Dare On with Jodi

What if your most imperfect, unpolished, didn’t-go-as-planned stories are actually the greatest gift you can give your adult children? After a health scare made her ask hard questions about what she’d really prepared her daughters for, Joanne McHugh sat down and wrote it all out — the career stumbles, the life detours, the things she wished someone had told her. In this conversation, we explore why real stories connect more than advice, how authenticity transforms your relationship with your adult kids, and what happens when you finally stop pretending life is all sunshine and butterflies.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover

• Why a health scare became Joanne’s daring moment — and the promise she made to herself when the results came back clean
• How she wrote a book of real stories from her own young adulthood and surprised her three daughters with it on Valentine’s Day
• Why storytelling connects where direct advice creates resistance (and eye rolls!)
• The difference between positive psychology and toxic positivity — and why it matters for how we prepare our kids for adulting
• How being vulnerable with your adult children can shift your relationship from parent/child to something closer to friendship
• The one permission question that can change any conversation with your kids, your partner, or your friends
• (Stay to the end!) Joanne answers one more question after we thought we were done — about oversharing, how to decide what to tell your kids, and why you’re always the editor of your own story

About Joanne McHugh

Joanne McHugh is a mom of three daughters and the creator of Things Your Mom Should Have Told You — a weekly newsletter and blog where she shares real, honest stories from her own life to help young adults navigate the things nobody warned them about. What started as a private book for her girls became something she knew had to be shared more widely.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Things Your Mom Should Have Told You (Joanne’s newsletter & blog) HERE
• Shift for Moms — From Fixer to Coach HERE

Connect with Jodi

• Website: jodisilverman.com
• Instagram: @jodi_silverman
• Moms Who Dare Facebook Community

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🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

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Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

You've spent 18 years preparing them — and now it's time to let go. But before you drive away from that campus parking lot, there are things you need to know. Residence Life expert Ashley Lillie of West Chester University joins Jodi for a conversation every empty-nest mom needs to hear: from the federal privacy law that means you can't call the school and ask how your kid is doing, to the real reasons roommates fight, to the one dare your student should practice before they ever step foot on campus. This is the episode you'll want to share with your college-bound kid.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• What FERPA is and why it means the university legally cannot share your student's information with you without their written permission
• How to ask for FERPA access — and why you might need to do it every single semester
• Why the first six weeks of college are the most pivotal — and what parents can do before move-in to help their student succeed
• The three most common roommate conflicts (spoiler: it's almost always communication, cleanliness, and guests) and how to coach your student through them
• Why you should tell your student's high school friends NOT to visit for the first two to three weekends
• The social media highlight reel reality check every college student needs to hear
• Ashley's dare: the one practice your student can start this summer to feel more confident on campus

ABOUT ASHLEY LILLIE:

Ashley Lillie is a Residence Life professional at West Chester University with over a decade of experience helping students navigate one of life's biggest transitions — living on their own for the first time. With a graduate degree in counseling and student affairs leadership, Ashley focuses on community building, wellness promotion, and helping students and their families feel more connected, confident, and at home on campus.

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED:

• Jodi's free Shift for Moms resource (Fixer to Coach) HERE 
• West Chester University Residence Life & Housing: westchester.edu
• FERPA information: studentprivacy.ed.gov

CONNECT WITH JODI:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

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Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

You survived the drop-off. Now comes the harder part — not knowing. In this episode, licensed psychologist Dr. Rachel Daltry, who has spent 15+ years working inside a university counseling center, gives parents an honest, compassionate look at what college students are really going through — and how you can show up for them without taking over.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover

• What’s actually normal during a student’s first weeks and months at college (and when to be concerned)
• The warning signs of struggle that are easy to miss when you’re not there every day
• How to set communication expectations that work for both of you — without the guilt
• Why the “catastrophizing” pattern after one bad grade is real, widespread, and something you can help prevent
• How to shift from “fixer” to “coach” — and why your student needs you to make that shift
• What campus counseling centers can and cannot share with parents (FERPA explained simply)
• The single most important thing Dr. Rachel wants every parent to hear before drop-off

About Dr. Rachel Daltry

Dr. Rachel Daltry is a licensed psychologist with over 15 years of experience working inside university counseling centers, including West Chester University. She specializes in supporting college students through mental health challenges, transitions, and academic stress — and has a rare ability to translate what students are feeling into language parents can actually hear and use.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Shift for Moms — From Fixer to Coach HERE

Connect with Jodi

• Website: jodisilverman.com
• Instagram: @jodi_silverman
• Moms Who Dare Facebook Community

