Surfing the Quicksand

Empty Nest and Open Palms: Navigating Midlife with Curiosity and Self-Compassion with Meredith Wakelyn (Ep 135)

In this deeply reflective conversation, Kathy sits down with therapist Meredith Wakelyn to explore what it means to navigate multiple identity shifts at once in midlife. From unexpected health changes to the emotional complexity of empty nesting and evolving relationships with adult children, Meredith shares her experience of learning to listen to her body, release long-held habits, and redefine her role as both a parent and a professional.  Together, they unpack the subtle but powerful shifts that come with this stage of life, where pride gives way to vulnerability, obligation transforms into intentional commitment, and control softens into trust. Meredith offers practical wisdom on tuning into your own signals, setting boundaries with love, and embracing a more spacious, evolving version of yourself.  This episode is a reminder that midlife isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about learning how to respond, with curiosity and compassion, to what’s changing.  Key Takeaways:  Midlife is a convergence of identity shifts, not just one change. Health, career, parenting, and relationships often evolve simultaneously, requiring constant recalibration of who you are and how you show up.  Your body may change the rules. Listen to it. What worked in your 30s or 40s may no longer serve you. Paying attention to subtle signals (sleep, recovery, energy) can reveal important truths about your health.  Small habits can have outsized impacts in midlife. Even moderate alcohol consumption can significantly affect sleep, blood pressure, and overall well-being, especially during perimenopause and menopause.  Asking for help is a turning point, not a failure. Letting go of pride and reaching out during professional uncertainty can open doors and restore momentum.  Parenting adult children requires a complete role redefinition. The shift from hands-on parenting to “consultant and safe landing” requires intentional communication, boundaries, and emotional flexibility.  Choose commitment over obligation in relationships. Relationships thrive when they are chosen, not required, creating more authentic, respectful, and meaningful connections.  About Meredith Wakelyn:   As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience, Meredith Wakelyn helps individuals, couples, families, and college students overcome life’s difficult challenges. She believes supportive, effective therapy builds emotional resiliency to cope with stress and crises, helping us manage negative experiences. Her specialties include EMDR & Trauma Therapy, Individual Therapy, and Couples Therapy.   Married for over 30 years and a mother to two twenty-something children, Meredith lives a life grounded in mindfulness and balance in Denver, CO. She finds joy in yoga, running, snowboarding, paddleboarding, cooking, and reading, and cherishes time spent with loved ones. Meredith lives her life to the fullest, bringing presence and purpose to everything she does.

When Women Feel Well, Everything Changes: Exploring Hormones and HRT (EP 134)

Episode Summary:  “When women feel well, everything changes.” That simple statement becomes the foundation for a powerful and eye-opening conversation with family nurse practitioner and menopause specialist Magen Price.  In this episode, Kathy and Magen break down the realities of perimenopause and menopause, from the hormonal shifts happening in the body to the emotional and identity-level impact many women experience. Magen debunks common myths, explains hormone replacement therapy in clear, accessible terms, and shares why so many women feel dismissed or confused when seeking care.  Together, they explore how this phase of life can feel destabilizing but also deeply transformative and how the right support, information, and advocacy can help women move from confusion to clarity.  Whether you’re in your late 30s, midlife, or beyond, this episode offers both validation and actionable guidance to help you better understand your body and advocate for your health.  Topics We Cover:  * Hormones 101: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone explained   * Early signs of perimenopause (that most people miss)   * Why anxiety, sleep disruption, and identity shifts are often hormonal   * Body-identical vs. synthetic hormones - what’s the difference?   * The surprising preventative benefits of HRT (heart, bone, brain, and more)   * Why vaginal estrogen is a “game changer” for long-term health   * The real risks, and how they’re often misunderstood   * How to advocate for yourself with medical providers   Resources and Mentions:   Mystic Valley Sexual Wellness, Magen’s concierge women’s health practice: https://www.mysticvalleysexualwellness.com [https://www.mysticvalleysexualwellness.com/]   Magen’s Midlife Library, with patient guides: https://mysticvalley.podia.com/ [https://mysticvalley.podia.com/]    Instagram: @magenpricenp   Instagram: @mysticvalleysexualwellness    Some statistics referenced in the episode:   Women are leaving the workforce due to menopause-related symptoms:   https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/pb-assets/Health%20Advance/journals/jmcp/JMCP4097_proof.pdf [https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/pb-assets/Health%20Advance/journals/jmcp/JMCP4097_proof.pdf]   Untreated hip fractures in elderly women:  https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-dangerous-is-a-broken-hip-when-youre-older-2223520 [https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-dangerous-is-a-broken-hip-when-youre-older-2223520]   Vaginal Estrogen seen as helpful for women in preventing urinary tract infections:   https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(23)00309-5/abstract [https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(23)00309-5/abstract]   https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8058921/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8058921/]   DVT/Clot risks with HRT Transdermal Patches  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/2958/ [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/2958/]     About Magen Price  Magen Price is board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and an AASECT-Certified Sex Counselor with a passion for helping women navigate the complex, often-overlooked transitions of midlife.   She started in community health as a primary care provider, and the created a Sexual Wellness specialty there, blending sexual medicine, hormone management and intimacy counseling.   In 2025, she founded her private practice, Mystic Valley Sexual Wellness, to do what the traditional healthcare system too often cannot: offer thoughtful, individualized, evidence-based care for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, sexual dysfunction, low libido, and intimacy challenges.    She’s passionate about correcting medical misinformation and bringing education to her patients and to health care providers about menopause and sexual medicine, and advocating for evidence-based, compassionate care that truly honors a woman’s quality of life.

The Courage to Follow the “What If” with Julie Thomas (EP 133)

What happens when you leave a career you love, not because you’re burned out, but because another opportunity keeps whispering, “What if?”  In this Midlife Leap episode, Kathy talks with former middle school teacher Julie Thomas, who spent 16 years teaching seventh-grade English before stepping away from her dream job to explore an unexpected entrepreneurial path.  What began as a side investment in short-term rental properties gradually evolved into a full-scale pivot, complete with the emotional rollercoaster of leaving a beloved career, navigating imposter syndrome, and learning how to build a business from scratch.  Julie shares the realities of solopreneurship: the loneliness of leaving a team environment, the financial uncertainty of building something new, and the constant pressure of being responsible for your own success.  But her story also reveals something powerful about midlife reinvention: sometimes the path forward isn’t the one you planned. Through a series of unexpected conversations and a willingness to stay open to possibility, Julie discovered a completely new business, rooted in something she loved, and maybe for longer than she realized.   In this conversation, Kathy and Julie explore the courage it takes to pivot, how to listen to your intuition, and why trusting that you’ll “figure it out” might be the most important skill of all.  Key Takeaways  * Sometimes you leave a career you love not because it’s wrong, but because something new calls to you.  * Julie wasn’t burned out. She loved teaching and had her dream position. But a growing real estate venture (and a new baby!) forced her to reevaluate how she wanted to spend her time and energy.  * Entrepreneurship can be lonelier than people expect.  * Leaving a highly social profession for solo work brought unexpected emotional challenges. The loss of daily collaboration and feedback can be one of the biggest adjustments when starting a business.  * Imposter syndrome often appears when we move outside our formal training.  * Julie felt confident teaching others about rentals, but running the business itself -marketing, finances, client acquisition - was an entirely new skill set she had to learn in real time.  * Midlife reinvention often requires multiple pivots—not just one big leap.  * Julie’s journey wasn’t a single decision. It included leaving teaching, launching coaching, exploring property management, returning to substitute teaching temporarily, and finally landing in design.  * The most powerful mindset shift: trusting that you’ll figure it out.  * Julie realized that even if a risk didn’t work out, she trusted herself to adapt. That belief made it easier to pursue opportunities that felt both exciting and scary.    Resources and Mentions:  Follow Julie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/strvisionary/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/strvisionary/]     About Julie Thomas  Julie Thomas is the owner of The STR Edit based in Minneapolis. She pivoted from her long and happy career in middle school teaching to a world of short-term rentals (STR): owning them, coaching others on how to build a business around them, and now, designing them for other STR owners.

Reinvention Never Goes Out of Style – Mary Lou Andre (EP 132)

