Dear Midlife...

We’ve all been there...looking a monumental birthday strait in the eyes thinking, “Yeah, no thanks. Hard pass on the balloons and forced cheer.” That’s exactly where our guest, Stephanie McLaughlin, found herself — staring down 40 and realizing she was in no mood for some cookie-cutter party.

So, instead of throwing some cliché party for her 40th birthday, she launched her Forty Drinks Project — 40 drinks, 40 people, 40 places. No deadlines, no pressure, just Stephanie reconnecting with people who’d been part of her wild ride through life. Think of it as her own sassy spin on that old TV show “This Is Your Life” — except with fewer cringey moments and way more real talk. What started as a boozy adventure turned into a year-long transformation. Conversations...reconnections...truths she didn’t even know she needed. And by the end? Her life had done a total 180. Every conversation, every reconnection peeled back layers she didn’t even know were there. She didn’t just mark her 40th; she redefined it.

Stephanie turned 40 into a damn midlife awakening. What were her revelations, you ask? She realized that in our 20s and 30s, we shrink, we defer, we ignore our gut feelings. But when the midlife awakening hits (around 40-ish), your intuition starts knocking. If you try to ignore it, it’ll go from a gentle tap to a full-on, no-holds-barred smackdown until you finally get the message. And that message? Baby girl..It’s all about trusting yourself.

Yes, it’s uncomfortable. Yes, it’s scary. But here’s the truth bomb: your instincts are your personal GPS, and they don’t need validation from anyone else. Following them might lead you down paths you’ve never seen before — but that’s where the magic happens.

Today, she’s spilling the tea (or maybe the martini) on how this project woke her up to the power of midlife transitions. We’ll talk about how embracing your intuition and shaking off those old “shoulds” can lead to breakdowns, breakthroughs, or — if you're lucky — a little of both.

So grab your drink of choice and get ready, because Stephanie’s about to show us how to navigate midlife with challenge and cheer and, maybe, change your life in the process.

In this episode, Stephanie teaches

1. The midlife transition marks a shift from relying on advice from external sources — friends, family, media, and mentors — to embracing our own internal wisdom, experience, and intuition to guide our decisions and shape our lives.
2. We close off parts of ourselves in our 20s and 30s to defer to these external messages. Part of the midlife awakening is starting to listen to what bubbles up in our own intuition.
3. It is a process. We need to tune into ourselves and we need to start weighing the "shoulds" with what our bodies, internal "information systems" and intuition are telling us is right for US.
4. If you don't wake up and stop paying attention to the external voices, our own internal voice will come with a whisper and get louder until it hits you with full force with a message that cannot be mistaken. And when you learn to listen to your instincts, they will never steer you wrong.
5. There's bravery that comes with following your instincts because they will take you down a path that you've not been down before and that feels uncomfortable

To follow Stephanie:

Website | fortydrinks.com

Instagram | @fortydrinks

Here's the deal, ladies. We all have those moments in life when we look in the mirror and wonder who is that woman staring back at me. We all lose ourselves sometimes. But, in those moments...like Stephanie...we can make a choice. We can allow us to let life get us down OR we can lean into the discomfort, make new choices and transform our lives....what path will you choose? If you want to forge a new life for yourself, you don't have to do it alone. Follow us on Facebook and find us on Instagram. Let's transform our lives together. Cheers to that! 🍸

Ladies! Gather around because today we’re throwing it back and diving deep into the cosmos. Remember the thrill of flipping through the glossy pages of Teen Magazine, Tiger Beat, or Seventeen? Oh yes, those paper relics (pre-digital takeover, IYKYK). I don't know about you, but it was a sacred ritual of mine to check my horoscope to see if the stars had finally aligned for that hot crush to NOTICE me. Cute then, but let’s be real — we didn’t know astrology’s true power.

Well, buckle up, because our guest today, Suzanne Gerber, is here to drop some serious cosmic truth bombs. Suzanne isn’t just dabbling in stardust — she’s a classically trained modern astrological counselor who knows how to make the stars make sense. Her own journey started young, with an Ouija board session that revealed her late grandmother’s Hebrew name. (Talk about mystical origins!)

And here’s the tea: If you’re in midlife and wondering why you feel a bit… stuck, lost, or like you’re just wandering around in a cosmic fog — it’s not just you. Enter: the planetary return of Chiron, aka the “wounded healer.” Suzanne teaches us that this powerful planetary return during midlife is stirring up all kinds of old wounds and patterns. But don’t panic! Because, just like we’d never leave the house for a big event without checking ourselves in the mirror first (lashes on point, outfit on fire), astrology is our soul's mirror. It reflects the shifts, changes, and possibilities in our lives — and then we get to decide how to navigate them.

Think of it this way: Every movie boils down to 9 main plots, but the details make each story unique. Your life? Same deal. The planets may set the stage, but Suzanne shows us how to finesse the script, embrace our journey, and own our midlife magic.

In this episode, Suzanne teaches us that:

1. Modern day astrology focuses on the intersection of the acceptance of the immortality of the human soul and our psyche to provide guidance on how to best navigate our present day challenges. 
2. Astrology doesn't make us do things. Instead, view it as a "drop down" menu on a website. It is a menu of options that we can choose from. It is the astrologists job to help you evaluate the choices by knowing who YOU are as an individual.
3. If you had a big event to go to, you wouldn't get dressed in the closet in the dark and walk out the door without ever looking in the mirror. Instead, you'd look in the mirror and make minor adjustments. Astrology can be that mirror in which your life is reflected so that you can make minor adjustments along the way.
4. Around midlife our lives are impacted by a celestial being known as Chiron that represents our deepest traumas and the healing of these wounds. Therefore it is no surprise that at this time in our lives we become reflective of these things. So, if you were born between 1968-69 thorough 1976-77, you may likely be experiencing this phenomenon.
5. If you know your sun sign (what you read about in your horoscope), your moon sign and your rising sign, this is a good place to start because it give you perspective on your natural tendencies. Suzanne likens astrology to movie plots...all movies can be boiled down to 9 (basic) plots...but, the details matter and make each movie unique. It is the same in life. While we all fall into one of these astrological signs, our how we each approach life is unique and different. Being aware of your tendencies or "default settings "and reflecting on how you approach life and being self-aware of what you want to do differently is how you can change your life and harness astrology to do so.

To find more of Suzanne:

Website | starsandstoneshealing.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.gerber

Instagram: @suzannegerberastrology

Go to asksuzanne.com to book complimentary call on her calendar

So, how are YOU going to choose to live your life? And, yes! I used the word "choose" with intention. Because your path in life IS a choice. Do you want to choose to remain stagnant and stuck? or do you CHOOSE to follow your dreams and create a life you love? We're here to back you up with a supportive girl gang that will never fail you! Find us on Facebook and Instagram and let's do life in the middle together. 

When the hell did it happen?! I mean, I think I'm a pretty friggen fun and FUNNY person. But, how easy is it to get caught up in the rat race and lose our spark? As women and mothers we shoulder so much! We juggle jobs, calendars (for ourselves, our partners, our kids), snack duty, home schooling (if that's your jam) laundry, life, doctors appointments, school lunches, I mean...the list goes on and ON...think about the duties and responsibilities of motherhood that you carry. But, here's the kicker, girls...these are the things that are sucking away our will to live and leaving us as depleted puddles in the corner unable to even speak. What is happening here? I mean-didn't we jump into motherhood with both feet because of the sheer and utter joy we expected to receive from these little humans that we grew inside of our bodies?! Because of the love we wanted to feel when only mommy can kiss that boo boo to make it all better or when your little looks deep into your eyes and says "I love you"? But, I don't know about you...when I look into the mirror it is not love and joy I see on my face. It is the stress and gray hair that comes with this under appreciated job!

So, HOW do we as mothers lose our joy? Why do we suddenly find ourselves overtaxed, under valued and hating life? What can we do to reclaim a small bit of that woman we once were...even among the chaos and constant pace that comes with motherhood?

Our guest today, Vanessa Wright, is here to help us jump off the carousel of craziness and find our FLOW. Vanessa is a published writer, certified life coach, and speaker. Her expertise centers around supporting midlife mothers in reclaiming their energy, joy, and creativity using her "FLOW" self-care method. She created this method in 2018 for herself, began sharing about it on Instagram—and it snowballed! FLOW stands for Feed your body, mind, and spirit; Love yourself and your season of life; Own your time and space; Weed out what's not working; and welcome something new. And let me tell you, ladies. It's not just for burned out mamas. If you are struggling, exhausted, and don't know who you are anymore, you can go with the FLOW too!

