What if everything you do for your family—every task, every decision, every emotional and mental ounce of energy—was being carried by you without recognition? And what if this constant mental load was affecting not just your relationships but your own well-being? In today’s episode of Beyond Empty Nest, we’re diving into a powerful conversation about the invisible mental load of motherhood, its impact on our mental health, and how we can start lightening the load.

Dr. Toni Warner, a licensed psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience, shares her expertise on how past experiences shape our approach to motherhood and how women, especially in midlife, can learn to lighten the mental load.

She shares powerful insights on how to share the load, prioritize self-care, and regain balance. Tune in to hear Dr. Toni's expert advice and find out how you can take back control and ease the weight of motherhood. Don’t miss it!

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

Recognize ONE tendency where you fall on the more extreme(behavior), and ask…

1. Is this working for me right now? If yes, great.  If NO then move to #2
2. What is ONE small thing I could try differently?

🤗 Take Jodi's Happiness Quiz and increase your level of happiness!

Resources Referenced

• RESET Book
• Podcast
• EBook - Get Discount using code JODIDARES
• Free Intentional Scheduler

About Dr. Toni

Dr. Toni Warner is a licensed psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and professionals in diverse settings. As the founder of Authentically Me Psychotherapy, she specializes in complex relational trauma, anxiety and parenting support, using innovative methods like Brainspotting and psycho-somatic approaches. Through Bold & Balanced, her sister company, Dr. Toni offers mental health mentorship and education for organizations and high-achievers. A bestselling author of The Reset, she’s been featured on news media like FOX and ABC. As a mom of five and mental health advocate, Dr. Toni blends personal passion with professional expertise to help fellow parents and leaders merge high achievement with healing in a way that changes our relationships, our systems and our world for better, healthier lives.

Connect With Dr. Toni

Website | Bold & Balanced Coaching Website

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

You know when everyone in your life seems to have a place to belong except you?

Your kids have their lives. Your spouse has their routines. Your friends are busy.

And somehow you've become the woman holding everything together while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself.

That's why we created the Dare On Retreat.  CLICK HERE  USE CODE: JODIBIRTHDAY60 FOR 20% OFF REGISTRATION

DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.

🌿 What if something as simple as a scent could ease perimenopause symptoms, boost your confidence, and even strengthen connections with other women in midlife?

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Kim Benoy—retired RN, Certified Aromatherapist, and host of the Midlife with Courage Podcast. Kim’s mission is to help women over 40 recognize their beauty, value, and worth. We dive into how essential oils can support you through perimenopause symptoms, how they can be used to uplift and connect with other women in midlife, and why recognizing your own value as you age is more important than ever. Kim shares how plant-based oils can be a powerful tool for both physical and emotional well-being as we navigate the changes of midlife.

Take a deep breath, settle in, and let’s explore the power of essential oils and the strength of midlife women!

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

• Question something you’re doing automatically.
• 🤗 Take Jodi's Happiness Quiz and increase your level of happiness!

About Kim

Kim Benoy is a retired RN, Certified Aromatherapist, wife and mom who is passionate about inspiring and encouraging women over 40. She wants you to see your own beauty, value and worth through sharing stories of other women just like you.

Connect With Kim

Website | Facebook | Podcast

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

You know when everyone in your life seems to have a place to belong except you?

Your kids have their lives. Your spouse has their routines. Your friends are busy.

And somehow you've become the woman holding everything together while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself.

That's why we created the Dare On Retreat.  CLICK HERE  USE CODE: JODIBIRTHDAY60 FOR 20% OFF REGISTRATION

DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.

Ready to reinvent your life after 40? Erin Keating’s journey is proof that it’s never too late to make a bold change. She shares how a wake-up call during a battle with COVID pneumonia pushed her to completely reimagine her life. From rethinking her career to navigating the challenges of menopause, Erin talks about the power of embracing the truth and breaking free from societal expectations.

