Advertise on podcast: Own Your Midlife Podcast: Hormones, Perimenopause and Reinvention for Women 40+

Are you feeling constantly overwhelmed, exhausted, or disconnected from the people around you... even when your daily life is packed with activity? Do you find yourself pulling away when you need support the most, or wondering why staying connected feels like so much work in this season of life? In this episode of Own Your Midlife, I sit down with clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and champion for human connection, Dr. Jody Carrington. We dive into why so many women in midlife are experiencing unprecedented levels of burnout and loneliness, and why burnout is fundamentally a connection problem, not a personal failure. Jody explains what it means to "come home to ourselves" when we are bone-tired and carrying the emotional weight of children, partners, and aging parents. We talk about the simple, micro-dosing resets that regulate our nervous system, why true connection is our greatest commodity in an increasingly digital world, and the life-changing power of making someone feel genuinely seen. In this episode, we talk about: Burnout as a Connection Problem: Why we are more burnt out than ever despite having constant digital access and mental health awareness. Coming Home to Yourself: Practical, micro-dosing nervous system resets (including physiological sighs and jaw relaxation) to calm your body when you're overwhelmed. Why We Pull Away When We're Struggling: Understanding the neurobiology of isolation and how to build authentic, supportive villages in midlife. The Power of Feeling Seen: How simple, genuine human interactions can save lives and restore our access to the best parts of ourselves. Protecting Your Energy at Night: Why swapping phone screens for physical books transforms sleep and reduces daily cortisol spikes. You don't need a complete life overhaul to feel like yourself again—sometimes it just starts with a single breath and a small moment of grace. If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with a friend or a woman in your life who needs a reminder that she isn't alone. Connect with Dr. Jody Carrington: Website: drjodycarrington.com Instagram: @drjodycarrington Connect with Me: Website: susiemclean.com Instagram: @susiemclean.xo Email: [email protected]

If a health condition runs in your family, does that mean it's your future, too? And what could genetic testing actually tell you about your health in midlife? In this episode, I'm joined by Natalie Samson, a board-certified genetic counselor and founder of Golden Genetics, to explore how our genes affect our health and where testing might fit into the changes we experience in our 40s and beyond. We talk about the connection between genetics, nutrition, and supplements, what to know about your family's health history, and how to understand a result that reveals an increased risk. Natalie also explains what testing can't tell us and what to look into before buying an at-home DNA test. If you want to better understand your body and take a more proactive approach to your health, this conversation offers a starting point for asking informed questions. Connect with Natalie: Natalie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geneticswithnatalie/  Golden Genetics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldengeneticshealth/ Website: https://www.goldengeneticshealth.com/ Book a Logistics call with Natalie: https://www.goldengeneticshealth.com/book-a-discovery-call-1 Histamine Intolerance and genetic testing for Histamine: https://form.typeform.com/to/PybdzItV Natalie's 4P Framework Quiz: https://form.typeform.com/to/RkvZ32qV Connect with Susie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo Website: www.susiemclean.com Email: [email protected]

Are you tired of feeling like perimenopause is taking over your life, leaving you exhausted, dealing with sudden heavy cycles or fibroids, and wondering where the "old you" went? Do you worry about whether hormone replacement therapy is safe, or feel completely brushed off when you bring up your symptoms to your doctor? You are not crazy, and you certainly don't have to just "suffer through" midlife. In this episode, I sit down with certified hormone specialist Karen Martel for an eye-opening, empowering conversation about taking charge of your health, understanding your options, and thriving through perimenopause and beyond. Karen Martel is also a transformational nutrition coach, the CEO of Midlife Solutions, and the host of The Hormone Solution podcast. She works with women going through perimenopause and menopause, helping them understand their symptoms and explore their options. She breaks down what is actually happening in our bodies as our hormone levels shift in our 30s, 40s, and 50s. We dive into why lifestyle changes alone can't replace the vital hormones we lose, what every woman should know about fibroids and hysterectomies, how to navigate choices between patches, creams, suppositories, and injections, and why starting "low and slow" with your dosage makes all the difference. In this episode, we talk about: Demystifying HRT & Bioidenticals: How modern bioidentical hormones differ from old-school therapies and why mother nature's soy and yams are changing the game. The First Signs of Perimenopause: Recognizing early hormonal shifts in your 30s and 40s before symptoms like insomnia, weight gain, or heavy cycles spiral. Estrogen, Progesterone & Testosterone: The distinct role each hormone plays in brain health, deep sleep, anxiety, and sexual wellness. Fibroids, Hysterectomies & HRT: Why hormone support is crucial for women who have had partial or full hysterectomies, and how fibroids factor into the equation. Delivery Methods & Custom Dosing: Comparing creams, patches, gels, suppositories, and injections—plus why starting "low and slow" prevents side effects. Navigating Your Doctor's Office: How to advocate for yourself when facing a medical system where very few physicians receive dedicated menopause training. Slowing down or aging doesn't mean giving up on feeling vibrant, strong, and confident. You deserve to feel incredible in this season of life, and the tools to own your health are well within your reach. If this conversation resonated with you, please share this episode with a friend or woman in your life who needs to hear it! Connect with Karen Martel Website: karenmartel.com Shop: Midlife Solutions  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenmartelhormones/ Connect with Susie  Website: www.susiemclean.com Instagram: @susiemclean.xo Episode on Fibroids / Partial Hysterectomy  https://open.spotify.com/episode/43ZWCwf9LxXJ4Q7xaLnj0U?si=b1a2073c209848d0

