The Missing Peace

In Part 2 of their conversation with Julie Perry — functional medicine nurse practitioner — Brooke Benevento and Danielle Griffiths dive into perimenopause, menopause, and what women can actually do about it.Julie breaks down the timeline of perimenopause (it can start as early as 35), why your hormones feel like a roller coaster, and what's really behind the night sweats, brain fog, weight gain, and 3 AM wake-ups. The hosts get real about frozen shoulder, pelvic floor issues, and the moment you realize your mom wasn't being dramatic after all.They also tackle the controversial history of hormone replacement therapy — from the flawed 2001 Women's Health Initiative study to the modern push for better care — and why functional medicine is changing the game for women who've been told "you're fine" by their doctors. Plus, Brooke shares why she sees this stage of life not as a crisis, but as a powerful inner awakening.In this episode, you'll learn:When perimenopause can start and why you don't need to lose your period to be in itThe truth about hormone replacement therapy and the study that scared a generation of womenWhy cortisol spikes at 3 AM and what that means for your sleep, weight, and stressFrozen shoulder, gluteal tendinopathy, and the musculoskeletal side of menopauseWhat magnesium can (and can't) do — and which types actually help with sleepWhy strength training matters more than cardio in your 40s and 50sThe role of testosterone in women's health — and why there's no FDA-approved product for womenJulie's top 5 things every woman should do during this transitionResources mentioned:Dr. Mary Claire Haver — The New MenopauseDr. Kelly Casperson — women's sexual health advocateInternational Menopause Society (founded 1978)Magnesium glycinate and L-threonate for sleepVaginal estradiol for urogenital symptomsPelvic floor therapyConnect with us:Instagram: @the.missing.peace.podTikTok: @the.missing.peace8Email: [email protected] a topic you want us to cover? Want to be a guest? Reach out — we'd love to hear from you!If you missed Part 1, go back and listen first — we covered the four phases of the menstrual cycle. Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In their first-ever guest episode, Brooke Benevento and Danielle Griffiths welcome Julie Perry — functional medicine nurse practitioner and close friend of the show — to break down the four phases of the menstrual cycle and what's really happening in a woman's body each month.Julie walks through the hormonal shifts behind each phase — from the restorative menstrual phase, to the energizing follicular phase, to the brief but powerful ovulation window, to the often-misunderstood luteal phase. Along the way, the hosts share personal stories about tracking their cycles, coaching volleyball teams that synced up, and the moments they wished someone had explained all of this sooner.This episode isn't just for women — it's a guide for husbands, partners, sons, and friends who want to better understand and support the women in their lives. Plus, Julie reveals why men's testosterone follows a daily rhythm and what that means for your relationship.In this episode, you'll learn:The four phases of the menstrual cycle and what happens hormonally in each oneHow estrogen and progesterone shifts affect mood, energy, and decision-makingWhy the ovulation window is shorter than most people thinkNutrition tips for each phase — from comfort foods to cruciferous vegetablesHow women's cycles sync up when they spend time togetherWhat men's daily testosterone rhythm looks like — and why he's on the couch at 5 PMPractical ways partners can show up during each phase of the cycleResources mentioned:Cycle-syncing nutrition booksLH predictor strips for tracking ovulationCycle tracking appsConnect with us:Instagram: @the.missing.peace.podTikTok: @the.missing.peace8Email: [email protected] a topic you want us to cover? Want to be a guest? Reach out — we'd love to hear from you!Part 2 drops next week — covering perimenopause and menopause. Subscribe so you don't miss it!

In the fourth and final episode of their social heredity series, Brooke Benevento and Danielle Griffiths tackle the institution that shaped nearly all of us: education.Danielle digs into the surprising origins of the American school system — from the Puritans' Old Deluder Satan Act of 1647, to Prussia's military-inspired model, to John D. Rockefeller's investment in creating a workforce of obedient workers rather than critical thinkers. They explore how standardized testing was born from Frederick Kelly's Kansas Silent Reading Test — and how even its creator later criticized it for crushing student creativity.Brooke shares a powerful personal story about a teacher who called her writing "the worst story I've ever heard" — and how that one moment silenced her creative voice for decades. Both hosts open up about school experiences that left lasting marks and discuss why labels like "too talkative" or "not focused" aren't flaws — they're clues to who your child really is.In this episode, you'll learn:The real origins of the American school system — from Puritan literacy to Prussian obedienceHow Rockefeller's investment shaped schools to produce workers, not thinkersThe story behind standardized testing and why its own creator rejected itHow a single teacher's words can shape (or shatter) a child's identityWhy school labels like "unfocused" or "too talkative" are actually strengths in disguisePractical ways to help your kids become critical thinkersWhy it's never too late to redefine yourself and change your pathResources mentioned:The Old Deluder Satan Act of 1647Frederick Kelly and the Kansas Silent Reading TestThe "fish climbing a tree" quote (often attributed to Albert Einstein)Cal Poly San Luis Obispo — "Learn by Doing"Peace and Prosperity InstituteConnect with us:Instagram: @the.missing.peace.podTikTok: @the.missing.peace8Email: [email protected] a topic you want us to cover? Want to be a guest? Reach out — we'd love to hear from you!New episodes dropping regularly. Subscribe so you don't miss the next one.