So, join us as we dive into the practice of creating a sustainable self-care practice because your life depends on it! Pedicures and hot baths will never be enough to wash away the stress and burdens that we as women hold ourselves accountable to. When you find your FLOW you will be better able to navigate midlife with confidence and grace.

In this episode, Vanessa teaches us:

1. To survive motherhood mayhem, find your FLOW: F = Feed your mind, body, and spirit, L = Love yourself, O = Own your time and space and W = Weed out what's not working and welcome something new.
2. You have 5 minutes every day. Take it and claim it for yourself.
3. When weeding out the commitments you've made to others (we're not talking laundry and dishes here, ladies) that are no longer serving you ask, "is this bringing creativity, energy or joy to your life?" If the answer is "no", you may want to consider removing this activity from your life.
4. Keep a joy journal by documenting one thing each day that brings you joy. Jot them down just before you go to bed each night. This will help you remain in the present and enjoy the small moments in the now.
5. Lean into the season of life. Focus on where you are today and do what you can now. Too many of us spend far too much time focusing on the maybe's or what if's of the future. Be present while slowly laying a foundation for the future. Ask yourself what do you need in THIS SEASON..for example, what you need to feel supported in the summer months when kids are home may be different from the spring. Evaluate where you are and adjust accordingly.

To find more of Vanessa:

Website | vanessanwright.com

Instagram | @vanessanwright

Vanessa's advice is life giving and that's what we're all about here on the Dear Midlife podcast. Because, you see, we know your life, your challenges, and your pain. We understand what it is like to feel stuck and stressed. We know what it is like to look in the mirror one day and not even recognize the woman who is staring back at you. But it doesn't have to be that way. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. We want you to become part of our tribe of strong women who will help to life you out of your despair and find a path forward in life with expert advice and tools that suite your unique needs. 

You know, I think I had a pretty idyllic upbringing. While my mother passed away when I was young, my father quickly remarried and he and my stepmother (who I call "mom") were tremendous role models and parents. They were both executives and taught me that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. My mother was a testament to what women can achieve when they challenge societal norms. My siblings and I were close. However, there was a high bar set in the family. I grew up feeling that I had to be perfect in order to be acknowledged or loved, leaving me feeling like I was "not enough". As a result, I've carried the need for perfectionism, hustle, and "performance" into my adulthood. We all have our stories, don't we? Sometimes these stories prevent us from living the life we are meant to because they breed imposter syndrome, fear, uncertainty, and doubt that we are capable or that we are enough. 

Our guest today, Alicia Farricielli, is here today to help us understand new tools and techniques to let go of our own inhibitions and to follow our intuition to find our future. Alicia is a Certified Life and Health Coach specializing in intuitive healing and personal empowerment. Her philosophy focuses on intuition, holistic wellbeing, and life balance, helping clients overcome limiting beliefs, embrace change, and unlock their potential. Through her own experiences of overcoming adversity and mastering life's complexities, Alicia brings empathy and profound insight to her coaching, to aid individuals in their quest for self-discovery and freedom from insecurity, anxiety, and burnout. Committed to nurturing inner strength and equilibrium, Alicia stands as a pillar of support and motivation for those on the path to authenticity, growth, and a harmoniously empowered existence. Alicia is also the host of The Intuitive Revolution Podcast. 

As a holistic coach and healer, Alicia believes that within each of us lies an untapped wellspring of power, often hidden beneath layers of past hurts and self-doubt. Her mission is to help her clients peel back these layers. She guides her clients to gently explore their inner childhood wounds to release old patterns and reclaim the vibrant essence of who they truly are.

In today's episode, she helps us learn to reframe the perspectives that once held us back. What seem like insurmountable obstacles will become stepping stones on your path to growth. This journey isn't just mental; it's energetic and spiritual too. As a Reiki Master and energy practitioner, she channels universal life force to clear blockages, balance your energy centers, and amplify your innate healing abilities.

Alicia has come to discover that this work is her calling. She revels at the fact that she gets to witness her clients transform from feeling trapped by circumstances to becoming the architects of their dreams.

And, listen, ladies. If you're ready to transcend the ordinary and craft a life that's magically and uniquely yours, we are here to walk that path with you. We started the Dear Midlife podcast because we were feeling stuck and lost. If this is you...it is time to take the steps to turn your wildest dreams into your lived reality.

