Mother of Reinvention

I have a few big numerical milestones going on right now: I just turned 45 (yesterday!). My middle child is heading off to college in the fall. And in 5 years, I'll be celebrating 30 years of motherhood and I'll be right on the cusp of an empty nest. In this episode I'm joined by Sarah Powers, my friend, business partner, and co-host at The Mom Hour to help me celebrate all these big milestones - and to dig into what's next for me, this podcast, and the Mother of Reinvention community. If you're trying to make sense of being in your 40s or beyond, or just want to join me in dreaming about what's next, you'll definitely want to listen in. Sponsor Spotlight: Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. Check out the Malibu Sneaker, an easy-breezy slip-on that fits anyone's summer on-the-go lifestyle. Try it on yourself with Vionic's 30 Day Wear Test – return any purchase within 30 days for a full refund, even if it's been worn outside. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Sarah Powers Sarah Powers is co-host of the popular weekly parenting podcast The Mom Hour. Together with Meagan Francis, she has grown The Mom Hour into a multichannel media company reaching many thousands of parents from all over the world. A writer at heart, hobby photographer, and podcaster by trade, Sarah lives in her hometown of Santa Barbara, CA with her husband and three children.  Episode Links: Interested in joining a private Mother of Reinvention community? Take this survey to tell us what you'd most like to see there! Follow The Mom Hour, Meagan & Sarah's podcast and motherhood community! The Mom Hour Instagram- @themomhour Sarah's Instagram- @powersofmine Meagan's Instagram- @meaganfrancis

Losing your mom at any age is hard, but when you begin to approach the age your mom was when she died, it has special significance. In this episode I'm joined by Hope Edelman, bestselling author and creator of the Motherless Daughters community, to talk about her work with women who have lost their mothers and why midlife can be a particularly fraught time for motherless women. Later in the show I'm joined by my sister Kathreen, who is about to turn 55 - the same age our mother was when she died - to talk about our experience losing our mom young, and how it has colored our view of motherhood, aging, and more. Sponsor Highlight Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. Check out the Clarita Wedge , Meagan's go-to date night shoe. Try it on yourself with Vionic's 30 Day Wear Test – return any purchase within 30 days for a full refund, even if it's been worn outside. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com About Hope Edelman Hope Edelman is an internationally bestselling author who has been working in the bereavement field for more than 25 years. She has written eight books, including Motherless Daughters, Motherless Mothers, and her most recent, The AfterGrief: Finding Your Way Along the Long Arc of Loss. She offers in-person retreats, virtual support groups for women who lost mothers at any age, and online writing courses throughout the year, and has lectured and led workshops all over the U.S. as well as in Canada, the U.K., Australia, and Dubai. She lives in Los Angeles and Iowa City, Iowa. For more information, go to www.motherlessdaughters.com.  Episode Links: Interested in joining a private Mother of Reinvention community? Take this survey to tell us what you'd most like to see there! Instagram- (@hope_edelman) Facebook- Motherless Daughters | Facebook Facebook Group-  Motherless Daughters Support Group | Facebook Website- Motherless Daughters Other Resources- Rituals | The AfterGrief Episode 21 Featuring Meagan's Sister Kathreen: Thriving After Health Trauma With Kathreen Francis (Meagan's Sister!) - Mother of Reinvention (meaganfrancis.com)

When Rebecca Woolf's husband, Hal, died just a few months after his cancer diagnosis, at age 44, Rebecca's community rallied around her. But what most on the outside didn't know was that their marriage had always been complicated and was drawing to an end when he was diagnosed, and that Hal's diagnosis and death put Rebecca in the complicated position of supporting him and their family through his death and being publicly a grieving widow, while also finding relief in the ending of a relationship that had been unhealthy and unraveling for a long time. In this episode, Rebecca shares the story of that marriage, Hal's illness and death, and how Rebecca has grappled with and ultimately embraced her young widowhood even when her experiences haven't fit the expected narrative. Sponsor Spotlight: Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. Check out the Malibu Sneaker, an easy-breezy slip-on that fits anyone's summer on-the-go lifestyle. Try it on yourself with Vionic's 30 Day Wear Test – return any purchase within 30 days for a full refund, even if it's been worn outside. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Rebecca Woolf Rebecca Woolf has worked as a writer since her teens, contributing to numerous publications, websites and anthologies, most notably her own award-winning personal blog, Girl's Gone Child, which attracted millions of unique visitors worldwide. As well as launching her own successful blog and writing weekly columns for Babble.com, Mom.me and Quiet Revolution, Woolf's essays have appeared on Refinery29, Huffington Post, Parenting and more. She currently authors the bi-weekly column Sex & the Single Mom on Romper.com. She is also the author of Rockabye: From Wild to Child (Seal Press, 2008) and the forthcoming memoir, ALL OF THIS: a memoir of death and desire (Harper One) which hits shelves August 16th. She lives in Los Angeles with her son and three daughters. Episode Links: Instagram- Rebecca Woolf (@rebeccawooolf) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter- Rebecca Woolf (@GirlsGoneChild) / Twitter Website- Rebecca Woolf Preorder Book- Preorder the Book | All of This: A Memoir of Death and Desire — Rebecca Woolf Other Links: Follow Meagan on Instagram: @meaganfrancis and @motherofreinventionshow Check out some of Meagan's favorite products at MORFaves!

