Episodios

  • PERIMENOPAUSE: Why Ages 45–50 Are So Risky for Women—and How to Get Help
    Sep 30 2025
    The ages of 45–50 can be some of the hardest years of a woman’s life. We’re in the thick of perimenopause and menopause, often juggling teenagers, aging parents, and careers—all while our hormones are shifting dramatically. It’s no surprise that suicide rates peak for women in this age range. In this final episode of our month-long series on PERIMENOPAUSE, I share deeply personal stories alongside Dr. Jen Ashton and Aarti Sequeira about the mental health challenges women face in midlife. We discuss grief, anxiety, rage, and the silent struggles many of us go through—and, most importantly, we talk about help, hope, and the power of speaking up. This is a safe, honest space to acknowledge the dark moments, break the stigma, and remind ourselves: you are not alone. 📌 If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. Let’s Talk About It. Listen in to learn more: (05:20) Hidden Impact of Suicide (12:03) Conversation on Mental Health Awareness (15:00) Coping With Mental Health Challenges (19:40) Suicide Hotline - Get Help In this episode, we are diving into mental health challenges that can come up in midlife, the trauma and grief of those who have lost someone they love to suicide, fears and pressures women face that can lead to mental health concerns, the importance of being honest about what you are thinking and feeling, breaking the stigma of mental health issues, and the hope that it gets better. Sponsor: Cozy Earth – Luxury Bedding and Loungewear Cozy Earth offers luxury bedding and loungewear known for its incredible softness and temperature regulation. Browse today. Never worry about sleeping hot again! Head to ⁠cozyearth.com⁠ and use my code PAULA for 40% off! Want to advertise on my show? Link HERE Sign up to receive Paula’s email, where she keeps it real about what it’s like being a parent in America. And, if you’re a working mom, make sure you’re getting The CARRY ALL email, the load-lessening newsletter for and by working moms. https://www.paulafarisofficial.com/newsletterhttps://carrymedia.com/the-carry-all/ https://menopause.org/ https://www.myalloy.com/ Use code: PAULA42103 for $25 off first order Dr Jen Meet Aarti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    27 m
  • PERIMENOPAUSE: Is Testosterone the Game Changer Women Need?
    Sep 23 2025
    For decades, testosterone has been prescribed freely to men—yet when it comes to women, there’s no FDA-approved dose, little medical training, and a whole lot of stigma. I’ve been on testosterone for a couple of months, and I’ll be honest: for me, it’s been a game-changer. More clarity. More energy. Even my husband says my brain is on fire again. So why are women forced to fight for access, pay out of pocket, and justify their choices? In this episode, Dr. Jen Ashton, Aarti Sequeira, and I break down what testosterone can (and can’t) do for women in perimenopause. We talk about the benefits, the risks, the stigma—and whether this overlooked hormone could be the missing piece in your midlife health. 👉 This is part of our month-long series on PERIMENOPAUSE and women’s health. Let’s Talk About It. Listen in to learn more: (00:33) Struggling With Memory and Words (06:27) Testosterone Use in Women (14:00) Memory and Menopause Concerns (17:45) The Benefits of Creatine Supplement (21:08) Managing Testosterone in Women In this episode, we are diving into ways to support our bodies in perimenopause and menopause, barriers to women receiving hormone replacement therapy, including testosterone, the risks and benefits of testosterone replacement for women in perimenopause, the importance of working with an experienced provider to find out what works well for your body, and the benefits of creatine. CozyEarth: Head to cozyearth.com and use my code PAULA for 40% off! Want to advertise on my show? Link HERE Sign up to receive Paula’s email where she keeps it real about what it’s like being a parent in America. And, if you’re a working mom, make sure you’re getting The CARRY ALL email, the load-lessening newsletter for and by working moms. https://www.paulafarisofficial.com/newsletterhttps://carrymedia.com/the-carry-all/ https://menopause.org/ https://www.myalloy.com/ Use code: PAULA42103 for $25 off first order Dr Jen Meet Aarti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    30 m
  • PERIMENOPAUSE: What No One’s Saying About Weight & GLP-1s
    Sep 16 2025
    Why does weight management feel impossible during perimenopause? In this raw and honest conversation, Dr Jen Ashton, Aarti Sequeira, and I are pulling back the curtain on our own weight struggles–PCOS, Hashimoto’s, inflammation, and the emotional toll of it all. We’re sharing things publicly that we’ve never shared before. From the stigma of GLP-1s and other weight management drugs, Dr. Jen breaks down the science (and the myths) behind these controversial meds, Aarti shares her first-ever public story, and I get candid about my own next steps. This isn’t about being “skinny”—it’s about being strong, healthy, and honest about the choices women are facing in midlife. This conversation is part of our month-long series on PERIMENOPAUSE and women’s health. Let’s Talk About It. Listen in to learn more: (00:57) Perimenopause Weight Management and Nutrition (06:09) Challenges With GLP-1 for Weight Loss (22:24) Weight Loss Management With GLP-1s (28:28) Exploring GLP-1 and Weight Loss In this episode, we are digging into personal experiences with GLP-1s, the stigma associated with weight loss medications, the research and science behind GLP-1s (they are not as new as many of us think!), why weight loss is so difficult, especially for women in perimenopause, the causes and challenges of increased inflammation, and the impact of inflammation on our bodies. CozyEarth: Head to ⁠cozyearth.com⁠ and use my code PAULA for 40% off! Want to advertise on my show? Link HERE Sign up to receive Paula’s email where she keeps it real about what it’s like being a parent in America. And, if you’re a working mom, make sure you’re getting The CARRY ALL email, the load-lessening newsletter for and by working moms. https://www.paulafarisofficial.com/newsletterhttps://carrymedia.com/the-carry-all/ https://menopause.org/ https://www.myalloy.com/ Use code: PAULA42103 for $25 off first order Dr Jen Meet Aarti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    36 m
