More Beautiful Podcast

Drinking is a huge part of our culture and so engrained in the way we socialize, entertain and relax. So much so that it's hard to imagine a couple glasses of wine or a cocktail doing us any real harm. The fact is, a lot of midlifers—especially women around menopause—begin experiencing an intolerance to alcohol or no longer liking the way it makes them feel. And just when we thought some types of alcohol offer health benefits, some of that research is now being called into question. On this episode, functional nutritionist Teri Patterson, a sobriety and mindful drinking coach, helps you sort through the confusion. She debunks some of the most common myths associated with drinking, and explains how alcohol affects your body and health—so you can make more informed choices about your drinking habits.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Teri and I chat about:

• The reasons she "broke up" with alcohol a few years ago, and why she's on a mission to help people understand the impacts of alcohol consumption
• The multitude of ways our culture encourages social drinking
• When and why women's uptake of alcohol consumption started to increase
• How alcohol affects you biologically and the risks associated with its consumption
• Why even light drinking may be associated with certain health risks
• How alcohol particularly affects women in midlife—especially those navigating menopause and other hormonal changes—and why you may be experiencing more side effects these days after having only one or two drinks
• What an "alcohol break" looks like and how it can be beneficial for anyone, even a light drinker
• How to determine whether or not alcohol is serving you, and what to do if you decide to cut back or stop altogether
• How to know if you have a problem with alcohol, or if someone close to you does

Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

My guest on this episode is someone you would call a Super Ager. At 94, Elaine Jo is still enjoying a lush career as an executive master instructor of ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of floral arranging, which she has practiced for half a century. She travels all over the country doing demonstrations, writing about ikebana and teaching. She takes road trips with her husband for work and pleasure, and spends time visiting her three children and five grandchildren. Elaine, who also happens to be my mother-in-law, is a force of nature and a role model for aging beautifully. In this episode, Elaine and I chat about life, love, loss, regret, the secret to aging well and embracing your passions for a long and healthy life.

We also discuss:

• How a trip from Elaine's hometown of Moline, Illinois, to Japan in her late 20s set her on an unexpected path
• How she discovered ikebana and what it's taught her about life and its seasons
• The lifestyle factors and mindset she attributes to her longevity
• How everyone can learn to tap into their creative side—and why they should
• Elaine's advice for younger women—and those navigating midlife
• Elaine's secret to staying active and sharp well into her 90s—and staying happily married for six decades
• The benefits of living a long life—and what she still wants to accomplish in the years to come

Plus, Elaine talks about the power of beauty and nature and how they can enrich your life, and she tells you what you absolutely must do as soon as you wake up in the morning, in order to set the tone for the rest of your day. If your goal is to live a long and happy life, you are going to enjoy all of Elaine's pearls of wisdom!

Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Anxiety disorders affect almost 20 parent of the U.S. population. During midlife, new stressors can come into play and kick up your anxiety, whether or not you've ever suffered from it before. On this episode, I chat with Dr. Lori Davis, a clinical psychologist who specializes in anxiety disorders and trauma. We talk about the various types of anxiety that can strike you during midlife, how that anxiety plays out, and how you can get yourself back on track if you're suffering from it.

Among the topics Dr. Davis and I discuss:

• Why anxiety is often exacerbated in midlife and how it manifests itself
• What anxiety has to do with aging and menopause, and why certain tasks you never thought twice about (like driving, for instance) may seem more daunting as you get older
• The various types of anxiety and how they present physically
• How mental health was a taboo topic when we were growing up, and how that impacted our generation
• How to recognize the symptoms of anxiety and/or depression
• On-the-spot techniques that can help quell your anxiety
• Lifestyle changes that can help you be less susceptible to anxiety
• Why we're all experiencing more collective stress these days
• When you should seek professional help for your anxiety or another mental-health issue
• How to help someone you know who may be suffering from anxiety and/or depression
• Why you can be symptomatic from time to time, yet still shine and have a terrific life

Dr. Davis also reveals how she suffered silently with her own anxiety for years, and why she's now putting it out there to help others.

If you're dealing with anxiety these days, you are not alone. Dr. Davis is going to give you the information you need so you can get to a better place and enjoy a beautiful, fulfilling midlife!

Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Sooner or later, you're going to hit a turning point in midlife. There are so many physical changes happening due to perimenopause and menopause—and simply aging—that you may feel like you don't recognize yourself anymore. At times, it may even feel like your body is turning on you. Perhaps a medical issue has cropped up and you're discouraged or scared. Perhaps, despite how hard you work at staying healthy, a genetic health condition is starting to catch up with you. Aging can be spiritually liberating, but physically challenging.

