The Dr. Brighten Show

Dr. Agnes K. Simone, a board-certified psychiatrist focused on women’s mental health, and Annika Joya, an ADHD nutrition researcher, explore how hormones shape ADHD in women. They discuss cycle-related focus changes, medication response, PMDD versus PME, masking and late diagnosis, nutrition, and why perimenopause can disrupt memory, mood, sleep, and executive function.

Leann Borneman, ADHD-focused psychotherapist and clinical sexologist; Ann-Louise Lockhart, pediatric psychologist; and Agnes Kwon Simone, psychiatrist specializing in women’s mental health, explore how ADHD can hide behind achievement. They discuss masking, uneven attention, emotional dysregulation, bias, and why quick screeners miss complex cases. The conversation also covers thorough evaluations, conditions that mimic ADHD, and advocating for support.

An insightful AMA explores why endometriosis and adenomyosis can intensify during perimenopause, along with the roles of inflammation, progesterone resistance, and shifting hormones. Topics include using HRT safely, alternatives to long-term progestins, natural support, surgery and ovarian preservation, fibroid treatments, fertility considerations, and concerns surrounding Lupron.

Alex Partridge, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and ADHD awareness advocate, explores why rejection can feel overwhelming with ADHD. He discusses childhood criticism, masking, identity, emotional triggers, catastrophic thinking, people-pleasing, and rebuilding self-trust. The conversation also covers entrepreneurship, addiction, relationship repair, and protecting ADHD strengths such as creativity, intuition, and unconventional thinking.

Cellular aging may be happening faster than your chronological age suggests—and in this episode, Dr. Will Cole explains what can accelerate it, what mitochondrial dysfunction can actually feel like, and what may help protect your healthspan; view the full show notes at https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/cellular-aging/. We break down the science of biological age, organ aging, inflammation, metabolic health, circadian rhythms, nutrition, movement, and practical longevity strategies you can actually use. IN THIS EPISODE Why people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s may be experiencing accelerated cellular aging How your heart, brain, kidneys, and other organs can age at different rates Why brain fog, fatigue, feeling wired-but-tired, and anxiety with exhaustion may be clues worth paying attention to How inflammation and “cellular confusion” may affect mitochondrial function and aging Which metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory markers Dr. Cole considers clinically meaningful How environmental toxins, microplastics, PFAS, stress, trauma, food, and artificial light may influence cellular health The surprising conversation around nature, bird song, spirituality, community, and longevity Why light exposure can disrupt more than sleep—your organs have their own cellular clocks Why fatigue in women, including women with endometriosis, deserves to be taken seriously How fasting, green tea, polyphenols, and meal timing fit into the longevity conversation How to build a longevity-supportive plate without following a rigid wellness diet Why a 10–15 minute walk after dinner may be one of the simplest metabolic tools available Zone 2, REHIT, strength training, sauna, cold exposure, and mobility—what may actually be worth your time And how to support healthier aging without turning wellness into a full-time job ABOUT DR. WILL COLE Dr. Will Cole is a functional medicine expert, New York Times bestselling author, and an early pioneer in functional medicine telehealth. In this conversation, he shares concepts from his newest book, Heal Your Cells, and explains the clinical lens he uses to think about inflammation, mitochondrial health, metabolic health, and longevity. 🌐 Dr. Will Cole: https://drwillcole.com 📘 Heal Your Cells: https://healyourcells.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/drwillcole CONNECT WITH DR. JOLENE BRIGHTEN💛 🌐 Dr. Brighten: https://drbrighten.com 🎙️ The Dr. Brighten Show: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrBrighten 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjolenebrighten 📌 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drjolenebrighten THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ✨ Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrighten.com 🏷️ Use code POD15 where applicable. 📚 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 📘 Heal Your Cells by Dr. Will Cole: https://healyourcells.com 🌐 Dr. Will Cole’s website + resources: https://drwillcole.com 🎙️ More episodes of The Dr. Brighten Show: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts ❤️ SUPPORT THE SHOW 👍 LIKE this episode if it gave you a new way to think about aging and cellular health. 💬 COMMENT below: What is one longevity habit you’re actually willing to start this week? 📤 SHARE this episode with someone who is constantly tired, dealing with brain fog, or wants to protect their health for the long term. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to The Dr. Brighten Show for evidence-informed conversations about women’s health, hormones, brain health, metabolism, longevity, and the science that helps you better understand your body. ⚕️ This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Always discuss changes to your medications, supplements, fasting practices, or treatment plan with your healthcare professional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An AMA explores why perimenopause symptoms can feel intense even when lab results look normal. Topics include tracking ovulation, progesterone shifts, hormone testing, birth control versus HRT, Mirena, cyclic or continuous progesterone, estradiol and testosterone therapy, primary ovarian insufficiency, fertility awareness, exercise recovery, and the often-overlooked benefits of life after menopause.