Feeling stuck in midlife while everyone else seems to be moving ahead? Maybe you're applying for jobs, going to auditions, or building a business, and the opportunity you've worked toward still hasn't come. You keep showing up, but you're starting to wonder: Do I keep going? Do I need a different plan? In this episode of Own Your Midlife, I'm talking about how to get your power back when you feel stuck and the outcome you want depends on someone else saying yes. We'll talk about rejection, the power we give other people's decisions, and the difference between persistence and holding so tightly to one plan that you can't see another way forward. If you're considering a career change after 40 or questioning what's next, I'll share questions to help you see what is within your control. We'll look at why the experience and abilities you've developed still matter when you change direction, what it takes to create your own opportunity, and how imposter syndrome can make that step feel daunting. I also share the story of Lisa Price, whose side project grew into Carol's Daughter. Midlife reinvention doesn't always begin with a clear new plan. Sometimes it begins when you realize that one closed door doesn't get to decide what's possible for your life. You're allowed to feel disappointed. And you still have the power to choose what you do next. If this episode made you think of someone who's feeling stuck or discouraged, send it her way. Connect with Susie Instagram: @susiemclean.xo Email: [email protected] Website: www.susiemclean.com

Do you feel guilty when you take a break, even when you're exhausted? Maybe you finally sit down, but your mind immediately starts listing everything you should be doing next. Answer the email. Work on the idea. Get ahead. Make progress. In this episode of Own Your Midlife, we're talking about productivity guilt, the pressure to keep going, and the fear that slowing down means you're losing momentum or falling behind. This conversation is especially relevant if you're in your 40s or 50s and thinking about what you still want to do, whether that means starting a business, changing careers, writing a book, creating something new, or simply building a life that feels more like your own. We'll talk about the difference between being ambitious and constantly pushing yourself, why some seasons require more from you than others, and why consistency doesn't mean working every available minute. I'll also share some research on leisure guilt and short breaks, and a few questions to think about when you finally stop but your brain won't. You can take your goals seriously and still watch a movie, take a nap, spend time with your family, or do something completely unrelated to what you're building. Slowing down doesn't mean you've stopped caring. This week, consider taking a little break and enjoying something that has nothing to do with getting ahead. Connect with Susie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo Website: www.susiemclean.com Email: [email protected]

Thinking about making a career change in midlife, starting a business, or finally exploring an idea that keeps coming back to you? In this episode, I'm talking with Shannon Russell about what it really looks like to create a second act without feeling like you have to start from scratch. Shannon is a Business Coach, Corporate Team Building Facilitator, TEDx Speaker, and the author of Start Your Second Act. She's also the host of the Second Act Success Podcast, where she shares inspiring stories and actionable strategies to help professionals make career changes and start businesses. After spending more than 16 years as a television producer, Shannon took her experience in the entertainment industry and began "producing" her own life by starting several businesses, including Second Act Success®, where she supports women as they embrace change, discover new opportunities, and design careers that bring them joy and purpose. In our conversation, Shannon shares how she left a successful career as a television producer and started building a new path that gave her more flexibility and fit the life she wanted. We also talk about why the skills and experience you already have can become some of your biggest advantages when you're making a career pivot or starting something new. We get into how to recognize your skills, narrow down multiple business ideas, research before you leap, and build a bridge between the job you have now and the life or business you want next. Shannon also shares why taking the time to reflect on what you actually want can help you make clearer decisions about your next chapter. We also talk about the discomfort of becoming a beginner again, why your non-negotiables matter when you're building something new, and how to create a business around the life you want instead of allowing the business to take over your life. If you're a woman in your 40s, 50s, or beyond who keeps wondering, "What could I do next?" this conversation will help you think about that question in a practical way without feeling like you have to blow up your entire life to figure it out. In this episode, we talk about: • Making a career change in midlife without starting over • Recognizing the skills and experience you already have • Choosing between multiple career or business ideas • Why research matters before making a big move • Starting a business while keeping your current job • Creating non-negotiables around the life you want • Working through the discomfort of feeling like a beginner again • Taking small, practical steps toward your second act Connect with Shannon: Website: https://secondactsuccess.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondactsuccess/ Book: https://secondactsuccess.co/book Podcast: https://secondactsuccess.co/podcast Connect with Susie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo  Website: www.susiemclean.com

Have you ever noticed that as you start changing, some of your friendships start to feel different too? As we grow, set better boundaries, speak up more, stop overgiving, or stop making ourselves smaller to keep the peace, the dynamics in our friendships can change. And sometimes that can leave us wondering whether the relationship can actually grow with us. In this episode of Own Your Midlife, I'm talking about what happens when your growth starts affecting your friendships, the grief that can come with that, and the honest conversations we sometimes avoid when something no longer feels right. I'm also sharing a personal story about a close friendship, people-pleasing, unspoken hurt, and the resentment that can build when we expect someone to know what we're feeling without actually telling them. Because as much as we need to recognize when a friendship is no longer healthy, we also have to be willing to look at our own part and ask whether we've been honest about what we need, what hurt us, and what has changed. In this episode, I talk about how to: Recognize when a friendship has become one-sided, emotionally draining, or difficult to navigate. Understand the connection between people-pleasing, silence, resentment, and friendship problems. Set healthy boundaries with friends without immediately assuming the relationship has to end. Have an honest conversation with a friend who has hurt you. Consider whether you have clearly communicated what you need before walking away. Understand why grief and relief can exist at the same time after a friendship changes or ends. Recognize that we can miss someone and still know the relationship is no longer healthy for us. Build adult friendships where we can be honest, disagree, grow, and be fully ourselves. Before deciding that a friendship is over, I encourage us to ask: Have I actually told this person what hurt me, or how I felt I was being treated? Sometimes a friendship can grow with us. Sometimes the dynamic needs to change. Sometimes there's a boundary or an honest conversation that needs to happen. And sometimes, after we've communicated clearly, we realize the relationship no longer has room for who we're becoming. If you're navigating changing friendships, friendship grief, difficult conversations, or setting boundaries after 40, this episode will help you look at those relationships more honestly and get clearer on what deserves more of your energy moving forward. Connect with Susie: Send me a message here: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo Website: www.susiemclean.com

If you're in midlife and starting to wonder whether the career you've built still fits who you are now, this episode will help you think through what comes next, whether that means staying, making changes where you are, or stepping into something completely new. In this episode, I'm joined by career coach Paula Randler. Paula spent seventeen years in one organization before eventually leaving and starting her own coaching practice, so she understands both the fear of walking away from something familiar and the possibility of creating a completely different next chapter. We talk about why "Should I stay or should I go?" may actually be the wrong first question, how to tell the difference between a rough season and a deeper misalignment, and why staying can sometimes be the right decision when you're choosing it on purpose. We also get into the fear and grief that can come with changing careers in midlife, how overworking and emotionally carrying other people can keep women stuck, and how to get clearer when you know something needs to change but you honestly don't know what you want instead. Paula shares how your values, your current season of life, and small "micro experiments" can help you figure out what actually fits now without feeling like you have to blow up your whole life. In this episode, we talk about: Career change in midlife How to know when your career no longer fits Feeling stuck or restless at work Whether to stay, leave, or make changes where you are The fear of starting over in midlife Burnout, overworking, and carrying too much at work  How to get clear on what you actually want next Making career decisions you can trust Using your values to guide your next move If you've been thinking, I don't know if I want to keep doing this for the next ten years, this conversation will help you look at your career more honestly and get clearer about what you want this next season to look like. Connect with Paula: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paularandler/ Website: https://paularandler.com/ Connect with Susie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo Website: www.susiemclean.com Email: [email protected]

