Next Chapter Women: The New Midlife

This is a classic rewind episode.

Joelle chats with Lynn Zakeri, LCSW. And this time, the therapist gets a little personal. Lynn talks about how women can redefine themselves as they make the transition through menopause—using proactive health care, language, empowerment, and embracing vulnerability while moving away from a victimhood mindset.

Key Takeaways:

• Proactive self-care, self-compassion, and proper medical treatment can help manage menopause challenges like brain fog, mood swings, and anxiety.
• Women should empower themselves, focus on their strengths, and not let others define them, especially in the workplace. Multitasking and juggling responsibilities during midlife can be overwhelming, so categorizing priorities and letting go of guilt is important.
• Seeking expert guidance, exploring treatment options like hormone therapy, and having a support system can help in navigating the menopause journey.
• Moving from victimhood to self-understanding, through reframing and a profound language shift, can help women connect through shared vulnerability and find beauty in opening up.

“You being empowered to define yourself is what can carry you.” - Lynn Zakeri

Connect with Lynn Zakeri:

Website: www.lynnzakeri.com 

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262 

Did you know that women in midlife are “super consumers” with $15 trillion of purchasing power? Tap into this market NOW by sponsoring or advertising on Next Chapter Women. Visit casteix.com to find out more.

This is the episode you have been waiting for! Joelle sits down with urogynecologist Dr. Jocelyn Craig, MD. Together, they talk about all of the burning issues women face during menopause. From HRT to pooping issues to why you have more UTIs in midlife. Nothing is off the table, including herpes (spoiler alert: almost everyone has it!)

In this episode, Joelle and Jocelyn Craig discuss:

• Open communication and a comprehensive approach with your healthcare provider
• Common pelvic floor disorders 
• Destigmatizing major health issues 
• Menopause and pelvic health 

Key Takeaways:

• Open communication about sexual health, needs, and pleasure is crucial, especially during menopause and for older women. Menopause affects multiple body systems holistically, not just symptoms in isolation, requiring a comprehensive approach. 
• Pelvic floor disorders, like incontinence and prolapse, stem from weakened muscles and hormonal changes impacting tissue quality. Pelvic muscles store stress, causing spasms and sexual dysfunction that can be relieved through techniques like diaphragmatic breathing and pelvic floor therapy.
• Chronic constipation is a major yet stigmatized issue, especially for women, that can be addressed through proper education. Herpes is another common yet stigmatized sexually transmitted infection among sexually active adults, and open conversations are needed to normalize and destigmatize it. 
• Menopause is a natural process, and brain fog, pelvic health issues, and sexual dysfunction are treatable with growing non-surgical and surgical options.

“Every person who's born a woman is going to go through menopause, more so than are going to have babies - it's natural. Brain fog is real. Your brain chemistry is changing, keep your brain and your body healthy. Pelvic health disorders can be treated so if you're silently suffering with one of these things that we talked about today, suffer no more.” - Jocelyn Craig

Connect with Jocelyn Craig:

Website: https://www.praxisurogynecology.com/ 

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262 

Stay tuned for more information about Joelle's upcoming book This Ain't Your Mama's Midlife

In this episode, Joelle discusses:

• What to do when someone discloses abuse
• Preparing for unexpected confessions
• Providing resources and support 
• Encouraging survivors by explaining the law 

Key Takeaways:

• When someone discloses abuse, respond with preparedness, openness, honesty, and compassion, as the listener becomes a gateway to healing. Appropriate responses include: "I'm sorry this happened to you," "I believe you," "The abuse is not your fault," "It is so brave that you have come forward," "You are not helpless," and avoiding rationalization of the abuse.
• Survivors may disclose abuse during emotionally triggering events, requiring minimal questioning initially, respect for the traumatic nature, and preparedness for unexpected confessions without judgment.
• Providing resources, self-care, boundaries, and empathetic support without trying to fix the situation can facilitate the survivor's healing journey.
• Explaining civil rights, statute of limitations, and legal options to sue perpetrators and organizations involved in coverups can encourage survivors to come forward, gain access to documents and truth, prevent future abuse, and inspire younger survivors.

