Parenting teens in midlife is a contact sport—with hormones, homework, and a whole lot of Wi-Fi. In this conversation with recreational therapist and boy-mom Katie Meek, we pull back the curtain on boundaries, boredom, and the black market of old iPhones. We wrestle with the question every modern parent faces: are we raising connected kids or disconnected humans? And yes—we make the case for bringing back a little 1990s childhood: more bikes, fewer likes.

(0:00) Parenting Teenagers in a World That Doesn’t Exist Anymore 🌍
How raising kids in 2025 feels nothing like the childhood we remember — and why that matters for today’s parents.

(2:00) Midlife Motherhood Meets Teenage Chaos 💞
Balancing hormones, emotions, and high school drama while trying to raise kind, capable humans.

(6:00) Setting Boundaries Without Breaking Connection ⚖️
How midlife parents can hold firm limits, keep love at the center, and survive the eye rolls.

(10:00) Teen Tech Addiction & the Myth of “Staying Connected” 📱
What happens when social media replaces real connection — and why every family ends up in the same digital tug-of-war.

(14:00) Raising Independent Thinkers (Not Rule Followers) 🧭
The difference between control and guidance — and how to help teens make good choices when no one’s watching.

(17:00) Real-World Lessons That Don’t Come From a Screen 🏫
From small mistakes to big learning moments — what actually teaches teens responsibility in the age of instant gratification.

(23:00) Make Kids Bored Again: The 90’s Childhood Revival 💤
Why midlife parents are craving the slow, screen-free simplicity we grew up with — and what our teens might gain from it.

(29:00) The Five Red Flags Every Parent Should Watch For 🖐️
Screens, sleep, spending, substances, and sex — the subtle warning signs you might be missing.

(34:00) The Truth About Teen FOMO and Feeling Left Out 🚪
Why “being left out” might actually be the best thing that ever happens to your kid.

(42:00) Growing Up Too Fast in a Digital World 🧠
How technology and overexposure are reshaping childhood — and what parents can still do about it.

(49:00) Schools, Screens & the Balance Between Learning and Overload 🖥️
The hidden cost of classroom tech and what it’s doing to kids’ focus, creativity, and connection.

(51:00) Finding Real Connection in a Screen-Obsessed World ⚡
How midlife parents can model what matters most — presence, patience, and the courage to unplug.

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Keywords:

parenting teenagers, parenting in midlife, raising teens in a digital world, screen time and teenagers, technology and parenting, modern motherhood, parenting boundaries, raising resilient kids, parenting and social media, digital parenting tips, midlife motherhood podcast, family connection in the digital age, raising independent teens, parenting struggles, teenage mental health, parenting advice for moms, 90s childhood nostalgia, mom life podcast, parenting teens today, how to connect with your teenager.

Is it just us, or have friendships gotten harder in your 40s? In this episode, Chrissi and Sarah unpack the highs and heartbreaks of midlife friendship — from the women who never outgrew mean-girl behavior to the quiet ache of friendships that fade.
Joining the conversation is Dr. Noëlle Santorelli, clinical psychologist and Emory School of Medicine faculty member, who weighs in on the ultimate adult mean girl conundrum — why some friend groups still mirror middle school dynamics and how to spot the red flags early.

💬 It’s a raw, funny, and deeply relatable look at how attachment styles, emotional boundaries, and self-worth shape our adult connections.

• (0:00) 🔥 Life updates: physics and a blowtorch
• (7:00) 🕸️ “It’s Complicated” — When Adult Friendships Get Weird
  Why maintaining friendships after 40 feels harder than ever.
• (9:00) 💔 Why Friendships Fade (Even When Nothing “Happened”)
  The shift from deep bonds to “update friendships” — and how to revive connection thanks to great advice from Logan Ury.
• (14:00) 🫥 When we have felt lonely in friendship
• (18:00) 💅 Were we ever accidental Mean Girls?
• (19:30) 🌵 The fading friendship of midlife + what to do about it
• (26:00) 🦟 The hilarious accidental text to illustrate a point 
• (27:30) 🥺 Listener conundrum number 1
• (29:15) 🌱 The 11-3-6 Rule of Friendship
• (34:00) 📖 Why Anne of Green Gables gave us unrealistic expectations of friendship
• (36:00) 🧩 Attachment Styles in Friendships
  How anxious, avoidant, and secure types shape our friendships (and drama).
• (43:45) 🪺 The importance of having multiple friendship sources
• (45:15) Adult Mean Girls: Even Taylor Swift deals with it on “Actually Romantic”
• (47:15) 🕸️ The Found at 40 Listener Friendship Mean Girl Web
• (52:00) 🎙️ Expert Insight: Dr. Noëlle Santorelli on the Mean Girl Cycle
  The four-part “love bomb → exclude → discard → hoover” pattern that fuels friendship toxicity.
• (1:03:00)  🌱 Healing & Growth After Friendship Fallout
  Rebuilding your circle — and your confidence — with emotional clarity and compassion.

Find Dr. Noëlle Santorelli on Instagram at @drnoellesantorelli or on her website at drnoellesantorelli.com

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💫 Keywords: midlife friendship, adult mean girls, fading friendships, attachment styles, friendship problems after 40, women’s relationships, friendship ghosting, emotional boundaries, toxic friendships, Dr. Noëlle Santorelli, adult friendship drama, friendship anxiety, midlife self-growth, rebuilding connections, modern friendship challenges, friendship breakups, female friendship dynamics, women’s emotional health, friendship psychology, adult female relationships

Trying to figure out how to go back to work after years at home? Or maybe you’re burned out and secretly Googling “career change ideas for women over 40.” A restart in midlife doesn’t mean starting from zero—but it can feel like standing at the edge of a pool: do you cannonball, wade in, or head to the snack bar? In this episode, Chrissi and her longtime friend Amberly Lopez dive into the honest, funny, and practical side of career pivots. From turning mom-life multitasking into résumé gold to surviving job searches in the age of LinkedIn and AI, this conversation is your pep talk + playbook for what’s next.

(00:45) Meet Amberly: oldest daughter energy, Enneagram 3, and high-achiever vibes 🌟

(03:00) Narrow escapes and interview nightmares 💼

(09:45) The stay-at-home mom “gap”: why your skills matter more than you think 👩‍👧‍👦

(12:00) The Hollywood myth of stumbling upward (Devil Wears Prada lied to us) 🎬

(12:50) The path and plan for a midlife career pivot 🛞

(16:45) Why networking and LinkedIn aren’t optional anymore 🔗

(20:30) Breaking into the job market when hundreds apply overnight 📑

(24:15) What to do if you’re “too late to the party” to restart your career ⏰

(26:00) Pivoting after decades in the workforce: burnout, lateral moves, and ego checks 🔄

(30:00) The COVID midlife crisis: when Amberly almost left corporate 🩺

(35:00) Building a resume that AI will actually notice 🤖

(38:00) Interview prep: making connections and answering “tell me about yourself” 🎤

(40:00) Why women need to apply for jobs they’re only 60% qualified for 💪

(42:00) Finding flexible work that still fits your family life 🏡

(48:00) Final takeaways on authenticity at 40 🌱

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What starts as a food blog for family recipes doesn’t usually turn into a career—but Melissa Griffiths is not your usual story. With Bless This Mess, she flipped simple dinners into serious business, proving that sometimes the thing you do “for fun” is actually the thing you were built for. At 40, she’s mixing entrepreneurship with everyday life—and reminding us all that midlife is the perfect time to rewrite the recipe.

(00:00) Meet Melissa: Mom, food blogger, and the entrepreneur you didn’t see coming 👩‍🍳

(06:15) How a food blog began as a side hobby and grew 📝

(09:30) When Bless This Mess started gaining traction 🚀

(11:00) Pulling back the curtain on food content creation 🎥

(14:45) Inside the Bless This Mess editorial calendar 📅

(16:20) Has she had her Rachel Green Friends cooking moment? 🍳

(18:30) When a successful online business flips gender roles 👏

(21:30) Melissa’s real Little House on the Prairie moment 🌾

(23:30) Facing imposter syndrome as a midlife entrepreneur 😅

(25:15) Wanting more than the cultural script you were sold 📖

(26:20) Let’s talk money, honey 💵

(27:50) Looking back at old content (and cringing) 🙈

(30:50) How AI is reshaping the content creator landscape 🤖

(33:45) How to support your favorite creators (instead of bots) ❤️

(36:45) My massive recipe fail from Allrecipes.com 🍲

(40:50) Turkey, Italy, Israel, New York… chasing the world’s best food 🌍

(42:20) The true meaning of food 🍽️

(43:30) What Melissa would tell her 27-year-old self ✨

(45:20) Final 4 questions with Melissa Griffiths 🎤

🥧 Find Melissa at https://www.blessthismessplease.com/ or @blessthismessblog on Instagram

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If you’ve ever lost a friendship and felt like there should’ve been a funeral, this one’s for you. In this episode, we’re talking about the heartbreak, awkwardness, and surprising silver linings of friendship breakups in midlife. I’m joined by my sister Sarah (back for her third appearance!) to swap stories, share what we’ve learned, and dig into how to protect your peace while still keeping your heart open. Think of it as group therapy meets coffee date—with zero pressure to pretend everything’s fine.

(00:00) 🪦 Opening thoughts: mourning a friendship like a death and why the math isn’t mathing
(01:00) 👋 Welcoming Sarah back for her third appearance and catching up on her big move
(04:30) 💔 Why friendship breakups in midlife hit differently
(07:15) 🎭 Sarah’s story: a dramatic friendship ending and what led up to it
(13:20) 📍 Hello, am I the problem?

(15:00) 👭 Elle Magazine Article: We Need to Talk About Our Ex-Best Friends

(17:08) 😮An attempted Coup d'état?

(20:28) 🚪 Where’s our rom-com, Nancy Meyers?! + A brand new therapy angle
(24:40) 🕊️ How friendship breakups affect the other friends in the group

(26:40) The celebrity friendship breakup that has become Chrissi’s Roman Empire
(31:00) 🌱 Making space for new connections after letting go of old ones
(33:15) ✨ Mel Robbins’ PTE friendship theory + The Tree Metaphor
(45:20) 💖 Closing thoughts: What did Sarah learn + what would she say to her ex-best friend today?

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Elle Magazine Article: We Need to Talk About Our Ex-Best Friends

Mel Robbins Episode:  It’s Not You: The Real Reason Adult Friendship Is So Hard & 3 Ways to Make It Easier

Midlife is wild. One minute you’re running the school carpool, the next you’re signing up for the police academy in your 40s. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Sara to talk about what it takes to completely reinvent yourself—while also navigating motherhood, marriage, perimenopause, and the power of true friendship. It’s raw, hilarious, and exactly the kind of conversation that reminds you: it’s never too late to start over, and you don’t have to do it alone.

(00:00) Meet Sara: Mom of five, police academy cadet, and longtime friend 💪
(03:30) When you wake up and realize the plan is… no longer the plan 🚨
(07:20) Applying for the police academy at 43: the nudge, the nerves, the push-ups 🏃‍♀️
(10:45) Learning how to be a beginner again in midlife 🎯
(14:30) Navigating identity shifts when your role at home changes 🏡
(17:00) Why Sara is ready to help people on their worst day 💔
(19:30) When you are suddenly sidelined from your dream 🛑
(23:10) The moment Sara knew she was on the right track 🛤️
(28:30) The timeline we are so stuck on ⏳
(31:00) Why Sara’s next 40 years are going to be so different from the first 40 🔁
(35:00) The two words Sara wants to eliminate from our vocabularies 🚫
(40:25) Why female friendships are so important at this stage of life 👯‍♀️
(44:45) Our husbands absolutely don’t want to talk about this… which is convenient, because we don’t want to talk to them about it anyway 🙈
(47:45) Coming into cougar puberty like a freight train 🚂
(49:30) The two newest members of the “I don’t care” club and why car tweezers are essential 🧖‍♀️
(50:45) A moment of hope while at a cooking class in Italy 🇮🇹
(55:00) A career aspiration I was happy to abandon 🚀
(55:40) Final 4 Questions 🎤

You don’t have to believe in ghosts, tarot, or anything of the woo-woo nature to enjoy this episode—but it definitely helps. Chrissi sits down with her soul sister and supernatural sidekick Heather to talk about all things unseen. From childhood ghost stories to aura photography and near-death experience rabbit holes, this one’s equal parts spooky, soulful, and side-splitting. Also, yes, there is also an epic poop story that has to be shared. 

