Menopause: From Multitasking Queen to Second Girlhood, with Dr Priya Duggal and Rosio Fuentes
Release Date: 11/06/2025
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes & J’aime Rothbard. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. How do smart, accomplished people end up in emotionally abusive relationships without realizing it? As both a trauma coach and former victim, Paul illuminates how emotional abuse operates through fear, manipulation, and control—and why it's so difficult to recognize and name. He also touches on common signs; chronic invalidation, gaslighting, control disguised as concern, walking on eggshells, confusion, toxic shame, and how our earliest attachments can create susceptibility. In this...
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Mandy Rodstrom & Debbie Mason on, Creating Spaces for Stuttering to Exist Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. What if traditional fluency-focused approaches designed to "fix" stuttering cause more harm than healing? In this conversation, speech therapists Mandy Rodstrom and Debbie Mason share personal and clinical insights that reveal how trauma, nervous system dysregulation and social stigma profoundly impact those who stammer. They highlight the critical importance of connecting people who stutter with supportive communities where stuttering is welcomed and...
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Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. What happens when we stop performing and start being? Cat guides us through her transformational journey from codependent conditioning to embodied authenticity. With wisdom drawn from 30+ years of yoga practice, plant medicine journeys, and navigating her own healing from Breast Cancer, Cat reveals why the answers we seek aren't outside ourselves, but waiting to be uncovered within. Cat reflects on: - How shedding her protective layers enabled her to access her true strength - Her expanded her capacity to be present, hold space for others...
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Hosted by J’aime Rothbard & Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. What if the path to inner and outer peace—and to the survival of our species—runs through our biology, not just our psychology? In this bonus finale to our Relating Series, Eva and Zach guide us beyond the familiar terrain of human-to-human relating to the new ground of relating to our original imprint. This conversation weaves hard science with systems thinking and spiritual wisdom to show that rather than transcending our humanity, healing our separation wound is about fully embracing our original...
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Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes and J’aime Rothbard. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This vulnerable conversation continues exploring relating through the LGBTQ+ lens, as Vimalasara and Jordan share insights rarely disclosed to the heteronormative population. Jordan reflects on the inner work required to create safety for others—unpacking his own trauma so he can hold space for someone else's. Vimalasara addresses the harsh realities of domestic violence in LGBTQ+ communities, highlighting the barriers to seeking help—being subjected to transphobia, homophobia, or violence in...
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Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes and J’aime Rothbard. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This thought provoking conversation explores relating through the LGBTQ+ lens, but not only presented to that community. Instead it is a vulnerable and honest sharing in which Vimalarara and Jordan offer insights and perspectives rarely disclosed to the heteronormative population. In this inclusive episode they touch on the: - Use of pronouns can create a sense of safety and inclusion - Perspective of gender as a social construct rather than a personal identity - Historical impact of religious and...
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Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes & Leila Bahri-Lucas. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This episode reminds us that the unconscious processes that drive humans, our memories and survival instincts, often lead to misunderstandings and reactive behaviors. Consequently, most relationship issues, while they may seem personal, actually stem from our innate drives. Stan outlines that rather than being approached casually, successful relationships require deliberate design, shared purpose, defined roles, and agreed-upon principles. We also explore: - The PPPRRR Approach: Couples can...
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Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This episode introduces Polyamory, a form of consensual non-monogamy, as a relational style involving multiple loving, consensual, romantic partners simultaneously. It emphasizes trust, open communication (as opposed to secretive ‘cheating’) and mutual agreement. Jessica and David, themselves polyamory practitioners and co-authors of two books on Polyamory, are joined by JP Bolhuis, a Psychosocial Therapist, Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner and Private Mentor who recently entered the world of polyamory. Jesica and David...
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Hosted by J’aime Rothbard and Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. In this soft and flowing conversation, Silva Neves differentiates the term "sex addiction" from "sexual compulsivity," as addiction is an independent disorder, while compulsion arises from environmental distress. Like food, sex is a primary drive, and has a natural physiological stopping point not present in other addictions. The analogy of food and diverse cuisines to normalize conversations about sexuality, highlighting that different tastes and preferences in food are accepted, but similar...
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Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. In this conversation, Kevin introduces us to Dr Paul Gallagher, a lecturer in trauma studies at Cork University who started his formal education at age 40, after a significant "gap" in his life. Born in Belfast in 1972 at the height of "The Troubles," Paul recounts growing up in a war zone, where at 21, his home was invaded and his family held hostage. During this attack, he was shot and paralysed, and while physical and medical care were provided, psychological support was not. Paul highlights: - The crucial roles of...
info_outlineHosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard
Join us for this wide ranging conversation between a Menopausal Naturopathic doctor and a Therapist who lives with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome while mothering a neurodivergent family and experiencing Menopause. Together, Rosie and Priya address the many physiological, emotional and practical implications of Menopause "tipping points" for women’s health.
