Women Like Us, Lately

Loving the Age You're In

We've spent this mini series asking other women one question: What's something you know now about being a woman that you wish you knew 10 years ago?

Now it's our turn!

Monika reflects on how much she's loved her 30s, finding more confidence, caring less about what others think, and becoming a mom. But with 40 approaching, she admits there are some new fears creeping in.

Val shares her perspective on getting older, embracing the changes that come with it, and one of her biggest realizations: learning to be her own best friend. We get into friendships, relationships, letting go of external validation, and realizing that love and connection don't have to come from just one person.

Different stages of life, different lessons, and a reminder that there's a lot to appreciate about the age we're in right now.

Episode Chapters

00:00 | Our Turn to Answer the Question

00:37 | Monika on Loving Her 30s

02:13 | Approaching 40 and Health Concerns

05:03 | Aging, Compliments, and Miami Expectations

06:03 | Embracing Aging and Gray Hair

07:18 | Val's Answer

07:41 | Learning to Be Your Own Best Friend

10:05 | Finding Love and Connection Beyond One Person

11:57 | What Would Your Answer Be?

13:29 | A Little Post-Credits Banter

Keep the Conversation Going! ❤️

Have a story, experience, or perspective you'd love to share? We'd love to hear from you!

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💌 Get in Touch: [email protected]

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🎧 Listen & Watch:

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• Apple Podcasts: Link
• YouTube: Link

Women Like Us: Lately

Real conversations about being a woman, lately.

Hosted by Valerie & Monika.

We Launched the Podcast: Behind the Scenes, What We Learned, and a Wellness Trend Report Card

In this episode of Women Like Us Lately, Monica and Val celebrate officially launching their podcast and reflect on the intense, tedious work it took—learning microphones, editing, websites, scheduling guests, and managing social media—while juggling jobs and family responsibilities. They share tech mishaps (duplicate Spotify accounts and an Apple account issue that deleted photos), discuss how teamwork and accountability helped them push past perfectionism, and describe meaningful feedback from listeners, including inspiring a sister-in-law to start a business. They talk about becoming more willing to try new things in their 40s, highlight insights from eight women featured in their launch series answering what they wish they knew 10 years ago, and grade wellness trends: hustle culture (B/F), romanticizing your life (A), and work-life balance (A/B). They close by encouraging listeners to start before feeling fully ready.

00:00 Podcast Launch Cheers

01:02 Behind The Scenes Hustle

05:06 Tech Mishaps And Lessons

06:18 Imperfect But Published

07:05 Proud Moments And Growth

09:52 Stress Scale And Coping

12:07 Celebrating The Win

15:14 Team Dynamic And Trust

17:25 Why It Is Last Minute

19:24 Confidence In The Journey

20:18 Meaningful Feedback

21:49 Trying New Things

23:54 Learning Is Possible

24:38 Launch Series Reflections

27:27 Listening Not Preaching

28:13 Wellness Trend Report

28:46 Hustle Culture Grades

30:41 Romanticize Your Life

31:23 Work Life Balance

33:37 Lately Check In

36:22 Just Start Message

38:00 Wrap Up And Blooper

Today, we're talking with Nicolette Yates, an Asheville-based mixed media artist, designer, and mom who has been making and exhibiting art for more than two decades. Her work has been shown in galleries and exhibitions across the country and internationally, while receiving multiple grants and awards. Um, there were tons, by the way. Wow. Um, her art is intuitive, imaginative, and a little unexpected. She's built a career around following that creativity, which has made us especially excited to hear her perspective on our question.

Today we're hearing from Coco Michelle, who is a dear friend of mine. She is a Miami-based photographer, content creator, and creative entrepreneur with a heart for family, faith, and storytelling. As a wife and family of two, she shares an authentic glimpse into motherhood, travel, wellness, and everyday life, while using her creativity to help people and brands tell meaningful stories

Today we're talking with Jenna Hare, entrepreneur, business strategist, coach, and co-founder of NC Budo. Her career has taken her from working with children with autism to building and selling a successful senior care business to helping other entrepreneurs build businesses that support the lives they want to live. She's also an accomplished martial artist and mom of five who has done a lot and built a lot, which is why we thought her perspective would be worth hearing. Jenna, thank you for being here today.

Today we're hearing from Simona Deetou. She is a Slovak creative living in Paris, raising three children while building a life around photography, writing, and storytelling.

Lucy as a talented photographer, a fiercely loving mother, a minority advocate, and someone with incredibly creative spirit. She's a full time Licensed Therapist and her work is LGBTQ+, body, and sex positive, and she's also the photographer behind the book 101 Places in Philadelphia That You Must Not Miss, and also hosted her own podcast called Midlife Plot Twist.

Today we're hearing from Jennifer Rodriguez. Hello, Jennifer. Hello. She's a project manager at the University of Miami, a pickleball lover, and a mom to a nine-year-old daughter. She and her husband have been together for 31 years. That's awesome. Yes. And she brings the perspective of a woman balancing work, family, and all the little moments in between.

Today we're hearing from Kendall Hitch. She's the founder of Heal with Kendall, a somatic practitioner and nervous system mentor with an extensive background in somatics, functional training, nutrition, and neuropathy. She brings years of education and certifications to her work, all while living in Mexico and raising her two adorable children.

Today we're hearing from Shannon Salge. She is a functional nutritionist, metabolism and hormone expert, bioresonance practitioner, and the founder of the Wellness Paradigm virtual bioresonance and na- nutrition practice, all while raising two beautiful children. She has gone through two pregnancies and deliveries, all while running a very successful business, and we just wanna know how she does it, paving the way in the wellness industry.