This episode is a true gem. I'm so honoured to welcome back Jacqueline Perez, the heart-centered force behind Cool Life and a powerful champion for women in midlife. 

Jacqueline is the embodiment of everything we talk about here on Thrive After 45™: that our second act is where we truly rise into our power.

Jacqueline gets real about her own menopause journey, which she says hit her "like a tractor trailer" and shook her physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Instead of letting it defeat her, she chose to face it head-on and transformed it into a global movement to normalize aging. 

We talk about the importance of being "selfish" in your healing process , and how that choice ultimately benefits everyone around you.

She also shares the story behind her beautiful new book of poetry, Metamorphosis in Stanis, which she wrote as a way to process a series of difficult life events. The book is a woman's midlife companion that includes QR codes for each poem, so you can listen to her read them and feel the full energy behind her words. 

Jacqueline even reads one of the poems, "A World in Three Crayons," which is a perfect reminder that we can do amazing things with what we’ve been given, even if it feels like we only have "three crayons".

This conversation is a permission slip to see yourself as a masterpiece in progress, to embrace every season of your life, and to believe that the best is truly yet to come.

Go follow Jacqueline:

🖥️ Website → https://kuellife.com/
📕 Get her poetry book "Metamorphosis in Stanzas" 

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

November 2026, I will be hosting a live, in-person experience called IGNITE: The Inner Uprising™.

It is a two-day immersive gathering for 1,200 women in midlife — women who feel the quiet pull toward something more truthful, more embodied, more fully their own.

IGNITE is an extension of these conversations.

It’s where reflection becomes embodiment.

Where insight becomes integration.

Where women who have held so much for others gather to stand fully in their own sovereignty.

If something in today’s conversation stirred you — if your body leaned in — that is NOT accidental.

The waitlist is now open.

If IGNITE feels like something your future self would thank you for, I invite you to add your name here. 

https://ignite2026.lovable.app

There is a place for us to gather.

If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow ...

You know that feeling when you're in midlife and it feels like there's something more for you, but you just can't figure out how to get there? 

That feeling is exactly what my amazing guest, Barbara Wood Watson, helps people with. 

She's a "Logical Mystic" who has spent decades helping tens of thousands of students worldwide silence stress and unlock their intuition.

In this episode of Thrive After 45™, we're diving deep into the hidden barriers that often stop us from living a joyful and full life as we get older.

Barbara has a unique background that spans healthcare law, meditation, and more, and she uses that wisdom to help people break free from what's holding them back.

We talk about how what you're seeking is already within you and the importance of giving yourself permission to go after your dreams.

We also explore the fascinating "big rocks" concept, a simple but powerful tool that helps you prioritize what's most important in your life so you're not just doing the small stuff. 

Find out more about Barbara and her work:

• Website:  
• Instagram:  

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

November 2026, I will be hosting a live, in-person experience called IGNITE: The Inner Uprising™.

It is a two-day immersive gathering for 1,200 women in midlife — women who feel the quiet pull toward something more truthful, more embodied, more fully their own.

IGNITE is an extension of these conversations.

It’s where reflection becomes embodiment.

Where insight becomes integration.

Where women who have held so much for others gather to stand fully in their own sovereignty.

If something in today’s conversation stirred you — if your body leaned in — that is NOT accidental.

The waitlist is now open.

If IGNITE feels like something your future self would thank you for, I invite you to add your name here. 

https://ignite2026.lovable.app

There is a place for us to gather.

If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow ...

Some of us are here to teach the very thing we once feared the most. That's the powerful truth at the heart of this week's Thrive After 45™ episode. 

I sat down with Dr. Doreen Downing, a clinical psychologist who spent decades helping people, all while secretly struggling with intense public speaking anxiety.

It wasn't just nerves...it was a crippling fear that she couldn't "knuckle her way through" or overcome by memorizing scripts.

Instead of letting her fear win, Doreen chose to do the deep inner work. What she discovered became her life's signature contribution...the Find Your Voice method. 

It's a powerful mix of psychology, mindfulness, and her own experience, created to help people stop performing and start expressing their truth in boardrooms, on stages, or at home. 

She’s mentored thousands of people over 45 years and was first licensed as a psychotherapist in 1980.

We chat about how to move from pretending to performing and get to your quiet inner truth.

Doreen's work is not about helping people be better speakers, but about helping them be more of who they are.

She shares that what's in your way is actually the way. 

She also opens up about what most people get wrong about fear...that it's too big to approach...and how we can start listening to what our fear is trying to teach us.

Doreen's book, "The 7 Secrets to Finding Your Voice," teaches a process of how to be still, be present, and eventually, be yourself. It’s a journey that takes you from the past, where your fears were born, to a courageous confidence in the present moment.

Find out more about Doreen and her work:

• Website:  https://doreendowning.com
• Get Her 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking:   https://doreen7steps.com 
  
  

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

November 2026, I will be hosting a live, in-person experience called IGNITE: The Inner Uprising™.

It is a two-day immersive gathering for 1,200 women in midlife — women who feel the quiet pull toward something more truthful, more embodied, more fully their own.

IGNITE is an extension of these conversations.

It’s where reflection becomes embodiment.

Where insight becomes integration.

Where women who have held so much for others gather to stand fully in their own sovereignty.

If something in today’s conversation stirred you — if your body leaned in — that is NOT accidental.

The waitlist is now open.

If IGNITE feels like something your future self would thank you for, I invite you to add your name here. 

https://ignite2026.lovable.app

There is a place for us to gather.

If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow ...

Oh my gosh, friends, you are in for such an incredible conversation this week on the Thrive After 45™ podcast. I am sitting down with the phenomenal Felicity Ashley, and her story is just proof that our midlife years can be the most powerful and adventurous chapters yet.

At 46, after leading marketing teams for 20 years, Felicity did something absolutely extraordinary: she rowed over 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean with an all-female crew of working moms!

 This epic journey proved that women in midlife can do incredible things. But the adventure didn’t stop there. 

Soon after, she faced an entirely different kind of challenge: a diagnosis of stage three bowel cancer.

Felicity’s story isn’t just about overcoming a life-threatening illness; it's about using the strength and resilience gained from one challenge to face the next. 

She shares how the mental and physical grit she built from rowing the ocean became her superpower to get through cancer treatment. And after overcoming cancer, she celebrated a three-year milestone by running the world's highest marathon at Everest Base Camp!!! 

Talk about unstoppable!

We get into a real, honest conversation about what it means to truly thrive through change, uncertainty, and challenge. 

We also dive into the idea that age is an advantage, not a limitation. Felicity explains that being a working mom gave her a unique superpower on the Atlantic row. She and her crew were used to broken sleep from feeding children through the night, so the two-hours-on, two-hours-off rowing schedule didn't faze them.

This is a conversation that will leave you feeling so empowered and ready to tackle your own "Everest" whatever that may be.

You'll hear about how she made a career pivot to professional speaking and how her book, "Stronger Than the Storm," is inspiring others to find their own strength.

Felicity’s message is so beautiful and simple...

We are all so much stronger and more capable than we think, and it's only when we're challenged that we truly realize our own power. 

She encourages us to push ourselves and to say "yes" to the things that feel right for us, even if they feel scary.

You can connect with Felicity and learn more about her inspiring journey on her website at www.felicityashley.com

LinkedI

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

November 2026, I will be hosting a live, in-person experience called IGNITE: The Inner Uprising™.

It is a two-day immersive gathering for 1,200 women in midlife — women who feel the quiet pull toward something more truthful, more embodied, more fully their own.

IGNITE is an extension of these conversations.

It’s where reflection becomes embodiment.

Where insight becomes integration.

Where women who have held so much for others gather to stand fully in their own sovereignty.

If something in today’s conversation stirred you — if your body leaned in — that is NOT accidental.

The waitlist is now open.

If IGNITE feels like something your future self would thank you for, I invite you to add your name here. 

https://ignite2026.lovable.app

There is a place for us to gather.

If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow ...

In this episode of Thrive After 45™, I'm so honored to welcome back Mary Ann Hughes, a certified special needs divorce coach, family mediator, and parenting coordinator. 

Mary Ann's journey into this work is deeply personal. After 21 years of marriage, she navigated her own divorce while raising two children on the autism spectrum. 

Her experience with the financial and emotional toll of the process inspired her to dedicate her career to helping other families avoid those struggles and focus on what's most important....their children.

Mary Ann brings a unique blend of personal insight and professional expertise to her work. She's here to empower parents to confidently advocate for themselves and their children, providing the clarity and tools they need to move forward with strength and peace of mind.

This conversation is a beautiful reminder that divorce doesn't have to be a win-lose situation. It can be a win-win, where everybody...especially the children...can come out of the process with a renewed sense of hope. 

We discuss why having a special needs divorce coach is so important, how to make strategic decisions rather than emotional ones, and how to become the boss of your own divorce. 

Mary Ann's message is one of hope: you will get through this, and there is a better life for you after.

For more information about Mary Ann and her work, or to find out about the Divorce for Special Needs Children Summit happening in January 2026, you can find her in these places...

Website: https://www.specialfamilytransitions.com/

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

November 2026, I will be hosting a live, in-person experience called IGNITE: The Inner Uprising™.

It is a two-day immersive gathering for 1,200 women in midlife — women who feel the quiet pull toward something more truthful, more embodied, more fully their own.

IGNITE is an extension of these conversations.

It’s where reflection becomes embodiment.

Where insight becomes integration.

Where women who have held so much for others gather to stand fully in their own sovereignty.

If something in today’s conversation stirred you — if your body leaned in — that is NOT accidental.

The waitlist is now open.

If IGNITE feels like something your future self would thank you for, I invite you to add your name here. 

https://ignite2026.lovable.app

There is a place for us to gather.

If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow ...

What if the secret to feeling amazing was found in the most unexpected place: your poop?

It's a real question, and in this week's episode of Thrive After 45™, I sat down with gut health specialist Melissa Hall Klepacki to talk about something a lot of us are too embarrassed to mention....constipation.

Melissa has been helping people heal for nearly 30 years, and she gets to the root of the problem because, as she says, constipation isn’t the problem, it’s a symptom. 

Melissa has a master’s in acupuncture and is a true gut health expert, but her passion for this work was born from her own health journey, which included battling Lyme disease, parasites, and mold. 

We talk about how she went from feeling "devastated" by her gut issues to finding liberation, and how she now helps others do the same.

We get into the eight root causes behind gut issues, with some mind-blowing insights you’ve probably never heard before. Melissa shares actionable steps for better health, from the surprising reason you might be constipated to the simple tests you can do to uncover your own health hurdles. 

This is a must-listen if you're ready to stop feeling like your gut health is a mystery and start feeling like your best self.

Find out more about Melissa and her work:

• Website:  melissahallklepacki.com/everything
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahallklepacki
• Book: The Constipation Code 

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

November 2026, I will be hosting a live, in-person experience called IGNITE: The Inner Uprising™.

It is a two-day immersive gathering for 1,200 women in midlife — women who feel the quiet pull toward something more truthful, more embodied, more fully their own.

IGNITE is an extension of these conversations.

It’s where reflection becomes embodiment.

Where insight becomes integration.

Where women who have held so much for others gather to stand fully in their own sovereignty.

If something in today’s conversation stirred you — if your body leaned in — that is NOT accidental.

The waitlist is now open.

If IGNITE feels like something your future self would thank you for, I invite you to add your name here. 

https://ignite2026.lovable.app

There is a place for us to gather.

If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow ...

Alright, friend! Grab your favorite mug and snuggle in, because this week’s episode of Thrive After 45™ is going to spark something incredible in you. 

I had the absolute honour of chatting with Tania Carriere, an "epiphany designer" who has dedicated over 30 years to helping others live their fullest lives. Seriously, she’s amazing.

Tania and I talked about everything from her childhood adventures creating plays for sheep on her family farm to how she completely defied a mentor who told her being a "professional best friend" wasn't a real career. 

Spoiler alert: She proved him wonderfully wrong!

We dive deep into how travel and theater became the unexpected catalysts for her unique approach to transformative retreats. It's all about stepping out of your current context to truly see yourself and the world in a new light.

And lemme tell ya, what she calls "Defiant Joy" is a concept we all need to embrace, especially as we navigate midlife and beyond. It’s about insisting on joy, vision, and abundance, even when the world tries to tell you otherwise.

Tania truly believes joy isn't something you earn after all the hard work; it's an action, a mindset, a choice, and even a political statement. We are all deserving of joy from the moment we are born.

She also shares exciting details about her upcoming retreats, including "Sanctuary of Self" in Quebec City this October, focused on finding solace within yourself, and "Reimagine Self" in Baja, Mexico this November, where you can shed old archetypes and explore who you dare to be now. And if travel isn't in the cards right now, she offers online experiences too.

This conversation is such a beautiful reminder that life is meant to be exciting, and it’s up to us to reach for that excitement. It's never too late to ask yourself, "Who do you dare to be now?".

You can connect with Tania and explore her incredible work through the links here:
Website: www.advivumjourneys.ca

Linked IN https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniacarriere/?originalSubdomain=ca

With love from The Heart Whisperer....

Denise

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

November 2026, I will be hosting a live, in-person experience called IGNITE: The Inner Uprising™.

It is a two-day immersive gathering for 1,200 women in midlife — women who feel the quiet pull toward something more truthful, more embodied, more fully their own.

IGNITE is an extension of these conversations.

It’s where reflection becomes embodiment.

Where insight becomes integration.

Where women who have held so much for others gather to stand fully in their own sovereignty.

If something in today’s conversation stirred you — if your body leaned in — that is NOT accidental.

The waitlist is now open.

If IGNITE feels like something your future self would thank you for, I invite you to add your name here. 

https://ignite2026.lovable.app

There is a place for us to gather.

If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow ...

Alright, friends, grab a cup of coffee and get ready to feel inspired. In this episode of Thrive After 45™, I get to sit down with the amazing Debra Morrison. 

Debra has spent over 47 years as a Certified Financial Planner and Asset Manager, and she's not just about numbers...she’s all about helping women live untethered, fulfilling lives. 

But her work goes way beyond that.

She’s a certified Grief Coach who even offered pro bono guidance to grieving families after 9/11.

She's also the author of My Husband Died Now What and Common Sense Money Guide for Women, and her TEDx talk, "Feel the Financial Fear and Do It Anyway," has inspired so many women to face their financial lives head-on. 

We talk about so many good things, like the power of community, what to do when society tells you that you're "done," and how to overcome the mindset of scarcity. 

Debra shares her belief that women can and should find their purpose again, whether that’s learning to paint, traveling, or volunteering. 

She also gives us a fresh take on wealth, breaking it down into five categories: physical, mental, relational, spiritual, and financial. 

This conversation is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to take control of your financial life and that your two most important assets are time and health. 

Debra's energy and wisdom will absolutely light a fire under you.

You'll also hear us dive into:

• Why the biggest myth about money is that you're "too old" 
• The difference between risk and return in the stock market 
• The importance of having a "why" for your saving and investing goals 
• How money buys options, not just happiness 

This episode is a must-listen if you want to shed financial shame, gain confidence, and learn how to build your own wealth, all while being a part of a powerful sisterhood. 

✨ You can find Debra online and connect with her here: 
Debra’s Baker’s Dozen of NOT-SO-OBVIOUS Financial Planning ESSENTIALS https://WCDIW.com/checklist

https://WeCanDoItWomen.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wcdiwgroup

Instagram: @debralmorrison

LinkedIn:

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

November 2026, I will be hosting a live, in-person experience called IGNITE: The Inner Uprising™.

It is a two-day immersive gathering for 1,200 women in midlife — women who feel the quiet pull toward something more truthful, more embodied, more fully their own.

IGNITE is an extension of these conversations.

It’s where reflection becomes embodiment.

Where insight becomes integration.

Where women who have held so much for others gather to stand fully in their own sovereignty.

If something in today’s conversation stirred you — if your body leaned in — that is NOT accidental.

The waitlist is now open.

If IGNITE feels like something your future self would thank you for, I invite you to add your name here. 

https://ignite2026.lovable.app

There is a place for us to gather.

If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow ...

Tim Tamashiro is one of those rare souls who makes you want to slow down, take a breath, and actually feel your own heartbeat again.

This episode is a gentle exhale in the middle of all the noise. 

We talk about what it really takes to find peace in a world that feels like it’s always demanding more of you, how our brains are wired to keep us on edge (hello, tiny almond-shaped amygdala), and why letting go of suffering - even in the smallest moments - might just be the gateway to a happier life.

Tim doesn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff. He’s been through burnout, reinvention, and the “what now?” questions that keep you up at night. 

But the wisdom he shares feels like sitting on the couch with an old friend who sees you, gets you, and reminds you that you’re not broken...you’re just human.

This conversation is about giving yourself permission to pause. To soften. To find those little sparks of joy and clarity, even when life feels heavy. 

And most of all, to remember you’re not alone in the messiness of being human.

If your soul’s craving a deep breath today, this one’s for you. ❤️

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

November 2026, I will be hosting a live, in-person experience called IGNITE: The Inner Uprising™.

It is a two-day immersive gathering for 1,200 women in midlife — women who feel the quiet pull toward something more truthful, more embodied, more fully their own.

IGNITE is an extension of these conversations.

It’s where reflection becomes embodiment.

Where insight becomes integration.

Where women who have held so much for others gather to stand fully in their own sovereignty.

If something in today’s conversation stirred you — if your body leaned in — that is NOT accidental.

The waitlist is now open.

If IGNITE feels like something your future self would thank you for, I invite you to add your name here. 

https://ignite2026.lovable.app

There is a place for us to gather.

If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow ...

Junie Moon talks about what happens when you finally get honest about the ways you’ve been abandoning yourself in the name of love....

Saying yes when your gut screams no...
....walking on eggshells to keep the peace
....trying to earn your worth through being chosen.

Junie doesn’t hold back anything.

She shares what it was like to leave a 20-year marriage, only to fall into the same painful patterns in a different relationship…

...until one sleepless night changed everything.

That was her line in the sand moment - the one where she chose herself. 

Since then, she’s built a life and career anchored in radical self-love, deep healing, and helping other women do the same.

This isn’t just about relationships, though. It’s about learning to trust yourself again. To notice when you’ve started dimming your light. To stop performing for love and start choosing it - with honesty, with boundaries, with softness and strength.

You’ll hear us talk about:
 – Why “healthy selfish” is the most loving thing you can practice
 – How shadow work helps you uncover what’s really going on underneath the surface
– What changes when you stop abandoning yourself and start getting honest
– The difference between settling and choosing peace
– And how midlife isn’t a decline - it’s a doorway

You’re not too old.
You’re not too late.
You’re not broken.

You’re just ready for more.

✨ You can connect with Junie and follow along as she gets ready to launch her new live talk show Your Best Life with Junie Moon (which is gonna be SO good ... think Oprah meets the dating game):

Instagram → @midlifeloveoutloud 
Website → midlifeloveoutloud.com
New show IG → @your_bestlifeshow

And as always, thank you for being here with me inside the Thrive After 45™ Podcast. I’m so glad we get to do life - and these conversations - together. ❤️

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

November 2026, I will be hosting a live, in-person experience called IGNITE: The Inner Uprising™.

It is a two-day immersive gathering for 1,200 women in midlife — women who feel the quiet pull toward something more truthful, more embodied, more fully their own.

IGNITE is an extension of these conversations.

It’s where reflection becomes embodiment.

Where insight becomes integration.

Where women who have held so much for others gather to stand fully in their own sovereignty.

If something in today’s conversation stirred you — if your body leaned in — that is NOT accidental.

The waitlist is now open.

If IGNITE feels like something your future self would thank you for, I invite you to add your name here. 

https://ignite2026.lovable.app

There is a place for us to gather.

If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow ...