The Modern Midlife Collective
Welcome to The Modern Midlife Collective—where midlife isn’t a crisis, it’s a rebirth. Hosted by Dr. Ade Akindipe, DNP, and Dr. Jillian Woodruff, MD, this is the podcast for women ready to unapologetically own their power, thrive through the ups and downs of hormones, weight, and self-care, and show the world that thriving at 40 and beyond isn’t just possible—it’s your birthright. Biweekly, we bring you science-backed insights on hormones, menopause, longevity, and sexual health—real tools to empower women in midlife and beyond. With a fearless blend of functional medicine, real-life wisdom, and no-nonsense empowerment, w...
#14 - Food, Fads & Female Hormones: What Actually Nourishes Midlife Health | Part 2
In an age of endless diet trends and wellness noise, how do midlife women truly nourish themselves—not just for weight management, but for hormone balance, gut health, and longevity?
In this episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jillian Woodruff and Dr. Ade Akindipe, take a clear-eyed look at popular dietary trends through the lens of midlife wellness. From plant-forward and Mediterranean styles to the paleo and anti-inflammatory approaches, they examine the science, benefits, and limitations of each—along with practical strategies for applying them in everyday life.
Beyond nutrition labels and...
#13 - Food, Fads & Female Hormones: What Actually Nourishes Midlife Health | Part 1
What happens when once-reliable eating habits suddenly stop working in midlife? Why do popular diets like keto, intermittent fasting, or HCG bring short-term results but leave many women feeling exhausted, frustrated, or worse?
In this episode of the Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jillian Woodruff and Dr. Ade Akindipe take a comprehensive look at the intersection of nutrition and hormonal health during midlife. They examine how common diet trends align—or clash—with the realities of a woman’s shifting biology in her 40s and 50s.
With practical insights and clinical context, they unpack...
#12 - Midlife Myth to Modern Medicine: Testosterone is Only for Men
Are you experiencing shifts in your energy, mood, or desire—and wondering if it’s just “part of getting older”? What if there’s more to the story, especially when it comes to testosterone?
In this eye-opening episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jillian Woodruff, board-certified gynecologist and menopause specialist, and Dr. Ade Akindipe, functional medicine expert and nurse practitioner, tackle the long-standing myth that testosterone is only for men. They unpack how this powerful hormone actually plays a vital role in women’s physical, emotional, and sexual well-being—especially during midlife.
Together, they...
#11 - Let’s Talk About Libido, Sis: Intimacy, Hormones & Owning Your Sexual Wellness
Are you noticing changes in your desire for intimacy and wondering if it's just “part of getting older”? These shifts are more common than you might think—and they’re absolutely worth understanding and addressing.
In this episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jillian Woodruff, a board-certified gynecologist and menopause expert, and Dr. Ade Akindipe, a functional medicine expert and nurse practitioner, explore the many facets of female libido and sexual wellness in midlife. Together, they tackle important and often overlooked topics: hormonal shifts, pain with intimacy, the psychological and emotional dimensions of desire, and the...
#10 - The Ozempic Era: GLP-1s, Weight Loss Hype & What You Need to Know
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have taken center stage in conversations about weight loss—but what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what do midlife women really need to know before considering them?
In this episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jillian Woodruff, a board-certified gynecologist and menopause expert, and Dr. Ade Akindipe, a family nurse practitioner and functional medicine provider, take a deep dive into the world of GLP-1 receptor agonists. They explore the origins of these medications, their evolving role in both diabetes management and weight loss, and the complex factor...
#9 - Glow Up: Aesthetic Medicine & Aging Well & Loving the Woman in the Mirror
What do your skin, sleep posture, bone density, and even your pillowcase have in common?
In this episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, quite a bit more than you might think.
As women move through midlife, changes in appearance—like dry skin, hormonal acne, facial volume loss, and hair thinning—can seem sudden and overwhelming. But these shifts are often reflections of deeper changes within the body.
Dr. Ade Kendipe and Dr. Jillian Woodruff explore the science behind these transformations and offer a holistic perspective on how to navigate them...
#8 - Taiwan Longevity Secrets: What We Learned About Living Longer (and Better)
What can we learn about living longer—and living better—from a country where health and aging go hand in hand? In this episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jillian Woodruff, board-certified gynecologist and menopause specialist, and Dr. Ade Akindipe, doctor of nursing practice and functional medicine expert, reflect on their recent travels to Taiwan—one of the leading countries in life expectancy.