  • How To Prepare for Perimenopause
    Sep 9 2025
    If perimenopause is the storm before the calm, how do we prepare for it? In Part 2 of our month-long series on PERIMENOPAUSE and women’s health,, Dr. Jen Ashton (Founder, Ajenda), and Aarti Sequeira (Food Network) and I get real about the routines, remedies, and experiments we’re using to navigate this stage. From chia seeds vs. basil seeds, to hormones and hairpieces, to the power of pelvic floor therapy, nothing is off the table. Dr. Jen breaks down why protein and fiber are key (with an easy formula you’ll actually want to write down), while Aarti and I share the very real, sometimes hilarious, science projects our own bodies have become. Preparation isn’t about perfection. It’s about experimenting, listening to your body, and finding what works best for you. This conversation is part of our month-long series on PERIMENOPAUSE and women’s health. Listen in to learn more (03:33) New Office, Perimenopause Preparation (16:44) Balancing Macronutrients for Weight Management (22:58) Holistic Approach to Health and Nutrition (28:57) Protein Intake Formula Explained In this episode, we are diving into how to prepare our bodies for perimenopause and menopause, how to support our bodies during perimenopause, the importance of protein and fiber in our diet, medical interventions like hormone replacement therapy and GLP-1s, and ways to experiment to find a wellness plan that works for you. Links- Sign up to receive Paula’s email, where she keeps it real about what it’s like being a parent in America. And, if you’re a working mom, make sure you’re getting The CARRY ALL email, the load-lessening newsletter for and by working moms. https://www.paulafarisofficial.com/newsletterhttps://carrymedia.com/the-carry-all/ https://menopause.org/ https://www.myalloy.com/ Use code: PAULA42103 for $25 off first order Dr Jen Meet Aarti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    37 m
  • PERIMENOPAUSE: The Real Change
    Sep 2 2025
    I’m kicking off a month-long series on Perimenopause and women’s health with a doozy. Did you know that most of the upheaval doesn’t happen at menopause? It happens DURING perimenopause. Not before. Not after. In this episode, I’m talking to Dr. Jen Ashton (Founder, Ajenda) and Aarti Sequeira (Food Network) to unpack why perimenopause is the true turning point for women. Essentially, it’s the storm before the calm. We’ll discuss new research finally focused on women’s health, the cultural silence that treats it as negotiable, plus why this stage is often called the “coming of rage” — and how it can also be the moment we step into our Midlife Wonder Woman years. This conversation is part of our month-long series on PERIMENOPAUSE and women’s health. Let’s Talk About It. Listen in to learn more: 05:31) Perimenopause (10:49) Health Concerns and Perimenopause (13:39) Women's Menopause Market Growth and Research (19:35) Healthcare System and Wellness Focus (22:12) Menopause Movement and Women's Strength (24:42) Menopause Experts' Responsibility and Empowerment (29:13) Brain Changes During Perimenopause In this episode, we are diving into honest conversations about perimenopause and menopause, the three significant changes a woman goes through in her lifetime, why the changes in perimenopause often feel so monumental, current research on women’s health, the pros and cons of western medicine and the American healthcare system, and taking responsibility for our own health. Sign up to receive Paula’s email, where she keeps it real about what it’s like being a parent in America. And, if you’re a working mom, make sure you’re getting The CARRY ALL email, the load-lessening newsletter for and by working moms. https://www.paulafarisofficial.com/newsletterhttps://carrymedia.com/the-carry-all/ RESOURCES https://menopause.org/ https://www.myalloy.com/ Use code: PAULA42103 for $25 off first order Dr Jen Meet Aarti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    35 m
  • Teen Dating & Friendship: Boundaries, Breakups and Belonging
    Aug 26 2025
    In the series finale of our month-long TEENAGERS series, Paula Faris is joined by therapists Sissy Goff and Niro Feliciano,and a special guest, Paula's husband John, to tackle the truth about teen dating and friendships. Why are teens stuck in toxic relationships and toxic friend groups? How do you set real boundaries when everything’s online and under pressure? And what does a dad’s “no blankets, no bedrooms” rule really mean? We’re sharing the unfiltered truth about teen love, loyalty, and letting go. No sugarcoating...just real talk! Let’s Talk About It. Listen in to learn more: (00:51) Teen Dating and Friendships (05:17) Concerns About Teen Dating Trends (13:19) Rise in Group Cyberbullying Among Youth (16:07) Teen Dating Perspective and Realistic Expectations (22:21) Modeling Healthy Conversations for Relationships (30:53) Teaching Friendship and Behavior Awareness (34:15) Teen Dating in the Pandemic Era In this episode, we are digging into navigating teen dating conversations, concerns about teen dating, teaching our kids how they deserve to be treated in friendship and dating relationships, having realistic expectations of teen relationships, healthy boundaries for teen dating, helping teens foster healthy friendships, and modeling healthy relationships for our kids of all ages. Connect with Sissy Goff Connect with Niro Feliciano Sissy’s Parenting Conference Sign up to receive Paula’s newsletter, where she keeps it real about what it’s like being a parent in America. And, if you’re a working mom, make sure you’re getting The CARRY ALL email, the load-lessening newsletter for and by working moms. Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify app, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    42 m
  • Are We Raising Soft Kids?
