Menopause Rise and Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and Menopause
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 Together, we’ll challenge outdated myths about aging, celebrate our resilience, and approach midlife with clarity, strength, and empowerment.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.
Episodes
104 episodes
104. Menopausal Brain Fog
Are you constantly walking into a room only to forget why you're there? Or maybe you’re mid-sentence and suddenly lose your train of thought? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not losing your mind. In today’s solo ...
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16:03
103. Pleasure
Are you feeling stuck in the "shoulds" of midlife — checking all the boxes of success but still wondering, is this all there is? You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not broken. In this inspiring episode, we're talking about how ple...
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29:52
102. Learning to Trust My Gut
Are you second-guessing your gut feelings—or brushing them off in the name of being “nice”? If you’ve ever doubted what you were seeing or feeling in a relationship—whether personal or professional—this episode is for you. In the first episode ...
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19:46
101. Why Midlife is the Perfect Time for Your Big Adventure
Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Is this it?”—like you’ve checked all the boxes but something still feels...off? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by the fabulous Sue Willoughby, a fearless midlife trailblazer whose journey ...
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29:53
100. Why We Need Boundaries Now More Than Ever with Monique Willingham
Do you ever feel like you’ve lost touch with the vibrant, energized version of yourself? Maybe you’re juggling work, family, and changing hormones—and wondering where you went in the process. If you’re nodding yes, this episode is for ...
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18:06
99. Rewire Your Brain for Lasting Change with Adele Spraggon
Are you stuck in patterns that no longer serve you? Do you struggle with habits, behaviors, or beliefs that feel impossible to change? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the power of neuroplasticity and how you can rewire your brain for la...
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26:32
98. The Mindset Shift That Can Transform Your Midlife Journey
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of midlife—perimenopause, shifting relationships, changing roles—and wondering how to navigate it all with confidence? In this episode, we’re diving into the one thing you can control: your mindset....
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22:29
97. Perimenopause & Mood Swings: Why It’s Not Just in Your Head with Dr. Sarah Daccarett
Feeling off balance, moody, or just not yourself? If you're struggling with brain fog, anxiety, or sleep disturbances, your hormones may be to blame—and you don’t have to just suffer through it. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sa...
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34:48
96. Midlife Supplement Secrets: What You Need, What You Don’t, and Why
Are you overwhelmed by the sheer number of supplements filling your cabinet—and unsure if any of them are actually helping? In this solo episode, I'm tackling the issue of "supplement overload," a common challenge many midlife women face in the...
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17:54
95. Managing Fatigue in Midlife – My Personal Journey & Sleep Solutions
If you’ve ever woken up exhausted, no matter how much sleep you get, or if you’re finding that midlife has left you feeling depleted, you are not alone. Fatigue can creep up on us in so many ways—through stress, hormones, poor sleep, or simp...
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22:06
94. Why Am I So Exhausted? Unpacking Midlife Fatigue & How to Fix It
If you're constantly feeling drained, like no amount of coffee or sleep can fix your exhaustion, you’re not alone. In this solo episode, I am sharing my insights into why midlife women often feel completely wiped out—and what to do about it....
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28:57
93. Reclaiming Connection and Healing Through Community and Retreats
As women, we often carry the weight of multiple roles and responsibilities, sometimes without a space to exhale or process life’s overwhelming moments.In this episode, I sit down with Trish, a trauma-informed breathwork coach a...
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22:53
92. Choosing Yourself: How Meditation Can Change Your Life with Katy Rexing
After breaking down on her kitchen floor surrounded by crying babies, Katy knew something had to change. In this episode, she shares how meditation, self-care, and small shifts transformed her life—and how it can do the same for you....
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30:41
91. Awaken Your Warrior Goddess: Finding Balance and Freedom with HeatherAsh Amara
As women in midlife, we sometimes lose touch with our inner 'warrior goddess'—HeatherAsh Amara joins the podcast to share the roadmap to reignite that power and step into your fullest potential!HeatherAsh shares her wisdom on b...
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23:43
90. Unwinding Perfect: Choosing Yourself with Christine Clyne-Spraker
What if the perfect life you've been striving for is the very thing holding you back?Christine Clyne-Spraker, author of Unwinding Perfect and former co-CEO of a best-in-class healthcare technology company, Eon, joins the podcas...
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27:18
89. Wake Up Maggie: A Coming of Middle Age Story with Katie Prentiss
What if midlife isn’t an end but a bold new beginning? In today’s episode, Sara welcomes Katie Prentiss, an actor, filmmaker, and storyteller whose work reflects her passion for connection and creativity. After ...
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27:30
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. Th...
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23:30
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 M...
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29:08
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 th...
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31:08
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 ...
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45:32
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...
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24:03
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 nati...
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30:17
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.
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36:46
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 protect...
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31:37
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 Pagtakha...
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22:35