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.

Connect with Dr. Breus below!

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.***