In this insightful episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma Mandal sits down with Kristen Blake, a functional nutritionist and women’s wellness coach dedicated to helping women heal from the inside out.

Kristen shares the personal health struggles that led her to build Kristen Blake Wellness, and walks listeners through her root-cause approach—a method that integrates personalized nutrition, targeted lifestyle changes, and nervous system support to address the deeper imbalances driving symptoms.

Together, Soma and Kristen explore the foundations of women’s metabolic and hormonal health: • the connection between gut health and hormone balance, • how blood sugar impacts mood, energy, and midlife weight changes, • the role of functional lab testing, • the effects of chronic stress on metabolism, and • how to break free from diet culture and rebuild a nurturing relationship with food.

They also highlight the importance of collaborative care between nutritionists and physicians to support women through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.

This conversation is a must-listen for any woman navigating midlife who wants to feel energized, balanced, and deeply supported in her body.

00:00 — Introduction and Disclaimer 00:52 — Meet Kristen Blake: A Journey to Wellness 01:31 — Kristen’s Personal Health Struggles 02:22 — Discovering the Power of Nutrition 03:31 — From Personal Healing to Professional Practice 05:09 — The Importance of Root Cause Wellness 12:19 — Functional Lab Testing Explained 15:12 — Gut Health and Hormone Balance 18:50 — Reframing Food and Diet Culture 21:17 — Balancing Blood Sugar for Better Health 22:02 — Building Trust with Patients 23:31 — Overcoming Limiting Beliefs 25:08 — The Impact of Stress on Women’s Health 28:31 — Morning Routines for Better Health 30:34 — Collaborative Care for Women’s Health 31:31 — Debunking Nutrition and Hormone Myths 34:34 — Embracing Aging and Healthspan 39:22 — What’s Next for Kristen Blake Wellness

🌐 Website: https://www.kristenblakewellness.com 📸 Instagram: @kristenblakewellness 💼 Coaching & Programs: Available via her website

🌐 Website: https://www.somamandalmd.com 🏥 Medical Director of Women’s Health — Hackensack Meridian Health, JSUMC 📚 Midlife Masala — available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo & BookBub 🎧 Soma Says Podcast — Apple Podcasts & YouTube (@SomaSays) 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsomamandalmd 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somamandalmd

If this episode helped you understand your body, hormones, or health habits more deeply, please follow, subscribe, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps more women discover science-based, compassionate guidance for thriving in midlife.

In this illuminating episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma Mandal is joined by Karen Curry Parker, founder of Quantum Human Design™, bestselling author, and pioneer in the field of energy psychology.

Together, they explore how Quantum Human Design can help women decode their soul’s blueprint—providing unprecedented clarity, direction, and self-understanding, especially during midlife transitions. Karen breaks down the key differences between traditional Human Design and her upgraded Quantum system, explaining how energetic alignment affects everything from mood and resilience to physiology and hormone balance.

The conversation dives into the deeper stories that shape our identity, the impact of living out of alignment, and how midlife—particularly perimenopause and menopause—can become a powerful awakening decade rather than a crisis.

Listeners will learn how to use Human Design insights to make aligned decisions, transform old narratives, regulate emotional energy, and step into a more authentic, empowered version of themselves.

This episode is rich with wisdom, compassion, and practical tools for anyone seeking meaning, healing, and clarity during one of the most transformative chapters of life.

00:00 — Introduction and Disclaimer 00:52 — Meet Karen Curry Parker: Pioneer in Energy Psychology 01:39 — Understanding Quantum Human Design 03:31 — The Complexity of Human Stories 04:50 — Midlife Reflections and Human Design 11:09 — The Power of Cosmic Blueprints 17:18 — Physiological Impact of Living Out of Alignment 25:21 — Understanding the Chiron Return 25:32 — Core Wounds and Personal Growth 26:22 — Control and Self-Regulation 27:34 — The Awakening Decade for Women 30:33 — Caregiving and Emotional Burnout 33:49 — Navigating Perimenopause with Human Design 36:20 — Incorporating Quantum Human Design 39:25 — Personal Transformation and Self-Care 45:25 — Reframing Life Through the Hero’s Journey 48:14 — The Power of Wellbeing and Community 49:34 — Conclusion and Contact Information

🌐 Website: https://www.instagram.com/karencurryparkerofficial/?hl=en 💼 LinkedIn: Karen Curry Parker

🌐 Website: https://www.somamandalmd.com 🏥 (incoming) Medical Director of Women’s Health — Hackensack Meridian Health, JSUMC 📚 Book: Midlife Masala — Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo & BookBub 🎧 Listen to Soma Says: Apple Podcasts, & YouTube (@SomaSays) 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsomamandalmd 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somamandalmd

In this empowering episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma Mandal is joined by Maryellen Reider, co-founder of Yarlap, an FDA-cleared pelvic floor strengthening device designed to help women regain confidence, control, and comfort in their daily lives.

Together, they dive deep into the often-ignored world of pelvic floor health, breaking through stigma and silence surrounding urinary incontinence—an issue that affects millions of midlife, postpartum, and athletic women.

Maryellen shares the origin story of Yarlap, the science behind correctly performed Kegels, and why so many women unknowingly perform pelvic contractions incorrectly. She sheds light on the rigorous process of FDA clearance, user customization, contraindications, and the powerful success stories of women who have transformed their quality of life with the device.

The conversation highlights the profound connection between pelvic health, hormones, menopause, postpartum recovery, and overall well-being. Dr. Soma and Maryellen underscore the importance of early intervention, proper resources, and evidence-based tools to support women at every life stage.

Whether you're navigating postpartum changes, the hormonal shifts of menopause, or simply curious about pelvic wellness, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and hope.

00:00 — Introduction and Disclaimer 00:52 — Meet Maryellen Reider: Co-Founder of Yarlap 01:12 — Understanding Pelvic Health and Incontinence 02:25 — The Creation of Yarlap: A Family Affair 03:44 — Challenges and Misconceptions in Pelvic Health 05:00 — The Importance of FDA Clearance 07:30 — How Yarlap Works: Bridging the Gap in Pelvic Health 11:57 — User Experience and Customization 17:14 — Contraindications and Postpartum Use 18:48 — Personal Stories and Successes 20:31 — Breaking the Silence on Postpartum Incontinence 21:20 — Menopause and Postpartum: A Shared Struggle 21:32 — The Role of Athletes and Active Women 22:00 — Modern Approaches to Incontinence Treatment 23:46 — The Importance of Pelvic Floor Exercises 24:58 — Success Stories: Real Women, Real Results 26:03 — Integrating Yarlap into Daily Life 26:53 — Empowering Women with Knowledge and Tools 27:37 — Navigating Insurance and Financial Options 28:10 — Heartwarming Patient Stories 34:09 — Final Thoughts and Encouragement

🌐 Website: https://yarlap.com 📸 Instagram: @yarlap 📘 Facebook: Yarlap 🛍️ Shop Yarlap: https://yarlap.com/products/the-yarlap-kegel-exercise-kit-system

🌐 Website: https://www.somamandalmd.com 🏥 (incoming) Medical Director of Women’s Health — Hackensack Meridian Health, Jersey Shore University Medical Center 📚 Book: Midlife Masala — Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, & BookBub 🎧 Listen to Soma Says: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube (@SomaSays) 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsomamandalmd 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somamandalmd

If this conversation encouraged you or helped you better understand your pelvic health, please follow, share, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps more women access empowering conversations about their bodies and their well-being.