(00:00) Meet Heather: twin, duck mom, and horror movie terrorist 🐥

(02:00) The Woo Woo Scale: from Bigfoot to secret combinations 👻

(04:00) Childhood ghost stories & twin telepathy 🎭

(06:00) 90s sleepover chaos: Ouija boards, Bloody Mary, and Scholastic trauma 📚

(08:00) Nostalgia break: Now & Then, Christina Ricci, and Devon Sawa 💞

(09:00) Tarot 101 + our very different readings 🔮

(15:00) Aura photography + what your vibe says about you 🌈

(18:00) Spirit guides and ghost etiquette 🕊️

(21:00) Alfie the angry frat house ghost (and why he needed a name) 🧟‍♂️

(25:00) Who’s haunting Chrissi’s bedroom? Heather investigates 🕵️‍♀️

(28:00) Guardian angels, whisper warnings, and parenting miracles ✨

(34:00) Near-death experiences & what they might reveal about the afterlife ☁️

(37:00) Heather’s wild adoption dream & the craziest coincidence ever 🧬

(40:00) Chrissi’s Hattie B’s moment and a Nashville nudge from the universe 🌆

(42:00) Why staying open to the unseen makes life richer 💫

(43:00) The iconic poop story: FaceTime trauma & a very bad vaccine 💩

(47:00) Final 4 questions

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One minute she thought they were headed to dinner. The next? Divorce. In this episode, Chrissi’s sister Sarah is back to talk about what happens when your marriage ends and your new life begins—ready or not. We cover midlife heartbreak, financial whiplash, going back in the dating pool, and the brilliance of the divorce shower. If you ever had to rebuild your life in midlife, this one’s for you.

(01:00) 🚛 Sister catch up: Moving, the DMV, and a terrible day

(07:00) 💔 The emotional shock of a sudden divorce

(08:00) 📊 Midlife divorce statistics + why the 40s are peak breakup years

(14:30) 💵 The financial whiplash + becoming the sole provider overnight

(20:00) 🧾 Why divorce is so expensive (and why attorneys always win)

(25:00) 📱 Dating after 40: apps, awkwardness, and Jeff Bezos' silver lining

(30:45) 🥂 The joy (and healing) of a post-divorce shower

(36:00) 🧠 Rebuilding your identity + managing life solo

(39:00) 👀 When your ex moves on—and your kids meet the new partner

(42:30) 👩‍👧 Navigating co-parenting without losing your mind

(46:00) 💬 The advice she’d give her younger self (and you)

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At a certain point, you just know what’s worth your time—and what’s absolutely not. In this episode, Chrissi and her dear friend Christy Williams unpack the midlife magic of opting out, dialing in, and letting go of things that no longer serve (or entertain) us. From questionable concerts to clean kitchens, it’s time to stop being polite and start getting real (iykyk).

(00:01) 👋 Meet Christy: the Nashville mom who does all the things
(03:00) 🎤 A strong opinion about music festivals (and porta-pottys)
(08:00) 💪 Midlife wisdom: why we don’t do backflips anymore
(13:00) 📺 A reality TV hot take that might ruffle feathers
(19:00) 🏕️ A passionate rant about camping
(24:00) 📱 The app that’s secretly saving long-distance friendships
(27:00) 💧 Our non-negotiables when we’re on the go
(30:00) ⏳ The rule that keeps us from losing our minds
(34:00) 🧼 What happens after a deep clean?
(35:00) ✈️ A harrowing tale of a middle seat to Rome
(39:00) 🚶‍♀️ Small joys, Costco fashion, and what we’ve really found at 40

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Is it too late to start over at 40? Spoiler: nope. In this episode, singer-songwriter Chelsey Stallings shares how she built a thriving music career in midlife—after kids, career changes, and a literal leg-shattering fall. We dive into midlife reinvention, songwriting after 40, and the power of starting when the world says you're “too old.” If you're craving a second act (or third), this one's your pep talk in podcast form.

(00:00) 🎤 Meet Chelsey Stallings — powerhouse singer-songwriter, horse whisperer, and mom of three. She’s the kind of friend who’ll write a song that makes you ugly cry and then crack a joke that has you snort-laughing through your tears.

(03:00) ✈️ We talk about how she traded in hair school for home studios, Utah mountains for Tennessee dreams, and how the Nashville hustle really goes down — spoiler alert: it’s less “glam squad” and more “grit, grace, and a broken leg courtesy of a rescue horse.”

(08:00) 🛠️ We dig into the detours, delays, and divine redirections (including one that came in the form of, you know, emergency surgery). This is midlife reinvention with boots on the ground — literally.

(13:00) 🚫 Chelsey opens up about what it feels like to chase a dream in your 40s when the world says you’re “too old” and “too mom” — and why she’s not having any of it.

(17:00) 👶 We talk songwriting, motherhood, and why early motherhood is just Groundhog Day in yoga pants. Spoiler: your arms really will ache to hold them little again.

(22:00) 🎶 She shares the behind-the-scenes of her song “Mom Needs a Minute,” how co-writing sessions are basically musical therapy, and what inspired her newest tearjerker.

(26:00) ✨ We chat about the myth of aging out, the beauty in battle scars, and why “Pretty Old” might be your new favorite anthem.

(30:00) 🌟 From Garth Brooks giving her a compliment she’ll never forget (!!!!) to industry insider scoop about how songs actually “make it,” Chelsey pulls back the curtain on it all.

(36:00) 🤖 Plus: the influence of AI in music, why TikTok is a wild card, and how middle age has made her both tougher and more tender.

(46:00) 🧭 And of course — what Chelsey has found at 40.

If you’ve ever wondered if you’re too late to chase a dream, this episode will lovingly slap that idea out of your brain. You’re not too old, too mom, too anything. You’re right on time.

🎧 Listen in, laugh hard, and maybe cry a little (in a good way).

Find Chelsey Stallings at @chelseystallings on Instagram and YouTube, @chelseystallingssings on TikTok

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Welcome to the very first episode of Found at 40 — the podcast for women navigating midlife transitions, identity shifts, and the question we’re all asking: What’s next?

In this kickoff convo, host Chrissi (married at 20, three kids, now asking big life questions) is joined by her older sister Sarah (divorced at 40, roller derby queen, in the middle of a major life transition) to talk about what it really feels like to hit your 40s and realize… you’re ready to pivot.

Whether you’ve been a stay-at-home mom, a career woman, or some hybrid of both, this episode explores the messy, funny, and very real experience of rediscovering yourself in midlife.

What we cover:

(0:00) 👯 Meet your midlife guides: Chrissi & Sarah
(03:00) 💍 One was married at 20, the other was divorced at 40, and what that teaches you
(08:00)  🧠 Midlife reinvention: identity loss, purpose panic, and redefining success
(13:00)  🎬 Movie moments that get midlife almost right (looking at you, Crazy Stupid Love)
(22:00)  💄 Botox, body changes, and the beauty standards we’re still unlearning
(29:00)  🦢 The myth of “having it all together” in your 40s
(38:00) 🔥 Midlife crisis vs. midlife awakening — and why one might actually be helpful
(41:00)  🎧 Why this podcast exists and what’s coming next for Found at 40

This show is for women in their late 30s, 40s, and 50s who are ready to stop people-pleasing, start asking deeper questions, and embrace a new chapter with humor, honesty, and the occasional overshare.

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

🎤 Music by @chelseystallings

Hey, I’m Chrissi Harris — and after years of being the scheduler, the snack packer, the cheerleader, the peacemaker (and let’s be honest, the one who knows where literally everything in the house is)… I realized something: I’m just getting started.

Found at 40 is a podcast for women who are ready to explore what’s next — with curiosity, excitement, and So. Much. Laughter. We’re diving into the real stuff: midlife reinvention, identity shifts, changing relationships, perimenopause popping off like an unwanted surprise party, and the joy (yes, joy!) of starting something new.

Every Tuesday, I’ll be talking to incredible women who are navigating this chapter with honesty, grit, and zero interest in pretending they have it all figured out. Because midlife isn’t a crisis — it’s just well-researched content. And we’re doing it together.

Welcome to the group chat you didn't know you needed. 

If you’ve ever felt like you’re too busy, too tired, or too late to chase something big — this episode is for you. Ultra runner, coach, and mom of five Rhandi Orme shares honest lessons on resilience, failure, and finding joy in the pursuit. Whether you’re a runner or just running from your to-do list, this conversation will remind you that it’s never too late to dream really freaking big.

(0:00) 🎙️ Welcome & Introduction — Why Rhandi’s message about dreaming big hits home for anyone in midlife.

(4:15) 🧱 Building a Strong Foundation — How running reveals universal truths about burnout, balance, and building from the ground up.

(7:00) 🚫 You Can’t Cheat the System — The importance of patience, process, and embracing the hard work behind every goal.

(9:00) 🎯 Doing Less to Do More — How overcommitment holds us back — and why focusing on what matters most creates real progress.

(10:00) 💡 The Seasons of Growth — Recognizing when to push and when to pause — and why rest can be just as powerful as hustle.

(14:00) ❤️ Grace Over Grit — Why self-compassion keeps you consistent and how to balance discipline with grace in the long game.

(18:00) 🔁 Rebuilding After Setbacks — How to find your footing after injuries or detours — and the mindset that turns setbacks into comebacks.

(19:00) 📖 Berenstein Bears Comedy Moment- One content creator’s hysterical take on a popular Berestein Bears book “Mama’s New Job”

(22:30) ⚖️ The Importance of Not Shrinking- Why strong > skinny always

(27:45) 🔎 Signs that something needs some attention — Whether it’s repeated injuries or signs of emotional burnout, there are always signs that things are not 100% ok

(31:45) 🏔️ The Grand Slam Dream — Chasing one of ultrarunning’s toughest challenges — and the setback that changed her perspective.

(35:00) 💔 When the Dream Breaks You Down — A raw reflection on failure, ego, and rediscovering your “why.”

(40:00) 🌍 Race to Survive: New Zealand — Behind the scenes of Rhandi’s reality TV adventure and what it taught her about courage and teamwork.

(42:00) 💪 Representation & Resilience — The power of showing up for women, moms, and anyone chasing something that scares them.

(50:00) ✨ Final Takeaway — The reminder that your biggest dreams deserve your energy, your faith, and your focus — no matter your pace.

Follow Rhandi at @run_rhandi_run on Instagram

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dream big, midlife motivation, midlife reinvention, mindset for women, resilience in midlife, personal growth, chasing dreams, women over 40, midlife transformation, motivation for moms, redefining strength, comeback stories, overcoming setbacks, purpose in midlife, running motivation, ultra running mindset, female athletes, Rhandi Orme, Chrissi Harris, women who inspire, midlife goals, how to dream big, motivation podcast, self improvement podcast, personal development for women, female empowerment, dream really freaking big

Alison Faulkner radiates creative joy—but behind the sparkle is a story of recalibration, resilience, and radical self-worth. In this conversation, we unpack what it means to be seen after building a life online, how to find peace that isn’t tied to validation, and why the world needs you... yes, YOU! It’s raw, funny, and deeply human—the kind of talk that lingers long after you’ve pressed pause.

• (0:00) All the excitement for Alison Faulkner 🪩
• (2:00) Our current obsessions: divine organization and a certain Showgirl ✨
• (4:20) Above everything else, what Alison is hoping the listener will hear this 👂
• (6:00) From Alison’s Dance Parties to Brand School and podcasting 🎙️
• (15:00) Behind the sparkle: anxiety, accidents, and nervous system truth. 🫀
• (17:00) Gratitude walks, 2020 pivots, and a book that changed everything. 🧭
• (20:00) After the book: quiet seasons, coaching, and creative reconnection. 🔄
• (25:30) The time Alison did a live mindset shift for Chrissi: fear, validation, and what really matters 🧠
• (34:00) Getting to the root of when things feel scary 🫚
• (36:00) “Too much,” shiny things, and letting go of everyone’s opinions. 💎
• (39:00) Tools that help: mantras, noticing thoughts, and asking for support. 🧰
• (42:00) Popular vs. worthy—and trusting your best work is still ahead. 🚀
• (45:00) The truth about receiving help and why the world needs this you. 🤝
• (50:00) Power Hour wisdom: your creative oil change. ⛽
• (53:00) Quick-fire fun: concerts, movie casting, and pure joy. 🎬

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

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📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords: Alison Faulkner, creative self-worth, authenticity podcast, midlife reinvention, healing from burnout, nervous system regulation, vulnerability and creativity, personal growth podcast, over 40 inspiration, finding purpose in your 40s, midlife women podcast, bossbabe culture, women over 40, midlife reinvention

Ever joined an MLM? Almost joined one? Or bought overpriced mascara from your high school friend’s Facebook Live? In this painfully honest episode, Chrissi and Sarah spill the tea on their multi-level misadventures — from pink Cadillacs to LuLaRoe leggings — and how the #Girlboss era convinced a generation of women that burnout was a business model.

Equal parts confession and cultural commentary, this one’s about chasing purpose, ditching hustle culture, and rediscovering who you are when the glitter fades.

(1:20) Franklin, TN & The Search for a Patron of the Podcast Arts – Champagne tastes, midlife budgets, and a town where everyone seems suspiciously successful. 🏡

(4:45) The Podcast That Made Our Jaws Drop: Unicorn Girl – A bizarre rabbit hole that sparks a bigger conversation about hustle, ambition, and delusion. 🦄

(6:00) Our MLM Résumés (a.k.a. FTC Cautionary Tales) – The millennial pressure to “be your own boss” and the glittering mirage of #BossBabe culture. 💼

(12:30) Sarah’s Secret MLM – Too embarrassing to tell Chrissi… until Dad got involved. 🫣

(15:00) All You Have to Do Is Follow the Simple Tips and Tricks! – A Schitt’s Creek–inspired moment of self-awareness. 💅

(16:00) Sarah’s Mary Kay Era – Dreams of pink Cadillacs and a lesson in sales psychology. 🚗

(17:40) Chrissi’s Mary Kay Adventure – The trauma of door-to-door hustle meets midwestern politeness. 😬

(21:00) Chrissi’s Younique Years – Fiber lashes, online parties, and why timing really is everything. 👁️

(22:00) The Joint Venture: LuLaRoe – Matching prints, stretchy pants, and the Kool-Aid everyone was drinking. 🧃

(24:30) QVC Energy – Sisters with ring lights and retail dreams. 📺

(25:45) Where the Money Went (Spoiler: Not to Us) – The financial math that never quite math’d. 💸

(28:45) The Downfall of LuLaRoe – From cult-like community to chaos… but also, some of the best sister memories. 💔

(31:10) How to Move Hideous Inventory & Who Actually Wins in MLMs – A surprising look at storytelling, timing, and the few who make it work. 📊

(36:00) MLMs & #Girlboss Culture Collide – When hustle became identity and empowerment became marketing. 💋

(40:00) Are Gen Z’s “Lazy Girl Jobs” Really a Thing? – A generational shift in ambition and what we can learn from it. 🧃

(42:40) Did #BossBabe Culture Walk So Influencer Marketing Could Run? – The direct sales evolution nobody saw coming. 📱

(46:15) Do We Even Want to Be Girlbosses Anymore? – The truth about slowing down, growing up, and redefining success after 40. 🌿

(50:00) Closing Reflections – Sisterhood, laughter, and the midlife freedom of doing less — and meaning more. 🪞

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

midlife women podcast, MLM stories, bossbabe culture, girlboss burnout, women over 40, midlife reinvention, anti-hustle culture, multilevel marketing, LuLaRoe documentary, Mary Kay, Younique, LuLaRoe, working moms, women entrepreneurship, pyramid schemes, female empowerment, leaving MLM, identity after motherhood, reinventing yourself at 40, LulaRich

If you are a woman with a pulse, this episode is a must listen! I'm chatting with Elle Rowley — entrepreneur, podcaster, and mother — for an honest conversation about womanhood, motherhood, and midlife transformation. We talk about the main female archetypes of Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch, identity shifts, and the messy but beautiful process of becoming — and why midlife is such a powerful time to make sense of it all.

(2:00) Meet Elle Rowley 🙋‍♀️
Get to know Elle — entrepreneur, podcaster, and mother — and why her voice matters in this conversation about womanhood.

(5:45) Buckle in: The Woman’s Journey 🚀
We kick off with a candid look at society’s fear of aging and what that means for women.

(10:15) The Maiden Archetype 👧
Elle explains the beginning stage of womanhood and the energy it carries.

(14:50) The Maiden in Culture & Entertainment 🎬
From movies to music, we see how Maidenhood is celebrated — and sometimes distorted.

(15:45) Staying in The Maiden Too Long ⏳
What happens when someone clings to this stage instead of growing into the next?

(18:45) The Mother Archetype 🤱
We explore the richness and challenges of motherhood as a transformative identity.

(21:30) Down the Well 💧
Elle shares the metaphor behind her podcast and how it frames motherhood as a descent and rebirth.

(23:30) The Mother’s Hero’s Journey 🛤️
How this journey differs from the traditional male-centered hero’s arc.

(26:31) Why 47% of Young Adults Say No to Kids ❌👶
A deeper look at the surprising reasons behind this growing trend.

(32:07) Mothers in Media 📺
From Maria in The Sound of Music to Joyce Byers in Stranger Things, how mothers are portrayed on screen matters.

(35:00) The Wild Woman 🐺
What comes after the Mother stage — and how freedom and untamed energy emerge.

(42:15) The Matriarch Archetype 👑
Stepping into authority, wisdom, and leadership in midlife and beyond.

(47:00) The Grandmother Hypothesis 🧬
Why science suggests grandmothers are crucial to the survival of our species.

(50:15) Honoring the Stage We’re In 🌸
A reminder to value each phase of womanhood instead of rushing to the next.

(51:00) Final Four Questions ❓
Elle answers the closing questions that wrap every Found at 40 conversation.

Follow Elle at @ellerowley on Instagram and her amazing podcast Down The Well on YouTube and anywhere you listen to podcasts

✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review

📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

women over 40 podcast, life begins at 40 podcast, midlife transformation stories, female empowerment after 40, thriving in your 40s, rediscovering purpose after 40, Elle Rowley interview, Solly Baby founder, Down the Well podcast, motherhood archetype, maiden mother matriarch, wild woman archetype, cultural fear of aging, women’s journey podcast, embracing aging women, women and midlife transformation

Join me for an fantastic conversation with Shannon Willardson—mom of five, family & lifestyle content creator,  and first-time CEO—about motherhood, resilience, and building a life you didn’t expect but wouldn’t trade.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll hear:

• (0:00) 🎙️ Meet Shannon — how she’s juggling five kids, influencer life, and a brand-new business (hint: it’s not what you’d expect).
• (2:00) 👩‍👧‍👦 Raising a family with rare medical challenges and why Shannon says things are actually “better than okay.”
• (06:00) 🙏 The ways faith and perspective reshaped her family’s story.
• (10:00) 🗓️ A peek at a normal day for Shannon and her family
• (12:00) 🤱Why expanding the village was key for everyone to thrive
• (14:45) 🧭What keeps Shannon going when things feel out of control
• (17:00) 🌟Mom guilt and giving everyone time to shine
• (21:45) ⚖️ Balancing needs of kids, marriage, and life
• (25:45) 💕 How she and her husband Chase keep their connection strong with five kids and nonstop curveballs.
• (28:00) 📱 Behind the Instagram feed — the not-so-glamorous side of influencer life and how Shannon protects what matters most.
• (30:30) 👵🏻Victimized by the Wall Street Journal's recent article ‘You’re a Boomer If You Wear Leggings’: The Rise of Big Workout Pants
• (33:00) 🤦🏼‍♀️When an attempt at feeling young and cool falls flat
• (35:45) 📺 Family time: What does on the 'gram and what stays private
• (38:00) 🙅🏼‍♀️Creepers, boundaries, and putting your family in the public eye
• (41:00) 👶 Twins at 40 — the chaos, the laughter, and the unexpected gifts of adding two babies at once.
• (43:00) 🥤 CEO era unlocked — why she launched All That Nutrition and how she’s stepping boldly into business leadership.
• (48:15) 🌟 Turning 40 — Shannon’s honest reflections on aging, grace, and rewriting “what’s next.”
• (49:30) 👚Rapid fire questions + The Final Four

Follow Shannon at @shannonwillardson on Instagram and TikTok and The Willardson Family on Youtube. 

✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review

📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

SEO keywords:

Found at 40 podcast, parenting special needs children, raising medically complex kids, life after a special needs diagnosis, parenting in your 40s, balancing caregiving and career, midlife reinvention with family challenges, resilience and parenting, lifestyle influencer stories, content creation and family life, inspiring midlife parenting journeys, family dynamics, motherhood challenges

In this episode, Aly Maughan takes us on a rollercoaster through the wild world of dating after 40—where Utah’s focus on youth and appearance collides with Nashville’s guitar-toting dreamers. From ghosting and catfishing to a millionaire straight out of a true-crime special, her stories are equal parts jaw-dropping and laugh-out-loud. And yes, she once kept an entire dinner afloat with nothing but Harry Potter trivia. Buckle up—it’s messy, it’s hilarious, and it’s very, very real.

(00:00) 🚨 A high-profile CEO date so bizarre it could’ve been a Dateline pilot.

(02:00) 💍 Some backstory on Aly’s divorce

(04:00) 📱 Back on the apps: swipes, surprises, and profiles that don’t quite match reality.

(07:00) 🕵️‍♀️ When the local dating scene gets messy—very messy.

(10:00) 📚 Some men skipped Dating Etiquette 101, and it shows.

(13:00) ⚡ A first date that went dangerously sideways—thankfully Aly came prepared.

(16:00) ✨ From survival mode to thriving: the “Year of Yes” that changed everything.

(22:00) 🎤 Salt Lake vs. Nashville—two cities, two very different dating pools.

(27:00) 🚌 The kind of “you won’t believe this” date story you’ll be telling your friends about.

(30:00) 🧙 A dinner so awkward Aly had to conjure some magic to keep it moving.

(32:00) 🦄 When a date’s “big reveal” turns into something straight out of left field.

(34:00) 🏦 Another date, another jaw-dropping confession.

(35:00) 🌹 But yes—there are good ones out there. One proved it.

(37:00) 🎢 Why more options don’t always mean better outcomes.

(40:00) 🔥 Sparks aren’t everything. Sometimes the slow burn wins.

(43:00) 🧘‍♀️ Rejection at 40 hits different—and maybe that’s a good thing.

(50:00) 🍝 A self-proclaimed “rich guy” whose dinner plans didn’t quite match the hype.

(52:00) 🌟 Aly’s best advice for dating after divorce—and why the timing matters more than the app.

(54:00) 🎬 Final four: concerts, casting, and what she’s truly found at 40.

Unapologetic midlife wisdom meets Hollywood sparkle. 🌟 In this episode, Roxy Manning—host of The Iconic Midlife and longtime entertainment journalist and red carpet insider—joins Chrissi to talk about rewriting the midlife narrative. From red carpets to real talk, Roxy proves that midlife isn’t decline, it’s the power era. Get ready for inspiration, a little pop-culture gossip, and a reminder that there’s no expiration date on reinvention.

