Episodes

This week on Aging Powerfully, we’re getting brutally honest about one of the most avoided — yet most essential — topics in midlife: preparing your family for the unexpected. Most people think they’re organized. Spoiler: they’re not. To cut through the confusion and give us the real roadmap, I’m joined by Canada’s financial powerhouse Pattie Lovett-Reid. Together, we break down the exact documents, details, and conversations every family needs long before a crisis hits. In this eye-opening a...

Guest: Dr. Amy Louis‑Bayliss Original Air Date: January 30, 2025 Duration: ~89 minutes In this deep-dive episode, Melissa sits down with Dr. Amy Louis-Bayliss to walk you through the seven key health metrics that every woman should know—especially as we navigate midlife and beyond. From lab numbers to lifestyle markers, these data points give you a snapshot of where your health is now—and more importantly—where it can go. Dr. Louis-Bayliss shares how to interpret each metric, when to start c...

Guest: Dr. Stephanie Faubion, Director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health & Medical Director of The Menopause Society Part One: Menopause Myths & Medicine Menopause has gone viral — but not always for the right reasons. From claims that a woman’s brain “eats itself” in menopause to this week’s breaking FDA news about estrogen therapy, it’s harder than ever to know what’s true. In this first half of the episode, Melissa sits down with Dr. Stephanie Faubion, one of the world’s leading...

Guest: Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, Clinical Psychologist & Friendship Researcher As we age, our friendships can evolve—some deepen, others drift, and new ones can feel harder to form. In this episode of Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo, Melissa speaks with Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, a clinical psychologist and leading expert on adult friendship, about why meaningful connection is vital for women in midlife and beyond. Together, they explore: How women’s friendships change as we age—and why that’s norma...

Episode supported by Starbucks Protein at Starbucks Canada @starbuckscanada https://protein.starbucks.ca/ When it comes to aging powerfully, there’s one thing we can’t afford to lose: muscle. In this episode, Melissa sits down with one of the world’s foremost experts on muscle health and aging — Dr. Stuart Phillips, Professor of Kinesiology at McMaster University, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health and Aging, and Director of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence. With...

If you’ve ever wondered why your body seems to be changing through midlife — even when your habits haven’t — this episode is a must-listen. Melissa sits down once again with Dr. Sasha High (@sashahighmd), obesity physician and leading voice in metabolic health, for an eye-opening conversation about weight gain and weight loss during the menopause transition. Dr. High breaks down the latest science behind today’s most talked-about obesity medications — and why calling them “weight loss drugs” i...

Guest: Dr. Shafeena Premji, Menopause Expert & Physician (@drshafeenapremji). If you’ve been told you can’t take hormone therapy—or you’ve chosen not to—this episode is for you. This week, menopause expert and physician Dr. Shafeena Premji joins us to unpack all the non-hormonal treatment options available to women navigating the menopause transition. From prescription medications to emerging therapies, Dr. Premji explains what’s proven, safe, and effective for managing symptoms like hot flash...

This Menopause Awareness Month, we’re turning up the laughter (and maybe the thermostat) with one of the funniest and most relatable voices in the menopause conversation — Kara Murray, the Canadian mom behind the viral Instagram account @mediocremom76. Kara has made millions of women laugh about symptoms that would otherwise make us cry — from night sweats and brain fog to mood swings and hot flashes that could power a small village. But beyond the humour, she’s using her platform to educate, e...

Menopause is often talked about as if it’s a universal experience — but the truth is, it’s not the same for every woman. Research shows that women of colour often experience menopause differently, with variations in symptoms, severity, and duration. Yet these differences are rarely acknowledged in medical care, leaving many women without the support they need. In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Omolayo Famuyide, one of the few menopause doctors and specialists who is also a woman ...

What’s new in menopause care? In this episode of Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo, Melissa sits down with three board members of the Canadian Menopause Society (CMS) — Dr. Shafeena Premji, Dr. Alison Shea, and Dr. Denise Black — to unpack the Top 5 Takeaways from the CMS Biennial Scientific Conference. This conference brings together leading clinicians and researchers from across Canada and around the world to share the latest science and best practices in midlife and menopause health. Toget...

When it comes to midlife health, women are bombarded with mixed messages: It’s all your hormones. There’s nothing you can do. Just accept the changes. But is that really the full story? On this episode of Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo, I sit down with muscle scientist Dr. Colenso-Semple to break down why building muscle as we age isn’t just about looking strong — it’s about preserving independence, vitality, and living fully on our own terms. We tackle the myths and hype around menopause...

The podcast is back and kicking off Season 3 with more myth-busting and more challenging of misinformation with OB-GYN Dr. Jen Gunter (@drjengunter). She's back on the show because the nonsense online about menopause and women's health has only heated up and not slowed down. She discusses the latest myths about hormone therapy, plus the newest hot topics: strength training and protein intake. Finally, Dr. Gunter discusses how the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement and the conspiracy theo...

