

Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Health, and Science for Women 35+
Everyday Wellness™
Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, host of the Everyday Wellness podcast, author and international speaker, with over 15 million views for her second TEDx talk (Intermittent Fasting: Transformational Technique).With over 25 years experience in health and wellness, Cynthia is a globally recognized expert in perimenopause/menopause and intermittent fasting, and has been featured on ABC, FOX5, KTLA, CW, Medium, Entrepreneur, and The Megyn Kelly Show. Her mission is to help empower women to live their most optimal lives in perimenopause and beyond.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 3min
BONUS: Optimizing Mental Health with Myo-Inositol: Evidence-Based Strategies with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge
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.

May 31, 2025 • 53min
Ep. 470 Your Midlife Hormone Survival Guide with Dr. Amy Killen
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.

May 28, 2025 • 60min
Ep. 469 Revenge Addiction: What You Need to Know with James Kimmel Jr., JD
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.

May 26, 2025 • 59min
Bonus: How to Improve Your Brain Health and Performance with Louisa Nicola
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.

May 24, 2025 • 1h 2min
Ep. 468 The Alzheimer’s Research Crisis with Charles Piller
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

14 snips
May 21, 2025 • 1h 7min
Ep. 467 Bone & Joint Health Tips for Women 40+ with Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein
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.

5 snips
May 19, 2025 • 57min
BONUS: Women, Skin & Aging: A New Era of Skincare with Dr. Alessandra Zonari
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.

May 17, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 466 How Toxins Impact Women’s Health at Every Age with Dr. Aly Cohen
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Aly Cohen, a board-certified rheumatologist and expert in environmental health, reveals how environmental toxins disproportionately affect women's health at various life stages. She discusses the inadequacies of current U.S. regulations on chemicals and emphasizes the hidden dangers of contaminated tap water. Dr. Cohen highlights the importance of iodine for detoxification and how noise pollution can impact well-being. Her insights encourage proactive health strategies for women, especially during perimenopause and menopause.

May 14, 2025 • 1h 6min
Ep. 465 Metabolic Health 101: Fat Loss, Toxins, and Seed Oils with Ben Azadi, FDN-P
Today, I am delighted to reconnect with Ben Azadi, a dear friend and a five-time guest. Ben is on a mission to help one billion people live healthier lives. With over 16 years of experience in the health industry, he is the author of four Amazon best-selling books and is about to release his latest book, Metabolic Freedom.
In our discussion today, we dive into why the calories in, calories out approach is deceptive and ineffective for fat loss. We unpack Ben’s life story, looking at the value of purpose and friendship, how toxins can hinder weight loss, and the benefits of eating less frequently for better metabolic health. We also look at the health consequences of consuming seed oils, the metabolic markers we should be advocating for, and what we could do to combat all the misinformation about health and metabolism within the mainstream health and wellness industry.
You will love today’s thought-provoking and insightful discussion with Ben Azadi and may even want to revisit it.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
Why the calories-in, calories-out approach is ineffective for weight loss
Ben shares his weight loss journey, highlighting the connection between gut health and brain function
How environmental toxins disrupt hormone function and lead to insulin resistance and diabetes
Some practical tips for reducing your exposure to environmental toxins
How ketogenic diets and fasting can reduce insulin resistance and inflammation
What is metabolic flexibility?
Ben shares his take on seed oils
Which oils are best to use for cooking?
Being mindful when choosing who to follow and what information to consume
What you will find in Ben’s latest book, Metabolic Freedom
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X
Instagram
LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website
Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com
Connect with Ben Azadi
On his website
Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok
Get a copy of Ben Azadi’s latest book, Metabolic Freedom.

May 12, 2025 • 51min
BONUS: Healing Power of Touch: Exploring Sensory Methods for Health with Dr. Dave Rabin
I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Dave Rabin today. He last joined me for Episode 91 in April of 2020.
Dr. Rabin is a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He is the Co-founder and CMO at Apollo Neuroscience, the first scientifically validated wearable system to improve heart rate variability, focus, and relaxation, and helps attain meditative states. He is also Co-founder and Executive Director of the Board of Medicine and a psychedelic clinical researcher, currently evaluating the mechanism of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and treatment-resistant illness.
Today, we examine the value of touch and sensory techniques, discussing the distinctions between sympathetic and parasympathetic vagal tone in the autonomic nervous system, changes in sex hormones during perimenopause and menopause, and how that impacts sympathetic dominance, the development of stress responses, and the concept of stress leading to personal growth. We explore the influence of the vagus nerve on systemic health, explaining what HRV is and how it can demonstrate bodily coherence, and we also dive into wearable technologies like Apollo, the disruption of psychedelic interventions, and the impact of trauma on physical and mental well-being.
I am confident that you will find today’s engaging discussion with Dr. Dave Rabin eye-opening and enlightening.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
How touch helps us connect, bond, and support our autonomic nervous system
How finding balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems can help us manage stress and anxiety
Techniques for quickly restoring balance to the nervous system
Why women experience more anxiety, depression, and heart arrhythmias during perimenopause
How breathing techniques can improve heart rate variability
The significance of HRV metrics for understanding physical and mental health
How the Apollo device activates a healing response within the body
The potential of MDMA and other psychedelics hold for trauma healing
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X
Instagram
LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website
Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com
Connect with Dr. Dave Rabin
On his website
Apollo
Instagram
X
The Psychedelic Report Podcast
Your Brain Explained Podcast
Previous Episode Mentioned
Ep. 91 – How To Listen To Your Body and DE-STRESS During COVID-19 – with Dr. David Rabin