Writer, director, and producer Simbi Hall joins Deborah for a deeply personal conversation about grief, faith, creativity, and rebuilding a life after unimaginable loss.

Simbi reflects on her career producing live television, including years working on the Oscars red carpet, and shares why she believes stories can change hearts in ways politics cannot. She also opens up about losing her aunt, father, and mother within one month—and how that profound grief made her feel as though she had entered an entirely new universe.

Together, Deborah and Simbi explore the connection between pain and humor, the Buddhist belief that love does not disappear, and the process of making room for a new life without erasing the one that came before it. Simbi also discusses her latest creative project, How to Build a Life, a fitting reflection of the chapter she is living now.

This is a tender, funny, and hopeful conversation about being present, following your calling, and finding the courage to begin again.

Kristen Doute, known from Vanderpump Rules and The Valley—joins Deborah Read for an honest conversation about the role that has transformed her most: becoming a mother.

Kristen opens up about welcoming her daughter, Kaia, in her 40s; the disorienting reality of postpartum identity; and returning to filming when her baby was only a few months old. She shares why she no longer feels compelled to fight every battle, how her village has become smaller but stronger, and why she is learning to accept the woman she is now instead of trying to get back to who she was before.

The two new moms also compare their paths to parenthood, talk about balancing work with the moments they never want to miss, and explore the expectations women place on themselves. Kristen reflects on building a family with Luke, protecting the people she loves, modeling healthy self-talk for her daughter, and finding her way back to creativity and the projects that fulfill her.

Honest, warm, and very funny, this episode is about motherhood, reinvention, and allowing life’s biggest changes to reveal a new version of you.

Follow Over 50 Shades of Great and share this episode with a friend who needs the reminder that none of us has to have it all figured out.

What do you do when someone you love is struggling with addiction—but refuses to admit there’s a problem?

Addiction expert Amber Hollingsworth joins Deborah to reveal how families can recognize the hidden signs of addiction, reach someone who is in denial, and offer support without pushing them further away.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, Amber explains why high-functioning addiction can remain hidden for years, how confrontation may reinforce denial, and why loved ones often become trapped in cycles of blame, gaslighting, and self-doubt. She also explores alcohol, opioids, marijuana addiction, interventions, parenting, and the difference between healthy boundaries and attempts to control another person.

Most importantly, Amber offers a hopeful message: people can recover, families are not powerless, and no one has to lose everything before choosing a different path.

In this episode:

• The early warning signs of addiction
• How to help someone who refuses help
• Why confrontation and some interventions can backfire
• Recognizing high-functioning alcoholism
• Addiction-related gaslighting and denial
• How to speak with children about drugs and alcohol
• Setting boundaries while protecting your peace
• Why “rock bottom” is not a requirement for recovery

Amber is the creator of Put the Shovel Down, an educational platform helping families understand addiction and respond more effectively.

This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or addiction treatment. If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, contact emergency services or an appropriate crisis resource in your area.Connect with Amber:https://www.youtube.com/@PutTheShovelDownhttps://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/#AddictionRecovery #HighFunctioningAddiction #Alcoholism #FamilyAddiction #AmberHollingsworth

Money doesn’t have to be frightening—it’s a tool that can help you create the life you want.

Deborah sits down with Jennifer R. Lee, AWMA®, AIF®, for an encouraging conversation about facing your finances, moving beyond avoidance and taking practical steps toward a more secure future. Jennifer explains why it’s never too late to start saving and planning—and why even small improvements can make a meaningful difference.

Whether you’re just beginning to take control of your money or reassessing an existing financial plan, this episode offers a reassuring invitation to pull your head out of the sand, understand what you have and move forward with greater confidence.

Learn more about Jennifer:

https://calendly.com/jennifermodernwealth

Website: https://modern-wealth.com/

Find Jennifer’s book: https://squeezethejuicebook.com/product/squeeze-the-juice-live-with-purpose-then-leave-a-legacy/

Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Modern-Wealth, LLC and Cambridge are not affiliated.

