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The Dr. Brighten Show

The Dr. Brighten Show

By: Dr. Jolene Brighten
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Dr. Jolene Brighten, a best-selling author, board certified naturopathic endocrinologist, and women’s health expert, hosts The Dr. Brighten Show—a podcast dedicated to igniting transformative conversations in women’s health. Through candid interviews with leading experts, innovators, and thought-leaders, this show brings you groundbreaking research, personal stories, and practical tools to help you confidently navigate your body and hormones. It’s a fun, engaging, and insightful journey designed to empower you with tangible, science-backed insights, so you can live your best, most vibrant life.DrBrighten.com Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • The Hidden Burnout of ADHD & Autism After Motherhood | MasterChef Vanessa D'Souza

    The Hidden Burnout of ADHD & Autism After Motherhood | MasterChef Vanessa D'Souza
    Jul 9 2026
    Motherhood can expose ADHD and autism in ways many women never expect. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten and Vanessa D’Souza discuss how postpartum hormones, burnout, masking, sensory overload, and relationship dynamics can leave neurodivergent women feeling like they’ve lost themselves—not because they’re failing, but because no one prepared them for what happens after birth. For the complete show notes, research, and resources, visit Dr. Brighten: Vanessa D’Souza joins Dr. Brighten for an honest conversation about why pregnancy may feel easier than postpartum for women with ADHD and autism, how estrogen and progesterone influence executive function, why postpartum burnout is often mistaken for depression, and what partners, families, and healthcare providers need to understand to better support neurodivergent mothers. ✨ In This Episode 🧠 Why ADHD and autism often become much more noticeable after childbirth 🌸 The dramatic hormone shifts from pregnancy to postpartum 🎭 Why masking suddenly becomes impossible 💥 How postpartum burnout differs from postpartum depression 🍼 Breastfeeding, sensory overload, and nervous system regulation 💛 The invisible emotional labor carried by neurodivergent mothers 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Why relationships often become strained after a baby 🏥 How birth environments can affect autistic women 🧬 The role estrogen, progesterone, dopamine, testosterone, and cortisol play in executive function 🚩 Early warning signs of burnout before a complete crash 🛠 Practical ways to better prepare for the fourth trimester 📚 Resources Mentioned 📖 Is This Normal?: https://drbrighten.com/is-this-normal/ 📖 Beyond the Pill: https://drbrighten.com/beyond-the-pill 📖 ADHD & Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/ 🤝 Connect with Vanessa D’Souza 🌐 Website: https://vanessadsouza.co.uk/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.autistic.chef/?hl=en 💜 Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten 🌐 Website: https://drbrighten.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJoleneBrighten 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjolenebrighten ❤️ Enjoying the Show? 👍 Like this video 💬 Share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode Your support helps us bring more evidence-based conversations about women’s health, hormones, ADHD, autism, and neuroscience to millions of people. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your healthcare plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Why MasterChef Was the Perfect Storm for My Autism & ADHD | Vanessa D’Souza

    Why MasterChef Was the Perfect Storm for My Autism & ADHD | Vanessa D’Souza
    Jul 7 2026
    High-masking autism in women often goes unnoticed because success can hide disability. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with MasterChef UK contestant Vanessa D'Souza to discuss autism, ADHD, sensory processing, masking, autistic burnout, and why so many women aren't diagnosed until adulthood. 📖 For show notes, resources, and links mentioned in this episode, visit: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/autism-and-adhd/ Pre-order your copy of ADHD and Women and unlock exclusive bonuses—including my PMDD Solution Workshop, bonus trainings, downloadable resources, and more before they're gone! 👉 Pre-Order Here: http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen You'll Learn Why MasterChef became the perfect storm for autistic burnout Why autism in women is still so frequently overlooked The hidden cost of high masking and why success doesn't mean someone isn't struggling How sensory processing affects food, cooking, and everyday life Why so many women don't receive an autism diagnosis until adulthood What autistic burnout actually feels like—and why recovery can take months The accommodations that can make an enormous difference for autistic adults Why asking for support isn't weakness—it's self-understanding How MasterChef unexpectedly became a platform for autism advocacy Why uncertainty can be more overwhelming than failure for many autistic people How understanding sensory needs can improve quality of life for both children and adults What every healthcare provider, parent, and partner should know about autism in women This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind Want a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code POD15 for 15% off your order Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/radiant-mind Pique – Pu’er Tea Duo Gut health isn’t just about probiotics—it’s also about nourishing your microbiome. Pique’s Pu’er Tea Duo delivers polyphenol-rich support to help promote microbial diversity, gut lining health, and balanced digestion. Featuring Green Pu’er for antioxidant support and Black Pu’er for digestion and reduced bloating, it’s an easy daily ritual for whole-gut wellness. Get 20% off at https://piquelife.com/drbrighten to learn more. Shop now http://drbrighten.com/piquelife Follow Vanessa D'Souza Vanessa D'Souza’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.autistic.chef/ Vanessa D’Souza’s Website: https://vanessadsouza.co.uk/ MasterChef UK’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterchefuk/ 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: ⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • My Long COVID Story: What Finally Helped Me Recover (Not Medical Advice)

    My Long COVID Story: What Finally Helped Me Recover (Not Medical Advice)
    Jul 2 2026
    Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation ⁠http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen In early 2020, my life completely changed when I contracted COVID-19. As a doctor, I thought I knew what to expect—but my symptoms didn't look like anything on the news. Instead of a cough or high fever, I experienced a subtle, terrifying decline in my ability to breathe. When I finally went to the ER, a physician stood across the parking lot and told me to get my affairs in order. But that was just the beginning. What followed was a debilitating, multi-system shutdown known as Long COVID—bringing crushing fatigue, brain fog, POTS, and nerve pain. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my personal health journey and the exact cellular framework I used to rebuild my body from the ground up. I break down the emerging science behind viral mitochondrial damage and the four-part protocol (focusing on oxidative stress and ATP production) that helped me reclaim my life. If you are currently fighting Long COVID or feeling dismissed by medicine, please know you are not alone. Let's talk in the comments below. Links & Resources: Persistent Suppression of Oxidative Phosphorylation & Mitochondrial Changes in Post-COVID Conditions (Frontiers in Immunology): https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1776555/full Mitochondrial metabolic rescue in post-COVID-19 syndrome: MR spectroscopy insights and precision nutritional therapeutics: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1597370/full NIH RECOVER Initiative Findings on Post-Exertional Malaise: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-launches-long-covid-clinical-trials-through-recover-initiative-opening-enrollment 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨ Disclaimer: I am a board-certified doctor, but I am not your doctor. The information provided in this video is for educational, informational, and personal storytelling purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this video. If You Enjoyed This Episode Like this video Share your experience or questions in the comments. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode. Share this episode with someone who has been told, "It's just a cyst." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
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