Happy & Healthy with Amy

“Just eat healthier.” Sounds simple… until you realize it’s actually 100+ tiny decisions —from grocery shopping to social situations to recovering from setbacks. Talk about decision fatigue. No wonder willpower doesn’t work! In this episode, I’m walking you through a simple behavior change formula that explains why you get stuck and what to do instead, so you can make habits like eating healthy an...

If you made a resolution to lose weight, get fit, or optimize your brain health so you can prevent Alzheimer’s — but you have a history of not staying on track — this episode is for you. Chances are you've been approaching your health goals by focusing on these desired outcomes and relying on motivation and willpower to achieve them. But what if that's exactly why it’s not working? In th...

If you’ve ever felt like your small wins don’t “count,” this episode will change how you see yourself and your progress.  In this special episode, Amy reflects on 2025 and shares her favorite moments and notable wins, and what five years of weekly podcasting have taught her about showing up, gratitude, presence, and letting go. If you’ve struggled with sacrificing good for the sake of perfection,...

Forget motivation — it’s not your problem. In this episode, Amy Lang reveals the surprising missing ingredient behind habit success: trust .  If your brain feels stuck, overwhelmed, or skeptical about new habits, this one’s for you. Amy unpacks how rebuilding self-trust "one marble at a time" can create unstoppable momentum — even when life is busy and chaotic. 🔍 What to Listen For: [0:...

What if the real reason your habits aren’t sticking isn’t you—it’s your implementation plan?  Most of us try to create lifestyle change without understanding how our brain actually works. In this episode, Amy shares the neuroscience-backed framework to help you create healthy habits that actually last—without relying on willpower— and shows you how to personalize your plan so your habits become si...

You’ve joined the gym, cleaned out your pantry, downloaded a bunch of healthy recipes… but somehow, you always end up back where you started. Sound familiar? In this episode of Happy and Healthy with Amy Lang , we're digging into why traditional habit change strategies don’t work, the three most common mindset mistakes that sabotage even the best intentions — especially when it comes to brain...

It starts with forgetting a name or a date. But Alzheimer’s is so much more than memory loss. In this powerful episode, I share the five A’s of Alzheimer’s progression—what they are, how they affect your loved ones, and what you can do right now to protect your brain. If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s, if you’ve been avoiding learning about Alzheimer’s because it feels too scary, if you...

Feeling grateful isn’t just a positive emotion—it’s one of the most powerful tools you have to build cognitive reserve and protect your brain from Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we're breaking down the science-backed benefits of gratitude for your body and brain—and revealing why traditional practices fall short, and what to do instead to rewire your brain so you can reduce stress, improve you...

Have you heard that your brain “eats itself” during menopause if you don’t take hormones? That viral soundbite has a lot of women scared—and confused. 😟 In today’s episode of Happy and Healthy with Amy Lang, we bring clarity to the conversation around menopause, brain health, and hormone therapy.  First and foremost, the statement that “the brain will eat itself” without hormone therapy is medica...

What if 60 wasn’t the beginning of the end—but the start of something better? Join me and Allison McCune Davis, author of 60 Is A Good Start , as we unpack the emotional, physical, and mindset transformations that come with aging and how to thrive well into your 60s and beyond. What to Listen For: Why Allison wrote 60 Is a Good Start and how turning 60 catalyzed a decade of reinvention (00:28) Wha...

Watching a parent fade away due to Alzheimer’s is heartbreaking, confusing, and deeply exhausting. In this episode, grief and trauma specialist Jill McMahon joins me to talk about the emotional and neurological cost of caregiving and how to cope with the loss of a loved one — even while they’re still alive. You’ll learn powerful strategies to process your emotions, reduce stress, protect your brai...

Are you overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice? In this episode, I sit down with dietitian Luca Pasquariello to unpack what a truly healthy eating pattern looks like—especially for women 40+ focused on brain health and Alzheimer’s prevention.  No gimmicks. Just science-backed insights that work. What to Listen For (08:20) How a dietitian thinks about food, health, and what gets him out of bed...

