More Beautiful Podcast

Honor Davis-Marks is on a mission. A champion of women over 40, she wants to help you release your inner critic, embrace your changing body, and ride all those midlife transitions with courage and conviction.

But Honor is no Pollyanna. She's as genuine as they come, and her platform, Honestly With Honor, takes a candid look at all the foibles and conflicted feelings that accompany this messy life stage. As a single mom, she knows what it's like to experience heartbreak and self-doubt. As a Brit living in the South of France, she understands the complexity of seeking romance when it's not a requirement for happiness and fulfillment. As an entrepreneur in the hospitality business, she gets the necessity of building a community of likeminded women who offer support and comraderie. Through her Magical Midlife program, coaching and retreats, she wants to help you regain your confidence, forge new friendships and, most important, break free of those cultural and self-imposed limitations that can hold you back from finding joy.

During our conversation, Honor and I talk about:

• Whether or not French women have a healthier approach to aging than the rest of us—and what lifestyle habits we can pick up from them
• How she feels about America's preoccupation with cosmetic surgery—and why she allows herself to judge it
• Why focusing on community, life experiences and travel during midlife is the way to go
• What it's like doing social media in her 50s, and how she coaches other midlifers to try it
• The personal heartbreak she's experienced—and her approach to dipping her toe back into the dating pool
• Why the stakes are higher with more mature romances, and how she feels men our age can do better
• How no one prepares us for midlife's shakeups and confusion, and why we need to prepare the next generation
• Why she's showing off her beautiful midlife body on social media—and why it's important for people to love her as is
• Why we all need to chill out and age disgracefully!

Plus, Honor shares a few social media strategies and offers her top three tips for living your best midlife! Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

If you're someone who has no intention of settling down anytime soon, or if you're itching to try on some new hats, you're going to find this conversation with actor Diane Britt-Smith so inspiring. Diane left a successful longtime stint as a video producer to dive into a multifaceted midlife career that includes acting, modeling, voiceover artistry and street photography. She's also inspiring people with her encouraging, age-positive social media that offers an important message: It's never too late to explore your talents, try something new, or launch an entirely new career for yourself. Even though she's navigating a notoriously ageist industry, Diane is a firm believer that "we should enjoy watching ourselves age"—as naturally and with as much joy as possible.

During this uplifting conversation, Diane and I also chat about:

• What types of acting and modeling opportunities are available to women in midlife and beyond, and whether or not the film, TV and advertising industries have evolved in terms of age representation
• Why we need to set an example for the next generation by aging on our terms
• How you can build your confidence and embark on something new, even if you've convinced yourself it's too late (hint: It's not), and the best way to tackle that change
• Why it's so important to be candid about your age
• Why you need to start brushing your teeth while standing on one foot (yeah, you heard that right)
• The trick to a long-lasting relationship
• The best advice Diane's mom ever gave her about getting older

Diane also spills her top secrets on how to age well, and reveals the one thing you should never stop doing. Whatever age you are, you're going to love Diane and devour her words of wisdom. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Midlife can be a messy time marked by a lot of change. But my guest on this episode of the More Beautiful Podcast is on a mission to shine a light on the numerous advantages—rather than disadvantages—you have once you reach this pivotal life stage. According to Holly Boxenhorn, a psychotherapist and empowerment coach, midlife presents the perfect opportunity to leverage all your wisdom, experience and personal strengths and make the second half of your life even deeper and richer than the first. Holly says the key to tapping into your "midlife advantage" is to become aware of the seven personal energetic states that can seriously impact your life. She helps you understand how to raise your own energy level in order to improve everything from your job to your relationship, as well as move further along on your self-growth journey. Holly also runs through her list of six health and lifestyle influences that can profoundly affect your energy and your response to life's challenges.

Holly and I also discuss:

• Why the life roadmap we were given when we were kids ends at midlife—and how that can be a good thing
• The ways you may be "bullshiting yourself" and how to stop
• Why you should address your midlife baggage before embarking on major life change
• How to take a more balanced approach to health and wellness in your 40s, 50s and beyond
• The difference between catabolic and anabolic energy, and how to stay in the "good" one
• What her six lifestyle influencers are and how they can affect how you show up in the world
• How to raise your personal energy, and which of the seven energy levels marks the sweet spot
• How to strengthen your interpersonal relationships (and the three types of friend every midlife woman needs)
• Why it's OK to talk to yourself (the best of us do it) and to acknowledge the "suck" of midlife
• Why women can sometimes go overboard on feeling and expressing "gratitude"
• How your mindset affects your views on ageism; how you approach aging is a choice and an opportunity
• Why it's OK to not have it all figured out by midlife
• Why aging powerfully is contagious

Plus, Holly gives you tips on how you can kick your energy level up a notch—right now, wherever you are! Full show notes available at Morebeautifulpodcast.com.

