For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Susan Domchek joins the show to talk about the importance of knowing your genetic history, using genetic testing to understand cancer risk, and what you can do if you learn that you have BRCA gene mutation.

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Basser Center for BRCA

National Society of Genetic Counselors

National Comprehensive Cancer Network

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Susan Domchek joins the show to talk about the importance of knowing your genetic history, using genetic testing to understand cancer risk, and what you can do if you learn that you have BRCA gene mutation.
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://www.basser.org/">Basser Center for BRCA</a>
<a href="https://findageneticcounselor.nsgc.org/?__hstc=11360235.2d21a4bdeabc3c6d59a635c81fe8d5c0.1760737666884.1760737666884.1760737666884.1&amp;__hssc=11360235.1.1760737666884&amp;__hsfp=1958342796&amp;reload=timezone">National Society of Genetic Counselors</a>
<a href="https://www.nccn.org/">National Comprehensive Cancer Network</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women’s health & gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women’s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.

Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women’s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife—from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.

Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health—now and for the future—with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive. 

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women&rsquo;s health &amp; gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women&rsquo;s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.
Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women&rsquo;s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife&mdash;from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.
Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health&mdash;now and for the future&mdash;with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive.&nbsp;

Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

Decoding Genetic Cancer Risk with Dr. Susan Domchek

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8a3fcb91-13d5-4701-b767-b37c0177c713/transcript

What if we reframed the way we approach exercise? On today’s show, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor is joined by Robert Brace - founder of Brace Life Studios. He’s also Elizabeth’s trainer. They discuss how he tailors his workouts to women in midlife, the benefits of exercising in a group and how movement and exercise connect to our mental and spiritual well-being. Robert also gives advice about how to approach training at different hormonal cycle phases, and ways to get started, even when it feels tough. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Robert Brace’s Studio

Martial arts increase oxytocin production

Systematic review: pain, cognition, and cardioprotection—unpacking oxytocin’s contributions in a sport context

Bidirectional Association between Physical Activity and Dopamine Across Adulthood—A Systematic Review

Embodied mood regulation: the impact of body posture on mood recovery, negative thoughts, and mood-congruent recall

Bone mineral density loss in relation to the final menstrual period in a multiethnic cohort: results from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise

Menstrual cycle tracker apps – Natural Cycles, Flo and Apple Health 

Exercise platforms/apps – Nike Training, TheBraceLife.com 

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

What if we reframed the way we approach exercise? On today&rsquo;s show, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor is joined by Robert Brace - founder of Brace Life Studios. He&rsquo;s also Elizabeth&rsquo;s trainer. They discuss how he tailors his workouts to women in midlife, the benefits of exercising in a group and how movement and exercise connect to our mental and spiritual well-being. Robert also gives advice about how to approach training at different hormonal cycle phases, and ways to get started, even when it feels tough.&nbsp;
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="http://BraceLifeStudios.com">Robert Brace&rsquo;s Studio</a>
<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-49620-0">Martial arts increase oxytocin production</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11194439/">Systematic review: pain, cognition, and cardioprotection&mdash;unpacking oxytocin&rsquo;s contributions in a sport context</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8301978/">Bidirectional Association between Physical Activity and Dopamine Across Adulthood&mdash;A Systematic Review</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27626675/">Embodied mood regulation: the impact of body posture on mood recovery, negative thoughts, and mood-congruent recall</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21976317/">Bone mineral density loss in relation to the final menstrual period in a multiethnic cohort: results from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21694556/">American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise</a>
Menstrual cycle tracker apps &ndash; <a href="https://www.naturalcycles.com/">Natural Cycles</a>, <a href="https://flo.health/">Flo</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.apple.com/health/">Apple Health</a>&nbsp;
Exercise platforms/apps &ndash; <a href="https://www.nike.com/ntc-app">Nike Training</a>, <a href="http://thebracelife.com/">TheBraceLife.com</a>&nbsp;
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding Exercise Physiology with Robert Brace

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2b2b01f4-d6bb-4400-a707-b3d0017a8e50/transcript