She reveals how women often hide behind work, family, and obligations, only to find themselves stuck in the status quo. But when we start telling ourselves the truth, everything shifts. Erin’s story is a raw, empowering reminder that it’s never too late to embrace freedom, self-determination, and reinvention.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about life after 40!

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

Stop pretending. Take a hard look at the small places in your life where you’re overriding your own thoughts and feelings. If you're faking it, whether it’s pretending to love your job, your relationship, or even your mother-in-law, it's time to get honest with yourself. 

Resources Referenced

• Hotter Than Ever Podcast

About Erin

Erin Keating makes hot stuff for women over forty. She is the founder of Hotter Than Ever, a media company that empowers and lights up the lives of women over forty, and Host of the Hotter Than Ever Podcast.  Her company’s mission is to create programming that liberates women to break the unconscious rules they’ve been following to become freer, happier, sexier, and more self-expressed in the second half of their lives.  Erin spent 20 years in the media business as a television and mobile content executive, making Emmy and Peabody Award-winning shows for platforms like IFC TV and Snapchat before turning her attention to her own underserved demographic.

Connect With Erin

Website Facebook Instagram

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🌟Featured Resource:  30 Days of Doable Dares

• Unlock Your Confidence in Just 30 Days!

No more second-guessing or feeling stuck. Each dare is designed to build your confidence, boost your clarity, create connection and inspire action. Click here!

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

You know when everyone in your life seems to have a place to belong except you?

Your kids have their lives. Your spouse has their routines. Your friends are busy.

And somehow you've become the woman holding everything together while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself.

That's why we created the Dare On Retreat.  CLICK HERE  USE CODE: JODIBIRTHDAY60 FOR 20% OFF REGISTRATION

DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.

Ever look around and feel like your life is drowning in clutter? Not just the stuff you can see, but the mental clutter too? If you're nodding along, you're not alone! In today’s episode, we're diving deep into the world of organization with expert Janet Bernstein, and trust me, you won’t want to miss this one.

Janet Bernstein is the founder of The Organizing Professionals, the largest team of professional organizers and move managers in Philadelphia. She’s helped thousands of clients—many of them navigating big life transitions like empty nests and career shifts—bring clarity, purpose, and joy into their homes and lives.

Janet shares how procrastination, unrealistic expectations, perfectionism, and overwhelm prevent progress, while offering strategies for breaking tasks into manageable steps, adjusting your mindset, and planning ahead to create lasting organizational success.

Ready to take control and get organized? Listen now to discover how to reclaim your space—and your life!

👉 Tune in now and start your organizing journey!

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

• Dare to take that first step toward something you've never done before. Don’t be overwhelmed by the big picture—start small. 

🌟Featured Resource:  30 Days of Doable Dares

• Unlock Your Confidence in Just 30 Days!

No more second-guessing or feeling stuck. Each dare is designed to build your confidence, boost your clarity, create connection and inspire action.  Click here!

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About Janet

British born Janet Bernstein is the owner of The Organizing Professionals, Philadelphia's largest team of professional organizers and move managers. The Organizing Professionals are three-time winners of Philadelphia magazine's Best of Philly and have been voted Best of the Main Line for the last six years. Bernstein graduated from The University of Pennsylvania, has lived on five countries on three continents and speaks, English, French, and rusty Russian!

Connect With Janet

Website Facebook Instagram

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

You know when everyone in your life seems to have a place to belong except you?

Your kids have their lives. Your spouse has their routines. Your friends are busy.

And somehow you've become the woman holding everything together while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself.

That's why we created the Dare On Retreat.  CLICK HERE  USE CODE: JODIBIRTHDAY60 FOR 20% OFF REGISTRATION

DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.

In this special 100th episode, we dive deep into the empowering mantra of "Dare On." This phrase holds the power to transform lives—if you truly embrace it. It can inspire you to reignite your dreams, confront the fears holding you back, and push through challenges.

Join us for a conversation with an extraordinary panel of women who have dared to live beyond their comfort zones. Each of these women has stepped into lives filled with purpose, meaning, and community. They’ve confronted their fears, reignited their dreams, and discovered what truly makes life fulfilling.

