Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow ™

In a world where human sexuality often remains shrouded in silence and misinformation, I had the incredible opportunity to engage in a thought-provoking conversation with the esteemed Dr. Jolene Brighton!  Renowned as a hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and thought leader in women's medicine, Dr. Brighton's expertise spans multiple disciplines, including naturopathic endocrinology and clinical sexology. With her recent book, Is This Normal, she offers a non-judgmental guide to achieving hormone balance, eliminating unwanted symptoms, and nurturing the sexual desire we all crave.  In this enlightening discussion, we explore the cultural factors fueling ignorance around sexuality, the origins of hormone imbalances, the significant impact of lifestyle choices on our hormones, and the often-overlooked role of detoxification. We also delve into the profound implications of oral contraceptives and synthetic hormones on our health and intriguing topics such as PCOS, PMDD, and PMS.  With so many questions to explore, this is the first in a series of two podcasts that promise to provide invaluable insights for women at every stage of life. Join me as we embark on this journey to unravel the mysteries of our bodies and empower ourselves with knowledge from Dr. Jolene Brighton's remarkable book, Is This Normal?. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How shame impacts the libido and sexuality of women. Why sex education should include the concept of consent. The impact of coming off oral contraceptives. Changing the narrative for all women. Why do women need more time to get aroused? The mind-body connection. How hormones and menopause influence women’s sexuality. Everything we do in our 20s and 30s affects our transition into perimenopause and beyond. How to avoid endocrine disruptors. Dr. Brighten discusses her 28-day detox program. Some important differentiators between PMS and PMDD. Bio: Dr. Jolene Brighten Dr. Jolene Brighten is a hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and thought leader in women’s medicine. She is board-certified in naturopathic endocrinology and trained in clinical sexology. Dr. Brighten is the author of Is This Normal, a non-judgmental guide to creating hormone balance, eliminating unwanted symptoms, and building the sexual desire you crave. A fierce patient advocate, Dr. Brighten is completely dedicated to uncovering the root cause of hormonal imbalances. She empowers women worldwide to take control of their health and hormones through her website and social media channels. Dr. Brighten is an international speaker, clinical educator, and medical advisor within the tech community. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on ⁠Twitter ⁠Instagram ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Check out Cynthia’s ⁠website⁠ Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten On her ⁠website⁠ Find Dr. Brighton on social media: @Dr. Jolene Brighten Order your copy of⁠ Is This Normal⁠ Dr. Brighten’s ⁠digital cookbook⁠ 

Jaclyn 'Jackie' Piasta, a Vanderbilt-trained nurse practitioner and women’s health expert, shares vital insights on menopause and hormone replacement therapy. She discusses the importance of personalized treatment, highlighting the challenges healthcare providers face in staying informed. Jackie also sheds light on the historical stigma around oral estrogen and the necessity for improved education on hormone therapies. Furthermore, she emphasizes proactive management of vaginal, urinary, and sexual health symptoms during menopause, making this conversation a must-listen for women navigating this phase.

I am honored to speak with Dr. John Demartini today. He is an international speaker, philosopher, and bestselling author who founded the Demartini Method, a revolutionary tool in modern psychology.  In our discussion, we break down the anatomy and physiology of self-regulation, examining the impact of trauma and perception, and how to reframe those experiences. We explore dissociation, the moral licensing effect, moral hypocrisy, and how delusion can disempower us. We also dive into the power of prioritization, the role of values, and what it truly means to live authentically. You will love today's valuable, thought-provoking, and insightful conversation with Dr. Demartini. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Demartini explains self-regulation The importance of being accountable, self-regulated, and living by your highest values  Ways we can transform trauma by changing our perceptions and attitudes How the brain creates anti-memories to balance traumatic experiences The freeze response and dissociation as survival mechanisms How the moral licensing effect relates to shame and pride Why we must compare our actions with our highest values rather than comparing ourselves with others Living more authentically Dr. Demartini has an exercise on his website to help identify your highest values and prioritize your actions. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. John Demartini On his website

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, a pediatric mental health expert and host of "It’s Gonna Be OK!", returns to discuss the mental health landscape. She explores myo-inositol's role in mood disorders, its link to gut health via the vagus nerve, and stresses the importance of magnesium. The conversation covers coping strategies for OCD and anxiety, empowering families with knowledge, and the impact of trauma on mental well-being. Dr. Roseann emphasizes small lifestyle changes for improvement, promising a holistic approach to mental health.

