Circling the Drain

Monique Cupid and Dixie Lincoln-Nichols are menopausal women who met up during the pandemic to talk about work for a project. Without fail, at every weekly meeting, the conversation drifted to menopause, the symptoms each of them was experiencing, and the frustrations they felt about the lack of support, resources, equity, and community. Together, they formed Life in the Pause, with the mission of transforming the menopause journey into an empowered and celebrated experience through accessible education, resources, and community support. We talk about everything from toxicants in beauty products to doctors leaving 30-something women in the dark to the importance of dance breaks. You know how it is when we get together with two brilliant and fascinating humans... nothing is off limits. We won't apologize for talking about our farts and our pubes. We simply won't. Topics and timestamps10:50 - How Life in the Pause was born16:45 - What is a Self-Care Sabbatical? 21:48 - Increasing 30-somethings' awareness of perimenopause28:15 - The importance of clean ingredients in beauty products 40:40 - Menopause. Needs. More. Attention.Handles and sites Life in the Pause   Life in the Pause Insta Brown Skin Green Beauty Insta   Dixie Lincoln-Nichols   Dixie Lincoln Nichols Insta The Pause Pod The Midlife GlowchaserDance Break Song: Ready Fi Di Road OUR NEW PODCAST: OPEN UP AND SAY HA! Follow us on Insta @openupandsayhaor Facebook and YouTube Channel Podcast site Other Podcasts on the Topic of Peri/MenopauseThe Pause PodHello MenopauseA Certain Age PodBlack Girl's Guide to Surviving MenopauseOther Links Erin's Faces Affiliate Link Julia G WellnessSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Lately, as we have gotten older and our preferences have changed, we have been wondering, "What is fun?" Robin Gelfenbien, the self-proclaimed Ambassador of Fun, is the perfect person to answer that question. Right out of college, Robin was chosen out of thousands of people to drive the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile, and her experience provided excellent fodder for her acclaimed solo show "My Salvation Has a First Name: A Wienermobile Journey”. She has had several other fun jobs from creator and producer of the storytelling series and podcast "Yum's the Word" to co-hosting the podcast "Hello Menopause" to producing Isaac Mizrahi's podcast "Hello Isaac". Robin inspires us with her stories of involving strangers in all kinds of fun, but we also talk about things like thinning hair and anxiety, two very common and un-fun symptoms of perimenopause. If you are like us and are re-defining your definition of fun (there is nothing wrong with skipping that party!), this episode is for you. Topics and timestamps12:35 - Thinning hair is not fun23:18 - Anxiety is also not fun31:12 - Driving the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile is the most fun40:44 - Hosting and producing podcasts is also fun42:52 - In midlife, what is the definition of fun?Handles and sitesRobin's websiteRobin's InstaYum's the Word YoutubeYum's the Word PodcastRobin's FacebookRobin's Tik TokList of Resources MentionedMidlife Doesn't Have to Be a Crisis by Jancee DunnRobin telling her airplane story on YouTubeNo, YOU Tell It! "Fly By" featuring Ellie as host and Robin as a writer/storytellerAn Old Medicine Grows New Hair for Pennies a Day, Doctors SayOscar Meyer Wienermobile and Hot Dogger CommunityHello Menopause PodcastHello Isaac PodcastOther LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G Wellnesshttps://circlingthedrainpodcast.buzzsprout.com/Support the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Katie Fogarty will make you feel like turning 50 is the best thing that could ever happen to you. She is the host of A Certain Age, an age-positive podcast that helps you live your best evolving midlife—loud and proud. She is also the creator of the Age Out Loud movement, a platform which aims to spotlight as many stories of midlife awesomeness as possible. On top of all that, she is the founder and CEO of The Reboot Group, helping professionals build great careers, which includes encouraging reinvention in midlife. We talked about the stupidity of lying about your age, the importance of finding doctors who get it, and Julia's definition of "trash panda rage". We also talk about how Ellie may not be able to hit the high notes anymore, but she can still do the high jumps in ballet class. If you need a boost of inspiration, look no further than this episode. Topics and timestamps9:40 - Not realizing you are in perimenopause until you are on the other side13:00 - Launching A Certain Age podcast right before turning 51 21:10 - The art of career reinvention26:11 Working as a board member of Let's Talk Menopause29:45 - Children's awareness of menopause33:35 - The Age Out Loud movementHandles and sitesA Certain Age PodcastA Certain Age InstaA Certain Age facebookAge Out Loud InstaThe Reboot GroupList of Resources MentionedSchool SpiritsWhy Ballet Might be the Best Exercise for MidlifeLet's Talk MenopauseSupport the Menopause Research and Equity Act of 2023Dr. Helen FisherOther LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G WellnessSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