Throughout this episode, you’ll hear powerful stories of how each of these women has Dared On, along with actionable tips and strategies to help you get unstuck, find clarity, and take your first steps toward your own dreams.

Remember, daring on isn’t just a moment of courage—it’s about creating a life that reflects your truest self, where purpose-driven action, meaningful relationships, and community take center stage every day. Featured guests include:

• Melissa Davey – Documentary filmmaker, former corporate executive, and director of the award-winning films Beyond 60 and Climbing Into Life. Melissa shares her journey of reinventing herself at age 65 and how she is inspiring women of all ages to dare on. Connect with Melissa.
• Beth Allen – Founder of DIY Hip Chicks, author, contractor, and nurse. Beth empowers women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take on homeownership and DIY projects. She discusses her mission to give women the tools to boldly go after what they want. Connect with Beth.
• Cheldin Barlatt Rumer – CEO and executive producer of the ISIT Network, a global, female, minority-owned digital streaming platform. Den is a personal branding expert and author of Scream Your Dream. She shares how she’s helping women build personal brands and overcome self-doubt to go after their dreams. Connect with Cheldin.

Resources Referenced

• Moms Who Dare Group
• Beyond 60
• Scream Your Dream
• DIY HIPchicks

Your Dares of the Week ❤️

• Dare to take detours with your eyes wide open.
• Dare to build emotional security by starting a relationship with your home.
• Dare to ask.
• Dare to connect and share.

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🌟Featured Resource:  30 Days of Doable Dares

• Unlock Your Confidence in Just 30 Days!

No more second-guessing or feeling stuck. Each dare is designed to build your confidence, boost your clarity, create connection and inspire action. Click here!

*****************************************************************************************

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

You know when everyone in your life seems to have a place to belong except you?

Your kids have their lives. Your spouse has their routines. Your friends are busy.

And somehow you've become the woman holding everything together while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself.

That's why we created the Dare On Retreat.  CLICK HERE  USE CODE: JODIBIRTHDAY60 FOR 20% OFF REGISTRATION

DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.

Ever find yourself in that weird "in-between" phase where life feels like it’s on pause and you’re wondering, What now? Whether your kids have flown the nest, your career is shifting, or life’s simply thrown you a curveball, we’ve all been there. The blank slate is both daunting and full of possibility—but how do you turn that stuck feeling into your breakthrough moment?

Today we’re diving into how to flip the script and turn those uncertain moments into your next big move. If you’ve ever felt like you were just going through the motions, today’s conversation will be a game-changer. 

Dr. Rebecca Sutherns has helped countless high-achieving women break through life’s most challenging transitions—empty nests, career shifts, and everything in between. Using her powerful ELASTIC method, she’ll show you how to stretch into the next chapter of life without snapping (or snapping back!). It's time to align your values with your actions, discover new clarity, and step into a future you’re actually excited about.

If you’re ready to turn your stuck phase into something extraordinary, this episode will teach you how to master flexibility and structure in midlife, embrace the empty nest as your most exciting chapter yet, and transform the future you’re dreading into a future you’re eager to love.

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

• Dare to Experiment - Try something new that either scares you a bit or that you’re not particularly good at.

🌟Featured Resource:  30 Days of Doable Dares

• Unlock Your Confidence in Just 30 Days!

No more second-guessing or feeling stuck. Each dare is designed to build your confidence, boost your clarity, create connection and inspire action.  Click here!

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Resources Referenced

• Quiz & Book
• Book Club

About Rebecca

Dr. Rebecca Sutherns is an author and Midlife Transition Coach, helping high-achieving women navigate life’s toughest transitions—whether due to career shifts, empty nests, or other personal challenges. She gives her clients clarity, energy, and confidence by aligning their values with their actions. Using her ELASTIC method, she helps women stretch into the next phase of life without snapping (or snapping back).

Connect With Rebecca
Website Instagram

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

You know when everyone in your life seems to have a place to belong except you?

Your kids have their lives. Your spouse has their routines. Your friends are busy.

