to Navigate Misinformation, Supplements, and Midlife Health with Confidence

Menopause is finally getting the attention it deserves—but with increased visibility comes a new challenge: navigating a rapidly growing industry filled with conflicting advice, products, and voices competing for your trust. In this episode of Women Mastering Midlife, Victoria Byrd, Pharmacist Consultant, Integrative Women’s Health Coach, and Certified Menopause Educator, takes a thoughtful and evidence-informed look at what she calls the “menopause industrial complex.” She breaks down how this evolving landscape impacts midlife women—and how to move through it with clarity, confidence, and discernment. Drawing from her clinical background and years of experience in women’s health, Victoria explores the intersection of social media, supplements, physician influencers, and modern healthcare systems. She also offers a grounded framework to help you filter information, avoid unnecessary spending, and focus on what truly supports your health during perimenopause and menopause. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * What the “menopause industrial complex” is and why it matters * Why increased awareness does not always equal accurate information * How social media algorithms influence the health advice you see * The truth about menopause supplements, hormone “balance,” and product marketing * How to evaluate influencers, clinicians, and medical advice online * The hidden costs of traditional insurance-based menopause care * When cash-pay menopause care may offer value—and when it may not * A practical framework to assess credibility, research, and bias * Why nuance, not absolutes, is essential in menopause care * The foundational role of hormone therapy, including when it is appropriate * The Five Pillars of Midlife Health Resources & Next Steps Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on Substack [http://victoriabyrd.substack.com] for deeper clinical insights and ongoing conversations Book a Midlife Mastery Clarity Session [http://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/booknow] for a personalized, one-on-one approach to your menopause journey Let’s Keep the Conversation Going: If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community [http://victoriabyrd.substack.com] and let’s grow stronger together. Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides  [http://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides] Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @misvictoriabyrd [http://www.instagram.com/msvictoriabyrd] Let’s rewrite the narrative together!   Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com [http://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com]  Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call [http://www.msvictoriabyrd.com/booknow] to learn more about coaching programs and courses  Disclaimer   This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.   Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

102. Menopause in the Workplace: Why Women Are Leaving Careers and What Needs to Change with Karissa Pfeffer

What if the reason so many high-performing women are burning out, stepping back, or leaving their careers has nothing to do with ambition and everything to do with hormones? In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Victoria Byrd sits down with menopause-in-the-workplace advocate Karissa Pfeffer to unpack the real impact of perimenopause and menopause on women’s careers, leadership, and well-being. Together, they explore the invisible challenges women face in corporate environments, why menopause is still overlooked in workplace policy, and how education, not overhaul, is the first step toward meaningful change. This episode goes far beyond hot flashes. It dives into brain fog, burnout, anxiety, performance issues, and the systemic gaps that are quietly costing companies talent, money, and leadership. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * Why 1 in 10 women leave the workforce due to menopause symptoms * The connection between perimenopause, burnout, and misdiagnosis * How hormonal changes impact focus, leadership, and productivity * Why menopause is not a “wellness perk” but a critical HR and retention issue * The financial cost to companies when experienced women leave * Why women hesitate to speak up about symptoms at work * The difference between perimenopause vs. menopause awareness * How workplace culture can either support or silence midlife women * Simple, low-cost ways companies can start supporting women now * The role of education in reducing healthcare costs and improving retention Why This Conversation Matters: We are the first generation openly talking about perimenopause while still actively building careers, raising families, and leading organizations. And as Victoria shares, this is about more than us, it is about changing the experience for the next generation of women. Connect with Karissa Pfeffer: Learn more about workplace menopause education and how to bring this conversation into your organization: * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karissa-pfeffer/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/perimenopausepower/] * Website [http://www.perimenopause-power.com] Let’s Keep the Conversation Going: If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence. Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community [https://women-mastering-midlife-community.circle.so/checkout/founding-membership] and let’s grow stronger together. Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides  [http://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides] Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @misvictoriabyrd [http://www.instagram.com/msvictoriabyrd] Let’s rewrite the narrative together!   Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com [http://www.womenmasteringmidlife.com]  Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call [http://www.msvictoriabyrd.com/booknow] to learn more about coaching programs and courses  Disclaimer   This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.   Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.