    Aug 19 2025
    Are we raising soft kids? In Episode 3 of our TEENAGERS series, therapists Sissy Goff and Niro Feliciano are back, along with my husband John, to call out the rescue culture that’s stripping our teens of their grit. We dive deep into why failure is essential for building resilience—and how stepping in too soon tells our kids they’re not capable. You’ll learn: ➡️ Why kids need to struggle ➡️ How failure builds grit ➡️ What it looks like to parent with empathy without stepping in to fix everything. If you want to raise strong, confident teens who can handle life’s hard knocks, this episode is a must-listen. Let’s Talk About It. Listen in to learn more: (00:52) Raising Resilient Kids (04:10) Quality Time With Kids Through Golf (07:29) Raising Kids in Modern Society (16:24) Teaching Kids to Embrace Failure (19:26) Redefining Expectations for Teenagers (23:07) Empowering Choices in Athletics (33:20) Building Resilience in Children In this episode, we delve into why parents often do more for their kids than they should, the evolution of parent-child relationships across generations, providing kids with opportunities to practice resilience, the messages we convey to our kids when we overstep, shifting our mindset around failure, and modeling resilience for our children. Connect with Sissy Goff Connect with Niro Feliciano Sissy’s Parenting Conference Sign up to receive Paula’s newsletter, where she keeps it real about what it’s like being a parent in America. And, if you’re a working mom, make sure you’re getting The CARRY ALL email, the load-lessening newsletter for and by working moms. Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify app, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    40 m
  • Teens, Tech & the Mental Health Crisis
    Aug 12 2025
    Teen anxiety, depression, and even OCD-like symptoms are rising at staggering rates—and technology plus social media are playing a major role. In this second episode of our month-long series on TEENAGERS, I’m joined by therapists Sissy Goff and Niro Feliciano to unpack the connection between mental health struggles and the digital world our kids are growing up in. We’ll explain: ➡️ why girls are experiencing anxiety at twice the rate of boys ➡️ how social media hijacks the brain’s dopamine system ➡️ and the critical signs parents shouldn’t ignore From early intervention to everyday tech boundaries, this conversation is a must-listen for every parent raising kids in a digital age. Listen in to learn more: (00:10) Gender Disparity in Mental Health Treatment (03:06) Teen Mental Health Crisis and Parenting (07:53) Rise in Anxiety Symptoms Among Girls (11:16) Yoga Exercise for Mental Health (16:02) Social Media's Impact on Children's Brains (20:33) Effects of Grayscale Phone Display (24:05) Parenting and Technology Concerns (27:10) The Complexity of Social Media Decision (33:19) Effects of Social Media on Kids (39:41) Limiting Screen Time With Grayscale Mode SUMMARY In this episode, we are diving into the correlation between teen mental health issues and technology, what technology and social media are doing to teen brains, signs and symptoms of mental health concerns in teens, the research on dopamine and brain chemistry, navigating conversations around social media and phones with teens, making changes to how you handle phones and social media within your family, and healthy boundaries for social media and technology. Connect with Sissy Goff Connect with Niro Feliciano Learn more about the upcoming parenting conference with Sissy Goff and David Thomas on September 13th! https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/events/raising-capable-kids-a-one-day-parenting-conference-with-david-thomas-amp-sissy-goff Sign up to receive Paula’s newsletter, where she keeps it real about what it’s like being a parent in America. And, if you’re a working mom, make sure you’re getting The CARRY ALL email, the load-lessening newsletter for and by working moms. Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify app, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    45 m