Midlife can be a period of immense change and, sometimes, challenging emotions. But it’s also an opportunity to cultivate deeper, more lasting happiness. In today’s episode, Dr. Laurie Santos — renowned psychologist, happiness expert, and host of The Happiness Lab — shares insights on how midlife women can thrive. She breaks down the components of happiness, explains why we’re often mistaken about what makes us happy, and provides practical tools and habits to boost wellbeing, manage negative emotions, and navigate burnout. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

World Happiness Report

University of Michigan’s Healthy Minds Study

Is happiness U-shaped everywhere? Age and subjective well-being in 145 countries

A Global Flourishing Study Finds That Young Adults, Well, Aren’t

Signature Strengths Test

RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Midlife can be a period of immense change and, sometimes, challenging emotions. But it&rsquo;s also an opportunity to cultivate deeper, more lasting happiness. In today&rsquo;s episode, Dr. Laurie Santos &mdash; renowned psychologist, happiness expert, and host of The Happiness Lab &mdash; shares insights on how midlife women can thrive. She breaks down the components of happiness, explains why we&rsquo;re often mistaken about what makes us happy, and provides practical tools and habits to boost wellbeing, manage negative emotions, and navigate burnout. 
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://www.worldhappiness.report/ed/2024/">World Happiness Report</a>
<a href="https://healthymindsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2024-2025_HMS-National-Data-Report_Student.pdf">University of Michigan&rsquo;s Healthy Minds Study</a>
<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00148-020-00797-z">Is happiness U-shaped everywhere? Age and subjective well-being in 145 countries</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/30/well/mind/happiness-flourishing-young-adult-study.html">A Global Flourishing Study Finds That Young Adults, Well, Aren&rsquo;t</a>
<a href="https://www.viacharacter.org/account/register">Signature Strengths Test</a>
<a href="https://www.tarabrach.com/rain/">RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture</a>
<a href="https://www.drlauriesantos.com/happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos-podcast">The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding Happiness in Midlife with Dr. Laurie Santos

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2e583987-7340-43f0-a3d1-b3bc01450265/transcript

GLP-1s are everywhere. But are they the only medical weight loss intervention worth considering? On today’s episode, Dr. George Fielding - a pioneer of laparoscopic adjustable band surgery and a patient of the procedure himself - offers an insider’s look at the world of weight loss surgeries. How do these surgeries work? Who are they really for? And how should we think about them alongside the surge of GLP-1 medications? We also dig into the stigmas people face when trying to lose weight with medical support, and the biggest misconceptions around obesity. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Genomics reveals eleven obesity endotypes with distinct biological and phenotypic signatures

Obesity Drugs May Drop to as Little as $149 a Month

The lung is a site of platelet biogenesis and a reservoir for haematopoietic progenitors

Associations of Hysterectomy, Oophorectomy, and Hormone Replacement Therapy With the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Postmenopausal Women

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

GLP-1s are everywhere. But are they the only medical weight loss intervention worth considering? On today&rsquo;s episode, Dr. George Fielding - a pioneer of laparoscopic adjustable band surgery and a patient of the procedure himself - offers an insider&rsquo;s look at the world of weight loss surgeries. How do these surgeries work? Who are they really for? And how should we think about them alongside the surge of GLP-1 medications? We also dig into the stigmas people face when trying to lose weight with medical support, and the biggest misconceptions around obesity. Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40630572/">Genomics reveals eleven obesity endotypes with distinct biological and phenotypic signatures</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/health/obesity-drug-prices-trump.html">Obesity Drugs May Drop to as Little as $149 a Month</a>
<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature21706">The lung is a site of platelet biogenesis and a reservoir for haematopoietic progenitors</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40255188/">Associations of Hysterectomy, Oophorectomy, and Hormone Replacement Therapy With the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Postmenopausal Women</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding Medical Weight Loss with Dr. George Fielding

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/af1fdc0f-a8a9-400f-8e26-b3b40167ae90/transcript

Decoding Genetic Cancer Risk with Dr. Susan Domchek

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Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

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