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

I’m turning 60 — and I’m not staying quiet about it. In this heartfelt solo episode, I get real about the lessons midlife has handed me: the ones that cracked me open, changed how I mother, and taught me to love the woman I’m becoming. If you’ve ever wondered whether your best chapters are behind you, this episode is your answer.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover

• Why self-love in midlife means honoring your body for what it’s carried — not criticizing it for how it’s changed
• The mindfulness and spiritual practices I use every day to stay grounded, connected, and faithful — even when life feels uncertain
• How to navigate the emotional shift of watching your adult children build lives of their own (without sending the guilt-filled voice messages 😅)
• Why pausing before reacting might be the single most powerful thing you can do in any relationship
• Three Dare On challenges — one from each lesson — that you can start this week

Your Dare On Challenges from This Episode

• Dare #1 — Practice Self-Compassion: The next time you catch yourself criticizing your body or your age, pause and ask: “How can I love myself through this season?” Speak to yourself the way you’d speak to someone you deeply love.
• Dare #2 — Create One Mindfulness Ritual: Choose one small practice this week that helps you slow down and reconnect — a quiet cup of coffee, a walk without your phone, five minutes of journaling. Just one.
• Dare #3 — Pause Before You React: The next time you feel hurt or frustrated with someone you love, take a beat. Ask yourself what’s really underneath the feeling — then respond from honesty and love instead of hurt.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Midlife Happiness Quiz

Connect with Jodi

• Website: jodisilverman.com
• Instagram: @jodi_silverman
• Moms Who Dare Facebook Community

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

What do you do when life punches you so hard it changes everything?

In this deeply emotional and inspiring episode of Dare On with Jodi, Jodi sits down with Erika, a survivor, speaker, author, and founder of the Audacious Woman movement, whose life changed forever after surviving a brutal attack that nearly took her life.

But this conversation is about so much more than trauma.

It’s about resilience. Identity. Midlife reinvention. Tiny brave steps. And what it really means to choose courage when life feels impossible.

Erika shares how she went from fear and survival mode to building a bold, purpose-driven life rooted in what she calls “audacious expansion.” Together, she and Jodi unpack the truth so many women need to hear: you do not need giant leaps to change your life. You need one small brave decision at a time.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, burned out, lost in midlife, disconnected from yourself, or afraid to move forward after heartbreak, grief, divorce, empty nest, or trauma… this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

And remind you that your story is not over.

In This Episode We Talk About:

• Surviving trauma and rebuilding your identity afterward
• The true meaning of audacity and resilience
• Why tiny consistent actions matter more than dramatic change
• How to pivot instead of staying stuck
• Midlife reinvention and finding purpose again
• The power of community and getting in the right rooms
• Why your “punch” in life does not define you
• How small brave steps create massive transformation
• The importance of mindset, healing, and self-trust

Powerful Takeaways from Erika:

• “Audacity is showing up when nobody’s applauding.”
• “Consistency is your superpower.”
• “The punch is coming. It’s not a matter of if — it’s when.”
• “You don’t need to change your whole life overnight. Start with one tiny dare.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Erika’s book: Audacious Expansion click HERE: https://amzn.to/4tn426f
• Jodi’s free download: 30 Tiny Dares for Your Next Chapter HERE

Connect with Jodi Silverman:

If you’re loving the podcast, please follow, rate, and review Dare On with Jodi. Your reviews help us reach more women who are ready to dare more, doubt less, and live fully.  

And don’t forget to grab your free resource: 30 Tiny Dares for Your Next Chapter — because big transformation starts with one small brave step.

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

Why do so many people struggle to sit with someone else’s pain?

Why do we rush to fix, minimize, distract, or offer advice instead of simply staying present?

In this deeply honest and insightful episode of Dare On, Jodi sits down with attorney, mediator, author, and relationship expert Susan Guthrie for a powerful conversation about emotional support, curiosity, gray divorce, reinvention, and navigating life’s hardest transitions in midlife.

While Susan is widely known for her expertise around divorce and mediation, this conversation goes far beyond divorce itself. Together, Jodi and Susan unpack why discomfort makes people pull away, what true support actually looks like, and how major life shifts — from empty nesting to health challenges to divorce — often become invitations to reexamine who we are and what we truly want moving forward.

Susan also shares insight into the growing rise of gray divorce among couples over 50 and marriages lasting 20+ years, including why more women are choosing authenticity, fulfillment, and personal alignment in this next chapter of life.

If you’ve ever struggled to support someone going through a difficult season…
 or if you’re the one navigating a major life transition yourself…
 this episode will leave you feeling seen, grounded, and hopeful.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why people struggle to sit with discomfort and pain
• The most unhelpful things people say during difficult life seasons
• What true emotional support actually looks like
• Why curiosity creates deeper connection
• The rise of gray divorce in midlife
• How identity shifts impact women after 50
• Reinvention after divorce, empty nesting, or major life changes
• The importance of support systems during transitions
• Why “fixing” isn’t always helpful
• Moving from victimhood toward empowerment

Jodi shares 3 Powerful Takeaways From This Episode at the end.