After a short break, the podcast is back! Season 3 drops tomorrow, and every Thursday thereafter. Dr. Jen Gunter (@drjengunter), the Internet's favourite myth-busting OB-GYN, is back to tackle today's biggest menopause and women's health social media myths and misinformation. But first, Melissa catches us up on something BIG she's been planning for the fall. Listen today and then tune in tomorrow for the first episode of Season 3! Find Melissa Grelo on Instagram @MelissaGrelo and @AgingPowerful...

It’s a wrap on another incredible season! Join Melissa and her Tech & Audio Producer, Drew Garner, as they look back on their favourite moments from the season. They’ll share behind-the-scenes stories you’ve never heard before — including the inside scoop on an episode that never aired and why it stayed on the shelf. A big thank you to all the sponsors who supported Season 2! @lovemyiris @alwaysdiscreet @felixhealthca @avene @sanoliving.ai @cdnhpcassn STAY TUNED FOR SEASON 3 COMING THIS ...

Travel for women 40+ isn't just about chasing your own Eat, Pray, Love experience. It can be even so much more! Travel can transform us, move us, help us grow, help us get unstuck during a rapidly changing time in our lives. It can awaken dreams and reveal what is possible for our Second Act of life. Whether you choose to take a trip alone or with your closest girlfriends, Travel Expert Heather Greenwood-Davis (@byheathergd) joins me to lay out everything you need to know to plan your next adven...

In this episode of Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo, I have an in-depth discussion with The Midlife Maven herself, Alicia Erickson (@aliciae), to discuss how she transformed her body and mind through menopause. Alicia shares her journey resilience and empowerment, proving that midlife can be a time of reinvention rather than decline. From shifting her mindset to embracing new habits, she offers invaluable insights on navigating menopause with confidence and purpose. Tune in for an inspiring c...

March is Women's History Month and includes International Women's Day March 8th. To mark these, I invited the women closest and dearest to me to join me on the podcast - my mother and sister, Clarita and Rosanna! We discuss my mother's immigration story, growing up on the horse farm, interracial marriage, motherhood, our childhoods and how we've made health and wellness centrepoints of our life. My mother shares her secrets to aging powerfully and being a healthy 84-year-old! Episode sponsored ...

"We were taught how to get things in life, but we were never taught how to cope when we lose them." A LOT is changing in midlife. Physical changes in menopause, empty nest syndrome, career shifts, "grey" divorce, changing health and aging, in general. So let's talk about it. How can we cope with these changes in midlife andhow can we embrace our Second Act? Life coach Tammy Faulds (@innertravelcoach) takes us through the lows and the highs of the midlife transition and come out with fresh and ne...

Canada's health care system is supposed to be the envy of the world yet millions do not have a primary care practitioner, emergency room visits take hours and hours and thousands die while on waiting lists for life-saving treatments and surgeries. Was it always this bad? Is it getting worse? How did we get here? What countries are doing health care right and what can we learn from them? Emergency room doctor @drshazmamithani and family physician-scientist Dr. Tara Kiran help us understand how to...

Relationships are hard! Romantic, platonic, familial, co-workers and so many more. On this Valentine's Day special episode, my co-worker and dear friend, sex and relationship expert Cynthia Loyst joins me to talk about the 5 Cs Of A Good Relationship. But first, we spill the tea about our own relationship and what we really think of one another after working side by side for 12 years! Episode sponsored by Avène (@avene on Instagram). Website: https://www.eau-thermale-avene.ca/en_ca Find Melis...

In this episode, with psychiatrists and co-founders of virtual mental health clinic, Bria, Dr. Ariel Dalfen and Dr. Bev Young discuss some key points about menopause and mental health, explore why many people are still hesitant to seek help, and discuss how ethnicity and socioeconomic status impact mental health. Together, we'll also cover lifestyle changes, medications, and how to find the right professional for your needs. Finally, we'll delve into the latest research on women's brains through...

Dr. Amy Louis-Bayliss is back on the podcast to break down seven numbers you should know to get and stay healthy. These seven numbers can give you a snapshot of how your health is today and where it might be going in the future. Learn what the metrics are, when to start testing and tracking, how often and what these numbers tell you about your health. Episode sponsored by Avène (@avene on Instagram). Website: https://www.eau-thermale-avene.ca/en_ca Find Melissa Grelo on Instagram @MelissaGrel...

You've been hearing the messages that a lot changes as we enter perimenopause and the menopause transition. One of those messages? It's time to modify what we eat for optimal health in midlife and beyond. This is the podcast episode for you! Registered Dietician Devon Peart of Cleveland Clinic Canada breaks down meal planning through menopause. Your guide to nutrition 40+. Episode sponsored by Avène (@avene on Instagram). Find Melissa Grelo on Instagram @MelissaGrelo and @AgingPowerfullyWithMG...

Did you know that two-thirds of people with Alzheimer's are women? Did you know that women over 60 are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than breast cancer? Here's the thing: Most of the diseases causing dementia starting developing in the brain 20 years before clinical symptoms show, which for many women, is around the time of menopause, begging the question, what role does menopause play in our brain health? The good news is that almost half of Alzheimer's cases can be prevented w...