The Meredith Patterson Podcast

Hello everyone and welcome to the Meredith Patterson podcast. I'm your host, Meredith, and this is a very special episode, you guys. This is a not planned episode. This is life happens sometimes and the episode you plan to do. Things happened. You were on vacation. It's been the holidays. It's, things are crazy. Guests had to cancel. Whatever happened, I actually think this is a pretty cool idea. So what is this episode? What is IMDB? So the internet movie database is a place where you can see actors' credits, right? So my producer, Hammond Chamberlain, had the idea to do a very special deep dive into my movie and television career and put it on Patreon, which Patreon is my page that is for fans only. And it's a paid membership as low as $5 a month. You get a lot of exclusive content like this. And so this was his idea to interview me and ask me about my internet movie database career. And he also talks about my books, Confessions of an actress from Chorus Girls or Broadway Star, and Confessions of an actress Sunday Letters from Moscow, which kind of chronicle my Broadway life with 42nd Street. So if you hear us talk about the books, it's really, it's for people who are fans of mine. If you aren't a fan of mine or you're becoming a fan of mine from listening to this podcast, please go get my books and learn a little bit more about me and listen to this episode and learn even more about another side of my career, which is TV and film. It's really fun. And I'm really thankful to Hammond for this idea. And I'm really happy to share it with you. It's a long episode. It's an hour and a half. So if you guys want to go for a nice, nice long walk with your dog or your spouse or your friend, go for it. And you guys listen to this episode. If you want to fold some laundry, clean, I don't know. Whatever you do when you listen to this podcast, This is a good one for a lengthy whatever. So thanks guys for listening. I appreciate it and enjoy learning a little bit more about me. www.meredithpatterson.com Meredith Patterson IMDB Page https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0666322/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_7_in_0_q_Meredith%2520Patterson

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/Meredith_Patterson

Meredith's Confessions Of An Actress Books https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BMFSNNB?binding=hardcover&ref=dbs_m_mng_rwt_sft_thcv_tkin

Hi friends, and welcome to Mental Health Monday on The Meredith Patterson Podcast.

Today's episode is about something that hits close to home for so many of us — what to do when people you thought were your friends stay close to those who have hurt you.

This one's raw. It's not about being angry or bitter — it's about self-respect, healing, and boundaries.

We don't talk enough about this part of healing. When someone deeply hurts you — maybe emotionally, maybe publicly, maybe through betrayal — and then you see people you care about still hanging around that person… it stings.

It's confusing, too. You start asking yourself:

"Do they not believe me?"

"Do they not care what I went through?"

"Are they pretending it didn't happen?"

The truth is, it's not your job to understand why someone chooses to stay connected to a person who hurt you. It's your job to decide what that means for your boundaries moving forward.

Let's be real — a true friend doesn't play both sides.

A true friend doesn't make excuses for the person who caused you pain.

A true friend says, "If you hurt her, you hurt me too."

And if someone can still hang around the person who hurt you, that tells you something about their character — and it's okay to take that information and act on it.

You're not being petty. You're being protective.

It's okay to outgrow people.

It's okay to stop calling, stop explaining, and stop trying to make them understand your side.

Because real healing happens when you stop trying to convince people of your worth and start surrounding yourself with those who already see it.

Your circle should feel safe.

Your friendships should feel mutual.

And your peace should never be something you have to fight for.

So here's your permission slip:

You can end friendships that feel unsafe.

You can walk away without guilt.

You can protect your heart and still wish people well from afar.

Healing doesn't mean keeping everyone in your life.

Healing means honoring yourself enough to know who deserves to be there.

If this resonated with you today, please share this episode with someone who might need to hear it.

And remember: You deserve relationships that feel safe, genuine, and supportive.

I'm Meredith Patterson — and this has been Mental Health Monday.

Your bliss is your birthright. 💙

Teresa is an award-winning producer, writer, and actress.

She's the founder of Maid & Prince Productions, a company dedicated to empowering women both on and off camera.

She holds a BA in Theatre from Clemson University and an MFA in Classical Acting from The Catholic University of America.

Her feature scripts "No One Likes a Mad Woman" and "Dissent" were Semi-Finalists at the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival.

