In this episode of the Private Parts of Wellness podcast, Jessica Jolie discusses the complex interplay between surgery, emotional well-being, and women's health. She explores how major surgeries can impact intimacy and emotional health, the gut-brain connection, the role of hormones in recovery, and the significance of understanding the polyvagal theory. The conversation emphasizes the importance of addressing both emotional and physical pain, particularly in relation to heart health, and offers practical steps for healing and support.

TAKE THE SEXUALITY & THE HOSPITALIZED PATIENT SURVEY

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing After Surgery

02:39 The Impact of Surgery on Intimacy and Connection

04:54 Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection

07:22 The Role of Hormones in Recovery

09:51 Exploring the Polyvagal Theory

11:58 Emotional Pain and Its Physical Manifestations

14:12 The Heart's Role in Women's Health

16:24 Addressing Cardiac Depression

18:52 Personal Reflections on Hormone Therapy

20:44 Healing the Triangle: Heart, Gut, and Hormones

22:42 Practical Steps for Recovery

24:59 Conclusion and Call to Action

References:

• ACEs and IBS (2022 Study)
  “Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Effect on Irritable Bowel Syndrome”
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9270910/

• Polyvagal Theory – Deb Dana and Stephen Porges

  • Official resources and practitioner tools: https://www.rhythmofregulation.com/

  • Scientific overview: Porges, S. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, Self-regulation

• Takotsubo Syndrome (Broken Heart Syndrome)
  Mayo Clinic overview:
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-heart-syndrome

• Tylenol and Emotional Pain – NYT Article
  “Can Tylenol Heal a Broken Heart?”
  https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/05/fashion/breakups-rejection-neuroscience.html

• Women and Heart Disease – Cleveland Clinic
  https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-things-women-should-know-about-heart-disease

• CDC – ACEs Study Overview
  https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html

• Estrobolome and Hormone-Gut Axis

  • Article on estrogen metabolism and the microbiome:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5541407/

  • More functional medicine perspective: https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/the-estrobolome/

• SpeakPipe – Leave a Voice Message for the Podcast
  https://www.speakpipe.com/privatepartsofwellness

• Books Mentioned

  • The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

  • Healing Sex by Staci Haines

  • Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski

Episode #56 I thought I would talk about stuff I am curious about when it comes to sex, aging, health, and of course menopause.

Have something you are curious about?

Email me at jessica@ppwfnp.com

Leave me a voice message.

Keywords: menopause, GLP-1, hormone replacement therapy, health, aging, psilocybin, quality of life, women's health, obesity, mental health

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to PPW

00:01 Exploring GLP-1 Medications

06:16 Hormone Replacement Therapy and GLP-1s

16:19 Menopause and Aging Beyond 65

23:38 The Role of Psilocybin in Mental Health

28:50 Cocoa and Heart Health

32:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

References:

Baik, S. H., Baye, F., & McDonald, C. J. (2024). Use of menopausal hormone therapy beyond age 65 years and its effects on women’s health outcomes by types, routes, and doses. Menopause the Journal of the North American Menopause Society, 31(5), 363–371. https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0000000000002335

Brooks, M. (2025, June 19). One psilocybin dose eases cancer depression over long term. Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/one-psilocybin-dose-eases-cancer-depression-over-long-term-2025a1000gd9

Office, B. (2025, April 16). NEW BMS Tool for Clinicians – Use of incretin-based therapies in women using HRT. British Menopause Society. https://thebms.org.uk/2025/04/new-bms-tool-for-clinicians-use-of-incretin-based-therapies-in-women-using-hrt/

Sesso, H. D., Manson, J. E., Aragaki, A. K., Rist, P. M., Johnson, L. G., Friedenberg, G., Copeland, T., Clar, A., Mora, S., Moorthy, M. V., Sarkissian, A., Carrick, W. R., & Anderson, G. L. (2022). Effect of cocoa flavanol supplementation for the prevention of cardiovascular disease events: the Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) randomized clinical trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 115(6), 1490–1500. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqac055

In this Loving Day / Juneteenth / Pride special, host Jessica opens up in a powerful “get to know me” episode that weaves personal history with cultural legacy. From being born into the aftermath of Loving v. Virginia to navigating Gen X skepticism, hot flashes at 43, and queer liberation, this is a story of radical knowing, embodied identity, and unapologetic truth.

Jessica shares how her own hormonal journey—rooted in race, gender, and resistance—informs the way she practices as a menopause specialist, nurse practitioner, and host of Radical Pause Salons.

This episode is not just about where she comes from. It’s about what your body remembers—and what kind of care we all deserve as we age.

Whether you're in menopause, on the cusp, or still learning the language of your body—this one’s for you.

• 🎤 Leave a voice note: speakpipe.com/privatepartsofwellness

• 📸 Instagram: @privatepartsofwellness

• 🌐 Website: privatepartsofwellness.com

🔗 Links Mentioned

The Menopause Brain

Witches, Midwives, and Nurses

In this sultry episode of The Private Parts of Wellness, Jessica Badonsky unpacks the steamy science of scent, sex, and memory—and why your body odor might be telling more of your story than you think. From the hormonal cocktail that drives attraction to the way birth control messes with your nose (and your lovers), we’re diving deep into why smell is the most intimate of the senses. Expect personal confessions, science-backed bombshells, and a few grounding tricks to help you sniff out what’s real.

