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/knowthyselfAndrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro - Dr. Mindy Pelz03:39 The return to the second innocence08:18 What’s the purpose of menopause?16:09 Where the shift begins23:04 Supporting others without abandoning yourself31:57 Being considerate vs owning others’ emotions34:14 Ad: Pique Life35:55 The power of solitude43:26 Letting go52:48 From power over to power within56:48 The brain architecture of wisdom1:02:24 Transformation: From a caterpillar to a butterfly1:19:58 Fasting during menopause1:26:35 Knowing when and how to detox1:32:31 Healing through breathwork, EMDR, psilocybin1:45:12 Lacking a support system1:49:07 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=thttps://www.instagram.com/dr.mindypelzhttps://www.drmindypelz.com/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

In this episode, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz walks us through unseen forces shaping our health, energy, and emotional lives. From the chemicals in our food system to the hidden drivers of inflammation and burnout, we dive into why so many people today feel exhausted, misaligned, and disconnected from their true well-being.We examine how modern culture normalizes habits and environments that work against our biology, and why healing requires more than symptom management — it demands addressing the root causes, rebuilding alignment, and taking ownership of what we allow into our bodies and minds.20% off Pique Life Tea (FREE glass beaker and frother!):https://www.piquelife.com/knowthyselfAndrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro: Will Bulsiewicz02:34 How much of our mood is controlled by our gut?09:40 Two diseases: individualism and materialism23:30 The intelligence that lives in our gut35:31 Ad: Pique Life36:46 What is immune intelligence?48:01 Detoxing from environmental toxins54:54 Why are chemical companies allowed to poison us?57:39 A short horror story1:02:45 Looking out for what to avoid1:05:27 The effects of factory farming on our bodies1:17:36 Humans are the microbes of the Earth1:26:23 Conclusion: Changing the world___________Episode Resources: https://www.amazon.com/Plant-Powered-Plus-Activate-Inflammation/dp/0593418794https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthmd/https://theguthealthmd.com/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

Lucy Hale joins me for a deeply honest conversation about sobriety, identity, childhood wounds, fame, intuition, and learning to finally feel at home within yourself. Known globally as a singer and actress, Lucy opens up about the parts of her journey most people never see: the fear beneath early success, the alcoholism that followed her from childhood, the spiritual intervention that changed her life, and the inner work she’s committed to since.BONCHARGE Holiday Sale - 25% off the best red light therapy productshttps://www.boncharge.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]MUDWTR Black Friday Sale - Up to 50% off sitewidehttps://www.mudwtr.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]Andrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro: Lucy Hale03:27 What do you attribute your ambition to?04:49 Alcoholism14:23 Hitting rock bottom19:33 Finding meaning in yourself27:59 Old Lucy vs New Lucy33:30 Ad: Boncharge35:28 How has your connection with yourself revealed new insights?44:40 How do you navigate being in the public eye and staying true to yourself?47:26 What are you getting intuitively about the next chapter of your life?50:49 Ad: Mudwtr51:57 How do you handle rejection as an actor?54:34 From your young age, what called you to being in this line of work?57:12 Is there a moment that stood out to you that said "I made it"?59:51 Pretty Little Liars1:05:54 What would you say to past Lucy?1:08:01 Was taking responsibility of your life what shifted it all for you?1:12:37 How do you view your sense of spirituality?1:19:48 What is your relationship to boredom?1:23:00 How has the definition of beauty evolved for you?1:28:56 What does prayer look like to you?1:29:51 Being 36 and the biological clock1:34:46 Closing thoughts - Lucy's masculine vs feminine side___________Episode Resources: https://www.instagram.com/lucyhale/https://www.instagram.com/thelightdwellers/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