Drawing from personal experiences and medical perspectives, Dr. Jillian and Dr. Ade discuss the habits that support a longer health span, not just lifespan. From nutrient-dense meals and fermented foods to daily...
#7 - The Myth of Having It All: Real Talk on Balance, Burnout & Boundaries
Is “having it all” really achievable—or is it an unrealistic expectation that’s quietly driving women to exhaustion?
In this insightful episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jillian Woodruff, board-certified gynecologist and menopause specialist, and Dr. Ade Akindipe, doctor of nursing practice and functional medicine expert, explore the modern-day myth of having it all. From managing careers, families, and personal wellness to maintaining relationships and societal expectations, they provide a grounded conversation on what it truly means to thrive in midlife.
Drawing from personal experiences and clinical expertise, Dr. Jillian and Dr...
#6 - Beyond Weight Gain: Why Your Metabolism Changed—and How to Fix It
Have you been eating well, staying active, and still watching the number on the scale steadily climb after 40? It’s a common and frustrating experience—but it’s not your fault.
In this episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jillian Woodruff, board-certified gynecologist and menopause expert, and Dr. Ade Akindipe, functional medicine expert and nurse practitioner, take a science-backed look at why weight gain during perimenopause and menopause is not only normal, but biologically driven.
Together, they explore how hormonal changes—including fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—can disrupt metabolism, reduce muscle mass, impact...
#5 - Midlife Myth vs. Modern Medicine: Heavy Periods Are Just Part of the Process
Is it true that you bleed continuously for a year before menopause? And does that mean you’re unable to have a healthy sex life during that time? These are myths that persist in many conversations about perimenopause—and today, we’re setting the record straight.
In this episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jillian Woodruff, a board-certified gynecologist and menopause expert, and Dr. Ade Akindipe, a functional medicine expert and nurse practitioner, address some of the most common misconceptions surrounding perimenopause, hormone fluctuations, and abnormal bleeding. They provide evidence-based insights into what is actually happen...
#4 - Menopause Myths Debunked_ What Your Doctor Didn’t Tell You (But We Will) | Part 2
In this episode, “Menopause Myths Debunked – Part 2” of the Modern Midlife Collective podcast, Dr. Jillian and Dr. Ade continue unpacking the truths about hormone health that every woman deserves to know.
They tackle the belief that hormone therapy causes weight gain, explain why “normal” lab results don’t always reflect how you’re feeling, and highlight overlooked symptoms of hormonal shifts—like anxiety, joint pain, and brain fog.
They also clarify what bioidentical hormones actually are and reinforce a key message: menopause doesn’t mean you just have to tough it out. There are real solutions—and...
#3 - Menopause Myths Debunked_ What Your Doctor Didn’t Tell You (But We Will) | Part 1
Can estrogen increase your risk of breast cancer? Is testosterone really just for men? And is pregnancy off the table during perimenopause?
In this episode, “Menopause Myths Debunked – Part 1” of the Modern Midlife Collective podcast, Dr. Jillian Woodruff and Dr. Ade Akindipe tackle some of the most common—and harmful—myths surrounding midlife health and hormone therapy.
They explore the long-standing confusion stemming from the Women’s Health Initiative study, the reality behind perimenopausal fertility, and the essential role testosterone plays in women’s well-being. With a clear-eyed look at misunderstood studies and decades of mis...
#2 - What Menopause Really Is (and Why You Need to Know Now)
What if everything you thought you knew about menopause was outdated—or just plain wrong?
In this episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, Dr. Jillian Woodruff, board-certified gynecologist and menopause specialist, and Dr. Ade Akindipe, functional medicine expert and nurse practitioner, deliver a clear, evidence-based conversation about what really happens during perimenopause and menopause. They discuss why symptoms often begin earlier than most expect—sometimes in your 30s or 40s—and why many women are misdiagnosed or dismissed when seeking help. From fluctuating hormones and brain fog to anxiety, weight gain, and disrupted sleep, they explain the wi...
Welcome to The Modern Midlife Collective: Real Talk, Real Medicine, Real Women
Welcome to the first episode of The Modern Midlife Collective, a podcast dedicated to reshaping the conversation around women’s health in midlife and beyond.
In this episode, board-certified gynecologist Dr. Jillian Woodruff, MD, and family nurse practitioner and obesity medicine specialist Dr. Ade Akindipe, DNP, introduce the mission behind the Collective: to provide women with evidence-based guidance, expert insight, and compassionate support across the most pivotal health chapters of their lives.
They share the personal and professional journey that brought them together—from practicing medicine in Anchorage, Alaska, to founding their own clinics—and why...
