Episode 9: Nicole Cline: Redefining Success & Building a Beautiful Midlife

Episode 9: Nicole Cline: Redefining Success & Building a Beautiful Midlife

What if success isn't the longterm corporate career, the perfect title, or checking all the boxes you thought you were supposed to? In this episode of Nowhere Near Done, Sara sits down with longtime friend Nicole Cline—content creator, social media strategist, founder of By Darling, and the woman behind the beautiful lifestyle and travel account @thedarlingniki. From luxury hospitality and retail to blogging, social media, and entrepreneurship, Nicole has reinvented herself multiple times throughout her life. Together, she and Sara talk about burnout, career pivots, creating freedom and flexibility in midlife, and why so many women are redefining what success means in their 40s and beyond. They also dive into the reality behind social media and comparison, the pressure to keep chasing "more," and the reminder that someone else's dream life doesn't diminish the beauty of your own. The conversation also explores creating and blending families, as Nicole shares the joys and challenges of building relationships in a nontraditional family. Topics include: • Career pivots and reinvention • Burnout and leaving corporate life • Social media and comparison • Creating freedom and flexibility in midlife • Redefining success after 40 • Entrepreneurship and content creation • Creating and blending families • Travel, lifestyle, and finding joy in everyday life This episode is a reminder that there is no single timeline for creating a life you love—and that sometimes your biggest pivots happen when you finally give yourself permission to want something different. Because you're never too old to change direction, and you are Nowhere Near Done.

Episode 8: Dr. Susanne Ramos: Hormones, Longevity & Thriving After 40

What if the symptoms you've been blaming on stress, aging, burnout, or "just getting older" are actually signs of perimenopause? In this episode, Sara sits down with Dr. Susanne Ramos—OB-GYN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, founder of Ramos Women's Wellness Center, and one of the leading voices helping women better understand their health during midlife. Together, they break down what is actually happening in the body during perimenopause and menopause, why symptoms can show up years before your periods stop, and why so many women have been told their symptoms are "normal" when there may be options for support. Dr. Ramos explains the roles estrogen and progesterone play throughout the body, the latest thinking on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and how hormones impact everything from sleep, mood, and brain fog to weight gain, libido, cardiovascular health, bone health, and longevity. They also discuss: • Common signs of perimenopause and menopause • Why women experience brain fog, anxiety, insomnia, and joint pain • The truth about HRT and the Women's Health Initiative study • Weight gain, insulin resistance, and metabolic health • Sexual wellness and libido changes • Bone health, muscle mass, and longevity • Lifestyle changes that can make a significant difference • How to find qualified menopause care • Why this stage of life can be a wake-up call to prioritize yourself Most importantly, this conversation is a reminder that perimenopause is not the end of your story. In many ways, it's the beginning of a new chapter—and there are tools, resources, and support available to help you feel your best. Whether you're curious about hormones, considering HRT, or simply wondering if what you're experiencing is normal, this episode is packed with practical information every woman should hear. Disclaimer: This episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs and treatment options. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Menopause Brain — The Menopause Brain by Lisa Mosconi [https://amzn.to/4omDjWD] The Menopause Society [https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx] Dr. Susanne Ramos' recommendations [https://www.ramoswomenswellness.com/menopause] Ramos Women's Wellness Center [https://www.ramoswomenswellness.com] MARY CLAIRE HAVER [https://thepausewellness.com/provider/dr-mary-claire-haver/] KELLY CASPERSON [https://kellycaspersonmd.com]

Episode 7: Shanna Nakamura: Healing, Boundaries & Finding Yourself Again

What happens when the life you built no longer feels aligned with who you’re becoming? In this deeply honest episode, Sara sits down with her longtime friend Shanna Nakamura for a conversation about divorce, healing, people-pleasing, motherhood, boundaries, and the messy, transformative process of finding yourself again in midlife. Shanna opens up about leaving a long-term relationship, navigating co-parenting, rediscovering who she is outside of being a wife and mother, and the emotional work of finally learning to say no after a lifetime of putting everyone else first. Together, they talk about the invisible mental load women carry, the loneliness many women experience in motherhood and midlife, and why sisterhood and honest conversations matter so much during this season of life. The conversation also dives into therapy, healing old wounds, spirituality, perimenopause, and the importance of creating spaces where women can feel seen, supported, and less alone—without judgment. Topics include: * Divorce and starting over * Motherhood and identity loss * Boundaries and people-pleasing * Therapy and emotional healing * Perimenopause and midlife transitions * Female friendship and support * Co-parenting and relationships * Learning to choose yourself This episode feels like the kind of late-night conversation women have when they finally stop pretending they’re okay and start telling the truth. It’s one of the most vulnerable conversations yet.

Episode 6: Joyce Dudley: Reinvention, Resilience & Taking the Leap

What happens when women stop waiting until they feel “ready” and start trusting themselves enough to take the leap anyway? In this episode, Sara sits down with former Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley for a conversation about reinvention, resilience, leadership, motherhood, and the courage it takes to continue growing through every season of life. Joyce reflects on the lessons she’s learned throughout her career and personal life, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who encourage you to dream bigger, and why women so often underestimate what they’re capable of. Together, they talk about identity shifts, confidence, fear, ambition, and the pressure many women feel to stay small or play it safe—even when there’s a part of them craving something more. But this conversation is also about setting an example for the next generation: showing our daughters what it looks like to trust themselves, take risks, and go after the life they truly want. Topics include: * Reinvention and personal growth * Leadership and resilience * Midlife identity shifts * Confidence and self-trust * Motherhood and role modeling * Taking risks and chasing dreams * Female ambition and empowerment * Building a supportive community If you’ve been feeling the pull toward something bigger—but fear or self-doubt has been holding you back—this episode might be the reminder you needed.

Episode 5: Arielle Curry: Female Friendships, Midlife & What We’d Tell Our Younger Selves

What happens when women stop pretending they have it all together and start having honest conversations about friendship, motherhood, burnout, and midlife? In this episode, Sara sits down with Arielle Curry—elementary school principal, mother, and close friend—for a conversation that feels more like coffee with a friend than a formal interview. Together, they talk about the importance of female friendships in your 40s, the invisible emotional load so many women are carrying, and how differently we begin showing up for ourselves in this phase of life. They also reflect on motherhood, people-pleasing, boundaries, burnout, and what they wish they could tell their younger selves now. With kids running around in the background and plenty of real-life interruptions along the way, this episode perfectly captures the beauty and chaos of this season of life—and the importance of having women beside you through it. Topics include: * Female friendship in midlife * Motherhood and emotional overwhelm * Boundaries and people-pleasing * Burnout and identity shifts * Parenting and partnership * What we wish we knew sooner * Finding support and community in your 40s If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, lonely, or like you’re carrying too much on your own… this conversation will probably feel like a deep exhale.