The Pause That Rages: Real Talk About Menopause

Menopause is more than just hot flashes and night sweats—it’s a mind, body, and life shift. In this candid, funny, and unfiltered episode, Cindy and Anne-Marie unpack menopause in all its glory: the symptoms, the mental load, the sex life slump, and the changes no one prepared us for. Whether you’re in perimenopause, postmenopause, or still figuring it out, this episode is your reminder that you’re not crazy, not broken, and definitely not alone.

00:16 – Welcome & Episode Overview Why menopause is more than just a women’s health topic—it’s life-changing and universal.

01:04 – What is Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause? Understanding the phases, symptoms, and when the transitions typically begin.

03:11 – Our Personal Menopause Stories Cindy and Anne-Marie share when their symptoms started and what they noticed first.

05:29 – The Birth Control Mask: Unknowingly Delaying Symptoms How birth control can delay noticing perimenopause signs.

06:22 – Hormone Therapy Experiences The pros, cons, and complications with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and pellets.

08:54 – Mental Health and Menopause The link between hormones, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.

09:46 – Our Hormone Therapy Routines What therapies worked, including progesterone, testosterone shots, and more.

10:32 – Natural Alternatives & Supplements What’s working for those who can’t take HRT and why “fake it till you make it” is real.

11:55 – Sleep Struggles, Fatigue & Brain Fog How menopause hijacks your sleep and memory—and why we keep walking into rooms forgetting why.

13:46 – Anxiety & Mood Changes Everyday anxiety, overthinking, and catching yourself before spiraling.

18:53 – Mood Swings & Relationships How menopause affects our interactions, friendships, and romantic relationships—including intimacy and libido.

21:56 – Coping Strategies That Actually Help How exercise, nutrition, magnesium, and lifting heavy help manage symptoms.

24:30 – Nutrition, Healthy Eating, and Supplements The Mediterranean diet, macros, and debunking intermittent fasting for menopausal women.

26:53 – Menopause Myths & Misconceptions Busting the most common myths about menopause symptoms, pregnancy, and treatment.

28:18 – Is Menopause Still Taboo? Why our generation is more open about it—and where our moms fell short.

29:48 – Lack of Medical Support & Insurance Coverage Why most doctors aren’t trained in menopause care and the frustration of paying out-of-pocket.

31:38 – Self-Prioritization & Reflection The emotional impact of body changes, self-worth, and accepting the new “normal.”

33:48 – Body Image & Physical Changes How our bodies change—fat in new places, joint pain, and accepting midlife changes.

38:29 – Medical Dismissal & Gaps in Healthcare Why women don’t get the support they need—and what should change.

39:23 – What We Wish We Knew Before Menopause Genetic testing, recognizing symptoms early, and how we felt unprepared.

41:20 – Advice for Women Entering Perimenopause Tips to track symptoms, advocate for yourself, and get the right doctor.

42:59 – Menopause Myths vs. Facts Quiz A rapid-fire fact check of everything we thought we knew about menopause.

52:52 – What Kind of Menopause Queen Are You? A fun quiz to wrap things up—find out your menopause style!

53:11 – Why Does Every Problem Start with “Men”? A little humor to close out the episode!

54:17 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways You’re not broken. You’re just evolving. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

55:00 – Disclaimer A friendly reminder that we’re not doctors—just two women sharing experiences.

We want to hear your menopause stories! DM us or tag us on Instagram: 👉 @NoExpirationDatePodcast

Reclaiming Your Body & Self-Worth: Midlife Body Image, Diet Culture & Radical Self-Acceptance with Alyssa Booth

📌 Episode Summary: In this powerful and candid episode of the No Expiration Date podcast, we sit down with Alyssa Booth, licensed therapist and empowerment coach, to unpack the deep-seated pressures women face around body image, diet culture, and self-worth — especially in midlife.

We explore how menopause, hormonal shifts, social media, and toxic diet culture impact the way women see themselves, and how to reconnect with your body through curiosity, compassion, and presence — instead of judgment. If you’ve ever struggled with self-criticism or body dissatisfaction, this is your permission slip to break free and redefine beauty on your terms.