⁠In this episode, Alicia teaches us:

1. Two thousand years ago, we trusted our intuition. As society evolved, we were conditioned to seek guidance from others—like influencers, media, or evangelists—over our own instincts. To live fully, we need to balance logic with intuition.
2. When learning to cultivate your intuition, start with the little things. Follow your intuition when deciding which route to travel to your destination, or when you decide what to wear, or what to eat. Ask yourself "what do I want?" and then go with the first thing that pops into your mind.
3. When you follow your intuition, you are surrendering to the result, no matter what! It may not be the result you were expecting, but it is (typically) what you NEED to experience in order to grow.
4. Each one of us has an inner child, a playful child that spurs our creativity or a wounded child, who's trauma can create a mental narrative that makes it hard to break free and break through our own limiting beliefs. In order to heal from these childhood wounds, we have to go back to that time and look inside of ourselves. We can examine what happened, how did it make us feel, what is the resulting story that we've carried with us into adulthood and start to ask yourself if this story is true and start to forgive and release our victimization to that story. Then, and only then, can we heal our inner child to help them feel loved and safe again.
5. Embrace the messy parts of yourself and life. Life IS messy and you cannot avoid its ups and downs. It is in this space where growth happens. Use meditation and breath work to calm your nervous system to handle and gain clarity on life's challenges.

To find more of Alicia:

Website: https://www.aliciafarricielli.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/alicia_farricielli/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRJ8Sol2nPin0bvP8D7T_nQ

Retreats: https://elevateoasisretreats.com

And listen, we're all about growth. We WANT to be there to support you through all the messiness of life on your journey to becoming the best version of you. We are striving to do this with toolkits that will empower you to heal and find yourself, with expert advice and a tribe of badass women to support you along the way. So, find us on Facebook and join us on Instagram. Let's do life together...right here in the middle.

You know, in 2016, I got divorced and left a toxic relationship in which I was so busy accommodating the needs of everyone else, I really lost who I was. So, at the encouragement of a friend I picked up a book called "The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elrod, which advocates 6 new habits that highly successful people do, one of which is journaling. And if you've gotten to know me by now, you know when I decide to do something, I'm ALL IN. So, I adopt this new habit of getting up earlier in the morning and go through the practices in the book and really found the journaling piece therapeutic. Before I knew it, I was journaling in longer increments of time each day 15 minutes became 30 and even 45 minutes sometimes. It helped me to heal. I identified patterns that I wanted to let go of. I identified goals I wanted to work towards and held myself accountable to achieving them. It was an amazing practice that helped me heal in so many ways AND it truly helped me to reflect and remember who I was...that woman that had been so lost.

Our guest today, Jessa Frances, also found healing in the power of the pen and uses a signature memoir writing program that helps people holistically work their way from past to present to future. Through the program, they are able to recognize their patterns and their limiting beliefs where they stemmed from and to finally process them and release them with self-awareness self forgiveness and self-love.

Jessa is a badass and is not only a holistic writing coach, but also a USAF veteran, a black belt in tae-kwon-do and a trauma informed yoga instructor. In this episode, she helps us to understand that our story is our roadmap to finding our purpose and meaning in life by finding our selves! You are the open book. Get curious not judgmental and discover yourself.

She runs an incredible holistic community membership called "The Empowered Path" that supports people in overcoming their past, becoming present in the now, and feeling confident, aligned, and empowered. She uses her gifts of writing, yoga, mindfulness, and meditation to help her clients rewire their own neuropathways for healing.

In this episode, Jessa teaches us:

1. A memoir is a theme-based story about You. To truly write your memoir, interview others who know you well, family members with whom you've lived and grown up. Reflect on old photographs to draw the memories forward and in this space, learn to love yourself again OR uncover the secret to what is holding you back.
2. Using writing as a technique for healing is so powerful because it pulls memories and emotion from your limbic and using the logical brain (the prefrontal cortex) to make sense of these emotions and memories.
3. By combining writing and encouraging her clients to REwrite their story and acknowledge the trauma, using mindfulness to rewire neuropathways, and yoga to process the trauma through your body, you can find a new way to think and feel.
4. When you are feeling a certain way (blame, shame, anger) dig in and ask yourself "why" you're feeling that way and keep asking why like that 3 year old child until you can find the shadow side of why you feel this way. Then see if you can reframe those thoughts.
5. If there is anything you MUST do for self-care, it is nervous system regulation. Because when we take care of our nervous system, we also are taking care of our digestive system, our heart rate variability, our lymphatic system, our immunity...because this puts us into a place where we are operating in our parasympathetic nervous system. When we operate in fight and flight mode...it has a profound impact on our overall health. One way to do this is through breath work.

