Welcome to this episode of The Tonic, terrestrially broadcast on October 17 and 18, 2026 on AM740 and FM 96.7 in Toronto. Topics covered on the show track the lifestyle articles and themes published in The Tonic Newsletter and on the Tonic Website. We’ll discuss the health benefits of fibre with Master Herbalist, Joel Thuna; how to bring sex toys into a relationship with sex educator Serena Haines; the implications of heart rate variability with wellness researcher David Nelson; and the menopause programs and policies that women want with researcher Andrea Donsky.
We specifically discuss:
Health Benefits of Fibre
- What is dietary fibre?
- What does dietary fibre do in your body?
- Do we get enough fibre in our diet?
- Soluble fibre
- Insoluble fibre
- Probiotics and prebiotics
- Nutrient absorption
- Weight management
- Regularity
- The gut-brain axis
- How to make fibre work best for you
How to Bring Sex Toys Into a Relationship
- Is there a stigma about sex toys?
- The benefits of sex toys
- Potential drawbacks
- What to look for in a sex toy
- Researching online
- Recommendations for the uninitiated
- How can you broach the subject with your partner?
The Implications of Heart Rate Variability
- What is heart rate variability (“HRV”)?
- What does HRV tell us?
- How does HRV work?
- More variability is better
- The factors that impact HRV
- How is HRV measured?
- Is there an objective target for HRV?
- How can we improve HRV?
The Menopause Policies and Programs that Women Want
- What do women want in menopause government policy?
- What do women want in corporate menopause programs?
- Andrea’s experience speaking at the house of commons about supplements
- Research about which menopause symptoms impact women the workplace
- Are women speaking with bosses and coworkers about their menopause symptoms?
- Generational differences
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To learn more about show sponsor Pure-Le Natural and Joel Thuna go here
To learn more about Serena Haines go here
To learn more about David Nelson go here
To learn more about Andrea Donsky go here
