SOS S6E2(2): Who's Running Your Household? The Mental Load Conversation Nobody Wants to Have (But Everybody Needs To)

SOS S6E2(2): Who's Running Your Household? The Mental Load Conversation Nobody Wants to Have (But Everybody Needs To)

You're not imagining it. You are carrying more than your share. And it's not just exhausting — during perimenopause and menopause, it's actively affecting your health. In Episode 2, Part 2 of Shifting Our Sh!t, Megan Bayles Bartley and Elizabeth McCormack tackle the mental load — the invisible, relentless cognitive labor of tracking every appointment, every grocery list, every permission slip, every empty Kleenex box — that women disproportionately carry. And they're not just naming it. They're giving you real, practical ways to start putting some of it down. Here's what we get into in this episode: What the mental load actually is — and why it's not just your to-do list. Why your stress levels (including your mental load) directly affect your hormonal health in perimenopause and menopause. The over-functioner's trap: how doing everything "your way" can actually make it impossible for anyone else to help. Why natural consequences are one of the most powerful parenting tools you have — and why tracking every grade, every speed bump, and every missing assignment is working against you. How to divide household responsibilities by skill and capacity instead of defaulting to whoever notices the problem first. The "F*** It 40s" — and why that clarity is actually a gift, not a crisis. How to have the conversation with a partner who doesn't want to have the conversation. The identity shift that happens when you realize being a "good mom" doesn't mean doing everything for everyone forever. Megan shares how she handed her kids laundry duty when they were in elementary school (her 16-year-old recently had no clean clothes on a Monday — and handled it himself). She talks about her household's shared grocery list, why she doesn't have Life360, and how she and her husband divided school responsibilities so neither one is drowning. This episode is honest, practical, and a little spicy in all the right ways. Because the mental load conversation isn't just about chores. It's about your health, your identity, your relationships, and the second half of your life. You've been running a five-star resort. It might be time to hire some staff — starting with the people already living in your house. Join us for Episode 3, where we're diving into relationships and boundaries — because this conversation goes even deeper. 🎙️ Shifting Our Sh!t (S.O.S.) Podcast is hosted by Megan Bayles Bartley, licensed therapist and founder of The Mindfulness Center in Louisville, KY, alongside co-host Elizabeth McCormack. 🌐 mindfulness-center.com | meganbaylesbartley.com 📲 Follow The Mindfulness Center on Facebook and Instagram @rainbowofoptions 🎧 Listen to all SOS episodes — link in bio

SOS S6E2(1) The Emotional Rollercoaster of Perimenopause & Menopause

You're not broken. You're not "too sensitive." And you're definitely not losing your mind. But if you're somewhere in the perimenopause or menopause transition, you are experiencing a level of emotional intensity that can feel completely out of proportion — and there's a real, physiological reason for all of it. In Episode 2, Part 1 of Shifting Our Sh!t, Megan Bayles Bartley and Elizabeth McCormack get honest about the emotional side of perimenopause — the part nobody prepares you for. Because yes, the hot flashes are real. But so is the rage. So is the grief. So is standing in your kitchen genuinely unable to remember why you walked in there, even though you can recite every detail of your best friend's family history. Here's what we cover in this episode: Why your emotional intensity and anxiety spike during perimenopause — and why it's not your fault. The nervous system and hormonal science behind going from 0 to 10 in four seconds flat. Why naming your feelings (yes, like the Inside Out characters) is actually one of the most powerful regulation tools you have. The river barge metaphor for not letting every anxious thought capsize you. Why acting as the emotional "thermostat" for your whole household is burning you out — and how to put it down. What emotional co-regulation with your kids looks like as they get older, and when it's time to transition that responsibility back to them. Practical, real-life tools: earplugs, hydration, protein, owning your hot flash out loud, and giving yourself permission to take an hour. Why making friends with discomfort is the most important skill for the second half of your life. This episode is real, raw, a little sweaty (literally — Megan feels a hot flash mid-recording and just keeps going), and full of the kind of honest conversation that most women are starving for. Perimenopause isn't just a physical transition. It's an emotional reckoning. It asks you to slow down, feel your feelings instead of running from them, and stop managing everyone else's emotional temperature long enough to manage your own. That's not easy. But it is possible. And you don't have to do it alone. Join us for Part 2 of Episode 2, where we're diving into the mental load — the invisible labor that women carry every single day, and what to actually do about it. 🎙️ Shifting Our Sh!t (S.O.S.) Podcast is hosted by Megan Bayles Bartley, licensed therapist and founder of The Mindfulness Center in Louisville, KY, alongside co-host Elizabeth McCormack. 🌐 Learn more: mindfulness-center.com | meganbailesbartley.com 📲 Follow The Mindfulness Center on Facebook and Instagram 🎧 Listen to all episodes of the S.O.S. Podcast — link in bio

SOS S6 E1(2): What is happening to my body?! Hormones, weight gain, GLP-1 use and much more...

