Medicine Stories

Perimenopause & menopause are often framed as a problem to fix- and the conversation quickly collapses into a single question: HRT or not? But women's bodies are rarely that simple. In this episode, Jane Hardwicke Collings and I explore a more expansive and grounded approach to the menopause transition. Rather than asking whether hormones are the right answer for everyone, we look at a deeper question: how can we support the complex physiological process the body is already moving through? Our conversation examines the growing tendency to position hormone replacement therapy as a universal solution for perimenopause symptoms, and how that pattern echoes earlier chapters in women's healthcare, such as when the pill was prescribed for nearly every hormonal concern or when medical intervention became the default in birth. This isn't an anti-HRT conversation. It's an invitation to widen the lens. We talk about the many systems that influence the menopause transition and why supporting the body's foundations can be just as important as the hormonal conversation itself. For some women, HRT may become a meaningful part of their path. For others, it may not. But reducing the entire transition to a single intervention risks overlooking the complexity and intelligence of the female body. Just as we've begun shifting the conversation around menstruation and birth toward working with the body instead of overriding it, it's time to bring that same perspective to menopause. LINKS: Medicine Stories Patreon extended conversation- The Red Thread: Stories of Our Motherlines The Womancraft Way Quiz: Find Your Wise Woman Archetype Healing Waters Nature Immersion Retreat in Costa Rica Nov 3-8 The Mythic Medicine herb shop Jane on Instagram Amber on Instagram Medicine Stories Facebook group Music by Mariee Siou (from her beautiful song Wild Eyes)

Ashley Wulkan, a nutritionist, herbalist, and mineral-balancing practitioner focused on women’s nourishment. She explains how many women unintentionally under-eat, how that slows metabolism and harms micronutrient status, and why simple, ordinary food and adequate calories should come before complex testing. They discuss maternal nutrient inheritance, calming the nervous system with herbs, and practical snacks and strategies for mothers.

Dr. Suuzi Hazen, a Doctor of Chinese Medicine focused on liver health, and Sena Maria, a mineral-balancing practitioner using hair tissue analysis, discuss the liver/gallbladder flush trade-off. They compare classic and gentler protocols. They describe signs that might point to a flush, anatomy of stone formation, nutrient costs and risks, and ways to prepare and recover safely.

Sena Maria, a women’s health and mineral-balancing practitioner who helps women recover from metabolic depletion, discusses why lasting healing is slow and body-first. She challenges peak-culture fixes. Short, practical topics include mineral testing (HTMA), nourishment, rhythm, sleep, and how modern trends and psychedelics can deplete rather than restore.

Jessie Harrold, a midlife and rites-of-passage practitioner and author who supports women through major life shifts. Conversations probe the liminal space where identities dissolve and reform. Short reflections on parenting expectations, perimenopause and rage, missing cultural rites, and how modern life reshapes midlife transitions.

Menarche- a girl's first period- shapes how we experience womanhood for the rest of our lives, and the lack of initiation most of us experience is itself an initiation. In this culture that has fractured from the rites and wisdom of our grandmothers, where so many of us met our first period with confusion or shame, how do we begin to heal this tender threshold- for our daughters, and for the younger version of ourselves? In a conversation brimming with practical suggestions, my herb teacher Kami McBride- who has led countless women's circles, developed and taught a class for cycling women, and even written a book on menstruation- shares her decades of experience and insight. Together, we explore how to remember what was once celebrated, and how to bring reverence and empowerment back to this profound beginning. Medicine Stories Patreon (thank you!)- enter the giveaway & get a list of my favorite books on menstruation Kami's free classes: DIY Body Butter for Gifting & Top 3 Stress-Melting Herbal Oils Kami's course: Handcrafted Healing Herbal Oils Join me at the Medicine Stories Healing Waters Nature Immersion Retreat in Costa Rica November 2026! Mythic Medicine herbal remedies- take our quiz to be notified when our Moment Markers Bundles become available Kami on Instagram Amber on Instagram Music by Mariee Siou (from her beautiful song Wild Eyes)

Dr. Suuzi Hazen, a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine specializing in women's health, dives into the fascinating TCM seven-year life transition framework. She explains key milestones at ages 7, 14, 21, and 28, highlighting their significance for development and fertility. Suuzi discusses the metabolic shifts women may notice around age 35 and explores the unique human experience of menopause through the Grandmother Hypothesis. The conversation also touches on societal influences on women's health and personal reflections on fertility timing.

Birth opens the door, but what comes after walks you through it. Many new parents find themselves moving through the first year feeling lonely, confused, and wondering why it's so hard. In this episode, I'm joined again by Rachelle Seliga of Innate Traditions, who has spent over 20 years teaching and gathering communities to explore postpartum, motherhood, and revillaging. Together, we open the conversation wider — into the realm of fatherhood — with Rachelle's signature depth, wisdom, and grounded practicality. Whether you're preparing for birth or reflecting on your own postpartum journey, this conversation offers insight, validation, and a new lens on what it means to be reshaped by parenthood. Planning for the Fourth Trimester for Mothers & Fathers workshop with Rachelle and Dan Two Medicine Stories Patreon bonuses: 1) extended interview w/ Rachelle giving me her hot takes on controversial wellness/spirituality topics and 2) audio recording of me giving a podcast/medicine/life/health status update Rachelle's previous Medicine Stories appearance Revillaging: Maternal, Cultural, and Planetary Wellness Are One Take our fun quiz Which Healing Herb Matches Your Energy? Innate Traditions Website Innate Traditions Instagram Mythic Medicine Website Mythic Medicine Instagram Music by Mariee Siou (from her beautiful song Wild Eyes)

Tara Couture, owner of Slowdown Farmstead and mom to three daughters, shares her heart-wrenching journey following the loss of her daughter, Mila, to cannabis-induced psychosis. They discuss the devastating effects of high-potency THC on young minds, revealing critical insights into mental health risks. Tara reflects on the interconnectedness of life and death, the importance of awareness around cannabis, and the beauty that can emerge from grief. Her poignant storytelling invites listeners to cherish the fragility of life and the impact of choices.

Kami McBride, a seasoned herbalist with nearly four decades in the field, passionately discusses the role of women in utilizing plants for self-care and family healing. She shares personal stories about navigating motherhood without maternal guidance and emphasizes the importance of community in holistic wellness. The conversation dives into the evolution of herbalism amid information overload, highlighting the need for genuine knowledge and discernment in today's landscape. Kami also reflects on how home herbalism fosters stronger community bonds and supports emotional connections.