Best Digirolamo Podcasts (2025)

1
Mind Over Midlife: Brain Health Tips for Midlife with Therese Huston, PhD (Episode 227) 1:07:54

4d ago1:07:54

1:07:54

As estrogen drops, our midlife brains go through a lot of changes. The activity in our dopamine network declines, which can leave us going from highly motivated to “meh.” We can experience bigger cortisol spikes and have elevated levels of the stress hormone longer. We can end up feeling constantly stressed out and in a doom spiral we can’t quite e…

1
Is Eating Vegan Inherently Healthy?, Part I 35:12

6d ago35:12

35:12

In part one of a two-part episode that features The Tofu Trio's friend Brad Sitlick as a guest, the answer to that question is a resounding no. Hear Brad's story and learn why you shouldn't assume that eating vegan is always healthy. Plant-based junk food may be yummy, but vegan or not, highly processed food is highly processed food. Also, Vanessa …

1
Midlife Fueling 101: Essential Sports Nutrition Advice for Peri & Postmenopausal Women with Kristen Arnold, MS, RDN, CSSD (Episode 226) 58:33

12d ago58:33

58:33

Muscle and bone loss. Inflammation. Bloating, diarrhea, and other GI issues. Peri and postmenopausal active women can face myriad training and performance challenges. But the good news is that a lot of them can be helped with proper nutrition practices. This week we dive into the basics on how to fuel your active midlife body, including what to kno…

1
Why Are Vegan Restaurants Closing Down? 35:21

13d ago35:21

35:21

For this week's episode, The Tofu Trio starts the show off without knowing the topic. They spend the first 15 minutes shooting the shit and bouncing around various subjects that have nothing to do with the vegan lifestyle, including Joey's probing questions about his upcoming colonoscopy and Jon's story about the time he fell out of his hammock. Me…

1
Learning to Thrive: A Runner’s Midlife Reinvention with Megan Eastwood (Episode 225) 1:03:54

18d ago1:03:54

1:03:54

This week’s guest ultrarunner Megan Eastwood is a portrait of perseverance. She’s lived through trauma, battled eating disorders, and been flattened by perimenopause. Through it all, she’s learned, grown, evolved, and ultimately thrived. Now 55 and postmenopausal, Megan is out in nature every week, running, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking,…

1
Vegan Goals and Hopes Revisited, Part II 39:24

20d ago39:24

39:24

In part two of a two-part episode that was recorded via Zoom, you get more really bad audio! At least this episode doesn't have a glaringly awkward edit like last week's did, but the audio is so bad that we probably should have considered editing out the whole episode altogether. For the first few minutes of this episode that is ostensibly about re…

1
Brain Power: Anti-Aging for Your Brain with Laura Best, PhD 1:08:40

21d ago1:08:40

1:08:40

Cognitive challenges can begin as early as your 20s. Yes, it’s a little-known fact. While we’re often told how to protect our skin, bones, and muscles as we age, brain health is rarely part of the conversation. So—what’s the best regime to support our aging minds? In the final episode of our Brain Health for Women series, Dr. Sara Gross and Dr. Eri…

1
Respinning Menopause: Movement, Mindset & Midlife with Maria Luque, PhD (Episode 224) 56:55

25d ago56:55

56:55

Active and athletic women can be hit hard by the menopause transition. Many of us have become accustomed to our bodies responding in a predictable way to our training and nutrition, only to have that sense of control slip away during the menopause transition. That can leave us feeling desperate for solutions–and vulnerable to predatory marketing. T…

1
Vegan Goals and Hopes Revisited, Part I 33:32

27d ago33:32

33:32

In part one of a two-part episode that was recorded via Zoom, Jon and Vanessa are back, and not a moment too soon. The Tofu Trio revisits vegan goals and hopes for 2025 to see where they stand now. At least, that was the plan. Instead, Jon talks about his time in Chicago over the last few weeks, Joey reveals that he's no longer wearing earrings, an…

1
Brain Power: Overcoming Brain Fog and Fatigue with Katherine Boere 45:39

28d ago45:39

45:39

If you’ve ever felt mentally foggy or struggled with decision-making during or after a long training session, this episode is for you.Dr. Sara Gross and Dr. Erin Ayala sit down with Katherine Boere, a Ph.D. candidate in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Victoria, whose research explores how the brain recovers from cognitive depletion—espe…