How does a child of deaf adults who grew up in a tin shed with no running water or electricity witness her father commit a violent crime and then grow up to be the joyful owner of a comedy venue? Kambri Crews will tell you how! Author of the acclaimed New York Times best selling book Burn Down the Ground and sole owner and operator of Q.E.D. which was voted #1 comedy club in NYC by Time Out NY, Kambri is a damn delight. Her message, "Life's Tough. Laugh More." is evident as she chuckles about light things such as restaurant staff seeing her use sign language and then ignorantly handing her a menu in Braille, and heavy things such as her father attempting murder not once but twice. As Julia says, "If at first you don't succeed...". We also discuss gross habits like picking at your skin and chewing the inside of your own mouth, having to read the instructions for how to boil rice at least fifteen times, and how ice skating in midlife can result in the ass of your dreams. Thanks to all our listeners for your generous donations - we're thrilled to be back and we can't wait to tell you what's next. Topics and timestamps12:29 - Menopause and then breast cancer14:35 - Kambri's autobiographical book, Burn Down the Ground, in which a child of impoverished deaf parents witnesses her father trying to kill her mother23:48 - Processing trauma without traditional therapy26:00 - How to laugh yourself back from rock bottom30:20 - How an imaginitive child grows up to run her own events space36:15 - Ice skating in midlife to optimize joy (and a tight butt)Handles and sitesQ.E.D. AstoriaBuy books through Q.E.D. instead of other placesKambri's websiteKambri's InstaQED InstaQED FacebookKambri facebookList of Resources MentionedCheek biting: Causes, Consequences, and TreatmentSomething Was Wrong podcastFlaco the Owl’s Year of Freedom From the Central Park ZooOther LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G WellnessSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

We chose this episode with Dr. Rachel Rubin as our final encore of the year because she is the person who has given us the most practical, valuable, and easily shareable information to help women with their genitourinary functions as they age. Dr. Rubin is a board-certified urologist and sexual medicine specialist who dropped so much knowledge and helpful information into one conversation that our puny little brain-sponges got super-soaked. Listen to learn about the two little-known FDA-approved drugs that actually help women's libidos with no negative side effects, why you should be using local vaginal estrogen twice a week for the rest of your life, and how even a doctor can agree with us that the field of medicine is a disgusting dumpster fire of brokenness. As if that weren't enough, we also talk about the Grow Your Clit Movement, Covid Hemorrhoids, and what the hosts never thought they'd do in their 20's that they have done now. Admit it: you're intrigued.DR. RUBIN'S LINKSDr. Rubin's WebsiteDr. Rubin's twitterDr. Rubin's facebookDr. Rubin's InstaDr. Rubin's LinkedInARTICLES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODEThe Magic of HormonesInternational Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health - ISSWSHAddyiVyleesiThe Grow Your Clit MovementLINKS TO DREAMY PRODUCTS AND SERVICESErin's Faces Affiliate LinkPurely Elizabeth Affiliate LinkJulia's Wellness Coaching WebsiteCircling the Drain Podcast WebsiteSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.Support the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

For our first encore episode, we chose the inspiring pair of Michelle and Joan MacDonald. Not only are they glorious examples of what a healthy body can achieve after midlife, they seem to have an enviable mother-daughter bond that is beautiful to witness. These women broke the internet after Michelle, a body builder and transformation coach, guided her then 70-year-old mother through a process that resulted in life-changing weight loss and the subsequent elimination of a slew of health problems. Joan's before and after photos can be found at Train with Joan, and you should take a peek before listening to understand the full impact of what these women achieved together. This was our only chat with a mother-daughter duo, and we couldn't have found more mind-blowing specimens. Michelle MacDonald - Your Healthy HedonistaMichelle's InstaMichelle's FacebookMichelle's e-Book The Best of the BasicsJoan MacDonald - Train with JoanJoan's InstaJoan's FacebookThe Wonder WomenMy MacrosScience, Bitch!Support the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Meghann Koppele Duffy is a cofounder of the Neuro Studio, a premier education and movement company helping people living with neurological conditions move better, and