Ep 124 - From Cycles to Menopause: Our Stories + A Big Book Announcement!
Release Date: 09/22/2025
Ep 134 - Your Mouth Tells a Story: How Biological Dentistry Connects Oral Health, Hormones & Autoimmunity, with Dr. Toni Engram
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Have you ever wondered how your dental health connects to your hormones, your immune system, or even your blood sugar? My guest today, Dr. Toni Engram, is here to pull back the curtain on the powerful — and often overlooked — mouth-body connection. Dr. Engram is a biological dentist, integrative health coach, and owner of Flourish Dental Boutique in Richardson, TX. After walking through her own journey with autoimmune disease, she realized traditional dentistry often misses the deeper story of what’s happening in the body. In this conversation, we dive into: How oral inflammation...
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Ep 133 - Food Should Bring Joy, Not Stress — Kaycee Parker’s Diabetic Meals Made Easy
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Diagnosed at age 12, Kaycee Parker has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years—and she’s turned her experience into encouragement for others. A writer with a storyteller’s heart (she jokes it’s her Irish heritage), Kaycee blends her love of faith and food into a message of hope, balance, and grace. In this heartfelt episode, Kaycee joins Melissa Slemp to share: The story behind her new cookbook, Diabetic Meals Made Easy Why it’s not a “low-carb only” cookbook, but a blood sugar–friendly one for everyone How to pair foods for steadier numbers—and less stress at mealtime...
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Ep 132 - Estrogen Decline, Inflammation, and Frozen Shoulder - Dr. Matt Rieder Explains the Perfect Storm
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Today’s guest is Dr. Matt Rieder, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of Renew Strength and Wellness. Matt jokes that he “gets hurt a lot”, on the amateur level, but turned that experience into a career helping others put themselves back together. A lifelong athlete and exercise enthusiast, he believes the human body can stay strong, flexible, pain-free, and ready for anything, no matter your age. When he’s not working with clients, you’ll find him climbing, running, weightlifting, scuba diving for giant fossilized shark teeth, hiking, camping, or writing. During his Army days,...
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Ep 131 - Manual Mode, Hormones, and 2 AM Alarms: A Real Look at Sleep with Type 1
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Ever wake up to a CGM alarm at 2 a.m. and wonder why you’re high (or low) even after doing everything “right”? In this solo episode, Melissa breaks down how perimenopause, pump settings, and shifting hormones can turn sleep into a nightly puzzle—and what to do about it. You’ll learn: Why melatonin, estrogen, and cortisol can all mess with your sleep How nighttime insulin settings and the dawn phenomenon play a role Real-life lessons from Melissa’s switch to Omnipod 5 manual mode Simple, science-backed ways to improve sleep quality tonight Whether you’re waking up high,...
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Ep 130 - Aging Is Inevitable, Suffering Is Optional with Zora Benhamou
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Menopause isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning, especially when we learn how to influence the way we age. In this episode, Melissa sits down with Zora Benhamou. Zora is a gerontologist, biohacker, and host of the Hack My Age podcast, where she helps women break menopause stigma and ageist stereotypes. At 55, she’s a digital nomad and passionate educator who inspires women in peri- and post-menopause to thrive with practical tools, bio hacks, and expert insights. She’s the creator of HackMyAge.com, author of The Longevity Master Plan and Eating for Longevity, and founder of the...
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Ep 129 - Cortisol Isn’t the Enemy - How Calming Your Nervous System Can Stabilize Blood Sugar.
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
If your blood sugars rise the moment stress hits—or you notice your mornings start high for no clear reason—this episode will help you understand why. Dr. Dawn Browning joins me to explore how the nervous system, hormones, and daily stress patterns shape blood sugar balance. Dawn is a research scientist, certified yoga therapist, and Pranayama teacher who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for nearly four decades. She helps women in midlife understand how the nervous system shapes everything from blood sugar to mood to energy—and teaches practical ways to regain steadiness through breath,...
