The Luminescence Podcast with Schuyler Grant

Episoade

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  The Heart of Menopause: Four leading experts on the cardiovascular chapter of menopause no one prepares you for. 15.09.2026 26min

  Menopause is usually talked about in terms of hot flashes and mood swings. But beneath those symptoms are silent, system-wide changes and one of the most important ones happens in the heart. Cardiovascular disease doubles after menopause, and most women aren't told why, when it starts, or what they can do about it. The truth is, perimenopause can begin in your mid-thirties, and the decisions you make in the decade that follows shape the next third of your life. The Heart of Menopause is a master class bringing together four of the leading voices in women's health: journalist and filmmaker Tamsen Fadal, Harvard-trained physician Dr. Sara Szal, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Vonda Wright, and board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Mary Claire Haver. Together, they unpack the science of estrogen and the cardiovascular system, the window of opportunity for hormone therapy, and the practical tools — from biomarker testing to nutrition to resistance training — that protect your heart for the long run. You are not invisible. Let's change the conversation together.
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  Desire, Arousal & Menopause with Dr. Cindy Meston 08.09.2026 27min

  For decades, almost everything we knew about sexual desire and arousal was based on research done on men — and simply assumed to apply to women too. In this conversation, Dr. Cindy Meston, professor of clinical psychology and director of the Female Sexual Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin, breaks down thirty years of research into how women's desire and arousal actually work, and why the male template got it wrong. Why the science of women's desire is decades behind the science of men's The surprising model that flips the usual order of desire and arousal What an eight-year study found about desire through menopause — and who defied the trend Why a woman's body and her mind don't always agree on when she's turned on The unexpected 20-minute intervention that changed the research This conversation is part of Sex in Menopause, a free masterclass with Naomi Watts featuring sexual health expert Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Cindy Meston, and real women navigating changing bodies and desire most of us were never prepared for. Watch it for free at sexinmenopause.com. Right now there is only one trained menopause provider for every 32,000 women who need care. This episode is for anyone confused by their own changing desire, and anyone who wants the actual science instead of the myths.
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  Menopause Taught Me to Put My Oxygen Mask On First: Gabby Bernstein & Emily Morse 01.09.2026 46min

  Two women, one shared reckoning: perimenopause and menopause arrived and rewrote everything they thought they knew about their bodies, their sex lives, and themselves. In this extended conversation, #1 New York Times bestselling author Gabby Bernstein and sexologist Emily Morse (host of Sex with Emily) open up about the messy, unglamorous entry into midlife hormonal change — rage, hot flashes, vanished libido, and in Gabby's case, a fertility journey that included IVF and pregnancy loss. Emily, meanwhile, is living out her own perimenopause in real time, testing on herself everything she's spent over twenty years teaching other people about pleasure. Both conversations are part of Sex in Menopause, a free masterclass with Naomi Watts featuring sexual health expert Dr. Somi Javaid, psychologist Dr. Cindy Meston, and real women navigating changing bodies, mismatched desire, and identity shifts most of us were never prepared for. Right now there is only one trained menopause provider for every 32,000 women who need care. If sex has disappeared or changed in ways you can't explain, that's not a personal failure. That's a gap in the medical system. In this episode: Menopause as a "spiritual shakedown" — Gabby's reckoning Early perimenopause symptoms & finding real support Marriage, communication & educating a partner Fertility, IVF & pregnancy loss HRT, lifestyle shifts & feeling more herself than ever (Gabby) Preparing for menopause & a message of hope Emily's own perimenopause & why she's not exempt from the confusion Medical dismissal & why doctors aren't trained on this Communication as "lubrication": talking to partners about sex Letting go of duty sex Desire, burnout & the nervous system connection Toys, lube & modern arousal aids, without shame Why midlife can mean the best sex of your life Topics covered: menopause, perimenopause, women's sexual health, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), fertility, IVF, pregnancy loss, low libido, desire, arousal, sex toys, lube, communication in relationships, medical dismissal, nervous system regulation, self-pleasure, healing, spiritual growth, midlife identity, Gabby Bernstein, Emily Morse. If this episode landed for you: watch Sex in Menopause, the free documentary with Naomi Watts, at sexinmenopause.com. For more conversations like this — plus live events, retreats, and past seasons — head to Luminescence.health.
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  Why Your Libido Disappears in Menopause with Dr. Somi Javaid 25.08.2026 35min

