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

Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue fell in love on live television and wed over 40 years ago. Eavesdrop as they visit the homes of famous long-marrieds for intimate conversations about enduring love and all its challenges: family, career, conflict, addiction, illness, jealousy — everything that binds couples together or can break them apart.With lots of laughs around the coffee table, we hear private takes, internal struggles and hilarious anecdotes from the likes of Viola Davis & Julius Tennon; Sting & Trudie Styler; Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka; Ray & Anna Romano; John McEnroe & Patty Smyth; Ten Danson & Mary Steenburgen; Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos; Bob Woodward & Elsa Walsh; Rodney & Holly Robinson Peete; George Stephanopoulos & Ali Wentworth; Patricia Cornwell & Staci Gruber; Judges Judy & Jerry Sheindlin; Dr. Sanjay & Rebecca Gupta; President Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter; John & Justine Leguizamo; David & Mary Boies; Bryan Cranston & Robin Dearden; Jesse & Jacqueline Jackson; Rob & Michele Reiner; and Michael J. Fox & Tracy Pollan.iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.

Double Date with Marlo Thomas & Phil Donahue

We’ve talked a lot on this show about health issues midlife women face. But what about the other people who often have a front-row seat to these changes, and can play a key supporting role? This week, a conversation about supporting a partner who’s going through menopause—with none other than Elizabeth’s own partner: Dr. Richard Shapiro (who also happens to be a pioneering breast cancer and melanoma researcher and surgeon). They talk about the ways they’ve navigated midlife changes in their relationship, common misconceptions about taking hormones, and impacts menopause can have on relationships, as well as give advice for how both partners and clinicians can better support women experiencing menopause. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode: 

(00:01:38) Dr. Elizabeth Poynor on Rich Roll’s podcast

Menopausal Hormone Therapy and the Risk of Breast Cancer in Women with a Pathogenic Variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2

The Menopause Society

8 facts about divorce in the United States

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.

We&rsquo;ve talked a lot on this show about health issues midlife women face. But what about the other people who often have a front-row seat to these changes, and can play a key supporting role? This week, a conversation about supporting a partner who&rsquo;s going through menopause&mdash;with none other than Elizabeth&rsquo;s own partner: Dr. Richard Shapiro (who also happens to be a pioneering breast cancer and melanoma researcher and surgeon). They talk about the ways they&rsquo;ve navigated midlife changes in their relationship, common misconceptions about taking hormones, and impacts menopause can have on relationships, as well as give advice for how both partners and clinicians can better support women experiencing menopause.&nbsp;
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:&nbsp;
(00:01:38) <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decoding-womens-health-dr-elizabeth-poynor-on-midlife/id582272991?i=1000746675611">Dr. Elizabeth Poynor on Rich Roll&rsquo;s podcast</a>
<a href="https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/21392/presentation/112">Menopausal Hormone Therapy and the Risk of Breast Cancer in Women with a Pathogenic Variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2</a>
<a href="https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx">The Menopause Society</a>
<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/10/16/8-facts-about-divorce-in-the-united-states/">8 facts about divorce in the United States</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 Partnership in Midlife with Dr. Richard Shapiro

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d0f84197-d15e-48db-8b42-b3ed0004c1c5/transcript

What if psychedelics could transform the way we treat trauma, chronic pain, and insomnia? This week, neuroscientist and psychedelic researcher Grace Blest-Hopley joins the show to break down the research on psychedelics and female biology. She discusses how psychedelics work in the brain, and the ways that psychedelic-assisted therapies might be beneficial for women in midlife.

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Hystelica’s resources on psychedelic retreats

The Heroic Hearts Project

Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review Unraveling the Biological Underpinnings of Psychedelics

Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Psychedelics Administered to Military Veterans in Naturalistic Retreat Settings

The acute effects of classic psychedelics on memory in humans

Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up

Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression

Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial

Johns Hopkins study on psychedelics and Alzheimer’s

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 psychedelics could transform the way we treat trauma, chronic pain, and insomnia? This week, neuroscientist and psychedelic researcher Grace Blest-Hopley joins the show to break down the research on psychedelics and female biology. She discusses how psychedelics work in the brain, and the ways that psychedelic-assisted therapies might be beneficial for women in midlife.
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://hystelica.com/retreats/">Hystelica&rsquo;s resources on psychedelic retreats</a>
<a href="https://heroicheartsproject.org/about/hhp-research/">The Heroic Hearts Project</a>
<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.724606/full">Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review Unraveling the Biological Underpinnings of Psychedelics</a>
<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/brb3.70660">Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Psychedelics Administered to Military Veterans in Naturalistic Retreat Settings</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33420592/">The acute effects of classic psychedelics on memory in humans</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29119217/">Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up</a>
<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206443">Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5367557/">Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial</a>
<a href="https://hopkinspsychedelic.org/alzheimers">Johns Hopkins study on psychedelics and Alzheimer&rsquo;s</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 Psychedelics with Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5547c041-3d10-4ea0-a533-b3de01704984/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

Decoding Genetic Cancer Risk with Dr. Susan Domchek

Double Date with Marlo Thomas & Phil Donahue

In 1 playlist(s)

Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips