How do relationships change in midlife — and how do couples communicate through it without adding pressure or blame? In this episode of Wellness After 40,  I spoke with April Bailye, LCSW. She shares what she sees most often in couples after 40 and how small communication shifts can lead to deeper connection.

We talk about staying curious instead of defensive, using soft openers, “positive sandwiches,” and why seeking support doesn’t have to mean something is wrong — sometimes it’s simply about wanting to grow. April also shares Gottman-based tools couples can start using right away.

Learn more about April’s work here:
 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/april-bailye-counseling-abc-marietta-ga/1054352

Explore the Gottman Method referenced in this episode:
 https://www.gottman.com/

Download the free audio reflection mentioned in this episode:
 https://www.livingwellwithkatie.net/a-calmer-approach-to-wellness-after-40-1

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In this episode of Wellness After 40, I talk with Brigid Delaney, author and journalist, about her exploration of wellness in midlife. Brigid spent her 40s experimenting with different trends, habits, and practices — documenting her experiences with humor, honesty, and curiosity.

We dive into what it’s like to observe and document wellness firsthand, from the physically and emotionally challenging experiments to the surprises she found in the wellness industry. Brigid also reflects on how her writing resonates with people navigating life in their 40s and beyond, balancing health, life transitions, and self-care.

Along the way, we discuss her approach to storytelling, the experience of seeing her book Wellmania adapted into a Netflix series, and the simple habits she believes support wellness in midlife. This conversation is for anyone curious about wellness, storytelling, and what it really means to pay attention to life after 40 — without pressure to “fix” or reinvent yourself.

Books by Brigid Delaney:

• Reasons Not to Worry — https://www.amazon.com/Reasons-Not-Worry-Stoic-Chaotic-ebook/dp/B0BRY86QSS?ref_=ast_author_dp
  
  
• Wellmania — https://www.amazon.com/Wellmania-Extreme-Misadventures-Search-Wellness/dp/1771643706

Let’s stay in touch! Beyond the podcast, I want to support your journey to wellness. Join my community and I’ll send you a free calming audio as a thank-you for being here.

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Every year, new health trends take over social media — but by the time we reach our 40s, most of us aren’t looking for hype. We’re looking for answers.

In this episode of Wellness After 40, we break down the 2026 health trends women are hearing about everywhere — and separate what social media is saying from what the science actually supports.

We take a grounded, non-judgmental look at:

• HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy): why it’s back in the spotlight, what’s changed since FDA approval, and why this conversation is more nuanced than TikTok makes it seem
• GLP-1 medications: why they’re the most polarizing topic in wellness, who they may help, and why muscle, bone health, and strength still matter more than the scale
• Creatine: why this once-misunderstood supplement is becoming a quiet midlife trend for strength, energy, and aging well

This is not medical advice — it’s a clear, honest conversation for women navigating perimenopause, metabolism changes, muscle loss, and real life.

If you’re tired of extremes and just want thoughtful, evidence-informed conversations about midlife health, this episode is for you.

👉 New✨Subscribe to the podcast to get bonus episodes! 
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438861/subscribe

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In this episode of Wellness After 40, Kelly Borders, MSN, a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Gynecologic Oncology at Wellstar Health System, shares essential information for women over 40. From subtle symptoms to watch for, the role of screenings, family history, and the importance of self-advocacy, Kelly empowers women to take control of their gynecologic health. She also shares practical prevention tips, including the powerful role of exercise, and busts common myths about gynecologic cancers. Stay informed, stay proactive, and prioritize your health.

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Strength training is one of the most important things women can do for their health—but for many, lifting heavy comes with fear: Will this cause leaks? Is my pelvic floor strong enough? What about squats, deadlifts, or weighted vests?

In this episode of Wellness After 40, I’m joined by Christina Walsh—physical therapist, published researcher, and cofounder of Tighten Your Tinkler—to break down what’s actually happening in your body when you train under load.

Christina shares a functional, biomechanics-based approach to pelvic health that moves beyond kegels and devices—helping women lift, carry, and get stronger with confidence.

In this conversation, we cover:

• What the pelvic floor is doing during strength training at a muscular and pressure level
• How squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, and carries challenge pelvic support
• What current research says about heavy lifting as a risk—or a protective factor
• Common mistakes with breathing, bracing, posture, and grip that increase symptoms
• How to safely progress load if you experience leaks, prolapse, or pelvic heaviness
• Weighted walking and wearing a weighted vest—what changes biomechanically
• Who benefits from adding load while walking and who should be cautious
• How to tell if a weighted vest is building true stability or layering compensation
• What “training the pelvic floor functionally” looks like in real life
• The very first step women should take to lift heavy without fear

🎯 Want to learn more?
Take the quiz and explore Christina’s work at https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/

💥 Use code WELLNESSAFTER40 for $50 off the Tighten Your Tinkler Signature Program.