  In this episode, board-certified gynecologist and sexual health expert Dr. Somi Javaid — founder of HerMD, who raised $40 million after being told she had "less than a half percent chance" — breaks down exactly what's been missing from women's health care, and what's finally starting to change. She walks through the real gender gap in FDA drug approval (six months for Viagra, six years for the first female libido drug), the black box warning that scared a generation of women off hormone therapy, and why testosterone — not just estrogen — matters for female sexual function and almost nobody gets properly tested for it. Her work is featured throughout Sex in Menopause, a free masterclass with Naomi Watts featuring Dr. Somi, psychologist Dr. Cindy Meston, and real women navigating changing bodies, mismatched desire, and identity shifts most of us were never prepared for. Right now there is only one trained menopause provider for every 32,000 women who need care. If sex has disappeared or changed in ways you can't explain, that's not a personal failure. That's a gap in the medical system. In this episode: The phone call that became her calling — her mother's dismissed heart symptoms The patient who couldn't get help — and why she left traditional OB-GYN care Building HerMD from scratch, and raising $40 million against the odds The real gender gap: Viagra vs. the first female libido drug The black box warning and the hormone therapy scare that set women back decades What HSDD actually is (and what it isn't) Spontaneous vs. responsive desire — why "wanting sex out of nowhere" isn't the only normal Testosterone's role in female libido, mood, and energy — and why almost no one gets tested The surprising reason birth control clears skin (and quietly lowers libido) Your brain as your biggest sex organ Thyroid, medications, and other overlooked causes of low desire When low libido gets mistaken for a lack of love The truth about orgasm and anatomy Femtech tools and innovations — vibrators, erotica apps, and evidence-based supplements The real barriers to care, and her message to women who feel dismissed Topics covered: menopause, perimenopause, women's sexual health, testosterone therapy, HSDD (hypoactive sexual desire disorder), low libido, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), medical dismissal, gender gap in medicine, sexual desire, orgasm, femtech, Dr. Somi Javaid, HerMD, Viagra, Addyi, birth control, brain health, thyroid, biopsychosocial approach, sexual wellness. If this episode landed for you: watch Sex in Menopause, the free documentary with Naomi Watts, at sexinmenopause.com. For more conversations like this — plus live events, retreats, and past seasons — head to Luminescence.health.
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  Empathy, Elderhood & What Comes Next: Giving Fewer F*cks Part 2 of 2 18.08.2026 28min

  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
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  Partnerships, Priorities and Purpose in Midlife: Giving Fewer F*cks Part 1 of 2 11.08.2026 27min

  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
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  Trauma, Resilience & Better Coping: What Used to Work Doesn’t Part 2 of 2 04.08.2026 34min

  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
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  Alcohol, SSRIs & Midlife Coping: What Used to Work Doesn’t Part 1 of 2 28.07.2026 25min

  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
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  Work, Relationships & Finding Your Power: Your Brain on Hormones Part 2 of 2 21.07.2026 27min

  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
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  Rage, Brain Fog, and Midlife Neuroscience: Your Brain on Hormones Part 1 of 1 14.07.2026 39min

  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
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  Red Light, Testosterone & Pelvic Health: WTF Is Happening to My Lady Parts? Part 2 of 2 07.07.2026 31min

  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
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  Libido, GSM & Vaginal Health: WTF Is Happening to My Lady Parts? Part 1 of 2 30.06.2026 43min

  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
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  Thyroid, Testing & Medical Dismissal: The Risks No One Told You About Part 2 of 2 23.06.2026 27min

  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
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  Your Heart on Hormones: The Risks No One Told You About Part 1 of 2 16.06.2026 46min

  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
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  Metabolic Protocols, GLP-1s & Habit Stacking: WTF Is Happening Inside Me? Part 3 of 3 09.06.2026 34min

  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
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  Bone Loss, DEXA Scans and Estrogen: WTF is Happening Inside Me? Part 2 of 3 02.06.2026 23min

  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
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  Muscle Loss, Joint Pain & the Menopot: WTF Is Happening Inside Me? Part 1 of 3 26.05.2026 25min

  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
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  Protein, HRT, and Finding Care: Perimenopause Explained Part 2 of 2 19.05.2026 30min

  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
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  Missed, Dismissed & Misdiagnosed: Perimenopause Explained Part 1 of 2 12.05.2026 46min

  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
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  Botox, Fillers & What Actually Works: WTF Is Happening to My Face? Part 3 of 3 05.05.2026 26min

  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