In Episode 3 of The Missing Peace, Brooke Benevento and Danielle Griffiths continue their series on social heredity — this time exploring the most influential force of all: family.Danielle takes us back to the founding of America with the concept of Republican Motherhood — how the founding fathers saw mothers as the moral backbone of a functioning republic. From there, they trace how the role of women and families evolved through the Roaring Twenties, World War II, and into the modern era.Brooke shares her belief that the woman is the heart of the home — and how finding inner peace transformed her entire family dynamic. Together, they discuss Napoleon Hill's Mastermind concept applied to partnerships, why choosing your partner is the most important decision you'll ever make, and how your children are constantly modeling your behavior.In this episode, you'll learn:What "Republican Motherhood" was and why it mattered to America's founding fathersHow the role of women transformed from the 1920s through todayWhy the woman sets the emotional tone of the householdNapoleon Hill's Mastermind concept applied to partnerships and marriageWhy choosing your partner is the most important decision you'll makeHow children model their parents — even into adulthoodThe importance of self-love before building a familyWhy putting yourself first isn't selfish — it's necessaryResources mentioned:We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel RodgersThe Mastermind concept from Napoleon HillPeace and Prosperity InstituteConnect with us:Instagram: @the.missing.peace.podTikTok: @the.missing.peace8Email: [email protected] a topic you want us to cover? Want to be a guest? Reach out — we'd love to hear from you!New episodes dropping regularly. Subscribe so you don't miss the next one.

In Episode 2 of The Missing Peace, Brooke Benevento and Danielle Griffiths continue their deep dive into social heredity — this time tackling one of the most sensitive influences of all: religion.Brooke shares how growing up outside the church made her curious about faith, while Danielle opens up about feeling "not good enough" as a child attending mass in a language she didn't understand. Together, they explore how religious upbringing shapes our beliefs — and how to tell whether your faith experience is rooted in fear or empowerment.In this episode, you'll learn:How religion fits into Napoleon Hill's concept of social heredityThe difference between fear-based and faith-based religionA brief history of the three "Great Awakenings" in America — and why we may be in the third one right nowWhy "separation of church and state" isn't actually in the U.S. founding documentsWhat the world's major religions have in common (purpose, community, and gratitude)How books like the Gnostic Gospels and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene challenge what we were taughtHow to move from religious trauma toward a faith-based way of livingResources mentioned:Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon HillThe Gnostic GospelsThe Gospel of Mary Magdalene@jake_whan on InstagramConnect with us:Instagram: @the.missing.peace.podTikTok: @the.missing.peace8Email: [email protected] a topic you want us to cover? Email us — we want to hear from you!New episodes dropping regularly. Subscribe so you don't miss the next one.

In this debut episode of The Missing Peace, hosts Brooke Benevento and Danielle Griffiths share their personal awakening stories and dive into a concept that shapes every one of us: social heredity.Brooke opens up about hitting rock bottom in 2021, finding mentorship through the Think and Grow Rich Institute, and discovering the mindset shifts that completely transformed her life. When Danielle noticed the change, the two began sharing ideas — and realized they couldn't keep it to themselves.In this episode, you'll learn:What social heredity is and how your environment programmed your beliefsThe four major influences that shaped who you are todayHow news media and social media are designed to keep you in a cycle of fear and dramaWhy drama is the #1 addiction in the world right nowA simple hack to transform your social media feed in 24 hoursHow to start thinking for yourself instead of being told what to thinkResources mentioned:Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon HillOut of the Shadows documentary (available on YouTube)Think and Grow Rich InstituteConnect with us:Instagram: @the.missing.peace.podTikTok: @the.missing.peace8Email: [email protected] want to hear from you! Tell us what topics you want us to cover next.New episodes dropping regularly. Subscribe so you don't miss the next one on social heredity and family.