To find more of Jessa:

Website | Unintoxicated.world or jessafrances.net

Instagram | @jessafrances

If you are feeling stuck in the same old patterns and are struggling to envision a future for yourself where you are clear on the path forward...follow us. So many women in midlife are just like us, trying to remember who they were and figure out who in the hell they want to become. If this is you...join our tribe of badass women to find out what you are made of. Follow us on Instagram and find us on Facebook and let's do midlife together.

This year has been a real year of transition for me and i’m feeling the weight of midlife more than ever. I don’t know about you, but i often find myself living in a space of discontent or negativity. And then I shame myself for feeling this way and end up in a shame spiral because that’s NOT who I am or the way that I want to show up in the world but, I am, admittedly, having a hard time digging myself out.

That's why I found the conversation with our guest today, Christina Smith, so refreshing and it has given me a new way to approach life that is so simple, yet transformative. Instead of asking ourselves what we want in midlife (you know...the house, the perfect relationship, the dream job), Christina, instead, encourages us to ask ourselves how we want to feel. Because, you see, if we approach life from this perspective it makes it easier to align or lives with these intentions. It provides us a frame of reference in how we show up to life.

Christina is a life coach specializing in confidence and self-love in midlife so that women can finally truly like themselves and how they show up for themselves and their relationships, their jobs, and their lives. She's helped people move through tough transitions in coaching and with her book, Inviting Shift. Her focus is on helping women to empower themselves so they can make their second half of life the best half by dropping the people-pleasing and perfection and stepping into desire, authenticity and joy.

Christina is also the host of The Inviting Shift Podcast - a place for midlife women to embrace their uniqueness and truth with confidence. Her mission is to help women reinvent midlife so we can revolutionize how we see aging and ourselves as we age. She encourages people to be more gentle with their humanness so they can truly shine the way they choose to without gratitude lists or toxic positivity.

If you're struggling with midlife...

1. Midlife is full of dizzying choices. Instead of asking yourself what you want to do ask yourself how you want it to feel. All the things on our proverbial vision boards are there because of the way they will make us “FEEL”
2. When we identify the way we want to feel or whar are our intentions (Christina’s feelings for the year are “Bold, Open, and Love)”, these things will guide you. You can use these feelings as a frame of reference and can align your choices with how you want to FEEL.
3. Knowing how we want to feel allows us to control what we can. We can’t control what happens around us in this world, and often judge ourselves by the things that happen that are out of our control. But we CAN control how we show up and from what emotional place we approach life. In this space, we can begin to self-validate by reflecting on moments when we show up in this chosen and authentic way.
4. If you want to be happy when you get there, to the place or “thing” you know will make you happy, you have to bring happy with you. You have to make choicOwn your time and spaes for your happiness every day, rather than waiting until that moment when you think you’ve arrived at your goal or vision.
5. Surviving is running away from. Thriving is about running TOWARDS something. However, our brains are trained for “safety” and survival and running away. The intentional words move us towards what we want. And focusing on these helps to build new neuropathways. So, ask yourself if something is unsafe OR uncomfortable. There is growth in the uncomfortable.

To find more of Christina:

Website | Christina-Smith.com

IG | @Christina_smith_xoxo

And if you are like us and struggling with all the ups and downs midlife has to dish out, join us on our journey to figure it all out. Follow this podcast and leave us a review. You can join our tribe of badass women on Facebook or Instagram.

Alright, ladies—let’s get real about our hair! Because if menopause has taught us anything, it’s that your hair can suddenly decide it’s not gonna play nice. I get it—I've been there, struggling to manage my own hair after a thyroid condition left it dry, brittle, and breaking off at the shoulders. My solution? Gorgeous extensions from my girl Tessa at Coco's Style Lounge in Lee’s Summit, Missouri! They give me life and make me feel like I’m rocking my 30s again. But sometimes I wonder, is there a better way to get that fabulous, full look without the extensions?