And somehow you've become the woman holding everything together while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself.

That's why we created the Dare On Retreat.  CLICK HERE  USE CODE: JODIBIRTHDAY60 FOR 20% OFF REGISTRATION

DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.

Navigating illness as a woman comes with unique challenges that go beyond physical health. Rebecca Bloom, a workplace and insurance benefits advocate, sheds light on the complexities women face when dealing with healthcare systems, workplace barriers, and unforeseen financial burdens. As an advocate with Bay Area Cancer Connections, Rebecca supports women across the country in getting the care and resources they need, all while preparing to launch her book, When Women Get Sick, in 2025. 

This conversation reveals why women are often underrepresented in medical research, why they face delayed diagnoses, and how societal factors contribute to an uphill battle when advocating for their health. From understanding the red tape of insurance and medical bills to managing the emotional toll of illness, Rebecca provides invaluable insights and strategies to help women stay empowered and supported during their health journeys.

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

Rebecca dares you to value yourself, to be proactive enough to really think about what you would do on a health journey before you have to.

About Rebecca

Rebecca Bloom is a Yale College and New York University School of Law educated patient, workplace and insurance and benefits advocate for the clients of Bay Area Cancer Connections in the San Francisco Bay Area and supports women around the country as they navigate their health journeys. Her book, When Women Get Sick: An Empowering Approach for Getting the Support You Need, will be published in July 2025 by Broadleaf Books. 

Connect With Rebecca

• Website   LinkedIn   Instagram

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🌟Featured Resource:  Self-Talk Clean Up 7 Day Mini Reset

• Click HERE to get started!

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

You know when everyone in your life seems to have a place to belong except you?

Your kids have their lives. Your spouse has their routines. Your friends are busy.

And somehow you've become the woman holding everything together while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself.

That's why we created the Dare On Retreat.  CLICK HERE  USE CODE: JODIBIRTHDAY60 FOR 20% OFF REGISTRATION

DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.

Life’s roller coaster never stops, but what if your routines could help you ride the waves instead of feeling tossed around by them? It’s time to say goodbye to quick fixes and crash diets. Instead, let's talk about building habits that not only stick but support you through life’s ups and downs. If you’ve ever found yourself feeling like you’re starting over each time life gets tough, this conversation is for you.

Karen Del Maestro—health coach, breast cancer survivor, and expert in resilient routines—joins us to share how she transformed her own health journey after a breast cancer diagnosis, and how she now helps others build routines that can withstand the stresses of daily life. With over 20 years in the health and wellness field, Karen’s approach is simple: resilient habits are built on consistency, not perfection.

Karen shares actionable tips that’ll help you stop the cycle of dieting and start building sustainable habits that support the life you want to live. Forget the quick fixes—let’s focus on the long-term, and together, we’ll build habits that truly last.

It’s all about progress, consistency, and allowing room for life’s imperfections. 

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

Add a habit stack into your daily routine. The idea is to pair a new habit you want to build—like drinking more water, exercising, or meditating—with an existing habit you already do each day, like making coffee or brushing your teeth

🌟Featured Resource:  Self-Talk Clean Up 7 Day Mini Challenge

• Click HERE to get started!

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Resources Referenced

• CHECKLIST: 7 Simple Steps to Start Eating Healthier After Breast Cancer

About Karin

Karin Del Maestro is a Health Coach, Breast Cancer Thriver & Resilient Routines Expert and has been working in the health and wellness fields for 20+ years. But, it was after her own Breast Cancer and BRCA2 diagnosis in 2018 that Karin realized she was uniquely qualified to support breast cancer survivors, helping them learn the art of building eating habits that withstand the roller coaster of life, stress, fatigue, even chocolate cravings, so that they can build an unshakeable healthy foundation, and it doesn’t have to be hard!=

Connect With Karin

• Website   Youtube   Instagram

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

You know when everyone in your life seems to have a place to belong except you?

Your kids have their lives. Your spouse has their routines. Your friends are busy.

And somehow you've become the woman holding everything together while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself.

