

You Are Not Broken
Kelly Casperson, MD
Welcome to the podcast that rewrites everything you thought you knew about sex, hormones, and midlife. I help women—and the people who love them—reconnect with their bodies, their minds, and their partners through science, mindset, and a whole lot of humor. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, rediscovering desire, or just curious what’s possible, this show will remind you: you are not broken. (No medical advice here, just truth bombs and good conversation.)
Episodes
Mentioned books

5 snips
May 10, 2026 • 47min
370. Microbiomes & Menopause: What’s Really Driving Your Symptoms?
The Gut-Brain-Hormone Connection in Midlife with Cynthia Thurlow - Explore how hormonal shifts, the microbiome, and lifestyle factors intertwine to impact women's health during midlife. Cynthia Thurlow shares insights on gut health, hormone therapy, and debunks common misconceptions. This episode offers practical advice for optimizing wellness through personalized approaches.
Key Topics:
The emerging importance of the gut microbiome in menopausal health
How hormones like estrogen influence colon cancer risk and overall health
The role of lifestyle factors (diet, stress, antibiotics) on microbiome integrity
Advances in hormone therapy, including the potential for microbiome restoration
The impact of medications like GLP-1 agents on inflammation and weight
Strategies for improving digestion, stool health, and addressing SIBO
The myth of genetics being destiny—hormones as a modifiable factor
Predatory practices in vaginal health treatments and how to ensure informed choices
The significance of fiber: how to increase it safely and effectively
Practical daily habits to support gut motility and overall wellness
Menopause Gut Book
IG for Cynthia Thurlow, NP
Listen to my Tedx Talk: Why we need adult sex ed
Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:
My Website
Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? Waitlist is open
To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit via4her.com and get 20% off your first order. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Clinicians can request patient materials or samples at hcp.solvwellness.com.
Thanks to our sponsor Midi Women's Health. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.https://www.joinmidi.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 snips
May 3, 2026 • 1h 7min
369. Perimenopause, Testosterone and AMA with Dr. Casperson
Episode 369: Dr. Kelly Casperson, interviewed by Sara Reardon
What happens when a urologic surgeon who has spent years treating women's bladder and sexual health sits down to answer every question she wishes her patients had asked sooner? You get this episode.
In a role reversal from her usual hosting chair, Dr. Kelly Casperson is interviewed by Sara Reardon for a wide-ranging, myth-busting conversation on perimenopause, hormone therapy, and what it actually means to advocate for yourself in a medical system that has historically under-served women. No gatekeeping. No fear-mongering. Just the science, the nuance, and the permission to want more.
Perimenopause is not just hot flashes. The hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause affect your bladder, your sleep, your joints, your skin, your mood, and your sex life — often years before your period stops. Kelly breaks down what's actually happening biologically and why so many women are told their symptoms are "just aging."
Local estrogen and systemic HRT are not the same thing — and you may need both. Vaginal estrogen treats the tissue. Systemic hormone therapy treats the whole person. Kelly explains the difference, who benefits from each, and how to have an informed conversation with your provider about what's right for you.
DHEA and testosterone belong in the conversation. These hormones are not just for men. Kelly covers the evidence for testosterone and DHEA in women's health — including delivery methods, indications, and why so many women are never offered them.
Finding a knowledgeable provider is hard. Here's how to do it. Not every clinician is trained in hormone therapy. Kelly talks about how to identify providers who are, and how to self-educate enough to advocate effectively in any appointment.
Gut health, exercise, and alcohol all matter — but not instead of hormones. Lifestyle strategies can amplify hormone therapy; they're not a replacement for it. Kelly cuts through the supplement noise and explains what the evidence actually supports.
Gender bias is real, and naming it is the first step. From the Women's Health Initiative fallout to the way women's pain is routinely minimized, Kelly addresses the systemic forces that have shaped (and limited) what women are offered — and how to push back.
Listen to my Tedx Talk: Why we need adult sex ed
Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:
My Website
Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? Waitlist is open
To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit via4her.com and get 20% off your first order. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Clinicians can request patient materials or samples at hcp.solvwellness.com.
Thanks to our sponsor Midi Women's Health. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.https://www.joinmidi.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