Enter today’s powerhouse guest: Angela Fields! Angela is an award-winning entrepreneur and Curl Restoration Coach whose story starts with a chemical burn disaster and ends with her creating a fragrance-free haircare empire that’s caught the attention of O Magazine and Black Enterprise. Angela’s on a mission to help us all navigate those tricky hair changes that hit with menopause and beyond. 

In this episode, Angela spills the secrets on haircare for women over 50, offering real solutions for thinning hair, changing curl patterns, and those pesky shrinking follicles. We’re talking products with humectants and moisturizers (applied on *soaking* wet hair!), understanding porosity, and knowing when it’s time to switch up our routine. She even has tips for tracking shed hair (yes, grab your phone camera) and insights on alopecia, which affects so many women but has solutions once you know what you’re dealing with.

Angela’s passion, energy, and insane knowledge will have you feeling empowered to take your hair health into your own hands—no extensions required. Ready to reclaim your crown and feel fabulous in every way? Hit play, and let’s dive in!

In this episode, Angela teaches us

1. Hormonal shifts in menopause have an impact on our hair. They can change the texture and curl pattern of our hair. and even the follicle is getting smaller causing our hair to thin it may take a change in products to repair the damage
2. Using products with humectines and moisturizerrizers is imprative and they must be applied to soaking wet hair when the hair cuticle is lifted. apply a moisturizing treatment 1-2x a month, minimally
3. Perosity is a measure of how well your hsir absorbs and retains moisture. To determine your hairs porosity you can see how quickly your hair air dries. the longer it takes the lower the porosity
4. Accumulate and monitor your shed hair using a trap in your shower and take a pic of it with your cell phone to maintain a dated record. . if you're noticing a singnificant amount of shed, you may need to add a supplement like nutrafol.
5. There are a variety of different forms of alopecia that occur for different reasons. It is important that you spend time with your dermatologist to determine what is the root cause of your hair growth issues and then there are several paths to take to repair and replenish your hair.

To find more of Angela:

https://curlycoilytresses.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CurlyCoilyTresses

https://www.instagram.com/curlycoilytresses_

[email protected]

And if you are like us and struggling with all the ups and downs midlife has to dish out, join us on our journey to figure it all out. Follow this podcast and leave us a review. You can join our tribe of badass women on Facebook or Instagram.

Ladies...Being a mama is HELLA hard. I read this poem by Cameron Poynter recently called "I am the Keeper" and in this poem she says:

"I Am The Keeper....I am the keeper of schedules. Of practices, games, and lessons. Of projects, parties, and dinners. Of appointments and homework assignments.

I am the keeper of solutions. Of bandaids and sewing kits and snacks in my purse. But also of emotional balms and metaphorical security blankets.

I am the keeper of emotional security. Everyone's. 

I am the keeper of worry. Theirs and my own.

I am the keeper of the good and the bad, the big and the small, the beautiful and the hard.

Most of the time, the weight of these things are buoying me with a sense of purpose. It’s what I signed up for. It’s the one thing I am really good at.

But sometimes the weight of these things I keep pulls me down below the surface until I am kicking and struggling to break the surface and gasp for breath."

These are small segments of the poem that spoke to me the most...but, the reality is that we carry a HUGE weight on our shoulders as women and mothers and so, at the end of the night...It feels right to just settle in with a glass of wine to just...breathe, and be. Am I right ladies? I mean, raise your hand if this is YOUR ritual too.

Now, raise your hand if you think the drinking has gone further than you wanted it to in the recent past? Maybe the alcohol has caused you to snap at your kids? Or, perhaps, your partner. Maybe, you've sent a snarky text to a friend? Do you always feel terrible in the morning, because if you're like me just 2 glasses of wine at night can create a massive headache in the morning.

Now...ask yourself if this is the way you want to feel? Would you give up the alcohol to live a richer, more full life? That is exactly what our guest today, Stephanie Brislin did. She found herself questioning whether her drinking had gone too far and if she was showing up in life the way she wanted to...She wanted to THRIVE not just SURVIVE and it was then she became determined to ditch the wine glass and break free from the “Mom’s Nightly Ritual”.