📲 Follow Christina on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tighten.your.tinkler/

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Before you set your New Year’s resolutions, what if there was a different way to approach the year?

In this episode, I’m sharing one simple idea that’s already shifting how I show up — and how it could help you approach your goals in a way that actually works, without stress or pressure. I also share my personal word for the year, why I’m putting it out into the world publicly, and how it’s guiding me to feel more alive, present, and intentional every day.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by goal-setting, or tired of the “new year, new me” pressure, this episode is for you.

✨ New: Private Bonus Episodes for Subscribers

I’ve just launched subscriber-only bonus episodes, including short guided meditations and reflections designed to help you slow down, reconnect, and integrate what we talk about on the podcast.

You can subscribe for $5/month and get instant access here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438861/subscribe

Connect with me and share your own journey on Instagram:

@livingwellwithkatie.e

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As we head into a new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect, reassess, and set goals that truly matter. In this episode, Charul from Coaching Cubed is back to explore practical tools for evaluating your past year, prioritizing meaningful goals, and creating a roadmap for 2026 that actually works.

Charul shares her “elevator” method for checking in with your goals, how to weigh effort versus importance, and strategies to move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether your goals this year flourished, shifted, or completely fell apart, this conversation will give you actionable insights to step into the new year with intention.

Follow Charul and learn more about her coaching:
 🌐 Coaching Cubed Website

📸 Instagram: @coaching_cubed

In this episode, I’m joined by Brandi Milford — leadership and life coach, CEO of Milford Medical Management, and founder of Case Management Mastery — for a powerful conversation about why rest is not a retreat, but a strategy for long-term success.

Brandi wears many hats: wife, mom, CEO, coach, and founder of The Rest Spot in Smyrna, a space designed for women to slow down, reset, and reconnect with themselves. With over 25 years in catastrophic and workers’ compensation case management, Brandi helps high-achieving working moms build balanced, fulfilling lives without sacrificing their well-being.

We talk about…

✨ Why rest feels uncomfortable for high achievers
 ✨ How to make space for wellness without losing momentum
 ✨ Small routines that create rest in real life (not just on vacation)
 ✨ How to know when it’s time to pause or reset
 ✨ Why women over 40 need a new definition of success, wellness & purpose

If you're feeling stretched thin, constantly hustling, or struggling to slow down, this episode will help you rethink rest — not as a luxury, but as fuel.

🔗 Connect With Brandi

Instagram — Case Management:
 https://www.instagram.com/casemamager/

Instagram — The Rest Spot:
 https://www.instagram.com/the_rest_spot/

Website:
 https://brandimilford.com/

Midlife brings changes we notice everywhere—including our hair. In this episode, I’m talking with Christine McMillan, a trichologist—a specialist in hair and scalp health—about the shifts many of us see as we age.

We cover common concerns and questions like:

• Why your hair may feel thinner, drier, or more brittle
• Shedding that seems sudden or unexplained
• Changes in texture, shine, or volume
• Signs that something deeper may be going on with your hair
• How stress, hormones, and lifestyle can affect hair

If you’ve been noticing changes in your hair and wondering what’s normal—or what to do next—this episode is for you. Christine shares her expertise and perspective to help you navigate midlife hair with confidence.

Connect with Christine McMillan & The Scalp Garden:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalpgarden/

Website: https://www.scalpgarden.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

Her favorite tonic:
https://cultandking.com/product/tonik/ref/rockpaperscissors/?campaign=Tonik&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

In this episode, we’re having a real, candid conversation with Dr. Jackie Crowell about the changes that come with midlife and what your body is trying to tell you. Jackie, a licensed physical therapist and founder of Progressive Pelvis Physical Therapy, shares her expertise in pelvic health, orthopedics, and chronic pain, helping women in their 40s understand and support their bodies.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the pelvic floor does and why it matters beyond postpartum recovery
• Common changes women in their 40s may notice and early signs to watch for
• How lifestyle, stress, and hormones impact pelvic health
• Simple exercises and habits to support your body at home
• Techniques used in therapy like dry needling and visceral mobilization
• Creating a calm, approachable environment around pelvic health
• Practical tips for first-time visits and what usually surprises patients
• Dr. Jackie’s personal approach to wellness and aging well

Connect with Dr. Jackie Crowell:

• Website: https://progressivepelvis.com/
  
  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressivepelvis/