S.2. Ep1 The Sweaty Pillow returns with a brand new season. We are turning up the volume with deeper conversations, sharper science, and the real support you already know and trust for this Season 2 launch. This season will cover everything related to perimenopause and menopause, with bite-sized, life-saving tips to help you not just survive but actually thrive in midlife. Sleep, hormones, weight, mood, gut health, and the confidence to feel like yourself again. It is all back in Season 2, and yes, we brought receipts.

What if everything you have been told about menopause belly is wrong?

What if everything we’ve been taught—eat less, work out more, push harder—has been the biggest lie of all?

And here is the real plot twist. It is not about calories.

In this episode, certified menopause and weight-loss specialist Cindy Topel blows up the biggest myths about menopause belly and midlife weight gain and asks the uncomfortable question no one else is asking: have women been given the wrong advice about their bodies for decades?

This is not new year, new you.

It is new year, same you, just finally supported.

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*The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Today, Lara is joined by one of the leading voices in women’s sleep health: the extraordinary Dr. Andrea Matsumura, Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Specialist, Internal Medicine Physician, and nationally recognized expert on the biology of midlife sleep.

As a clinician, educator, and advocate, Dr. Matsumura has dedicated her career to understanding why so many women stop sleeping in midlife, and why the answers are almost never as simple as “stress” or “hormones.” From her work diagnosing complex sleep disorders at The Oregon Clinic to her leadership roles within the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Dr. Matsumura brings clarity, compassion, and science to a topic too often minimized or misunderstood.

In this episode, Dr. Matsumura breaks down the real physiology behind women’s changing sleep in midlife including how shifting estrogen impacts your sleep architecture, why hot flashes aren’t the whole story, and the surprising number of women who unknowingly meet criteria for conditions like restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea, and chronic insomnia. She explains the difference between normal aging and true sleep pathology, the role of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, and why women deserve a far more thorough, and specialized, approach to their sleep concerns.

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re suddenly wide awake at 2 AM, why your doctor waved away your symptoms, or what a sleep evaluation should look like for women in midlife, you’re in the right place. Dr. Matsumura is here to offer real answers, real validation, and real tools to help you return to deep, restorative sleep.

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*The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.

Today, Lara is joined by one of the most respected voices in modern sleep science: the brilliant Dr. Michael Breus, Clinical Psychologist and Board-Certified Sleep Specialist.

Recently named the Top Sleep Specialist in California and recognized as one of the ten most influential people in sleep, Dr. Breus has built an extraordinary career reshaping how we understand rest, energy, and the biological timing that drives every part of our lives. With more than 40 appearances on The Dr. Oz Show and multiple bestselling books—including The Power of When and Energize!—Dr. Breus has helped millions discover that there is a science-backed right time to do everything: sleep, eat, think, exercise, connect, and reboot.

In this episode, Dr. Breus unpacks the truth about chronotypes—your internal biological rhythm—and explains why honoring your unique timing is the key to better sleep and more consistent energy, especially in midlife. He breaks down the genetics behind your chronotype, why menopause can dramatically shift your sleep patterns, and what you can do about it. From metabolic health and movement to strategic habits that support your circadian rhythm, he lays out an actionable path forward for anyone who feels like their sleep or energy has come undone.

If you’ve ever wondered why you “can’t sleep like you used to,” why your nights changed the moment midlife arrived, or how to finally align your biology with your lifestyle, you’re in the right place. Dr. Breus shows us that when you understand your chronotype, you unlock more than better sleep—you unlock a smarter, calmer, more energized version of yourself in menopause and beyond.

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Take the Chronotype Quiz: Chronotype Quiz

Discover the Mattress Toppers: Mattress Toppers

Read Dr. Breus’ latest book: Sleep, Drink, Breathe (2024)

Explore all of Dr. Breus’ books: Other books

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***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***

Welcome to a very special episode of The Sweaty Pillow! For the first time ever, we’re welcoming a man into our sanctuary: the brilliant Dr. Bill Bruno, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in West Hollywood.

Dr. Bruno’s work extends far beyond aesthetics. After a personal health scare involving heart disease, he pioneered the integration of longevity and wellness into modern medical practice, creating a proven prescription for healing, thriving, and prevention at every age.

Dr. Bruno joins us to share his incredible personal health journey and why the foundational elements of lifestyle—nutrition, exercise, and sleep—are responsible for 80% of your health outcomes, defying the “it’s just genetics” excuse, and shares the exact formula to ask your doctor for. Dr. Bruno is living proof that becoming the CEO of your own health is the true path to thriving in midlife and beyond.

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***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***

This episode of the Sweaty Pillow Podcast features an illuminating conversation with Dr. Vonda Wright, a pioneering health innovator and double board-certified orthopedic surgeon. We dive deep into the often-overlooked yet critical aspects of menopause, its profound impact on mobility, bone density, and overall physical and mental vitality.

Dr. Wright, who openly shares her personal journey from "menopause misery to midlife mastery," explains the biological underpinnings of physical changes experienced by women, including conditions like brain fog, frozen shoulder, and the significant loss of muscle and bone mass. Listeners will gain a vital understanding of why these physical symptoms are just as important as hot flashes and how they relate to long-term health, including cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's risk.

Dr. Vonda emphasizes the crucial role of lifestyle choices over genetics, highlighting what she’s coined as “The Critical Decade" (ages 35-45) as a pivotal time for women to establish proactive health habits. Dr. Wright challenges the notion of "table scraps" when it comes to women's health research and passionately advocates for women to prioritize their well-being. She also teases her upcoming book, Unbreakable: Women's Guide to Aging with Power, introducing concepts like the "six time bombs of aging" and offering a roadmap for women to navigate this transformative life stage with strength and resilience.

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***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***

This episode uncovers a crucial, yet often neglected, topic: The profound impact of menopause on mental health. Dr. Ariel Dalfen, co-founder and leading psychiatrist at Better Bria, explains the common emotional and psychological struggles women experience during perimenopause and menopause, such as mood swings, anxiety, and anger. Listeners will gain insights into the biological underpinnings of these changes, understanding why hormones play such a significant role in their emotional well-being.

Beyond the biological, the discussion tackles societal obstacles, including the frustrating and common, issue of medical gaslighting that many women encounter when seeking help. Dr. Dalfen also introduces Better Bria, her virtual platform designed as a comprehensive resource. It offers much-needed support and solutions, empowering women to navigate this transformative life stage with better mental health and a clearer path forward.

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***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***

This episode will put an end to boring, dry menopause sex. Mackie Swan, CEO of the female-forward sex brand, WOO MORE PLAY is on The Sweaty Pillow Podcast sharing her best tips for feeling confident in the bedroom.

This episode is for anyone seeking real, relatable advice about sex and relationships during their menopause journey. We see you, we hear you, and we are you. Let’s continue this adventure together.

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***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***

Discover the vital link between breath and menopause with Dr. Jana Rieger. This episode of the Sweaty Pillow Podcast explores how controlled breathing can ease anxiety, improve heart health, and enhance well-being during menopause. Dr. Rieger shares her research on the nervous system, cortisol, and the power of daily breathwork. Learn practical tips and how wearable tech can help you reclaim your breath and navigate menopause with greater calm.

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***The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.***