You’ll learn:

• • Practical advice for reconnecting with our sense of smell through grounding practices.
  • Why midlife hormones make you smell (and want) differently

• • How birth control changed who you were drawn to

  • What scent has to do with orgasms, intimacy, and identity

  • How to retrain your sense of smell (and your sex life)

  Warning: May cause sudden flashbacks to your ex’s t-shirt.

Mother’s Day is weird. There, I said it. It’s one of those days that feels like it should be a celebration but somehow ends up being a chore—or worse, a guilt trip. In this episode, we’re not doing the cookie-cutter, Hallmark version. Instead, we’re digging into the weird, messy reality of this day: the history that went sideways, why some women are signing up for Ashley Madison the day after, and why getting tied up in Yugoslavia actually makes a lot of sense.

Plus, I’ll share why I always ask for one thing on Mother’s Day—a letter—and why this year, I’m finally going to write one to my own mom. Oh, and there’s an oracle card reading to help you mother yourself—because sometimes you need more than brunch and carnations.

Let’s be honest: You’re more than just what your uterus popped out. Sometimes Mother’s Day is about reclaiming yourself—cunt-warm, messy, fierce—and making space for what you actually need.

• 0:00 – 1:00: Kicking off with why Mother’s Day feels like a weird mix of love, guilt, and obligatory brunches.

• 1:00 – 2:30: The OG Mother’s Day story: Anna Jarvis just wanted a day to honor her badass mom, but instead got stuck with a Hallmark holiday from hell. (Spoiler: she hated what it became.)

• 2:30 – 4:00: Wild traditions: In parts of the former Yugoslavia, kids tie up their moms until they pay ransom in treats. Honestly, it makes more sense than breakfast in bed.

• 4:00 – 5:30: Fun fact: The day after Mother’s Day is prime time for women signing up on Ashley Madison. Turns out the whole “let’s celebrate mom” thing sometimes leaves women wondering, “Is this it?”

• 5:30 – 7:00: How to feel seen and loved without pretending you adore getting flowers you bought yourself. Plus, why writing a letter to yourself (or your mom) might just be the real gift.

• 7:00 – 8:30: Oracle card time—because nothing says self-care like pulling a card and asking, “What the hell do I actually want?” Mother’s Day isn’t just about what your uterus produced. Sometimes it’s about what your brain and heart need.

• 8:30 – 10:00: Closing thoughts: Why this day can be both annoying and meaningful, and why it’s okay to skip the whole thing if it feels like a chore. Also, maybe call your mom—or write her a letter. That’s what I’m doing this year.

Join us on Discord MenopauseAnarchy leave a rating and review wherever you find this podcast.

Episode 3: The Sound of Sex and Everything That Annoys You

Why does his voice melt you one day and make your skin crawl the next? In this episode, we tune into the strange, sexy, and maddening world of hearing, hormones, and midlife brain chemistry. From praise kink to misophonia, from the music that turns you on to the chewing sounds that send you into a silent rage — we cover it all.

We’ll talk about how estrogen, testosterone, and oxytocin shape what we hear and how we feel. You'll get science, stories, and some saucy truth bombs about aging ears, buzzy brains, and why your partner’s playlist suddenly sucks.

Plus: how your sense of sound fits into the 5-4-3-2-1 Radical Pause practice — and what it means for your mental health, sex life, and sanity.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Chaos of Midlife

01:28 Exploring Hormonal Influences on Hearing

09:21 The Role of Oxytocin and Sound in Connection

12:44 The Power of Sound and Audio Erotica

16:23 Understanding Auditory Trauma and Overload

20:38 Hearing Loss and Health Equity

23:35 Supplements for Hearing Health

27:13 Personal Experiences with Hearing Changes

30:28 Grounding Through Sound and Silence

35:07 The Importance of Connection and Safety in Sound

Bonus Oxy Rush Episode

In this episode of the Private Parts of Wellness, Jessica Badonsky explores the significance of touch in relation to hormones, aging, and intimacy. She discusses the science behind skin and sensation, the impact of hormones on touch, and the societal perceptions of aging and touch. The episode also includes practical exercises for mindful touch and emphasizes the importance of touch in fostering connection and intimacy, especially as we age.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Touch and Its Importance

05:12 The Science of Touch and Hormones

08:00 Aging, Touch, and Societal Perceptions

11:16 Mindful Touch Practices and Techniques

16:19 The Role of Touch in Intimacy and Connection

• Email – To contact or book:
  jessica@ppwfnp.com

• Substack – Newsletter, essays, and episodes:
  https://theradicalpause.substack.com

• Discord – The Menopause Anarchist
  https://discord.gg/99S4994b

• Instagram – Tarot, shares, stories:
  https://www.instagram.com/privatepartsofwellness