Hot Flashes, Happy Vaginas, and Hormone Heroes with Jessica Caceres
Release Date: 05/02/2025
Exercise as Medicine: Stroke, Recovery, Strength Training, and Healthy Aging with Dr. Ada Tang
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Dr. Ada Tang, a physiotherapist, professor, and researcher at McMaster University who's transforming how we think about exercise for stroke survivors and older adults. From her unexpected journey from clinical practice to groundbreaking research, Ada shares evidence-based insights on how the right exercise can be life-changing medicine for recovery, independence, and healthy aging. What You'll Learn Why aerobic exercise should be a standard part of stroke rehabilitation (just like cardiac rehab) The surprising benefits of...
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The Hole Shebang
Episode Summary In this final installment of our three-part financial wellness series, Kristen and Gillian dive deep into retirement planning—but not in the way you'd expect. While we cover the essential numbers (spoiler: Canadians need $1.5-1.7 million for comfortable retirement), this conversation explores the profound connection between financial security and mental wellbeing in your golden years. From understanding why social isolation hits retirees as hard as smoking and obesity, to discovering how whole life insurance can become a tax-free investment vehicle, this episode challenges...
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The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise for a compelling conversation with Dr. Sara Reardon, pelvic floor physical therapist and author of the groundbreaking book "Floored." Dr. Reardon challenges the dangerous myths surrounding pelvic health, from the misconception that Kegels are a universal solution to the harmful narrative that pelvic floor dysfunction is just part of aging and motherhood. This episode is a rallying cry for women's health advocacy and a comprehensive guide to understanding your pelvic floor at every life stage. What You'll Learn Why balance, not strengthening or relaxing, is...
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The Scoop on Kids Poop: The Secret World of Pediatric Pelvic Health with Clare Bourne
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she dives into the often-overlooked world of pediatric pelvic health with Clare Bourne, a London-based pelvic health physiotherapist and author. From bedwetting misconceptions to constipation crises, Clare shares her expertise on helping children and families navigate pelvic floor challenges while breaking down the shame and taboos that often surround these essential bodily functions. What You'll Learn Why potty training should be viewed as a developmental process, not a quick fix The surprising connection between constipation and...
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Sex, Pelvic Health and Breaking Taboos with Dr. Rachel Gelman
The Hole Shebang
Get ready for a conversation that pulls no punches! In this episode, we dive deep with Dr. Rachel Gelman, a pelvic floor physical therapist and certified sexuality counselor who's making waves in San Francisco's sexual health scene. From painful sex to leaky laughs, Rachel breaks down everything you've wondered about but were afraid to ask. About Dr. Rachel Gelman Dr. Rachel Gelman is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and AASECT-certified sexuality counselor based in San Francisco. She's the owner and founder of Pelvic Wellness & Physical Therapy, where she specializes in treating pelvic...
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Growing Your Wealth with Gillian Stovel Rivers
The Hole Shebang
Summary In this enlightening follow-up conversation, host welcomes back , Senior Wealth Advisor and creator of The Muscle Money Mindset®, for a deep dive into investing and wealth building strategies. Building on their previous discussion about financial wellness, Gillian breaks down complex investment concepts into digestible frameworks that anyone can understand. This episode reveals the powerful connection between personal growth and financial growth, emphasizing that investing isn't just about stocks and bonds—it's about investing in yourself and your community. Gillian shares her...
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Unfuckwithable: The Art of Receiving with Haley Bowler-Cooke
The Hole Shebang
"The art of receiving is everything. It's not another thing to do. It actually creates more easefulness in your life." — Haley Bowler Episode Summary Bestselling author Haley Bowler shares her journey from physiotherapy to becoming a channel for profound wisdom. She introduces "the art of receiving"—a practice that helps high-achieving women balance feminine and masculine energies. Through personal stories, including her near-death experience, Haley offers practical guidance on accessing "the dimension of openness" where manifestation becomes instantaneous and healing is profound. Key...
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Healing Below the Belt: The Missing Piece in Cancer Care with Alex Hill
The Hole Shebang
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Hot Flashes, Happy Vaginas, and Hormone Heroes with Jessica Caceres
The Hole Shebang
Episode Overview Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Jessica Caceres, a nurse practitioner with 15 years of experience who's revolutionizing women's hormonal health care. From frustrating dismissals in traditional medicine to pioneering a holistic approach to hormone therapy, Jessica shares her journey and expert insights on navigating the often turbulent waters of perimenopause and menopause. What You'll Learn Why the infamous Women's Health Initiative study created decades of fear—and why much of it was unfounded The critical differences between synthetic and bioidentical hormones...
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Growing Beyond Religious Constraints: Exploring Sexuality with Alyssa Howard
The Hole Shebang
In this episode of The Hole Shebang, host Kristen Parise welcomes Alyssa Howard, a registered psychotherapist specializing in helping individuals reconnect with their authentic selves. Together, they explore the complex interplay between strict religious upbringings and sexual development, offering practical insights for individuals and couples looking to redefine their relationship with pleasure. About Our Guest Alyssa Howard is a registered psychotherapist who transitioned from an 8.5-year career in education tech to focus on mental health. She works with clients throughout Ontario, both...
info_outlineEpisode Overview
Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Jessica Caceres, a nurse practitioner with 15 years of experience who's revolutionizing women's hormonal health care. From frustrating dismissals in traditional medicine to pioneering a holistic approach to hormone therapy, Jessica shares her journey and expert insights on navigating the often turbulent waters of perimenopause and menopause.
What You'll Learn
- Why the infamous Women's Health Initiative study created decades of fear—and why much of it was unfounded
- The critical differences between synthetic and bioidentical hormones
- How to recognize when your body is entering the "zone of chaos" known as perimenopause
- Why joint pain might be your first clue that hormonal changes are happening
- The life-changing (and potentially life-saving) benefits of vaginal estrogen
- When to seek help for hormonal changes and what to expect
Episode Highlights
Jessica's Transformation from Traditional Medicine to Hormone Hero
Jessica describes her awakening to the gaps in women's healthcare after years in family medicine, where she noticed women's hormonal concerns being consistently dismissed or treated with band-aid solutions like antidepressants. Her own frustration with her inability to truly help these patients led her to extensive training in functional medicine and hormone optimization, completely transforming her approach to patient care.
The Women's Health Initiative: Setting the Record Straight
Learn why this 20-year-old study created widespread fear around hormone replacement therapy despite major flaws in methodology. Jessica breaks down how the study used women who were too old, synthetic hormones instead of bioidentical ones, and oral medications instead of safer topical options—all leading to misleading conclusions that have impacted millions of women's health decisions.
The Perimenopausal Roller Coaster: What to Expect When Everything's Unexpected
Jessica vividly describes perimenopause as a "treacherous valley" of hormonal peaks and troughs, explaining why symptoms can vary so wildly and change so quickly. From heavy periods to joint pain, brain fog to sleep disturbances, she offers clear guidance on recognizing the signs and knowing when to seek help.
Beyond Hot Flashes: The Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause
Discover the surprising connection between estrogen decline and joint pain, frozen shoulder, back pain, and other musculoskeletal issues. Jessica and Kristen discuss how these symptoms are often overlooked despite being some of the earliest and most common complaints among perimenopausal women.
"Vaginal Estrogen Saves Lives": Breaking the Taboo
In perhaps the most powerful segment of the conversation, Jessica passionately advocates for vaginal estrogen as a game-changing treatment that's safe for everyone—even breast cancer survivors. She shares moving stories of women in their 70s, 80s, and 90s whose lives were transformed by this simple intervention, and why breaking the stigma around discussing vaginal health is literally a matter of life and death.
Episode Chapters
- 00:00-08:00: Introduction to Hormonal Health and Jessica's Journey – From family medicine to women's hormone specialist
- 08:01-19:18: The Shift in Women's Health Perspectives – How outdated studies created fear and confusion
- 19:19-25:27: Understanding Perimenopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy – The basics of bioidentical hormones
- 25:28-28:28: Addressing Heavy Periods and Hormonal Changes – More than just "take some iron"
- 28:29-31:55: Understanding Perimenopause Symptoms – From hot flashes to brain fog and beyond
- 31:56-35:03: The Chaos of Hormonal Changes – Navigating the unpredictable "zone of chaos"
- 35:04-37:24: Hormone Replacement Therapy: Lifelong Considerations – Is it forever? (Spoiler: it can be!)
- 37:25-40:56: The Importance of Vaginal Estrogen – A passionate case for this life-changing treatment
- 40:57-46:40: Breaking the Stigma Around Women's Health Conversations – Educating ourselves and future generations
Connect with Jessica
- Website: Bonita Medical Aesthetics and Wellness
- Instagram: @youare.bonita
- Email: [email protected]
- Location: New facility in St. Jacob's
Connect with The Hole Shebang
- Website: Blueberry Therapy Pelvic Health and Pediatrics
- Instagram: @blueberrytherapypelvichealth
- Upcoming Event: The Pleasure Principle
Jessica's Theme Song for Her Career
"Still Standing" by Elton John – perfectly capturing her journey through clinical practice and commercial renovation!