Dr. Amy Killen, a board-certified physician and expert in bioidentical hormones, joins the discussion highlighting crucial insights for women navigating midlife. She explains the significance of progesterone sensitivity and how estrogen plays a vital role in longevity and heart health. The conversation delves into the impact of hormonal therapies on cognitive function and bone density. Dr. Killen also addresses common misconceptions about oral estrogen and offers practical advice for managing menopause symptoms, including hair loss and effective supplementation strategies.

In a compelling discussion, James Kimmel Jr., a Yale psychiatry lecturer and founder of the Yale Collaborative for Motive Control Studies, uncovers the intricate science of revenge. He explains how revenge impacts the brain and highlights the connection between psychological harm and revenge cravings. James delves into why some individuals are more prone to revenge-driven behaviors and offers insights on overcoming these impulses through forgiveness. He also addresses the role of social media in fueling revenge addiction, presenting valuable interventions for healing.

Louisa Nicola, a neuroscience expert and athleticism advocate, shares her fascinating insights on brain health. She reveals the three pillars for peak performance, emphasizing the critical role of sleep and its effect on the glymphatic system. Louisa explains how perimenopause affects cognitive function, while also debunking common myths about alcohol and its impact on sleep. Listeners will discover powerful strategies for managing jet lag, optimizing nutrition for brain health, and the vital connection between exercise and cognitive performance.

Today, I am thrilled to connect with Charles Piller, an award-winning investigative journalist for Science magazine whose work has also appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Sacramento Bee, and other major publications. Charles is the author of Doctored, and he has been honored with several national journalism awards. In our fascinating conversation, we dive into the trajectory of Alzheimer’s from its early framing as a diagnosis to its modern-day research landscape. We explore the concept of publish or perish within academic research, and we examine the dominant amyloid hypothesis, the forces shaping scientific narratives, and the role of institutions like the FDA, NIH, and research publishing in influencing research priorities. Charles shares his insights on the impact of falsified data and the broader implications for scientific integrity of the doctored images published in Nature in 2006. We also tackle the importance of lifestyle and risk factor modification in preventing neurocognitive decline.  You will not want to miss this compelling conversation with Charles Piller. His book is a gripping must-read on the fraud, arrogance, and tragedy in the quest to cure Alzheimer’s. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How Alzheimer’s impacts our society and affects the caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s  Charles gives a historical overview of Alzheimer's Some typical symptoms of Alzheimer's How the amyloid cascade hypothesis led to the development of drugs that removed amyloid from the brain but failed to halt or reverse dementia How doctored images can support experimental hypotheses and influence research  Charles highlights the need for more accountability within the scientific field.   How pressure to publish and perverse incentives have influenced Alzheimer’s research Why ethical concerns matter when developing potentially hazardous drugs with limited benefits Charles shares the potential benefits of GLP-1s for cognitive decline. Why a multi-factorial approach to understanding and treating Alzheimer's is essential Charles highlights the importance of self-criticism and humility within the scientific community. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Charles Piller On his website 

Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon from Duke, shares crucial insights on joint and bone health for women aged 40 and up. She discusses the spike in joint pain during menopause, the benefits of hormone therapy, and targeted supplements like curcumin and collagen. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of early DEXA scans and the vital role of exercise in maintaining bone density. Dr. Wittstein also touches on the impact of GLP-1 medications and the importance of personalized health strategies to combat osteoporosis and enhance overall wellness.

Dr. Alessandra Zonari, Co-Founder & CSO of OneSkin, combines her passion for longevity and skin regeneration with scientific expertise. She discusses how OneSkin, an all-female team, is challenging traditional skincare norms. Dr. Zonari reveals how their innovative peptide can reverse biological aging in just five days and how hormonal changes during menopause can impact skin health. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions in skincare and the significance of adapting routines to protect against inflammation and aging.