“When someone tells you that he or she is a survivor of child sexual abuse, you are not the guardian of a secret. Instead, you are a gateway to healing.” - Joelle Casteix

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262 

Stay tuned for more information about Joelle's upcoming book This Ain't Your Mama's Midlife

In episode 10, Joelle talked with Victoria Bruce about the challenges of caregiving. Now, it’s time to talk tools with Debbie Compton, bestselling author of The Caregiver’s Advocate, a how-to guide for adults tasked with caregiving their elderly parents.

In this episode, Joelle and Debbie Compton discuss:

• Surrounding yourself with a community 
• Understanding the stages of dementia 
• Advocating for a loved one’s needs and rights 
• What caregivers need 

Key Takeaways:

• Building a support network, accepting help, and prioritizing self-care are crucial for caregivers to avoid burnout. Seeking support from family members, neighbors, church communities, and others can alleviate the burden of caregiving.
• Understanding the stages of dementia and managing the associated challenges can be facilitated by seeking information, support, and consultations from professionals and organizations dedicated to caregiving.
• Caregivers must be prepared for the profound spiritual and emotional toll, isolation, and the need to start fresh daily. Advocating for a loved one's needs and rights is crucial, as dementia can cause patients to exhibit behaviors and use language that is not reflective of their true character.
• Caregivers need to be vigilant about financial and internet fraud, promote exercise to reduce dementia risk, and maintain a sense of humor when dealing with generational aging issues.

“Things that happen to us can either be taken as a stumbling block or a stepping stone, and I choose not to be a victim.” - Debbie Compton

The Caregiver's Advocate, A Complete Guide to Support & Resources available on Amazon or my website. https://thepurplevine.thrivecart.com/the-caregivers-advocate/ 

Connect with Debbie Compton:

Website: https://www.ThePurpleVine.com 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/debbiedcompton 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Caregiving.Book 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/Debbie_Compton1 

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/compton1788 

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262 

Stay tuned for more information about Joelle's upcoming book This Ain't Your Mama's Midlife

Are you ready to get off of the “feelings treadmill” and start making real life changes with easy, actionable tools? Empowerment strategist JJ Flizanes has a path.

In this episode, Joelle and JJ discuss:

• What are core wounds? 
• How to require psychological patterns 
• Taking responsibility for one’s own emotions
• Meeting your own emotional needs 

Key Takeaways:

• Core wound patterns are deeply rooted belief systems formed in early childhood that shape our subconscious needs, opinions, and beliefs, influencing our behavior and reactions despite being unaware of their existence.
• Rewiring broken psychological patterns requires identifying core wounds, emotional responses, and reaction patterns, catching triggers before spiraling, and desensitizing by understanding the wound-emotion-reaction process.
• Taking responsibility for emotions and experiences, rather than adopting a victim mentality, is crucial for personal growth. Identifying and labeling emotions precisely through tools like the "feelings list" aids in emotional regulation and understanding unmet needs.
• Meeting one's own emotional needs, rather than expecting others to fulfill them, is essential for midlife women and abuse survivors struggling with purpose and identity. Fear and negative emotions are natural responses but do not define an individual or signify failure; understanding this provides freedom and choice.

“Experience has brought us here today. There is no mistake, there was no randomness. This is all. It all makes sense. It all built on each other to get me to today, and I'm a person who believes that everything that we are today is very purposeful. If you don't know the purpose, we can just look back and figure it out.” - JJ Flizanes

Connect with JJ Flizanes:

Website: http://jjflizanes.com, http://empowermentstrategists.com 

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262 

Stay tuned for more information about Joelle's upcoming book This Ain't Your Mama's Midlife

If you have ever wanted to write and publish a book, listen carefully:

The publishing industry has never provided more opportunities for anyone to write and publish a book than the internet does now. Today, Joelle talks to a groundbreaking publishing innovator who is bringing together powerful voices to make real change in people’s lives.