What is your soul work? What were you put on this planet to do? Many people find themselves asking these questions in midlife, which can be a period of great transition. But change can be difficult, especially when you don't know exactly what you want. In this episode of the More Beautiful Podcast, occupational therapist Hillary Baggett and I chat about how to discover (or rediscover) your life's purpose and overcome the obstacles that may be holding you back from fulfilling it. Among the topics Hillary and I discuss:

• How her midlife project was born during a dark period in her life
• Why midlife is frequently messy, but can often be exhilarating and filled with potential
• Why we need to shatter the myth that aging is something to be dreaded
• Why community is so important during this phase of your life
• How to overcome your midlife fears and accept failure as a growth opportunity
• How to know if you're ready for change by identifying the sacrifices you are no longer willing to make
• How to figure out what you want and how to go out and get it
• The fine line between fear and excitement, and the way to channel fear into something positive
• Why it's never too late to find your life's purpose

You don't want to miss this marvelous midlife conversation. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

We've all been around long enough to know that life can throw us curveballs. Having an estate plan—which typically includes a will, healthcare directive, financial power of attorney, and often a revocable trust—can ensure that your family is protected if something happens to you. If you've been putting off creating an estate plan, or you're not sure whether your family needs one, you'll love this conversation with estate and wealth planning attorney Jennifer Belmont Jennings.

Jennifer fills you in on everything you need to know, including:

• What a trust is, why you probably need one, and why it's a bad idea to procrastinate
• The various players you need to choose for your trust, and what to look for in each of these individuals
• How to decide on a trustee, as well as guardians for your children—and how to avoid conflicts among them
• The advanced medical directives and other paperwork that should be included in your estate plan
• How to set up special provisions for dependents with special needs
• What corporate trust companies are and when you should consider using one
• Additional trust provisions that can help to protect your family
• How often you need to update your trust, and what happens when you move

Plus—because Jen is not only smart but funny—we talk about celebrity estate fiascos and what we can learn from them, and what Taylor Swift recently got wrong when writing song lyrics about her will!

Be sure to tune in to this important conversation. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Please note that this content is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice.

Oh, to be seen.

The mention of an old children's television show prompted More Beautiful Podcast Host Maryann LoRusso to reflect on this age-old, universal desire. And all the conversations she's had on this show that touched on that desire—or, dare we say, need. And the feeling that many people have as they arrive at midlife that society no longer sees them as much as before—that they're becoming invisible even.

In this solo episode, Maryann argues that from the time we're born until we die, we want to be seen and recognized for who we truly are. That not feeling "seen" is the root of so much conflict and despair, and contributes to the fear of aging that runs rampant in our culture. And that we all desire to be seen on a deeper level by the people closest to us, even as we scramble to hide parts of ourselves to avoid rejection. She takes a look (pun intended) at how we can put ourselves in a better position to be more clearly seen and understood by those around us, see others with the same compassion and curiosity, and continue being visible and relevant at every age of our beautiful lives.

Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Who's ready for a makeover? No, not the kind we used to see on TV where a woman is transformed on the outside only. My guest today, Heidi Fossali, is an author and "reboot coach" who still believes in the power of makeovers—and guides her clients through new hair, makeup and wardrobe choices. But Heidi says any good makeover must start from the inside, especially during midlife. In this episode, we talk about the internal factors that may be holding you back from feeling your best, offering tips on how you can boost your confidence and create a fabulous, sexy life for yourself. Then, we turn our attention to how you can pamper yourself on the outside, so that your exterior matches your powerful new interior.

Heidi and I also discuss:

• How she overcame her own fear of change after her divorce and why it took 10 years for her to "speak her story"
• How to know if you're ready for change and, if you are, how to best forge a path forward
• The way to recognize and embrace the gifts you have to offer the world—and start sharing them
• Why your midlife is so different from your mother's and grandmother's
• How curiosity can help you stay young at heart and connect with "the girl you left behind."
• The reason midlife friendships are so important, and how to cultivate a community you love
• Why it's OK to want to feel good on the outside too (and it's never to late to get in great physical shape)

Heidi also offers her top three strategies that can trigger the change you want in your life now. If you're stuck and no longer want to settle for a life that feels "less than," this episode's for you. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

You know that meditation is great for your mind, body and soul—but fitting it into your life can be easier said than done. If you find it hard to sit for 30 minutes with your legs crossed, trying to suppress your thoughts, you're not alone. For me it's nearly impossible. But my guest on this episode—award-winning author, broadcaster, speaker and meditation expert Lori Saitz—says it's OK. There is more than one way to meditate, and you can find a method that works for you. No matter how much stress you're dealing with or what the universe throws in your path, Lori says, a regular practice can change your life in so many positive ways.