(00:00) 🎙️ Roxy’s origin story: from red carpets to reinvention

(04:00) 🚀 Why she launched The Iconic Midlife 

(09:00) 🌟 Hollywood & ageism: J.Lo, Halle, Naomi—and tides that are turning

(11:00) 🥵 The “unsexy” parts of midlife

(20:00) 🤝 Building your midlife community

(24:00) 💬 Likability traps, fear of being seen, and doing it anyway

(29:00) 😌 The parts of our twenties we would never want to go back to +  wise words from Taylor Swift

(35:00) 🧠 Guest highlights from Roxy’s show: Tracy Tutor, Dr. Louise Newson, Wendi McLendon-Covey and more

(41:00) 🧗‍♀️ Building momentum as you go

(44:00) 🏆 The “20-year overnight success” and staying in the game

(53:00) 🎶 Fan girling over Roxy’s red carpet interviews

(58:00) 💖 Purpose, motherhood, marriage, and what’s next

📱Follow Roxy on Instagram at @redcarpetroxy and @theiconicmidlife

🎙️Listen to The Iconic Midlife with Roxy Manning anywhere you listen to your podcasts

✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review

📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Friendship breakups don’t exactly come with casseroles or sympathy cards (though honestly… they should). In this follow-up, Chrissi and familiar favorite Sarah are getting into the messy stuff—like toxic friends, the kind of rejection that can still transport you right back to high school, and why, at this age, none of us have the energy for one-sided friendships anymore. It’s real, a little raw, and sometimes hilarious… kind of like seeing your friends’ brunch pics on Instagram and realizing you weren’t invited.

(00:00) 🎙️ Welcome Back (Again) – Chrissi drags Sarah back to the mic for part 2 of the Friendship Breakup chat.

(05:00) 🚗 Life Lately – Uber rides, drunk passengers, and a Dolly Parton musical

(06:00) 💔 Why Friendship Breakups Hurt More Than Romantic Breakups– Spoiler: the first heartbreak probably wasn’t your high school boyfriend.

(08:00) 🏖️ The Lake Trip That Shall Not Be Named – Chrissi’s high-school snub story that still stings.

(10:00) ⚖️ The Three Pillars of Female Friendship – Symmetry, support, secrecy… aka the holy trinity of “don’t screw this up.”

(15:00) 📱 When Friends Drop the Ball – From leaving parties early to forgetting recommendation letters, we’ve all dropped by ball with friends

(19:00) 🔐 Secrets & Trust – Why girlfriends are the vault… until someone’s Peter Pettigrew energy shows up.

(23:00) 🔥 Perimenopause & Friendship – Rage texts, ghosting group chats, and why hormones are the unofficial third wheel.

(26:00) 🌀 Friendship Circles – Inner circle, outer circle, and the “text-back-three-days-later” circle we all know too well.

(28:00) ⚡ Toxic Friendships – Subtle digs only you notice, gossip as a love language, and weekend benders that should’ve ended in 2007.

(32:00) 🤝 Friend Poaching – When you introduce friends and suddenly you’re chopped liver. Betrayal, but make it social climbing.

(36:00) 🏛️ Sororities & Status – Sisterhood or just buying your way into Mean Girls: The Sequel?

(37:00) 💎 Friendships After 40 – Fewer friends, deeper vibes, and Taylor Swift reminding us our energy is a luxury item.

(40:00) 🚩 Dealbreakers – One-uppers, oversharers, and women who treat your kids like their therapists. Hard pass.

(42:00) 🏡 Bad Roommate Storytime – Sarah’s cautionary tale: never let chaos rent your spare bedroom.

(44:00) ✨ Reciprocity Matters – Friendship isn’t a game of tag—you shouldn’t have to keep chasing.

(46:00) 🌍 Finding New Friends – Midlife matchmaking apps, the peach quote, and the hope that your besties might still be out there.

(47:00) ⭐ Found at 40 Needs You – Apple reviews, international listeners, and the shock that a certain guest hasn’t left a review yet.

✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review

📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

What does single motherhood at 40 really look like? In this raw, hilarious, and deeply real conversation, Michelle Shipley shares the unfiltered truth about becoming a solo parent overnight — with little backup, few breaks, and a whole lot of grit. From rebuilding her identity after divorce to navigating dating as a single mom, she reveals how she learned to survive, then thrive, while raising a child completely on her own.

If you've ever wondered what life looks like when you're the primary parent in the picture — emotionally, financially, and logistically — this episode is full of real-life wisdom, resilience, and laugh-through-the-chaos moments. No toxic positivity. No Pinterest parenting. Just the honest reality of single motherhood at 40 and finding yourself again in midlife.

(01:00) — Becoming a Solo Parent After Divorce 💔👩‍👦
How divorce led to full-time single motherhood with little co-parenting support

(04:00) — When Co-Parenting Plans Change: Starting Over Alone 📦✈️
The move that never happened — and being forced into solo parenting

(07:00) — Survival Mode: Carrying the Parenting Alone 🔥
The emotional and logistical load of being the only parent involved

(09:30) — “I’m Not the CEO — I’m the Janitor”: The Reality of Solo Parenting 🧹
Why the “supermom / CEO mom” narrative doesn't match real single mom life

(12:00) — The Mental Load of Motherhood (When You Have No Support) 🧠
Managing every appointment, emergency, meal, and meltdown alone

(17:00) — Independence vs. Freedom in Single Motherhood 🔓
Being capable… without the luxury of choice or spontaneity

(22:00) — Motherhood in Seasons: No Free Time, No Flexibility ⏳
Accepting the “no spontaneity” season of solo parenting young kids

(27:00) — Reclaiming Identity & Confidence After Divorce at 40 💃
How single moms rediscover independence and womanhood in midlife

(28:00) — Dating as a Single Mom in Midlife 📅❤️
Boundaries, childcare logistics, and dating without sacrificing parenting

(32:00) — Choosing Your Child First: Ending a Relationship that Didn’t Fit 👦💔
Why great guys still may not be right for single moms

(43:30) — Realistic Self-Care for Single Moms ☕🥡
DoorDash, therapy, grocery delivery, and survival systems — not spa days

(52:30) — What She Found at 40: Confidence, Strength & Self-Worth 🌈
How single motherhood shaped her identity, resilience, and joy

✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review

📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords: single motherhood at 40, solo parenting, dating as a single mom, midlife divorce, rebuilding after divorce, single mom struggles, single mom dating, identity after motherhood, motherhood in your 40s, real single mom life, single mom over 40, dating after divorce at 40, solo parenting with no support, life after divorce as a mom, real single mom struggles, motherhood identity crisis, mental load for single moms, how to rebuild life after divorce, strong independent mother stories, midlife reinvention for moms

Why do so many women in their 40s feel flat, lost, or “meh”—even when life looks full on the outside? In this powerful conversation, Chrissi and Allison Egidi unpack how midlife identity shifts, joy droughts, hormones, resentment, and chronic responsibility can quietly drain our sense of self. They explore why hobbies aren’t just “fun”—they are scientifically proven tools for regulating emotions, rebuilding identity, and feeling alive again. This isn’t a conversation about tennis—it’s a conversation about you.

(00:00) Hobbies, endorphins, and why joy lifts every area of your life 🎬
(3:00) When hobbies became productivity, performance, and side hustle pressure 💼
(5:30) The midlife identity question: “Where did I go?” 🪞
(8:00) Why midlife can feel flat, boring, and emotionally muted (the science) 🧠
(10:45) Novelty, joy, and how hobbies help you feel alive again ✨
(13:15) Guilt, resentment, and the emotional weight of not having something that’s yours 😤
(16:30) Allison’s tennis story: rediscovering joy, identity, and confidence 🎾
(20:00) Showing up when you don’t feel like it—motivation, quitting, and resilience 💪
(24:00) Midlife bodies, hormones, perimenopause & why our 40-year-old joints need warmups 🏃‍♀️
(28:30) Why women (especially moms) put themselves last—and how to rewrite that story 🚫👩‍👧
(33:00) The psychology of fun: Why joy isn’t selfish—it’s essential for identity 🥳
(37:30) You don’t have to be good at it—permission to play for joy, not mastery 🎨
(41:30) How hobbies reduce stress, resentment, and even improve relationships ❤️
(45:30) Choosing a hobby: practical starting points, ideas, and how to make it a real habit 🎯📅

(55:00) Final rapid-fire, biggest lessons, and message to women feeling stuck 🌈
(1:00:00) Gentle assignment: schedule your hobby hour & share this with the friend who needs it 💌

💤 Follow Allison Egidi at @sleepandwellnesscoach and listen to her podcast “How Long ‘Til Bedtime?”

✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review

📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords: lost in my 40s, how to find myself again, hobbies for women in midlife, reclaiming identity after motherhood, midlife purpose and joy, how to feel alive again in my 40s, midlife identity crisis, mom burnout and resentment, how hobbies improve mental health, finding joy and purpose in midlife, emotional load of motherhood, perimenopause and mood changes, women rediscovering themselves, making time for myself as a mom, why fun is important for adults, how to start a hobby in your 40s, midlife happiness mindset, self-discovery in midlife, guilt-free self-care for women, women choosing themselves again.

In honor of Thanksgiving week, Chrissi brings Sarah back to feel the feels and realize why today might in fact be the good old days. Complete with a love story to today that brings Chrissi to literal tears, they work on shifting their mindsets to feel more gratitude than before. Not the “I’m grateful for chocolate and Wi-Fi” kind (although, yes, obviously), but the deeper kind that sneaks up on you in ordinary moments — loud kitchens, familiar voices, small acts of kindness, and the realization that one day, you'll miss the chaos you’re currently trying to clean up.

More snippets from this episode? “People are dying, Kim!”, why Sarah is the kinder sister, the moment our dad unintentionally caused a huge meltdown, and why a stranger’s kindness can truly make such a difference. 

This episode may cause some emotional upheaval, but can also change your perspective — exploring why gratitude is less about lists and more about noticing the life you’re already living. No inspirational throw pillows required.

(2:00) Middle school band nights, popcorn emergencies & losing your wallet (while holding it) 🍿

(6:00) Sisters, Diet Coke moments & who’s the “nice sister” at the basketball game 👯‍♀️

(8:00) The Office quote that hits different: “I wish there was a way to know…” 🕰️

(9:00) Letter from your 80-year-old self — emotional perspective shift 💌

(15:00) Being present when life is loud, messy, and nothing like Pinterest 🌾

(17:00) Why normal days, voices, and memories become treasures 🎙️

(20:00) The About Time movie & living days like you chose them 🎬

(27:00) Thankful vs. truly grateful — what Mel Robbins says 🧠

(31:00) Small kindness that changes everything — friends stepping up, tears at the bank & being seen ✨

(32:00) Being someone’s person when life falls apart — without waiting to be asked 💛

(40:00) Gratitude for the past, present & future — even when life isn’t perfect ⏳

(50:00) These messy, loud, imperfect days? They are the good old days 💛

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

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Keywords: Gratitude in everyday life, these are the good old days quote, mindfulness for busy moms, emotional podcast episode about motherhood, living in the moment with your kids, motherhood after 40, women over 40 life perspective, elder millennial motherhood, parenting as an elder millennial, midlife reflection for women, appreciating motherhood moments, heartfelt gratitude stories, emotional podcast for women, real life sister conversations, learning to slow down and be present.

Midlife motherhood can feel like an identity crisis—your kids are growing, your roles are shifting, and you’re asking, “Who am I now?” In this episode, licensed clinical counselor Ellie Messinger-Adams helps us explore how to rediscover yourself when everything is changing. Together they break down the Motherhood Midlife Crisis—the moment when your kids are growing, your roles are shifting, and the version of you that once felt solid no longer fits. 

We also dig into the anxious mom mind, the relentless mental load, and the emotional overwhelm so many women carry silently. Ellie shares her Identity Confidence Model, a practical framework for getting grounded, nurturing self-trust, and redefining who you are beyond the roles you’ve spent years fulfilling.

If you’re navigating big transitions, feeling disconnected from yourself, or wondering what comes next as your kids need you differently, this episode will remind you that nothing is wrong with you—you’re growing. And you’re not alone.

(0:00) ✨ Welcome to Found at 40 + what the “Motherhood Identity Crisis” really means

(2:00) 🧭 Chrissi’s midlife moment: hitting all the milestones and still wondering, “Who am I?”

(6:00) 🥇 Achievement treadmill, midlife doldrums, and the haunting question of “Now what?”

(8:00) 🧩 Roles vs identity: why “mother,” “wife,” and “daughter” aren’t the whole story

(10:00) 🏗️ The Identity Confidence Model: undeniable truths, grounding, and rebuilding self-trust

(14:00) 🕊️ Facing the empty-nest horizon, future-tripping, and redefining what “presence” looks like

(22:00) 🎨 “I’m a creative”: discovering identity beyond motherhood, wife, and friend

(28:00) 🧠 The anxious mom mind: 20 open tabs, constant mental load, and why letting go feels like failing

(31:00) 🎬 Inside Out 2, joy vs anxiety, and learning to tell your brain, “We’re actually okay”

(36:00) 🌱 Midlife as first-time self-discovery: putting words to who you’ve always been

(44:00) 💔 Listener Q: grieving the version of you who didn’t pursue her dreams & wanting more than “just” wife/mother

(48:00) 🌍 Listener Q: staying calm for your kids when the world feels terrifying + the power of “worry time”

Follow Ellie Messinger-Adams at @ematherapy on Instagram or ematherapy.com

✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review

📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords: motherhood identity crisis, midlife women, mental load, anxious mom mind, rediscovering yourself, empty nest transition, motherhood mental health, identity in motherhood, midlife confidence, personal growth for women

Money shows up in every corner of midlife—our marriages, our stress, our parenting, our power, and our future—but most of us were raised not to talk about it at all. In this powerful midlife money and relationships episode, Chrissi sits down with lawyer and author Heather Boneparth, whose new book Money Together lands at the intersection of love, money, relationships, and partnership. From childhood money stories to mental load, caregiving, and financial power, they explore what it really takes to build a strong financial partnership in midlife. And yes—whether you’re dreaming of “the yacht life under chopper blades” straight out of Taylor Swift’s “Wi$h L$st,” just wanting a driveway with a basketball hoop and some financial peace of mind, this conversation proves money is never just about money. This episode isn’t about spreadsheets—it’s about rewriting your relationship with money, your partner, and yourself. 

(0:00) 🧠 The mental load that breaks relationships – Why invisible labor is often the real source of money tension

(3:00) 💬 Why we don’t talk about money – Cultural silence, shame, and where our money beliefs actually begin

(7:00) 🌱 Childhood money stories uncovered – How scarcity, privilege, and family dynamics shape adult finances

(11:00) 🧩 “Your story is your story” – Why comparing financial trauma inside relationships causes lasting damage

(15:00) 👶 When life blows up the budget – Parenthood, surprise expenses, and why flexibility matters more than perfect planning

(20:00) 🏡 Redefining the word “provider” – Why caregiving, time, and emotional labor are real financial contributions

(26:00) 💄 Spending guilt & self-worth – Why so many women feel they need permission to spend on themselves

(30:00) 🧺 The division of labor problem – How unequal home workload fuels financial resentment

(35:00) 🗓️ The power of the quarterly money date – How timing, structure, and intention transform money conversations

(40:00) 📊 Stepping into financial power – The three non-negotiables every partner needs to know about their money

(46:00) 🔑 Boundaries, time & personal agency – How knowing what you want changes every financial decision

(50:00) ❤️ Money, love & legacy – Why relationships—not wealth—are the true measure of success

Follow Heather Boneparth at @averagejoelle on Instagram or at https://www.readthejointaccount.com/

Get yourself a copy of Money Together at https://domoneytogether.com/ or anywhere you get your books!

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

One day you realize no one else is making the magic anymore — it’s you.

No one handed you a manual, but suddenly you’re in charge of the traditions, the holidays, and the emotional tone of your home. In this episode, we dig into family rituals, midlife motherhood, and why the moments that matter most rarely look impressive. This is about connection over performance — and how small, ordinary choices quietly shape the culture of a family.

🎬 (0:00) — Realizing we’re officially older than the moms in Christmas movies — and questioning when that happened

🕯️ (2:00) — Becoming the grown-ups: holiday pressure, emotional labor, and making the magic happen

🎄 (4:00) — Christmas chaos, decorating expectations, and the lengths moms go to for “the magic”

😂 (7:00) — Holiday mishaps, family disasters, and why the messiest moments become the memories

🧠 (11:00) — Why family traditions and rituals matter more than we think (and what research actually shows)

🏠 (15:00) — Small rituals that create a welcoming home — without perfection or Pinterest

🎶 (18:00) — Music, lighting, scent, and the sensory details that make a house feel like home

👩‍👧 (21:00) — Greeting kids (and their friends) in a way that builds belonging and emotional safety

📦 (23:00) — The hidden mental load of holidays, school themes, Amazon culture, and modern parenting

🍕 (35:00) — The one weekly family ritual linked to 40% lower anxiety and depression in teenagers

🍽️ (38:00) — Family dinners, no phones, and how everyday conversations build emotional intelligence

❤️ (42:00) — Traditions that strengthen sibling bonds, gratitude, and self-worth

✨ (44:00) — What we hope our kids remember about the homes we’re creating — and why it’s simpler than we think

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

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family traditions, family rituals, midlife motherhood, parenting in your 40s, holiday stress for parents, emotional labor of motherhood, creating family culture, weekly family rituals, family dinner benefits, teen mental health and family connection, parenting teenagers, connection over perfection, building a welcoming home, family bonding activities, raising emotionally healthy kids

What actually changes when you stop letting life happen to you? Chrissi and Sarah break down the midlife pivots that reshaped their year—two highs, one low, and what they’re intentionally carrying forward. From friendship shifts and family dynamics to career moves, travel tradeoffs, and very realistic intentions for what’s next, this episode is a look at 2025 and some plans for next year. If you’re navigating your 40s and realizing growth doesn’t always look Instagram-worthy, you’ll feel seen.

🧳 (0:00) Holiday survival mode, travel boundaries, and choosing rest over chaos

🎭 (2:00) A public parenting moment that sparks a bigger conversation about partnership and mental load

🔥 (5:00) Being “nice” vs. being honest—and why resentment loves silence

🎤 (7:00) A low-effort microphone drop-off becomes an unexpectedly perfect metaphor

🎓 (10:00) Going back to school in your 40s and proving you can still do hard things

🧠 (13:00) Growth without answers: why finding language for your feelings matters

🚚 (15:00) Big midlife moves and choosing intention over autopilot

✈️ (18:00) Travel wins, financial tradeoffs, and what meaningful experiences actually cost

⚖️ (23:00) Parenting through change and the emotional weight of doing the right thing

🏋️ (25:00) Aging, health, and rebuilding routines when old systems fall apart

🧺 (27:00) Intentions, not resolutions: laundry, birthdays, and realistic habits

💬 (32:00) Listener questions on friendship fallouts, co-parenting after divorce, sibling dynamics, and when to stop chasing one-sided relationships

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords: midlife pivots, navigating your 40s, personal growth after 40, life changes in your 40s, friendship changes in midlife, family dynamics after divorce, going back to school in your 40s, career change later in life, co-parenting after divorce, adult friendship boundaries, midlife self reflection, intentional living in your 40s, realistic goals after 40, redefining success in midlife, personal growth podcast for women

Perimenopause is the season we were warned about—but no one really prepared us for what it actually feels like to live in it. In this episode of Found at 40, I start with my friend Carrie Youell, talking honestly about what it’s like to be in the thick of perimenopause—brain fog, mood swings, sleep issues, and that unsettling feeling of not quite recognizing yourself anymore. Then, we bring in expert insight with Dr. Jackie Piasta, a Doctor of Nursing Practice and board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner, for a listener Q&A that breaks down what’s happening hormonally, what’s normal, and what actually helps. This episode is about validation, clarity, and realizing you’re not crazy—you’re just in your 40s.

Episode Timeline

• (0:00) 🎢 The perimenopause plot twist we were warned about—and didn’t fully understand
• (4:00) 🧠 Brain fog, chin hair, and the early signs something feels “off”
• (8:00) 😵‍💫 Emotional whiplash, rage moments, and not feeling like yourself
• (13:00) 😴 Sleep issues, night sweats, and why exhaustion hits differently in your 40s
• (18:00) 🎭 Identity, marriage, motherhood, and how perimenopause affects relationships
• (23:00) 🔥 Hot flashes vs. internal overheating—and how symptoms really show up
• (27:00) 🧬 Hormones, bloodwork, testosterone, and navigating confusing lab results
• (31:00) 💬 Feeling dismissed by doctors and learning to advocate for yourself

Expert Q&A with Dr. Jackie Piasta

• (35:00) 🎙️ Introducing Dr. Jackie Piasta + why perimenopause is having a cultural moment
• (38:00) 🩺 How do you actually know if you’re in perimenopause—and not dealing with something else?
• (42:00) 🧪 Why isn’t there a clear test for perimenopause?
• (46:00) 🩻 Which doctors should women have in their healthcare lineup after 40?
• (50:00) 🧍‍♀️ What’s causing hair loss in perimenopause—and what actually helps?
• (55:00) 💊 When is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) the right next step?
• (1:00:00) 💡 What women in their 40s should know now to make this season easier later

Find Dr. Jackie Piasta on Instagram at @jackiep_gynnp or at https://www.mymonarchhealthco.com/

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords:

Perimenopause, perimenopause symptoms, signs of perimenopause, perimenopause in your 40s, hormone imbalance in women, brain fog in perimenopause, mood swings in midlife, anxiety and perimenopause, sleep problems in perimenopause, hot flashes and night sweats, hair loss in perimenopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), when to start HRT, women’s health after 40, feeling like yourself again in midlife, Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Leanne Morgan, We Do Not Care Club

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, I did everything I was supposed to do… so why doesn’t this feel better?

In this episode, I’m joined by writer and cultural voice Amil Niazi for a candid, relatable conversation about her new memoir “Life Beyond Ambition” (out January 6!) and dive into not just ambition, but burnout and the moment you realize that chasing “success” doesn’t always deliver the fulfillment it promised. We dig into what happens when the timelines, expectations, and definitions of achievement we grew up with start to crack — and how freeing it can be when they do.

✨ (0:00) — Why feeling “behind in life” is so common (and so rarely talked about)

📖 (4:30) — A look at Amil’s early life and how ambition became a survival strategy

🏃‍♀️ (8:30) — Hustle culture, scrappy early jobs, and saying yes to everything just to get ahead

🧠 (13:00) — The myth of meritocracy and why “working harder” doesn’t level the playing field

⏳ (17:00) — The millennial career crisis and realizing the playbook we were sold no longer works

🔥 (21:30) — Burnout, box-checking, and why success doesn’t feel the way we expected it to

🧩 (25:30) — Letting go of exceptionalism and questioning why “average” feels like a failure

👩‍👧 (29:30) — Motherhood, ambition, and the impossible standard of doing everything perfectly

🌍 (33:30) — Pandemic life, shrinking worlds, and the unexpected freedom of “only enough”

💭 (36:30) — Redefining ambition, identity, and self-worth beyond productivity

🛋️ (38:30) — What rest really looks like in midlife (and why modeling it matters)

🌱 (41:00) — Life after ambition: choosing contentment, presence, and a different definition of success

___________________________

🪩 Find Amil on Instagram at @amilniazi and order your own copy of Life After Ambition here 

🥽 Dive into the Millennial Career Crisis discussion on Instagram: @janelabrahami 

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

_____________________

keywords: midlife reinvention, millennial burnout, life after ambition, redefining success, hustle culture recovery, burnout and motherhood, working mom identity, letting go of exceptionalism, the millennial career crisis, ambition vs fulfillment, productivity and self-worth, midlife identity shift, redefining ambition in midlife, choosing “good enough,” contentment over achievement

Midlife marriage isn’t broken—it’s being asked to evolve. In this honest, funny, and deeply relatable conversation, Chrissi and her guest Heather Adams talk about what happens when long-term love collides with kids, aging parents, health scares, and the quiet realization that marriage can’t run on autopilot anymore. They explore why the middle years can actually become the richest season of a relationship, and how intentional habits, better communication, and shared vision can transform even the busiest, messiest stage of life. If you’re navigating marriage in your 40s or 50s and craving deeper connection, this episode will leave you feeling hopeful, seen, and inspired.

(0:00) 💬 Why midlife marriage feels different—and why that shift can be a gift, not a problem

(4:00) 🏖️ A chance meeting, a big move, and the unexpected beginnings of a long-term love story

(8:00) 🧠 The unspoken stories couples carry—and how assumptions quietly create distance

(11:00) ❤️ Why emotional and physical intimacy can actually get better with time

(14:00) 🔄 What it means to grow into yourself—and how that changes your marriage

(16:00) 🫀 A health crisis that redefined priorities, presence, and partnership

(19:00) 📅 The weekly ritual that protects connection when life is full and chaotic

(23:00) 🏡 Why so many couples drift into roommate mode after kids—and how to avoid it

(27:00) 🌅 Turning the empty-nest transition into an opportunity instead of a crisis

(31:00) 🎯 Dreaming about the next 20 years and creating a shared vision for your marriage

(35:00) 🤝 How surrounding yourself with strong marriages shapes your own relationship

(41:00) 🧓 Navigating aging parents, caregiving, and the emotional weight of midlife together

(45:00) 🫶 Brené Brown’s powerful reminder about unequal seasons and why marriage is never 50/50

(48:00) 📺 What This Is Us teaches about supporting your partner instead of trying to fix them

(51:00) 🗣️ The four simple questions that help couples stay connected and avoid resentment

(55:00) 🌿 Breaking old family patterns and choosing a healthier, more intentional future together

(57:00) ✨ Why long-term love isn’t about perfection—but about grace, effort, and choosing each other

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords: midlife marriage, long-term marriage advice, marriage after kids, reconnecting with your spouse, how to strengthen your marriage, marriage in your 40s and 50s, emotional intimacy in marriage, staying connected in a busy life, intentional marriage, communication in long-term relationships, marriage during midlife transitions, how to avoid growing apart, rebuilding connection with your partner, balancing family and marriage, thriving in midlife relationships

What happens when the life you carefully planned unravels — and you realize that it’s time to rebuild a completely new life? In this episode, Chrissi sits down with lifelong friend Melissa Griffiths (who is also the creator of the food blog Bless This Mess) to unpack a bold midlife pivot, from leaving a dream life behind to starting fresh across the country. Their conversation explores reinvention, resilience, family, community, and the messy magic of choosing change on purpose. 

(0:00) 🎙️ Why chosen life pivots can feel scarier than unexpected ones

(2:00) ❄️ From Southern Utah sunshine to snowy Northern Vermont

(5:00) 🏡 Building a dream life with full confidence it would last forever

(8:00) ⚠️ When comfort turns complicated — early signs of change

(11:00) 💔 A major family business shift that changes everything

(15:00) 🧠 Navigating betrayal, grief, stress, and emotional overwhelm

(19:00) 🚚 Searching the country for a new future — and landing on Vermont

(23:00) 🏫 Moving kids, switching schools, and adjusting as a family

(28:00) 🌱 Grieving the old life while building a new one

(33:00) 🧘‍♀️ Nervous system healing, health shifts, and slowing down

(39:00) 🔄 Midlife reinvention, identity changes, and redefining success

(46:00) 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Friendship, community, marriage, and intentional living

(52:00) ✨ Advice for anyone at a crossroads — courage, connection, and what’s next

Follow Melissa (and her new Vermont life!) at @blessthismessblog or discover your favorite new recipe at her blog Bless This Mess

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords:

midlife reinvention, major life pivot, starting over at 40, life plan falling apart, midlife career change, family relocation story, moving across the country with kids, redefining success in midlife, healing after major life change, building a new life after loss, resilience in midlife, intentional living at 40, personal growth through change, navigating identity shifts, finding community after a fresh start

Feeling behind in life can feel personal — but spoiler alert: it’s probably not just you. In this episode of Found at 40, Chrissi sits down with Kaley Esselborn to unpack why so many of us feel “off track,” how the psychology of the social clock messes with our confidence, and why outdated life timelines still have way too much influence. Together, they dive into comparison culture, shifting expectations across decades, resilience through life curveballs, and how to finally trust your own pace — without sprinting to keep up with someone else’s timeline.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “behind,” “late,” or somehow doing life wrong, this episode will leave you feeling seen, validated, and a whole lot more confident in your own timeline.

• (0:00) 🎙️ Why feeling behind in life is more common than we admit
• (4:45) 💭 Where timeline pressure begins and how it takes root
• (7:15) ⏳ The psychology of the social clock and why it impacts self-worth
• (12:15) 👀 How culture, community, and upbringing shape life expectations
• (16:45) 🧩 Reflecting on growing up with a “life script”
• (21:15) 📱 Comparison culture, highlight reels, and the illusion of falling behind
• (26:15) 🎬 A surprising pop-culture metaphor for reclaiming personal power
• (31:50) 💡 Listener submissions: When did you feel life you were behind?
• (38:45) ⏰ A look at your 20’s: Breaking down the social clock by decade
• (44:30) 🛠️ A look at your 30’s: Breaking down the social clock by decade
• (48:40)  🧠A look at your 30’s: Breaking down the social clock by decade
• (52:40) 🌱 A closing mindset shift to stop feeling behind and trust your timing

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords:

This episode explores themes around feeling behind in life, the psychology of the social clock, and the pressure of following a traditional life timeline. It dives into comparison culture, what it means to feel off track in life, and how to embrace a late bloomer mindset while rethinking life milestones. The conversation touches on overcoming societal expectations, understanding that you’re not actually behind in life, and building confidence in your own timeline. Listeners will hear insights on navigating a nonlinear life path, managing life progress anxiety, redefining success, learning how to stop comparing yourself, and finding empowerment through personal growth after 40.

Today is a first for the Found at 40 podcast: it’s just Chrissi for a solo mini episode

But not to worry, next week we’ll be back to normally scheduled programming with guests! This week I’m sharing what’s been on my mind lately—the funny little midlife moments, the honest reflections, and the deeper themes I’m seeing emerge from the first stretch of this podcast. I talk about what listeners are telling me they want more of, a perspective shift I can’t stop thinking about, and a look back at where I was in 2016 compared to now. If you’re in a season of reassessing, feeling “in between,” or quietly craving more clarity and belonging, you’ll feel seen here.

(0:00) 💔 The lingering question of adulthood: “Why can’t I find my people?” and why it hits differently in midlife

(0:45) 🎙️ Why this is a solo mini episode and what’s been surfacing for me behind the scenes

(1:30) 🪞 A midlife mirror moment: “Is this just my face now?” and the humor + honesty of noticing change

(2:30) 🔋 The reality of doing this work solo and what sustainability actually looks like right now

(3:20) 📈 What’s surprised me most from listeners so far and the themes people are craving

(4:10) 🧩 Friendship, inclusion, and belonging — and why midlife changes how these experiences land

(6:45) ⚡ A perspective shift I can’t stop thinking about: why forced inclusion doesn’t create real belonging

(10:00) 🎭 The importance of messy, human stories — the ones that make us laugh because they’re true

(12:30) 📸 Looking back at 2016 vs now: what that season taught me, what’s changed, and what no longer fits

(18:00) 🤍 Closing reflections on midlife as a reassessment — not a crisis — and letting this season unfold without rushing clarity

Here is the link to the Dear Nina episode I mentioned: Listen more here

✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review

📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords:

midlife transition, midlife reassessment, women over 40, identity shifts in midlife, feeling in between seasons, belonging vs inclusion, loneliness in midlife, adult friendship changes, personal growth after 40, midlife reflection, life reassessment, motherhood and identity, navigating change in midlife, emotional shifts after 40, finding clarity in midlife

Why does adult friendship feel so much harder than it used to — even when nothing is “wrong”? In this episode, Chrissi and her sister Sarah unpack why loneliness, disconnection, and friendship confusion are so common in midlife, especially for women navigating busy schedules, shifting priorities, and changing seasons of life. They explore how modern life quietly reshaped the way we connect — and why feeling lonely isn’t a personal failure. If you’ve ever wondered why friendship feels emotional, awkward, or exhausting in adulthood, this conversation will help you feel seen, validated, and less alone.

(0:00) ❄️ A cold-weather catch-up and why everyday conversation still matters
(5:00) 🧠 Texting tone, all-caps conflict, and how adult relationships misread intention
(9:00) 🤝 Why adult friendship feels heavier — and why so many women quietly struggle
(12:00) 📉 The loneliness statistics that reveal a major cultural shift
(16:00) ☕ The loss of “third spaces” and how modern life fractured community
(20:00) 🧸 Parenting stages, aging kids, and the disappearance of built-in friendships
(24:00) 🎧 Feeling isolated in public — even when we’re surrounded by people
(28:00) ❤️ The Harvard study that reframes happiness, health, and relationships
(31:00) 🌱 “Medium friends” — why they matter, where they fit, and why they’re confusing
(35:00) 🧭 Wanting to show up without overstepping — and why silence can hurt more
(40:00) 🔄 Friendship bandwidth, emotional energy, and shrinking circles in midlife
(45:00) 🛒 Reimagining friendship through errand friends, shared activities, and low-pressure connection
(48:00) ✨ Final reflections on effort, vulnerability, and what adult friendship really needs

✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review

📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords: adult friendship, loneliness in adulthood, making friends in midlife, female friendship in midlife, why adult friendship is hard, feeling lonely even with friends, modern loneliness epidemic, friendship after 40, losing friends as an adult, third spaces and community, rebuilding friendships in adulthood, emotional labor in friendships, friendship circles and bandwidth, medium friends vs close friends, connection and belonging in midlife

What does it actually look like to find yourself again in midlife—without pressure, perfection, or a full life overhaul? In this episode of Found at 40, Chrissi talks with Leila Howell of My Kind of Glow about identity loss in motherhood, realistic wellness, nervous system regulation, and the small habits that help you feel like yourself again. Leila shares how one deeply relatable “gentle glow-up” reel went viral, and why her message resonated with so many women in their 40s. If you’ve been feeling invisible, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself, this conversation is the reset you didn’t know you needed.

(0:00) ✨ Chrissi shares why Leila’s “gentle glow-up” message hit such a nerve for so many women in midlife

(3:00) 🎥 Leila tells the story behind the reel that went viral—and what was happening in real life when she posted it

(5:00) 🌍 Leila opens up about moving between Australia and Seattle, raising kids, and navigating a major life transition

(8:00) 🎨 How she went from graphic designer to stay-at-home mom to content creator (without planning for any of it)

(10:00) 💥 The moment she realized the typical “glow-up” content wasn’t what she—or other women—actually needed

(12:00) 👻 They talk about identity loss in motherhood and that quiet midlife feeling of “Where did I go?”

(15:00) 🪞 Leila explains what a real midlife glow-up means to her—and why it’s more about self-trust than self-improvement

(19:00) 📱 What it felt like to suddenly grow an audience of women who deeply related to her message

(23:00) 🔁 A conversation about tiny habits, momentum, and how to start feeling better when life already feels full

(27:00) 🧳 Leila shares the emotional side of moving countries, reverse culture shock, and starting over with young kids

(31:00) 🎨 They get into perfectionism, creativity, and why being “bad” at something can actually be healing

(38:00) 🫶 Pillar 1: Leila shares what body respect looks like in midlife (without diet-culture energy)

(40:00) 🌿 Pillar 2: Why nervous system regulation comes before almost everything else

(42:00) 🥗 Pillar 3: What realistic wellness looks like when you’re tired, busy, and in a full season of life

(44:00) 💛 Pillar 4: How self-trust gets rebuilt in small, everyday choices

(46:00) 🚰 Pillar 5: The “life-supporting habits” approach that helps things feel doable (not overwhelming)

(48:00) 🎉 Final Four favorites, funny moments, and what Leila feels she’s truly found after 40

(58:00) 📅 A preview of Leila’s “My Kind of Glow Reset” and the small-steps challenge she’s launching next

Follow Leila on Instagram and TikTok at @mykindofglow_  and stay tuned for her 28 Day Small Steps Guide. 

✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review

📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords: midlife reinvention, finding yourself again, midlife glow up, identity loss in motherhood, motherhood and identity, women over 40 wellness, nervous system regulation, realistic self care, self trust in midlife, midlife burnout recovery, gentle habits for women, Atomic Habits for moms, perimenopause wellness habits, starting over at 40, midlife reset for moms

Middle school can feel like emotional whiplash—one minute your kid wants you close, the next you’re getting an eye roll and attitude that makes you wonder, "What is going on?" In this episode, Chrissi sits down with Instagram’s favorite middle school parent coach Bridget KerMorris to unpack what’s really happening beneath the mood swings, disrespect, and constant tech tension—and how parents can stay steady without becoming permissive. You’ll hear why the parent-child relationship is one of the most protective factors in the tween/teen years, plus a practical framework for responding with calm authority (even when you’re triggered). If you’re parenting middle schoolers—especially if big feelings, ADHD, or neurodivergence are part of the picture—this conversation will help you feel more connected, more confident, and less like you’re living inside a daily power struggle.

(1:05) 🎙️ Meet Bridget KerMorris: attorney, therapist + parent coach + mom of seven raising middle schoolers in real time
(3:20) 😬 Why parents dread middle school—and how to turn down the heat at home
(6:10) 🧠 The most protective factor for tweens + teens: the parent-child relationship (and why it’s not “soft”)
(8:05) 🧭 Authority vs. authoritarian: how to hold boundaries without constant power struggles
(10:45) 🧩 Trauma + meaning-making: why what you say (or don’t say) after hard moments matters
(12:40) 📱 Tech rules, phones, Snapchat: how to set limits without your kid hearing “I don’t trust you”
(14:20) 🛑 Pillar 1: The Update Method: how to pause when you’re triggered so you can respond (not react)
(18:00) 🤝 Pillar 2: Accessible, Responsive, Engaged—what secure attachment looks like in middle school
(23:55) 🍉 The “little things” that build connection fast (and why kids never forget them)
(25:30) 🔁 Pillar 3: Repair: teaching accountability + relationship skills after conflict
(27:10) 💡 Pillar 4: Curious relational parenting: helping kids understand their inner world (before adulthood)
(30:40) 🧠 Parenting neurodivergent middle schoolers: rejection sensitivity, emotional dysregulation, and what helps
(37:10) 🌪️ When your kid is constantly moody: how to get back to neutral ground as a family
(42:10) 🧱 Containment + kindness: addressing eye rolls & disrespect without becoming permissive
(48:15) 🗂️ Free guide + Stay Close cards: daily conversation prompts that help your tween open up
(51:45) 🎶 Fun wrap: concerts, celeb look-alike, and what Bridget has “found” in her forties

Follow Bridget on Instagram at @bridget.parentcoach and get your free guide here: 50 Ways I’m Staying Closer to My Middle Schooler

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Keywords: Parenting middle schoolers, middle school parenting tips, how to stay connected to your tween, tween mood swings, handling disrespect from tweens, how to respond when your child is rude, connection-based parenting, attachment-focused parenting, building secure attachment with teens, repairing after a parent-child conflict, setting boundaries with tweens, screen time limits for middle schoolers, phone boundaries for tweens and teens, parenting a neurodivergent child (ADHD/autism), parenting strategies for tweens and teens.

There is a question that so many women in midlife seem to be asking lately: “Do I have ADHD… or am I just completely overwhelmed?” Using a recent article about women receiving ADHD diagnoses in midlife as a jumping-off point, they talk through inattentive ADHD, hyperfocus, procrastination, emotional dysregulation, and the systems women build to keep life moving. Sarah shares what it was like growing up as a smart, energetic, often “spacey” kid whose ADHD traits were easy to miss, while Chrissi explores the difference between lifelong ADHD and the very midlife feeling of dysregulation– being scattered, overstimulated, and maxed out. It’s part sister conversation, part midlife brain audit, and part permission slip to ask a better question than “What’s wrong with my brain?” 

(0:00) 🧠 Why so many women are asking about ADHD in midlife
(1:00) 📅 Maycember chaos, end-of-school-year overload, and the midlife mental load
(3:00) 💉 PRP facials, aging, sister banter, and the ongoing “who’s older?” debate
(7:00) 🦷 Sarah’s root canal, big test energy, and major life transitions
(9:00) 📖 The article that sparked the conversation: women, ADHD diagnoses, and the systems that suddenly stop working
(11:00) 🤸 Sarah’s childhood ADHD clues: constant movement, gifted programs, spacing out, and missed signs
(13:00) 📝 Why inattentive ADHD in girls was so often overlooked
(16:00) 🧺 When motherhood, work, and unpredictability overwhelm even the best coping systems
(18:00) 🎯 Hyperfocus, changing majors, “going off vibes,” and wondering what could have been different
(21:00) ⏰ Procrastination, urgency, adrenaline, and the crash after getting everything done
(24:00) 🎓 Former gifted girls, anxiety, ADHD, and the shame of feeling smart but stuck
(26:00) ☕ Caffeine, ADHD medication, and what it feels like when a noisy brain finally quiets down
(28:00) 🛒 The grocery list spiral: when one simple task turns into a full life reorganization
(31:00) 🌪️ ADHD vs. dysregulation: feeling scattered, overwhelmed, overstimulated, or unable to function
(33:00) 🔊 Emotional, sensory, and behavioral dysregulation in midlife
(36:00) 🚪 Reducing input, setting boundaries, and the “unless there’s fire or blood” rule
(38:00) 🫶 Lowering the shame and asking what your brain actually needs
(40:00) 🐅 The tiger-in-captivity question, summer survival, kids’ phones, and midlife brain management
(43:00) 💬 Final thoughts for ADHD women, dysregulated women, and everyone whose brain is following side quests

Link to The Cut Article

Link to Liz Moody podcast episode on ADHD and dysregulation 

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SEO keywords: ADHD in women, ADHD in midlife, women with ADHD, inattentive ADHD, ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, midlife women, perimenopause and ADHD, emotional dysregulation, sensory overload, executive function, ADHD paralysis, hyperfocus, procrastination, mental load, overwhelmed moms, women’s mental health, anxiety and ADHD, adult ADHD, Found at 40 podcast

This week on Found at 40, Chrissi and Sarah are sharing what they’re loving, learning, and loathing in midlife—because life after 40 is equal parts growth, monotony, reinvention, and “are we really doing this again?” moments. From small personal wins to bigger mindset shifts, they talk about how to feel less stuck, more present, and actually enjoy your life in your 40s.

They dive into the “Novelty Rule” (and how to make time feel slower and more meaningful), why so many of us feel behind in midlife, and how stress can completely shut down your creativity and decision-making. Plus: travel highs, sister stories, and the things currently testing their patience—including the housing market and some necessary rage toward unacceptable male behavior. 

(0:00) 🎙️ Welcome back + midlife catch-up with sisters
(1:00) ✈️ Two Truths and a Lie—and a surprising win
(4:00) 👶 Parenting then vs. now and how things have changed
(6:00) 📖 Discovering poetry in your 40s and unexpected inspiration
(8:00) 🤔 Feeling behind in life and midlife timeline pressure
(11:00) 👏 Self-worth, confidence, and letting go of outside validation
(12:00) 🌴 Virgin Islands trip: travel, snorkeling, and unforgettable moments
(16:00) 🧠 The Novelty Rule: how to make life feel slower and more meaningful
(19:00) 🔄 Breaking routines and escaping midlife autopilot
(20:00) 😵‍💫 Stress, burnout, and the “freeze” response explained
(23:00) 🔥 What we’re loathing: unacceptable behavior from certain men in Congress
(30:00) 🏡 The housing market, finances, and why adulting feels harder than ever

Learn more about The Novelty Rule on the Liz Moody Podcast

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Keywords:
midlife podcast, life after 40, women in their 40s, midlife reset, feeling stuck in life, how to stop feeling behind, novelty rule, how to make life more exciting, midlife burnout, stress and freeze response, personal growth podcast, self improvement for women, confidence in your 40s, reinvention in midlife, routines vs novelty, making life feel meaningful, housing market struggles, adulting in your 40s, sister podcast, relatable podcast for women

If your brain has been running the same exhausting loops—overthinking, second-guessing, telling you you’re behind—this episode is going to feel like a reset. I’m joined by life coach Ashley Molitor, who helps women unlearn the BS stories that keep them stuck, overwhelmed, and disconnected from themselves. We get into the patterns, limiting beliefs, and midlife mindset shifts that quietly run the show—and how to finally break free from them. If you’ve ever felt like you know what needs to change but can’t seem to do it, this conversation will hit.

(0:00) 🔄 The “spinning wheel of death” in your brain—midlife overthinking explained
(2:00) 🎯 What a life coach actually does (and how it helps you break patterns faster)
(5:00) 🧠 Why your brain resists change—and keeps you stuck in the same cycles
(7:30) 📖 Limiting beliefs: the stories you didn’t choose but keep living by
(10:30) ⏳ “I’ll focus on me later”—why that mindset never works
(12:30) 🗓️ Living on autopilot: busy, overwhelmed, and disconnected from your values
(15:30) 🤝 Motherhood, burnout & why asking for help is the real power move
(18:30) ⚖️ Body image, negative self-talk & separating facts from the story
(21:30) 🔁 The patterns you don’t realize you have (relationships, habits & self-sabotage)
(25:00) ❓ The questions you’re asking yourself that keep you stuck
(30:00) 🔥 How to identify patterns by looking at results you don’t like
(34:00) 😵 Post-interaction spiraling & how to stop overanalyzing everything
(38:30) ✨ Letting go of “shoulds” and rewriting the story you actually want

Follow Ashley on Instagram at @ashleylmolitor and or visit her website at https://www.ashleymolitor.com

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Keywords: midlife overthinking, limiting beliefs, self-sabotage, breaking patterns, mindset for women, life coach Ashley Molitor, feeling stuck in midlife, negative self-talk, body image, boundaries, emotional health, personal growth for women, midlife reset, confidence, self-trust

After divorce, heartbreak, and nearly 20 years in a marriage that ultimately wasn’t right, Sarah is sharing the full story of how she found love again in midlife—and knew this relationship was different. In this episode, we talk honestly about dating after divorce, learning to trust your intuition, recognizing green flags, and why finding love in your 40s can actually be better than the first time around. Plus, Sarah shares the wildly sweet engagement story that had me secretly wearing a wig in public like a low-budget spy. If you’re navigating dating in your 40s, healing after divorce, or wondering if healthy love is still out there for you… this one is for you.

(0:00) 🌴 Spring break adventures, capybara encounters, and why St. Augustine unexpectedly delivered
(3:00) 👽 Our latest family obsession: Project Hail Mary, aliens, and audiobook recommendations
(5:00) 💍 Sarah officially announces she’s engaged—and adjusting to fiancé life
(7:00) 💔 Rewinding the clock: life after the end of a 19-year marriage and starting over after divorce
(9:00) ❤️‍🩹 Dating after divorce, rebuilding confidence, and why jumping in too fast can happen
(10:00) 🚩 “Where’s the bag of hair?” — the hilarious dating metaphor for hidden red flags in midlife dating courtesy of the movie Fever Pitch with Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon
(13:00) 💚 The unexpected green flags that made Sarah realize this relationship felt different
(15:00) 🧠 Chemistry vs. compatibility: what actually matters in long-term relationships
(17:00) 🏡 What 19 years of marriage taught Sarah about what she truly needs in a partner
(19:00) 🕵️ Behind-the-scenes of the engagement setup, ring recon, and my accidental secret-agent role
(24:00) 🎶 The proposal night: how the surprise engagement actually unfolded at the Cannons concert
(28:00) 😂 Why I was hiding in a Velma-esque wig and secretly filming the whole thing
(34:00) ✨ Why finding love in your 40s can be better than finding it in your 20s
(35:00) 🧭 Dating after divorce advice: trusting your intuition, listening to your body, and not ignoring warning signs
(44:00) 💕 The biggest lessons Sarah learned about healthy love, emotional safety, and knowing when it’s right

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If you’ve ever looked at your life and thought, “wait… this isn’t what I planned,” this episode will hit close to home—in the best way. Today, I’m joined by Jess Prudhomme for a deeply honest conversation about what it really looks like to navigate life when things don’t go as expected. We talk about identity shifts, starting over, and the quiet (and sometimes painful) process of finding your way back to yourself. If you’re feeling lost, stuck, or like you’ve outgrown your life, this one will remind you—you’re not alone, and you’re not off track.