In this solo Q&A episode, I’m answering the questions so many of you have asked me over the past few days—about ego, identity, relationships, breakups, shadow work, discipline, grounding, and what the spiritual path actually looks like in real life.I share honestly about the subtle ego patterns I still face, how I navigate heartbreak with grace, what it means to “perform” spirituality versus actually live it, and the practices that keep me connected when I fall off center. I also speak about dating, celibacy, intimacy, and how I think about love at this stage of my life.Get 15% off Magnesium Breakthrough from BiOptimizershttps://www.bioptimizers.com/knowthyself Use code KNOWTHYSELF for 15% off!Andrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:25 How do you feel about people using spirituality as an identity?04:34 What is a subtle form of ego that you still catch yourself falling into?06:22 Relationships ending08:30 I would like to hear about your struggles10:19 How do you stay & grow in a relationship when your partner doesn’t meet you in that growth?13:50 What are your top spiritual books?14:39 What’s the simplistic way you ground yourself when you feel an imbalance?15:50 Who is André underneath all the labels?17:35 Do you ever fall off your practices with meditation or music?19:26 Are you single?22:23 - Ad - BiOptimizers23:47 What do you use to know yourself deeply?25:27 What makes you most optimistic about the future of humanity?27:38 Which meditations do you practice?28:37 How did you believe so much in yourself to create something at this scale?30:31 What’s your vision for KT for the coming year?32:57 When did you start playing piano?33:40 What practices keep spiritual insight grounded and accountable?34:36 What illusion do you see most are still caught in without realizing it?37:55 What was your earliest experience that awakened you to God within?40:35 How do you know it’s your calling when it comes?44:25 Do you think the more one knows themselves, the harder it is to fall in love?48:03 Do you believe in free will?51:26 How are you approaching dating and relationships?52:54 What is the most overlooked doorway in consciousness?53:54 What’s the deepest question you can ever imagine asking yourself?55:21 What you feel is most important for calling in sacred union, your person?57:06 What are some of the biggest patterns you’ve unraveled in yourself?59:22 How were you raised spiritually/religiously?1:00:55 What kind of diet do you follow & why?1:02:04 What was the book that launched you into seeking?1:03:20 What’s the deepest truth you’ve met this year?1:03:58 Do you as André think that God is consciousness?1:05:49 Do you still go through episodes of depression?___________Episode Resources: https://www.substack.com/@andreduqumhttps://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

Dr. Alan Goldhammer, co-founder of TrueNorth Health Center, joins us to reveal the science and psychology of water fasting, detoxification, and healing the body through nature’s intelligence. Drawing from 40 years of clinical experience with over 20,000 supervised fasts, he explains why many chronic illnesses—hypertension, autoimmune conditions, metabolic disease, and even depression—respond when the body is given a chance to reset.BONCHARGE Holiday Sale - Up to 25% off the best red light therapy productshttps://www.boncharge.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]MUDWTR Black Friday Sale - Up to 50% off sitewidehttps://www.mudwtr.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]Andrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro04:25 The Body’s Innate Ability to Heal08:45 TrueNorth: How Water Fasting Is Done Safely13:10 Dopamine, Pleasure, and Modern Addiction17:40 The Food Environment That Makes Us Sick22:00 The Problem With Hyper-Processed Eating25:47 Ad: Boncharge26:20 What Happens to the Body During a Fast30:55 Detoxification and the Healing Crisis35:10 Who Should and Shouldn’t Fast36:16 Ad: Mudwtr39:30 Refeeding: The Most Important Phase44:00 Case Studies: Reversing Chronic Disease48:25 Weight Loss vs. Health Restoration52:40 Why Most Diet Advice Fails56:55 The Discipline of “Nothing”1:01:15 The Psychology of Cravings1:05:40 How Environment Shapes Behavior1:10:05 Living in Alignment With Natural Law1:14:20 How Much Is “Enough” for a Healthy Life?1:18:40 The Simplicity of Whole Plant Foods1:22:00 Conclusion___________Episode Resources: https://www.healthpromoting.com/https://www.instagram.com/truenorthhealthfoundation/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

