Peri Chats

If you’ve ever been told your thyroid is “normal”… but you still feel exhausted, foggy, and stuck in your body — this episode is for you. The truth is, thyroid health is often oversimplified and misunderstood. Most providers rely on a single lab marker, TSH, to assess thyroid function. But this only tells a small part of the story — and it’s one of the biggest reasons so many women go undiagnosed and untreated. In this episode, we break down what your thyroid actually does and the three ways it can dysfunction: ✔️ Production issues (what traditional medicine typically looks for) ✔️ Conversion issues (the most common and most missed) ✔️ Blockage issues, including the role of Reverse T3 We also talk about why medications like Synthroid don’t work for everyone — and in some cases, can leave you feeling worse despite “better” labs. You’ll learn: • Why TSH alone isn’t enough • How T4 and T3 actually work in the body • The role of stress, gut health, and inflammation in thyroid function • Why you can have normal labs and still have real symptoms • What a more complete thyroid approach looks like If you’re dealing with fatigue, weight resistance, brain fog, hair thinning, or just feel like something is off — don’t ignore it. Your body is giving you signals. You just need the right framework to understand them. Learn more about how to become a patient here

  Estrogen has gotten a bad reputation over the years. Many women have been told it’s dangerous, unnecessary, or something you should avoid until you’re fully in menopause. But the truth is, perimenopause is often the time when estrogen support can matter the most. In this episode of Peri Chats, we break down what is really happening in the body during perimenopause and why so many women start feeling “off” years before menopause actually arrives. Estrogen doesn’t simply decline overnight. During perimenopause it can swing dramatically from month to month, creating the hormonal rollercoaster responsible for many of the symptoms women experience in their late 30s and 40s — from anxiety and sleep disruption to brain fog, joint pain, and cycle changes. In this episode we discuss: • Why estrogen fluctuations — not just decline — drive many perimenopause symptoms • How bone density begins to decline earlier than most women realize • The critical role estrogen plays in protecting the brain and cognition • How estrogen supports cardiovascular and metabolic health • Why stabilizing hormones during perimenopause can make a significant difference in how women feel • The importance of looking at hormones as a system — including progesterone, thyroid, gut health, stress, and detox pathways This conversation is about education and understanding what’s actually happening inside the body, so women can make informed decisions about their health during this transition. If you’ve ever been told “your labs are normal” but you still don’t feel like yourself, this episode will help you understand why. Follow and subscribe to Peri Chats for more conversations breaking down the science behind hormones, metabolism, and women’s health in midlife. Ready to make a change? Book a consult here!

Podcast Episode Description How do you know if you're in perimenopause… or if something else is going on? In this episode of Peri Chats, we’re talking about the phase of life that so many women experience but very few truly understand — perimenopause. For many women, this transition begins years before menopause, often showing up in subtle ways long before periods stop. Anxiety that feels new, sleep disruption, brain fog, changes in weight or energy, worsening PMS, or simply feeling like your body is no longer responding the way it used to. The frustrating part? Many women are told their labs are “normal” and that everything is fine — even though they clearly feel different. In this episode, Erin breaks down: • What perimenopause actually is and when it typically begins • The most common early symptoms women notice • Why hormone testing during this phase can be confusing • What underlying hormone changes may be happening • Lifestyle and treatment approaches that can help support your body through this transition We also begin the conversation around estrogen and why it matters so much during perimenopause — not just for symptoms, but for long-term health including the brain, bones, and cardiovascular system. Perimenopause isn’t the beginning of decline. It’s a biological transition — and when you understand what’s happening in your body, you can support it in a much more intentional way. If you’ve ever thought “Something feels off but no one can explain why,” this episode is for you. Follow Peri Chats for more conversations about hormones, healing, and navigating midlife with real science and real support.

In this episode, we sit down with Stacy Kestin, Co-Founder and Owner of Wellbel — the hair wellness brand redefining confidence from the inside out. With over three decades of experience as a life coach and entrepreneur, Stacy has built her career around helping people align their internal health with how they show up in the world. Her approach blends emotional insight, sharp business acumen, and a deep belief that confidence isn’t cosmetic — it’s foundational. In this episode, we talk all about hair loss in perimenopause and menopause — why it happens, what’s actually driving it, and what most women are missing when they try to fix it. We dive into: The root causes of hair thinning beyond just hormones Why we recommend Wellbel over other hair supplements The truth about high-dose biotin (and what it can actually do) Key ingredients that truly support hair growth What makes Wellbel different from everything else on the market If you’ve been dealing with hair changes and not getting real answers, this conversation will give you clarity — and a path forward. Join us as we break down how to restore hair health, rebuild confidence, and achieve that Wellbel bounce from the inside out! Ready to get started? Use code PERICHATS for 10% off your purchase at Revive wellness store Purchase Well Bel here    

In this episode of Peri Chats, Erin sits down with Mandy Bazemore to talk openly about the reality of perimenopause and the changes so many women experience but often don’t understand. Mandy shares her personal journey navigating weight gain, hormone shifts, and the frustration that can come with feeling like your body suddenly starts working against you. Together, Erin and Mandy break down what is actually happening during perimenopause and why so many women struggle during this transition. They also dive into the truth about GLP-1 medications—what they are, what they aren’t, and why there is so much confusion around them. Erin explains when these medications can be helpful, the biggest myths circulating online, and how to use them appropriately for weight loss while still protecting muscle and supporting overall metabolic health. This conversation is honest, educational, and empowering for any woman navigating perimenopause and trying to make sense of the endless information about hormones and weight loss. In this episode we cover: • What perimenopause really is and why symptoms can feel so confusing • Mandy’s personal journey through hormonal changes • Why weight gain happens during perimenopause • The truth about GLP-1 medications • Common myths and misconceptions • How to use GLP-1s in a way that supports muscle, metabolism, and long-term health   Follow Mandy on Instagram @the.charlotte.injector For more info on GLP1-s Visit www.revivewellnesssc.com

