Are you exhausted from being everyone's emotional support human? In this game-changing episode, we're unpacking how being "nice" became a cage and why embracing wild kindness might be your key to freedom.

Drawing from bell hooks' radical vision of love and Pierre Bourdieu's social theory, we explore:

• How society weaponizes kindness against women
• The real cost of emotional labour in modern life
• Why "being nice" is a tool of social control
• How to practice fierce kindness without guilt
• Setting boundaries as an act of revolutionary self-love

Perfect for recovering people-pleasers, boundary-setting beginners, and anyone ready to redefine what kindness means on their own terms.

Join us on the Scenic Route.

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🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards
The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say?
👉 Pull your daily affirmation

🐨 Crave something Soft?
Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.

Ready for the great shift? 2025 isn't just another year – it's a total vibe shift for business and life. A once in a shift! Join me with astrology powerhouse Sheri Moise and intuitive business strategist Jen Fieldman as we decode the massive energetic changes coming your way.

In this episode, we spill the celestial tea on:

• Why Pluto in Aquarius means saying bye-bye to old power structures
• How North Node in Pisces is killing bro marketing (finally!)
• The rise of trust-first, intuition-led business models
• What multiple planetary shifts mean for your marketing strategy
• Practical ways to navigate 2025's transformative energy
• How these cosmic changes affect both the collective AND your personal chart

Whether you're astrology-obsessed, or just cosmic-sun sign is your wifi password, or you're just "can't hurt if I know this", we're surfing 2025's waves with grace, authenticity, and zero BS. My Gemini Sun and Rising is ready for some fun! We take you from the big picture collective shifts down to how these energies play out in individual birth charts.

Time Stamps
03:52] Pluto in Aquarius: The Big Shift
[13:36] North Node in Pisces: Marketing Revolution
[28:49] Navigating Multiple Planetary Shifts
[39:35] The Future of Business & Community
[45:28] Money & Resources in 2025
[51:08] From Collective to Personal
[56:18] Final Insights & Finding Your Path

Join us on the Scenic Route.


Featured Guests
Sheri Moise – Intuitive Business Astrologer
Website
YouTube

Jen Fieldman – Human Design & Business Strategist
Website
Instagram

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🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards
The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say?
👉 Pull your daily affirmation

🐨 Crave something Soft?
Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.

Ready to cut through the noise around perimenopause? In this episode, nutritionist Sandra Mikhail helps us navigate the complex world of women's health without falling prey to expensive supplement marketing.

Key Episode Highlights

• Common perimenopause symptoms and when they typically start
• Why supplement companies target perimenopausal women
• How to identify quality supplements vs marketing scams
• The truth about collagen supplements and the bone broth trend
• Understanding hormonal changes and their impact on metabolism
• Practical nutrition strategies for managing symptoms

Tired of wasting money on pricey supplements that promise hormonal harmony? In this episode, nutritionist Sandra Mikhail reveals what your body needs during perimenopause – and it's not another expensive miracle pill.

Sandra shares practical nutrition strategies that won't break the bank, from protein targets that support muscle health to the intriguing "Power of 30" rule (hint: it's about plant diversity, not your age!).

Plus, learn to spot the red flags in women's health marketing and understand why those trendy at-home hormone tests might be leading you down the wrong path. Tune in to discover this game-changing approach to perimenopause nutrition.

Join us on the Scenic Route.

Connect with Sandra Mikhail
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn

Listen to her podcast "The Gastroenterologist And His Daughter"

Buy her book "The Gut Chronicles"

Send me a DM

Support the show

_____________________________________________________________________

🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards
The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say?
👉 Pull your daily affirmation

🐨 Crave something Soft?
Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.

In this transformative episode, identity coach and speaker Don Mamone (they/them/theirs) shares their powerful journey beyond society's gender binary. From navigating privilege to embracing radical freedom, Don reveals the profound costs and unexpected rewards of choosing authenticity over conformity.

Don challenges us to examine how binary thinking limits not just gender expression but every aspect of our lives. They illuminate the path from fear to liberation through their experience of coming out at 45 and building a life of unapologetic self-expression in Texas (USA).

Key Discussion Points:

• Understanding gender identity, expression, and the limitations of binary thinking
• Navigating the journey from conformity to freedom
• Creating safe spaces in a heteronormative world
• The real cost of authenticity and the rewards of living truthfully
• Breaking cycles of performative behaviour through deliberate practice

Whether you're questioning your identity, seeking to be a better ally, or looking to break free from society's boxes, Don's story offers profound insights into embracing your truth and creating positive change.