And No One Likes a Mad Woman is currently a fiscally sponsored project with Film Independent.

Teresa is using the genre — horror, thriller, psychological drama — to explore power, patriarchy, motherhood, and the stories of women who've been labeled "mad."

Teresa, welcome to the show! Sponsor & Support [email protected] (864) 561-7903 Maid & Prince Productionsmaidandprinceproductions.com

Teresa Catherine (she/her) She is dedicated to championing women both on and off camera. As the founder of Maid & Prince Productions, she intertwines her career aspirations with a mission to foster inclusivity and accessibility in the film industry.

Teresa earned a BA in Theatre from Clemson University and an MFA in Classical Acting from The Catholic University of America, bringing theatrical expertise to her cinematic endeavors. Beyond filmmaking, she serves as a Senior Master Coach with [solidcore], indulges her passion for guitar playing (albeit as a self-proclaimed amateur), and is a proud Swiftie bookworm.

Welcome to Mental Health Monday. Today we're talking about something that has shaped so many women's lives: 'good girl conditioning.' From childhood, many of us were told: be polite, don't interrupt, smile, say yes, make everyone else comfortable. And while kindness is powerful, this conditioning often silences our voices, leads to burnout, and keeps us from living authentically. As a performer, I was trained to smile, to please, to deliver. And offstage, I carried that too — saying yes when I wanted to say no, putting others first, swallowing my truth. The applause I got reinforced it. But inside, I felt empty. I realized I wasn't living authentically. I was performing a role I never auditioned for — the role of 'good girl.' Science:

• People-pleasing activates the brain's reward centers — a hit of dopamine when we're praised.
• Over time, this rewires us to prioritize external validation over internal needs.
• Breaking the pattern feels scary, because the brain interprets boundary-setting as a threat to belonging. But belonging to yourself is the deepest safety.

Action Tools:

1. Pause Before Yes: Train yourself to say, "Let me check and get back to you." This breaks automatic compliance.
2. Boundary Scripts: Simple phrases like: "I can't commit right now" or "That doesn't work for me, but thank you."
3. Self-Validation: Write affirmations such as, "I am worthy even when I disappoint others."
4. Practice Saying No: Start small — decline something low-stakes to train your nervous system.

Breaking good girl conditioning doesn't mean you're unkind. It means you're authentic. And authenticity is love in action. You are not here to perform for approval. You are here to live fully as yourself. And that, my friend, is more powerful than any applause.

Hi friends… it's Meredith Patterson — and welcome back to The Meredith Patterson Podcast. Today's episode is a deeply personal one. I recently turned fifty — (smile) half a century of becoming — and I've been reflecting on the big, beautiful question that we all face at some point in our lives: Who am I now? What do I truly want in this next chapter? And how do I design a life that's not just successful… but deeply fulfilling? There's a powerful tool I've discovered called Odyssey Planning — from Bill Burnett and Dave Evans at Stanford. They wrote a best-selling book called Designing Your Life — and the whole idea is this: to think like a designer when it comes to your future. Be curious. Be creative. Prototype your possibilities. So today, we're going to do this together. Why Designing Your Life Matters at 50Turning fifty is not the end of anything… it's a beginning. It's a threshold where experience meets freedom. You've lived enough to know what doesn't serve you — and you still have time to boldly explore what does. I've reinvented myself so many times. Broadway star, writer, producer, podcaster, mother, holistic coach… and, believe it or not, for five years — a licensed massage therapist. Yes — that's right. After one of the hardest seasons of my performing career, I thought, Maybe it's time to pivot. Maybe I'll do something healing, something grounded, something that helps others feel better in their bodies. So I trained, I got licensed, I built a practice — and I did that work for five years. And honestly… I learned so much. About the human body. About trust. About compassion. I was invited into the most vulnerable spaces of people's lives. And I am so grateful for that experience. But after a while… I realized something. I was doing it for the wrong reason. I wasn't following my calling — I was following security. I was trying to make money, not meaning. Do I regret it? No. That chapter was a teacher. It reminded me that I'm a healer — yes — but my healing comes through my voice, my stories, and my art. So, if you've ever gone down a path that didn't turn out to be your forever path — please hear me — it's okay. It's more than okay. Every pivot, every detour, is simply your compass realigning to truth. The Odyssey Plans – Three Possible Futures Alright — let's design this next decade together. The Odyssey Planning method asks you to imagine three distinct five-year futures. Think of them as prototypes — experiments of what your life could be. Here's how mine look right now. 🌿 Plan One: The Life I Think I'll Live 6-word title: Merie Productions Expands, Family Flourishes, Legacy Deepens. If I stay on the path I'm on, I see Merie Productions growing into a full creative brand — with live shows, national tours, and meaningful stories told through performance. The podcast continues to inspire. Whitefish Living Magazine deepens its community roots. And Bliss Is Your Birthright becomes a movement that uplifts women everywhere. Personally, my boys will keep growing into amazing young men. Dustin and I will keep performing together — celebrating both music and marriage — and deepening our roots here in Montana. Questions this plan asks:

1. Can I balance ambition with presence and peace?
2. How do I sustain creativity without burnout?
3. What legacy do I want to leave?

This one feels right. 🌸 Plan Two: If Everything Changed 6-word title: The Reinvention—Teacher, Writer, Global Storyteller Emerges. What if tomorrow… everything I built disappeared? No stage. No podcast. No production company. What then? In that version, I become a global teacher, writer, and storyteller. I travel the world speaking about manifestation, resilience, and reinvention. I lead retreats in Italy or Bali, helping others rediscover their creative spirit. I write. I teach. I connect. Questions this plan asks:

1. Could I thrive without the stage?
2. How would teaching fulfill that creative need?
3. What stories am I still meant to tell?

And honestly, this plan excites me. It's growth in a whole new form. 🌺 Plan Three: If I Didn't Care About Money 6-word title: Spirit, Stillness, Art—The Freedom Decade. Now… let's dream without limits. What if money didn't matter at all? What if no one's opinions or expectations defined my choices? I'd create for joy. I'd write songs, paint, garden, dance barefoot in the kitchen. I'd host intimate creative retreats here in Montana — just for the love of connection. I'd travel with my family. I'd wake up slowly. And live in full gratitude. Questions this plan asks:

1. What does "enough" truly mean?
2. How do I define success beyond achievement?
3. Can I allow myself to just be instead of constantly do?

Now that feels like bliss. Blending the Paths – Designing My Decade After exploring these three futures, I realized something powerful: They're all me. Each path represents a truth I hold — creativity, purpose, connection, peace. And together, they form the next decade of my life. This chapter is about creative freedom, global impact, and peace. It's about bringing all of me forward — the performer, the teacher, the healer, the storyteller. The massage therapist in me still exists — she's the healer who listens deeply. But now… she heals through words and music. My symbol for this new chapter is 🌕 The Full Moon. It represents reflection, renewal, and radiant fullness. Always cycling. Always becoming. Your Turn — Design Your Life Now it's your turn. Grab your journal… or open your Notes app. I want you to design your next decade. Ask yourself:

• What does your Plan One look like if nothing changes?
• What's your Plan Two if everything does?
• And what's your Plan Three if money—or judgment—didn't exist?

Then look for the patterns… The dreams that repeat… The themes that whisper "yes." That's your compass. That's your truth. And remember — it's okay to pivot. It's good to change. You may think you want one path, until you walk it — and realize your heart is calling you somewhere new. That's not failure. That's wisdom. That's knowing thyself. So here's to turning fifty — not as an ending, but as a creative beginning. Here's to freedom. Here's to change. Here's to keeping your compass pointed toward truth. Because bliss, my friends… is your birthright. 💫 If this episode inspired you, please share it, leave a five-star review, and tag me on Instagram so I can see your Odyssey Plans. And remember — have vision for what you want… and be grateful for where you are — every single day. www.meredithpatterson.com

@meredithpattersonpodcast

@merpatterson

@merieproductions

Today's Mental Health Monday is especially close to my heart, because today I turn 50. And let me tell you — I've never felt more vibrant, radiant, and aligned than I do now. But that didn't just happen. It's the result of choices, mindset, and daily practices that nurture body, mind, and spirit. So, if you're over 50 — or heading there — this episode is your reminder that your story isn't over. It's just entering a powerful new act. When I was in my 20s, I thought turning 50 meant slowing down, becoming invisible, or losing relevance. Now, standing here at this milestone, I feel the opposite. Yes, my body is different. Yes, my priorities have shifted. But I've discovered that alignment — body, mind, and spirit — is what creates true vitality. I've seen women shrink themselves as they age, believing society's lie that beauty or value has an expiration date. But I'm here to tell you: it's just the beginning. Science :

• Body: Movement produces brain fertilizer that keeps memory sharp. Strength training preserves muscle and bone density, reducing risk of cognitive decline.
• Mind: Neuroplasticity doesn't stop. At any age, the brain can form new synapses when challenged with novelty. Learning, creativity, and curiosity are anti-aging tools.
• Spirit: Practices like gratitude, prayer, meditation activate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress hormones and increasing feelings of connection.

Action Tools :

1. Body Ritual: Move daily. Even 15 minutes of strength, dance, or walking boosts brain health.
2. Mind Ritual: Learn something new monthly — a language, skill, instrument. Keep your mind agile.
3. Spirit Ritual: Create a morning or evening practice — gratitude journaling, meditation, or affirmations. Anchor yourself in peace.
4. Reframe Aging: Write down three things you love about this stage of life. Remind yourself of wisdom gained, not just years lived.
5. You are not too old. You are not past your prime. You are evolving, expanding, and refining. Body, mind, and spirit — when you align them, you become unstoppable. Age is not a decline — it's an invitation to live deeper, wiser, and freer. So, let's celebrate this chapter, because your next act may just be the best one yet.

Hello, beautiful friends, and welcome back to The Meredith Patterson Podcast. I'm Meredith — performer, storyteller, coach, mom, creator, and someone who is stepping boldly into a brand-new decade…

On Monday, I turn 50.

And I'll tell you something — I've never felt more alive, more grounded, more powerful, or more excited about what's next.

Today's episode is about acting as if at every age. It's about removing the timeline we were conditioned to follow — the one that says success has an expiration date, that dreams are only for the young, that reinvention belongs to your twenties.

No.

I'm here to tell you that age is not a deadline. It's data. It's lived experience. And we get to decide what it means.

So today we explore how acting as if becomes even more potent, more truthful, and more aligned as we grow. And why becoming doesn't stop just because candles on your cake increase.

✨ The Myth of the Timeline

Let's get honest: society loves a timeline. Get married by this age. Achieve financial stability by that age. Have kids by this age. Stop dreaming by this age. Stay in your lane forever and ever, amen.

Turning 50 made me realize how many of those timelines I had absorbed without question. But here's the truth: There is no late. There is only now.

If you're breathing, you're becoming.

We act as if we've missed our chance, when really, most of us haven't even taken our first shot.

So right now, ask yourself: What dream are you still carrying because some outdated timeline told you it's too late? That dream is still alive for a reason.

✨ The Neuroscience of Reinvention

Here's the magic of turning 50 with a brain that still learns, grows, and adapts: neuroplasticity doesn't retire.

Your brain can literally retrain itself at any age. And the Reticular Activating System — the RAS — continues filtering your life based on what you believe about yourself.

So if you believe: 'I'm too old to start over,' 'I'm too old to get in the best shape of my life,' 'I'm too old to build a brand, a business, a book, a career'…

Then your brain will hunt for proof.

But if you act as if: 'I'm just getting started,' 'I'm entering my prime,' 'I'm becoming the version of myself I always dreamed of'…

Your brain will also find proof.

And that's the gift of 50 — you get to direct the story, not repeat it.

✨ Storytime — Reinventing Myself at 50

I want to share something personal.

As many of you know, I spent decades in the Broadway world — dancing eight shows a week, living in rehearsal studios, grinding with passion.

And for a long time I believed that era defined me. That my best work lived there. That my biggest joys were behind me.

But here's what becoming 50 taught me: I wasn't done. I was evolving.

I started acting as if the next chapter would be my most aligned, most impactful, most fulfilling yet. I launched this podcast. I stepped into publishing. I leaned deeper into coaching. I built a production company with my husband. I became a speaker, a teacher, a creator who serves from experience rather than from striving.

