The Luminescence Podcast with Schuyler Grant

You came into this season navigating a transition. You're leaving with a different relationship to what's on the other side of it. This is the season finale of the Luminescence Podcast. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and Elena Brower close out by looking forward — to grandchildren, creative reinvention, travel, radical career pivots, and the profound privilege of becoming a wise woman elder. They discuss: Why the mild depression of perimenopause can be a form of protective cocooning — the difference between hormonal anhedonia and clinical depression, and why one might actually serve a purpose What the grandmother hypothesis is — the anthropological theory that women's post-reproductive longevity isn't a biological accident but evolution's design for women elders to hold things together and pass wisdom down How oxytocin shifts in menopause redirect empathy toward more authentic connection — and why women between 45 and 55 are starting businesses at record rates What each panelist is genuinely excited about for the next chapter — grandchildren, music, Qigong, language, travel, and the versions of themselves that are still coming Lightning round verdicts on early retirement, radical career pivots, staying together for the kids, forcing couples therapy, and abundant cleavage after 50 For any woman ready to see this transition not as decline, but as preparation for what might be the most powerful chapter yet. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Somewhere in your mid-forties, you realize that the compromises you made in your thirties stop sitting right. The relationships that used to feel necessary start feeling optional. The drive to be everything to everyone, quietly or not so quietly, starts to dissolve. In this episode of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and Elena Brower to get into the liberating, complicated, and sometimes messy reality of giving fewer f*cks in midlife. What does it actually look like when women stop performing and start choosing? They discuss: The neurobiology behind caring less — estrogen decline, oxytocin shifts, and how the post-menopausal brain rewires toward self-prioritization in ways men's more gradual hormonal decline simply doesn't What gray divorce actually looks like — why some of it is liberation, some of it is grief, and all of it is information about what happens when women stop absorbing dysfunction How women are restructuring friendships in midlife — smaller circles, higher standards, and Elena's four-step nonviolent communication framework for ending a friendship without drama Why women between 45 and 55 are starting businesses at record rates — and how the domestic labor imbalance in long-term partnerships quietly builds the resentment that eventually demands change For every woman who has spent decades making herself smaller and is ready to understand what happens when you stop. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

We're all coping with something. The question is whether what we're reaching for is actually helping, or just numbing us from the discomfort we're too busy to sit with. This is part two of the conversation on coping in midlife. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and Elena Brower dig into the deeper current running beneath perimenopause: the old traumas that float to the surface when the busyness of building a life no longer keeps them submerged. They discuss: Why resilience is about returning to ease, not powering through — and how service, meditation, sweating, and somatic practices build real neurological resilience instead of just tolerance Why perimenopause is often the first time women address their mental health — and what unresolved trauma looks like in midlife versus what it looks like when it's been metabolized The brain circuitry behind doom-scrolling and every other cortisol loop you can't quit — and why boundaries weren't in Dr. Somi's vocabulary until midlife The 3am worry closet and the divorce wave — why perimenopause, as brutal as it can be, might be the most useful moment to finally deal with what we've been carrying Lightning round verdicts on microdosing, ecstatic dance, California sober, and more For any woman who's tired of just getting through and ready to address what's underneath — midlife has a way of surfacing what you've been too busy to deal with. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Your favorite coping mechanisms — wine, edibles, even your go-to SSRI — might suddenly betray you in midlife. In this episode of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with Dr. Sarah de la Torre, Elena Brower, and Dr. Somi Javaid to dig into why alcohol hits harder after 40, antidepressants become less reliable, and the things that used to take the edge off start creating new problems instead. They explore the neuroscience of why your old stress relievers stop working as hormones shift. They discuss: Why hormonal shifts change how you experience pleasure, reward, and stress — how declining estrogen affects dopamine and serotonin, and what that means for mood and cravings What makes alcohol and cannabis hit differently during perimenopause and post-menopause — the metabolism changes, sleep disruption, and anxiety that weren't there before The truth about SSRIs in midlife — when they help, when they don't, and what the risks actually are as your brain chemistry changes The real impact of your nightly glass of wine — when it crosses from pleasure into problem, and why that line moves in midlife How to tell the difference between what actually supports you and what just keeps you stuck — and why your coping mechanisms need to evolve For any woman whose go-to stress relief isn't working anymore and wants to understand why — before figuring out what comes next. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Why does perimenopause feel like you're losing your edge? This is part two of the conversation on your brain during hormonal transitions. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, Dr. Somi Javaid, and Elena Brower get into what's actually happening in your brain and nervous system as estrogen shifts — and what you can do to feel like yourself again, including one of the most underreported findings in menopause research. They discuss: Simple breathing and hands-on techniques to activate your rest-and-digest mode — practical tools for a nervous system that's genuinely overloaded right now How HRT can restore mood, focus, and cognitive function — often faster than most women expect, and what to do when it's not enough The emotional and professional impact of neurological changes — what workplace accommodations actually matter, and how to navigate relationships when your brain feels different Why empathy and emotional intelligence tend to increase after menopause — what the science says about how your brain's wiring shifts in ways that are worth knowing about Nutrition and supplement truths for brain health — carbs, phytoestrogens, and the brain boosters most women overlook For any woman who wants to understand that what feels like decline might actually be rewiring — and how to work with your brain instead of against it. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

You're capable. You're high-functioning. And then something shifts. You can't remember words, you're snapping at everyone, you're lying awake at 3am soaked in sweat, or you're so flattened by anhedonia that nothing feels worth doing. In this episode of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with Dr. Sarah de la Torre, Dr. Somi Javaid, and Elena Brower to get personal and then scientific about what perimenopause and menopause actually do to the brain. Dr. Somi opens with losing her speech mid-presentation on stage. Elena talks about white-hot rage that arrived at 47 with no warning. Dr. Sarah describes the moment she realized she could no longer tolerate the chaos she'd always managed with ease. They discuss: How estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone regulate dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate — and what happens when these hormones fluctuate wildly Why perimenopause can look like depression in one woman, anxiety in another, and new-onset ADHD in a third — and how clinicians tell the difference between hormonal changes and underlying psychiatric conditions How hot flashes and night sweats are actually a brain regulation problem, not just an ovary problem — and why sleep fragmentation is both symptom and accelerant The real cost of untreated menopausal symptoms — 900,000 women left the UK workforce, and $1.8 billion lost in the US economy How GLP-1 medications are unexpectedly quieting anxiety and rumination in midlife women — and why neuroinflammation might be the missing link For any woman wondering if she's losing her mind, or if there's a reason for the rage, the fog, and the 3am spiral. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Most women are handed lube and told the changes are normal. This episode goes considerably further than that. This is part two of the conversation on sexual health in midlife. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, and Dr. Sarah de la Torre go through the full toolkit for vaginal health, pelvic floor strength, and sexual function. From red light therapy and testosterone delivery methods to why most women are doing their Kegels wrong. They discuss: How red light therapy stimulates collagen, elastin, and blood flow in vaginal tissue — why it works similarly to estrogen and what the research actually shows The difference between stress and urge incontinence — why the fix is different for each, and what pelvic floor PT, wands, and vibration devices can do that Kegels alone can't How Botox for vaginismus works — why the success rate is remarkably high, and what the treatment actually involves Testosterone delivery methods — pellets vs. gels vs. injections, absorption differences, and why estradiol, FSH, and DHT labs are non-negotiable for monitoring What DHT is and how your genetic predisposition affects hair loss, acne, and facial hair — the trade-offs of testosterone therapy most women don't expect For any woman who wants solutions that go beyond "use more lube" — your sexual health deserves the same attention as everything else you're tracking. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Lube Recommendations:  Foria Plant-based intimacy oils and arousal products (including CBD options) designed to enhance sensation and relaxation.⁠ https://www.foriawellness.com⁠ Joylux — Let’s Spin A water-based intimacy gel focused on hydration and comfort, created with women’s hormonal changes in mind. ⁠https://joylux.com⁠ Stripes Beauty — Oh My Glide An oil-based lubricant formulated with nourishing ingredients like squalane for longer-lasting glide. ⁠https://iamstripes.com⁠ Playground A gentle, water-based lubricant with a clean ingredient profile and an approachable, modern feel. https://itsplayground.com Nécessaire — The Sex Gel A simple, aloe-based intimacy gel designed to support hydration and pH balance. ⁠https://necessaire.com⁠ Maude Minimal, design-forward lubricants including both water-based and oil-based options.⁠ https://getmaude.com⁠ Überlube A high-quality silicone-based lubricant known for its long-lasting, ultra-smooth glide.⁠ https://uberlube.com⁠