What if finding yourself again in midlife starts with remembering the moments when you already proved something to yourself? In this solo episode, I'm talking about the stories we carry with us. The moments that remind us we've been brave before, taken risks before, trusted ourselves before, and figured things out when we had no idea how they were going to work out. I share one of those moments from my own life, and why I still think about it years later whenever I need a reminder not to let someone else's opinion become the limit I place on myself. From there, we get into what it really means to own your midlife. Deciding what you want next, rebuilding self-trust, taking action even when you don't have a guarantee, and remembering that you are not starting from zero. If you've been questioning what's next, thinking about starting over, or trying to reconnect with the version of yourself who wasn't afraid to take a chance, this episode will help you look at your own story differently and start moving toward the life you want now. CONNECT WITH ME :)  I would love to here from you and what you've been enjoying. Send me a message at: [email protected] Connect with me on Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo  Website: susiemclean.com

Have you ever wondered how much of who you are is really you, and how much may have been shaped by years of wanting to feel accepted, loved, or safe? For many women, approval-driven patterns can become so familiar that they start to feel like part of your personality. Being accommodating, keeping others happy, avoiding disappointment, or automatically going along with what everyone else wants can become something you do without even realizing it. In this episode, I'm joined by Diane Sorensen, speaker, Boundary & Empowerment Coach, and host of the Chaos to Connection podcast. We talk about where these patterns can come from, why the need for approval can stay with us long after childhood, and why midlife can bring us face-to-face with ways of living we may have never questioned before. We also talk about resentment and what it may be telling you, why setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable even when you know they're healthy, why other people may struggle when you begin changing, and simple ways to start noticing your own preferences instead of automatically going along with what everyone else wants. In this episode, we talk about: • Why approval-seeking can become a deeply ingrained pattern • How some behaviors we think are our personality may have been learned years ago • Why setting boundaries can bring up guilt and discomfort • How resentment can be a sign that you've been putting your own needs and feelings aside • Why changing old patterns can be difficult for the people around you too • How to start paying attention to what you actually want and need • Why midlife can be an opportunity to question old patterns and live more honestly If you've spent years looking outside yourself for approval, this conversation may help you understand where some of those patterns came from and begin paying attention to what's actually true for you. Connect with Susie: If you enjoyed this episode reach out! I'd love to hear from you:) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo/ Email: [email protected] Website: www.susiemclean.com Connect with Diane: Podcast Spotify - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diane-sorensen1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianesorensen.bb/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diane.sorensen.589 Website: https://www.dianesorensen.net/ Free gift – Drama to Empowerment workbook: https://www.dianesorensen.net/drama-to-empowerment

Have you ever wondered why you feel lonely even when you have people around you? Loneliness in midlife can be confusing. You may be married, have children, friends, coworkers, and people you talk to regularly, yet still feel disconnected or like something is missing. In this episode, I'm talking about why loneliness can show up in midlife, what that feeling may be telling you, and three practical things you can do to create more meaningful connection in your life. I also share what recent research says about loneliness after 45 and why social connection matters more than we may realize. We'll dive into: • Why you can feel lonely even when you are not physically alone • How to figure out what kind of connection you are actually missing • Why feeling known and understood matters • How to reach out when you are tired of always being the one who initiates • Simple ways to create more connection, belonging, and meaningful relationships in midlife If you have been feeling lonely, disconnected, or like your relationships are missing something, I hope this episode helps you understand what you may need and gives you one small step you can take today. CONNECT! I'd love to hear from you! Send me a message at: [email protected] Connect on: Instagram Website: www.susiemclean.com

What do you do when you're feeling lost in midlife and know you want something different for your life, but you can't quite figure out what that something is? In this solo episode, I'm sharing three things that helped me find clarity when I felt uncertain about what was next. We'll talk about what happens when the life you're living no longer feels like it fits, how other people's opinions can quietly influence your decisions, and why waiting until you feel completely certain may be keeping you stuck. You'll also learn how paying attention to what feels out of alignment can help you understand yourself more clearly, why choosing impact over approval can reconnect you with what truly matters, and how taking one imperfect step can give you information that thinking alone cannot. In this episode, we talk about: • Recognizing when an area of your life feels out of alignment • How fear of judgment can make it harder to know what you truly want • The subtle ways other people's opinions can influence your decisions • Choosing impact over approval • How perfectionism can keep you waiting for certainty • Why taking action can help you find clarity • Three questions to ask when you feel lost in midlife Sometimes you only need enough clarity to take the next step. If this episode encourages you, share it with someone in your life who may need to hear it. Connect with Susie: Instagram - susiemclean.xo Email: [email protected]

Have you ever gone to the doctor because you knew something felt off, only to be told that all your lab work looked normal? Maybe you're dealing with brain fog, low energy, mood changes, poor sleep, or that hard to explain feeling that you simply don't feel like yourself anymore. Being told everything looks fine can leave you wondering whether you're imagining it or whether there may be more to explore. In this episode, I'm joined by functional medicine practitioner Dr. Alicia Newsome for a conversation about hormones in midlife and why routine testing may not always answer every question a woman has about how she feels. Alicia shares her functional medicine approach to looking at the body more broadly. We talk about hormone testing, cortisol, chronic stress, blood sugar, nutrition, gut health, sleep, and some of the other areas she considers when working with women who are struggling with symptoms but have been told their results are normal. We also talk about what it means to pay attention to your body, why asking questions matters, and how to advocate for yourself when you know you do not feel right. Before we wrap up, Alicia shares three practical steps women can consider this week, including starting the day with a more balanced breakfast, doing a brain dump before bed, and seeking appropriate testing and support when symptoms continue. You know your body. When something feels off, you deserve to be heard, ask questions, and find the support you need. Connect with Alicia Newsom Instagram: @dr.alicianewsome Facebook: Dr. Alicia Newsome                                                                                                                                                      Linkedin: Dr. Alicia Newsome                                                                                                                                                        Youtube: Dr. Alicia Newsome  Connect with Susie  Website: susiemclean.com Instagram: susiemclean.xo

Have you ever wondered how two people who love each other can slowly start to feel disconnected? Most of the time, it does not happen because of one major moment. It happens through small things that go unnoticed, unspoken, or pushed aside during the busyness of life. In this episode, my husband Anthony joins me to talk about how to stay connected in a relationship through the different seasons of life. After more than two decades together, we've learned that reconnecting with your partner often begins with simple choices you can make in everyday moments. We talk about why acknowledgement matters, especially when someone's effort has become so familiar that it becomes easy to stop noticing. We also share why comparing your relationship to another couple's highlight reel can make you lose sight of the season you are currently experiencing together. In this episode, you'll hear: Why your partner's priorities should matter to you How acknowledgement helps your partner feel seen Why reliable partners are often taken for granted How comparison can create dissatisfaction in your relationship Why saying "I'm fine" can slowly lead to resentment and disconnection If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected] You can also connect with me on Instagram at @susiemclean.xo

For many women, putting yourself last can look a lot like kindness. You become the easygoing one, the flexible one, the woman who always makes it work. But after years of people-pleasing, saying yes to everyone, and ignoring your own needs, many women over 40 reach midlife realizing they can hear everyone else's voice more clearly than their own. In this episode of Own Your Midlife, I share the moment that helped me recognize the difference between being kind and quietly abandoning myself. You'll learn why self-abandonment is often rewarded, how your body may recognize a boundary before you can say it out loud, and why rebuilding self-trust begins in small, everyday decisions. You'll also be given one simple question to ask before automatically saying yes and truthful language you can use when something doesn't work for you. Because every time you honor what you need, you remind yourself that your voice matters. In this episode, you'll hear: The subtle phrases that may sound like kindness but can actually be signs of people-pleasing and self-abandonment Why you may say yes before giving yourself time to recognize your own needs and boundaries One simple question to ask before saying, "It's fine," so you can begin trusting your voice and responding more honestly Know a woman who needs to hear this? Send it her way. And make sure you're following Own Your Midlife so you don't miss future episodes. I love hearing from you! Leave a review or send me an email at: [email protected] Tell me what you're enjoying!  Connect with Susie: Instagram