That's why we created the Dare On Retreat.  CLICK HERE  USE CODE: JODIBIRTHDAY60 FOR 20% OFF REGISTRATION

DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.

What if the end of one chapter is actually the start of something way better? On today’s episode of Beyond Empty Nest, we’re talking about thriving as a divorced empty nester—and trust me, it’s not all doom and gloom! In fact, it’s about embracing new opportunities, stepping out of your comfort zone, and making this next chapter your most exciting one yet.

My guest today is living proof that a fresh start can lead to incredible things. Susan Cooper, the owner of Gabrielle, a high-end special occasion boutique in Bala Cynwyd, PA, is a woman who turned life after divorce into an adventure—building new friendships, planning epic monthly events, and saying “yes” to life in ways she never expected.

If you’ve ever wondered what life after divorce and an empty nest can look like, this episode will inspire you to take that first step toward living a life filled with joy, adventure, and endless possibilities.

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

• Practice giving yourself Grace by recognizing all the good you do. Write down 3 things you do or did well each day.
• 🌟Featured Resource:  Self-Talk Clean Up 7 Day Mini Challenge
  Click HERE to get started!
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Resources Referenced: Join me in Bala Cynwyd!

• Pilates Class at Gabrielle on March 23rd

About Susan

Susan Cooper is the owner of Gabrielle, a high-end special occasion boutique located in Bala Cynwyd, PA, which she opened in 2007. Before venturing into the world of fashion, she practiced law for 9 years. A proud mother of three amazing adult children, Susan enjoys running, traveling, and playing pickleball when she's not busy running her boutique.

Connect With Susan
Website Instagram Facebook

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

You know when everyone in your life seems to have a place to belong except you?

Your kids have their lives. Your spouse has their routines. Your friends are busy.

And somehow you've become the woman holding everything together while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself.

That's why we created the Dare On Retreat.  CLICK HERE  USE CODE: JODIBIRTHDAY60 FOR 20% OFF REGISTRATION

DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.

When the kids leave the nest, many couples find themselves facing an unexpected challenge: rediscovering their relationship. Jill Savage, author of Empty Nest, Full Life and marriage expert, shares her insights on the hidden gaps that often appear in midlife marriages, particularly during the transition to an empty nest. As couples navigate this new chapter, they can feel disconnected, emotionally distant, and even lost in the face of years of focusing on parenting. Jill discusses how these emotional gaps form and offers practical advice on rebuilding intimacy and communication.

Jill shares candidly about her own journey, from facing disillusionment and unrealistic expectations in her marriage to rebuilding it stronger after a difficult crisis. Through this conversation, she highlights the importance of adjusting expectations, nurturing emotional connection, and improving communication—tools that can help couples reconnect and heal. If you’re in a midlife marriage or approaching the empty nest years, this episode will leave you with valuable insights for reigniting your relationship and creating a stronger, more fulfilling bond with your partner.

Your Dare for the Week ❤️

Move the magnifying glass: For one month focus on what is good about your spouse, what you are grateful for and notice how you begin to feel in your heart.

🌟Featured Resource:  Self-Talk Clean Up 7 Day Mini Reset

• Click HERE to get started!

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Resources Referenced

• Empty Nest, Full Life 
• Adina Tovell Episode
• Marriage Crash Course

About Jill

Jill Savage is an author and speaker who is passionate about encouraging families. She is the author or co-author of fourteen books including her most recent release, Empty Nest Full Life. Jill is the founder of Hearts at Home, an organization that encouraged moms from 1994-2017. Jill and her husband, Mark, have five children, three who are married, and eight grandchildren. They make their home in Normal, Illinois.

Connect With Jill

• Website   Podcast   Instagram

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

You know when everyone in your life seems to have a place to belong except you?

Your kids have their lives. Your spouse has their routines. Your friends are busy.

And somehow you've become the woman holding everything together while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself.

That's why we created the Dare On Retreat.  CLICK HERE  USE CODE: JODIBIRTHDAY60 FOR 20% OFF REGISTRATION

DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.