Guest:

🪄 Episode Summary:

In this inspiring episode of Girlish Gurus, we step into the 9th century through the pen of author D.H. Morris, who brings to life the powerful and little-known story of Judith of France in her novel The Girl of Many Crowns. But this isn’t just about medieval royalty—it’s about reclaiming women’s voices, exploring creativity in midlife, and writing from the heart.

From her days as a choral music teacher and playwright to raising four children across four continents, D.H. shares how her personal genealogy research sparked a passion that blossomed into a beautifully written historical novel rooted in deep research, emotional storytelling, and feminist fire.

👑 Topics We Explore:

📚 About the Book:

The Girl of Many Crowns is a gripping historical novel set in the 9th century, following the life of Judith, daughter of Charles the Bald, who becomes queen—twice. Blending real historical events with rich character arcs and emotional depth, this novel is perfect for fans of strong female protagonists, royal intrigue, and deeply human love stories.

🔗 Connect with D.H. Morris:

RESOURCES IN THIS EPISODE:

Life Line Screening: Get Peace of Mind:

🎧 Listen Now:

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you tune into Girlish Gurus.

Watch extended version on YouTube

📲 Share This Episode:

If this episode inspired you to research your own ancestry or write the book that’s been living inside you—share it with a fellow creative soul who’s ready to reclaim her crown 👑

🔖 Hashtags:

#GirlishGurus #WomenWhoWrite #HistoricalFictionLovers #TheGirlOfManyCrowns #DHMorris #WomenOfHistory #CreativeGrandma #EmpoweredAging #ProAging #9thCenturyQueens #JudithOfFrance #WriteYourStory #MidlifeCreativity #AgingBoldly #HeroinesInHistory #PodcastForWomen #StorytellingMatters #FeminineLegacy #MidlifeWriters #InspiredWomenWrite #HistoricalHeroines #GenealogyToNovel #AuthorsOver50 #WomenOver50

💫 Episode Summary:

In this deeply moving episode of Girlish Gurus, we explore the extraordinary true story behind Dr. James R. Doty's book Into the Magic Shop—a memoir that blends neuroscience with soul, and trauma with transcendence.

At just 12 years old, growing up in poverty and chaos, Doty walked into a magic shop looking for tricks… and instead met Ruth, a woman who changed his life forever. What she taught him wasn’t sleight of hand, but the real magic: how to calm his body, quiet his mind, open his heart, and shape his future with clear intention.

These same practices would later carry him through medical school, into the operating room as a world-class neurosurgeon—and, eventually, into a spiritual awakening that reminded him of what really matters.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll:

This isn’t just a book review—it’s an invitation to remember your own magic. To reclaim the calm within the chaos. To lead with love, not fear. And to know that no matter your past, healing is possible.

Whether you’re in a season of change, grief, growth, or new beginnings… this story will move you. And the practices will meet you exactly where you are.

🌱 Gentle Reflection Prompts:

RESOURCES IN THIS EPISODE:

INTO THE MAGIC SHOP by Dr. James Doty

The Vagus Nerve Fix by Lorraine Miano

Life Line Screening: Get Peace of Mind:

🎧 Listen Now:

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you tune into Girlish Gurus.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/0XU6AyC95MU

👭 Share the magic:

#GirlishGurus #MagicOfMenopause #IntoTheMagicShop #DailyPractice #MidlifeMagic #NervousSystemReset #HeartBrainConnection #MindBodyHealing #Neuroplasticity #MeditationTools #MidlifeWomen #CompassionIsPower #JamesDoty #CCARE #womenover40 #womenover50 #womenover60 #openheart #leadwithyourheart #vagusnerve #thevagusnervefix #LorraineMiano #JoyAlfordBrand

What happens when you give birth in a country that isn’t your own, raise kids between cultures, and decide to write your way through the madness—with humor? You get Rosamaria Mancini’s brilliant, hilarious, and heartwarming world.

In this episode, we sit down with Rosamaria—writer, mother,  and author of SOS Podcasts: A Memoir—to chat about podcasts, parenting across Italy and Germany, writing through the chaos, and why laughing at life’s curveballs is sometimes the only way to survive them.

What We Chat About:

RESOURCES IN THIS EPISODE:

Life Line Screening: Get Peace of Mind:

#GirlishGurusPodcast

#MotherhoodAbroad

#LifeBetweenCultures

#InspiredLiving

#Womenover50

#Womenover60

In this enlightening episode, Joy and Lorraine sit down with Stephanie Hrehirchuk—writer, coach, teacher, and multi-award-winning author of An Accidental Awakening. With a background in personal training, nutrition, and Ayurveda, and over 25 years of experience in health and personal development, Stephanie brings a grounded and soulful perspective to movement and healing.