None of those decisions came from waiting. They came from acting as if I already was the woman I was meant to grow into."

Pause for reflection: "Where in your life have you underestimated your next chapter? And what would happen if you acted as if you're entering your most powerful decade right now?

✨ Five Practices for Becoming at Any Age 1. Speak Your Next Identity Out Loud

Say: I'm a writer. Say: I'm a creator. Say: I'm in my prime. Identity begins with language.

2. Move Your Body Like the Future You

At 50, movement feels different — not worse, just wiser. Stretch, breathe, lift, dance. Move like someone who plans to be vibrant at 80.

3. Create Space for Joyful Delusion

Yes, joyful delusion — the playful belief that your wildest desires are possible. It's not denial. It's alignment.

4. Surround Yourself with Expanders

People who show you what's possible at any age. People who say, 'Do it,' not 'Should you?' The brain mirrors what it sees.

5. Journal as Your Future 60-Year-Old Self

Write letters from your next decade. What did you build? Who did you become? What did you let go of? It is shockingly clarifying.

✨ Aging as Art, Not Decline

We have been taught to fear aging. To shrink. To disappear quietly into a smaller and smaller life.

But aging is art. A sculpting, a refining, a layering of wisdom and courage.

Acting as if doesn't mean pretending to be younger. It means stepping fully into the power that age gives you. It means becoming bigger, not smaller.

Personal tie-in: When I look at pictures of myself at 25 and pictures of myself today, I don't wish to be her again. She walked so I could run. At 50, I'm not done. I'm finally unleashed.

✨ Closing Reflection

So my love, here's the question I want you to take with you:

What would you attempt today if age wasn't a factor? If society's timeline didn't exist? If you acted as if the best part of your life was unfolding right now?

Because the truth is — it is.

You are becoming at every age. You are allowed to grow, reinvent, restart, and rise as many times as you need.

And as I walk into 50 with open arms, I want to remind you: Your next chapter does not depend on age. It depends on belief. And belief is a choice you get to make every day.

Thank you for joining me for this special birthday episode of The Meredith Patterson Podcast. If this resonated with you, I'd be honored if you subscribed, left a review, or shared this with someone who needs a reminder that their best years aren't behind them — they're right now.

And as always… Bliss is your birthright.

#MentalHealthMonday - Your Brain on Gratitude Hello and welcome to another Mental Health Monday. Today we're diving into one of the simplest, most transformative practices: gratitude. Now, gratitude isn't just saying thank you. It's a rewiring tool for your brain. And when you understand the science of gratitude, you'll see why it's one of the most powerful daily practices you can do. Patreon Membership https://www.patreon.com/c/Meredith_Patterson When I was starring in 42nd Street, I thought I had everything I wanted — but there were nights I still felt empty. I wasn't the original, I didn't have a Tony Nomination, I wasn't getting ahead. It was exhausting. But soon after 9/11, I began the practice of gratitude and writing down 3 things every day I was grateful for — and getting out of my own ambitious head. A call from my sister, a quiet moment with tea, laughter and dancing to music in the dressing room. I started not looking at what I didn't have (cause you will ALWAYS find something) And slowly, I looked at what I HAD and my perspective shifted. Gratitude didn't erase stress, but it gave me a new lens. Instead of focusing on what I lacked, I started noticing what was already beautiful. Science:

• Gratitude releases dopamine and serotonin, the "feel-good" chemicals.
• It strengthens the prefrontal cortex, improving focus, decision-making, and positivity bias.
• Gratitude interrupts the brain's negativity bias — the tendency to fixate on what's wrong.
• Studies show consistent gratitude practice improves sleep, mood, and even immune function.

Action Tools:

1. Gratitude Journal: Write three things daily — but feel them, don't just list them.
2. Gratitude Reframe: In challenges, ask: "What's one thing I can appreciate right now?"
3. Gratitude Letter: Write to someone you've never thanked. This creates lasting positive effects for both of you.
4. Gratitude Anchor: Pick a daily cue (like brushing your teeth) and pair it with thinking of one thing you're grateful for.

Gratitude isn't just a nice idea. It's neuroscience. Every time you practice it, you are strengthening your brain's pathways for joy, resilience, and connection. So tonight, before bed, write down three things you're grateful for. And feel the shift. Because gratitude doesn't just change your day. It changes your brain. And when your brain changes, your whole life changes.

Today, I am so excited to introduce my guest, Suzanne Longstreet. Suzanne is a Master Coach, Trainer of Neuro Linguistic Programming, and the creator of the Quantum YOU Activation Method and the DCFAI Framework. She's widely known as the Millionaire Activator, helping high-achieving women clear subconscious blocks, reclaim their identity, and build thriving businesses aligned with their values. She blends neuroscience, hypnosis, positive psychology, and transformational coaching to turn self-doubt into self-trust. Suzanne is also the co-author of the bestselling book The Millionaire Codes: The Secret Brain Science Path to Supernatural Success. Suzanne, welcome! Connect with Suzanne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanneglongstreet/ https://www.facebook.com/successandclarity https://www.instagram.com/successandclarity https://www.youtube.com/@suzannelongstreet1174 https://www.instagram.com/suzanneglongstreet/ https://www.successandclarity.com/ Suzanne Longstreet is a Master Coach, Trainer of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), and creator of the Quantum YOU Activation Method and the DCFAI Framework. Known as the Millionaire Activator, she helps high-achieving women clear subconscious blocks, reclaim identity, and build visible, values-led businesses grounded in confidence and prosperity. Her work blends NLP, hypnosis, neuroscience, positive psychology, and transformational coaching to turn self-doubt into self-trust and sustainable revenue. She's the co-author of the bestseller The Millionaire Codes The Secret Brain Science Path to Supernatural Success. Suzanne provides practical tools to rewire the nervous system for clarity, courage, and confidence so women charge boldly, lead generously, and bloom. Remember, your bliss is your birthright. Have vision for what you want, and be grateful for where you are every single day. Until next time—keep shining.

Welcome back to The Meredith Patterson Podcast. This is Mental Health Monday, where we take time to reset our week, strengthen our minds, and create intentional shifts. Today we're diving into something we've all faced: self-sabotage. You know those moments where you procrastinate on the thing you want most? Or you start strong and then quit halfway? Or maybe you avoid an opportunity that could change your life? It's not because you're broken or lazy. It's because of how your brain is wired. And today, I'm going to show you how to rewire it. When I was a young dancer in New York, I had big dreams but also big fear. I can remember before auditions, my brain would whisper, 'You're not ready. You'll embarrass yourself. Who do you think you are?' And sometimes, I believed it. I'd leave auditions early, I'd talk myself out of even showing up. And even after I booked Broadway, self-sabotage showed up again. I'd over-rehearse, obsess over perfection, or avoid rest — thinking I had to prove my worth. What I learned later was that none of this was personal weakness. It was neural wiring. Science: Our brains are designed to keep us safe. The amygdala, our fear center, is ancient. When it senses risk — whether that's walking on stage, asking for a raise, or starting a new business — it doesn't differentiate between real danger and imagined fear. It sends out stress hormones: cortisol, adrenaline. That's when self-sabotage kicks in — procrastination, perfectionism, numbing behaviors like scrolling or over-eating. The good news? Neuroplasticity. Your brain can form new pathways. That means you can train it to associate risk with opportunity instead of danger. Action Tools:

1. Name It to Tame It: When a sabotaging thought comes up, label it. "This is my amygdala talking." That simple naming lowers its power.
2. Visualization: Imagine yourself succeeding in vivid detail. Brain scans show visualization activates the same regions as real experience.
3. Micro-Bravery: Instead of tackling the whole mountain, take one small step outside your comfort zone daily. Over time, this expands your safety zone.
4. Self-Compassion: Studies show self-kindness activates the parasympathetic nervous system — calming the fear response. Talk to yourself as you would a friend.

Closing: You are not broken. You're not lazy. You're human. Your brain is just trying to keep you safe. But you're also powerful. You can rewrite those neural scripts. Imagine what your life would look like if you stopped sabotaging yourself and started directing your own brain's play. Because that stage? It's waiting for you. And the spotlight is yours.