teaching movement professionals the best cutting edge techniques to work with people living with Neurological Conditions. Meghann is a fast-talking, zero BS practitioner who has been called the Larry David of Pilates because she is skilled at "observing weird things". She claims to not be everyone's cup of tea, but who is? It's clear to us that Meghann is passionate about her work and is making an epic difference in the lives of people who want access to movement and freedom from pain. We talk about changes in proprioception throughout our life cycle, adapting to movement as we age, and using humor and honesty in work that can be emotionally difficult. We also teach you what a "cloner" is. Bonus points if you email us your best guess BEFORE listening to the episode!Topics and timestamps15:40 Meghann's origin story and how she co-founded The Neuro Studio23:40 Using humor and honesty to diffuse heaviness with clients30:20 How women's bodies change proprioceptively throughout their life cycle39:40 How to keep it together when physical work gets emotional45:35 Meghann's Idea of the Zone of Genius49:33 Adapting to movement as we ageHandles and sitesThe Neuro Studio WebsiteThe Nuero Studio InstaMeghann's InstaSessions or movement classes with MeghannList of Resources MentionedWhat is MS (Multiple Sclerosis)?HELP US CONTINUE THIS PODCAST!Please donate to our Patreon! A contribution as low as $10 will allow us to continue this work for another year. Other LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G WellnessSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Germany-based comedian Abigail Paul says that co-host Ellie is her oldest friend. Not her most elderly friend, but the friend she has known the longest. She met co-host Julia a few years later, making all three of them VERY ELDERLY/OLD FRIENDS. That should entice you to listen to this episode, because richness of history makes for juicy conversation. Abigail moved to Germany as a young adult because she was "on the lam", trying to escape her abusive and narcissist mother, whose life and death inspired Abigail's award-winning solo show Involuntary Momslaughter. There are many wonderful stories in this episode, including the one about Abigail ignoring her fibroid tumors until she collapsed in a pharmacy and ended up in emergency surgery, the one where her gynecologist proclaimed her vagina her weakest organ, and the one where 18-year-old Abigail and Ellie sat together to take a pregnancy test after a condom broke. Also, all three people in this episode had birthdays in the last week, so listen and laugh and feel seen and celebrate with us!Topics and timestamps11:45 The story of 18-year-old Abigail and Ellie and a pregnancy test 13:30 The story of Abigail's gynecological adventures in Germany22:20 The story of Dr. Dr. Mueller31:05 The story of how health insurance is better in Europe36:00 The story of Abigail's horrible relationship with her mother39:30 The story of how a mother with Narcissistic Personality Disorder is great fodder for a solo showHandles and sitesAbigail's websiteAbigail's InstaAbigail's facebookList of Resources MentionedRosacea and MenopauseExposed PodcastNarcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)Dr. Ramani DurvasulaOther LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G WellnessSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Blaire Postman is a comedian who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and then embraced it as a super-power. She created a solo show called Lady ADHD: Hilariously Mind Blowing Observations from a Hyper-Insightful Brain. Due to a current medication shortage, we got to interview Blaire ten days into "going commando", and we talked about emotional dysregulation, song-stimming, and how a performance piece about a topic like ADHD can make audiences feel seen and not alone. We can relate to that for sure. We hope that you will relate to Ellie cursing at her son in a fit of perimenopausal aggression, and Julia's incredulousness at the fact that they only just invented a crash test dummy that mimics the female form. Topics and timestamps12:50 Being diagnosed with ADHD as a 30-year-old female16:30 The ADHD medicine shortage18:23 Emotional dysregulation related to Adult ADHD22:35 A job interview and mismatched shoes29:00 Audience members' reactions to Lady ADHDHandles and sitesBlaire's websiteBlaire's InstaBlaire's YouTubeList of Resources MentionedThis is the first crash test dummy modelled on the female body. Will it make cars safer for women?Adult ADHDClip of Blaire and a guest "song-stimming"Other LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G WellnessSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Dr. Kimberly Mangla is a reproductive psychiatrist who works collaboratively with the obstetrics department at Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC. She is involved in the teaching and supervision of psychotherapy and medication management during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. She