Together, they explore how Qigong, an ancient practice of gentle movement, breath, and energy flow, can be a powerful ally during menopause. Stephanie shares how she created a menopause-specific Qigong program to help women restore balance, ease symptoms, and reclaim vitality.

Some of the key topics of the discussion include:

Resources & Links:

👉 Follow Stephanie on Instagram: Instagram

Life Line Screening: Get Peace of Mind:

#GirlishGurus #MidlifeWomen #StephanieHrehirchuk  #AnAccidentalAwakening #QiGong #QiGongForMenopause #WomenOver50 #MovementforMenopause #WomenInBusiness #Menopause #PostMenopause #MidlifeMagic #GlowUpAtAnyAge #Perimenopause #WomenSupportingWomen #womenover60 #womenover50 #womenover40 #LorraineMiano #JoyAlfordBrand #podcast #podcastforwomen #bestyears #passionandpurpose #midlifepassion #GenX #babyboomer #movementmatters #glowup

In this inspiring and energizing episode, Joy and Lorraine sit down with the powerhouse duo behind The Curious Collaborative—marketing maven Sue B. Zimmerman and conscious leadership coach Caryn Mefford.

Together, they share how their unique partnership is sparking purpose, confidence, and curiosity in women entrepreneurs aged 55 and beyond. From harmonizing head, heart, and gut, to redefining success and embracing radical responsibility, this episode is packed with wisdom for women ready to grow—both personally and professionally.

🔑 Some of the Key Topics of the Discussion Include:

Whether you're craving more purpose, ready to reconnect with your brilliance, or simply curious about what’s possible in this vibrant season of life—this episode is for YOU.

🎙️ Learn more about:

📲 Connect with Us:

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

                  @joyalfordbrand

                  @themagicofmenopause

#GirlishGurus #MidlifeWomen #ConsciousLeadership #TheCuriousCollaborative #SueBZimmerman #CarynMefford #WomenOver50 #PurposeDrivenBusiness #WomenInBusiness #RadicalResponsibility #InstagramForBusiness #MidlifeMagic #GlowUpAtAnyAge #HeadHeartGut #WomenSupportingWomen #womenover60 #womenover50 #womenover40 #LorraineMiano #JoyAlfordBrand #podcast #podcastforwomen #theinstagramexpert

✨ What if the most powerful ingredient for skin healing, odor removal, and non-toxic cleaning… was already inside your body?

In this episode of Girlish Gurus, we’re talking to Brad Roderick, President of Emerald Prairie Home, about HOCl (hypochlorous acid)—a naturally occurring compound that’s revolutionizing how we clean our homes and care for our skin. 💧

Safe for babies, pets, and even the most sensitive skin—HOCl is nature’s own defense system. And Brad’s on a mission to bring it into every household. Clean smarter. Live healthier. Tune in to learn why HOCl might be the magic mist your home and skin have been waiting for.

💬 Some of the Key Topics of the Discussion Include:

💚 What is HOCl?

HOCl (hypochlorous acid) is a powerful compound your own body makes to fight infection and speed healing. In product form, it’s a non-toxic, eco-friendly alternative to harsh chemicals—effective enough to sanitize, yet gentle enough for a baby’s skin.

🔗 Learn More + Connect with Emerald Prairie Home

🛍️ Visit/Purchase: Emerald Prairie Home

Coupon Code: GIRLISHGURUS

📸 Instagram: @emeraldprairiehome

🎙️ Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in!

#GirlishGurus #EmeraldPrairieHome #HOCl #CleanLiving #NonToxicHome #MidlifeWellness #NaturalSkincare #GreenBeauty #HealthyHome #EczemaRelief #PsoriasisSupport #PetSafeProducts #HolisticLiving #ChemicalFreeLiving #MidlifeGlow #WomenOver45 #CleanIngredients #SkinHealing #EcoFriendlyLiving #ProAging

In this empowering episode, Joy and Lorraine sit down with Claudia Fabian, founder of The Beauty Debut and fierce advocate of the pro-aging movement. With over 25 years in the luxury beauty industry, Claudia is flipping the script on what aging “should” look like—and helping women reclaim their beauty, power, and self-worth through every stage of life.

Together, we explore how women can age with intention, style, and self-love—without chasing youth or hiding who they’ve become. From skincare secrets to inner mindset shifts, this conversation is a joyful celebration of enhanced aging for midlife women.

🎧 Some of the Key Topics of the Discussion Include:

🌟 About Our Guest: Claudia Fabian

Claudia is the founder of The Beauty Debut, a platform dedicated to pro-aging skincare, beauty, and lifestyle inspiration for women 45+. With a background in luxury spa and skincare brands, she brings both insider knowledge and authentic perspective to the evolving world of beauty. Claudia is passionate about empowering women to age unapologetically—and glow from the inside out.

Find Claudia on Instagram: @thebeautydebut

                                             The Beauty Debut - YouTube

📲 Connect with Us:

✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review! Your support helps us inspire more women to live boldly, age radiantly, and glow like never before. 💖

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Feeling frazzled, anxious, or just plain exhausted? Your vagus nerve might be the missing piece. In this episode, Joy and Lorraine dive into the incredible world of the body’s “built-in reset button”—the vagus nerve—and share how you can tap into it for more calm, better sleep, less anxiety, and an overall midlife glow-up.

We’re also kicking off our 30-Day Vagus Nerve Challenge this June (and you’re invited)! Tune in for breathwork techniques, food tips, lifestyle shifts, and gentle movement that help you regulate stress and reclaim your peace. No book required—but we are using The Vagus Nerve Fix as our guide. Join Lorraine’s private support group for the challenge. Link below.

🔑 Key Topics of the Discussion Include:

🌿 Resources Mentioned:

What if retirement wasn’t an end, but a bold, beautiful beginning?

In this inspiring episode, Joy and Lorraine sit down with Barbara de Eduardo, author of The Art of Retirement for Women, to explore how midlife and beyond can be the most soul-stirring chapter yet. After stepping away from high-powered careers in engineering and publishing, Barbara faced the emotional and spiritual reckoning many women experience post-career. But instead of fading quietly, she chose to reimagine retirement as an encore—rich with passion, purpose, and possibility.

With warmth, wisdom, and humor, Barbara shares her personal journey and the 7 transformative steps from her book that help women overcome uncertainty and rediscover what lights them up inside.

🌟 Some of the key topics of the discussion include:

If you’ve ever wondered “What’s next for me?”—this conversation is your permission slip to dream, explore, and thrive in the second (or third!) act of life.

Resources Included in this Episode:

Get your copy of The Art of Retirement for Women: The Art of Retirement for Women: 7 Simple Steps to Overcome Uncertainty, Cultivate Passion, Spark Joy, and Find Fulfillment: de Eduardo, Barbara J: 9798344361789: Amazon.com: Books

LIFELINE SCREENING: GET PEACE OF MIND:

LIFELINE SCREENING: SPECIAL OFFER FOR GIRLISH GURUS LISTENERS!

You can find us on social media or our website at:

Instagram: @girlishgurus

                  @joyalfordbrand

                  @themagicofmenopause

YouTube: Girlish Gurus

Website: www.girlishgurus.com

#girlishguruspodcast

#JoyAlfordBrand

#LorraineMiano

#theartofretirement

#lifeafterretirement

#themagicofmenopause

#joyandhappiness

#happinessandjoy

#lifeafter40

#womenover40

#womenover50

#womenover60

#womenspurpose

#podcast

#proaging

#newbeginnings

#womensupportingwomen

#womenempowerment

#Midlifewomen

#menopause

#lifeover50

#empoweringwomen

#menopositivity

#sparkjoy

#successfulwomen

#thirdact

#babyboomerwomen

#genxwomen

#findfullfilment

#womanauthor

Feeling the pull to simplify and live more intentionally? In this inspiring episode, Joy and Lorraine chat with Shannon Arner, co-founder of Arner Adventures, about what happens when you ditch the hustle and start living on your own terms.

After experiencing burnout from running a nonstop business, Shannon and her husband Gerry made a radical shift—downsizing, moving to the coast, and embracing a minimalist lifestyle. Now, through their blog, podcast, and brand, they help others reconnect with what really matters.

Some of the key topics of the discussion include:

Whether you’re craving a major life shift or just looking to clear some space—physically and mentally—this conversation will spark ideas and remind you: you don’t need more to live more.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

You can find us on social media or our website at:

Instagram: @girlishgurus

                  @joyalfordbrand

                  @themagicofmenopause

YouTube: Girlish Gurus

Website: www.girlishgurus.com

#girlishguruspodcast

#JoyAlfordBrand

#LorraineMiano

#adventure

#minimalistliving

#themagicofmenopause

#sustainablelife

#livingwithless

#lifeafter40

#womenover40

#womenover50

#womenover60

#intentionalliving

#podcast

#proaging

#shannonarner

#womensupportingwomen

#womenempowerment

#Midlifewomen

#menopause

#lifeover50

#empoweringwomen

#menopositivity

#intentionaltravel

#slowliving

#thirdact

#babyboomerwomen

#genxwomen

#newbeginnings

#postmenopause