In this special compilation episode, we explore the deeper dimensions of human consciousness. Featuring insights from Deepak Chopra, Tim Ferriss, Sadghuru, Dr. Lisa Miller, and others, this episode is a journey inward — from sensing what cannot be seen, to feeling what we’ve long avoided, to awakening to what we truly are beyond all stories. Through wisdom, science, and lived experience, we discover that the next evolution of humanity isn’t about becoming more — it’s about remembering the awareness that’s already here.20% off Pique Life Tea:https://www.piquelife.com/knowthyselfGet 15% off Magnesium Breakthrough from BiOptimizershttps://www.bioptimizers.com/knowthyself Use code KNOWTHYSELF for 15% off!Andrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro01:12 Dr. Tara Swart - Beyond the 5 Senses: 34 Hidden Abilities09:36 Dr. K - Reality of Intuition and Cultivating It13:12 Deepak Chopra - Awakening to Your True Nature15:13 Dr. Iain McGilchrist - Paying Attention To Access The Realm Beyond21:25 Ad - Pique Life23:05 Dr. Sue Morter - Transcending and Integrating the 5 Senses26:13 Zach Bush - Remembering Our Innate Intelligence30:08 Dr. Lisa Miller - Becoming a Spiritual Parent39:29 Michael Beckwith - Divine Intelligence + The Power of Being Alone41:55 Ad - BiOptimizers43:17 Dr. Sue Morter - Healing the Emotional Body (And Feeling it Fully)48:10 Tim Ferriss - Shutting Down Sensitivity Because of Trauma56:03 Rainn Wilson - Purpose of Pain and Suffering on Our Path1:02:04 Dr. K - The Difference Between Safety and Comfort1:04:37 John Vervaeke - Self-Deception, Cultivating Wisdom and Find Meaning1:17:05 Pete Holmes - Balancing Being Spiritual and Being Human1:19:24 Dr. John Demartini - Setbacks Are Not in the Way… They’re ON the Way1:24:24 Yung Pueblo - Learning to Love Better: From Arguments to Allowing1:29:10 Joe Hudson - Best Way to Gain Emotional Awareness1:32:00 Peter Crone - Freedom is Available Here and Now1:38:44 Sadhguru - Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously___________Watch the Full EpisodesDr. Tara Swart: https://youtu.be/exAAKSeHP9EDr. K: https://youtu.be/zj40FT631P4Deepak Chopra: https://youtu.be/ZhIQ5bzv-0wDr. Iain McGilchrist: https://youtu.be/LZ5C11mlTH4Dr. Sue Morter: https://youtu.be/p0TWCSEPl3AZach Bush: https://youtu.be/3q0He3UOwVIDr. Lisa Miller: https://youtu.be/HTppdV4Mnt4Michael Beckwith: https://youtu.be/r3wrUmE1L3wTim Ferriss: https://youtu.be/NxmUCGuapNwRainn Wilson: https://youtu.be/t_LvB6W4NmEJohn Vervaeke: https://youtu.be/NOwnb6CkFlQPete Holmes: https://youtu.be/PSPMP7DPEqMDr. John Demartini: https://youtu.be/dVR01alAe8oYung Pueblo: https://youtu.be/bwom9Y6ybcgJoe Hudson: https://youtu.be/dhlupWyTNYMPeter Crone: https://youtu.be/VCi93m9lloMSadhguru: https://youtu.be/FMoXXb-wKE8Episode Resources: https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

Transpersonal psychologist and dharma teacher Dr. John Churchill joins us to explore how ancient wisdom and modern psychology unite in the path of conscious evolution. Drawing on decades of training in Tibetan Buddhism and developmental psychology, John reveals how the Bodhisattva path—awakening not just for oneself, but for the benefit of all beings—offers a map for our individual and collective transformation.https://livemomentous.com and use code KNOWTHYSELF for up to 35% off the best creatine in the game20% off Pique Life Tea:https://www.piquelife.com/knowthyselfGuided Meditation: https://youtu.be/i_5WApfC1pMAndrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro 01:38 Humanity’s Evolutionary Moment 03:14 Planetary Perspective & Spiritual Transition 04:15 AI as Symbol of Transformation 05:06 End of Time & Psychological Judgment Day 07:18 Destiny vs. Fate in a New Age 09:06 Shift into Love as a Developmental Stage 10:57 Individuation & Inner Sovereignty 12:00 Seven Stages of the Heart-Mind 13:32 What Is the Heart-Mind? 14:02 Reincarnation & Consciousness Evolution 16:02 Awakening in Animals & Soul Development 17:00 Beauty, Goodness & Truth vs. Ego Development 18:43 Ad – Momentous Creatine 19:04 Cartesian Split & Blossoming Intelligence 20:21 Stage 1 – Awakening the Heart Seed 23:06 Stage 2 – Emotional Healing & Astral Awareness 26:08 Stage 3 – Training the Mind & Sacred Sciences 33:15 Stage 4 – Stabilizing Heart-Mind & Path of the Bodhisattva 36:46 Pitfalls on the Spiritual Path 42:00 Stage 5 – Integration & Service46:22 Ad - Pique Life 48:30 Stage 6 – Transcendence & Non-Dual Awareness 56:00 Stage 7 – Embodied Wisdom & Planetary Participation 01:04:00 The Bodhisattva Path in Modern Times 01:11:00 Navigating Glamour & Spiritual Ego 01:18:00 The Role of Practice & Discipline 01:25:00 Collective Awakening & Cultural Healing 01:32:00 Mystical Science & Sacred Technology 01:39:00 The Return of the Sacred Academy 01:46:00 Inner Sovereignty & Social Transformation 01:53:00 Living from the Heart-Mind 02:00:00 Final Reflections & Call to Action 02:06:00 Conclusion ___________Episode Resources: https://www.planetarydharma.comhttps://www.instagram.com/planetarydharma/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

Clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Lisa Miller joins us to reveal the groundbreaking neuroscience that connects spirituality with mental health, purpose, and human flourishing. Drawing from decades of research at Columbia University, she shares how spiritual awareness literally changes the brain — rewiring us for resilience, compassion, and meaning. From the awakened brain to the power of awe, Lisa bridges empirical science with lived spirituality, showing how we are biologically built for connection with something greater than ourselves.www.bioptimizers.com/knowthyselfUse code KNOWTHYSELF for 15% off!https://livemomentous.com and use code KNOWTHYSELF for up to 35% off the best creatine in the gameAndrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro03:40 What Is the Awakened Brain?07:10 How Spirituality Changes the Brain10:50 Depression as a Doorway to Awakening14:25 The Biology of Faith and Meaning18:05 The Parietal Lobe and the Sense of Oneness22:00 From Egoic Mind to Spiritual Awareness26:15 Dorsal vs. Ventral Attention Networks Explained30:10 How Prayer and Meditation Rewire the Brain34:00 The Neuroscience of Love and Connection38:25 What Happens in the Brain During Awe42:10 Synchronicity and the Science of Guidance46:00 Raising Spiritually Connected Children50:20 Addiction, Recovery, and the Search for Spirit54:35 The Brain as an Antenna for Consciousness59:15 Science Meets Mysticism: Where They Overlap1:03:30 The Future of Mental Health and Spirituality1:07:40 Reawakening the Innate Spiritual Brain1:12:00 Living with Awe, Service, and Gratitude1:16:10 Closing Reflections___________Episode Resources: https://www.lisamillerphd.com/https://www.instagram.com/dr.lisamiller/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

Death doula, attorney, and spiritual guide Alua Arthur joins us to explore how embracing mortality awakens us to life’s deepest meaning. Through her book Briefly Perfectly Human and her work helping people die with peace and purpose, Alua invites us to face what we fear most — not to prepare for dying, but to learn how to live fully. We explore the taboos around death, the regrets people hold at the end of life, and the powerful clarity that comes from asking what remains undone. 20% off Pique Life Tea:https://www.piquelife.com/knowthyselfAndrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro04:20 What Is a Death Doula?08:10 How Facing Death Changes How We Live12:45 Why We Fear Death17:15 Imagining Your Own Death21:40 The Most Common Regrets of the Dying26:05 What Remains Undone in Your Life?28:18 Ad: Pique Life30:10 Facing Mortality as a Spiritual Practice34:50 The Art of Dying Well39:25 The Beauty of Grief and Letting Go43:10 How to Be Present With the Dying47:30 Conversations About Death With Loved Ones51:00 How Alua Found Her Calling55:40 What Dying People Teach About Living Fully1:00:15 Grief, Identity, and Rebirth1:05:30 How to Support Someone Who’s Grieving1:10:45 The Mystery of What Happens After Death1:15:00 The “Glitter Wave” Theory of Consciousness1:20:20 Reimagining Rituals Around Death1:25:40 Living Authentically Before It’s Too Late1:30:00 Conclusion___________Episode Resources: https://www.instagram.com/alualoveslife/https://www.instagram.com/going_with_grace/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSP6FVYR/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

Cognitive scientist and author Donald Hoffman returns to share discoveries reshaping how we understand perception, consciousness, and reality itself. Drawing from evolutionary game theory and quantum physics, he reveals why we don’t see the world as it truly is—and what that means for science, spirituality, and awareness. Hoffman bridges rigorous mathematics with timeless wisdom, showing how awakening to truth means seeing through the interface of perception to what lies beyond.15% off Bon Charge order (Code KNOWTHYSELF):https://boncharge.com/knowthyselfUp to 43% off MUDWTR order + free frother:https://mudwtr.com/knowthyselfTo get your free shilajit today:https://fractalforest.co/knowthyselfAndrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro03:45 The Probability of Seeing the Truth10:20 Fitness vs. Truth in Evolutionary Theory17:30 The Limits of Our Perception24:15 How Language Shapes Reality31:10 States of Consciousness and Altered Perception38:50 The Virtual Headset of Space and Time42:04 Ad: Bon Charge46:35 Physics Agrees: Spacetime Is Doomed54:25 The Mystery of the Observer1:02:10 No Theory of Everything1:10:40 Consciousness vs. Physicalism1:19:15 Neural Correlates and the Illusion of Causation1:27:45 The Case for Consciousness as Fundamental1:29:38 Ads: MUDWTR, Fractal Forest1:36:20 From Science to Spirituality1:45:10 Introducing Markov Chains1:53:30 The Birth of Trace Logic2:04:20 Time Dilation and the Mathematics of Perception2:18:10 Beyond the Headset: Infinite Consciousness2:36:30 Science, Mystery, and Humility2:54:40 Conclusion___________Episode Resources: https://x.com/donalddhoffmanhttps://www.amazon.com/The-Case-Against-Reality/dp/0141983418/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com