748. The Power of Women’s Cycles: Embracing Feminine Wisdom in a Male-Dominated World
Feb 25, 2025
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Dr. Kayla Osterhoff, a neuropsychophysiologist specializing in women’s health, joins the conversation to reveal the magic of the female body. She discusses the impact of oxytocin compared to dopamine and how women and men thrive differently in corporate culture. Kayla debunks myths around productivity, highlights the benefits of cycle syncing, and emphasizes the importance of hormonal self-care. The chat covers how embracing women's unique rhythms could transform workplaces and enhance personal well-being while advocating for closing gender gaps in science.
Dr. Kayla Osterhoff emphasizes the need to honor women's unique biological cycles, enhancing health and creativity in a male-centered world.
The podcast highlights systemic gender gaps in medical research, advocating for women's inclusion to improve health outcomes for female-specific needs.
A vision for the future includes embracing diverse leadership styles based on gender differences, fostering collaboration in corporate environments for enhanced productivity.
Deep dives
Generational Perception and Baby Showers
The conversation begins with a humorous critique of how older generations, particularly baby boomers, can often redirect discussions about new projects or experiences back to themselves. A recent baby shower serves as a backdrop, highlighting societal norms around such events, particularly the exclusion of men and the awkwardness that often arises. The hosts reflect on their discomfort with certain comments made about pregnant women, showcasing the complexities of navigating generational differences in social settings. The dynamics at play illustrate not only personal relationships but also the age-related biases that affect interactions.
Book Promotion and Personal Reflections
The hosts take the opportunity to promote their upcoming book, sharing that it compiles personal stories and insights gained during their transition from their twenties to thirties. They emphasize the book's potential to guide others who might feel lost or confused during similar transitions in life. While reviewing their past experiences, they recognize a shift toward greater happiness and stability, expressing gratitude for the lessons learned along the way. They encourage listeners to explore these insights for their personal empowerment and growth.
Women’s Health and Gender Disparities
A significant portion of the episode focuses on a discussion about women's health and the existing gender gaps in medical research. They introduce Dr. Kayla Osterhoff, who specializes in understanding how diagnoses related to mental health and neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD and autism are often based on male-centric studies. The hosts explore the implications of this bias on women's health and how a better understanding of women’s unique biological cycles could lead to improved health outcomes. They emphasize the importance of advocacy for women's inclusion in health research and challenge listeners to reflect on health practices that may overlook female-specific needs.
Mental Wellness in the Context of Creativity
The dialogue then shifts to the mental health aspects of creativity, examining how societal expectations can inadvertently stifle women’s creative expression. They suggest that women often hold themselves to unrealistic standards and may compare their productivity to male counterparts, leading to feelings of inadequacy. By recognizing the physiological changes throughout their menstrual cycles, women can learn to honor their own rhythms and needs. This understanding fosters greater compassion toward themselves and reinforces the importance of self-acceptance in achieving personal goals.
The Role of Hormones in Women’s Lives
Further discussions elaborate on how fluctuations in hormones influence energy levels, mood, and overall creativity throughout the menstrual cycle. They detail the distinct phases – menstruation, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal – with insights into how each phase can affect women’s mental and physical health. The conversation encourages women to embrace the cyclic nature of their bodies, allowing for flexibility in their personal and professional lives. This awareness helps combat societal pressures to maintain consistent productivity and performance at all times.
Vision for Future Awareness and Change
The hosts express hope for a future where gender differences in biology and emotional processing are acknowledged and embraced in society. They discuss the importance of fostering environments that support both men and women based on their unique strengths and capacities, particularly in the corporate world. They envision a collaborative landscape where leadership roles include both genders, bringing together diverse perspectives to enhance productivity and well-being. The conversation concludes with an acknowledgment that as more people become aware of these issues, positive systemic changes can occur, benefiting future generations.
In this episode, Dr. Kayla Osterhoff, neuropsychophysiologist and expert in women’s health, joins Lindsey to uncover the magic of the female body. From the gifts of oxytocin to breaking down the phases of the menstrual cycle, learn to honor your natural rhythm in a world designed for men.
Ahead, Kayla unpacks the unique biological strengths of women, debunks myths about productivity, and unveils how men + women inherently thrive in different ways. Plus, discover what the corporate world would be like if it embraced women’s biology + leadership styles.
Learn how to sync with your cycle to boost health, balance hormones, and vibe higher. Whether you're thinking about creating (a dream, a project, or literal life), or curious about the science behind the patriarchy’s design, this chat will evolve your understanding of your incredible body!
We also talk about:
The massive impact of oxytocin vs. dopamine on women + men
Why women succeed differently from men in corporate culture
Dr. Kayla’s take on closing gender gaps in science + health
Cycle syncing myths + hormone friendly workouts
Hormonal self-care staples: balancing sugar, stress, and sex hormones
Why your luteal phase is the best time for neuroplasticity + neurogenesis
The girl-boss burnout era and embracing slower, intuitive creation
Future visions for education + workplace equity around women’s rhythms
Why science is the ultimate flex in understanding yourself