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The Speaking of Women's Health Podcast is excited to bring you credible women's health information from host and Executive Director, Dr. Holly L. Thacker. Dr. Thacker will interview guest clinicians discussing relevant women's health topics and the latest news and tips.
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201 Episodes
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Send a text A drop of blood can change the course of cancer care. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast host Holly Thacker, MD sits down with variant curator Stetson Thacker, PhD to unpack how circulating tumor DNA and tumor‑informed minimal residual disease testing help clinicians see recurrence months before imaging, tailor adjuvant therapy, and track response in real time. Together, they translate complex genomics into clear choices: when a negative MRD result supports de‑escalation, when a p...
Send a text Alpha-lipoic acid gets a lot of buzz, but what does it actually do for your body—and when is it worth taking? Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly L. Thacker takes a clear approach to explain how this unique antioxidant supports energy production, helps your cells handle carbohydrates, and may assist with blood sugar control and nerve comfort in people managing type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. She talks through the science in plain language, then conne...
Send a text Ever stared at a pelvic ultrasound report and felt more confused than reassured? Dr. Holly Thacker breaks down the images, the language, and the decisions behind them with gynecologic imaging expert Dr. Sharon Sutherland, whose day-to-day work focuses on translating patterns into practical care. From the first gel-on-belly scan to transvaginal views and saline infusion sonography, they walk through how each test works, what it shows, and how timing, equipment, and technique chang...
Send a text In this episode, we’re revisiting one of our most popular conversations from Season 2 featuring Dr. Taryn Murray, a board-certified dermatologist known for her practical and science-backed skincare advice. Dr. Murray shared expert insights on how to build a skincare routine that actually works, debunked common myths, and offered tips for achieving healthier skin at any age. We’re replaying this episode as a lead-in to her upcoming return in Season 4, where she’ll be joining us on...
Send a text Tingling toes. A strange electric buzz that won’t let you sleep. We sat down with Dr. John Morren, Director of the Neuromuscular Center at Cleveland Clinic, to unpack what truly drives peripheral neuropathy, how to read the early signs, and which treatments actually help you function and rest again. We trace the most common causes—diabetes and the broader metabolic syndrome—while surfacing underrecognized risks like rapid weight loss, malabsorption after bariatric surgery, chemot...
Send a text We kick off season four by unpacking the most important women’s health developments of 2025 and turning them into simple, confident actions for 2026. From menopausal care finally getting a long-overdue reboot to new tools for mood, pain, and preventive screening, we focus on what’s real, what helps and what to do next. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker walks through timely risks and practical choices: the new data linking long-term Depo-Provera use to meni...
Send a text The holidays don’t have to be a choice between joy and well-being. We invite you into a cozy Christmas Eve conversation that blends candlelight traditions with clear, doable strategies for eating well, staying energized, and sleeping better. From a nourishing breakfast to a colorful plate at dinner, you’ll learn how to slow down and savor your favorites. We also share a one-minute breathing reset to melt stress and a warm, cinnamon baked apples recipe that makes your home smell li...
Send us a text A tiny mineral with a big impact can change how you feel during the day -from steadier energy to clearer thinking and fewer snack attacks. So, what is this important mineral? Chromium, the quiet cofactor that helps your body process carbs, fats, and proteins more efficiently. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly L. Thacker explains why “food first” beats a crowded supplement shelf, and how easy wins—broccoli, green beans, quinoa, lean proteins, dairy, and eve...
Send a text Hot flashes don’t keep a schedule, and neither do lab numbers. We sit down with Dr. Rachel Novik of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Specialized Women’s Health to cut through the noise around perimenopause, menopause, and hormone testing—and focus on what actually helps you feel like yourself again. We talk about why the most reliable “diagnosis” of menopause is still 12 months without a period, and when lab work like estradiol and FSH can be helpful for patients with hormonal IUDs ...
Send a text What if birth control could be your most reliable tool for better cycles, clearer skin, steadier moods, and a smoother perimenopause—whether or not you need pregnancy prevention? Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker sits down with Certified Nurse Practitioner Dana Leslie to map out a smarter, personalized path through contraception, hormone balance, and sexual health that actually fits real life. They also break down the latest in at‑home STI testing. ...