Memorable Quotes

• “People don’t always need you to fix their pain. They need you to stay.”
• “Curiosity creates connection.”
• “Midlife transitions are not proof that life is falling apart. Sometimes they’re invitations to rebuild life more honestly.”
• “Everyone wants to feel heard.”

Resources & Links

• Take the Happy In Midlife Quiz HERE
• Listen to the Oprah podcast episode featuring Susan Guthrie discussing gray divorce HERE
• Connect with Susan Guthrie HERE

About Susan Guthrie

Susan Guthrie is an attorney, mediator, author, podcast host, and entrepreneurial strategist who helps professionals build successful and aligned careers and lives. After decades as a family law litigator, Susan reinvented her own career in midlife and now shares practical insights on reinvention, relationships, entrepreneurship, and designing a life that reflects who you are now.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another woman navigating this season of life. And if you’re loving what you’re hearing on Dare On, leaving a review helps us reach more women who need these conversations too.

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

What if the struggles in your relationship don’t mean something is wrong…
but instead mean your marriage is ready to evolve?

In this powerful and eye-opening and mic dropping conversation, relationship experts Assael and Galit Romanelli introduce a completely new way to think about long-term relationships: the idea that every marriage ends—but not necessarily in divorce.

Instead of seeing change as failure, they invite you to see it as an opportunity to remarry your partner—again and again.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected, stuck, bored, or unsure about your relationship… this episode will shift everything.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why every marriage will eventually end (and why that’s not a bad thing)
• The 3 hidden forces that change every relationship:
• What it really means to “remarry” your partner
• The difference between: “Working on your marriage” vs. transforming it
• The 4-step relationship framework the teach in their program- The Remarriage Roadmap™
• How to communicate in a way that actually creates connection
• Why most couples stay stuck—and what to do instead

Key Takeaways

• Your relationship isn’t broken—it may just be outdated
• Growth in marriage requires intentional reinvention
• Real intimacy comes from honesty, vulnerability, and emotional range
• You don’t need to leave your relationship to experience something new—you may just need to rebuild it differently

About the Guests

Dr. Assael Romanelli is a licensed clinical social worker, certified couple and family therapist, and co-founder of The Romanelli Group. With over 15 years of experience, he helps individuals and couples build stronger, more vibrant relationships.

Galit Romanelli, MA, is a certified personal coach, lactation consultant, and co-founder of The Romanelli Group. She holds a master’s in Gender Studies and is completing her PhD, focusing on maternal identity and relationships.

Resources & Links

• Book a discovery call to see if we can help you remarry your partner HERE.
• Learn more about Assael and Galit’s work HERE

Connect with Jodi on Substack HERE- fun and exciting things are coming.

• 👉 Sign up for weekly motivation + new episodes delivered straight to your inbox HERE

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

What if your kids aren’t just learning from you… but actually trying to teach you something?

In this powerful solo episode, Jodi Silverman shares the unexpected life lessons her kids taught her—lessons about control, confidence, courage, and boundaries that most women don’t learn until much later in life.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your ways, overwhelmed by responsibility, or caught up in what others think… this episode will shift how you see your role as a mom—and as a woman in midlife.

Because sometimes the greatest growth doesn’t come from leading…
It comes from being willing to listen.

💥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why your long-held beliefs might be creating unnecessary stress
• The powerful mindset shift from control → curiosity
• How your kids model confidence in ways most adults struggle with
• What real courage actually looks like (and why it’s quieter than you think)
• The importance of boundaries—and why many women were never taught them
• How to recognize the lessons your kids are showing you every day

🔑 Key Takeaway

Your kids aren’t just watching you…

They’re showing you a new way to live—
with less pressure, more confidence, and a whole lot more freedom.

💛 Your Dare

Where might your kids be trying to teach you something?

Maybe it’s:

• Letting go of control
• Caring less about what people think
• Taking a risk
• Setting a boundary

Just notice it. That’s where the shift begins.

🎁 Resources Mentioned

👉 30 Tiny Dares – Build confidence one small step at a time
Grab it HERE

Continue the conversation with Jodi on Substack HERE!

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

Have you ever been told “everything looks normal”… but deep down you know something isn’t right?

In this powerful episode of Beyond Empty Nest, Jodi sits down with Dr. Jenn, a PhD biologist turned founder of a groundbreaking fertility solution, to uncover what’s really happening behind the diagnosis of unexplained infertility.