So what's the key to accepting your aging body while also doing everything in your power to age well? That's the topic of today's solo episode. Maryann's talking about how we're all feeling like this, to some degree, so you are not alone. How you can empower yourself to handle what nature has in store for you, and in some cases even overcome what you thought was genetically inevitable. And how you should never define yourself by any health challenges you might be facing in midlife and beyond.

If you're ready to embrace a little self-love and acceptance, while equipping yourself to age beautifully, this episode will get you off to a great start! Complete show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Are you a writer, or thinking about writing something? Are you trying to figure out what your story is, so you can create your personal brand? Or do you just feel the need to get it all down, in order to process experiences you've had? Whatever your writing goals are, you're going to love this conversation with author and writing coach Robin Finn. Robin helps midlife women tap into their creativity, find their voice, make sense of their past, and discover what they want through writing. Robin and I chat about why you should start a writing practice (or that book you've always wanted to pen!), the way to figure out what your story is and how to tell it, and the delicious rewards you'll reap during the writing process.

Robin and I also discuss:

• Why every woman has an important story to tell and can be a writer
• How to find your unique voice
• The topics that bubble to the surface when midlife women write
• How writing can help you heal from past wounds and facilitate self-discovery
• Where to start on your writing project—and how to set the stage for success
• Why you DO have time to write, even if you work full time
• Current publishing trends and the pros and cons of getting an agent
• How to know if you're experiencing a "divine download" while writing (hint: it feels great)
• Tips for creating a story to help develop your personal brand
• How journal writing can be a powerful tool for self-care
• Why the world needs more women's stories

Plus: Robin offers some exercises to help unleash your creativity, and reveals the first thing you should do before starting any writing project. If you're ready to own yourself as a writer, your journey starts with this episode! Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Feeling out of balance in midlife? If so, you're not alone. Whether you're striving for balance of the body, mind or spirit, yoga can be a great place to start. It's a healing and transformative practice, offering both physical benefits and increased spiritual alignment. On this episode, holistic yoga teacher Susie Lee tells us how to achieve all kinds of balance, both on and off the yoga mat.

Among the topics Susie and I discuss:

• What being "in balance" looks like from physical and spiritual perspectives, and how the two are deeply connected
• What types of balance her midlife clients are seeking and why they're sometimes difficult to achieve
• Why people over 50 represent one of the fastest growing yoga-practicing populations
• Why physical balance starts to deteriorate as we age, and what we can do to help maintain it
• The best yoga poses and movements to keep you healthy and energized
• How the "worldly winds" can guide you in achieving balance in yoga and life
• Why you should strive for alignment in your work, personal relationships and health
• What the concept of yin yang can teach you about balance
• Where to start if you're a yoga virgin
• How you can learn to "go with the flow," finding peace and happiness at every life stage

Suzy also explains why it's important to take care of your feet (yes, your feet) as you age, and reveals the big question you should always ask yourself before you speak. Plus: Susie leads us through a meditation exercise that will relax you like nobody's business—and set the tone for the rest of your day.

Whether you're a yoga pro or have never set foot on a yoga mat, there's something in this episode for you. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Founded by journalist Maryann LoRusso, the More Beautiful Project is a podcast, online magazine and community for women navigating midlife. Join Maryann and her guests on the More Beautiful Podcast as they strive for a life that's more joyful, more fulfilling and more beautiful than ever before. Because this is not your mama's midlife.

Not too long ago, it was taboo to openly discuss menopause. So many women were reluctant to share their experiences and symptoms related to a life transition that affects half the world's population. Fortunately, major change is in the air, as more and more women are coming out of the shadows and exchanging important information related to menopause. My guest on this episode is Sheilisa McNeal, creator of a new product designed to alleviate one of the most prevalent symptoms of menopause, the ubiquitous hot flash. Sheilisa is also helping to spread awareness about menopause and encouraging women to embrace it as one of the most powerful times in their life.

Among the topics Sheilisa and I discuss:

• How we can do better supporting one another through menopause and identifying our symptoms
• Why ageist attitudes in the workplace is a missed opportunity for our society
• How Sheilisa is trying to help corporations support their employees as they traverse menopause
• Ways you can talk to your partner, your boss and other people in your life about what you're going through
• How to jumpstart change within your own workplace or organization
• How this generation of women is setting the foundation so the next generation won't suffer in silence
• Why you should honor your body during this important life stage
• How Sheilisa got the idea for her product, a piece of jewelry that uses hydro technology to alleviate hot flashes

If you're ready for some real girl talk about meno, this episode is for you. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Founded by journalist Maryann LoRusso, the More Beautiful Project is a podcast, online magazine and community for women navigating midlife. Join Maryann and her guests on the More Beautiful Podcast as they strive for a life that's more joyful, more fulfilling and more beautiful than ever before. Because this is not your mama's midlife.