(0:00) 🎙️ Meet Jess Prudhomme + the moment you realize life isn’t going as planned
(3:00) 🧭 The subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs you’ve outgrown your life
(6:00) 💔 When everything starts shifting—relationships, identity, and direction
(9:00) 🧠 The internal spiral: feeling lost, confused, and disconnected from yourself
(13:00) 🔄 The idea of a “life detour” and why it’s not what we think
(17:00) ⚖️ Letting go of the life you planned vs. clinging to what feels safe
(21:00) 🧩 Identity unraveling: who am I if I’m not this version of myself?
(25:00) 🚪 The moment things start to crack open (even if it doesn’t feel like it yet)
(29:00) 🌱 Healing isn’t linear—what growth actually looks like in real life
(33:00) 🗣️ Learning to trust your intuition again after big life changes
(37:00) 🔍 The difference between alignment, avoidance, and starting over
(41:00) 💡 What “finding yourself again” really means (and what it doesn’t)
(45:00) ✨ Small shifts that begin the road back to yourself
(48:00) 🤍 The unexpected gifts hidden inside life not going to plan

Follow Jess on Instagram at @thegreatdetour and listen to her podcast, The Great Detour, or visit her website at thegreatdetour.com

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finding yourself again, feeling lost in life, life doesn’t go as planned, starting over, identity crisis, personal growth, healing journey, trusting yourself, life transitions, burnout, self discovery, women’s personal development, reinventing yourself, emotional healing, life changes

Perimenopause has entered the chat—and most of us were never given the manual. In this episode, I sit down with therapist and author Lauren Tetenbaum to unpack what’s actually happening in our bodies during perimenopause and menopause, and why so many women feel blindsided by it. This conversation is equal parts validating, eye-opening, and surprisingly empowering. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this normal?”—this episode is for you.

We talk symptoms, hormones, identity shifts, and what it really looks like to prepare for this next phase of life—without fear, shame, or misinformation.

(0:00) 🎙️ Why perimenopause feels like it came out of nowhere for so many women
(4:00) 🤯 The early symptoms of perimenopause you might be missing (and mislabeling)
(7:00) 🧠 Brain fog, mood swings & anxiety—what’s actually happening hormonally
(11:00) 🔄 Why your body suddenly feels “off” (and why it’s not in your head)
(15:00) 🩺 The biggest gaps in women’s health education around menopause
(19:00) 📉 Hormones explained simply: what’s dropping, shifting, and why it matters
(23:00) 😩 Sleep issues, irritability & burnout—how they’re all connected
(27:00) 💬 The emotional side of perimenopause no one talks about
(31:00) 🔥 Libido, relationships & identity changes in midlife
(35:00) 🧴 What actually helps: treatment options, lifestyle shifts & support
(39:00) 📚 Inside Millennial Menopause—why this guide is different
(43:00) 🧩 How to advocate for yourself with doctors (and what to ask for)
(47:00) 🌱 Reframing menopause as a transition—not a decline
(51:00) ✨ What women in their 30s and 40s should know now to feel prepared

Follow Lauren on Instagram at @thecounselaur

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If you’ve ever thought, “I want a village… but also I don’t want to leave my house,” this episode is going to feel uncomfortably relatable—in the best way. Today I’m joined by writer, speaker, and educator Brooke Romney, whose words about community, connection, and showing up have sparked conversations everywhere.

In this honest, witty, and thought-provoking conversation, we dig into why so many of us are craving deeper friendships and real community—while also protecting our time, guarding our energy, and avoiding anything inconvenient.

We talk about what modern life is getting right (hello, convenience) and what it might be quietly costing us, the invisible work that actually holds communities together, and why the little things we tend to dismiss might be the exact things that create the connection we’re looking for.

(0:00) 🎙️ Meet Brooke Romney + why this conversation about community matters now

(6:00) 💬 The viral post that sparked a bigger conversation about connection

(7:00) 🧠 “If we only do what we enjoy… who does the rest?”

(10:00) 🔄 What shifted from “protect your peace” to craving real community

(13:00) 📱 Convenience culture, screen time, and why life feels lonelier

(16:00) 🧩 The invisible work that quietly holds communities together

(19:00) 🚨 The bystander effect—and why people don’t step up

(24:00) ⚖️ People-pleasing vs. true community (a powerful reframe)

(28:00) ✨ Why things that don’t spark joy often lead to deeper fulfillment

(34:00) 🏡 What it actually means to “be a villager” in real life

(37:00) 😓 When you feel like you’re the only one showing up

(44:00) 🌱 Simple, realistic ways to start building connection today

Follow Brooke on Instagram at @brookeromneywrites

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If you’ve ever wondered how to make friends in your 40s, how to parent a teenager without losing authority, or what to do when you don’t know what you’re doing with your life—this episode is for you. In this first-ever advice episode of Found at 40, Chrissi is joined by her sister Sarah to answer real listener questions about friendship in adulthood, marriage communication, parenting teens, identity in midlife, and navigating major life transitions after 40. 

This conversation covers everything from how long it actually takes to build deep friendships as an adult, to what to do when your spouse wants something you’re not comfortable with, to how to approach difficult relationships with parents—even in your 40s. They also unpack midlife career confusion, rediscovering yourself after years of motherhood, and the emotional transition of your child graduating and leaving home.

If you’re feeling stuck, disconnected, or like you “should have it figured out by now,” this episode offers honest, practical, and relatable advice for navigating midlife with more clarity, confidence, and self-trust.

(0:00) 🎙️ Advice episode kickoff: unfiltered, real-life advice for midlife women
(2:00) 💔 Divorce, healing, and rebuilding your life in your 40s
(5:00) 🍝 Parenting, family life, and redefining “normal” experiences for your kids
(10:00) 🤝 How to make friends in your 40s and build real adult friendships
(12:00) ⏳ How long it takes to form deep friendships (and why it feels so hard)
(14:00) 🔁 Simple habits that turn acquaintances into close friends
(16:00) 🔥 Marriage communication: what to do when partners want different things sexually
(20:00) 🧭 Midlife identity crisis: “I don’t know what to do with my life”
(25:00) 📱 Reconnecting with yourself: boredom, phone habits, and self-discovery
(27:00) 🛍️ Midlife confidence and style: when to invest in yourself (yes, even leggings)
(29:00) 💡 Life lessons by 40: stress, money, and what actually matters
(30:00) 👩‍👧 Parenting teens: boundaries, trust, and staying the parent—not the friend
(34:00) 😬 Difficult parent relationships: setting boundaries and communicating with confidence
(40:00) 🎓 Kids leaving home: navigating identity, grief, and the empty nest transition
(41:00) ❤️ Friendship in your 40s: what qualities matter most now

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If your body has changed, your confidence has taken a hit, and getting dressed feels way more emotional than it used to, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Chrissi sits down with Jenna Rohlfing to talk about midlife body changes, body confidence, mid-size fashion, autoimmune weight gain, style after body changes, people-pleasing, self-worth, and how to feel like yourself again. Jenna shares how Hashimoto’s, inflammation, aging, and identity shifts affected the way she saw herself — and how she began rebuilding confidence from the inside out. This is an honest, funny, deeply relatable conversation about midlife confidence, body image, getting dressed in a changing body, and learning to stop waiting for the “goal body” to start living your life.

(0:00) 👖 Midlife body changes, low confidence, and why getting dressed can suddenly feel like a full emotional event.
(2:00) 📱 The Instagram post that connected Chrissi and Jenna — and how Jenna built a platform around mid-size fashion, body confidence, and helping women feel more like themselves again.
(5:00) 🎙️ Jenna’s unexpected path from speech language pathologist to content creator — and how honesty, style, and confidence became the heart of her work.
(7:00) 👖 “Why are my jeans mad at me?” The body-change season that changed everything, and the identity spiral so many women quietly understand.
(9:00) 🩺 Unexplained symptoms, frustrating assumptions, and the Hashimoto’s diagnosis that finally gave context to Jenna’s autoimmune weight gain and inflammation.
(12:00) 🌿 Hashimoto’s, inflammation, stress, diet changes, strength training, and the lifestyle shifts Jenna had to make when her body stopped responding the way it used to.
(16:00) 💭 The mindset shift that helped Jenna start rebuilding body confidence — and why confidence starts long before the outfit does.
(19:00) 🛍️ Buying the pants that fit, letting go of the number on the tag, and why women’s sizing deserves its own public apology.
(24:00) 👗 Style after body changes: body shape, trends, mid-size fashion, and the difference between “this doesn’t work for me” and “something is wrong with me.”
(26:00) 🚫 People-pleasing, approval, and how midlife confidence gets stronger when you stop outsourcing your worth to everyone else.
(32:00) 👯‍♀️ A mean girl moment, online visibility, and what it looks like to handle criticism differently in your 40s.
(38:00) 🎉 Why turning 40 can feel surprisingly freeing — and how aging can bring a new kind of confidence, self-trust, and clarity.
(40:00) 🧺 Practical confidence tips: stop dressing for the goal body, clean up your social media feed, and rethink what actually helps you feel good in your clothes.
(43:00) 💛 Body image, daughters, aging, a Schitt's Creek moment, and a rapid-fire ending full of influencer-life chaos and fun.

Follow Jenna on Instagram and TikTok at @jennaleighstl
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Midlife can feel like a Monica Geller closet—stuffed with “shoulds,” mental load, and expectations you’ve been carrying for years. In this episode of Found at 40, Chrissi sits down with Rachel Nielson from the podcast Three in 30 Takeaways for Moms to take the core principles of decluttering and apply them to midlife overwhelm, identity shifts, motherhood pressure, and self-trust. You’ll learn how to sort what’s weighing you down, edit the roles that no longer fit, and make room for more joy—without overhauling your entire life. #midlifedecluttered

(0:00) 🎙️ Rachel Nielson joins + why midlife questions are more common than we think
(4:00) 🧠 The “Monica Geller closet” metaphor for mental load + overwhelm
(6:00) 🔄 Identity shifts in your 40s: feeling grateful and still feeling “off”
(10:00) ✨ The surprising theme of midlife: acceptance, confidence, and self-trust
(12:00) 📝 Step 1—Inventory: the brain-dump that stops overwhelm from running the show
(15:00) 🧺 Motherhood “shoulds” you didn’t realize you were carrying (and why they’re exhausting)
(18:00) 🧬 Midlife wellness pressure: when “self-care” turns into another checklist
(21:00) ✂️ Step 2—Edit: deciding what expectations still fit you now
(23:00) 🎮 Parenting pivots: releasing the “I thought I’d be this kind of mom” story
(27:00) ⚖️ Acceptance vs. resignation: how to tell the difference in midlife
(30:00) 📸 The photo moment that reframes aging and body changes
(36:00) 🌈 Step 3—Make room for joy: what comes after you declutter your mind
(40:00) 🛼 Joy experiments + hobbies: trying things without being good at them first
(44:00) 🧱 The belief Rachel decluttered: what a “good mom” is allowed to want
(50:00) 💛 Final takeaways: the small shifts that make midlife feel lighter

Follow Rachel and the 3 in 30 podcast on Instagram at @3in30podcast

Access Rachel’s Motherhood Decluttered Course here and use code FOUND40 for 40% off!

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Keywords: midlife decluttered, midlife crisis, reinventing yourself at 40, finding yourself again, mental load, motherhood mental load, decluttering your mind, midlife overwhelm, identity in midlife, self trust, boundaries, burnout recovery, nervous system, personal growth for women, women in their 40s