In this episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma sits down with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hisham Seify of Newport Beach for a thoughtful conversation about how aesthetic medicine has evolved — and how it increasingly overlaps with integrative health, longevity, and midlife wellness.

Over the past two decades, aesthetic goals have shifted dramatically. The focus is no longer “bigger” or dramatically altered — it’s healthier, more natural, and aligned with overall wellbeing. Together, Dr. Soma and Dr. Seify explore what that means for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.

They discuss common midlife changes including post-pregnancy abdominal laxity, breast sagging and volume shifts, facial aging around the eyes and neck, and how genetics and lifestyle factors — including sun exposure, stress, inflammation, smoking, alcohol, and diet — influence how we age.

Dr. Seify explains the difference between non-surgical and surgical facial options by decade, how he defines “natural” rejuvenation (often referencing younger photographs rather than filtered trends), and how he counsels patients influenced by social media aesthetics like the “cat eye.”

The episode also explores regenerative aesthetics, including: • Exosomes (used locally in accordance with FDA regulations for skin rejuvenation and hair restoration) • Advances in micro-fat and nano-fat grafting • Laser treatments as part of long-term skin maintenance

They address breast changes during midlife — including fat redistribution, glandular loss, ptosis, and large-breast symptoms — and review options such as lift, augmentation (with implants or fat), reduction, and advances in breast cancer reconstruction.

Dr. Seify also shares insight into his practice’s GLP-1 weight-management clinic using medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, discussing how weight loss affects surgical candidacy, timing, medical clearance, and the importance of weight stability before surgery.

The conversation debunks common misconceptions: • Surgery will not make you look like someone else • Liposuction does not prevent weight gain • Aging does not stop • Botox and fillers are powerful tools — but only when used conservatively

Above all, this episode emphasizes safety, research, and choosing board-certified surgeons through reputable professional societies — and pursuing aesthetic procedures for yourself, not for trends.

00:00 – Welcome + Medical Disclaimer 00:52 – Meet Dr. Hisham Seify: Modern Plastic Surgery Meets Longevity 01:53 – How Beauty Standards Changed: From “Bigger” to Natural + Healthy Aging 02:38 – Midlife Body Changes & the “Mommy Makeover” Timeline 03:35 – Facial Aging by Decade: Non-Surgical vs Facelift/Neck Lift 04:17 – What Really Drives Aging: Sun, Lifestyle, Stress & Inflammation 05:33 – Genetics and Defining “Natural” Results in Rejuvenation 07:02 – Regenerative Aesthetics Explained: Exosomes, Lasers & Integrative Protocols 08:48 – Breast Changes in Perimenopause/Menopause: Lift, Augmentation, Reduction 10:12 – GLP-1 Weight Loss Meds in Aesthetic Practice: What Changes for Surgery 13:26 – Timing Surgery After Weight Loss: Stability, Labs & Long-Term Outcomes 14:13 – The “Cat Eye” Trend: When Aesthetic Requests Go Too Far 15:04 – Social Media vs Reality: Setting Safe, Realistic Expectations 16:18 – Working With Other Doctors: Timing, Labs & Medical Clearance 17:12 – Recovery Factors That Matter: Nutrition, Sleep, Stress & Smoking 18:18 – Biggest Plastic Surgery Myths (Celebrity Noses, Lipo & Aging) 19:22 – Overrated Trends: Botox & Fillers — Great Tools, Risky When Overdone 20:16 – What’s Next in Aesthetics: Fat Grafting & Minimally Invasive Rejuvenation 22:44 – What “Aging Well” Really Means (Beyond Surgery) 24:39 – Final Takeaways: Research, Board Certification & Safety First 25:18 – Where to Find Trusted Surgeons + Dr. Seify’s Resources

🎙 Connect with Dr. Hisham Seify Website: https://newportplastic.com Location: Newport Beach, California

🎙 Connect with Dr. Soma Website: https://somamandalmd.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SomaSays/videos

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with a woman navigating midlife who wants clarity — not confusion — about aging and aesthetics.

In this intimate solo episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma explores a quiet but powerful experience many women face in midlife: the growing sense that the professional identity that once fit no longer feels aligned.

Rather than framing this discomfort as burnout, failure, or ingratitude, Dr. Soma reframes it as information—a signal of growth, clarity, and evolving values. Drawing from her clinical experience and lived insight, she unpacks how biological shifts, emotional maturity, and deeper self-awareness intersect to change our relationship with work during midlife.

You’ll hear Dr. Soma describe the three most common paths of professional change in midlife—the quiet pivot, the parallel expansion, and the full reinvention—and why none of them mean you chose “wrong” earlier in your career. This episode is an invitation to pause, listen inward, and trust yourself during a season of recalibration.

If you’ve ever thought “Everything looks good on paper—so why does this feel different?”, this conversation is for you.

00:00 — Introduction and setting the scene 00:33 — Understanding midlife professional change 02:12 — The biological and emotional impact of midlife 06:30 — The three types of midlife professional change 08:53 — Signals and challenges women often ignore 11:01 — Final reflections, reassurance, and permission to trust yourself

🌐 Website: https://somamandalmd.com 🎙️ Subscribe to Soma Says on Apple Podcasts 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SomaSays

If this episode resonated, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review — it helps more women find conversations that honor midlife as a time of clarity, not crisis.

And if you know a woman quietly questioning her professional life, consider sharing this episode with her. Sometimes permission is the most powerful gift we can offer.

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.

In this episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma Mandal is joined by Sue Choi, founder of The Coherent Body, a somatic awareness and nervous system healing practice that helps women rebuild resilience, presence, and inner stability.

