If you’ve ever thought, “What is going on with me?” — this episode is your lifeline. In Part 1 of our two-part menopause series, Jodi welcomes Ashley Basilio — certified personal trainer, menopause health coach, and founder of Get Fit With Ashley — to decode what’s really going on in your body during perimenopause and menopause.

Together, they uncover why menopause is so much more than hot flashes, how hormonal shifts affect nearly every system in your body, and why identity loss is real (but so is empowerment).

What You’ll Learn:

• Why menopause is technically just one day — and what the four stages actually are
• How estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone impact your mood, metabolism, sleep, and more
• 34 surprising menopause symptoms — including itchy ears and brittle nails (yep, really)
• The long-term effects on brain, bone, and heart health and so much more.

🎯 Don’t miss Ashley’s free resource: 5 Ways to Feel Your Best in Midlife

🎙️Check out Ashley's Podcast HERE: StrongHER Voices
💖 Ready to check in on your midlife joy levels? Take the Happy in Midlife Quiz

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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
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Are you walking on eggshells around your adult child—or wishing they’d just call more often? In this heart-opening episode of Beyond Empty Nest, Jodi is joined by Esther Goetz of Moms of Bigs to tackle the unspoken grief, guilt, and emotional gymnastics of parenting “bigs.”

If you’ve ever tried to fix or force connection with your grown-up kids and felt it backfire, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why control and closeness don’t mix
• How to shift from “What if” worry to “I wonder” curiosity
• The power of roots and wings in adult-child relationships
• What it really means to invite, not demand
• How to stay connected—without overstepping

Top Takeaways:

• Use the phrase “I’ll follow your lead” to build trust
• Practice “Zippy the Lippy” to replace demands with invitations
• Connection grows when we drop the agenda and get curious

Resources & Links:

• 🌟 Join the Dare On Membership: Moms Who Double Dare
• ✨ Get started on empowering your adult children by making this shift HERE

💖 Follow Esther: Moms of Bigs on Instagram

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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
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If you’ve ever looked around and wondered, “Is this it?” — this episode is your sign to explore something new. Jodi sits down with Amazon expert and business coach Kathy Lampert, who went from corporate powerhouse to stay-at-home mom... to six-figure Amazon entrepreneur.

Whether you're seeking a purpose beyond motherhood, craving a new challenge, or exploring side income options, Kathy's journey will leave you inspired and energized. She breaks down what it really means to sell on Amazon — and shares multiple ways you can profit in the Amazon ecosystem, even if you’re not into selling products.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why feeling “boring and flat” might just be your turning point
• What’s possible when you allow yourself to pivot and reset
• The truth behind starting a business on Amazon — without a massive upfront investment
• 8+ ways Kathy now earns income (many of which you’ve never heard of!)
• How coaching and mentorship transformed her life — and how it can help you, too
  
  

🎁 Resource of the Week:

Kickstart your next chapter with 30 Days of Doable Dares — a free, fun challenge to reconnect with your confidence and curiosity.

💬 Continue the conversation:
Join the Moms Who Dare community on Facebook: Moms Who Dare FB Group

2 Ways to Connect with Kathy:

• Amazon ROADMAP Complimentary Call with Kathy HERE 
• LinkedIn 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

In this powerful episode of Beyond Empty Nest, Jodi sits down with author and humanitarian Lori Pappas, whose life story is as inspiring as her message. At 75, Lori dared to say “yes” to fully stepping into her authentic self —and she’s here to help you do the same.

🔑 In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Lori escaped a from a mental institution at age 17 and built a purpose-filled life
• The importance of stillness, silence, and reflective time in midlife
• What the “magic of yes” really means—and how it changes everything
• The difference between knowledge and wisdom (it’s not what you think!)
• How to overcome low self-worth by detaching your value from doing
• Lori’s DREAM Framework to guide your next empowered decision

💡 Your Midlife DARE:

Reflect on this question: What does success mean to me now—and how do I define it for myself, not for others?