In this powerful conversation, Erin sits down with Laura Oakes to unpack what may be the most overlooked factor in women’s health: Your nervous system. For so many high-achieving, driven women — the missing piece isn’t another supplement, stricter macros, or pushing harder. It’s regulation. We dive into why nervous system regulation is often the foundational step that must come first — especially if you feel stuck despite “doing everything right.” Inside this episode, we cover: ✨ What nervous system regulation actually means ✨ Why so many women are living in chronic fight-or-flight ✨ How chronic stress elevates cortisol and drives inflammation ✨ The cortisol → blood sugar → insulin → belly fat cascade ✨ Why stress keeps the body in a protective, survival-based state ✨ How a dysregulated nervous system disrupts sleep, energy, and mood ✨ Why stress suppresses libido and slows metabolism ✨ The connection between alcohol, inflammation, and stress signaling ✨ Why alcohol keeps the body in a heightened stress-response state ✨ Why your body cannot heal, lose weight, or truly recover when it doesn’t feel safe We break down how a chronically activated nervous system impacts the entire body — altering stress patterns, impairing blood sugar regulation, increasing inflammatory signaling, disrupting sleep architecture, and keeping you locked in survival mode instead of repair mode. If you feel like you're constantly pushing, wired-but-tired, inflamed, stuck with weight, or reaching for alcohol to unwind — this episode will likely hit home. Because healing doesn’t start with doing more. It starts with safety. Follow erin on instagram @erinlynnewellness To learn more about revive Wellness visit www.revivewellnesssc.com

Midline Weight Gain: What’s Really Happening as Hormones Shift In this episode of Peri Chats, we’ll discuss why weight so often shifts to the midsection as hormones begin to change — even when your habits haven’t. We’ll talk through what’s actually happening beneath the surface, including: How changes in estrogen, progesterone, insulin, cortisol, and thyroid influence fat storage Why belly weight can increase even without significant changes on the scale The difference between visceral and subcutaneous fat and why midline weight gain matters for long-term health How chronic stress, under-eating, poor sleep, and overtraining can worsen abdominal fat storage Why many women are told “it’s just aging” — and what’s being missed In this episode, we’ll also discuss what women can do about it — from nutrition strategies and strength training to sleep, stress regulation, and hormone support — so you can work with your physiology instead of against it. This conversation isn’t about quick fixes or shrinking your body. It’s about understanding your hormones, your metabolism, and your options — so you can make informed decisions for your health now and for years to come. Visit www.revivewellnesssc.com to learn about our metabolic program or to become a new patient! 

Perimenopause Symptoms Explained: Why It’s a Transition, Not a Diagnosis Perimenopause is not a diagnosis — it’s a hormonal transition. And yet, millions of women in their 30s and early 40s are dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told their symptoms are “normal” or “just stress.” In this episode of Peri Chats, we break down what perimenopause actually is, why it often begins earlier than expected, and how hormonal volatility — not hormone deficiency — drives many early symptoms. We discuss the early signs of perimenopause most women don’t connect to hormones, including anxiety, mood changes, weight gain, sleep disruption, fatigue, brain fog, and immune changes. You’ll learn how shifting estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone impact metabolism, mental health, inflammation, and immune function, and why standard hormone labs frequently appear “normal” despite significant symptoms. We explain why symptoms matter more than labs, how perimenopause is commonly missed by conventional medicine, and what women actually need during this transition. This episode is for women who feel unheard, overlooked, or confused by what their body is doing — and for anyone searching for real answers about perimenopause symptoms, hormone imbalance, and midlife health. 🎙️ Peri Chats — honest conversations about hormones, healing, and real life.

In this first episode of Peri Chats, Erin Gagné shares the personal journey that led her into functional medicine — and ultimately inspired this podcast. What started in 2017 as chronic exhaustion and being told her labs were “normal” quickly turned into years of unanswered symptoms, autoimmune diagnoses, early perimenopause, burnout, and feeling deeply disconnected from her body. Through gut health challenges, hormone disruption, and the courage to leave a toxic work environment, Erin’s healing journey reshaped not only how she lives — but how she practices medicine. In this episode, Erin reflects on the pivotal moments that changed everything and shares the five healing lessons that helped her find lasting wellness, including: Why feeling dismissed is never normal care The role of gut health in hormone and immune balance How hormones adapt to stress rather than “fail” Why lifestyle and environment matter as much as protocols What real healing looks like when it isn’t linear This episode sets the foundation for Peri Chats — honest, science-backed conversations for women navigating perimenopause, burnout, and chronic symptoms who are ready for deeper understanding and real healing. If you’ve ever felt like something was off but couldn’t get answers, this episode is for you.   check out Revive wellness www.Revivewellnesssc.com

Welcome to Peri Chats a space where hormones and healing finally get an honest conversation, led by Erin Gagne, nurse practitioner and owner of Revive Wellness. Erin has a passion for all things wellness in full body healing after experiencing her own health struggles. In the space, we will share honest conversations so that you can find deep healing and empowerment to fill your best inside and out welcome in!