Sue shares her powerful personal journey—from living with chronic depression to discovering the healing potential of yoga, martial arts, and mindfulness-based somatic work. She explains how her method evolved into a trauma-informed, integrative approach that teaches women how to reconnect with the wisdom of their bodies.

Together, Soma and Sue explore the science and art of coherence, how posture and sensory integration shape emotional regulation, and why somatic awareness is essential for navigating hormonal transitions, chronic stress, and midlife change.

Listeners will learn practical tools to regulate the nervous system, cultivate presence, and complement traditional therapy or medical care with body-based practices that promote deep, sustainable healing.

A must-listen for women seeking calm, clarity, and embodied confidence—especially during perimenopause, menopause, or life transitions that demand resilience.

00:00 — Introduction to Sue Choi and The Coherent Body 00:39 — Sue’s Personal Journey and Professional Development 02:41 — Understanding Coherence in Body and Mind 03:30 — Practical Techniques for Somatic Awareness 11:49 — Addressing Women’s Health and Hormonal Transitions 17:41 — Integrating Somatic Practices with Traditional Therapy 19:42 — Approaches to Trauma and Healing 22:16 — Incorporating Somatic Concepts in Clinical Practice 43:12 — Final Thoughts and Rapid Fire Questions

🌐 Website: https://www.coherentbody.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coherent_body/?hl=en

🌐 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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soma-says/id1752337105  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SomaSays/videos 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsomamandalmd 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somamandalmd

If this conversation inspired you, please follow, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps more women discover the tools and insights they need to thrive in midlife and beyond.

In this powerful episode of Soma Says, host Dr. Soma Mandal sits down with Michelle Smith, LPC, LMHC, LCMHC, a trauma-informed psychotherapist who helps women move from survival mode to self-trust.

Michelle shares her personal journey into psychotherapy and unpacks the deep connection between the brain, body, and emotional healing. Together, they explore what it truly means to heal from the inside out—addressing the impact of trauma on the brain, the difference between coping and healing, and how self-compassion, mindfulness, and body awareness can transform mental health.

Listeners will walk away with practical tools for grounding, understanding the nervous system, and recognizing that real healing begins when we stop trying to “fix” ourselves and start listening to our inner wisdom.

This conversation offers insight, hope, and clarity for anyone navigating anxiety, burnout, or emotional overwhelm—especially during the midlife transition.

00:00 Introduction to Michelle Smith and Her Work 00:40 Michelle’s Journey into Psychotherapy 01:22 The Mind-Body Connection in Therapy 02:00 Healing from the Inside Out 03:07 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact 04:39 Identifying and Rewiring Hidden Patterns 05:30 Coping vs. Healing 08:12 The Role of the Nervous System in Emotional Regulation 09:29 Building Safety and Awareness in Therapy 10:38 Mindfulness and Body-Based Awareness 11:49 Addressing Perfectionism and Guilt 14:42 Returning to the Authentic Self 16:03 Common Myths About Mental Health and Trauma 17:04 Favorite Grounding Techniques 18:10 Finding the Right Therapist for Trauma and Anxiety 19:15 Integrating Evidence-Based Practices with Intuitive Tools 20:20 The Role of AI in Therapy 23:38 Human Resilience and the Power of Therapy 26:22 Advice for Those Feeling Stuck in Their Healing Journey 27:44 Inspiring Patient Journeys and the Importance of Self-Care 31:48 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

🌐 Website: www.michellesmithlmhc.com 📲 Instagram: www.somamandalmd.com 🏥 Upcoming Medical Director of Women’s Health, Hackensack Meridian Health – Jersey Shore University Medical Center 📚 Book: Midlife Masala — available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and BookBub 🎧 Listen to Soma Says on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube @SomaSays 📲 Instagram: @drsomamandalmd 💼 LinkedIn: Dr. Soma Mandal, MD

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Soma Says on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps more women discover empowering, science-based conversations on healing, resilience, and thriving through midlife.

In this powerful episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma Mandal shares exciting news about her new role as Medical Director of Women’s Health at Hackensack Meridian Health. She’s then joined by special guest Krishna Avalon, a subconscious reprogramming expert who blends acupuncture, somatic healing, and subconscious therapy to help clients move through emotional blocks and accelerate healing.

Together, they explore the transformative power of the subconscious mind, including techniques like Psych-K and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Krishna shares how the pandemic reshaped her purpose, and why aligning the conscious and subconscious mind is key to lasting growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck, anxious, or disconnected from your inner voice, this conversation offers science-backed tools and spiritual insight to help you come home to yourself.

💫 Whether you're a woman in midlife, navigating burnout, or seeking clarity in the chaos, this episode is a must-listen.

🧠 Episode Breakdown 00:00 — Exciting New Role Announcement 01:18 — Introduction to Krishna Avalon 01:42 — Krishna's Journey into Healing 04:26 — Understanding the Subconscious Mind 07:39 — Exploring Psych-K and IFS 17:41 — Balancing Science and Spirituality 23:19 — Daily Practices for Subconscious Awareness 27:22 — Personal Stories of Transformation 35:59 — Final Thoughts and Contact Information

🔗 Connect with Krishna Avalon Website: https://www.krishnaavalon.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krishnaavalon/

✨ Work with Krishna: Learn more about subconscious reprogramming, 1:1 sessions, and free tools at her website.

👩‍⚕️ Connect with Dr. Soma Mandal Website: www.somamandalmd.com Instagram: @drsomamandalmd YouTube: Soma Says Podcast: Soma Says – available on all platforms

🎧 Subscribe, rate & share this episode with someone who's ready for their next transformation.