📚 Mentioned in the Episode:

• Get Lori’s Book HERE: The Magic of Yes: Embrace the Wise Woman Within (Link in show notes)
• 30 Days of Doable Dares— Free resource to help you take inventory of where you are and where you want to go
• Join the Dare On™ Membership Community

🔗 Connect with Lori Pappas:

• Website HERE

🎧 Subscribe & Review:

Love what you’re hearing? Be sure to follow Beyond Empty Nest and leave a review. Your words help more midlife women discover the courage to dare into their next chapter.

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

Feel like your kids are growing distant — and you're not sure how to reach them anymore? In this episode, Jodi chats with Tammy Cohen, author of Text Messages to My Sons, about how a simple daily practice of texting transformed her relationships with her adult children.

Whether you’re navigating empty nest grief, disconnection, or just want to feel closer to the people who matter most, this conversation will inspire you to rethink how you use your phone — and how you define connection.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why sending “just because” texts (with no expectation) can deepen emotional bonds
• How to use mobile devices to connect meaningfully — not just logistically
• The ripple effect of consistent connection and gratitude
• Why it’s never too late to start building (or rebuilding) relationships with your kids
• How Tammy’s journey through personal growth and cancer shaped her parenting and purpose

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• 📘 Grab Tammy’s Book: Text Messages to My Sons on Amazon
• 💌 Free Resource: 5 Dares for Connection & Wellbeing
• 💖 Learn about the Dare On™ Membership Community: Join here

📲 Follow Jodi on Instagram: @jodi_silverman

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 you could feel grounded, present, and fully aligned with who you are—no matter what life throws your way?

In this episode of Beyond Empty Nest, I’m joined by Erin Keating, founder of Live Your Truth Journey, to explore how to connect with your personal power, define your values, and use them as a compass to create a life that feels deeply fulfilling.

Erin shares her own transformation from people-pleasing and living by others’ expectations to stepping into her authentic self. Along the way, she discovered that personal freedom—not just time or financial freedom—is the real key to happiness and fulfillment.

We discuss:

• What it really means to “live your truth”
• How to identify your core values (and why defining them matters)
• The role of vision in guiding your decisions
• How to say “yes” and “no” with confidence—and without guilt
• Why your personal guidance system makes decision-making easier
• Simple daily practices to help you stay present, centered, and grateful
• Erin’s dare for you: Live your truth every single day

This conversation is filled with practical tools, inspiring insights, and gentle reminders that you have the power to design your own path—starting now.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Connect with Erin → Live Your Truth Journey
• Download Erin’s Wisdom and Awareness Workbook
• Join the Dare On Membership Community → dareontowhatsnext.com/moms-who-double-dare

Moms Who Dare Facebook Group → Join 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 financial wellness had less to do with math and more to do with meaning?

In this empowering episode of Beyond Empty Nest, host Jodi Silverman sits down with Ramat Oyetunji, founder of The FI Woman, who retired at age 44 after a 20-year career in engineering. Ramat’s mission? Helping women align their finances with what they truly value so they can live with clarity, confidence, and choice.

Together they explore:

• How Ramat planned her early retirement—and how you can build your own roadmap
• Why financial clarity is the foundation for bold midlife living
• The critical reasons women must build financial security
• What “financial wellness” really means (hint: it’s not about the amount in your bank account)
• The mindset shifts needed to stop “should-ing” yourself about money
  
  

If you’ve ever said, “I’m not good with money,” this conversation will change that narrative—and maybe your life.

Resources Mentioned:

• 🧠 Ramat’s guided journal: The Selfish Guide to Financial Wellness
• Clean up your self-talk and get rid of those old stories with Jodi’s  7-Day Mini Reset 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

Are you secretly exhausted from always saying “yes”? Do you find yourself doing things for everyone else, while your own dreams sit on the back burner?
 This week on Beyond Empty Nest, I’m talking with leadership coach and community builder Jessi Sheridan about the real cost of people pleasing—and how setting healthy boundaries can help you design a life you truly love.