9 snips
Apr 26, 2026 • 50min
368. Brains and Hormones
Unlocking Brain Health: Insights with Dr. Louisa Nicola.
Explore the fascinating world of neuroscience and preventative health with Dr. Louisa Nicola, a neurophysiologist dedicated to understanding and combating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. This episode dives deep into brain biology, the impact of hormones, lifestyle factors, and cutting-edge research on neuroprotection.
Top takeaways:
How neural networks and algorithms sparked her love for the human brain
The critical distinction between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Recent advancements in understanding amyloid beta and tau proteins
The role of lifestyle, hormones, and genetic factors in preventing dementia
The influence of sex differences and hormone levels on neurodegenerative risk
The impact of sleep, inflammation, and infections like shingles on brain aging
Emerging research on preventative strategies, including vaccines and supplements like creatine
https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_/
Listen to my Tedx Talk: Why we need adult sex ed
Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:
My Website
Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? Waitlist is open
To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit via4her.com and get 20% off your first order. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Clinicians can request patient materials or samples at hcp.solvwellness.com.
Thanks to our sponsor Midi Women's Health. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance. Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.https://www.joinmidi.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 19, 2026 • 43min
367 - Brick House Bones - How to strengthen bones with PT
In this episode of You Are Not Broken, Dr. Kelly Casperson sits down with physical therapist Dr. Lisa Moore, an expert in bone health, for a conversation that reframes how we think about osteoporosis—from something to fear… to something we can actively influence.
If you’ve ever been told to “be careful” or “avoid injury” without being given a clear path forward, this episode is your antidote. Dr. Moore brings clarity, science, and practicality to a topic that is often clouded by confusion and limitation.
Why physical therapists are essential to bone health
Physical therapists are uniquely trained in the musculoskeletal system—bones, muscles, and joints. Dr. Moore explains how this expertise allows them to guide patients not just in recovery, but in building strength, resilience, and confidence in their bodies.
Working with women undergoing breast cancer treatment, Dr. Moore saw firsthand how certain therapies increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Instead of accepting this as inevitable, she pursued deeper education and now empowers women with actionable strategies to protect and rebuild their bone health.
Why balance training is non-negotiable
Most fractures don’t happen because bones are weak alone—they happen because people fall. Dr. Moore shares why dynamic balance training (not just standing on one foot) is critical, and how practicing real-life movement scenarios can dramatically reduce fall risk.
The underrated power of… power training
Strength is important—but strength plus speed is what keeps you from falling. Power training helps your body react quickly and effectively, which is essential for maintaining independence and longevity.
Why your starting point doesn’t matter as much as you think
Dr. Moore emphasizes the principle of initial values: those starting at a lower baseline often see the greatest gains. Translation? It’s never too late to start, and your body is more adaptable than you’ve been led to believe.
How to stay active without rigidity (even while traveling)
Fitness doesn’t have to mean perfection. Dr. Moore shares how she balances structured workouts with joyful movement like hiking and swimming—reminding us that consistency over time matters more than any single workout.
The truth about osteoporosis: it’s not fixed
One of the most empowering takeaways—bone health is dynamic. With the right interventions, you can improve bone density, strength, and function. This is not a one-way street.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrLisaMooreDPT
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlisamooredpt/
Listen to my Tedx Talk: Why we need adult sex ed
Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:
My Website
Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? Waitlist is open
To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit via4her.com and get 20% off your first order. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Clinicians can request patient materials or samples at hcp.solvwellness.com.
Thanks to our sponsor Midi Women's Health. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.https://www.joinmidi.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 12, 2026 • 57min
366. Coaching, Training Trauma, and Becoming with Dr. Smith
In this episode of You Are Not Broken, I sit down with Dr. Sunny Smith — physician, coach, and fierce advocate for women in medicine — for a conversation that felt both deeply personal and urgently necessary.
We talk about the transformative power of coaching and why so many high-achieving women still struggle with self-doubt. If you’ve ever downplayed your accomplishments, hesitated to speak up in a room full of men, or questioned whether you’re “expert enough,” this episode is for you.
Dr. Smith and I share personal stories from our own careers that highlight the subtle (and not-so-subtle) gender dynamics embedded in medical culture. We explore how women physicians are often socialized to overwork, over-give, and under-claim their authority — and how that conditioning impacts not only our careers, but our health.
This conversation is about agency.
It’s about recognizing that your thoughts create your feelings, your feelings drive your actions, and your actions determine your results. If you believe you’re “not ready,” you’ll play small. If you believe you belong, you’ll act differently — and the world will respond differently.
We also talk about:
Why coaching works (especially for high-achieving professionals)
How women are conditioned to minimize their expertise
The cost of self-abandonment in medicine
Gender bias in healthcare — both as physicians and as patients
What it actually means to advocate for yourself
Why questioning limiting beliefs is a radical act
The ripple effect of empowered women physicians
This episode isn’t about blaming the system. It’s about understanding it — and then deciding who you want to be inside of it.
Because when women own their expertise, take up space, and stop apologizing for their ambition, everything changes — for us, for our patients, and for medicine itself.
You are not broken.
You are powerful.
And you’re allowed to act like it.
Dr. Smith's Empowering Women Physician Website
Listen to my Tedx Talk: Why we need adult sex ed
Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:
My Website
Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? Waitlist is open
To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit via4her.com and get 20% off your first order. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Clinicians can request patient materials or samples at hcp.solvwellness.com.
Thanks to our sponsor Midi Women's Health. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.https://www.joinmidi.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 5, 2026 • 49min
365. The Awakened Brain
Dr. Lisa Miller, psychologist and Columbia professor who studies the science of spirituality, joins to discuss measurable spiritual life as a protective force. She covers research linking spirituality to lower depression and addiction risk. They explore spiritual awakening after crisis, the “high counsel” practice, women’s unique spiritual intelligence, and practical ways to reclaim inner knowing.

Mar 29, 2026 • 58min
364. Marriage, Midlife and Staying Connected with the Whites
In this episode of You Are Not Broken, I sit down with Dr. Kate White and Jay White to talk about something we don’t discuss enough: what actually happens to marriages in midlife.
Because midlife isn’t just hot flashes and hormones. It’s identity shifts. Career pivots. Aging parents. Changing bodies. Evolving desire. And if we don’t talk about it, it can quietly unravel connection.
We explore how hormonal changes — especially in perimenopause and menopause — can significantly impact intimacy, mood, and relational dynamics. When libido shifts or sex becomes uncomfortable, couples often misinterpret it as rejection instead of biology. That misunderstanding creates distance.
We talk about how communication — real, vulnerable, scheduled communication — is essential. Not just “How was your day?” but “How are we doing?” So many couples assume the other person should just know what they need. They don’t. Curiosity is a skill.
We also discuss:
Why midlife is often framed negatively — but can actually be deeply transformative
The common pattern of women initiating divorce when they feel unseen or unheard
The difference between sex and intimacy — and why emotional closeness fuels physical connection
How counseling can create a safe space to untangle resentment and rebuild trust
Why adapting to change — instead of resisting it — is key to long-term partnership
One of the most powerful themes of this episode is that midlife doesn’t destroy marriages. Silence does.
When couples understand what’s happening — hormonally, emotionally, relationally — they can respond with compassion instead of blame.
Marriage in midlife requires evolution. It requires honesty. It requires both people staying curious about who their partner is becoming.
And when that happens? Midlife can be a season of deeper connection — not disconnection.
https://www.headsandtailspodcast.com/
Listen to my Tedx Talk: Why we need adult sex ed
Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:
My Website
Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? Waitlist is open
Thanks to our sponsor Midi Women's Health. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.https://www.joinmidi.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 22, 2026 • 52min
363. Mesh, Vaginal Estrogen, Female Urology and More with Dr. Una Lee
In this episode of You Are Not Broken, I sit down with urologist Dr. Una Lee to talk about what women actually need in midlife care — and why the system still makes it so hard to get.
We dive into the importance of patient-centered research — studying what truly matters to women: quality of life, sexual health, urinary symptoms, and comfort. If we don’t measure those things, we miss the point.
We also discuss the removal of the boxed warning language on vaginal estrogen and how correcting misinformation has already improved prescribing and access. Fear limited care for years. Data changes that.
We cover:
Why education on vaginal estrogen and GSM is essential
The research gap in testosterone therapy for women
The importance of pelvic floor physical therapy as first-line care
Informed consent and nuance in surgical conversations
Ongoing barriers to hormonal access
The big theme? Women are living longer — and our healthcare system needs to evolve with them.
Listen to my Tedx Talk: Why we need adult sex ed
Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:
My Website
Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? Waitlist is open
Thanks to our sponsor Midi Women's Health. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.https://www.joinmidi.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 15, 2026 • 31min
362. The Pink Pill
Abby Greensfelder, executive producer who shepherded the film; Aisling Chin-Yee, director who shaped the storytelling; Cindy Eckert, entrepreneur behind Addyi and central figure. They discuss the decades-long fight to develop the drug, the stigma and silence around women’s sexual health, tensions with regulators, and how the film sparks conversation, empathy, and activism around pleasure and care.

Mar 8, 2026 • 59min
361. Midlife Comedy and Transformation - An Inspiring Story
Susan Guidi, a medical sonographer turned stand-up comedian and fitness competitor, reinvented her life in midlife through comedy, bodybuilding, and community. She talks about using humor to heal. She recounts competing in bodybuilding later in life, navigating menopause and recovery, and building a supportive tribe that fueled lasting change.