In this episode, we're diving into the cycle of stress, wine, repeat—and how it holds us back. Stephanie Brislin, joins us to share her journey and how she found freedom beyond the bottle. We’re talking real solutions, redefining rituals, and reclaiming your energy—no deprivation, no shame, just the confidence to live a life that truly fills you up. Join us as we tackle over-drinking at its root and discover how a life in the middle can be monumental, not just managed. 🥂

This Naked Mind is a book and a movement started by Annie Grace as she found herself getting more curious about WHY she thought she needed alcohol and asking herself how much better life could be without it. It was the book and the movement that inspired Stephanie to become a Certified Naked Mind Coach, and she is guiding women just like us through the process of changing unwanted habits and behaviors at the subconscious level. She focuses primarily on helping people get back control over their use of alcohol, without feelings of deprivation, shame or judgment. It is in that space that she's able to help women to create lasting change by finding awareness in the thoughts and beliefs that control our subconscious behaviors and actions.

In this episode, Stephanie teaches us:

1. The Naked Mind is a book that was written by __ and now it is a movement to get closer to understanding our attraction to alcohol, why we are choosing to drink it and, then, to tackle over drinking at the root cause. 
2. When we falter and "fall off the proverbial wagon", this is not seen as failure. It is seen as an opportunity to collect more data about the why fall into these subconscious patterns.
3. When we drink, it takes our prefrontal cortex offline and our body becomes stressed in its effort to rid our body of toxins. So, while alcohol may feel like it (temporarily) relieves of us our stressors, we're actually putting our body into a state of distress that, consequently, makes us want more alcohol. It is a vicious cycle.
4. It's not really about drinking or not drinking. Ask yourself how do you want to feel in this one beautiful life you have to live.
5. According to the CDC, 10% of people have a physical dependence on alcohol. For the rest of us, we are driven by a psychological desire. Therefore, the first step to resolving the habitual patterns is to bring awareness to them.

To find more of Stephanie:

Book a Free Strategy Call NOW

Learn More https://www.thelifewithincoaching.com/

Follow @coachstephaniebrislin

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Ladies if you're ready for a change, we are here with you. We are struggling with the same challenges that come with this midlife transition. Let's do life in the middle together...because, let's face it-we are built for connection. We are made for community. we NEED one another to get through this thing called life. If you're looking for a tribe of bad ass women and some tools and resources to help you up-level your life, we've got your back. Follow this podcast for our continued expert advice. Find us on Instagram and Facebook. and let's make life in the middle monumental...instead of a crisis!

Today, we’re diving into motivation...and I'm not just talking about the quick-fix, caffeine-and-panic kind, but the deep, sustainable motivation that actually sticks. And who better to guide us than Dr. Rebecca Block, the former professor, parent of two lively sons, and all-around motivation expert?

Rebecca’s here to break down the four essentials of motivation—her ABCDs—which are all about feeling "A" Able, finding "B" Belonging, being given "C" Choices, and, yes, even getting a "D" Dopamine boost. This framework is profound because we can start to recognize that when one of these is off, our motivation tanks. The real kicker is that Midlife hits us with new challenges everyday like menopause, sleep disruptions, and juggling way too many “shoulds"! So, ladies, getting our ABCDs in order can be a lifesaver.

In today’s chat, Rebecca gives us tools to recalibrate our motivation when life feels off-track. She’s got tips for avoiding those sneaky dopamine-sucking apps, reframing the “have-to’s” (like dinner duty) into “choose-to’s,” and recognizing what’s sapping our energy. Plus, she’ll let us in on what motivated her to tackle this topic after years of seeing teens *and* adults wrestle with it alike.

So whether you’re trying to motivate yourself, your kids, or your team at work, this episode is for you. Get ready to drop the guilt, harness your energy, and get a fresh take on motivation—let’s dive into the ABCDs with Dr. Rebecca Block!

In this episode, Rebecca teaches us:

1. There are 4 things that must be present to attain sustainable motivation. Becca calls these the "ABCDs" of motivation: a. Ability: you feel as if you have the skills and capabilities to be successful, b. Belonging: sense of belonging and support, c. choices: I was able to choose this path, d. dopamine: live a healthy lifestyle to maintain a base-level of dopamine
2. When you know these 4 requirements, when you lack motivation, then you can reflect and evaluate which of these things is missing and make small course corrections. OR you can create an environment in which these things are present so you can increase the likelihood that your children, partner, or employees will be motivated.
3. One of the first steps we can take to regulate is to get more sleep. Most women in menopause are severely sleep deprived especially because hormone shifts are disrupting our sleep and circadian rhythm. In this space we just feel exhausted and. motivation is hard to achieve in this state.
4. Evaluate how much time you're spending in the apps on your phone. Most of these apps are programed to stimulate very fast dopamine release cycles, which depletes your energy.
5. Reframe the things you feel like you "have" to do by examining why you choose to do it. If you know you HAVE make dinner for your family, flip the narrative and ask "why" you choose to make dinner...I choose to make dinner because I want my children to be expose to healthy foods, I want to eat healthy foods, and I prefer to reserve our money for other choices and, therefore, chose to eat at home. This helps provide a greater sense of control over your choices.
6. Sustained motivation comes in a space with a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. When some of the ABCDs are present AND you're focused on an external goal you know that what you're doing is moving you closer towards that goal, this creates a perfect environment for long-term motivation.