As a mom who performs on the road, mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen has a unique definition of what it means to be a "working mom." And as an Asian-American singer who has experienced her share of typecasting, Nina has an insider's view of how far we have to go when it comes to bringing diversity, equity and inclusion to performance - particularly in a primarily Western art form like Opera. Listen to hear more from Nina about mothering on the road, her work to bring more racial representation to Opera, and what she sees as her "next act" in her singing career. Sponsor Spotlight: Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. Check out the Clarita Wedge , Meagan's go-to date night shoe. Try it on yourself with Vionic's 30 Day Wear Test – return any purchase within 30 days for a full refund, even if it's been worn outside. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Nina Yoshida Nelsen Nina Yoshida Nelsen, mezzo soprano, is an avid advocate for equity in the arts. She is perhaps most well known for her countless performances of Suzuki in Madama Butterfly with opera companies throughout the United States. Also well-known for her work in contemporary opera, Ms. Yoshida Nelsen has sung in seven world premieres as well as their subsequent productions. Equally at home on the concert stage, Nina has performed in world-class halls including Carnegie, Avery Fisher, and Royal Albert.   Nina is the Artistic Advisor at Boston Lyric Opera and serves as president of the Asian Opera Alliance, an organization of which she is a co-founder. Episode Links: Instagram- Nina Yoshida Nelsen (@ninanelsen)  Facebook- Nina Yoshida Nelsen | Facebook LinkedIn-  Nina Nelsen | LinkedIn Website- Nina Yoshida Nelsen, Mezzo Soprano - Home Time Magazine Documentary- https://youtu.be/XM5AmGntWHQ Other Links: Follow Meagan on Instagram: @meaganfrancis and @motherofreinventionshow Check out some of Meagan's favorite products at MORFaves!

Between the reversal of Roe and the Jan. 6 hearings, it's been a wild few weeks. We're all experiencing big feelings right now, and the tendency to lash out - or retreat into silence - is hard to overcome. But Sarah Stewart Holland believes there is another way, though she admits it's a difficult path to walk. Sarah, along with her business partner Beth Silvers, host the Pantsuit Politics podcast, where they engage in thoughtful, empathetic conversations about the issues we face today. In our conversation, Sarah is honest about how difficult it can be to ask questions and really listen to other people's opinions and experiences, but how it's absolutely crucial to living in a democracy - and making the change you want to see. Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. Check out the Malibu Sneaker, an easy-breezy slip-on that fits anyone's summer on-the-go lifestyle. Try it on yourself with Vionic's 30 Day Wear Test – return any purchase within 30 days for a full refund, even if it's been worn outside. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Sarah Stewart Holland Sarah Stewart Holland is co-host of the Pantsuit Politics podcast, featured in the New York Times, the Atlantic, and named by Apple Podcasts as one of the Best Shows of 2021. She is also the co-author of Now What? How to Move Forward When We're Divided (About Basically Everything) (2022) and I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation (2019), which was featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe, received starred trade reviews, and continues to be in demand with readers, book clubs, and libraries. Sarah, with her co-host Beth Silvers, speaks frequently to universities, businesses, and civic organizations about improving political dialogue.  Sarah attended Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and then received her Juris Doctor from American University, Washington College of Law. Sarah began her career as a congressional staffer  campaign aide, before working in blogging and social media. She lives in Paducah, Kentucky, where she served a term as a city commissioner and volunteers as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for children. Sarah shares life with her spouse, Nicholas, and children Griffin, Amos, and Felix. Episode Links: Instagram- Sarah Stewart Holland (@bluegrassred) Facebook- Sarah Stewart Holland | FacebookWebsite- Pantsuit Politics (pantsuitpoliticsshow.com)Pantsuit Politics Podcast- https://koji.to/k/5PJdPodcast Instagram- Pantsuit Politics Podcast (@pantsuitpolitics) Books- Beth and Sarah's Books (pantsuitpoliticsshow.com) Other Links: Follow Meagan on Instagram: @meaganfrancis and @motherofreinventionshow Check out some of Meagan's favorite products at MORFaves!

When it comes to midlife health and wellness, it's easy to internalize a "no pain, no gain" mentality. But what might our relationships with our bodies look like if we were able to truly accept ourselves while also making positive changes? Today I'm excited to bring Rachel Hughes back to the show for a deep dive into some of the more touchy-feely aspects of health. We explore the questions: can changing the way we eat be fun? Can physical activity feel good? And, how can discipline and contentment co-exist? Our Sponsor Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. Check out the Clarita Wedge , Meagan's go-to date night shoe. Try it on yourself with Vionic's 30 Day Wear Test – return any purchase within 30 days for a full refund, even if it's been worn outside. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Rachel Hughes Rachel is a graduate of Vassar College and received a MSEd from Bank St. College, NYC, with a focus on Museum Education. She later received her license in nutritional counseling and worked with chronic pain patients for over 10 years at the New England Center for Chronic Pain in Greenwich, CT. After finding that her own perimenopausal symptoms were disruptive to her life, Rachel launched her own platform, The Meno Memos, a landing spot she hopes to be a lively, engaging and relatable feed for women of all backgrounds to be inspired to live a healthy, vibrant second season of life.  Rachel is also the host of “Perry Talks” a series of live interviews with physicians, experts, thought leaders and inspirational voices on all things peri/menopause, exclusively on the @ohhelloperry app and now also a podcast, Perimenopause WTF? Episode Links: Listen to Rachel on the Mother of Reinvention Show in 2021! Instagram- R A C H E L H U G H E S (@themenomemos) Other Resources- Rachel Hughes, Author at Perry (heyperry.com) 

The traditional narrative looks something like this: start work in your 20s, spend your 30s raising a family (while also working), and ramp up even more at work in your 40s as your kids grow more independent. But what would it look like to flip the script, spending your 20s traveling, your 30s building a business, and then your 40s scaling back at work to focus on a young family? That's reality for Maureen Fetscher, founder and Managing Partner at Mata Traders, an ethical fashion company whose products I love. Maureen started the company at 28, had her first child at 35, and then when she added twins in her early 40s, was able to scale back her involvement in the business in order to focus on her busy family. In this episode Maureen and I talk about her life as a mid-40s mom of young kids including twin toddlers, the growth of her business, Enneagram and personal development, and what "ethical fashion" means to Maureen and at Mata Traders. About Maureen Fetscher Maureen Dunn Fetscher is a social entrepreneur, textile-phile and mom of 3.  In 2006 she founded Mata Traders, a design-driven fair trade fashion company. Mata's colorful, craft-forward clothing and accessories are designed in Chicago and produced in India and Nepal by fair trade organizations. For the last decade and a half, Mata has been a pioneer in conscious fashion, with a focus on worker well-being, gender equality, and handmade artistry. For Maureen the work has always been about creating connections to the places where our goods are made and the people who make them. These days Maureen is most busy chasing around her twin toddlers (quite a feat in the mid-40's!). She's had the unique opportunity to grow a social enterprise business from the ground up, and currently oversees a talented team taking Mata Traders into its next phase. Episode Links: Meagan's Mata Traders design-inspired tattoo Instagram- Mata Traders (@matatraders) Facebook- Mata Traders Twitter- Mata Traders (@MataTraders) Pinterest- Mata Pinterest Website- Mata Traders: Consciously Crafted Ethical Fashion Blog- Ethical Fashion Blog - Explore the Fair Trade Movement | Mata Traders Meghann McNiff Coaching: https://www.athenaplace.com/

Laura Cepeda grew up immersed in tea culture. Her grandmother Modestine modeled a respect for tea and rituals around serving it on the Caribbean island where she grew up, but it took Laura a while to see past what she considered "stuffy" tradition and really recognize the power of a tea-based self-care ritual. Now, as a certified tea sommelier and the founder of Modestine®️, Laura is making the magic of tea ceremony accessible to contemporary women. In this episode, Laura shares how her Carribbean upbringing - and her grandmother's approach to community and wellness - have influenced her, tells about her experience of becoming a tea sommelier, and explains just why tea, and rituals around tea, are so powerful. About Laura Cepeda Laura Cepeda is the Founder and CEO of Modestine®️, a lifestyle tea brand promoting wellness through the power of Celebration, Connection, Self-Love and the magic of tea rituals. As a Certified Tea Sommelier, Laura is passionate about helping individuals understand the foundation in the history, production, classification, identification, traditions, preparation and health benefits of tea.  Laura hosts regular tea rituals and wellness workshops throughout New York City.   When Laura isn't working on tea blends and wellness-related projects, she can be found tending to her plants, spending time in nature, and practicing yoga and meditation.  She finds relief from everyday stress through dancing to soca, calypso, Afro beats and bachata. Episode Links: Instagram: MODESTINE®️| ORGANIC TEAS (@modestineteas) Facebook:  Modestine Tea | Facebook Website: Modestine® Tea: A Ritual-focused Wellness Brand (modestinetea.com) Watch Laura and Meagan chat about tea and learn how to prepare a proper pot of tea on Instagram Live on Sunday, June 14 at 9 AM EST!

Is sending your only child far away to college supposed to be devastating? Not for Karen Walrond, whose daughter Alex just graduated and, this fall, will be heading from the family's home in Texas to art school in Chicago. As the parents of an only child, Karen and her husband Marcus are facing down an empty nest, and honestly...they are feeling pretty good about it. Karen and Meagan (whose son Will is also heading some distance away in August) have a chat about what the college-selection process looked like in each of their homes and what they expect they'll feel when the kids actually head off, as well as reminisce about their own college days and share some things they hope their kids will remember about this time of life. Karen also shares what it was like letting her hair go gray and talks about the new book she's working on about joyful aging. About Karen Walrond Karen Walrond is a lawyer, leadership coach, photographer, author and activist.  Her latest book, The Lightmaker's Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing Your Joy, beckons readers toward lives of integrity, advocacy, conviction and joy.  She is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, trained in Brené Brown's research on empathy, courage and vulnerability, and serves on the board of the Houston Coalition Against Hate.  Karen and her work have been featured on PBS, Huffington Post, CNN.com, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.  She curates the award-winning blog Chookooloonks and is the author and photographer of The Beauty of Different.  Karen and her family live in Houston, Texas. Episode Links: Karen was a guest in season 1 of Mother of Reinvention. Check out her interview on joyful activism. Instagram- Karen Walrond :: Chookooloonks (@heychookooloonks) Facebook- Karen Walrond Twitter- Karen Walrond (@Chookooloonks) LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenwalrond Website-  chookooloonks.com

