Menopause: From Multitasking Queen to Second Girlhood, with Dr Priya Duggal and Rosio Fuentes

Release Date: 11/06/2025

Menopause: From Estrogen Washing to Social Silence, with Dr Aisling Quiery & Rati Roberta Riccardi

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. In this conversation, our guests forge a link between childhood trauma and the severity of menopausal symptoms. Aisling, a GP who is herself experiencing perimenopause, notes that the menopausal women who consult her often carry immense stress from being "sandwiched" between their peak career responsibilities and caring for children, grandchildren and aging parents. Together Aisling and Rati contrast: - "Estrogen Washing" a term Aisling coined to suggest that HRT often serves as a "wash" which may offer temporary relief but is...

Menopause: From Multitasking Queen to Second Girlhood, with Dr Priya Duggal and Rosio Fuentes

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted 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...

Menopause Pruning: Clearing Space for Authenticity, with Inés Zabalaga & Kate Hazlitt, ND

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard This conversation moves from the medicalization of menopause to reclaiming it as a natural process; an important, transformative life stage marked by growth, development, and renewal, not an illness or pathology. Kate and Inés advocate for shifting from symptom management to trusting the body's innate capacity and involving the entire community in understanding this transition. Inés and Kate highlight:: - Brain Pruning which "chops away" old ways of thinking and being, making way for authenticity, new identity, and a...

Unveiling Indian Cultural Trauma, with Mansi Poddar

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This conversation exposes the impact of cultural trauma on Indian mental and emotional well-being and the conflicts these cultural pressures can cause. After outlining how therapeutic approaches can ease the pain, transform lives and begin to shift cultural norms, expectations and beliefs, Mansi asserts that having dreams, desires, and boundaries is an expression of one's wholeness, not a betrayal of others. Cultural dynamics explored include: - The expectation that women will sacrifice their personal happiness for family...

Invisible Made Visible: Authenticity, Healing, and Impact, with Barbara Brangan

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J'aime Rothbard. Our guest, an expert grant writer for charities, social enterprises, and Indigenous organizations, shares her profound transition from a deep sense of invisibility to authentic visibility and happy invisibility. Barb also describes how integrating spiritual wisdom, trauma-informed healing and self-introspection ultimately directed her to surrender to her unique gift for impactful social justice work. Barb delves into: - Her own "happy childhood" myth, hiding the pain of her childhood medical trauma. - The value of Cosmic...

From Wounded Warrior to Universal Illuminator, with Juliano Innocenti, PMHNP, MSN

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J'aime Rothbard. In this episode, Juliano shares his personal journey from the trauma of in utero addiction and premature birth, to being raised in the foster system, to his healing through expressive arts and Compassionate Inquiry®(CI). As a psychopharmacologist with time-limited patient prescription assessments, Juliano describes how incorporating CI practices into these sessions can help patients uncover years of hidden suffering, validate their lived experiences, question false narratives and potentially end trauma cycles He emphasizes the...

Peace Activation Begins Within, with Eva Dalak

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This conversation explores Eva’s transformative journey from traditional peacework to a trauma-informed, soul-centred approach. Her own experience of progressive vision loss forced her into two years of deep shadow work. In this process she identified and released unhelpful core beliefs and avoidant patterns Today, Eva believes she lost her eyesight to rediscover her true vision and destiny, through embracing her Palestinian-Israeli identity She clearly explains why: - Sustainable peace begins within us - Traditional...

Technology & AI : Benefits & Hazards, with Sat Dharam Kaur, ND

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by J’aime Rothbard, Kevin Young and Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. Join us as we explore the overall impact of technology and AI on human attachments, relationships, dependence, skills, wellbeing and our environment. AI is examined in therapeutic contexts, along with the considerable ethical and societal concerns around its use in that capacity, and the documented damage it can inflict on vulnerable populations. Sat Dharam addresses a number of ‘hot’ tech and AI topics including the: - Potential future implications of transferring human attachment...

Resolving Math-Anxiety Through Trauma-Informed Teaching, with Dr Bea Bleile

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard This conversation explores how academic learning is impacted by a student's emotional state, prior experiences, and the safety of the learning environment. Bea, who has been teaching in various roles since 1993, saw that traditional teaching methods fail to account for the "whole" students who enter the classrooms. This failure often results in elevated student anxiety and hindered learning: As a teacher committed to evolving current educational institutions and systems, she addresses: - The impact of negative emotions on learning...

Elevating Consciousness & Healing Through Art & Music with Ester Martinez

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This rich conversation explores many topics, from Ester’s personal and professional journeys, to spiritual mysticism, to the parallels between experiencing ‘excellence’ in art, music and transformational trauma healing. Ester began sharing her NDEs and naming,”‘the Divine embrace” as her childhood comfort, the foundation of her healing approach and an enduring influence in her therapeutic practices. She also reflects on: - Why healing is always possible - Art and music as mediums for elevating consciousness...

More Episodes

Hosted 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:

Roisio Fuentes

Dr Priya Duggal

Priya’s Compassionate Inquiry Profile