Laura Di Franco is the CEO of Brave Healer Productions. She specializes in publishing and business strategy for holistic health and wellness professionals. She’s authored 14 books. Her company has published more than 80 Amazon bestsellers and has created a global community of more than 2000 authors who are waking the world up to what’s possible for healing. Her publishing services, collaborative book projects, writing workshops and retreats, business strategy sessions, and online writing circle are just some of the ways she helps anyone maximize their professional impact.

And she’s more. She’s done all of this in midlife –She spent 30 years in holistic physical therapy before she took the leap into internet-based collaborative publishing.  She not only reinvented her career, but she decided to reinvent an industry.

In this episode, Joelle and Laura Di Franco discuss:

• Focusing on life-changing impact 
• Following your soul’s purpose 
• Harnessing intuition and prioritizing self-love

Key Takeaways:

• When a publisher focuses on creating a supportive, healing environment for authors to share their stories and expertise, rather than just pursuing commercial success, a book can have life-changing impact both for readers and writers. 
• Follow your intuition and purpose, even if it means making major life changes in midlife. Take risks and explore unfamiliar territory despite of your fears, anxiety, and self-doubts. It’s worth the risk to follow your soul’s purpose. 
• Adopt a holistic approach to writing or any career or activity. Harness your intuition, let it guide you throughout your journey to find your soul’s calling. Prioritize self-love so you could be your best self. 

“Books are a legacy business. Your chapters, your books, your work, every day of it is your legacy. You're leaving it right now. So this is, this is a big deal, you know?” - Laura Di Franco

Connect with Laura Di Franco:

Website: https://BraveHealer.com 
 

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/BraveHealerbyLaura/ 

Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/BraveHealerProductions 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-di-franco-mpt-1b037a5/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BraveHealerProductionswithLauraDiFranco 

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262 

Stay tuned for more information about Joelle's upcoming book This Ain't Your Mama's Midlife

No one prepares you to suddenly become a caregiver to your aging parent. But for most of us in midlife, it’s happening, whether we want it to or not. In this episode, Joelle talks with author, filmmaker, and lifelong friend Victoria Bruce about the challenges she is facing as she balances family, career, and in-home caregiving for two amazing parents (who happen to live on the other side of the country).

Key Takeaways:

• Managing responsibilities for aging parents and adult children requires emotional resilience and prioritization. Caring for elderly parents involves role reversal, embracing mortality, and finding joy amidst difficulties.
• Maintain self-care practices like exercise, social connections, and hobbies to provide balance when caregiving. Open communication and addressing safety concerns proactively can prevent conflicts with aging parents.
• Reflecting on familial bonds and cherishing quality time with loved ones is important. Non-traditional career paths and continuous learning can lead to success and fulfillment. Find the perfect balance between traditional jobs, adventurous pursuits, and responsible parenting.
• Prioritizing retirement planning and avoiding short-sighted decision-making is crucial for long-term financial security. Have a plan, engage in fulfilling activities, and avoid isolation so that you can foster personal growth and well-being.

“You always have to have a plan that's moving you forward. You always have to have an idea.” - Victoria Bruce

Connect with Victoria Bruce:

Website: https://www.victoriabruce.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaBruceMediaStrategies/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VictoriaLBruce 

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262 

Stay tuned for more information about Joelle's upcoming book This Ain't Your Mama's Midlife

Kate Lombardo is a master Yogi, a serial entrepreneur, and an expert on dealing with business and life transition. Not only will you learn how yoga is a midlife game-changer, but Kate offers insight on business coaching, pivoting during a financial disruption (like a pandemic!), and the power of passive income streams. Pretty awesome, don’t you think?