You've been doing everything right. So why does your brain — and your body — still feel completely off? If you've ever wondered why you suddenly can't focus, can't lose weight no matter what you try, can't shake the low-grade flatness that's settled over your life like a fog — this episode is going to give you something nobody else has: an actual explanation. Licensed therapists and real women in the thick of it themselves, Megan Bayles Bartley and Elizabeth McCormack, are back for Part 2 of their Season 6 opener on the Shifting Our Sh*t Podcast — and this time, they're going straight into the brain chemistry behind perimenopause and menopause, plus two of the most honest conversations you'll hear about weight, GLP-1 medications, and what it really means to feel like yourself again. In this episode, Elizabeth breaks down the three neurotransmitters every woman needs to understand — dopamine (your "I'm winning" chemical), serotonin (your stability and calm), and norepinephrine (your focus and stress response) — and explains exactly how declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are disrupting all three. Why does perimenopause feel like permanent PMS? Why are so many women in this phase being handed antidepressants when the root cause is hormonal? Why does the weight keep creeping up even when nothing in your lifestyle has changed? This episode answers all of it. Then Megan and Elizabeth get personal — really personal — about their own experiences with GLP-1 medications. Megan shares her three-month journey with Tirzepatide, the 30 pounds she lost, the brain fog that lifted, and the hair thinning nobody warned her about. Elizabeth shares what it's meant for her lupus, her inflammation, and 50 pounds of weight loss — covered by insurance — that changed her relationship with her body and with food. No judgment. No agenda. Just two women telling the truth so you feel less alone in yours. They also cover what your doctor is going to ask you about: movement, protein, sleep hygiene, hydration, and why your relationship with food itself might be worth a closer look. And they tie it all back to the bigger picture — because perimenopause isn't just a physical shift. It's physical, mental, emotional, relational, and for many women, deeply identity-shaping. And it deserves a real conversation. In this episode: * Dopamine, serotonin & norepinephrine — what they are and how hormones affect all three * Why declining estrogen can mimic (and cause) depression and PMDD * The honest truth about weight gain in perimenopause and menopause * Megan & Elizabeth's real, unfiltered GLP-1 stories — what worked, what didn't, what surprised them * What you can control — and how to stop white-knuckling the rest * Why this transition is so much more than physical 🎙️ Hosted by Megan Bayles Bartley & Elizabeth McCormack | Mindfulness Center 🌐 mindfulness-center.com | meganbaylesbartley.com 💬 Drop your questions and topic requests in the comments. For informational purposes only. Not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider.

SOS S6E1(1): Help! I don't feel like myself! Welcome to Perimenopause and Menopause!

You're not crazy. You're not "just stressed." And you are definitely not alone. If you've found yourself wide awake at 3am, snapping at people over small things, feeling foggy, exhausted, dried out, and completely unlike yourself — this episode is your starting point. Licensed therapists (and real-life humans navigating this themselves) Megan Bayles Bartley and Elizabeth McCormack are kicking off Season 6 of the Shifting Our Sh*t Podcast with the conversation we've all needed: a real, honest, judgment-free breakdown of perimenopause and menopause — what it is, what's happening in your body, and why it affects so much more than you probably realized. In Part 1 of this two-part season opener, Megan and Elizabeth walk you through the hormonal shifts at the root of it all — estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone — and explain what each one actually does for your mood, your sleep, your libido, your motivation, and your daily sense of self. (Hint: estrogen does a lot more than you think, and testosterone isn't just a "man thing.") They break down why testing is frustratingly unreliable, why symptom management is often the only real option, and how to find providers who will actually take you seriously. They also cover the wide-ranging symptom list that most women aren't warned about: sleep disruption, night sweats, hot flashes, brain fog, weight changes, decreased libido, UTI-like symptoms that aren't UTIs, pelvic floor changes, increased anxiety, mood swings that feel chemically out of control — because they are. If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place. This season is about empowerment. It's about giving women the language, the information, and the permission to advocate for themselves — with their doctors, in their relationships, and in the mirror. Megan and Elizabeth are bringing both their clinical expertise and their own personal experiences to every episode, with zero filter and a whole lot of warmth. In this episode: * What perimenopause and menopause actually are (and when they can start — hint: earlier than you think) * The role of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in your mood, sleep, and quality of life * Why hormone testing is often inconclusive — and what to do instead * The full symptom picture, including the ones nobody talks about * Why Gen X is the first generation demanding real answers — and what that means for all of us Part 2 drops next, and we go deeper into brain chemistry, mood, and what all of this means for your relationships and your sense of self. 🎙️ Hosted by Megan Bayles Bartley & Elizabeth McCormack | Mindfulness Center 🌐 mindfulness-center.com | meganbaylesbartley.com 💬 Questions or topics you want covered? Leave them in the comments. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

S5, E12: Reflecting & Growing Forward

Mom-Teen Conversations About Trust, Communication & Honesty This Season's Concept: An authentic mother-teenager between therapist/mom, Megan Bayles Bartley, and her twelve year old daughter, Gracie. The interview series explores trust, non-verbal communication, and honesty in relationships, particularly focusing on anxiety's impact Our Purpose: To normalize open conversations about difficult topics, provide relatable content for both parents and teens struggling with trust issues, and offer practical insights in an accessible format Episode Twelve: Reflecting & Growing Forward Highlights: Year In Review Mom: "What's the biggest thing you've learned about trust this year?" Teen: Reflects on personal growth and insights. Closing: "Understanding trust is a lifelong journey." Trust Languages Mom: "Do you think people have different 'trust languages' like love languages?" Teen: Explores this concept based on year of conversations. Closing: "Learning each other's trust language strengthens connection." Trust Resolutions Mom: "What's one way you want to be more trustworthy next year?" Teen: Shares personal growth goal. Closing: "Trust starts with our own commitments." Gratitude For Trust Mom: "What moment of trust are you most grateful for this year?" Teen: Shares meaningful trust experience. Closing: "Recognizing trust builds more trust." The Trust Journey Mom: "What would you tell someone just starting to work on trust in their relationships?" Teen: Offers wisdom from year of conversations. Closing: "Every trust conversation brings you closer to understanding." Visit Megan B. Bartley and her team online for more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness-Center.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://mindfulness-center.com/] and enter to win your chance for a free copy of Megan's book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RESET: Six Powerful Exercises to Refocus Your Attention on What Works for You and Let Go of What Doesn't⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://amzn.to/4mccHFN]