also happens treat Julia's Adult ADHD, and in honor of ADHD Awareness Month, we asked her ALL of the questions. What is ADHD, and why do many women not discover this diagnosis until adulthood? How can someone have ADHD and be high-functioning and laser-focused all at once? What is the intersection between ADHD and perimenopause? When is it time to take medication to help treat it? Does Ellie have ADHD or is she merely addicted to the apps on her phone? We also talk about crunchy knees, forgetting to shower and brush teeth, and pharmacies that carry an expensive array of vibrators. Topics and timestamps14:00 Combining an OB/GYN education with psychiatry17:25 Explaining the need for and lack of reproductive endocrinologists20:40 Defining ADHD and what it looks like in children vs. adults25:35 How can you have ADHD and be laser-focused at the same time?32:04 What is "executive function"?41:00 When to explore pharmaceutical intervention for ADHD43:49 How perimenopause intersects with adult ADHDHandles and sitesDr. Mangla's PracticeDr. Mangla's InstaDr. Mangla's Handbag InstaList of Resources MentionedKnee Noise: Crepitus and Popping ExplainedAdult ADHDOther LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G WellnessSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Dr. Maria Uloko is fired up, and we are right there with her. As the first ever Black female Urology student at her university, she has been trailblazing for the entirety of her career. Dr. Uloko specializes in comprehensive sexual health which includes the medical and surgical management of ALL genders. She is considered a world leader in chronic pelvic pain and vulvar conditions, she believes in empowering her patients to take ownership of their sexual health by providing a shame-free space to ask questions and share their stories, and she seeks to close gaps in disparities of care and implement systems that promote diversity and inclusivity. She is also an international award winning researcher with a focus in vulvar health, most notably her research in defining how many nerves are in the human clitoris. (Can you believe that this number was not known until recently, when she and her colleagues embarked on a study?) She told us that the anatomy of the vulva is not taught in medical school, even to gynecologists, and that this lack of knowledge and adequate care is equivalent to malpractice against those with female anatomy. She wants to start a revolution to correct all of this nonsense, and we have pledged to be her soldiers. We will march to the beat of Beyonce, and we will eat a cake in the shape of Queen Bey while we do so. Topics and timestamps13:25 - Becoming a female urologist after being told she couldn't do it18:35 - Providing gender-affirming care to people with every type of genitalia20:58 - Taking charge of your own sexual health26:17 - Pain is not acceptable. Women do not have to live with pain.36:45 - Libido and orgasm: the two most complex portions of the sexual response cycle42:54 - Discovering the number of nerves in the clitorisHandles and sitesDr. Uloko's WebsiteDr. Uloko's InstaMeet the Trailblazing Urologists on a Mission to Help Women Have Better SexList of Resources MentionedIs Menopause Changing My Hair?Prevalence of female pattern hair loss in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional studyHow many nerve fibers innervate the human glans clitoris: a histomorphometric evaluation of the dorsal nerve of the clitorisOther LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G Wellnesshttps://circlingthedrainpodcast.buzzsprout.com/Support the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Rachel E. Gross is an award-winning science journalist who wrote an incredible book called Vagina Obscura which was a finalist for the 2023 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction. Go ahead and be impressed, but do not be intimidated. Rachel will enthrall you with stories of outlandish treatments for ailments that plague people with female reproductive systems, including a personal tale involving rat poison and her own vagina. She takes us back through history to when the fallopian tubes were named after an Italian Catholic priest and when Freud decided that all "women's issues" were psychological. She discusses how medical terminology can be harmful, placing blame on the woman or the body part itself. If that's not enough to draw you in, listen as we realize that both Ellie and Julia know a ton about bacterial vaginosis, and in a delightful epiphany, Ellie gives the perfect name to the wall of vagina-inspired art in Rachel's home. Bonus points if you count the number of times "vagina" is said in this episode. Topics and timestamps10:40 - How Rachel got into writing about science, specifically the science of vaginas18:02 - The Vagina Poison Story24:37 - The microbiome of the vagina30:57 - How medical language puts the blame on the body part (#incompetentcervix)38:50 - Ancient ideas that have been carried through to modern medicine43:46 - Thoughts