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Episodes

70
Feb. 6, 2026

70. How To Stop Letting Fear and Anxiety Run Your Midlife Decisions

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...
69
Jan. 30, 2026

69. Hypnosis for Menopause: A Non-Hormonal Solution for Hot Flashes & Sleep, with Sarah Rubens

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...
68
Jan. 23, 2026

68. Most Of What You Worry About Won’t Happen (And How to Stop the Worry Cycle)

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...
67
Jan. 16, 2026

67. Changemakers: How Wine Became A Confidence Tool For Women In Business, with Kristi Mayfield

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...
66
Jan. 9, 2026

66. Stop Sabotaging Your Sucess and Create Goals that Last in Midlife

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...
65
Jan. 2, 2026

65. Money, Self-Worth, and Deserving More in Midlife, with Denise Duffield-Thomas

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...
64
Dec. 26, 2025

64. Hormones, Health, And Vibrant Aging - Putting It All Together, with Dr. Prudence Hall

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...
63
Dec. 19, 2025

63. What HRT Changed About My Midlife Health, Mindset, and Hormones

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...
62
Dec. 12, 2025

62. What Every Midlife Woman Needs to Know About Money and Retirement Planning, with Shari Rash

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...
Guest: Shari Rash
61
Dec. 5, 2025

61. Changemakers: Mahjong in Midlife for Friendship and Brain Health, with Tori Rittinger

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 ...
60
Nov. 28, 2025

60. Gratitude and Thank You Note Habits That Calm Your Nervous System and Make a Difference, with Jennifer Richwine

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...
59
Nov. 21, 2025

59. Empty Nest Emotions That Challenge Midlife Women

Ever wonder why the empty nest hits so much harder than anyone prepared you for? One minute you're cheering your kids on, feeling proud and excited for their new life chapters… and the next, you’re staring at their empty bedrooms wondering how your heart can feel full and broken at the same time. In this heartfelt episode of Mind Your Midlife, I get real about the emotional roller coaster women over 40 and 50 experience when their kids grow up and move out. Whether your adult kids live across...
58
Nov. 14, 2025

58. Leadership Lessons and Career Confidence for Women Over 40, with Tiffany Tate and Mary Tribble

Ever feel like you’ve been doing all the right things at work—but somehow, you’re still not being seen? You’re showing up, doing great work, but the next opportunity just isn’t coming? You’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone.

In this powerful episode of Mind Your Midlife, I sit down with Mary Tribble of the Wake Women Podcast and Tiffany Tate, CEO of Career Maven Consulting, to talk about leadership, visibility, and confidence for midlife women who want to grow in their careers. We explore...
57
Nov. 7, 2025

57. Real Talk About Your Midlife Body Image

Body image — it’s one of those topics that every midlife woman can relate to, yet few of us talk about honestly. Why does it get so hard to like what we see in the mirror in our 40s and 50s? And what can we do about it?

In this episode, Cheryl gets real about body image in midlife — where our insecurities come from, why they’re so hard to shake, and how to start changing the conversation in your own head.

Spoiler: this isn’t about “fixing” your body. It’s about noticing the outdated stories th...
56
Oct. 31, 2025

56. What You Need to Know About Intermittent Fasting for Women Over 40, with Adrian Mamikonian

Intermittent fasting — it’s one of those topics that lights up every group chat. Is it healthy? Is it safe? Does it even work for women in midlife? In this episode, Cheryl sits down with Integrative Health Practitioner Adrian Mamikonian to get real about what intermittent fasting is and what it isn’t.

Spoiler: it’s not about deprivation or starving yourself — it’s about understanding how to support your hormones, gut health, and metabolism during this season of life.

Adrian shares how fasting ...
55
Oct. 24, 2025

55. Midlife Clarity: Recognize What Feels Right and Let Go of What Doesn’t

One of the biggest challenges we face in our 40s and 50s is knowing what feels right—and letting go of what doesn’t. In this episode, Cheryl breaks down the idea of “resonance”—why it matters, why it’s not woo-woo, and how it can guide your decisions about work, relationships, habits, and life in general.