Join us on the scenic route.

Connect with Don Mamone
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn

Download Don's practical guide to gender. This one is for anyone interested in learning more about gender, expression, and authenticity.

Send me a DM

Support the show

_____________________________________________________________________

🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards
The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say?
👉 Pull your daily affirmation

🐨 Crave something Soft?
Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.

That little high right after you hit "complete purchase," followed an hour later by the vague nausea — that's not a personal failing. That's the system working exactly as designed.

This week I'm talking with Aja Barber — writer, consultant, and author of Consumed: The Need for Collective Change, Colonialism, Climate Change and Consumerism — about why we buy, who actually benefits from it, and what it takes to opt out without burning yourself out over it.

We get into:

• Why "treat yourself" culture is a symptom, not a personality trait
• The Birkin bag story that shows exactly what status buying is really about
• Why individual shaming misses the point — and where the real leverage is with big corporations
• "Weaponised incompetence" and the "I just can't find ethical brands" excuse
• What happens when you track every clothing purchase you make for a year
• The difference between style (can't be bought) and fashion (can)

If you've ever caught yourself sitting in the car after a shopping trip feeling worse than when you left the house, this one's for you.

Join us on the scenic route.

Connect with Aja Barber
Website
Instagram
Threads

Join her Patreon for all things sustainable fashion (incl. the best secondhand finds!)

Buy her book Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism

Send me a DM

Support the show

_____________________________________________________________________

🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards
The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say?
👉 Pull your daily affirmation

🐨 Crave something Soft?
Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the psychology of toxic relationships with author and creativity coach Caitlin Liz Fisher. Breaking the silence on why leaving isn't as simple as "just walking away," Caitlin shares her raw, personal journey through abuse, manipulation, and, ultimately, freedom.

In This Episode

• The shocking truth: It takes an average of 7 attempts to leave an abusive relationship
• Why abuse only works with "good times" in between
• How gaslighting and isolation tactics gradually erode self-worth
• Red flags in relationships and early warning signs
• The role of trauma bonds in keeping us stuck
• Rebuilding identity and self-trust after abuse

Key Insights

• Understanding the cycle of abuse and love bombing
• How abusers target and exploit past trauma
• The connection between childhood experiences and adult relationships
• Why smart, capable people stay in toxic relationships
• The importance of recognizing patterns before they become chains

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of emotional abuse, manipulation, and toxic relationships.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, help is available. You're not alone.

Connect with Caitlin Liz Fisher
Website
Instagram
YouTube

Send me a DM

Support the show

_____________________________________________________________________

🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards
The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say?
👉 Pull your daily affirmation

🐨 Crave something Soft?
Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.

Ever wondered how fear shapes your reality and what it takes to overcome it? Discover how to turn fear and anxiety into powerful tools for personal growth and success. In this empowering episode of The Scenic Route Podcast, host Jennifer Walter and guest Jana Osta, a hypnotherapist and Kundalini yoga teacher, explore practical strategies for managing anxiety, trusting intuition, and finding balance in life.

Key Highlights:

• Understanding fear: Learn about the evolutionary purpose of fear and how it manifests in modern life (02:14)
• Mindfulness techniques: Explore the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise and 4-7-8 breathing technique for anxiety relief (23:45)
• Intuition and decision-making: Discover how to tap into your gut feelings and make empowered choices (35:52)
• Balancing energies: Find harmony between structure (masculine) and flow (feminine) in daily life (43:03)
• Practical flow exercises: Get actionable tips to incorporate more spontaneity into your routine (48:47)
• Relationships and control: Learn how applying flow principles can lead to more authentic connections (54:12)

Why Listen:

• Gain a fresh perspective on transforming fear and anxiety into personal growth tools
• Learn easy-to-implement techniques for stress management and grounding
• Discover how to make empowered decisions by tapping into your intuition
• Explore the balance between structure and flow in your daily life
• Get inspired to embrace spontaneity and trust life's process

Connect with Jana Osta
Website
Instagram
YouTube

Work with Jana
Don't miss Jana's offer for a free 45-minute breakthrough session to help you overcome obstacles and pursue your dreams!

Send me a DM

Support the show

_____________________________________________________________________

🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards
The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say?
👉 Pull your daily affirmation

🐨 Crave something Soft?
Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.

In this powerful episode of The Scenic Route Podcast, host Jennifer Walter dives deep into the often misunderstood world of grief and healing with expert Parijat Deshpande, MS and founder of Ruvelle. 

Together, they explore: 

• The universal nature of grief and why all loss is valid
• How to integrate loss into daily life and honour loved ones
• The importance of raising our somatic capacity for emotions
• Cultural perspectives on grief and mourning
• Building empathy and becoming a witness to others' grief
• Practical tips for navigating difficult conversations about loss
• The connection between grief, empathy, and social change

Parijat shares invaluable insights on trauma-informed approaches to healing, challenging societal norms around grief, and empowering listeners to embrace their unique grief journey. Whether you're processing a personal loss or supporting a loved one, this episode offers compassionate guidance and practical tools for navigating the complex terrain of grief.
 
Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that will leave you feeling more connected, empowered, and hopeful in your healing journey.

Join us on the Scenic Route.

Connect with Parijat Deshpande
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn

Her book
Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy

Send me a DM

Support the show

_____________________________________________________________________

🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards
The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say?
👉 Pull your daily affirmation

🐨 Crave something Soft?
Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.

Ready for some real talk about family drama?
Buckle up, buttercup! 

In this episode, we're diving deep into the mother of all wounds (pun intended) with the amazing Blanca E. Rodriguez. From Puerto Rican family trauma to untangling the knots of mother-daughter relationships, we're serving up a raw, real, and surprisingly hilarious journey through generational trauma, self-sabotage, mother wounds and becoming your hero.

In this episode, we chat about:

• The mother wound: What it is and why it's such a big freakin' deal
• Breaking the cycle of generational trauma (spoiler: it's possible!)
• How to parent without turning your kids' future therapy sessions into a full-time job
• The power of forgiveness (even when it feels impossible)
• Setting boundaries with family members (because "blood" isn't a free pass to be an asshole)
• Embracing your identity beyond the role of "daughter" or "son".

"You're not your parents' property. You're your own person.
Blanca E. Rodriguez

 Key takeaways:

1. Healing family trauma starts with acknowledging your experiences and emotions.
2. Forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting or allowing harmful behaviour to continue.
3. Self-empowerment comes from setting boundaries and prioritizing your own growth.
4. It's never too late to change the narrative and create healthier relationships.

Got thoughts? Wanna share your own family saga? Slide into our DMs or leave a review. We're all ears (and maybe a little bit nosy).


Connect with Blanca E. Rodriguez
Website
Instagram

Dive deeper
Blanca generously offers a complimentary one-hour life coaching session to all listeners. She wants the session to be as helpful to you as it has been for her. Email her to book.

Send me a DM

Support the show

_____________________________________________________________________

🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards
The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say?
👉 Pull your daily affirmation

🐨 Crave something Soft?
Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.

How do our personal relationships shape the way we engage with society? Can psychology offer solutions to the deep divisions we see today?

In this thought-provoking episode of The Scenic Route Podcast, host Jennifer Walter sits down with Phyllis Leavitt, acclaimed psychologist and author of America in Therapy: A New Approach to Hope and Healing for a Nation in Crisis. Together, they explore the powerful link between family dynamics and societal conflict—and how we can use psychology to heal division, foster understanding, and create lasting change.

🎧 Listen now and discover:
✅ How childhood experiences shape our approach to conflict
✅ Why the win-lose mindset fuels political and social divisions
✅ Practical techniques for improving communication and resolving disputes
✅ How self-awareness and personal responsibility can lead to collective healing
✅ Why therapy-based approaches are key to bridging ideological divides

Why This Episode Matters

In a world where polarization is at an all-time high, understanding the psychological roots of conflict is more important than ever. Whether you’re passionate about mental health, social justice, or personal growth, this conversation will equip you with tools to navigate difficult conversations, build deeper connections, and contribute to a more compassionate society.

"The goal must not be to decide who's right, but to learn how to listen." – Phyllis Leavitt

Join us on The Scenic Route for a journey towards a more connected and compassionate world.

Connect with Phyllis Leavitt
Website
YouTube

Dive deeper
Download her free PDF, The 6 Secrets to Repairing Relationships after Conflict

Her recent book
America in Therapy

Send me a DM

Support the show

_____________________________________________________________________

🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards
The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say?
👉 Pull your daily affirmation

🐨 Crave something Soft?
Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.