They highlight that:
- Living an inauthentic life (always "doing" for others) can create physical symptoms, likewise addiction patterns may emerge or intensify if unmet needs are not addressed through self-care
- While working, parenting, caring for aging parents, etc., can make women resist slowing down and prioritizing self-care, this resistance can also come from their "multitasking queen" identities
- The decline in estrogen’s cardiovascular protection increases women's risk of heart issues
- In traditional Chinese medicine, Hot Flashes are both "rising yang fire," (the body's wisdom for detoxing through sweat) and represent untapped potential. So balancing yin is key.
Priya concluded by stressing that the human mind, body, and thoughts are interconnected (like musicians in an orchestra). Each woman's menopause journey is unique, so compassionate, individualized care is essential, as is exercise, good nutrition and sleep, sun exposure, and fresh air.
“Menopause is a second girlhood—a time to rediscover your own authentic self. So be kind to yourself, don't compare yourself to others, and listen to your body rather than resisting change.”
About Rosio Fuentes, Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner & Excited Curiosity Coach
I’m Rosie. Curiosity moves me. It always has.
I am both sentimental and direct, soft and clear. I care deeply, and that’s where everything begins for me.
I’m a Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner, Private Mentor, and Excited Curiosity Coach. I’m also first generation, the daughter of migrant parents, and that shaped the way I see everything! Two worlds, two languages, two ways of belonging. When I sit with clients, I’m not there to fix them. I’m there to normalize the things we’re often told to hide like addictions, suicidal thoughts, sex, shame, guilt, grief, all of it. I'm there to make what’s real safe for them to name and to reflect back the essence of self, that part of them that is untouched and whole.
I live in a neurodivergent household with my husband and our three girls, whom we are guardians for. Life here is hard, extremely hard and lively, honest, constant healing, wonder, and continuous awe. I also live with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and constant physical pain, along with thyroid and gastric issues, allergies, sensitivities, and autoimmune patterns that sometimes show up as Lyme or lupus. The pain is never not with me, yet gratitude, awe, and love are always there too. I love mother earth, the universe and all living beings. Knowing we are connected keeps me whole and allows me to be with what’s present in myself and others.
About Priya Duggal, ND
Priya is both a firm believer in Mind-Body Medicine and a registered Naturopathic Doctor. She focuses on women’s health, breast cancer, autoimmune conditions, addictions, and mental health. She is also a Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner, Facilitator, Educator, Mentor and Circle Leader. In her work with clients, in addition to incorporating the Compassionate Inquiry (CI) approach, she draws on the teachings of Stephen Porges, Gordon Neufeld, and Bessel van Der Kolk. Priya is passionate about helping others live authentic lives as she continues pursuing her own connection with her true self.
Born and raised in India, Priya first trained as a medical doctor, but her search for deeper answers led her to naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine and CI. After earning her ND, she took the Healthy Breast Program with Sat Dharam Kaur, ND, and continued her quest for personal and professional growth by training in Kundalini Yoga, Beyond Addiction and CI.
Priya is the Vice President of MammAlive foundation, a non-profit organization run by volunteers who are passionate about women’s health and breast health education.
She spends her time between both Canada and India, and enjoys travelling the world, exploring different cultures, painting, nature walks, spending quality time with her husband, two adult children and adorable pet-Kaju.
True healing is in you, as Hippocartes said -“ Natural forces from within us are the true healers of disease”. What we feel and what we believe has a profound effect on our health.
Promotional Message:
If you've been listening to our podcast and are curious about the transformative power of Compassionate Inquiry®, join us for a 6-hour online experiential introduction to the Compassionate Inquiry approach and community. This link takes you to a web page where you can get information and, if you choose, register for the next CI Experience event coming up on November 8.
Resources:
Websites:
Priya’s Compassionate Inquiry Profile
Related Links:
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome & Menopause
Articles:
ADHD and Sex Hormones in Females: A Systematic Review
EMAS Position Statement: Thyroid Disease and Menopause
Books:
Hormone Repair Manual, Lara Briden
The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Women's Health, Sat Dharam Kaur, ND
The Hormone Fix, Dr Anna Cabeca
Research & Studies:
Perimenopause as a neurological transition state.
Sex hormones, aging and cardiometabolic syndrome.
Silymarin is an ally against insulin resistance: A review.
Effect of magnesium supplementation on insulin resistance in humans: A systematic review.
Social Media:
Rosie: FB: https://www.facebook.com/ExcitedCuriosity/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/excited.curiosity/
Priya: FB: https://www.facebook.com/priya.duggal.355
IG: mammaliveindia