on implanting bits of ovarian tissue to stave off menopauseHandles and sitesRachel's websiteRachel's writingRachel's InstaBuy Vagina ObscuraList of Resources MentionedPooping only every 3 or more days linked with cognitive decline, research findsRachel telling her vagina rat poison story on Story ColliderDoing Harm by Maya DusenberyOther LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G WellnessLeave us a review!Support the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Leoh Blooms is a queer, fluid, and nonbinary-trans trauma-informed mentor and Pro Dom. Everything they do in their practice focuses on intimacy, mental health, gender, sex, and practical self-care. They help clients aged 21 and up to create lives they don't need to hide from by offering various levels of support in a power dynamic format, using kink for fun and as a healing modality. Listen to Leoh talk about coming out at the age of 45, jumping through medical hoops when a gender fluid person needs medical care, and explain what a Pro Dom actually IS and DOES. In response, Ellie talks about working in an office located upstairs from an old-school dominatrix, and Julia explores the idea of using a rope-tying technique for self-soothing. This was not our usual rodeo, and we liked it. We think you will, too. Topics and timestamps11:30 - Instant menopause after a radical hysterectomy13:57 - Justifying the medical need for Testosterone as a non-transitioning person19:25 - Coming out at the age of 45 to a family that includes a husband and five children27:47 - What it means to work as a Pro-Dom40:27 - Steps the medical community should take to help gender fluid people43:33 - Celebrating a non-monogamous marriage commitmentHandles and sitesLeoh's websiteLeoh's InstaList of Resources MentionedFDA Approves First Nonprescription Daily Oral Contraceptive - OpillAdenomyosisDiscovering Gender Fluidity: A Late Bloomer’s Journey to Self-Acceptance Chrononormativity by Leoh BloomsOther LinksFor 10% off Erin's Faces in the month of August, enter CTD at checkoutSchedule a FREE Zoom with Julia at Julia G WellnessSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Dr. Wendy Suzuki is a professor of Neural Science and Psychology and author of two incredible books, Good Anxiety and Healthy Brain, Happy Life. Her TED talk, The Brain-Changing Benefits of Exercise, has more than 60 million views, making it the 2nd most viewed TED talk of 2018. In spite of our awe, we managed to pick her fancy brain about many things, like how hormonal changes can lead to increased anxiety, tips for building resilience and staying motivated to exercise, and what to do about "choking" (AKA brain farts or derping). She told us all about her concept of "micro flow", causing us to envision a tiny Flo from the Progressive commercials sitting on our shoulders. This is why she is the Dean of the College of Arts and Science at NYU and we are not! We also talk about Ellie going braless for the summer and Julia rubbing emu oil on her skin. If you think the latter is problematic, remember Julia's words: "The emu is already dead at this point." Topics and timestamps14:00 - The transformative effects that exercise has on the brain21:56 - How hormonal changes can lead to increased anxiety27:46 - Building resilience34:26 - Tips for staying motivated to exercise40:10 - What to do about "choking" AKA brain farts49:09 - Flow vs. MicroflowHandles and sitesDr. Suzuki's WebsiteGood Anxiety by Dr. SuzukiHealthy Brain, Happy Life by Dr. SuzukiDr. Suzuki's InstaDr. Suzuki's facebookList of Resources MentionedThree Vaccines for Fall: What You Need to KnowDr. Suzuki's TED Talk: The brain-changing benefits of exerciseMihaly Csikszentmihalyi's TED Talk: Flow, the secret to happinessThe Other 50% PodcastFor 10% off Erin's Faces in the month of August, enter CTD at checkoutOther LinksJulia G Wellness - book a free Zoom with Julia today!https://circlingthedrainpodcast.buzzsprout.com/Support the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Dr. Aiesha Turman does so many things and she does them with JOY. She is the kind of teacher that students keep in touch with for the rest of their lives, which is a rare and special thing. We totally get the appeal, because we had the best time talking to her about Reiki, Afrofuturism, literature, her work on the incredible award-winning documentary Crip Camp, and the differences AND similarities between the hormonal transitions of her mother, her daughter, and herself. You'll also get to hear about Ellie graduating from her therapist, the time Julia sharted the bed, and how strangers need to mind their own business and not offer random opinions to people they know nothing about. So much good stuff, PLUS a discount code for listeners who want to try Reiki with Dr. Turman. (You want to try it. Trust us.)Topics and timestamps16:35 - What is Reiki and how can it help?23:00 - How Dr. Turman hazed her mom during HER menopause28:20 - The importance of intergenerational conversation about menopause36:19 - What is