Tara Garrison is a living embodiment of tapas - the Yogic concept of the "burning enthusiasm" that's associated with discipline and, well, sweat. As a mom of four and a holistic health and fitness coach, Tara does not gloss over the fact that she works HARD in the gym. But it's also evident how much she loves it - and the life she's created through it. Listen on to hear Tara share her thoughts about the hormonal benefits of strength training, how (and why) to try intermittent fasting, incorporating Keto on a short-term basis, and how, when you really commit to showing up for yourself and working your edge, it can change everything. About Tara Garrison Tara Garrison is the founder of HIGHER, a High Performance Health Coaching company that includes training, nutrition, biohacking and mindset coaching. She has helped many celebrities, professional athletes, and top executives optimize their health. Tara is also the creator of the popular Keto In & Out System, in which she teaches how to “Do Keto. Not Forever” to optimize metabolism, brain power, athletic performance and physique. Her new book, Short-Term Keto, explains this concept of metabolic flexibility in detail. She is the host of the Inside Out Health Podcast, in which she interviews world-class health experts from all over the world. Tara is a mom of 4, avid weightlifter, Boston Marathoner and lover of nature. You can find her daily on Instagram as @coachtaragarrison, where she shares the inner workings of her life, health education and motivation. She is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), International College of Applied Nutrition and Strength (ICANS), is a Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC), Certified Neurotyping Coach and a Metabolic Analytics practitioner. Episode Links Website: taragarrison.com Instagram: instagram.com/coachtaragarrison Facebook: facebook.com/coachtaragarrison YouTube: youtube.com/coachtaragarrison Twitter: twitter.com/coachtarag LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/coachtaragarrison

Taking a business from bootstrapped beginnings to multi-million dollar acquisition may seem like a dream, but it really happened to Julie Cole: mom of six, speaker, author and co-founder of Mabel's Labels. In this episode Julie and I discuss the business's trajectory from its humble start in her sister's basement (then, a slightly bigger basement), through the major decisions the founders had to make in order to ensure its lasting success. Julie also shares honestly about the need for humility and flexibility in the entrepreneurial world, as well as what she's loving about being a mom of a big family full of bigger kids. About Julie Cole Julie Cole is a recovered lawyer, mom of six and co-founder of Mabel's Labels. She has helped her company bring their product to a worldwide market, gain media recognition and become a multimillion dollar business and household name. Cole is an award-winning entrepreneur, published author, regular television contributor, keynote speaker and engaged community member and volunteer. Episode Links: Instagram: Julie Cole (@juliecoleinc) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter:Julie Cole (she/her) (@juliecole) / Twitter Julie's Book: Like a Mother: Birthing Businesses, Babies, and A Life Beyond Labels

What if the key to aging well is simpler than we thought - and available to everyone? Dr. Lisa Leslie-Williams began her career as a pharmacist, where she noticed that many customers were filling prescriptions to treat chronic illnesses that were preventable by making different lifestyle choices. She found that she felt more called to help people live healthy, thriving lives by getting in front of those diseases and conditions rather than defaulting to treating them chemically - or as she puts it, “on the back end.” Dr. Lisa now provides encouragement, education, and inspiration toward living a healthier life at The Domestic Life Stylist. Her approach is based on her island upbringing where she learned to look to nature for nourishing and healing. Dr. Lisa also knows that what we eat is only part of the equation - mindset is also key. If we stay curious, keep learning, and find ways to make lifestyle changes fun and exciting, we're so much more likely to succeed and actually enjoy trying new things. Listen on for an inspiring and entertaining episode of The Mother of Reinvention Show! About Dr. Lisa Leslie-Williams Planted on the nature island of Dominica West Indies and natured in America's Paradise, the United States Virgin Islands, Dr. Lisa Leslie-Williams grew up with the notion that food was medicine and that nature was a resource best tapped into first.   A registered pharmacist by trade, Dr. Lisa traded her script pad for a keypad and never looked back. Inspired by her own changes in her diet and health, her blog, the Domestic Life Stylist, offers educational and inspiring posts on healthy and intentional living where food and lifestyle habits not pharmaceuticals, are first line to attaining optimal health and wellness. The veteran homeschooling mom lives in the Washington Metro DC area with her husband and two kids. Links Mentioned In This Episode: Free eBook-10 Easy and Healthy Recipes that Your Family Will Enjoy (thedomesticlifestylist.lpages.co) Instagram- Dr. Lisa, Wellness Expert (@drlisalesliewilliams) Facebook- The Domestic Life Stylist by Dr. Lisa Leslie-Williams LinkedIn- Lisa Leslie-Williams, B.S., PharmD. | LinkedIn Website- About | The Domestic Life Stylist™

