S5, E12: Reflecting & Growing Forward

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]

S5, E11: Rebuilding Broken Trust

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 Eleven: Rebuilding Broken Trust First Steps After Betrayal Mom: "What's the very first thing someone should do after breaking trust?" Teen: Shares perspective on immediate aftermath of trust breaches. Closing: "How you handle the first moments after betrayal sets the tone for healing." Forgiveness vs. Trust Mom: "What's the difference between forgiving someone and trusting them again?" Teen: Explores this important distinction. Closing: "Forgiveness is a gift; trust is earned." Rebuilding Timeframes Mom: "How long should it take to rebuild trust after it's broken?" Teen: Discusses realistic expectations for trust repair. Closing: "Healing happens on the wounded person's timeline." When to Walk Away Mom: "How do you know when a relationship can't be trusted again?" Teen: Shares perspective on boundaries and deal-breakers. Closing: "Sometimes the most trustworthy thing is knowing your limits." 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]

S5, E10: Anxiety Management & Trust

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 Ten: Anxiety Management & Trust Anxiety's Lies Mom: "What lies does anxiety tell you about relationships?" Teen: Identifies common anxiety-driven distortions. Closing: "Recognizing anxiety's voice is half the battle." Grounding Techniques Mom: "What helps you get grounded when anxiety makes you doubt everything?" Teen: Shares personal coping strategies. Closing: "Bringing yourself back to the present helps clear anxiety's fog." Trust Check-Ins Mom: "How can we check in about trust in a way that doesn't feel weird?" Teen: Suggests comfortable approaches to difficult conversations. Closing: "Regular check-ins prevent trust emergencies." The Certainty Trap Mom: "How does needing to be 100% certain affect your ability to trust?" Teen: Discusses the relationship between uncertainty tolerance and trust. Closing: "Trust always involves some uncertainty." 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]

S5, E9: Trust at School & With Authority

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 Nine: Trust at School & With Authority Highlights: Trusting Teachers Mom: "What makes a teacher trustworthy to you?" Teen: Describes qualities that build trust with authority figures. Closing: "Trust with authority figures requires mutual respect." When Rules Feel Unfair Mom: "How does it affect your trust when rules seem unfair?" Teen: Shares impact of perceived injustice on trust in systems. Closing: "Understanding the 'why' behind rules helps build trust." Speaking Up Mom: "What makes it safe to speak up when something's wrong?" Teen: Describes environments that encourage or discourage voice. Closing: "Being heard is the foundation of trust." Trusting Advice Mom: "How do you decide whose advice to trust?" Teen: Shares decision-making process for evaluating guidance. Closing: "Critical thinking and trust go hand in hand." When Systems Fail Mom: "What happens to your trust when institutions or systems let you down?" Teen: Discusses impact of institutional disappointments. Closing: "Systems are made of people—both can earn back trust." 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]