After being told by multiple doctors that nothing was wrong—and still being unable to conceive—Dr. Jen did what most of us don’t think to do: she asked why.

What she discovered not only changed her own life… it’s now helping hundreds of women conceive in a more accessible, less invasive, and more empowering way.

This episode isn’t just about fertility—it’s about advocating for your body, questioning the narrative, and refusing to settle for incomplete answers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why “unexplained infertility” is more common than you think (and what it really means)
• The emotional toll of trying to conceive—and why so many women feel dismissed
• What traditional fertility treatments don’t always explain
• How Dr. Jenn used her scientific background to challenge the system
• The surprising science behind increasing your chances of conception
• What the PherDal at-home insemination kit is and how it works
• Why asking “why” could completely change your health journey
• How this innovation is helping couples, single women, and the LGBTQ+ community
• The importance of advocating for yourself in the medical system

Key Takeaway

You are not powerless in your body.

If something doesn’t feel right, you don’t have to accept vague answers or dismissive advice. Your curiosity—your willingness to ask why—might be the very thing that leads you to the solution you’ve been searching for.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Learn more about PherDal and Dr. Jenn HERE
• Explore fertility support resources

👉 Want weekly encouragement like this?

Sign up for Jodi’s email list HERE to receive:

• Weekly Sunday motivation
• New podcast episodes delivered straight to your inbox

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE

Is This Perimenopause? The Symptoms Women Are Told to Ignore with Julie, The Menopause OT

• Brain fog.
• Anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere.
• Waking up at 3:00 AM for no reason.
• A body that suddenly feels older overnight.

If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, “What is wrong with me?” — you are far from alone.

In this powerful episode of Dare On with Jodi, we’re breaking the silence around perimenopause, menopause, and the massive knowledge gap in women’s health that leaves so many women confused and unsupported.

Jodi sits down with Julie Parana, founder of The Menopause OT, who shares her personal story of surgical menopause at 42 and how it led her to discover just how little education women (and even doctors) receive about this stage of life.

The result? Millions of women experiencing symptoms they don’t understand… and being told it’s “just aging.”

This conversation is here to change that.

You’ll walk away feeling validated, informed, and empowered to take control of your health and your next chapter.

In This Episode We Talk About

• The most common early symptoms of menopause many women miss
• Brain fog, anxiety, sleep issues, and joint pain in midlife
• Why so many doctors aren’t trained to treat menopause
• The truth about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the myths many women still believe
• How Julie’s experience with surgical menopause led her to create The Menopause OT

Key Takeaways

✨ Menopause doesn’t start at 50 for many women. Symptoms can begin in your mid-30s and early 40s. (share this episode with your daughters!)

✨ Anxiety, sleep disruption, brain fog, and unexplained aches are often early hormonal symptoms.

✨ There is a huge knowledge gap in women’s healthcare when it comes to menopause.

✨ You don’t have to silently suffer—there are treatments, tools, and support available.

Meet Our Guest

Julie Parana – The Menopause OT

Julie is an occupational therapist and certified menopause coach dedicated to helping women understand and navigate the menopause transition.

After experiencing surgical menopause herself at age 42, she discovered firsthand how little support women receive during this phase of life. Now she educates and empowers women through evidence-based menopause education, lifestyle strategies, and coaching.

Her mission is simple: Help women feel like themselves again.

You can connect with Julie and learn more about her work using the links in the show notes.

Connect With Julie

Menopause Doesn’t Have to Suck” Audio Series -  Download my free audio guide to learn what’s happening in your body — and what actually helps.

https://the-menopause-ot.kit.com/da610e33d2

IG:  @themenoot https://www.instagram.com/themenoot?igsh=MWx6anlkam14eDRqeg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Website: https://www.themenopauseot.com

A Resource For Your Next Chapter

Feeling stuck wondering:

• What’s next for me?
• Who am I now?
• How do I reconnect with myself again?

You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out alone either.

Download Jodi’s free guide HERE.

Your 4-Step Guide to Rediscovering Yourself Using the D.A.R.E. Framework

This simple but powerful resource will help you start turning:

• confusion → clarity
• fear → courage
• “someday” → today

✨ The life you’ve been waiting for is already inside you.

Grab the guide in the show notes and start daring on today.

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

🎙️ You've been listening to me—now I want to meet YOU.  Join me on Substack, where Dare On goes beyond the podcast. 

We're having real conversations about midlife, what's next, the things we're struggling with, and the lives we still want to create. You'll find live gatherings, connection, encouragement. Subscribe for FREE and come introduce yourself HERE
I can't wait to meet

Subscribe to my Substack HERE

Step into the Dare On Circle HERE