Podcast
THE SWEATY PILLOW
Hosted by Lara Smith · ENGLISH
We know menopause. It isn’t just about hot flashes and night sweats. It’s a journey that encompasses everything from navigating the shame, physical changes in the body, mental health, sense of purpose and so much more. This podcast is your sanctuary, your one-stop destination for support.
The Sweaty Pillow is not just another menopause podcast. It’s a hub where we bring together, doctors, thought leaders, and experts in fields that delve into the issues that matter most – from solutions to resources during this transformative phase of life.
What sets us apart is the synthesis of information and resources into practical nuggets that women can use to improve their lives immediately. Every episode is not just about talking (words words words blah blah blah) but about doing. Every episode concludes with a ‘so-what’; distilled actionable takeaways that cuts through the noise and give practical guidance and solutions for you to apply.
Whether you are tuning in for insights on brain fog, sleep issues, or relationship dynamics “The Sweaty Pillow” is here for you. We are not just a podcast; we are your support system, your confidantes in this shared journey.
Join us, embrace the wisdom, and let’s navigate this menopausal adventure together.
Because….
We see you. We hear you. We are you.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
This is How to Have Great Sex, with Mackie Swan of Woo More Play
May 22, 202500:38:52Tap to summarizeThis episode will put an end to boring, dry menopause sex. Mackie Swan, CEO of the female-forward sex brand, WOO MORE PLAY is on The Sweaty Pillow Podcast sharing her best tips for feeling confident in the bedroom. This episode is for anyone seeking real, relatable advice about sex and relationships during their menopause journey. We see you, we hear you, and we are you. Let’s continue this adventure together.Connect with Mackie on Instagram @woomoreplayShop Woo More PlayJoin The Sweaty Pillow Community hereConnect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillow Find us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillowConnect with Lara Smith @laralusome***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***
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The Transformative Power of Breathwork in Menopause with Dr. Jana Rieger
Apr 10, 202500:33:22Tap to summarizeDiscover the vital link between breath and menopause with Dr. Jana Rieger. This episode of the Sweaty Pillow Podcast explores how controlled breathing can ease anxiety, improve heart health, and enhance well-being during menopause. Dr. Rieger shares her research on the nervous system, cortisol, and the power of daily breathwork. Learn practical tips and how wearable tech can help you reclaim your breath and navigate menopause with greater calm.Connect with Dr. Jana Rieger on Instagram @brethtechShop Breth hereJoin The Sweaty Pillow Community hereConnect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillowFind us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillowConnect with Lara Smith @laralusome***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***
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One Year of The Sweaty Pillow: Everything We've Learned About Menopause So Far
Mar 27, 202500:31:48Tap to summarizeJoin us for a special episode as we celebrate the Sweaty Pillow Podcast's one-year anniversary! We're diving deep into our biggest "aha" moments and transformative takeaways from a year of candid conversations with doctors, experts, and incredible women navigating menopause. Hosted by our very own dynamic duo, we’re recapping the key insights that have reshaped our own journeys and those of our community.This episode is more than just a recap – it's a raw, honest look at the realities of perimenopause and menopause. We're sharing our personal experiences with everything from diet and weight changes (hello, vegan to pescatarian!) to the game-changing impact of HRT and gut health. We're unpacking the myths and truths surrounding hormone replacement therapy, the importance of advocating for your health, and the surprising power of simple skincare.We're also tackling the often-overlooked pillars of wellbeing: sleep and the impact of alcohol. Discover how we’ve adjusted our lifestyles, embraced new routines, and found practical solutions to thrive during this transformative phase.This episode is for anyone seeking real, relatable advice and a supportive community during their menopause journey. We see you, we hear you, and we are you. Let’s continue this adventure together.Join The Sweaty Pillow Community hereConnect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillow Find us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillowConnect with Lara Smith @laralusome***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***
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Learning How To Menopause with Tamsen Fadal (Revisit)
Jan 30, 202500:31:45Tap to summarizeThis episode, originally released in November 2024, resonates deeply with our listeners and remains central to The Sweaty Pillow's mission: To challenge outdated narratives and reclaim the conversation around menopause.After the episode, join the conversation in our supportive online community at thesweatypillow.com, and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to support the show!Stay in touch...Connect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillowConnect with Lara Smith on Instagram @laralusomeFind us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillowJoin the Community hereConnect with Tamsen on Instagram @tamsenfadalCheck out her website hereFind her new book How to Menopause on Amazon hereThe Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance
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How to Lose Your Menopause Belly by Healing Your Gut with Cindy Topel
Jan 2, 202500:36:59Tap to summarizeFULL VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBEHappy New Year! If weight loss is a resolution you set for yourself this year, this episode is for you.Cindy Topel, a Menopause and Weight Loss Specialist and founder of The Menopause Path, returns for a second episode on The Sweaty Pillow to share her wisdom on weight loss during menopause.Cindy discusses her three non-negotiables in nutrition, how she eats to maintain her weight, and her exact workout routine. Lara goes into detail about how she implemented Cindy's tips from her first episode and saw changes in just two weeks.If you haven't listened to the first episode with Cindy, listen hereIf you are interested in weight loss coaching with Cindy, apply hereDownload her FREE guide hereFollow Cindy on InstagramConnect with Lara on InstagramFollow The Sweaty Pillow on InstagramJoin The CommunityThe Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance
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The Key to Menopause Weightloss with Cindy Topel of The Menopause Path
Dec 19, 202400:36:59Tap to summarizeFULL VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBECindy Topel is a certified menopause specialist and weight loss coach. After a lifelong battle with weight and a challenging struggle with menopause symptoms, she transformed her health by losing 27 pounds and keeping it off for over two years. Additionally, she has successfully reduced or eliminated her menopause symptoms. And now, Cindy joins The Sweaty Pillow to share exactly how she did it.Cindy breaks down the importance of gut health for weight management, the role of diet and exercise, and the impacts of stress and sleep on the symptoms of menopause. She dives into how inflammation causes menopause belly, and how you can combat it with protein, fiber, and fermented foods.Connect with Cindy on Instagram @menopausepathCheck out her website hereJoin The Sweaty Pillow Community hereConnect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillow Find us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillowConnect with Lara Smith @laralusome
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Menopause, Sex, and Everything in Between with Dr. Rebbecca Hertel
Dec 5, 202400:31:13Tap to summarizeFULL VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBEThis episode covers it all. Lara is joined by Dr. Rebbecca Hertel, a board-certified osteopathic family medicine physician and menopause expert. Their conversation goes everywhere, discussing the complexities of menopause and its symptoms. Lara and Rebbecca explore the taboo subject of sex during menopause, why more women get divorced at this age, and how to navigate it with a family. Dr. Hertel offers expert advice on maintaining a fulfilling sex life, starting an HRT regimen, and tips for improving sleep quality and reducing stress.Thank you Dr. Rebbecca for sharing your incredible insights.Connect with Dr. Rebbecca on Instagram @rebbeccaherteldoConnect with Dr. Rebbecca on TikTok @rebbeccaherteldoCheck out her website hereJoin The Sweaty Pillow Community hereConnect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillowFind us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillowConnect with Lara Smith @laralusomeThe Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.
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The M Factor: Hard Truths About Menopause with Tamsen Fadal
Nov 21, 202400:31:45Tap to summarizeFULL VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBETamsen Fadal is, above all, a storyteller. She started her career as a journalist, winning 13 Emmys and multiple Military Media Awards. Then, one day, she caught herself stumbling through the words on the teleprompter and then collapsing on the newsroom floor. Tamsen was in menopause and needed answers.Tamsen went searching and found a glaring lack of understanding and support for menopausal women. After interviewing numerous doctors, she had only begun to scratch the surface of menopause. Seeing the deep need for knowledge, Tamsen began to share her discoveries on TikTok, and millions of women are tuning in.In this episode of The Sweaty Pillow, Tamsen shares her inspiring journey from journalist to menopause activist. She discusses the hard truths she's learned, her experiences with love and relationships after divorce, and the behind-the-scenes work that went into creating The M Factor and her latest book, How to Menopause.Connect with Tamsen on Instagram @tamsenfadalCheck out her website herePreorder How To Menopause hereWatch The M Factor hereJoin The Sweaty Pillow Community hereConnect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillowFind us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillowConnect with Lara Smith @laralusomeThe Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance
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Lara's Hormone Journey: What HRT Is REALLY Like (Part 2)
Nov 7, 202400:19:45Tap to summarizeFULL VIDEO EPISODE AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBEIn the second episode of this two-part series, Lara is joined by returning guest, Abida Dhukai. Abida is a Nurse Practitioner at Science and Humans and is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, from which she has her PhD. Abida has also been facilitating TSP host Lara’s HRT journey. In this episode, Abida and Lara discuss Lara’s personalized HRT protocol and how it addresses a host of symptoms .This episode goes deep into Lara’s bloodwork and Abida shares the formula that took Lara’s numbers from low to very healthy.Whether you’re considering HRT, or simply curious about its potential, this episode offers a firsthand account of its transformative power and valuable insights from a leading women’s health specialist.Connect with Abida on Instagram @sciencenhumansCheck out her website hereJoin The Sweaty Pillow Community hereConnect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillowFind us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillowConnect with Lara Smith on Instagram @laralusomeThe Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.
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Lara's Hormone Journey: What HRT Is REALLY Like (Part 1)
Oct 24, 202400:30:35Tap to summarizeFULL VIDEO EPISODE AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBEIn the first episode of this two-part series, Lara is joined by returning guest, Abida Dhukai. Abida is a Nurse Practitioner at Science and Humans and is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, from which she has her PhD. Abida has also been facilitating TSP host Lara’s HRT journey. In this episode, Abida and Lara discuss the impact of the WHI study on women’s health, why bio-identical hormones are important, and the transformative power of HRT, as Lara has seen for herself.This episode goes deep into Lara’s bloodwork and Abida shares the formula that took Lara’s numbers from low to very healthy.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in menopause, hormone therapy, and women's health as Abida may change your understanding of women's health and menopause.Connect with Abida on Instagram @sciencenhumansCheck out her website hereJoin The Sweaty Pillow Community hereConnect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillowFind us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillowConnect with Lara Smith on Instagram @laralusomeThe Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance
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