Alongside EVERYTHING ELSE that happens in midlife, sometimes caregiving takes center stage. Caregiving our own children, of course, but also caregiving our parents as they age, a phenomenon described as living in the "sandwich generation" by Dorothy Miller, a professor and social worker in the eighties. Today we talk with Angela Repke who is living squarely in the sandwich generation as she navigates the tween and teen years with her kids while also caring for her elderly father and offering her mother emotional support. We discuss stress, guilt, resentment, and how we can care for ourselves while simultaneously caring for just about everyone else.

Find 10 Things You Need in Midlife (and 10 things you absolutely do not here: https://www.mikalaalbertsonmd.com/real-midlife-podcast

Is romance still alive in midlife? What about sex in marriage after 20+ years? And how does perimenopause play into it? Today we dive into ALL of it! Mikala wears her doctor hat to talk about hormonal changes, decreased libido, and the genitourinary symptoms of menopause. Jenny offers the best solution for men to get us in the mood. And, as always, we laugh a lot too! We can't wait to share this conversation with you!

Find Mikala's book Ordinary on Purpose: Surrendering Perfect and Discovering Beauty Amid the Rubble for only $7 here: https://amzn.to/3MCJx6g

Get our free copy of 10 Things You Need in Midlife and 10 Things You Absolutely Do Not here: https://www.mikalaalbertsonmd.com/real-midlife-podcast

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Help! We're swimsuit shopping and aren't exactly sure what we're supposed to be wearing in this stage of life. And seriously, what's the deal with swimsuit pads? Join us for a lighthearted chat, and of course laughter, about midlife swimsuit chaos. Then, join the conversation!

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Grab Mikala's book, Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife, to help guide you through the many changes and challenges of living in a midlife body: https://amzn.to/3OaS3d3

And don't forget to download 10 Things You Need in Midlife (and 10 Things You Absolutely Do Not) free right here: https://www.mikalaalbertsonmd.com/real-midlife-podcast

Today we visit with Amy Betters-Midtvedt, author of You'll Make It (and They Will Too): Everything No One Talks About When You're Parenting Teens. We cover the most surprising thing about parenting teens, how to navigate phones and tech with older kids, and an incredible relationship tool she describes as "The Bank of Trust". Amy is a wealth of wisdom. Plus, she's hilarious!

Find her book for 30% off right here: https://amzn.to/4bqi2Xz

Don't forget to download 10 Things You Need in Midlife (and 10 Things You Absolutely Do Not) free right here: https://www.mikalaalbertsonmd.com/real-midlife-podcast

How do we answer the question "What do you do?" in midlife when we're actually doing a little of everything? And will we ever have balance? Does balance even exist? Today we're talking with Kelsey Scism, a wife and mom of SIX who writes books, wrangles kids in every stage from preschooler to college freshman, and somehow manages to be on the radio, too. We laugh a lot and complain a little. Come listen!

What can we DO about midlife periods? Turns out, we have lots of options for treating symptoms in perimenopause. In this episode, we talk about FDA approved medications, lifestyle changes, and a few questions to consider before starting an over-the-counter supplement for an all-in-one fix.

Today Mikala wears her doctor hat for Midlife Periods Part 1. We discuss: What's happening during a menstrual cycle? What's normal? What can we expect in perimenopause? Why is it all so annoying? And when should we see a provider for help with our symptoms?

This week we're talking about New Year's resolutions versus resignations. Maybe there are some things throughout midlife that we can endure without resisting or attempting to improve. 

Christmas is cumulative, and is there actually such a thing as a holiday hack? (Plus, a smokin' holiday tradition that makes us laugh pretty hard).

This week we're talking about what is on a Real Midlife Christmas wishlist.