Episodes

Are you feeling stuck in a toxic work environment, struggling to let go of an old identity, or blaming yourself when things just aren't working out? You’re NOT alone — and it is never too late to pull up your roots and replant yourself.


In this Changemakers episode, licensed therapist, speaker, and author Mary Rothwell joins me to share her journey of leaving a 32-year career in higher education after a leadership change turned her beloved job into a nightmare.


Mary shares the messy realit...

Are you a woman over 40 feeling anxious about bladder leaks when you sneeze, laugh, or jump? You’re NOT alone — but you don't have to just live with it. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, certified health coach and Pfilates instructor Patricia Linderman joins me to break down pelvic floor health, the reality of prolapse, and the real muscular mechanics behind why we leak and how we can stop it.

What You’ll Learn:
✔ How your core acts like a "can" and why deep, three-dimensional breathing is ...

Are you a woman over 40 or 50 feeling stuck in analysis paralysis, second-guessing every decision from your career to your kitchen renovations, or trapped in a loop of "what if it goes wrong?" You’re NOT alone. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, I’m sharing the story of my coaching client, Mandy—a highly successful entrepreneur who suddenly found herself unable to move forward on even simple projects.

We are diving deep into the Being Profile to uncover why smart, experienced midlife women g...

Are you riding the "bumpy ride" of perimenopause and wondering if there is an alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)? You’re NOT alone — and you have more options than you think. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, Damon Iacovelli, a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, joins me to break down the science behind acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and how these ancient practices offer a modern solution for hot flashes, sleep issues, and midlife anxiety. I...

Are you a woman over 40 feeling "sandwiched" between conflicting needs, stuck in analysis paralysis, or simply numbing out at the end of the day? You’re NOT alone. In this episode, I’m exploring the invisible force that might be sitting in the driver's seat of your life: Fear. I’m breaking down the 4 subtle signs that fear is making your decisions for you, sharing my own vulnerable results from the Being Profile assessment, and giving you a strategy to tap into your true courage. If you are t...

Part 3: If you're feeling frustrated with how your clothes fit, unhappy with what you see in the mirror, or struggling to find the motivation to exercise and eat well, you’re NOT alone. In this third episode of our Confidence Deep Dive tapping mini-series, I’m guiding you through a specific practice to address body image struggles and the discouragement that often comes with midlife physical changes. If you feel like your body is changing no matter what you do — and you’re ready to move from ...

Are you a woman over 40 or 50 struggling with hot flashes, battling insomnia, or feeling like you are losing control amidst the massive identity shifts of midlife? You’re NOT alone — and you’re not out of options. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, clinical hypnotherapist Sarah Rubens joins me to demystify hypnosis and explain why it is one of only two non-hormonal treatments for menopause symptoms recognized by The Menopause Society.

If you are ready to learn how to update your brain's "sof...

Part 2: In this second episode of our Confidence Deep Dive tapping mini-series, I’m guiding you through a specific practice to handle general stress about world events, political strife, and the negativity we see in the news.

If you find yourself "doom scrolling" or feeling unsafe in these turbulent times — and you’re ready to lower your cortisol so you can breathe again — this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:
✔ The "High Stress" Protocol: Why you must tap on the negative emotion first i...

Are you a woman over 40 or 50 losing sleep over retirement money, health changes, or simply getting stuck in traffic? You’re NOT alone — and you’re not broken. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, I’m diving into the neuroscience behind why we worry, why our brains are wired to prioritize "safety" over happiness, and why the old advice of "don't get your hopes up" is actually sabotaging your success.

If you are tired of the constant worry loop running in the background of your day — and want a...

in this first episode of our new Confidence Deep Dive mini-series, I’m breaking down the science behind Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and why this simple practice is recognized by the American Psychological Association as a valid treatment for stress and trauma.


If you’re skeptical about how tapping on your face can change your life — or if you’re ready to learn a proven method to lower cortisol and interrupt negative thought patterns — this episode is for you.


What You’ll Learn:
✔ The...

Are you a woman over 40 or 50 with a little feeling in your gut that you wish you could do something else, but worry it’s too late to make a big change? You’re NOT alone — and you’re certainly not done.

In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, wine expert and founder of SIP Society Collective, Kristi Mayfield, joins me to break down career pivots, the power of intuition, and how to turn a passion like wine into a "social power skill" for midlife women navigating networking, business dining, and th...

Part 4: In this final episode of our Confidence Deep Dive mini-series, I’m sharing the hard but liberating truth: mindset is "always the work." You don't just take the class, get an A, and move on; you build a practice of constant adjustment.

If you’re ready to take the intentional thoughts we created in the last episode and actually cement them into your brain — avoiding the trap of "robotic" affirmations — this episode is for you.

Take Action Today:
Write it Down: Put your new intentional th...