Does aging mean inevitable cognitive decline?  In this episode, Amy unpacks two of the largest lifestyle intervention studies on brain health and breaks down what really works when it comes to preventing dementia, interventions that can even improve cognition, even in high risk individual — and she’ll share how to apply them to your life today. 🔍 What to Listen For [00:01:00] The surprising reaso...

If you’ve ever thought, “What’s wrong with me?” while juggling a million thoughts, forgetting simple tasks, or burning out from doing all the things — you are not alone. In today’s episode, with ADHD expert, podcast host, and author Tracy Otsuka, we explore how ADHD shows up so differently in women , how hormones like estrogen affect focus and dopamine — and why understanding your neurodivergent b...

If burnout has become your baseline, this conversation is your invitation to something better. Dr. Zerri Gross shares her journey from military discipline to feminine flow.  In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Zerri Gross, Army veteran, therapist, and trauma-informed yoga instructor, to explore how reconnecting with your feminine energy can lead to more freedom, fulfillment, and better b...

If you’ve ever watched someone you love slip further into dementia, you know how heartbreaking—and exhausting—caregiving can be. In this episode, I’m joined by Bill Uniowski, co-founder and CEO of Zinnia, a revolutionary streaming platform designed specifically for people with mid- to late-stage memory loss. Tune in to learn why typical TV overstimulates dementia patients, how Zinnia supports care...

Ever feel like you keep having the same argument over and over again? Poor communication isn’t just annoying—it can trigger chronic stress, mess with your nervous system, and even increase your risk of cognitive decline. In this episode of Happy and Healthy with Amy , we talk about the communication traps many women fall into during midlife—and how to build brain-healthy, connection-rich conversat...

What if the reason you keep attracting relationships that drain you isn’t bad luck—but your brain? This week on Happy and Healthy with Amy Lang , we’re exploring how your inner critic shapes your self-worth, hijacks your brain’s wiring, and keeps you stuck in a cycle of “not enough.” I'm also sharing 3 practical, research-backed tools to help you turn that inner bully into a voice of compassi...

Not all social connection is created equal. In this powerful episode, Amy dives into how certain relationship patterns—like emotional vampires—can rewire your brain for chronic stress and even contribute to memory loss over time. Tune in to discover the 7 types of emotional vampires and how to manage them without losing your compassion (or your sanity). 👂 What to Listen For [02:00] Why “emotional...

If you find yourself shutting down during conflict or clinging tightly to those you love, your attachment system may be stuck in survival mode. And that could be impacting more than your relationships—it might be rewiring your brain. In this episode, Amy shares how childhood experiences shape adult emotional patterns, and how healing attachment trauma can actually protect your brain from condition...

Are you always the one saying yes — even when you want to say no? If you’re constantly putting everyone else’s needs before your own, you might be stuck in the people pleasing trap — and it could be rewiring your brain in dangerous ways. In this episode, I share how chronic people pleasing not only impacts your emotional well-being but may also put your cognitive health at risk. What to Listen For...

Did you know that real human connection—not supplements, superfoods, or workouts—is one of the most powerful ways to protect your brain? In this episode of Happy and Healthy with Amy Lang , we dive into the science behind social connection and why it’s essential for women in midlife who want to protect their cognitive health. What to Listen For: [01:25] The New York Times article that sparked this...

Two-thirds of Alzheimer's patients are women — but it's not just because we live longer. The brain changes that lead to dementia often begin during perimenopause, making the menopause transition a critical window for prevention. In this milestone 300th episode and Season 2 premiere, master health coach and bestselling author Amy Lang reveals why menopause isn't decline — it's y...

You’ve been told menopause means decline—but what if it’s actually a time for metamorphosis? What if it's your Second Spring —a powerful time to release outdated beliefs, embrace new possibilities, and take charge of your brain health.  In the season 1 finale, we’re talking about letting go of the beliefs, roles, and expectations that are holding you back so you can step boldly into this next...

Think menopause means saying goodbye to a good night's sleep? Think again. In this episode, I unpack the real reasons why your sleep is suffering—and what you can do to start sleeping deeply again. These aren’t just tips. They’re game-changing strategies for your midlife brain and body. What to Listen For: [00:03:00] Why menopausal insomnia is not all in your head—it's hormonal. [00:04:0...