Have you ever felt ignored - or worse, condescended to - by ads for the products you use every day? While there's been an influx of indie brands and direct-to-consumer companies specifically targeting midlife women in their product lines and advertising, as a whole, big brands - and their storytelling - haven't quite caught up with the reality that women over 40 are stylish, energetic, opinionated consumers with money to spend. Katie Keating, cofounder and co-CCO of Fancy, a New York-based advertising agency, wants to change that with creative campaigns that tell stories women over 40 identify with, created by talent who gets it. Listen for an insightful conversation about the obstacles Katie and her colleagues faced as women in advertising, which led to them starting their own boutique agency; the flexible, lifestyle-friendly work environment they've created for their team; and the impact they've been able to help brands make - starting with taking our demographic seriously. About Katie: In 2011, Katie Keating co-founded the 100% women-owned, operated, and focused advertising agency, Fancy. With a mission to elevate what's important to women, Fancy breaks taboos around aging, pleasure, sexual health, bodily functions, mental health, even finance and moves the cultural needle forward with every assignment. Prior to founding Fancy, Katie worked her way in, up, and around the big-name, blue-chip agency world: Saatchi, Publicis, JWT, Grey, Wells Rich Greene, and even a stint on the client-side at Clinique. Campaigns for Olay, Tide, Garnier, Delta Air Lines, Pantene, Clairol and more all bear her hallmark copywriting style of thoughtful words delivered with a wink. Links: Survey: Fancy's Research On Advertising To Women Over 40 LinkedIn: Katie Keating Instagram- Fancy, LLC (@fancynyc) Twitter: Fancy (@whatwefancy) / Twitter LinkedIn:  Fancy, LLC Website- Fancy—the women-owned, operated, and focused advertising agency (fancynyc.com)

Prior to the pandemic, Tracey Tee's career - as co-creator and co-star of the nationally-touring The Pump and Dump Show - was on fire. But after COVID-19 brought live performance to a halt, for a moment Tracey felt more like a dumpster fire. While Tracey made tough decisions about her future, she began to feel she was either having a spiritual awakening...or losing her mind. The questioning and self-discovery sparked by this stressful and overwhelming time led Tracey to explore plant-based medicine, specifically psilocybin, or "magic mushrooms." Now, she shares what she's learned about microdosing 'shrooms with other moms, through her online course and community, M.O.M. (or, "Moms On Mushrooms.") In this frank and funny conversation, Tracey and Meagan explore pandemic-inspired pivots, the hard truths of midlife motherhood, and just what those magical little mushrooms can do for moms who are ready for something more in their lives. (Hint: It's not about getting high or "tripping", but a much more subtle, introspective experience.) About Tracey: Tracey Tee has been actively involved in the momosphere for over 10 years, first co-creating and staring in the nationally touring cult-hit comedy show for moms: The Pump and Dump Show while simultaneously co-producing Band of Mothers Podcast and serving as co-founder and CEO of The Pump and Dump Show's umbrella brand: Band of Mothers Media. During the pandemic, and during her own journey with psilocybin Tracey began to feel called to support moms in a deeper and more meaningful way. In 2022 she launched an online microdosing course, Moms on Mushrooms (M.O.M.), created exclusively for moms. Tracey's goal is to bring moms together through the sacred use of plant medicine for a shared journey of personal growth and healing. Tracey lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and tween daughter. Find Tracey Online: Instagram: @momsonmushroomsofficialWebsites: momsonmushrooms.com, bandofmothers.com

Have you ever found yourself reaching for a glass of wine when you're stressed or bored - even though you aren't sure you actually want it? Has alcohol become a habit in your life, rather than something that's mindfully chosen? Or have you worried about the health affects of alcohol (or just find that your hangovers are getting worse!) in midlife, and want to cut back - but aren't sure how? In this episode of Mother of Reinvention I talk with Megan and Holly, the founders of Dry Together, an alcohol-free community for midlife moms. Megan and Holly share why they started the community, what led to their own decisions to reexamine their relationship with alcohol, and why they believe women and moms in midlife are particularly poised to make positive changes in this area. We also discuss mocktails, of course! Tune in for a judgment-free, inspiring conversation about just what possibilities can open up when we rethink old patterns and assumptions. Links Mentioned In This Episode: Check out the Dry Together community: Welcome to Dry TogetherFollow Dry Together on Instagram, Facebook, or TwitterMeagan will be doing a dry week starting this Saturday - follow along on her Instagram. Also keep up with all the new episodes as they drop, @MotherOfReinventionShow!

Be honest: how do you feel about most photos of you? If the answer is "ugh", you're definitely not alone. Most women "don't exist" in photos, says Debbie Love, owner of Fifty Love Photography. Debbie knows firsthand how transformative and powerful a positive personal photography session can be and has made it her mission to take timeless, flattering, and gorgeous photos of regular women. In this episode we talk about the techniques Debbie uses to help women discover themselves through photography, and how you can start to love the way you look in photos, one session (or selfie!) at a time. Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. Check out Vionic's selection of cozy slippers like super-plush Maizie Slipper - a great gift idea! With Vionic's 30 Day Wear Test, you can return any purchase within 30 days for a full refund, even if it's been worn outside. Get free shipping through Dec. 31, 2021 when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Debbie Smith specializes in photographing women - especially women who have never liked a picture of themselves.  At 47, she's been through it all - she's experienced empty nest syndrome, lost herself in her 30s, had skin cancer removed from her top lip and reconstructive surgery to fix it. After rediscovering herself in her 40s, Debbie has found renewed confidence and a passion for helping women in their 40's, 50's, 60's and beyond see themselves as beautiful, pretty, confident, elegant, and sexy in photographs, sometimes for the first time in their lives. Episode Links Visit Debbie's website to look at her beautiful portfolio, and be sure to check out the before and after photos.Learn more about the 40 over 40 movement and how to be part of it. For more, you can follow Debbie on Facebook, and on Instagram @fiftylovephoto.

What's it really like to have a cosmetic procedure like a tummy tuck, breast lift, or liposuction, and what should you ask a surgeon to help you decide? Why are some of the criticisms of plastic surgery outdated? And can cosmetic procedures and body positivity co-exist? In this episode I talk with Terri Zomerlei, MD, from the Centre for Plastic Surgery in Grand Rapids, MI. We dig in what to think (and ask!) about when considering having a cosmetic procedure, some of the procedures she performs most often on women in their 40s and 50s, and what you can do to increase the chances you'll stay safe during and after the procedure - and be satisfied with the results. Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. I'm loving the hiker-style Jaxon Boot. Try it on yourself with Vionic's 30 Day Wear Test – return any purchase within 30 days for a full refund, even if it's been worn outside. Get free shipping through Dec. 31, 2021 when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About A West Michigan native, Terri A. Zomerlei, MD joined the Centre for Plastic Surgery in 2019 following her many years of medical experience, education and training. After practicing as a PA in the field of General Surgery for several years, Dr. Zomerlei pursued her dream of practicing as a physician and attended Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Dr. Zomerlei has developed a reputation for providing exceptional patient care and being a meticulous and conscientious surgeon. She has presented her work at multiple forums and national meetings and is an established author- having published numerous book chapters and articles. She recently published a book chapter on abdominoplasties and liposuction in Grabbe and Smith, the gold standard text in the field of plastic surgery. Dr. Zomerlei is an enthusiastic teacher who loves the opportunity to educate patients and residents alike. A self-proclaimed Lake Michigan aficionado, Dr. Z enjoys spending time at the lakeshore with her husband, daughters and lazy Great Danes. Episode Links Learn more about the Dr. Terri Zomerlei and the Centre for Plastic Surgery.Be sure to subscribe to The Mother of Reinvention Show so you don't miss out on new episodes.

Inflammation. We've all heard we should avoid, prevent, and/or reduce it. But, where does inflammation really come from, and which diet is the right one for heading it off at the pass? Is it possible that mitigating this chronic health-threatening condition can be as simple (nobody said EASY...) as managing stress, getting enough sleep, and sustaining an eating and movement lifestyle that feels good? In this episode, Certified Nutritional Coach Rachel Hughes of The Meno Memos does a deep dive into what chronic inflammation really is and how it can affect our health, and offers some simple strategies for heading it off at the pass. We also talk about the hormonal changes happening in a woman's 40s and 50s, menopause symptoms like the dreaded "brain fog", and the disparities in access to quality healthcare that negatively impacts women of color. Our Sponsor Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. Check out the Brinkley Bootie for walking the dog or running errands on wet, chilly days! Try it on yourself with Vionic's 30 Day Wear Test - return any purchase within 30 days for a full refund, even if it's been worn outside. Get free shipping through Dec. 31, 2021 when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Rachel Hughes is a mid-life mother, wife, CNC and perimenopausal blogger. She wants to create safe spaces where peri- and menopausal women can help each other navigate these particular years together with honesty, thoughtfulness and a lot of laughter.  Rachel has worked with chronic pain patients for over 10 years; and believes that food, nutrients and movement can be used as powerful tools to help people rebalance and heal themselves from all sorts of physical and physiological challenges, including those driven by fluctuating hormones. With her platform, she hopes to encourage women to inspire each other to dispense stories and insights about everything from food to fashion, career to beauty! Episode Links Be sure to follow along and read Rachel's BlogYou can also follow her on Instagram @themenomemosShare your favorite episode with your friendsFor more from Meagan, you can also follow @meaganfrancis

Everything was looking up for Kathreen Francis. In her late 40s, she was finally past her "broke single mom" phase: she had a solid career, a supportive partner, her kids were older, and she was beginning to enjoy all the things in life she'd never had time for before. But at age 50, Kathreen was seriously sidelined when an aneurysm in her brain burst, leading to a month-plus hospitalization and several surgeries. While Kathreen eventually made a full recovery physically, her emotional recovery took longer and there were many bumps along the way. In this episode Kathreen talks frankly about some of the holistic practices she leaned on as she learned to embrace life again, how she has moved past fear as she has taken back on physical challenges, her experience with yoga teacher training, and why she believes her current age (54) is the best time of her life. Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. The Nana Casual Sneaker is the shoe you all loved from the pictures of my Napa wine tasting adventure. Try it on yourself with Vionic's 30 Day Wear Test! Get free shipping through Dec. 31, 2021 when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. Kathreen and Meagan on a backpacking trip in northern Michigan (after the aneurysm!) About Kathreen Francis is a happly middle-aged mother of 4. She's a lover of yoga, Michigan's scenic beauty, history, and archaeology, and is a volunteer docent for the Michigan History Center in Lansing, MI. When Kathreen finally dies one day, she hopes it's with a book in her hands. Episode Links As mentioned in the episode, you can listen to Meagan & Kathreen talk about her health scare over on The Mom Hour.For more information about brain aneurysms, detection and treatments, talk with your doctor - and also check out the Brain Aneurysm Foundation for more information.Make sure to get caught up on all of the Mother of Reinvention Show Episodes!

What are the things in your life that used to make you feel like really YOU - that you maybe let go of when things got busy? And, is it time to rediscover them? In today's episode of Mother of Reinvention, I talk to Amy Clark, creator of MomAdvice.com, the Mom Advice Book Club, and the Mom Advice Book Gang podcast. We talk frankly about Amy's struggles with Ehler Danlos Syndrom (EDS) and how early menopause has exacerbated this already-challenging condition, prompting Amy to double down on the activities she feels most passionate about: one of which is discovering books and authors for her community. Featured Sponsor Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. The Nana Casual Sneaker is my current go-to shoe for running errands, walking the dog and more! Get free shipping through Dec. 31, 2021 when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Amy Amy Clark has been the driving force behind MomAdvice.com since 2004 and is the author of The Good Life for Less. Amy is the creator and facilitator of the MomAdvice Book Club and host of The Mom Advice Book Gang Podcast. Episode Links Join the MomAdvice Book Club.For author interviews and bonus content, join the MomAdvice Patreon.MomAdvice Book Gang Podcas episodes are here.Follow MomAdvice on InstagramAlso listen to Amy on The Mom Hour and Sorta Awesome podcasts.

Tania Dalton, had always considered herself “mediocre at everything”... but then ran a marathon for the first time at 47. In this interview, Tania - who is also a healthy aging coach and personal trainer - shares her story of how it felt to get through training and then cross the finish line after decades of never feeling like she'd accomplished much. It not only gave her a huge amount of confidence, but also helped her reframe what her body is capable of - and now she helps women approaching midlife and beyond tap into their own potential. If you've ever wondered whether it's too late for you to try a new big challenge - or feel the days slipping by without making a lot of progress toward those big, audacious goals - you'll definitely want to listen to this episode of Mother of Reinvention.  Featured Sponsor Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. The Lois Bootie is my go-to fall casual boot for running errands and walking the dog.  Get free shipping through Dec. 31, 2021 when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Tania Tania is a 52 year old Healthy Aging Coach and Personal Trainer who is passionate about redefining age. She lives in Australia with her family. Losing her father (who was 47) to a sudden heart attack prompted Tania to qualify as a fitness trainer and begin researching and studying the effects of lifestyle on ageing. It has and continues to be her passion to explore how we can not only live longer but also age better. Episode Links Visit Tania's website to learn more about her personal training and coaching services.Read more about Tania's marathon experience on her blog.Follow Tania on Instagram at @taniadalton.Be sure to catch up on all of the episodes of Mother of Reinvention.

No matter what your specific religious beliefs are - or whether you have any defined beliefs at all - there is undoubtedly something comforting and essential about finding a sense of purpose, meaning, and wisdom outside of yourself. As someone who grew up in the Christian church, grew away from faith and found myself fumbling back in my 40s, I know how tricky and fraught this dance can be, so I was excited to have this conversation with Episcopal priest, podcaster, writer and mom Sarah Condon. Sarah talks honestly about what it's like to be a female spiritual leader, her work as the chaplain of Rice University, and how she sees women in transitional periods of life leaning into - and sometimes, temporarily away from - their spirituality. She also talks movingly about the recent tragic loss of her parents and how her faith has buoyed her through. Featured Sponsor Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. I am in love with the Nana Retro Sneaker in a variety of colors. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Sarah Sarah Condon is an Episcopal priest living and working in Houston, Texas. She also serves as the Episcopal chaplain to Rice University. She went to University of Mississippi, and then Yale for Divinity School. She is married to the Reverend Josh Condon, and have two children, Neil and Annie. Sarah is an associate editor of the Mockingbird Blog, author of Churchy: The Real Life Adventures of a Wife, Mom, and Priest, and co-host of The Mockingcast. Episode Links Find out more about Sarah's ministries here.Purchase Sarah's book, Churchy.Read Sarah's blog posts and essays at the Mockinbird Blog.Meagan mentions the book Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren.Be sure to catch up on all of the episodes of Mother of Reinvention. ( *Featured photo by Karen Walrond )

Are carbs the devil, or a necessary source of energy? Are beans a nutritional powerhouse - or a gut-wrecking source of inflammation? Often it seems to depend on who you ask. But what if it also depends on YOU, and your unique body and needs? In today's episode I'm talking with functional nutritionist Risa Groux, who believes in a customized approach to nutrition. Risa's FoodFrame approach matches you with one of seven eating lifestyles that are based on sustainable choices that work for YOU and your body. In this conversation Risa really demystifies a lot of the common confusion around everything from carbs to collagen, gut health to healthy fats. Make food fun again by listening to this episode of the Mother of Reinvention show! Featured Sponsor Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. The Willa Flat is my go-to for doing business casual like a boss, and it now comes in a super fun cow print! Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Risa Risa Groux, CN is a Functional Nutritionist in Newport Beach, California. Functional nutrition is based on the approach that the body can heal naturally with food and nutritional supplement support once root causes of a health concern are uncovered. Rooted in this systems biology-based approach, Risa developed the FoodFrame™ method, Risa's Recipes, and RGN products to determine an appropriate nutrition plan based on symptoms and health concerns. Watch for Risa's book, FoodFrame, coming out this fall. Episode Links Visit Risa's website to learn more about her practice and functional nutrition.Learn more about the FoodFrame method.Be sure to catch up on all of the episodes of Mother of Reinvention.