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Ep 128 - The Power of Cycle Awareness: Working with Your Hormones, Not Against Them
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
In this episode, Melissa is joined by Cecily Lopez—a wellness advocate, visual storyteller, and founder of Trinity Grace Photography—who shares her powerful journey of navigating life with type 1 diabetes and thyroid cancer. Cecily opens up about how these diagnoses deepened her self-awareness and taught her to trust her body’s signals. Together, Melissa and Cecily explore what it means to be an active participant in your healthcare, the importance of honoring rest, and how cycle syncing can be used as a tool for women living with type 1 diabetes. Cecily reminds us that resilience...
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Ep 127 - Hormones Are Shifting — Are You Paying Attention?
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Hormone shifts don’t always scream — they whisper. If you’re living with type 1 diabetes, even subtle changes can throw everything off. In this episode, Melissa dives into why paying attention matters and how to use tools like the Greene Climacteric Scale to get clarity and confidence in midlife. Melissa shares: Why you shouldn’t dismiss feeling “off” as just aging A client story of regaining focus, balance, and energy after starting HRT The subtle symptoms that whisper: anxiety, irritability, brain fog, weight gain, slower recovery, and aches and pains Self-check questions to...
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Ep 126 - Vaginal Estrogen Unfiltered: Why We’re On It
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Menopause is about more than hot flashes—it also affects vaginal and urinary health. In this episode, Melissa Slemp and Kim Hines get candid about their decision to start vaginal estrogen, even without obvious symptoms, and how it can support long-term wellness. They dive into genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), share the benefits of vaginal estrogen, and highlight proactive steps women can take to protect their health. From intimacy to bladder health, Melissa and Kim answer common questions about safety, cost, diabetes management, and working with your doctor. This conversation is...
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Ep 125 - Why Aren’t More Women Offered Hormone Replacement?
Type 1 In Midlife: Support for Women with Type 1 Diabetes Facing Perimenopause, Menopause, Hormonal Changes, Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain, and Blood Sugar Struggles
Host Melissa Slemp, a certified hormone health coach and T1D warrior of 43+ years, uncovers what doctors don’t always tell us: how perimenopause and post-menopause impact diabetes, weight, mood, and long-term health. Need a place where you feel understood and supported? Come check out our Type 1 in Midlife Community—where we rebuild energy, resilience, and faith together. Join a caring community of women and get expert support to confidently manage diabetes and menopause. Try it free for 14 days! In this conversation, Melissa dives into the importance of hormone replacement therapy...
info_outlineThis week’s episode is a very personal one. Melissa (age 58, now post-menopause) and Kelly (age 41, navigating perimenopause) open up about their real-life journeys through hormonal shifts, type 1 diabetes, and everything in between.
📖 Book Announcement: This conversation is also a celebration—Melissa’s upcoming book is set to launch in early 2026, and Kelly will be a featured contributor alongside other women’s health experts.
Together, they’re creating a survival guide for women with T1D, LADA, and MODY, covering everything from monthly cycles to menopause.
For an early look, download the free guide HRT & T1D: The What, When & How on Hormone Replacement— https://abundant-health-with-melissa.kit.com/hrtandtype1diabetes
You’ll get a sneak peek of what’s inside the book, plus prelaunch access and insider updates along the way.
Kelly Schmidt, a regular contributor here on the show, has helped thousands of people with T1D thrive and prevent complications through personalized nutrition. With more than 12 years of experience, she’s a registered dietitian, fitness instructor, wife, and mom of two.
As the founder of Kelly Schmidt Wellness, LLC, she helps ambitious men and women support their metabolism and nutrition with proven functional strategies—blending her professional expertise with her lived experience of type 1 diabetes to pave the way for others to thrive using functional, sustainable tools.
We open up about:
· How hormone changes first showed up in our lives—and how long it took to connect the dots
· The role of stress, thyroid, and inflammation in shaping symptoms
· Our experiences with hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—what worked, what didn’t, and why no two women’s protocols look the same
· The misconceptions we both had about hormones before we started
· Practical strategies that have helped us manage erratic blood sugars, sleep, cravings, mood swings, and energy through midlife
· Why we’re passionate about sharing these stories openly—and how they’re shaping the upcoming book [insert working title]
If you’ve ever wondered “Is it just me?” when it comes to midlife symptoms, you’ll feel right at home here.
Got questions for Kelly and me? Reach out via the links below—we’d love to hear from you!
Connect with Kelly Schmidt:
Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.
What to do now:
*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.
*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.
Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.