An AMA explores why endometriosis and adenomyosis pain can persist after treatment, how copper IUDs may fuel inflammation, and how hormones shape cycle-related symptoms. Topics also include central sensitization, vagal function, histamine, prostaglandins, omega-3 supplements, gluten tolerance, MTHFR vitamins, nutrition guidance, and advocacy for better women’s healthcare.

Rich Pink, co-founder of ADHD Love and podcaster who speaks about autism, ADHD, relationships, and recovery, and Rox Pink, musician and co-creator of ADHD Love who shares lived experience with late-diagnosed ADHD, discuss late-diagnosis, masking, assessment challenges, perimenopause and HRT, relationship dynamics, and practical communication and accommodation strategies.

Endometriosis inflammation may have implications far beyond pelvic pain, including associations with cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, and long-term health risks. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten explains what the research actually shows, why a normal CRP doesn’t necessarily rule out inflammation, and what women and clinicians should understand about endometriosis as a whole-body disease. View the complete show notes at Dr. Brighten: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/endometriosis-inflammation/ Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation ⁠⁠http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen What You'll Learn in This Episode Why endometriosis is about much more than misplaced tissue or retrograde menstruation How immune dysregulation and inflammatory cytokines may contribute to the endometriosis environment Why normal CRP or hs-CRP doesn't necessarily mean inflammation isn't present The important difference between localized, regional, and systemic inflammation How inflammatory signaling, nerve growth, and blood vessel formation may help explain severe pain Why progesterone resistance is an important but often overlooked part of endometriosis biology How lesions may produce estrogen locally and contribute to a self-sustaining inflammatory environment What research suggests about endometriosis and long-term cardiovascular risk How chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and altered hormone signaling could potentially connect endometriosis and cardiovascular health Why the long-term consequences of certain endometriosis treatments deserve consideration alongside their potential benefits Why women with endometriosis are also diagnosed with certain autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases at higher rates Why clinicians shouldn't automatically attribute every new symptom to endometriosis Why cardiovascular and metabolic prevention conversations may need to begin well before midlife Why successful endometriosis care should consider a woman's health trajectory over the next 20–30 years, not simply her pain today 🎧 This Episode Is Brought to You By EndoGlobal Group At EndoGlobal Group, a network of world-class endometriosis specialists comes together to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with complex endometriosis—offering advanced diagnostic mapping, complete excision surgery, and holistic support. Click here to learn more and schedule a free consultation https://drbrighten.com/endoglobal Dr. Brighten Essentials – NAC Dr. Brighten’s N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/n-acetyl-cysteine) is a high-quality formula designed to support glutathione production — your body’s master antioxidant. It helps promote healthy detoxification, immune resilience, respiratory health, and balanced inflammation. Support your cells from the inside out. Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order. Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com LUMEBOX Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands. Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. 🔗 Follow Dr. Brighten 🌐 Dr. Brighten Website & Show Notes: https://drbrighten.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/drjolenebrighten ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten 🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten If this episode changed the way you think about endometriosis, like this video, subscribe to The Dr. Brighten Show, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. 👍 LIKE this episode so YouTube knows you want more evidence-based women's health conversations 🔔 SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next episode 💬 COMMENT: Were you ever told your labs were “normal” despite continuing to experience symptoms? ↗️ SHARE this episode with someone living with endometriosis or adenomyosis ⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or replace individualized medical advice from your healthcare professional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Pejman Katiraei, a pediatrician focused on neuroinflammation, PANS/PANDAS, and mold-related illness, joins to explore hidden environmental and gut drivers of brain inflammation. They talk about how indoor contaminants, food dyes, histamine, and gut signaling can alter behavior and sensory processing. Practical signs to watch for and a clinical roadmap for calming inflammation are highlighted.