Key Takeaways:

• Yoga provides physical, mental, and emotional benefits for women in midlife, helping manage stress, hormonal changes, and insomnia, and promoting strength, flexibility, mindfulness, and emotional balance.
• Yoga encompasses different styles like hatha, vinyasa, yin, and restorative, offering varying intensity levels suitable for diverse practitioners' needs and physical conditions, facilitating active recovery, joint health, and nervous system regulation.
• Empowering women entrepreneurs, particularly yoga teachers, through intuitive business coaching helps them earn more and achieve sustainable careers in areas they're passionate about.
• Embracing imperfection, delegation, and passive income streams enables growth and new adventures, while overcoming the scarcity mindset and embracing abundance through internal work will enable online businesses to pivot sucessfully during times of disruption.

“Open conversations and lifting each other up is like the most important thing, especially for women at all stages. Being able to be in community with other women is something that is so empowering and important.” - Kate Lombardo

Connect with Kate Lombardo:

Website: https://katelombardo.com/ , https://yogarenew.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kate.lombardo/?hl=en 

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262 

Did you know that women in midlife are “super consumers” with $15 trillion of purchasing power? Tap into this market NOW by sponsoring or advertising on Next Chapter Women. Visit casteix.com to find out more.

Joelle chats with Lynn Zakeri, LCSW. And this time, the therapist gets a little personal. Lynn talks about how women can redefine themselves as they make the transition through menopause—using proactive health care, language, empowerment, and embracing vulnerability while moving away from a victimhood mindset.

Key Takeaways:

• Proactive self-care, self-compassion, and proper medical treatment can help manage menopause challenges like brain fog, mood swings, and anxiety.
• Women should empower themselves, focus on their strengths, and not let others define them, especially in the workplace. Multitasking and juggling responsibilities during midlife can be overwhelming, so categorizing priorities and letting go of guilt is important.
• Seeking expert guidance, exploring treatment options like hormone therapy, and having a support system can help in navigating the menopause journey.
• Moving from victimhood to self-understanding, through reframing and a profound language shift, can help women connect through shared vulnerability and find beauty in opening up.

“You being empowered to define yourself is what can carry you.” - Lynn Zakeri

Connect with Lynn Zakeri:

Website: www.lynnzakeri.com 

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262 

Did you know that women in midlife are “super consumers” with $15 trillion of purchasing power? Tap into this market NOW by sponsoring or advertising on Next Chapter Women. Visit casteix.com to find out more.

Supertrainer Cris Rosenfeld-Bless helps women do the seemingly impossible: get fit in their 40s and 50s … all while preventing injuries. A woman’s body—especially during menopause—is a unique machine that needs special care: nutrition, strength training, movement, and rest. Cris and Joelle talk about all of this (and why pickleball is now the leading cause of injury in older adults … but it doesn’t have to be).

Put on your favorite walking shoes and MOVE while you listen to this episode. (Or, at least put down the wine glass).

Key Takeaways:

• At midlife, strength training with lighter weights, more reps, mobility exercises, flexibility, aerobic interval training, and a nutritious diet help maintain fitness while preventing injuries. 
• Mobility involves dynamic movements to prepare joints and activate muscles before a workout, while flexibility refers to static stretches held for at least 30-45 seconds after a workout when muscles are warm.
• As women age, they require more careful preparation, recovery time, and nutritional support to prevent injuries during exercise.
• For women aged mid-forties to mid-sixties starting a fitness journey, it is recommended to do a reality check on their current state, set goals, find a knowledgeable trainer who understands the menopausal/aging body, commit to a plan with accountability, and focus on proper nutrition over exercise for long-term health.

“It's not just about being fit. If you’re healthy and if you're happy, everything gets better in life. It's the most precious thing in our life: our health.” - Cris Rosenfeld-Bless

Connect with Cris Rosenfeld-Bless:

Website: https://www.fitnfunfitness.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitnfunfitness/?hl=en 

Connect with Joelle Casteix:

Website: https://www.casteix.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellecasteix/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellecasteix3262 

Stay tuned for more information about Joelle's upcoming book This Ain't Your Mama's Midlife