You’ll learn how to recognize when something no longer fits, how your body and brain signal alignment or dissonance, and what steps you can take to move toward a life that truly resonates with...
54
Oct. 17, 2025

54. Changemakers: Redefining Aging Through Surfing and Movement for Women Over 50, with Inessa Love

What if midlife wasn’t the time to slow down—but to get stronger, happier, and more confident in your body than ever before? In this first episode of our Changemakers series, Cheryl talks with Inessa Love, founder of Sassy Silver Surfers and advocate for active aging. Inessa discovered surfing at 50 and says it completely transformed her life—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

She’s now helping women all over the world see that it’s never too late to start something new, get stronger, and h...
Guest: Inessa Love
53
Oct. 10, 2025

53. Curiosity Builds Confidence and Beats Fear When Redesigning Your Midlife

When was the last time you pushed a button just to see what happens? In this episode, Cheryl shares a funny (and surprisingly insightful) story about her Ring camera — and how it led to a big realization about curiosity, confidence, and trying new things in midlife.


If you’ve ever hesitated to try something because you weren’t sure how it would go — whether that’s a new app, a hobby, or even a career change — this one’s for you. Learn why experimenting, exploring, and “trying all the things” ...
52
Oct. 3, 2025

52. Making Midlife Fitness Fun for Women Over 40, with Erika Shannon

We know we should exercise. But when moving your body feels like a chore, it’s easy to resist it. What if instead of “should,” we started looking at movement as something joyful, energizing, and protective of our long-term health?


In this episode, I’m joined by Erika Shannon, a fitness and wellness expert with over 20 years of experience. Erika specializes in helping women in perimenopause and menopause find sustainable, empowering ways to move their bodies—without the all-or-nothing approach...
Guest: Erika Shannon
51
Sept. 26, 2025

51. The Questions Gen X Women Need to Ask Our Parents Now

Episode 51: We feel like we know our parents or older relatives inside and out—but what if there are entire chapters of their lives we've never heard about? Imagine being able to ask the right questions now, so you don’t miss the chance to understand their stories, lessons, and legacies.


In this heartfelt episode, I share why midlife is the perfect time to connect with the older generation in your family. From surprising stories about college rules in the 1960s to powerful questions about val...
50
Sept. 19, 2025

50. How to Talk to Doctors About Menopause and Hormone Health in Midlife, with Adrian Thompson, PA-C

Episode 50: Menopause isn’t a maybe—it’s a certainty for every woman lucky enough to live long enough. Yet despite the fact that half the population will experience it, perimenopause and menopause are still some of the most confusing, frustrating, and misunderstood stages of life.


In this empowering episode, Cheryl is joined by Adrian Thompson, PA-C, founder of Vida Women’s Health, who specializes in helping midlife women navigate hormone changes with confidence. Together, we unpack the myths...
49
Sept. 12, 2025

Social Media and the Comparison Trap for Gen X Women (Ep. 49)

Episode 49: Ever catch yourself scrolling through social media and suddenly feel… less than? You’re not alone. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, we dig into why so many women over 40 and 50 fall into the comparison trap and how to break free so you can feel more joy, confidence, and fulfillment in your own life.

This is your official permission slip to stop following the accounts that make you feel down or bad.

I share what’s really happening in your brain when you compare yourself to othe...
48
Sept. 8, 2025

Permission to Thrive and to Redefine Your Midlife, with Dr. Wendy O'Connor (Ep. 48)

(Episode 48) Ever find yourself asking, “Is this really it?” You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. In this empowering episode of Mind Your Midlife, Cheryl Fischer sits down with Dr. Wendy O’Connor, a Stanford-trained positive psychologist and success coach, to talk about what it truly means to thrive as women over 40. We dig into the difference between success and happiness, how to stop living by everyone else’s “shoulds,” and why giving yourself permission to thrive may be the most importan...
47
Sept. 5, 2025

Why Midlife Women Struggle to Relax and How to Change That (Ask MYM, Ep. 47)

Episode 47: Ever feel like you should be doing more—or maybe the opposite, like you just want to relax but wonder if that’s “enough”? In this Ask Mind Your Midlife episode, I’m tackling your real-life questions about rest, relaxation, and whether midlife women should be pushing harder or giving themselves permission to slow down.

This is about more than just putting your feet up. It’s about mindset shifts, self care, and learning how to listen to what you actually need at this stage of life—whe...