Are you a woman over 40 who started January strong but is already feeling the motivation slip? You’re NOT alone. In fact, by the second week of February, nearly 80% of resolutions have been abandoned.

In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, I’m getting real about my own struggle to stick to a simple 10-minute yoga routine and breaking down the psychology behind why we quit.

If you are ready to stop beating yourself up for falling off the wagon — and want to learn how to actually stay on it — thi...

Part 3: In this third part of our special "Confidence Deep Dive" mini-series, I’m breaking down how to stop walking through life "hypnotized" and start making intentional decisions that light you up. If you’re tired of shuffling along without a plan — or if you’re ready to finally understand the hidden story cycle that drives your every move — this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn: ✔ How to identify the specific activities and environments that truly light you up and give you ene...

Are you a woman in midlife who knows she wants more ease, freedom, or financial security — but still feels uncomfortable receiving, charging, asking, or even wanting more? You’re not broken, and you’re definitely not alone.

In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, I’m joined by money mentor and bestselling author Denise Duffield-Thomas for an honest, compassionate conversation about money mindset, hidden money blocks, gratitude, the upper limit problem, and why so many women feel unsafe with succe...

Ever wondered what it would look like to age with energy, clarity, and confidence instead of decline? What if midlife—especially menopause—wasn’t something to just “get through,” but an opportunity to feel better than you have in years?

In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, I sit down with renowned OBGYN Dr. Prudence Hall to talk about what she calls vibrant aging—a holistic, empowering approach to perimenopause, menopause, and life beyond it. This conversation builds beautifully on last week’s...

Bonus topic! Looking for a saner way to start the New Year? We pressed pause on big, brittle resolutions and asked Dr. Prudence Hall to map a simpler path: anti-inflammatory eating you can actually live with. The approach is grounded and flexible—eat from the land, lean on fiber-rich plants and clean proteins, and make healthy fats a daily habit. Along the way, we talk through realistic meals, smart beverage choices, and a short elimination test that lets you pinpoint your personal food...

Ever wonder if the way you’re feeling in midlife is just “how it’s supposed to be now”—or if something deeper is going on? In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, I’m sharing my own hormone replacement therapy (HRT) journey and what ultimately led me to say yes to exploring it.

I’ve interviewed experts on menopause and hormones before, but this time, I’m telling my story. From unexpected physical symptoms to mood changes, low energy, and a surprising high cholesterol wake-up call, this episode is...

Ever notice how your inner voice can quietly sabotage your confidence, your mood, and even your motivation—without you fully realizing it? Imagine understanding exactly how that happens, and learning how to interrupt it before it derails your day.


In this second episode of How to Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy, I take you deeper into the real work of mindset change. We move beyond why your brain gets negative and into what to do about it. This episode is all about awareness, language, and th...

Are you a woman over 40 or 50 feeling stressed, behind, or unsure about money, retirement planning, or your financial future? You’re NOT alone — and you’re not stuck. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, financial advisor Shari Rash joins me to break down money mindset, retirement planning, financial confidence, and the real emotional side of finances for midlife women navigating career changes, aging parents, kids leaving the nest, and the fear of not saving “enough.”

If money makes you anxio...

Part 1: Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “Why am I the one standing in my own way again?” You’re not broken. You’re human. And in midlife, when change is everywhere, our brains can get extra loud trying to keep us “safe.”


In this first episode, I’m kicking off a mini-series on how to stop being your own worst enemy. We’re getting super clear on the five sneaky mental traps that fuel self-sabotage, shrink your confidence, and keep you stuck in patterns you’re ready to outgrow. The good ...

In this Changemakers episode of Mind Your Midlife, Cheryl sits down with Tori Rittinger, founder of Talk Tiles to Me, the first Mahjong studio in the DMV area. And this conversation isn’t just about a game. It’s about what midlife women are craving most: community, joy, and real brain exercise, all wrapped into one playful, addictive hobby.

Tori shares how a simple lesson with friends turned into a thriving business and a growing movement of women (and plenty of men too!) who are using Mahjong ...

Part 4: Ever set a fitness or weight goal, feel motivated for a couple weeks… and then watch life slowly knock it off the rails? If you’ve been there, this episode is your reset.


I’m wrapping everything up with one powerful question: what if you do want to get more fit or change your body in midlife—without turning it into a shame spiral? We’re talking about how to create a clear end-result vision (with emotion attached) so your brain actually wants to keep showing up… even when you’re tired,...

Have you ever noticed how fast your brain can spiral into worst-case-scenario mode, focused on the worries, the fears, the what-ifs? And yes, you’ve heard that gratitude can help you shift out of that… but maybe it’s felt a little too simple to be real.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why gratitude isn’t a personality trait — it’s a practice — and how it can literally calm your nervous system and pull you out of fear. I’m also joined by my longtime friend Jennifer Richwine, Executive Directo...