🕒 Episode Breakdown & Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction to the Episode 01:05 - Meet Alyssa Booth: Therapist, Empowerment Coach & Body Image Advocate 03:00 - Alyssa's personal journey into eating disorder recovery & coaching women 05:40 - The deeper roots of body shame: Perfectionism, trauma & people-pleasing 06:56 - Why midlife is a critical time for body acceptance 08:10 - Unrealistic beauty standards: The Kardashian Effect & Pamela Anderson’s natural aging choice 10:40 - The most common body image struggles for women 40+ 13:30 - Social media’s impact on self-perception and body checking 18:00 - Eating disorders in midlife: How prevalent is disordered eating after 50? 19:40 - Eating disorders vs. disordered eating: What’s the difference? 22:55 - Hormonal changes, perimenopause, and body shifts 25:04 - Personal stories of fitness competition, body yo-yoing, and body comparison 26:56 - How Alyssa coaches women: Listening to your body, reconnecting with self-worth 29:28 - Building self-trust & value beyond appearance 30:41 - Overcoming decades of dieting: How to start breaking the cycle 31:50 - Shifting from self-criticism to curiosity and compassion 33:37 - Body checking: Scales, mirrors, and external validation 37:38 - Journaling prompts for body acceptance & self-reflection 39:19 - Approaching nutrition through intuitive eating & mindful practices 43:33 - Myths about exercise for women over 40: Cardio, weights, and movement you love 47:12 - Success stories: Breaking free from lifelong body image struggles 50:26 - Golden advice: What’s one step to start healing your body relationship today? 52:20 - What Alyssa would tell her younger self 53:20 - The #1 takeaway: “Bodies change, worth does not.” 54:26 - Where to find Alyssa Booth & connect for coaching 55:48 - Closing thoughts and reflections

💡 Notable Quotes:

• "Bodies change, but worth does not."

• "Move from self-criticism to curiosity — without judgment."

• "You're more than your body. Don’t tie your value to how you look."

🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned:

• Intuitive Eating: A 10-principle approach to heal your relationship with food

• Mindful Eating Practices: Checking in with hunger and fullness cues before, during, and after meals

• Journal Prompt: “If I reduce myself to how my body looks, what am I missing out on in life?”

👩‍💻 Connect with Alyssa Booth:

• Instagram: @alyssabooth_lpc

• Website: heyalyssabooth.com

📣 Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @noexpirationdatepodcast

• Website: noexpirationdatepodcast.com

✨ If you enjoyed this episode:

• Subscribe to No Expiration Date wherever you listen

• Leave us a review — it helps others find the show!

• Share this episode with a friend who’s ready to embrace self-acceptance and shake off diet culture once and for all

Can AI help you build a stronger personal brand? In this episode, we dive into the intersection of authenticity and automation—how AI tools can elevate your brand, streamline your message, and help you show up with confidence online. Whether you're just getting started or refining your presence, it’s time to let AI amplify the brilliance of you.

Pack your bags—this episode is all about wanderlust! We’re joined by travel lover Cindy Storoy to dive into the magic of girls’ trips, the empowerment of solo adventures, and why hitting the road at any age is always a good idea. Whether you’re dreaming of a weekend getaway or planning your next passport stamp, this one’s for you.

In this episode of The No Expiration Date Podcast, we dive into the beauty, growth, and sometimes messiness of friendship—especially in midlife. From keeping lifelong besties to making new connections, we're talking about what it really takes to show up, hold space, and evolve together. Grab your girls… this one’s for the soul.

In this episode of The No Expiration Date Podcast, we’re joined by certified meditation and mindfulness instructor Marcy Westcott to explore how mindfulness can help us navigate the chaos of everyday life—especially in midlife and beyond. Marcy shares her personal journey, the life-changing power of presence, and simple ways to bring more calm, clarity, and intention into your day. Whether you're new to mindfulness or looking to deepen your practice, this conversation is a breath of fresh air.

Tune in, take a deep breath, and let’s get grounded—together.

In this episode of Couch Talk, we’re kicking off our shoes and getting real about self-care. From setting boundaries to saying no without guilt, we unpack why taking care of ourselves isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Join us as we share personal stories, hard truths, and laugh-out-loud moments about how we’re learning to prioritize our well-being in a world that constantly pulls us in a million directions. Grab your coffee (or wine, no judgment) and let’s get into it—because survival starts with self-love.

Thinking about starting a side hustle? In this episode, we dive into the world of passion projects, extra income, and turning hobbies into something more with Serena Miranda. Whether you're looking to boost your income or explore a new path, we're sharing honest insights, lessons learned, and inspiration to help you get started—no matter your age or stage.