When estrogen starts to decline, the vagina is one of the first places you feel it, and one of the last things women talk about. In this episode, we're going there. In this episode of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with Dr. Somi Javaid and Dr. Sarah de la Torre — two OB-GYNs who specialize in women's sexual health — plus Elena Brower, who brings the honest, personal perspective we all need. Together they break down what's actually happening inside the body, from tissue changes and UTIs to libido that's gone quiet and orgasms that feel out of reach. They discuss: What genital urinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) actually is — why estrogen and testosterone are essential to vaginal tissue health, sensation, and lubrication, and why this affects nearly everyone The difference between spontaneous and responsive desire — why most women have always been wired for the latter, and what that means for navigating changes in midlife How low libido shows up before you even realize hormones are involved — and why your Peloton seat may tip you off first What happens to fibroids, endometriosis, and PMDD during perimenopause — the changes to expect and what shifts after menopause The truth about orgasm in midlife — what the data says, what anatomy has to do with it, and why inattention may be the biggest factor For any woman who wants the real conversation about sexual health in midlife — no awkwardness, no hedging, zero judgment. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit ⁠stripesbeauty.com⁠ and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit ⁠connect.gdx.net⁠. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at ⁠LivOnLabs.com⁠. BiOptimizers: Go to ⁠bioptimizers.com/luminescence⁠ and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Lube Recommendations:  Foria Plant-based intimacy oils and arousal products (including CBD options) designed to enhance sensation and relaxation.⁠⁠ https://www.foriawellness.com⁠⁠ Joylux — Let’s Spin A water-based intimacy gel focused on hydration and comfort, created with women’s hormonal changes in mind. ⁠⁠https://joylux.com⁠⁠ Stripes Beauty — Oh My Glide An oil-based lubricant formulated with nourishing ingredients like squalane for longer-lasting glide. ⁠⁠https://iamstripes.com⁠⁠ Playground A gentle, water-based lubricant with a clean ingredient profile and an approachable, modern feel. https://itsplayground.com Nécessaire — The Sex Gel A simple, aloe-based intimacy gel designed to support hydration and pH balance. ⁠⁠https://necessaire.com⁠⁠ Maude Minimal, design-forward lubricants including both water-based and oil-based options.⁠⁠ https://getmaude.com⁠⁠ Überlube A high-quality silicone-based lubricant known for its long-lasting, ultra-smooth glide.⁠⁠ https://uberlube.com Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app⁠⁠

Women are medically dismissed every single day, and knowing that doesn't help you unless you know what to do about it. This is part two of the conversation on what's changing inside your body. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, and Dr. Sarah de la Torre break down the thyroid-hormone connection that conventional medicine consistently underestimates. Because brain fog, fatigue, hair changes, and weight gain could be perimenopause, or your thyroid, and the answer is often both. They discuss: Why thyroid dysfunction and perimenopause symptoms are so easily confused — and the full thyroid panel you should be asking for beyond just TSH How estrogen and thyroid hormone influence each other — why fluctuating hormones destabilize both systems, and why autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's surface during perimenopause How to advocate for yourself in short appointments — what to say when your doctor says no, why asking them to put a refusal in writing might be your most powerful move The case for tracking your symptoms and bringing your own data — how to frame difficult conversations with providers and when to get a second opinion Lightning round on saunas, grip strength, nasal breathing, Brazil nuts, and yes, the tequila protocol For any woman who's tired of being dismissed and wants concrete strategies for getting better care inside a broken system. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the US, more than all cancers combined, and yet the cardiovascular changes happening during perimenopause are still widely misunderstood, undertested, and dismissed. In this episode of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with Dr. Somi Javaid and Dr. Sarah de la Torre to get into what's actually happening to your heart as estrogen declines. Dr. Somi opens with the call that became her calling: her mother's near-fatal heart attack at 45, dismissed for six weeks as "too much caffeine." A story that is far too common. They discuss: Why perimenopause dramatically shifts cardiovascular risk — how estrogen loss stiffens arteries, raises blood pressure, and changes cholesterol profiles in ways most women aren't being told about The difference between standard lipid panels and the advanced markers that actually matter — ApoB, LipoA, hs-CRP, and why your doctor might not be ordering them What "cotton candy vs. gummy bear" LDL means — why particle type and number both count, and how this changes your treatment approach The direct link between metabolic health and heart disease — how glucose regulation affects everything, and why CGMs are revealing patterns doctors miss Why women are more likely to die from a heart attack than men — the diagnostic gaps, symptom differences, and systemic issues that have to change For any woman who wants to understand her cardiovascular risk before something happens. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Hormone therapy, GLP-1 medications, vitamin D, creatine, vibration plates, cold plunging, butter coffee. The list of things women in midlife are being told to try keeps growing. This is part three of the conversation on what's happening structurally in your body. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, and Dr. Sarah de la Torre get into what the science actually supports for metabolic health, muscle preservation, and bone density in perimenopause and menopause and go deep on GLP-1 medications, including why microdosing is quieting food noise and anxiety in ways that go well beyond weight loss. They discuss: Why GLP-1 medications are changing the conversation around weight, metabolism, and anxiety in midlife — and what microdosing actually does that full doses don't What you need to know to protect muscle mass if you're on a GLP-1 — why the medication doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle loss, and how to work with that The role of vitamin D, calcium, and omega-3s for bones and hormones — what the research supports and what's marketing What actually moves the needle for metabolic health beyond the basics — from strength training to vibration plates, and why some interventions work better than others Lightning round verdicts on step tracking, butter coffee, creatine, squats after meals, and cold plunging — what's worth your time and what isn't For any woman trying to sort through the noise around what actually works for midlife health. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Think osteoporosis is an old woman's disease? Most women start losing critical bone mass in their thirties and forties, long before menopause, and most won't know it until a fracture happens. This is part two of the conversation on what's happening structurally in your body. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and Elena Brower get into the bone health conversation that should have started a decade ago — how estrogen loss, missed screenings, and outdated guidelines are leaving women vulnerable in genuinely preventable ways. They discuss: When bone mass peaks and how quickly it's lost in your thirties and forties — and why this timeline means screening should start earlier than most doctors recommend What estrogen is actually doing for bone strength and structure — beyond just density, why the architecture of bone matters Why DEXA scans are the gold standard for early detection — when to start them, how to ask for one, and what to do if your numbers look normal but you're high-risk Why walking isn't enough for bone health — what weight training, jumping, and targeted impact exercise actually do at the cellular level The risk factors most doctors aren't asking about — eating disorders, family history, chronic steroid use, and why low body weight is more dangerous than most women realize For any woman who wants to understand what's happening to her bones before something breaks. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Aches, pains, and that mysterious menopause pooch. Is it just aging, or is something else happening in your body? In this episode of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and Elena Brower to get into what's actually happening musculoskeletally during perimenopause and menopause — muscle loss, joint pain, shifting metabolism, and why the workouts that used to work have stopped working. They discuss: What the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause actually is — why everything suddenly hurts, and why this collection of symptoms doesn't get talked about enough Why muscle is your most important glucose sink as hormones shift — and how protecting it changes your entire metabolic picture The difference between visceral and subcutaneous fat, and why where you gain weight matters more than the number on the scale for heart health The surprising connections between perimenopause, fibromyalgia, and chronically misdiagnosed pain — including why frozen shoulder peaks in midlife How modern yoga is adapting to support strength and functional movement — and why flexibility without stability can be problematic For any woman who's noticed her body changing and wants to understand what's actually happening beneath the surface. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Perimenopause can arrive as sudden rage, body composition shifts, sleep disruption, brain fog, and emotional swings that don't match the circumstances. This is part two of the conversation on perimenopause. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and Elena Brower share personal stories alongside evidence-based lifestyle tools that move the needle whether or not you're on hormone therapy. They discuss: Why protein timing and strength training stabilize energy and mood in perimenopause and how to structure both for maximum impact The difference between bioidentical, natural, and synthetic hormones and what these terms actually mean when you're making treatment decisions When and how to start HRT. The timing considerations, how to make it affordable, and what safety actually looks like How sleep, hydration, and fiber influence hormones and metabolism. The mechanisms behind why these basics matter more now Which telehealth clinics offer nationwide menopausal care worth knowing about and how to navigate this new landscape For any woman who's in it and trying to figure out what to do next beyond being told to exercise more and sleep better. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Most women don't recognize perimenopause until they're already deep in it, and their doctors often miss it too. In this episode, Schuyler Grant sits down with Dr. Somi Javaid, founder of HerMD and women's sexual health expert; Dr. Sarah de la Torre, OB-GYN and functional medicine physician; and Elena Brower, bestselling author and teacher, to talk about what's actually happening hormonally during perimenopause and why so much of it goes unrecognized, minimized, or misdiagnosed. They discuss: Why perimenopause often starts in the late thirties and early forties, long before hot flashes or cycle changes appear The symptoms most commonly missed — sleep disruption, brain fog, anxiety, mood swings, and changes in body composition Why so many women leave their doctor's office with an antidepressant when what they actually needed was hormone support How siloed specialties, underfunded research, and undertrained clinicians are failing women at midlife What it means to be the CEO of your own healthcare — and how to advocate for yourself inside a system that wasn't built with you in mind If you've ever walked out of a doctor's office with more confusion than you walked in with, this episode is for you. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Botox. Fillers. Lasers. Red light masks. Geranium oil and gua sha. If you've wondered about any of these — what they actually do, whether they're worth it, and what two menopause-focused OB-GYNs and a Zen teacher actually do themselves — this is that conversation. In part three of their conversation on the visible changes of midlife, Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and Elena Brower get personal about what they actually do, what they recommend, and where they disagree. They discuss: Botox: The medical uses most people don't know about, the case for and against, and what happens when you freeze too much of your face Lasers: How they actually work, the difference between superficial and deeper treatments, and what to look for in a provider Red light therapy masks: What the data actually says and what to look for before you buy Fillers: Why one doctor completely changed her position on them The natural alternatives, geranium oil, gua sha, retinol vs. estrogen, and dermaplaning Each woman's personal philosophy on aging (which turns out to be the most clarifying part of the conversation) A lightning round: Face yoga, staying out of the sun, ring lights, shorter haircuts, tweezers in the car, and more This episode is for any woman who wants real opinions, not just options. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit ⁠www.luminescence.health⁠.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit ⁠stripesbeauty.com⁠ and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit ⁠connect.gdx.net⁠. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at ⁠LivOnLabs.com⁠. BiOptimizers: Go to ⁠bioptimizers.com/luminescence⁠ and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

You look in the mirror and something's different. Your skin, your hair. And nobody really warned you that this was coming, or that it was hormonal. This is part two of the conversation on the visible changes of midlife. Schuyler Grant, Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and Elena Brower get into the biology behind what's actually happening to skin and hair as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone decline.  They discuss: What declining hormones actually do to collagen, elastin, and blood flow and why your skin is your largest organ, not just a vanity concern Topical estrogen for the face. What it is, how it differs from vaginal estrogen, and why even the doctors in this conversation hadn't heard of it The Women's Health Initiative, the black box warning that just came off vaginal estrogen, and what two decades of misinformation actually cost women Whether starting HRT earlier makes a visible difference and what the data does and doesn't support How to tell the difference between a choice that's genuinely yours and one that's been shaped by outside pressure Most women are handed moisturizer and told to drink more water. This episode goes considerably further than that.  For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit ⁠www.luminescence.health⁠.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit ⁠stripesbeauty.com⁠ and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit ⁠connect.gdx.net⁠. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at ⁠LivOnLabs.com⁠. BiOptimizers: Go to ⁠bioptimizers.com/luminescence⁠ and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Nobody warned you that midlife would feel like this. Right as you're starting to see yourself more clearly, the world starts looking at you differently. In the Season 2 premiere of the Luminescence Podcast, Schuyler Grant sits down with OB-GYNs Dr. Somi Javaid and Dr. Sarah de la Torre, and writer and teacher Elena Brower, to open a conversation that's been a long time coming: what actually happens to women's looks as we age. This is about a lot more than skin and hair. They discuss: The impossible standard around how women age: Damned if you do, damned if you don't, and why aging has become the new debate that pits women against each other The archetypes of maiden, mother, and crone: The gifts and shadow sides of each, and why midlife isn't about leaving one behind but learning to hold all of them at once The appreciation gap: Why we can't see ourselves clearly when we're in it, and the practice of learning to appreciate what's actually there before hindsight forces it For any woman navigating the noise around aging and looking for a conversation that actually goes somewhere. For information on our upcoming events, retreats, and to connect with specialists and other women in our online community, visit www.luminescence.health.  Presented by our sponsors: Stripes: Visit stripesbeauty.com and use the code COMMUNE20 for 20% off the entire product line. Genova Connect: Save 20% on testing with code COMMUNE20 so you can stop guessing and make adjustments to support what matters. Visit connect.gdx.net. LivOn Labs: Get 15% off your first order of elite-absorption, foundational supplements that fit into your routine with code COMMUNE15 (valid through 6.30.26) at LivOnLabs.com. BiOptimizers: Go to bioptimizers.com/luminescence and use code LUMINESCENCE for 15% off. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Sex therapist and legendary podcast host Dr. Emily Morse joins Schuyler Grant at Luminescence Los Angeles for an open, honest conversation about why so many women feel disconnected from their pleasure — and what to do about it. Together, they explore how shame, stress, trauma, and cultural messaging impact sexual health; why communication is the ultimate lubrication; and practical strategies to reignite intimacy in long-term relationships. From nervous system regulation to mindful masturbation, you'll discover empowering tools to reconnect with your body, your desires, and your partner — at any stage of life. This talk was recorded live at Luminescence Los Angeles - February 1, 2025. Learn more about future events at ⁠onecommune.com/luminescence⁠. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

In this empowering and refreshingly honest talk from Luminescence Los Angeles, Dr. Jolene Brighten reveals why low libido isn’t "just part of being a woman" — and how hormones, stress, metabolism, relationships, and even body image all intersect to influence sexual health. You’ll learn how estrogen, testosterone, insulin, and cortisol impact desire, why prioritizing your pleasure is essential for total health, and practical, science-backed strategies to reclaim your vitality. Whether you’re cycling, postpartum, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal, this conversation will help you understand your body and your power on a whole new level. This talk was recorded live at Luminescence Los Angeles - February 1, 2025. Learn more about future events at onecommune.com/luminescence. Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Pleasure Beyond Penetration, Kink, Communication & Chronic Pain It’s time to dismantle the outdated script that defines intimacy as penetration with orgasm as the goal. From queer sex to neurodivergent pleasure to the realities of long-term relationships, this conversation invites you to rethink what connection and satisfaction truly mean. We talk intimacy beyond heteronormative norms, why connection — not orgasm — is what people actually say makes sex satisfying, how kink communities model clear consent and communication, why novelty and curiosity matter (especially for neurodivergent brains), and how chronic pain, fatigue, and health conditions change intimacy without ending it. This is about redefining pleasure on your terms, not the movie version. You'll Learn: Why connection, not orgasm, predicts sexual satisfaction How heteronormative scripts limit pleasure for many women What kink communities teach us about consent + communication Why novelty, sensory input, and curiosity keep desire alive How to explore pleasure if you don’t even know what you like yet Why self-pleasure improves partnered sex and communication Intimacy without penetration: expanding what “sex” means How chronic pain, endometriosis, fatigue, or disability affect intimacy Tools, positioning aids, and adaptations that make sex more accessible Why orgasms are a nervous system event — not just genital If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing sex wrong,” this episode is your reminder: there is no one right way — only what creates safety, connection, and pleasure for you. Featured Guests: Dr. Jolene Brighten – Naturopathic endocrinologist, author of Is This Normal? and Beyond the Pill Dr. Mariza Snyder – Functional wellness expert, author of The Perimenopause Revolution Rosie Acosta – Host of Radically Loved, yoga and meditation teacher Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Testosterone for Women: Libido, Muscle, Mood, Brain Fog & HRT Truths Testosterone is not just a “guy thing;” it’s the most abundant biologically active hormone in a woman’s body, and it powers far more than libido. This conversation gets real about how modern life depletes testosterone and why women are often shut out of treatment options. We unpack what happens when testosterone declines from your 20s through perimenopause and menopause, why it affects motivation, confidence, muscle, brain function, and libido, and why so many women are told it “doesn’t matter.” We break down testing, HRT options (creams, gels, injections, pellets), risks vs benefits, and why stress, belly fat, and modern life can tank testosterone long before menopause. You’ll learn: Why testosterone impacts energy, confidence, muscle, bone, and sex drive Signs of low T in women: brain fog, low motivation, poor recovery, low libido Why it’s not FDA-approved for women (and what that means for access) Total vs free testosterone, SHBG, and what to actually test HRT delivery methods: cream, gel, injections, pellets pros and cons Possible side effects: acne, hair changes, mood shifts, cholesterol changes Why stress, insulin resistance, and endocrine disruptors lower testosterone Natural boosters: strength training, protein, vitamin D, reducing plastics, better sleep Why hormones are a full-body system, not just “sex hormones” If you’ve ever felt less driven, less strong, less clear-headed and wondered if it’s “just aging” this conversation might change how you see your hormones. Featured Guests: Dr. Jolene Brighten – Naturopathic endocrinologist, author of Is This Normal? and Beyond the Pill Dr. Mariza Snyder – Functional wellness expert, author of The Perimenopause Revolution Rosie Acosta – Host of Radically Loved, yoga and meditation teacher Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Nothing will tank your libido faster than stress, which cranks up your cortisol and puts your body in survival mode. Learn what’s really happening in your brain when you feel anxious, numb, or disconnected, and how you can reset your stress hormones and get your mojo back. We talk about how chronic stress can disrupt sleep, metabolism, mood, and connection, and why desire is not “broken,” it is often responding to a nervous system that does not feel safe. Plus, practical tools to regulate stress, send safety signals, and get your vitality back. You'll learn: What the HPA axis is and how cortisol can suppress sex hormones Why chronic stress drives cravings, inflammation, and insulin resistance The difference between spontaneous desire and responsive desire How the mental load and relationship strain can put the brakes on libido Simple nervous system resets like breathwork, walking, and co regulation Sleep basics that support healthier cortisol rhythms How to spot early stress cues so you can intervene sooner Featured Guests: Dr. Jolene Brighten – Naturopathic endocrinologist, author of Is This Normal? and Beyond the Pill Dr. Mariza Snyder – Functional wellness expert, author of The Perimenopause Revolution Rosie Acosta – Host of Radically Loved, yoga and meditation teacher Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

It’s one of the most revolutionary – and controversial – medical inventions in history: the birth control pill. The pill gave women control over their bodies and their futures, but came with a price few of us were ever told about. This episode explains how the pill actually works, what it does to your natural hormonal rhythm, and why it’s frequently overprescribed. What you’ll learn: • How the pill shuts down natural ovulation and hormone rhythms • Why mood symptoms often show up in the first months • How birth control can affect libido and vaginal health • The connection between the pill, PCOS, acne, and blood sugar • Progesterone vs progestin (important difference) • Breast cancer risk vs ovarian/endometrial protection • What to consider if coming off the pill • How to talk to a teen about informed consent and contraception Featured Guests: • Dr. Jolene Brighten – Naturopathic endocrinologist, author of Is This Normal? and Beyond the Pill • Dr. Mariza Snyder – Functional wellness expert, author of The Perimenopause Revolution • Rosie Acosta – Host of Radically Loved, yoga and meditation teacher Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

So many of us feel anxious or disconnected from our bodies because we don't understand why our sexual desire fluctuates. This episode breaks down the hormonal dance that drives (and sometimes derails) your sex drive, explaining what happens to your metabolism, mood, and libido through midlife.  We get crystal clear on desire vs arousal vs orgasm, why estrogen is a major driver of fantasy and craving, and why progesterone can make you drier, slower to warm up, and harder to orgasm (you’re not broken, you’re hormonally alive). Then we zoom out to the midlife reality: metabolism shifts, insulin resistance, body changes, stress, sleep… and the underrated longevity superpower that changes everything: connection and community. You'll Learn: • Responsive vs spontaneous desire (both normal) • Why ovulation can feel like “sex brain” • Why the luteal phase can mean dryness + more foreplay • What shifts in perimenopause (metabolism, muscle, belly fat) • Simple blood sugar levers: protein, fiber, walking, sleep • Why body image and stress can tank libido • Why connection might matter more than any supplement • If you’ve ever wondered, “Is something wrong with me?”, this episode is your permission slip: your libido isn’t a personality flaw. It’s biology + life. Featured Guests: • Dr. Jolene Brighten – Naturopathic endocrinologist, author of Is This Normal? and Beyond the Pill • Dr. Mariza Snyder – Functional wellness expert, author of The Perimenopause Revolution • Rosie Acosta – Host of Radically Loved, yoga and meditation teacher Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Ever been turned on but dry as the Sahara? Vaginal lubrication doesn't always match desire, and in this episode, Schuyler Grant and her expert panel (Dr. Jolene Brighten, Dr. Marisa Snyder, and Rosie Acosta) explain what our culture – and our doctors – fail to teach us. We break down vaginal health, pH balance, and what is really going on in your body during arousal. You'll Learn: • Arousal non-concordance (your wetness doesn't have to match your desire) • Vaginal pH and why estrogen is basically a farmer for your vagina • What really happens during arousal (spoiler: it takes longer than porn suggests) • Why every vagina needs estrogen (postpartum, perimenopause, menopause) • Vaginal health myths busted (Can tampons get lost? Are tight vaginas better?) • How to know when dryness, itching, or pain needs medical attention • Why vaginal health is connected to your overall wellbeing Can you get pregnant during your period? (Depends.) Are all vaginas pink? (Absolutely not.) Should you be doing 50 Kegels a day? (Please stop.) You'll learn why the “tight vagina” myth is harmful, how semen affects vaginal pH, and why vaginal health changes throughout your life. It’s the vagina education you never got—science-backed, shame-free, and actually useful. Featured Guests: • Dr. Jolene Brighten – Naturopathic endocrinologist, author of Is This Normal? and Beyond the Pill • Dr. Mariza Snyder – Functional wellness expert, author of The Perimenopause Revolution • Rosie Acosta – Host of Radically Loved, yoga and meditation teacher Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Ever wonder why your sex drive vanishes, your brain turns to mush, or you want to rage-quit your entire life for no reason? Blame your hormones, or, more specifically, how estrogen and progesterone run your brain. In this episode, Schuyler Grant and her expert panel (Dr. Jolene Brighten, Dr. Marisa Snyder, and Rosie Acosta) break down why it can feel like your brain is actively betraying you, particularly in perimenopause. What you'll learn: • Estrogen and progesterone are brain hormones (not just “lady parts” hormones) • The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis explained in plain language • Why perimenopause brings brain fog, mood swings, anxiety, and vanishing libido • The menstrual cycle phases and how hormones shift throughout • What's happening to your serotonin, dopamine, and GABA levels • Why 80% of perimenopause symptoms happen in your brain • A simple breathing technique to calm your nervous system Here's the thing: for decades, doctors thought women's hormones only affected reproduction. Turns out, estrogen and progesterone control your brain, bones, heart, metabolism, gut health, and basically everything. When they start declining in your mid-to-late thirties, your brain goes through a massive remodeling. No wonder you feel like you're losing your mind. This episode helps you understand what's actually happening and how to take back control. Featured Guests: • Dr. Jolene Brighten – Naturopathic endocrinologist, author of Is This Normal? and Beyond the Pill • Dr. Mariza Snyder – Functional wellness expert, author of The Perimenopause Revolution • Rosie Acosta – Host of Radically Loved, yoga and meditation teacher Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

The clitoral conspiracy is real. This episode explains why women orgasm way less than men in heterosexual relationships (just 65% compared to 95%) and what you can do about it. Schuyler Grant and her expert panel (Dr. Jolene Brighten, Dr. Marisa Snyder, and Rosie Acosta) get real about female anatomy, sexual pleasure, and the cultural myths keeping women from experiencing orgasm. What you'll learn: • Clitoral anatomy explained (your clitoris is way bigger than you think—seriously, Google it) • Why female orgasm rates are so low in heterosexual relationships • The difference between sexual arousal and sexual desire • Why penetration-focused sex isn't creating orgasms for most women • How to improve intimacy and sexual satisfaction • Practical tools for better sex and closing the orgasm gap Here's a fun fact: the clitoris was discovered in 460 BCE, then men decided to just...forget about it for a few thousand years. Most medical textbooks still barely cover female sexual anatomy. This episode offers you some of the sex education you never got—science-based info about women's sexual health, minus the shame, plus honest conversation about what sexual pleasure actually looks like. Featured Guests: • Dr. Jolene Brighten – Naturopathic endocrinologist, author of Is This Normal? and Beyond the Pill • Dr. Mariza Snyder – Functional wellness expert, author of The Perimenopause Revolution • Rosie Acosta – Host of Radically Loved, yoga and meditation teacher Try Schuyler's new personalized yoga app: https://schuylergrant.com/app

Host Schuyler Grant and a roundtable of women's health experts cut through the shame and get real about sex hormones and intimacy. From the orgasm gap to hormonal birth control, from stress and cortisol to testosterone therapy, Season 1 tackles the questions women have been asking in whispers—with science, honesty, and zero judgment. This season, host Schuyler Grant joins forces with Dr. Jolene Brighten, Dr. Marisa Snyder, and Rosie Acosta to close the knowledge gap on the three pillars of female vitality:  Sex, Hormones, and Intimacy.