Afrofuturism? Dr. Turman explains.44:35 - Discussing with puberty with her mother and her daughter52:44 - Dr. Turman's work on the documentary Crip CampHandles and sitesDr. Turman's WebsiteFor 15% off Reiki with Dr. Turman, enter code CIRCLING at checkoutElectric Relaxation SubstackDr. Turman's InstaDr. Turman's facebookList of Resources MentionedParable of the Sower by Octavia E. ButlerMy Awesome Black Queer Mom by Aiesha TurmanCrip CampThe Crip Camp Educational CurriculumThe Other 50% PodcastFor 10% off Erin's Faces in the month of August, enter CTD at checkoutOther LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G WellnessWe were ranked in the "60 Best Menopause Podcasts"!https://circlingthedrainpodcast.buzzsprout.com/Leave us a review!Support the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Singlehood is not a broken state that requires fixing. This is the core message of our guest, Shani Silver, who deleted her dating apps in 2019 and has been infinitely happier ever since. Shani reminds us that dating apps are a for-profit industry that stand to benefit from keeping you single rather than helping you find love, and they often deplete your self worth and mental health. Author of the fantastic book A Single Revolution: Don't Look for a Match. Light One. and host of A Single Serving Podcast, Shani firmly believes that you can enjoy your life as a single human while still hoping for a partnership. But this episode is not just for the singles out there! Shani helps people in couples reframe how they view their single friends and family members, and as a result of reading her book, we have personally stopped asking questions like "How's dating life?" or "Can I please fix you up with someone?" Shani offers zero apologies for living her life exactly as she wants to, and we offer zero apologies for Ellie's graphic colonoscopy story and Julia's description of her nuclear meltdown. Love us as we are or don't love us at all, but do listen to the episode and share it with your people. Topics and timestamps15:05 - Shani tells us the wildest thing a doctor ever said to her 15:05 - Shani tells us the wildest thing a doctor ever said to her.17:49 - Dating apps are a for-profit industry. Here's why you should delete them.22:30 - How to maintain your self-worth and dignity in a society that shames singles.28:44 - How to reframe your mindset about the hell-scape that is dating.34:00 - Dispelling the notion that your life isn't real until you have a partner.47:45 - A person can embrace their single-hood while hoping for a partner. Handles and sitesShani's websiteShani's show: A Single Serving PodcastBuy Shani's book: A Single Revolution: Don't look for a match. Light one. Shani's InstaShani's TikTokList of Resources MentionedTubal Ligation No Better Than IUD at Preventing PregnancyThe Mob Should Run Planned ParenthoodWhy Many Single Women Without Children Are So HappyThe Other 50% PodcastOther LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Have you ever heard of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) also known as "Tapping"? Sarah Louise Lilley became an EFT Practitioner after her husband's stroke, and she is here to tell us more about that life-changing day, to explain EFT, and dispel any misconceptions you might have about it. If you're looking for a simple tool that can help reframe negative mindsets, help you calm yourself in a moment of distress, and help you cope with frustration over your newfound peri-menopausal symptoms, this episode is for you. We also touch on the unusual theatrical experience where Sarah and Ellie met, Sarah and Julia's love of horses, and a beloved British condiment that you may not have heard of, but which would make a great name for a stallion. Topics and timestamps11:36 - Sarah tells the story of the life-altering day when her husband had a stroke on Christmas19:55 - What exactly IS EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) or "Tapping"?25:00 - How EFT can help release mental blocks31:51 - How to combat frustration using EFT43:32 - EFT is not a "woowoo" trend and here's whyHandles and sitesSarah's websiteSarah's InstaList of Resources MentionedThe Other 50% PodcastEFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)Dawson ChurchDr. Peta StapletonForbes article on EFTOther LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G WellnessSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

