This is a classic rewind episode.

Joelle chats with Lynn Zakeri, LCSW. And this time, the therapist gets a little personal. Lynn talks about how women can redefine themselves as they make the transition through menopause—using proactive health care, language, empowerment, and embracing vulnerability while moving away from a victimhood mindset.

Key Takeaways:

• Proactive self-care, self-compassion, and proper medical treatment can help manage menopause challenges like brain fog, mood swings, and anxiety.
• Women should empower themselves, focus on their strengths, and not let others define them, especially in the workplace. Multitasking and juggling responsibilities during midlife can be overwhelming, so categorizing priorities and letting go of guilt is important.
• Seeking expert guidance, exploring treatment options like hormone therapy, and having a support system can help in navigating the menopause journey.
• Moving from victimhood to self-understanding, through reframing and a profound language shift, can help women connect through shared vulnerability and find beauty in opening up.

“You being empowered to define yourself is what can carry you.” - Lynn Zakeri

Connect with Lynn Zakeri:

Website: www.lynnzakeri.com

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262

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This is the episode you have been waiting for! Joelle sits down with urogynecologist Dr. Jocelyn Craig, MD. Together, they talk about all of the burning issues women face during menopause. From HRT to pooping issues to why you have more UTIs in midlife. Nothing is off the table, including herpes (spoiler alert: almost everyone has it!)

In this episode, Joelle and Jocelyn Craig discuss:

• Open communication and a comprehensive approach with your healthcare provider
• Common pelvic floor disorders
• Destigmatizing major health issues
• Menopause and pelvic health

Key Takeaways:

• Open communication about sexual health, needs, and pleasure is crucial, especially during menopause and for older women. Menopause affects multiple body systems holistically, not just symptoms in isolation, requiring a comprehensive approach.
• Pelvic floor disorders, like incontinence and prolapse, stem from weakened muscles and hormonal changes impacting tissue quality. Pelvic muscles store stress, causing spasms and sexual dysfunction that can be relieved through techniques like diaphragmatic breathing and pelvic floor therapy.
• Chronic constipation is a major yet stigmatized issue, especially for women, that can be addressed through proper education. Herpes is another common yet stigmatized sexually transmitted infection among sexually active adults, and open conversations are needed to normalize and destigmatize it.
• Menopause is a natural process, and brain fog, pelvic health issues, and sexual dysfunction are treatable with growing non-surgical and surgical options.

“Every person who's born a woman is going to go through menopause, more so than are going to have babies - it's natural. Brain fog is real. Your brain chemistry is changing, keep your brain and your body healthy. Pelvic health disorders can be treated so if you're silently suffering with one of these things that we talked about today, suffer no more.” - Jocelyn Craig

Connect with Jocelyn Craig:

Website: https://www.praxisurogynecology.com/

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262

Stay tuned for more information about Joelle's upcoming book This Ain't Your Mama's Midlife

In this episode, Joelle discusses:

• What to do when someone discloses abuse
• Preparing for unexpected confessions
• Providing resources and support
• Encouraging survivors by explaining the law

Key Takeaways:

• When someone discloses abuse, respond with preparedness, openness, honesty, and compassion, as the listener becomes a gateway to healing. Appropriate responses include: "I'm sorry this happened to you," "I believe you," "The abuse is not your fault," "It is so brave that you have come forward," "You are not helpless," and avoiding rationalization of the abuse.
• Survivors may disclose abuse during emotionally triggering events, requiring minimal questioning initially, respect for the traumatic nature, and preparedness for unexpected confessions without judgment.
• Providing resources, self-care, boundaries, and empathetic support without trying to fix the situation can facilitate the survivor's healing journey.
• Explaining civil rights, statute of limitations, and legal options to sue perpetrators and organizations involved in coverups can encourage survivors to come forward, gain access to documents and truth, prevent future abuse, and inspire younger survivors.

“When someone tells you that he or she is a survivor of child sexual abuse, you are not the guardian of a secret. Instead, you are a gateway to healing.” - Joelle Casteix

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262

Stay tuned for more information about Joelle's upcoming book This Ain't Your Mama's Midlife