Menopause Rise and Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and Menopause - podcast cover

Menopause Rise and Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and Menopause

Dr. Sara Poldmae | Healer, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and Functional Medicine Practitionerrisingwomanproject.com

Welcome to Menopause Rise and Thrive! I’m Dr. Sara Poldmae, and this podcast is for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause—women who are ready to embrace this stage of life with confidence and create a future that feels authentic and fulfilling.


Every week, I’ll walk you through the ups and downs of midlife, sharing helpful tips, real-world advice, and a space where you can feel heard and supported. Whether you’re dealing with hot flashes, weight changes, mood swings, sleep disruptions, or brain fog—or simply trying to make sense of the emotional shifts that come with menopause—you’re not alone.


Together, we’ll cut through the noise of misinformation and explore real, effective strategies for managing menopause symptoms, emotional well-being, and relationship dynamics. Menopause Rise and Thrive is about more than just symptom management—it’s about stepping into your strength, prioritizing your well-being, and finding renewed purpose in this chapter of life.


More than anything, this podcast is about community—a place where women like you can connect, share experiences, and support one another. Together, we’ll challenge outdated myths about aging, celebrate our resilience, and approach midlife with clarity, strength, and empowerment.


Offering a unique blend of insights from my experience as a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Chinese herbalist, acupuncturist, yogi, functional medicine practitioner, and women’s advocate, I’m here to help you reclaim your health and rediscover your passions. Every episode is designed to provide guidance, reassurance, and practical steps so you can navigate menopause with confidence. 

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Episodes

88. On the Brink of Burnout: How to Reclaim Your Purpose and Thrive Again

Have you ever felt like you were on the brink of burnout? In this episode, Sara reads the chapter she wrote in the collaborative book We Lead: Building Connection, Community, and Collaboration for Women in Business. The chapter, titled On the Brink of Burnout: How to Reclaim Your Purpose and Thrive Again, explores the struggles of balancing career, family, and personal well-being—especially during times of crisis like the pandemic. Through her reflection of this time in her life, this episode of...

Jan 09, 202524 min

87. The Power of Breathwork with Trish Brewer - Fan Favorite Replay

What do you know about breathwork? Did you know that you can use it to regulate your body, nervous system, mood, digestion, and more? If that sounds good to you, listen up! I’m so excited to be joined in this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive by Trish Brewer. Trish is here to teach us the basics of breathwork. Think of this episode as Breathwork 101. It’s the class we all needed in school, and yet none of us got it. The good news is, it’s never too late to get started. Trish is sharing how breath...

Jan 02, 202529 min

86. Getting Through Holiday Struggles with Maria Winters - Fan Favorite Replay

This is a fan-favorite holiday replay! Are the holidays a particularly difficult time for you? You might feel alone based on the picture-perfect posts in your Instagram feed, but the truth is you’re not alone at all. We think of the holidays as a wonderful time of year filled with joy, laughter, family, and love, but the holidays can be super stressful for so many of us. With the holiday season upon us, I wanted to take some time to talk about strategies that can help you through whatever strugg...

Dec 26, 202431 min

85. Unlocking Better Sex at Any Age: Hormones, Tools, and Techniques with Susan Bratton, Intimacy Expert to Millions

Is your sex life feeling like a chore or fading with age? You’re not alone. In this episode, intimacy expert to millions, Susan Bratton, reveals how women can reconnect with their desire, embrace ageless sexuality, and experience pleasure like never before. We discuss the science, tools, and techniques that can transform your sex life. Susan shares her personal journey of rediscovering intimacy after years of feeling disconnected and how her experience led her to dedicate her life to helping oth...

Dec 19, 202446 min

84. Living with Panic Disorder: Lessons on Acceptance and Self-Care with Dr. Jeanne Retief

What if your biggest challenge could lead you to your greatest purpose? Dr. Jeanne Retief, a human rights expert turned skincare founder, shares her journey of embracing panic disorder, leaving a career she loved, and building a life that works with her unique wiring. Dr. Jeanne Retief is the founder of Figgy Beauty, anxiety advocate, and former human rights expert. Through her skincare line and online courses, she helps others navigate anxiety while respecting her own boundaries. This episode i...

Dec 12, 202424 min

83. Demystifying Hormonal Health for Women in Midlife with Dr. Cat Brown

Every woman will experience menopause, yet so many of us are left in the dark about what to expect? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Cathleen Brown, also known as Dr. Cat is a board-certified OB/GYN and native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2004. After completing her residency training at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, she served on Army bases across the country, caring for female soldiers and female dependent...

Dec 05, 202430 min

82. How to Detox Your Life, Break Free from Addictions and Toxic Patterns with Mary Beth Schrudder

Are you ready to break free from the toxic habits, relationships, and patterns holding you back? In today’s episode, we dive deep into healing, transformation, and the power of the Law of Attraction with Mary Beth Schrudder. Mary Beth Schrudder is a Spiritual and Transformational Life Coach. She is founder of Day One Life Coaching, author of Addiction Recovery with the Law of Attraction, and the host of the “Spiritual Transformation Podcast with Mary Beth”. Mary Beth will help you heal addiction...

Nov 28, 202437 min

81. Setting Boundaries and Protecting Your Peace During the Holidays with Lauren Massa, Forest Beach Counseling Services

The holiday season can be a time of joy and connection, but for many, it also brings stress, triggers, and the resurfacing of unresolved trauma. Lauren Massa joins the podcast to share her tips for setting boundaries and protecting your peace this holiday season! Lauren is a licensed counselor and clinical trauma clinician practicing in MD and CO. She feels passionately about building a relationship with her clients to strengthen their self-views and heal from the traumas they may have experienc...

Nov 21, 202432 min

80. Exploring Low Tox Living and Mineral Balancing with Fatima Pagtakhan

What if your daily routine is unknowingly adding to your toxic load? And did you know that balancing your minerals might be the key to clearing brain fog and boosting your energy? In this episode, I sit down with Fatima Pagtakhan, an Integrative Health Practitioner focused on Mineral Balancing. She helps highly driven women gain their energy back, clear brain fog, heal inflammation, and lose stubborn weight. Fatima shares her expertise on reducing toxic load in daily life and explains why minera...

Nov 14, 202423 min

79. How to Prioritize Health Over Weight Loss in Midlife with Monique Willingham

Curious about how to feel strong, energized, and confident in midlife without focusing on weight alone? In this episode, I am joined by Monique Willingham to address the real drivers of health, including managing visceral fat, supporting hormonal shifts, and optimizing your well-being through a weight-neutral approach. Monique Willingham is a certified Nurse Practitioner and the founder of Remedy Green. As a native of Maryland with a passion for wellness and beauty, Monique has dedicated over 15...

Nov 07, 202422 min

78. Discover the Benefits of Intermittent Fasting with Laurie Lewis

What if you could feel more energized, clear-headed, and in control of your health, without counting calories or following a restrictive plan? In today’s episode, Laurie Lewis reveals how intermittent fasting can help you break free from the cycle of deprivation and start living in tune with your body’s natural rhythms. Laurie is the founder of Fast Forward Wellness and specializes in guiding individuals, particularly women in midlife, to experience the benefits of intermittent fasting while nav...

Oct 31, 202425 min

77. A Deeper Look at Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism with Whitney Morgan

Is fatigue taking over your life, but you are not sure what the cause is? Are you struggling with weight gain, brain fog, or constant exhaustion despite "normal" thyroid test results? You might be one of the millions of people with undiagnosed Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism. In this episode, I sit down with Whitney Morgan, founder of Morgan Nutrition, creator of the Thyroid Reboot Method, and co-founder of the Functional Health Alliance. Whitney specializes in advanced functional testing and root...

Oct 24, 202424 min

76. How to Heal and Transform Your Life After Betrayal with Dr. Debi Silber

Betrayal hits hard. Whether from a loved one, a colleague, or a friend, the pain can feel like a deep wound that never fully heals. But what if there was a clear, predictable way to heal from betrayal? In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Debi Silber whose groundbreaking research has uncovered the specific steps to move past betrayal and rebuild your life from the ground up. Dr. Debi Silber, Founder of the PBT (Post Betrayal Transformation) Institute and National Forgiveness Day (celebrated annua...

Oct 17, 202425 min

75. The Sprinkle Effect: Finding Joy, Purpose, and Color in Midlife with Debbie Weiss

What if the key to living a more colorful and fulfilling life was just one small "sprinkle" away? In this episode, I speak with Debbie Weiss, a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and certified Success Principles trainer, who has mastered the art of turning life’s toughest challenges into opportunities for growth. With her new book The Sprinkle Effect: A Guide to Living a More Colorful and Fulfilling Life set to release in November, Debbie shares her personal transformation story—how she overcame...

Oct 10, 202423 min

74. The Microdose Diet: How Psilocybin Mushrooms Can Rewire Your Brain and Boost Happiness with Peggy Van de Plassche

What if microdosing psychedelics could transform your mental well-being and success? What exactly is microdosing? In this episode, I sit down with Peggy Van de Plassche, to explore the benefits of using psilocybin, and how it helps with performance, mental wellness, connecting with your true self, and how it can improve life for women navigating midlife transitions. Peggy is a former financial services executive turned expert in the psychedelic space. She is the founder of The Microdose Diet , a...

Oct 03, 202428 min

Navigating Midlife Burnout: Thriving Through Perimenopause and Menopause with Stacy Brix

What if midlife could be a time of renewal rather than overwhelm? In this episode, I sit down with Stacy Brix, a dedicated health and wellness coach and board-certified family nurse practitioner specializing in women's health. Stacy empowers women navigating perimenopause and menopause, focusing on the intersection of mental health and physical well-being. As a dedicated Health and Wellness Coach, she empowers women through the transformative stages of perimenopause and menopause with a holistic...

Sep 26, 202423 minEp. 73

Transforming Health from the Inside Out: Gut Health and Nutrition with Daina Rasutis

What if you could achieve consistently clear skin and better gut health with a science-driven approach? In this episode, I sit down with Dina Rasutis. From Civil Engineer to Nutrition Therapist Master, Daina utilizes her science background to implement a bio-individualized approach to nutrition. Diana shares her personal health journey, from struggling with adult acne and fatigue to discovering the power of nutrition and functional testing. We discuss the benefits of the GI map stool test and fo...

Sep 19, 202420 minEp. 72

Reclaiming Health in Midlife: Terry Tateossian’s 80-Pound Weight Loss Journey

What if it’s never too late to start taking care of yourself? I hear you, oftentimes it feels like maybe your goals are too far out of reach, or you don’t have enough time to start a new routine, or maybe even you feel like you are too old to change your habits. I am thrilled to be joined this week by Terry Tateossian, the founder of T.H.O.R. Wellness to show you that it is never too late to reclaim your health! At 42, Terry embarked on a profoundly life-altering journey, successfully shedding o...

Sep 12, 202425 minEp. 71

The Journey of Surrender and Self-Discovery with Alicia Rodriguez

What happens when we give away our power, and how can we reclaim it? In this episode, I sit down with Alicia Rodriguez, a published author, storyteller, and slow living evangelist. Alicia shares her transformative journey of reclaiming her agency after giving it away in a complex relationship, a central theme in her upcoming memoir, “The Shaman's Wife: A Mystical Journey of Surrender and Self-Discovery.” Alicia discusses the impact of societal and generational messaging on women’s sense of power...

Sep 05, 202434 minEp. 70

15 Minutes to Transform Your Midlife Experience with Kim Rahir

What if just 15 minutes of daily exercise could transform your midlife experience? In this episode, I sat down with Kim Rahir, a 60-year-old European champion weightlifter and health coach who overcame MS to reclaim her vitality through strength training. Kim and I chat about her journey from MS diagnosis to European weightlifting champion, the power of strength training for midlife women and how to start a simple, effective home workout routine. Tune in to learn how you can tap into an abundant...

Aug 29, 202419 minEp. 69

How to Heal Your Aches and Pains without Surgery with Dr. Jeffrey Gross

Are you constantly dealing with mystery aches and pains in your body that never seem to go away? Many people do in midlife, but what if you didn’t have to just power through it? In this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive, I’m joined by Dr. Jeffrey Gross to talk all about regenerative medicine. You might have heard of stem cell medicine (and that’s a good place to start) but this episode explores even more of the groundbreaking options available to help you beat your pain. Licensed in California an...

Aug 22, 202427 minEp. 68

6 Simple Habits to Kick-Start Your Health Journey with Esther Avant

Are you ready to start working on your health goals but don’t know where to begin? I get it. There’s so much information online now and it seems like everyone has a different opinion on what works and what doesn’t. That’s why our guest in this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive is taking us back to basics. Esther Avant is here to teach us the big rock approach to better health. This approach is based on establishing six simple habits to kick-start your health journey so that you don’t get bogged d...