In this episode, Kathy sits down with stylist, entrepreneur, and founder of Dressing Well, Mary Lou Andre, to talk about what it really takes to reinvent yourself, again and again, over a decades-long career.  Mary Lou shares the story of how the pandemic forced her to rethink nearly every aspect of her business. As corporate speaking engagements and in-person services disappeared overnight, she pivoted quickly into online communities, memberships, and new offerings designed to meet her clients where they were. Along the way, she invested in coaching, education, and technology to rebuild her business for a new era.  But the reinvention wasn’t only professional. After pushing herself to the brink while rebuilding her company, Mary Lou realized she needed to apply the same strategic thinking to her own well-being. That meant slowing down, reassessing priorities, and creating new boundaries around how she works and lives.  Today, her work focuses not just on style, but on helping women in midlife align their appearance, lifestyle, and goals with who they are now. Through community programs, retreats, and consulting, she helps women simplify their wardrobes, embrace comfort and authenticity, and step confidently into their next chapter.  Kathy and Mary Lou explore how entrepreneurs must continuously evolve alongside the people they serve, why intuition matters more than ever in business decisions, and how building real community has become the foundation of meaningful work.  They also discuss current fashion trends for midlife women, why capsule wardrobes and comfort are dominating style conversations, and how clothing can help people show up in the world with confidence and intention.  This conversation is a powerful reminder that reinvention isn’t a one-time event—it’s a lifelong practice.  Key Takeaways  Reinvention requires letting go of things that once worked.  Even successful programs and revenue streams may need to be retired when they no longer serve your current audience.  Imperfect action beats waiting for perfection.  The pandemic forced many entrepreneurs to show up on camera, try new technology, and experiment before they felt ready.  Your intuition is a critical business tool.  Advice from others can be helpful, but ultimately you have to trust your own instincts about what is right for you.  Success without sustainability comes at a cost.  After pushing herself to rebuild her company, Mary Lou realized she needed to apply the same strategic thinking to her personal wellness.  Community is the new currency.  People are craving meaningful connection, safe spaces, and shared experiences more than passive content.    Resources and Mentions:   Mary Lou’s company page: https://www.dressingwell.com [https://www.dressingwell.com/]   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dressingwell [https://www.facebook.com/dressingwell]   Instagram: @marylouandrestyle   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-lou-andre/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-lou-andre/]    Mary Lou's Book: https://amzn.to/4tyLssF [https://amzn.to/4tyLssF]  (paid link) The Wheel of Life (one example): https://www.startofhappiness.com/wheel-of-life-a-self-assessment-tool/ [https://www.startofhappiness.com/wheel-of-life-a-self-assessment-tool/] About Mary Lou Andre   Mary Lou Andre is the founder of Dressing Well, Inc. where she leads a team of stylists who provide wardrobe consulting and personal branding services for executives, entrepreneurs, politicians, media personalities, and even young men and women just starting out in their careers. She is an executive coach, an author, a television host, a speaker, and is one of the country’s most sought out experts on executive presence and style, appearing on national tv, magazines, and newspapers regularly.   After the pandemic impacted her deeply-in-person service business, she navigated to online community building, like with the Dressing Well Insiders, as well as The Lifestyle Collective, a group membership program blending their signature approach to personal style with an expanded focus on whole-person wellness, beauty, and empowered living.

Midlife Beauty is Skin Deep: What Your Dermatologist Really Wants You to Know (EP 131)

Midlife brings a lot of changes to our bodies, and our skin is no exception. But how do we know what’s normal, what’s preventable, and what might actually require a doctor’s attention?  In this episode, Kathy talks with dermatology Physician Assistant Amy Akland about the realities of skin health in midlife. From identifying warning signs of skin cancer to understanding hair loss, collagen loss, and everyday skincare routines, Amy breaks down what actually matters (and what’s mostly marketing hype).  They also talk about how women often miss their own warning signs, why sunscreen habits matter more than we think, and why hair loss can be emotionally difficult but often treatable.  The message is refreshingly simple: good skin health doesn’t require a complicated routine. We just need the right habits and pay attention to our body.  Key Takeaways  Know the warning signs  Understanding warning signs for melanoma and other skin concerns can go a long way to determining when to seek medical attention, but an annual dermatology review can ensure you’re getting seen in all the right places.     Skin cancer doesn’t only appear where you get sun  While sun exposure is a major risk factor, skin cancers can develop anywhere you have skin — even in areas rarely exposed to sunlight.   A broad-spectrum sunscreen matters more than we realize.  Apply to exposed skin every day, year-round. Reapply every 2 hours, or hourly in intense sun. Effectiveness is used up by sun exposure, not just swimming or sweating.     Midlife skin loses collagen and elasticity  As we age, collagen (skin’s structural support) decreases and elastin (skin’s ability to bounce back) decreases. While we can’t fully restore elastin, certain treatments, especially retinoids, can help stimulate collagen production over time. Results take patience: 3–6 months or longer.  A simple skincare routine often works best  Despite the endless products marketed to women, a dermatologist-approved routine can be surprisingly simple: Morning: Gentle cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and Vitamin C antioxidant serum. Night: Gentle cleanser, moisturizer, retinoid or retinol (if desired). Consistency matters more than complexity.  Hair loss in midlife is common, and often reversible  Many women experience hair changes due to hormonal shifts, thyroid issues, iron deficiency, medications, stress, and weight changes. A common form is telogen effluvium, where hair temporarily sheds after a stressor. The encouraging news: Most cases improve on their own within 3–6 months, though regrowth can take longer.    ABOUT AMY AKLAND  Amy Akland is a Physician Associate with 18 years’ experience in medical dermatology in and around Boston, Massachusetts. She holds a Master of Science in PA studies, a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. Her practice focuses on prevention and treatment of skin cancers, management of common skin diseases, and a practical approach to skin care.