1
The Fast Lane After 40: Perimenopause Training Tips with Marissa Axell (Episode 223) 55:45

1M ago55:45

55:45

Perimenopause can blindside us in unexpected ways. Fatigue hit this week’s guest, elite cyclist and coach Marissa Axell, so hard she thought she had cancer. Now the creator of the Cycling Success System wants everyone to know what can happen during this phase of life, and importantly what active women can do to counteract it. We talk all about how …

1
Joey Flies Solo 11:12

1M ago11:12

11:12

With Jon and Vanessa unavailable as they handle some family business, Joey records a very short episode all by himself that's devoid of any topic, He just babbles about vegan pudding, plans for future episodes, and then he whines about how he doesn't get to work from home anymore. Naturally, he spends a little time talking about movies and comic bo…

1
Brain Power: Optimizing Brain Health for Longevity with Dr. Carla DiGirolamo 56:22

1M ago56:22

56:22

We hear it all the time—stay strong, keep your bones healthy, hit the weights. But what about your brain? For midlife women, keeping your mind sharp is just as important as keeping your body strong.In part two of this series on brain health co-hosted by Dr. Sara Gross and Dr. Erin Ayala, they are joined by Dr. Carla DiGirolamo, a Board Certified Ob…

1
Underwear, Estrogen & Ultras with Lauren Puretz, DO (episode 222) 51:33

1M ago51:33

51:33

We’ve got a grab-bag of gynecological goodness for you this week, as we sat down with elite ultrarunner, gynecologist, and Paradis pro ambassador Dr. Lauren Puretz. We dive into her running life, including how she navigates elite ultra training with two kids and a medical practice; the common gynecological issues she helps peri and menopausal women…

1
Vegan Jokes, Part II 32:09

1M ago32:09

32:09

In a shocking move, for part two of their two-part episode about vegan jokes, The Tofu Trio actually tells some vegan jokes! Some are good, some are bad, some make fun of vegans, some make fun of meat eaters. You get a good 15 minutes of vegan jokes before Jon and Joey start talking about 80s TV shows, video games, professional wrestling, "The Mand…

1
Brain Power: The Real Impact of Stress on Your Brain and Body 1:10:57

1M ago1:10:57

1:10:57

We spend so much time focusing on nutrition, strength training, and bone health as we age—but what about our brain? How can we build mental resilience and protect our brain health starting now? In this new Feisty series, co-hosted by Sara Gross and Dr. Erin Ayala, we’re diving into the intersection of brain health, stress, and performance. In this …

1
The Nervous System, Hormones & Trauma with Paula Rastrick (Episode 221) 1:00:47

2M ago1:00:47

1:00:47

If you’ve ever felt like your mood has a mind of its own during PMS, pregnancy, or perimenopause, you already know that hormones like estrogen and progesterone don’t just affect your body — they shape your entire sense of well-being. And if you’ve lived with trauma or neurodivergence, like ADHD, you also know how reactive the nervous system can be.…

1
Vegan Jokes, Part I 32:41

2M ago32:41

32:41

In part one of a two-part episode on vegan jokes, The Tofu Trio can only manage to say two jokes. Two! They came prepared with about two dozen jokes, but because none of them can stay on topic, they talk about religion, sea moss, and a bunch of other stuff instead. Maybe next week, they'll manage to focus on the topic, and share some of the jokes t…

1
Bonus Episode - Jon and Joey Talking Shit 23:02

2M ago23:02

23:02

With Vanessa letting the boys have a bonus episode all to themselves, Jon and Joey have a somewhat vegan conversation for about two minutes before they move on to other things, mostly TV shows. In fact, during their conversation, nearly three dozen TV shows are mentioned (three dozen is 36, as Jon astutely points out in the episode). Where's Vaness…

1
Why Toughing Out Perimenopause Isn’t the Answer Carrie Tollefson (Episode 220) 56:32

2M ago56:32

56:32

Many women, like this week’s guest Olympian runner and broadcaster Carrie Tollefson, suffer through perimenopause for far too long because they know they’re tough and they can handle things. But you don’t need to suffer, and you shouldn’t just tough it out. You can get back to feeling better and living more fully by getting the help and care you ne…

1
Vegan Travel 36:12

2M ago36:12

36:12

For this April Fool's Day edition of Vegans Talking Shit, Joey starts off the show with a retraction that's no joke. Don’t worry, it isn't that serious either. After that awkwardness, Jon and Vanessa talk about their vegan travels and some of the most vegan-friendly spots around the world. There's also talk about "Alien," "Spaceballs," and what Jon…

1
More Than a Moment: How Women’s Sports Are Changing the Industry 55:24

2M ago55:24

55:24

Recorded live at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, this special episode of The Think Tank from Essentially Esports dives into the booming growth of women’s sports. The Think Tank show is where industry leaders—CMOs, brand strategists, team executives, elite athletes, and coaches—break down the forces shaping the sports world. In this exclusive e…

1
Ep 159: "How to Eat More Veggies and Make Them Delicious" with Jess Smith 30:06

2M ago30:06

30:06

Let’s be honest: most of us have tried to eat more vegetables—only to watch them slowly wilt in the back of the fridge. Or we associate veggies with bland, boring “diet food” and force ourselves to eat them when we’re feeling guilty, not because we actually enjoy them. In this episode, Alison chats with cookbook author Jess Smith, whose brilliant a…

1
Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Managing Side Effects with Carla DiGirolamo, MD, PhD (Episode 219) 57:16

2M ago57:16

57:16

Women go on hormone therapy to manage peri/menopause symptoms and feel better. But sometimes to their surprise, they feel worse. Or some symptoms go away while others pop up. That’s because of the hormones! We have hormone receptors all over our body and whenever we switch up the signals they’re receiving, whether through the menopause transition i…

1
Vegan Movies and Documentaries, Part II 31:16

2M ago31:16

31:16

In part two of a two-part episode, The Tofu Trio continues their discussion about vegan movies and documentaries. They talk about everything from "Fast Food Nation" to "Babe" and "Blackfish" to "You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment." Since Jon and Joey can't talk about movies and TV shows without going all over the place, they also talk about "T…

1
Ep 158: "Rest is Fuel" with Erin Taylor 33:16

2M ago33:16

33:16

Are you constantly pushing through fatigue, thinking you’ll rest later—only to find that “later” never comes? In a culture that glorifies busyness, rest often feels like a luxury we can’t afford. But what if we told you that rest isn’t just a break—it’s a performance-enhancing strategy? In this episode, Erin Taylor joins us to unpack the truth abou…

1
Building Strength & Pushing Limits after 40 with Steph Gaudreau (Episode 218) 1:13:59

2M ago1:13:59

1:13:59

Many of us have spent a lifetime trying to shrink ourselves. We grew up being told you could never be too thin. As athletes, especially in endurance sports, smaller, lighter, faster was the ethos of the day. That is changing as we see athletes, especially women, discover that being fueled and strong yields even better performance–and longevity. Thi…

1
Vegan Movies and Documentaries, Part I 33:46

2M ago33:46

33:46

In part one of a two-part episode about vegan movies and documentaries, The Tofu Trio discusses the films of director Bong Joon Ho, some of which seem to have vegan undertones. For some reason, they also get into a lively debate about the "Twilight" movies. Can vampires be vegan? Hmmm... Maybe that can be a future topic. Anyway, they eventually mov…

1
Bonus Episode - Jon, Vanessa, and The Beatles 14:36

2M ago14:36

14:36

In this bonus episode of Vegans Talking Shit, Jon and Vanessa talk about their day at a Beatles festival. In an ironic twist, they started the episode planning to talk about something non-vegan only to go on a tangent about vegan food. With Joey absent for this episode, there's no talk of movies or comic books, and most importantly, no obnoxious "B…

1
The Forgotten Athletes: Why Midlife Women Deserve Better Science with Kelly McNulty, PhD (Episode 217) 1:05:38

2M ago1:05:38

1:05:38

Women have been left on the sidelines when it comes to sport and exercise research. Research finds a measly 6% of studies in the field have exclusively focused on women. That’s bad. But for menopausal women, it’s worse. Of that 6%, menopausal women account for only 9% of total study participants, with only 16% of female-only studies focusing exclus…