Jessi’s story will inspire you to ask the big questions, get crystal clear on your values, and create a vision for your days that leaves you feeling fulfilled, not depleted. We cover:

• Jessi’s journey from working with college women to leading a thriving women’s community
• How a single "What impact do I want to make?" question changed her life
• Why identifying your top values is the key to healthy boundaries
• Practical ways to say “no” without guilt
• How to recognize when you’re people pleasing—and what to do about it
• The surprising link between boundaries and stronger relationships
• Jessi’s dare for you: put yourself first every single day

This conversation is your permission slip to stop overcommitting, ditch the guilt, and start intentionally designing a life you love.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Connect with Jessi Sheridan → habitualleadership.com
• Join the Dare On Membership Community → dareontowhatsnext.com/moms-who-double-dare
• Free Resource: 5 Dares for Connection and Well-Being
• Moms Who Dare Facebook Group → Join 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

Is your marriage thriving—or just surviving? When the kids leave and the house falls quiet, many couples find themselves at a crossroad. In this honest, hopeful, and eye-opening episode of Beyond Empty Nest, Jodi Silverman is joined by marriage and family therapist Dr. Becky Wetstone, who brings a powerful blend of clinical expertise and personal wisdom.

Together, they dive into:

• The surprising traits that predict a lasting, happy marriage
• The silent habits that slowly destroy connection
• How to navigate power struggles over money, location, and lifestyle
• Why checking in with your spouse might be the game-changer you didn’t know you needed
• What to do if you're feeling lonely, even while together

Dr. Becky also shares her own unexpected journey—from stay-at-home mom to advice columnist to therapist—and the pivotal moments that shaped her passion for helping couples in crisis.

Whether your marriage feels strong or strained, this episode is your reminder that it’s never too late to turn toward each other.

Resources Mentioned:

• 🛑 Dr. Becky’s book: I Think I Want Out – What To Do When One of You Wants to End the Marriage
• 💬 Take the first step: Join the Dare On Membership Community

✨ Say hi: Come connect in the Moms Who Dare Facebook Group

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

You’ve heard the phrase “it takes a village,” right? Well, midlife takes a team—and in this powerful panel episode, Jodi Silverman brings together four specialists to guide you through the essential conversations and planning needed as you navigate aging, caregiving, and your own wellness.

If you’ve ever wondered how to support aging parents, how to prepare for your own next chapter, or how to avoid chaos when a crisis hits—this one’s a must-listen.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The 3 overlooked parts of a real aging plan (hint: it’s not just about a will)
• Why more women need to get familiar with their finances now
• How to approach difficult conversations with aging parents (without drama)
• What a care manager is—and how they can take 1,000 things off your plate
• Real talk on independence, boundaries, and what “help” really looks like

Whether you’re the go-to daughter, an overwhelmed caregiver, or simply thinking, “I should probably figure this out…”—this conversation gives you the clarity and tools to start now.

Meet the Panel: 

• Felicia Greenfield, LCSW – Private therapist and former Penn Memory Center clinician https://www.feliciagreenfieldtherapy.com/
• Elizabeth Dunleavy, MSW, CMC – Lead Care Manager at Kith Eldercare
• Bode Hennegan – Aging-in-Place Specialist & Founder of Life Managers & Associates
• Rebecca Thompson, CFP® – Financial Advisor for Women in Transition & Widowhood

🔗 Resources:
You don’t want to do this chapter alone. That’s why I’ve created a community for midwife women to gather, connect and grow together.  Check it out HERE

Want to see your Happiness Score?  Take our Quiz Here.

Subscribe & Review:
Love what you're hearing? Leave a review wherever you listen! Your words help other women discover the support, inspiration, and connection they’re craving right now. 💬💕

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