In this inspiring episode of Over 50 Shades of Great, Deborah Read is joined by Michelle Cameron Coulter — Olympic gold medalist, speaker, podcast host, mom of four, and a woman whose story is filled with courage, resilience, and possibility.

Michelle shares how she went from being a little girl afraid of the water to winning Olympic gold for Canada in synchronized swimming at the 1988 Olympics. But this conversation is about so much more than a medal. Michelle opens up about fear, perfectionism, body image, grief, motherhood, faith, and what it means to keep jumping into life, even when you feel scared.

Together, Deborah and Michelle talk about resilience, community, letting go of being so hard on ourselves, and why our next chapter can still be filled with purpose, joy, and possibility.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, afraid, or unsure of what comes next, this episode will remind you that there is always a way — and you are capable of more than you think.

This is a conversation about courage, community, letting go of fear, and remembering that it’s never too late for another great chapter.

Ways to Connect with Michelle:

🌐 Website
https://www.michellecameroncoulter.com

🎤 TEDx Talk – How to Move from Perfection to Possibility
https://youtu.be/w5_l3tzGRRg

🎙️ Podcast – Inspiring Possibilities – The Courage to Jump In!!

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspiring-possibilities-with-michelle-cameron-coulter/id1546492973

YouTube Channel
https://youtube.com/@michelle_cameroncoulter?si=FA4K1jSgSoF3FgXH

💼 LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-cameron-coulter-o-c-oly

📸 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/michellecameroncoulter

✨ Positive Prime – Inspiring Possibilities Session
https://michellecameroncoulter.com/inspiringpossibilitiessession

📘 The Courage to Jump In – Starter Guide
https://michellecameroncoulter.com/thecouragetojumpin

What happens when a career change feels like grief?

In this episode of Over 50 Shades of Great, Deborah talks with career grief coach and former entertainment executive Laverne McKinnon about job loss, burnout, career transition, professional heartbreak, and reinvention after 50.

Laverne explains why leaving a job, being laid off, or changing industries can feel like losing part of your identity — especially for women over 40 and 50 whose careers have been tied to purpose, confidence, success, and belonging.

Deborah also shares her own experience navigating career reinvention after years in television, becoming a first-time mother after 50, and learning to sit in the unknown of what comes next.

This episode is for women in midlife who are facing career change, burnout, ageism, layoffs, or a major life transition — and need a reminder that their purpose is bigger than any job title.

Connect with Laverne McKinnon

Career Strategist & Grief Recovery Specialist

Substack: https://moonshotmentor.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavernem/

YouTube: @moonshotmentor

Instagram: @lavernemckinnon

When A Career Breaks Your Heart | Laverne McKinnon | TEDxForbesParkSalon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cKGfGwLcHk

Dr. Trevor Cates joins Deborah for an eye-opening conversation about hormones, skin, perimenopause, menopause, and the real meaning of beauty after 50.

Author of Natural Beauty Reset, Dr. Cates explains why skin can be an outer reflection of what’s happening inside the body — from thyroid and hormones to sugar, inflammation, gut health, and stress.

Deborah and Dr. Cates also talk about bioidentical hormones, the importance of testing, foods that support glowing skin, why omega-3s matter, and the biggest beauty mistakes women make as they age.

This episode is for every woman who has been told her labs are “normal” but still doesn’t feel like herself.

Free Hormonal Harmony Guide

https://drtrevorcates.com/hormonal-harmony-guide/

Books

Natural Beauty Reset

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=natural+beauty+reset+trevor+cates

Clean Skin From Within

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=clean+skin+from+within+trevor+cates

https://drtrevorcates.com/

What if the key to transforming your life isn’t changing who you are—but remembering who you’ve always been?