Jamie Phillips is a mensch. A seasoned nonprofit professional, she is grateful to have had the opportunity to provide services to uplift immigrants, refugees, isolated older adults, returning citizens, people who are unhoused, those experiencing mental health challenges, and those recovering from addiction. She was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer five months into the pandemic, and has since become passionate about amplifying the experiences of queer and gender expansive folks who experience breast/chest cancer and sudden menopause. We had such a good conversation with her, covering everything from the lack of ritual around the menopause transition, to the sometimes bizarre rituals when a child gets their first menstrual period, to what menopause care might look like by the time Gen Z is going through it, to the lack of a menopause section in the sex shop to - perhaps most importantly - the lack of inclusivity in menopause conversations, care, and even marketing. We also cover an unfortunate event involving a zipper and Ellie's belly, and we learn about how both hosts' moms responded when they got their first periods. Good times. Topics and timestamps8:48 - New FDA-approved drug for the treatment of hot flashes13:44 - Going through sudden menopause as a result of estrogen-psitive cancer treatment24:40 - What steps should be taken to include queer and gender-expansive folx in menopause care?31:38 - Menopause in the workplace38:22 - Finding cancer support as a member of the queer community List of Resources MentionedFDA Approves VeozahVeozah brand websiteWhat Fresh Hell is This? by Heather CorinnaOther LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G WellnessSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

When we met Dr. Stacia Alexander at a menopause symposium, we were instantly drawn to her energy, magnetism, and hot-pink-suit-wearing confidence. A seasoned psychotherapist, she has worked with professional women helping them understand that the journey to success does not make them immune to emotional and cognitive changes. Her most recent work focuses on the importance of accessing mental health care early, and she has even written a book that we wish we had read almost 30 (!!!) years ago: 10 + Things I Wish I Knew About Mental Health in College. We loved talking to Dr. Alexander about her use of testosterone as part of her menopause hormone therapy, her decision to become "sugar sober", and when it's time to press the Emergency Stop Button and take stock of your life. Get ready for lots of inspirational phrases that won't make you roll your eyes, but WILL make you want to get up and go dancing. What's the opposite of an energy vampire? Dr. Stacia Alexander, that's what. Topics and timestamps12:08 - Responsible use of testosterone as part of a hormone therapy regimen20:06 - The benefits of becoming "sugar sober"30:20 - The Emotionality of Success33:25 - Pushing the "emergency stop button" and assessing what your really want for your life40:13 - Tips for access to mental health care46:25 - The importance of goal-settingHandles and sitesDr. Alexander's websiteDr. Alexander's InstaDr. Alexander's facebookDr. Alexander's book 10+ Things I Wish I Knew About Mental Health in CollegeList of Resources MentionedWhy Annual Pap Smears Are History – But Routine Ob-Gyn Visits Are NotFirst testosterone patch for menopausal women to begin clinical trials this yearYour To Do List of FUNLeave us a review!Other LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G Wellnesshttps://circlingthedrainpodcast.buzzsprout.com/Support the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.

It's our 50th episode and we are celebrating in style! Lizz Winstead is a name that we have had on our "dream guest" list since we first brainstormed this podcast, and wonder of wonders, our dream came true. Co-creator of The Daily Show and co-founder of Air America Radio, Lizz is a legendary comedian and writer who is a badass in every sense of the word. She is currently devoting her energy to activism, having founded Abortion Access Front, co-hosting their podcast Feminist Buzzkills, and spearheading Operation Save Abortion, an ongoing campaign beginning with a daylong virtual training session for thousands of new abortion rights activists nationwide. Lizz energized us, lit a fire under our asses, laughed with us about Ron DeSantis's weird white boots, and told us a great story about Ted Cruz and dildos. As if that weren't enough, we got to hear from some of YOU who left us lovely voicemails in honor of our 50th. Have a listen and see if your voice is featured, and if you want to get us a present, share this episode with your friends. You'll be doing our podcast AND women's rights a huge service. Topics and Timestamps16:04 How abortion care affects medical providers in hostile communuties21:05 All about how YOU can help via "Operation Save Abortion"26:43 Why abortion care is healthcare and how its opposition relates to false morality32:16 A story about Ted Cruz and vibrators40:44 Combatting racism in reproductive access care44:30 Lizz's advice for aging women in comedy and entertainmentHandles and Sites and Resources Abortion Access FrontOperation Save AbortionFeminist Buzzkills PodcastLizz's InstaAbortion Access Front InstaIt's Our 50th Episode!Leave us a review!Share this link with all your people: https://circlingthedrainpodcast.buzzsprout.com/Other LinksErin's Faces Affiliate LinkJulia G WellnessSupport the showBe one of the helpers! SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY and leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS.