E176 - Dr. Mindy Pelz: Why Midlife Feels So Disorienting (And What It’s Trying to Teach You)

Dr. Mindy Pelz returns to explore the deeper meaning of aging, menopause, and the profound psychological and neurological transformations women undergo as they grow older. Drawing from neuroscience, anthropology, mythology, and personal experience, Mindy reframes menopause not as a decline—but as an initiation into wisdom, sovereignty, and inner authority. We discuss the concept of the “second innocence,” the pruning and rewiring of the female brain across hormonal transitions, the grandmother hypothesis, and why modern culture fears aging women. Mindy shares how trauma, grief, solitude, and uncertainty can become gateways to resilience, neuroplasticity, and self-discovery—especially when women stop outsourcing their worth and begin listening inward. Boost your hydration with Pique Life Tea (20% off here): https://www.piquelife.com/knowthyself Andrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list ___________ 00:00 Intro - Dr. Mindy Pelz 03:39 The return to the second innocence 08:18 What’s the purpose of menopause? 16:09 Where the shift begins 23:04 Supporting others without abandoning yourself 31:57 Being considerate vs owning others’ emotions 34:14 Ad: Pique Life 35:55 The power of solitude 43:26 Letting go 52:48 From power over to power within 56:48 The brain architecture of wisdom 1:02:24 Transformation: From a caterpillar to a butterfly 1:19:58 Fasting during menopause 1:26:35 Knowing when and how to detox 1:32:31 Healing through breathwork, EMDR, psilocybin 1:45:12 Lacking a support system 1:49:07 Closing thoughts ___________ Episode Resources: Her new book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/age-like-a-girl-why-the-brain-changes-that-happen-after-40-set-you-up-for-your-best-life-yet-dr-mindy-pelz/1d7c0fe95ab52c4f?ean=9781401975562&next=t https://www.instagram.com/dr.mindypelz https://www.drmindypelz.com/ https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/ https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/ https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcast https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com