262. Laura McKowen: Navigating Perimenopause, Alcohol, Food, and Midlife's Challenges

Insatiable with Ali Shapiro, MSOD, CHHC

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In this second episode of season 14, I have a thought-provoking conversation around midlife experiences, alcohol, and personal growth with bestselling author Laura McKowen.
We explore the challenges of perimenopause, menopause, and the impact of alcohol consumption on women's health. We cover it all, from the intersection of food and alcohol struggles with hormonal changes to the spiritual reckoning and opportunities that come with midlife. Whether you're struggling with food and alcohol during this stage in your life, are sober curious, or just asking yourself some of the big midlife questions, this episode is for you.
Topics Covered:

• Introduction: Why this episode? Why Laura McKowen? And quick disclaimer
• 3:55: Laura's perimenopause experience so far...
• 9:47: Work-life balance, shifting mindset, and newfound contentment
• 14:53: Navigating body changes and exercise struggles
• 18:21: Exploring the impact of food on glucose levels
• 24:03: Unacknowledged grief: from addiction to menopause
• 35:14: Empty nest and drinking?
• 39:38: Anger and "going mad" in menopause
• 45:56: "Moderate" drinking in menopause?
• 52:22: What is your relationship to alcohol?
• 54:18: Cheryl Strayed exploring her own alcohol use
• 56:00: How to experiment with not drinking
• 01:05:05: Navigating life's changes with grace, compassion, and acceptance
• 1:13:19: Predictions for the future of alcohol and menopause

Guest: Laura McKowen is the author of the bestselling memoir, We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life and Push Off From Here: Nine Essential Truths to Get You Through Life (and Everything Else). She has written for The New York Times and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Atlantic, the TODAY show, and more. In 2020, she founded The Luckiest Club, a global sobriety support community. Laura lives with her daughter and partner on the North Shore of Boston.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Laura McKowen's The Luckiest Club, a dogma-free, compassionate place to recover from alcohol addiction and thrive in life.
• Laura McKowen's excellent substack Love Story.
• Sunnyside app and community to explore a more mindful approach to drinking.
• Cheryl Strayed's Dear Sugar Letter #28: A Problem Without a Problem
• What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health (Andrew Huberman Podcast)
• My once-a-year group program Truce with Food is open for registration thro

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