Send a text Perfection is loud during the holidays. Presence is quieter—and far more powerful. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Executive Producer Leigh Klekar sat down with clinical social worker and holistic psychotherapist Marita Pompeani to unpack why this season ratchets up stress and how to find steady ground with simple, science-backed tools you can use anywhere. We talk about expectations and how social media scripts can push us to overspend, overcommit, and overlook our bandwidth....
Send a text The wellness industry thrives on convincing us we need the latest supplements for optimal health. But do those trendy powders and pills pushed by social media influencers actually deliver results? In this eye-opening episode, Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker cuts through the marketing noise surrounding four popular supplements dominating online conversations: Creatine, L-Carnitine, Taurine, and Boron. As Director for the Center for Specialized Women's Hea...
Send a text When family dynamics break down, who protects the bond between grandparents and grandchildren? Attorney Eva Saulnier returns to the Speaking of Women's Health Podcast to tackle this often-overlooked but emotionally charged area of family law. Most grandparents are shocked to discover they have limited legal standing regarding their grandchildren. As Saulnier explains to Host Dr. Holly Thacker, courts maintain a strong preference for parental rights, even when those parents aren't...
Send us a text Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker unpacks what collagen actually is, why production slows with age and menopause, and how to protect and build it with food and daily habits. She weighs the evidence on collagen supplements, shares safety guardrails, and lays out a practical plan for skin, joints, and bones. Dr. Thacker starts with the big levers: why smoking, alcohol, sugar, and UV exposure damage collagen, and how simple shifts—SPF on chronically expose...
1Send a text Breast cancer survivors are sometimes told to endure the fallout of estrogen deprivation. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host sits down with Dr. Corinne Menn, a long‑term breast cancer survivor, to unpack what real, evidence‑based menopause care looks like for breast cancer survivors, high‑risk women, and BRCA previvors—without fear and without shame. For more information on Dr. Corinne Menn, visit drmenn.com. Vita with Alita: Evidence-Based WellnessWellness that fits real lif...
Send a text Your bones are silently changing beneath the surface, and for women entering menopause, that change accelerates at an alarming rate. Did you know you could lose up to 30% of your bone mass in the first 5-7 years after menopause? This silent thief works without symptoms until a fracture occurs, often when it's too late for prevention. In this episode, Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker reads Chapter 12 of her book, "The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause," a...
Send a text Every October 18th marks World Menopause Day, highlighting a transition affecting over a billion women worldwide who spend at least a third to half of their lives in this phase. Despite its universal nature, menopause remains poorly understood and inadequately addressed in many healthcare settings. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker walks you through the menopause journey in this episode. She touches on the increasing severity of health issues during menopa...
Send a text Hormone therapy remains the gold standard for treating menopausal symptoms—hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. When started within 10 years of menopause onset, it offers a remarkable 30% reduction in all-cause mortality. Yet this fact rarely makes headlines. Join Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host Dr. Holly Thacker as she reads and discusses Chapter 10: The Risks and Benefits of Hormone Therapy from her book, "The Cleveland Clinic...
Send a text Are you tired of feeling like you're navigating menopause or perimenopause alone, armed only with contradictory advice and sensationalized headlines? Dr. Holly Thacker, Director of the Center for Specialized Women's Health at Cleveland Clinic, is here to change that. In honor of October being World Menopause Month, we are replaying this first episode of Dr. Thacker's podcast series based on her book, "The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause." In Chapter 1, Choosing and See...
Send a text In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Holly Thacker tackles the complex relationship between alcohol and health, particularly for women. Drawing from both scientific evidence and personal stories, she explains why women experience more severe effects from alcohol than men—even when drinking the same amount. The conversation goes beyond basic facts about alcoholism to explore how alcohol uniquely impacts women's bodies. Dr. Thacker reveals that women metabolize alcohol more slowly and ...
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Thanks for joining us in Season 3 of the Speaking of Women's Health Podcast! Be sure to subscribe to our weekly show as Host Dr. Holly Thacker shares her insights and knowledge on women's health issues.