To find more of Rebecca:

Website | canyouhelpmegivea.com

LinkedIn | Rebecca-block

We were amazed by this episode! So many revelations...because, we know women in midlife (women like us!) struggle with their own midlife momentum. We are all about brining these juicy tips and resources and making them applicable to your real life. If you want more tips and tools, visit our website at dearmidlife.com or find us on Facebook or Instagram.

What IF you could wave a magic wand and gain clarity on who you are and what you know you do best so that you could harness these qualities and characteristics to live a life with purpose and intention.

We know you're thinking "that would be some magic wand!" But, we our guest today, Mikkel Leslie does just that for her clients. But, there is no magic wand just the magic of a little tool called "Human Design"

Human Design is a holistic system that uses a person's birth date, time, and place to reveal their unique energetic makeup and life purpose. Human design is based on the idea that people can detach from societal expectations and re-establish their individuality. Human Design won't tell you what you should or shouldn't do, but it guides you towards the things you are most suited to and helps you do "life" in a way that capitalizes on your strengths and feels good!

What?!?...letting go of societal expectations?? Think you could do that? Let's face it! As women, many of us have lived life being the "good girl" and fulfilling ALL of the societal expectations and then some. We "should" yourselves all day long! I should make a gourmet meal tonight, should be Supermom, should get up at the crack of dawn to squeeze in just a little more work....should do all the things.

We need to step back and evaluate what is most important to us. Cut out the noise and focus on what we each, individually, do best and let life do the rest! Mikkel is a champion, author, coach and business manager for those ready to live their own lives. She has coached hundreds of individuals awakening them to their potential. Before coaching, Mikkel went through her own journey of self exploration, moving from what she was supposed to do, to what she is passionate about. 

We're getting to that point where we are SOO burned out! We're ready to throw the "shoulds" out the window and just take a breath. Let go...and lean into the things we love. Mikkel is here to help us to screw the societal BS that has held so many of us back and guide us to step into our own true selves. Her genius comes in two parts. The first providing inspiration, clarity, and motivation for people ready for their next level to get after it. The second is providing tools, tips, and techniques to help people break through the doubts, fears, and apprehensions about living their truest, best life. 

This episode is packed with human design a touch of sass, and a sprinkle of F-bombs, it’s all about breaking free from guilt, people-pleasing, and perfectionism. 

Today, Mikkel teaches us:

1. To let go of the "should" and false expectations, we first have to start by recognizing that they exist. If your day isn't lighting you up
2. Take stock in all of the things that you do in a day. Evaluate your list and acknowledge that you are choosing to do these things. The more you recognize the decisions you ARE making every day, the more you realize you can control the daily decisions of your life.
3. Start small when letting go of the things that don't light you up and/or try to let it go and see what happens. Does the world fall apart if you say "no" to organizing your child's class holiday party?
4. Human Design is a holistic system that uses a person's birth date, time, and place to create a bodygraph that reveals their unique energetic makeup and life purpose. Human Design is based on the idea that people can detach from societal expectations and re-establish their individuality. It combines ancient and modern disciplines and when you understand YOUR human design, it can help you live life with purpose and intention.
5. Human design isn't going to tell you what you should or shouldn't do, it is there to provide guidance as to what things you are best suited to do and to do these things in ways that feels good!

For more of Mikkel

afulfilledlifecoaching.com

Facebook | mikkel.leslie

If you are "shoulding" on YOURSELF, stop the insanity and join us at dearmidlife.com. Break free with the support of a tribe of bad ass women who are going through the same monumental transitions and here to support you every step of the way with toolkits and conversation to guide and uplift you!