In this episode Lori and I talk about:

• How meditation helps to rewire your brain and positively impact your life in both immediate and long-term ways, such as reducing stress, boosting creativity, improving your relationships, and even helping you sleep better
• Why almost everyone's midlife experience has an undercurrent of "suck" and why that needs to be acknowledged before you can get to a better place
• How women were conditioned to bury our feelings and rationalize away our dissatisfaction ("I should be happy because I have X, Y or Z"), and how meditation can help if you're losing your zest for life or feel that something is just off
• How you know when your soul is calling for growth—and find the courage to respond to that call
• Steps you can take to discover your personal meditation "style" and make it work with your lifestyle
• How to use meditation on the spot in stressful moments, to calm yourself where you're at
• When it might be a good idea to consider a midlife sabbatical

Lori also explains why she thinks big transitions in midlife should not be dubbed a crisis, but rather a re-evaluation or reawakening. And she talks about the hardest thing she's ever done—leaving her 22-year marriage, which she describes as "fine"—and why she had to do it.

This episode will change your mind forever about meditation! Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

What do you do when your dreams are derailed by tragedy? As much as we like to talk about the beauty of getting older, there's no denying that this life stage sometimes comes with loss. There are all kinds of losses, and unfortunately, this week's guest, Cristina M. Ramirez—an entrepreneur, educator and author of Empowered By Discomfort—experienced one of the most tragic kinds. She recently became a widow in midlife when her husband of 19 years died of cancer. Cristina was left to mother their two boys on her own, traversing what she now refers to as "the worst year of her life." But, after coming out of that dark period, she decided to write about it, with the goal of helping others who might be going through similar experiences.

In this empowering conversation, Cristina and I talk about:

• How she and her husband shared their last moments together
• How grief literally changes your brain, how everyone's looks different, and how she processed her own
• How "her life didn't compute anymore" after her husband's death, and how she found courage to build a new one for herself and her family
• Why her children were her saving grace after the tragedy, and how she parented them when all she wanted to do was "crawl under the covers"
• Why asking for help was so important as she began traversing the world as a newly widowed mom
• What motivated her to open up about her experience, and how she hopes sharing will help others
• Why it's important to lean into the discomfort when life gets hard—and how doing so can lead to self-growth
• The way she's chosen to honor her husband's memory and the life they built together, and why dating is not—and may never be—in the cards
• How her loss forever changed her life outlook and career trajectory
• Why she believes the best is still yet to come—and why you should too

If you've ever experienced profound loss and are open to exploring what lies on the other side of tragedy, please have a listen. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Are you ready to get out there and start crushing midlife?

If you have any fears about getting older, or you think aging is no fun, you need to listen to this conversation. My guest is Mimi Ison, an athlete, influencer and founder of Hey Middle Age. At age 60, Mimi is pushing herself physically almost every day: boxing and dancing and lifting weights and flying on a trapeze and doing a myriad of other activities that will blow you away. Mimi wants you to realize it's never too late to discover new things about yourself and challenge your body in exciting new ways. To find activities that light you up. And to exceed your expectations of what you are capable of. Like the rest of us, Mimi has also been through some messy midlife stuff. So our chat touches on how you can build not just muscle mass, but emotional resilience and personal strength too.

During this episode Mimi divulges:

• What happened the first time she walked onto a boxing ring
• How she got through a physically and emotionally difficult period in her 50s
• Why she took a pause to listen to her body and take better care of herself
• The big revelation she had on her recent "big" birthday
• Why she thinks it's OK for women to care and talk about their looks
• Why she started her blog as a gift to herself, and how her Instagram turned her into an influencer almost overnight
• How she overcame the fear of putting herself out there and why she's saying "yes" to more opportunities these days
• Why she did an unpaid internship in her 40s, and the freedom she gained from being a beginner in midlife
• What "working out" means to her now, how she makes strength training fun, and how she keeps injuries from derailing her fitness goals

Mimi also tells you how you can find an activity or workout that fits your lifestyle, and she shares her top three tips on how to love and celebrate your body right now—no matter where you are on your fitness journey.

Listen now to my conversation with the lovely Mimi, and I promise you will no longer have doubts about how joyous midlife can be! Complete show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.