Aug 15, 202431 minEp. 67

Sense-of-Self and Kangaroos: A Lesson in Self-Acceptance with Magic Barclay

How do you learn to love yourself after divorce or trauma? We’re jumping in at the deep end this week to tackle a pretty heavy and emotional topic, but things take an unexpectedly beautiful turn at the end that you’re going to want to stick around for. This conversation with Magic Barclay is definitely an instant favorite of mine, so don’t miss this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive, all about self-love, female friendship, and… kangaroos. Magic Barclay is the lead practitioner at Wholistic Natura...

Aug 08, 202430 minEp. 66

Start Reducing Inflammation with Heather Glenn

Inflammation. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, but how much do you know about it? In this episode of the Midlife Rise + Thrive podcast, special guest Heather Glenn is teaching us the basics of what inflammation is, how to reduce it, and why it’s so important in midlife. Heather and I could talk about this forever, but we intentionally made this episode simple and digestible so that you can find all the information you need to get started in one place. Certified Functional Nutritional T...

Aug 01, 202424 minEp. 65

Cycle Synching with Michelle Stiff

Do you feel like you’re in a constant battle with your hormones? What if you could live in harmony with your hormones instead of fighting against them? In this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive, we’re learning all about cycle synching from our special guest, Michelle Stiff. Michelle is opening up about her challenging journey with her hormones and what she did when doctors told her she was postmenopausal in her late 20s. Michelle is a women’s health and fitness coach who teaches women how to rese...

Jul 25, 202426 minEp. 64

A Different Approach to Weight Loss (That Actually Works!) with Joe Hoye

Are you tired of feeling like no matter how many calories you cut, you never lose any weight? Traditional diets have left many of us women in midlife feeling burnt out, discouraged, and like change is totally unattainable. Enter Joe Hoye with Hoye Fit. In this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive, Joe is teaching you the weight-loss method that actually works for women in midlife because it was made for us! Joe Hoye is the owner of Hoye Fit, a health and weight-loss coaching business for women and m...

Jul 18, 202420 minEp. 63

Step Into Your Divine Feminine with Cheryl Pace

What is true authenticity? Let’s find out from lightworker and energy healer Cheryl Pace in this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive. I sat down with Cheryl to talk all about authenticity and what it has to do with the divine feminine. Tune in to hear our conversation and discover what you can do to step into your divine feminine as a woman in midlife. Cheryl is a humble servant of the light, healer, shaman, lightworker, massage therapist, mother, daughter, friend, and entrepreneur. Topics covered ...

Jul 11, 202430 minEp. 62

From Invisible to Visible in Middle Age with Laura Pritchett

Why does society expect you to be invisible in middle age? If you’re ready to rebel against that idea and reclaim your visibility as a woman in midlife, you’ve come to the right place. Laura Pritchett and I are discussing why women in midlife are overlooked and undervalued in our society and what you can do to become visible again. Laura is also giving us a sneak peek into her upcoming novel and sharing why she chose to tell the story of a woman entering midlife. Laura Pritchett is the author of...

Jul 04, 202428 minEp. 61

Ancient Wisdom in a Beverage with Dr. Angela Zeng

How do you find products that truly support your health and nutrition in an industry so heavily influenced by trends, sales, and profits? In this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive, Dr. Angela Zeng shares her story of innovation, sustainability, and health as she sets out to create a product that would support the overall health of women looking to get to the root of their symptoms. Dr. Angela Zeng is the founder of Karviva Wellness Beverages, a line of innovative, health-enhancing beverages that ...

Jun 27, 202426 minEp. 60

Back to Basics for Digestive Health with Lea Dombrowski

Are you tired of being told that your troublesome symptoms are just part of being a woman? Holistic health coach and nutritionist Lea Dombrowski has been there, and she’s joining me in this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive to share her experience and how she overcame it. You’ll hear Lea talk about the years she spent battling uncomfortable bloating and an autoimmune disease diagnosis before she took matters into her own hands to send her disease into remission and get her health back. She knows ...

Jun 20, 202427 minEp. 59
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