1
Are Vegan Men Less Masculine? 35:09

3M ago35:09

35:09

In what may be the most scatterbrained episode of Vegans Talking Shit yet, The Tofu Trio discusses the misperception that vegan men are less masculine than meat-eating men. Despite the provocative topic, Joey, Jon, and Vanessa spend more time talking about "Beavis and Butt-Head," video games, and John Hughes movies than masculinity. They do manage …

1
How 40+ Fitness Happens with Hailey Babcock (Episode 216) 1:08:30

3M ago1:08:30

1:08:30

Lots of experts have training and nutrition advice for midlife and menopausal women that is grounded in scientific evidence. Yet, the advice doesn’t always agree…and doesn’t necessarily work the same for everyone. That’s because, while there are general guidelines that are helpful for many women, in the end, we are all scientific studies of one, an…

1
Where Do Vegans Draw the Line? 37:20

3M ago37:20

37:20

Joey, Jon, and Vanessa met virtually for yet another unedited Zoom episode, and this time, they discuss where vegans draw the line. Most vegan don’t consume honey, but many of those same vegans will kill a roach or mosquito. Is that hypocritical? What about vegans who wear leather, or buy products known to be tested on animals? Tune in to hear The …

1
How to Coach Young Athletes: Busting Myths - Fueling, Recovery, and Building Self Trust 1:01:16

3M ago1:01:16

1:01:16

In the final episode of our series on coaching young athletes, Sara Gross and co-host Jill Colangelo are joined by MD student, scientist, coach, and pro-runner Keely Henninger (@runwidkeel) to debunk myths about body weight, nutrition, and the often-overlooked role of mental health in sports—especially during the late-teen and early collegiate year…

1
Ep 157: Help Your Daughter Build a Positive Body Image with Drs. Janet Boseovski and Ashleigh Gallagher 43:49

3M ago43:49

43:49

We often associate poor body image and body dissatisfaction with teens and adult women. But the reality that the roots of negative body image take hold much earlier than that. In this week's episode, we dive deep into the science behind body image with Drs. Janet Boseovski and Ashleigh Gallagher, co-authors of Beyond Body Positive: A Mother’s Scien…

1
Is It Burnt Toast? Or is it Menopause? with Andrea Donsky (Episode 215) 56:05

3M ago56:05

56:05

Phantom smells. Lack of focus. Dizziness. While everyone is talking about hot flashes and night sweats, women know that the transition to menopause brings on tons of signs and symptoms that no one ever talks about. This week’s guest, menopause educator and researcher Andrea Donsky is on a mission to change that. As the co-founder of Morphus, Inc., …

1
How to Go Vegan 37:39

3M ago37:39

37:39

Are you looking to go vegan? If so, The Tofu Trio is here to help! Less a how-to guide on how to go vegan and more just three people babbling about their experiences, you still may learn a thing or two. Or not. If that doesn't interest you, perhaps you'll enjoy their conversation about Chicago-style deep dish pizza, the Duolingo language app, or Jo…

1
How to Coach Young Athletes: What Coaches Should Know About Body Image, Fueling, and Periods 51:26

3M ago51:26

51:26

In the second episode of our three-part series on coaching young athletes, Sara Gross and guest co-host Jill Colangelo turn the spotlight to the coaches who work with young female athletes through topics like body image, menstruation, and proper fueling. As awareness grows about the impact of body image on performance, coaches—both male and female …

1
Ep 156: “The Science Behind Successful Habit Change” with Dr. Kyra Bobinet 42:56

3M ago42:56

42:56

Why is it so hard to change our habits—even when we know what to do? If you’ve ever struggled with sticking to your health goals, finding motivation, or breaking free from self-sabotage, you’re not alone. The real reason change feels impossible isn’t about willpower or discipline—it’s about your brain. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the ne…

1
Flipping the Script on What’s Possible in Your 50s with Debra Tacium, DMV (Episode 214) 1:11:11

3M ago1:11:11

1:11:11

Veterinary surgeon Debbie Tacium, 55, wanted to flip the script of my menopause. After suffering pain, loss of coordination, weakness, and changes in body composition during perimenopause, she went back to the sport she loved most in life–gymnastics. She wanted to use it to bring herself back to herself and remember what it was like to be a child w…

1
The Vegan/Not Vegan Card Game 49:04

3M ago49:04

49:04

It's the boys vs. the girls as the Tofu Trio once again welcomes their friend Virginia Le Fay onto the show, this time to play a card game they found on Amazon called Vegan/Not Vegan. Despite the four friends playing the game for the entire episode, Joey still makes time to whine about the "Joker" movie, Jon makes a reference to "Coming to America,…

1
How to Coach Young Athletes: What Parents Need to Know About Eating Disorders 57:42

3M ago57:42

57:42

Frequent mirror checks, comments from teammates and parents, and feeling the need to “earn” food—these are common red flags of disordered eating in youth sports. In the first of a three-part series, Sara Gross and guest co-host Jill Colangelo explore eating disorders among young female athletes, a growing concern for parents and coaches. Colangelo,…

1
Ep 155: “Breaking Free from Postpartum Body Pressure” with Marlene Andersson 35:17

3M ago35:17

35:17

What if the key to thriving in motherhood isn’t "bouncing back" to some old version of you—but moving forward into new postpartum potential and opportunities? In this empowering episode, I sat down with coach and former elite CrossFit athlete Marlene Andersson to dive into the pressures women face around "snapping back" after pregnancy. Together, w…

1
Menopause and Fat Loss with Bill Campbell, PhD (Episode 213) 1:07:20

3M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

Bill Campbell, PhD, has spent his entire career as a fat loss researcher. So when his wife hit menopause and wanted help with body composition changes, he thought it would be easy. Spoiler alert: It was not. Which made him realize his field had a lot to learn, especially about active women whose bodies change even when their training and nutrition …

1
Should Vegans Date Non-Vegans?, Part II 32:17

3M ago32:17

32:17

In part two of the two-part episode about dating while vegan, Joey, Jon, and Vanessa continue their conversation with their friend and fellow vegan Virginia Le Fay. And naturally, they spend a lot of time talking about things that are way off topic, including, once again, Virginia's time working as a makeup artist in the adult film industry. Before…

1
Ep 154: "Non-Financial Investments for Your Dream Retirement" with Suzanne Campi 26:21

4M ago26:21

26:21

Retirement planning isn’t just about financial planning—it’s about creating a life you love in your later years. In this episode, we sit down with Suzanne Campi, a coach specializing in life transitions, to talk about all the non-financial investments you can make now to ensure a fulfilling retirement. From relationships and adventure to purpose an…

1
Injuries, Setbacks & MIA Motivation: Overcoming the Challenges of Running Through Perimenopause with Normi Coto, PhD (Episode 212) 57:37

4M ago57:37

57:37

Running through the menopause transition can be challenging. If you feel like throwing in the towel sometimes, you’re not alone. This week’s guest, distance runner and blogger at runandbebrave.com has faced it all: injuries, setbacks, poor sleep, fatigue, vanishing motivation, hot flashes, and all the joint pain that accompanies the musculoskeletal…

1
Should Vegans Date Non-Vegans?, Part I 38:26

4M ago38:26

38:26

Vegans Talking Shit has its first guest ever as The Tofu Trio welcomes their friend and fellow vegan Virginia Le Fay. In part one of a two-part episode, they discuss the not-so-wonderful world of vegan dating, as well as the challenge of dating in South Florida in general. Do they manage to stay on topic? Well, for the most part, yes, but Virginia …

1
Ep 153: “Longevity = Training to Lift Weight, Not to Lose Weight” with Niki Sims 47:30

4M ago47:30

47:30

For many Gen X and Millennial women, fitness was introduced through the lens of diet culture—workouts were about burning calories and getting smaller. But as we've grown older, we’re realizing that those outdated messages aren’t serving us anymore. In this episode of the podcast, we explore a powerful shift: moving away from exercise as a means to …

1
Menopause Research Review: Hormone Testing & Therapeutic Levels with Dr. Carla DiGirolamo (Episode 211) 1:03:54

4M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

Welcome to Menopause Research Review! Now that menopause has hit the mainstream, we’re swimming in a steady stream of studies, which is great and can also be overwhelming. So for 2025, we’re introducing a regular segment called Menopause Research Review where we break down key research as it comes out with resident reproductive endocrinologist and …

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