Please note that this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized health and medical advice.

Hey ladies, do you support other women? I mean, really support other women in everything you do, say and think? On the flip side, do you feel supported by other females? Have you ever felt judged, or caught yourself being judgmental toward another woman?

Today I'm going there, ladies, yes I am. Because women supporting women is sometimes more complex than we realize. Because there's a lot of psychology going on beneath the surface. Because cultural norms and old habits die hard. And because last I checked, women are not yet running the world, so obviously we still have work to do.

Together, let's take an honest look at how we're actually showing up for one another, and how we can do a better job lifting one another up in midlife and beyond. Because life truly is more beautiful when we've got each other's back.

Founded by journalist Maryann LoRusso, the More Beautiful Project is a podcast, online magazine and community for women navigating midlife. Join Maryann and her guests on the More Beautiful Podcast as they strive for a life that's more joyful, more fulfilling and more beautiful than ever before. Because this is not your mama's midlife.

Complete show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

I can't think of one midlife woman I know who hasn't hit a snafu when it comes to fitness. Thanks to hormone shifts and aging, you may feel your body changing, your weight redistributing, or your energy levels plummeting. Maybe you're frustrated because your tried-and-true workouts and meal plans are suddenly no longer yielding the same results. Or maybe you're facing emotional roadblocks that are sabotaging your efforts. Well, if you're looking for a way back to feeling great, you're gonna love this episode. My guest is Kelly Howard, a fitness consistency expert who has some fantastic tips and tricks to help get you motivated and back on track toward getting healthy and fit, and keep you in that sweet spot over the long haul. The best part? She wants you to experience fun and adventure in the process.

Among the topics Kelly and I discuss:

• The one question you need to ask yourself before you embark on a fitness routine
• How exercise has a cascading effect on your physical and emotional health
• Why you should "shift" your habits instead of changing them
• The major "consistency killers" that Kelly says can prevent you from reaching your fitness goals
• How to change up your workouts for your changing body
• How to stop procrastinating and get the motivation to begin
• How to identify your personal "kryptonite" that can sabotage you
• Why you need a North Star for long-term motivation and success, as well as a Passion Plan rather than a bucket list
• Some tips to relieve age-related aches and pains
• The three stages to getting physically fit
• How to inject more fun and adventure into your workouts—and your life

Plus, Kelly reveals the mobility test she does every night, as well as her 10-20-30 strategy for more consistent workouts.

If you're ready to get moving and feel great, you're going to love this motivating conversation with Kelly! Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

If you're in perimenopause or menopause, you probably have questions. But sometimes the answers are hard to come by. Truth is, few OB/GYNs receive significant training around menopause. There are so many symptoms that can be difficult to untangle. And because there's conflicting information out there about hormone therapy, it can be challenging to determine the right course of treatment.

Well, sit tight. Our guest today is Dr. Stephanie Culver, a Menopause Society-certified OB/GYN and part of a women-founded, women-led company that provides customized hormone treatment for menopause. On this episode, Dr. Culver is addressing all your concerns about menopause and hormone therapy, and breaking down the range of treatments that can help alleviate your symptoms—so you can start to feel better and more like yourself again. And for those women who are not yet in perimenopause, remember that knowledge is power and you don't want to enter this part of your life without having all the information to navigate it.

Among the topics Dr. Culver and I discuss:

• How women's health and menopause education should be integrated into every medical specialty
• Besides the ubiquitous hot flash, the myriad of other symptoms that are associated with estrogen decline
• How to distinguish from depression/anxiety and menopause, and why some doctors are quick to prescribe meds before hormone therapy
• How patients are now self-educating about menopause, and how this is affecting the doctor/patient relationship
• How hormone treatment got a bad rap, and why it can safely be used to treat many of your symptoms
• What customized hormone treatment looks like, and how it works in your body
• How to know if you're a good candidate for hormone therapy—and when it's too late to start
• From the patch to the pill, how to determine which kind of hormone therapy is right for you
• Whether or not hormone therapy should be prescribed for the prevention of Alzheimer's and other conditions
• Why hormone tests are often unreliable—but sometimes necessary
• For women who can't or don't want to go on hormones, the lifestyle modifications that can help alleviate perimenopause and menopause symptoms
• How Dr. Culver's company, Pandia Health, is helping to educate corporations about supporting their employees who are traversing menopause
• What you can do to start feeling better and taking care of yourself NOW

Dr. Culver also tells you if CBD can help with menopause symptoms, explains why there's still a scary label on your box of vaginal estrogen cream, and answers the million-dollar question: In addition to addressing your symptoms, will hormone therapy make you look and feel younger? Ladies, this is one episode you don't want to miss!

Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.