In this eye-opening episode of Over 50 Shades of Great, Deborah welcomes world-renowned Human Design experts Carola Eastwood and Chetan Parkyn for a conversation that challenges conventional ideas about identity, purpose, and personal growth.

Together, they explore how Human Design can help you understand your unique energetic blueprint, make better decisions, improve relationships, and navigate life’s biggest transitions with greater confidence and clarity. They also discuss the five Human Design types, how this system differs from astrology, and why learning to trust your own design can be especially powerful during midlife and beyond.

Deborah shares her own journey of discovering she’s an Emotional Generator, the profound impact it had on her career and relationships, and how she’s using Human Design to parent her daughter in a way that honors her individuality from day one.

You’ll also hear fascinating insights on:

• Living in alignment with your authentic self
• Midlife reinvention and finding your purpose
• Human Design and parenting
• Soulmates, relationships, and emotional decision-making
• Ancestral patterns, karma clearing, and generational healing
• Why your greatest gift is embracing who you were born to be

If you’re curious about Human Design, seeking deeper self-awareness, or navigating a new chapter after 50, this conversation will leave you inspired to trust yourself and step into your fullest potential.

Because your purpose isn’t to become someone else—it’s to become more fully you.

https://evolutionaryhumandesign.com/

https://evolutionaryhumandesign.com/human-design-books/

https://evolutionaryhumandesign.com/karma-clearing-by-design/

https://evolutionaryhumandesign.com/hdts/

What happens when life completely falls apart—and you choose to build something beautiful anyway?

In this episode of Over 50 Shades of Great, Deborah Read sits down with fan favorite Kathy Swarts from The Golden Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise for a candid conversation about grief, resilience, dating after loss, aging with confidence, and embracing life’s next chapter.

Kathy shares the story behind her journey to The Golden Bachelor, what she learned from stepping into the spotlight in her 70s, and why she believes life is far from over after 50. She opens up about losing her husband of 46 years to suicide, the healing process that followed, and how she transformed heartbreak into hope for herself and others.

You’ll also hear Kathy’s refreshing take on dating after 50, strength training, menopause, self-confidence, women supporting women, and why gratitude has become her secret to living a joyful life.

This episode is filled with wisdom, laughter, honesty, and powerful reminders that some of life’s greatest chapters begin after our hardest seasons.

Topics discussed:

• The Golden Bachelor

• Bachelor in Paradise

• Dating after 50

• Dating after widowhood

• Grief and healing

• Suicide loss survivor

• Reinvention after 50

• Strength training for women

• Aging with confidence

• Mental health awareness

• Finding purpose after loss

Resources & Links: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Connect with Kathy Swarts: Instagram

Finding God When You Don’t Know Where to Start with Brandy Mussman

How do you build a relationship with God when you didn’t grow up with a clear spiritual path?

In this heartfelt episode of Over 50 Shades of Great, Deborah sits down with longtime friend, mother, wellness advocate, and spiritual mentor Brandy Mussman for a powerful conversation about faith, prayer, motherhood, emotional healing, and learning to trust the divine.

As a new mother, Deborah shares her desire to create a spiritual foundation for her daughter while navigating her own evolving relationship with God. Together, she and Brandy explore how prayer can become a daily practice, why spirituality doesn’t require perfection, and how parents can introduce faith to their children through love, intention, and example.

Brandy shares her personal journey of discovering prayer, how she prays over her daughters each day, and why she believes healing is an active pursuit that requires both self-awareness and faith.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to start praying when you don’t know what to say• Developing a personal relationship with God• Praying for your children’s protection and guidance• Parenting with faith and intention• Emotional healing and releasing hidden blocks• Why healing is a lifelong journey• Finding peace during life’s uncertainties• The connection between faith, resilience, and personal growth

Whether you’re a parent, exploring spirituality for the first time, or simply looking for more connection and meaning in your life, this conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and hope.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What if God is waiting for me to call?” this episode is for you.