Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo

This special double episode drops in recognition of World Sleep Day — March 13th.

Are you exhausted but wide awake at night? Melissa sits down with sleep expert Dr. Colleen Carney to unpack why sleep gets harder as we age, what actually works to fix it, and why so much of what we think we know about sleep is wrong. With a special focus on women in perimenopause, midlife, and menopause — this one is packed with real answers.

IN THIS EPISODE:
Insomnia vs. occasional poor sleep — how to tell the difference
Sleep stages, how much you actually need, and why quality matters
How hormones, stress, and anxiety disrupt sleep in midlife
Why sleep apnea is so often missed in women
Sleep's critical role in heart health, brain health, mood, and metabolism
Sleep medications, CBT-I, and what the science actually supports
Common sleep myths — busted
ABOUT DR. COLLEEN CARNEY:
Dr. Colleen Carney is a licensed clinical psychologist, Professor of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University, and one of the world's leading experts in insomnia and CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia). Her research has shaped international clinical guidelines for treating sleep disorders.

RESOURCES:
Canadian Sleep Society
National Sleep Foundation
Sleep Foundation: sleepfoundation.org

Always speak with a qualified health-care provider about sleep concerns or treatment options.
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY STARBUCKS CANADA PROTEIN DRINKS.
Learn more at https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/drinks/protein-beverages

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

Bloating, irregular periods, weight changes, mood swings — these symptoms could point to several different conditions, and getting the right answer matters. In this episode, I sit down with fertility specialist and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Marjorie Dixon to break down two commonly misunderstood reproductive health conditions: PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and uterine fibroids.

We get into what each condition actually is, how they show up in the body, and — crucially — why their symptoms are so often mistaken for perimenopause. Dr. Dixon shares how clinicians distinguish between these diagnoses, what to ask your doctor, and why getting the right answer is the first step toward the right care.

If you've ever wondered whether what you're experiencing is "just hormones" or something else entirely, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

What PCOS and fibroids are — and how they differ
The overlapping symptoms that can mimic perimenopause
How a fertility specialist approaches diagnosis
What tests and conversations to have with your doctor
Why these conditions are underdiagnosed and what to do about it

Guest: Dr. Marjorie Dixon, Fertility Specialist

www.anovafertility.com 

Instagram: @anovafertility 

This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical guidance.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

AGING POWERFULLY WITH MELISSA GRELO LIVE IN CALGARY! 

May 16, 2026, Hotel Arts, Calgary, Alberta

Tickets available now: www.agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

Heart disease doesn’t always look the way we think it does — especially in women.

In this episode of Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo, I’m joined by cardiologist and women’s heart health expert Dr. Tara Sedlak to dismantle the biggest myths surrounding women’s cardiovascular health — and explain why so many women’s symptoms are overlooked, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed.

We discuss:

why heart disease in women often looks nothing like what we’ve been taught
the most common misconceptions about women’s heart health
why women are more likely to be dismissed when reporting symptoms
how heart risk changes during perimenopause and menopause
conditions that disproportionately affect women, including scad and minoca
the role of pregnancy, stress, inflammation, and hormones in heart disease
what women should ask their doctors — and how to advocate for better care

This episode is empowering, eye-opening, and essential listening for women of all ages — especially those navigating midlife and beyond.
Listen now, share this with the women in your life and take charge of your heart health.

Resources:

Women's Heart Health Clinic at VGH (@Women__Heart)
Canadian Women's Heart Health Centre (@CWHHAlliance)
Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (@DilawriCVI)

Episode supported by @StarbucksCanada Protein Drinks
 
https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/drinks/protein-beverages

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

Women are having babies later than ever — which means many are trying to conceive while also entering perimenopause. In this eye-opening episode of Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo, Melissa sits down with fertility specialist Dr. Kaajal Abrol to unpack what’s really happening in the body during this confusing overlap.

From irregular cycles and hormone swings to fertility testing, pregnancy risks, and assisted options, Dr. Abrol explains what women 35+ need to know if they’re trying, considering, or wondering whether pregnancy is still possible.

• How perimenopause affects fertility and ovulation
• Pregnancy symptoms vs. hormone symptoms
• What fertility tests can (and can’t) tell you
• When to see a specialist
• Options for conceiving later in life
• Realistic expectations for pregnancy after 35 and 40

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact [email protected]

Women’s desire is often misunderstood — and oversimplified. In this candid, science-backed conversation, melissa sits down with psychologist and leading sexuality researcher Dr. Lori Brotto to unpack why libido changes, especially during midlife, perimenopause, and menopause — and why that doesn’t mean something is broken.

We explore the difference between desire and arousal, whether women’s sexuality is wired the same way as men’s, and why searching for a “pink pill” or quick pharmaceutical fix may miss the bigger picture. Dr. Brotto also weighs in on testosterone and libido, debunks common myths about women’s sexuality, and explains how desire can be cultivated through evidence-based approaches like mindfulness.

Dr. Brotto is the author of Better Sex Through Mindfulness and one of Canada’s foremost experts in women’s sexual health.

Where to find Dr. Lori Brotto: https://brottolab.med.ubc.ca/about/dr-lori-brotto/

This episode offers clarity, reassurance, and a powerful reframe for any woman who has ever wondered where her libido went — and what really matters when it comes to desire.

EPISODE SPONSORED BY: @StarbucksCanada (Instagram) Protein Beverages 

Website: https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/drinks/protein-beverages

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact [email protected]