Have you ever wondered why some habits can be so hard to change, no matter how much willpower we throw at them? The more we choose (or avoid!) a behavior, the more that choice gets wired into our neural pathways until it hardly even feels like a choice anymore. In this episode I talk with mind-body wellness practitioner Emily Huber how she helps clients create healthier lifestyles with several modalities, including a step-by-step meditation process called Neurosculpting® that can help you rewire your neural pathways so that healthier choices actually start to seem like second nature. Featured Sponsor Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. I'm adding the Shawna Bootie to my fall wardrobe! Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. Photograph by Angela Jimenez Photography http://www.angelajimenezphotography.com. About Emily Emily Huber earned her degree in Massage Therapy from The Swedish Institute, College of Health Sciences, in 2003. Emily's focus, has been to create a mind, body, and spirit practice, and movements, that are specifically geared towards women. Over the years, she also became a reiki master, a registered yoga instructor, certified personal trainer, certified wellness coach and certified Neurosculpting® facilitator. Emily loves sharing the 5-step NeuroSculpting®  process individually, as well as incorporating it into therapeutic bodywork, reshaping yoga classes, and wellness coaching.  Emily lives and works in St. Joseph Michigan, and is currently offering  group, partner and individual sessions and classes through Zoom and in person at her Body Brain Balance studio. Episode Links Visit Emily's website to learn more about her and the services she offers!Want to schedule a session with Emily? Click here to view her schedule if you are local or want to join via Zoom.Don't forget to catch up on our latest episodes at MotherofReinventionShow.com

When I first met Maria Rosner, she was a cool 40-something yoga instructor with older kids, and I was a mom of four kids under 11, pregnant with my fifth baby, and had just moved to a small town in southwest Michigan. Now, I'm about the age she was then, and she's still a cool older yoga instructor embracing city life in Chicago. In this sometimes irreverent conversation Maria and I discuss the physical and spiritual sides of yoga, looking and feeling good as we get older, and how to embrace our life and choices so that we can create our own narratives. Featured Sponsor Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. I'm currently loving the Shawna Bootie for an on-trend urban lace style in great colors! Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Maria Rosner has been teaching yoga for almost 20 years, in Chicago and her second home in Southwest Michigan. As a lifelong athlete and fitness enthusiast, Maria discovered yoga at a physically and mentally stressful time in her life. The effects of yoga on her health and wellness were so profound that she made it her vocation toteach.Maria sees every moment as an opportunity—to embrace life, to care for others, and to love without judgment.Maria currently teaches at several of Chicago's premiere yoga and fitness studios, including Yogaview, East Bank Club, Midtown Athletic Club, Equinox, and the Chicago Athletic Clubs. When she's not teaching yoga, Maria goes to as many concerts as she can, loves to cook for friends and family, and drives her vintage 1971 Buick Riviera around Southwest Michigan. Episode Links Maria's instagram handle is @yoga.maria. Follow to learn more about naked bicycling! You can also follow find more information on her yoga classes on her Facebook Page: @mariarosneryoga Wanting more MOR? Click here for all the already aired episodes to binge!

When you think about "menopause" what comes to mind? Is it "something that happens to women wayyy older than me?" If so, you may want to think again. While the average age of completing menopause is 51, most of us start the process much earlier than that - and perimenopause, the period of gradual changes leading up to menopause, often starts in the mid-30s. In today's episode I speak with integrative healthcare practitioner Arianna Sholes-Douglas, MD, about the signs and symptoms of menopause, what doctors often miss, and why this big life change can be an opportunity for women to live more fully and freely. Featured Sponsor Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. I'm loving the Adore sneaker for my active fall! Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Dr. Arianna Sholes-Douglas Arianna Sholes-Douglas, MD, FACOG is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine and has been practicing medicine for three decades. She is the author of the best-selling book, The Menopause Myth: What Your Mother, Doctor and Friends Haven't Shared About Life After 35. Dr. Arianna specializes in integrative women's health, intimate wellness, and hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Arianna is the founder of and visionary behind Tula Wellness and Aesthetics, a unique medical practice in Tucson, Arizona focusing on women's health and beauty. Dr. Arianna, her husband, and their two children live in Tucson, Arizona. Episode Links: To learn more about Dr. Arianna and her coaching program, visit her website.You can also learn more about The Menopause Myth, Dr. Arianna's book.Love this podcast episode and wanting more? Click here for all our past episodes.

As someone who is coming to grips with the fact that I'm now firmly in my mid-40s, I want to feel healthy, active, joyful and vibrant for as long as I possibly can - so it's time to get serious about taking care of my whole self: body and soul. And that's the journey Season 2 of the Mother of Reinvention podcast will be taking us on together, talking about things like functional medicine, nutrition, fitness, mental health, spirituality and more. Today's expert, Dr. Vonda Wright, is an orthopedic surgeon and an expert on active aging and mobility as well as the author of several books on the topic of staying healthy, mobile, and vital as we move into our 40s, 50s, and beyond.  Our conversation today is full of practical and encouraging tips you can put into practice right away because they're simple, sustainable, and intuitive.  Featured Sponsor Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. The Willa Flat is the perfect eye-catching loafer to transition from summer to fall like a boss. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Dr. Wright: Dr. Vonda Wright is a double boarded orthopedic sports surgeon, internationally recognized authority on active aging and mobility, and focused on optimizing personal and professional performance at every age. She serves as the inaugural Chief of Sports Medicine at the Northside Health System in Atlanta. In addition to her surgical practice, Dr. Wright regularly contributes to national TV shows including “Dr. Oz,” “The Doctors” and the “Today” show. She has been featured and quoted in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today and U.S. News & World Report, as well as in magazines such as Maxim, Prevention, Fitness, Runner's World, Best Life, and Arthritis Today and numerous online publications. She serves on the Sharecare Medical Advisory Board, the Atlanta and Pittsburgh Ballet boards and is President-elect of the American Heart Association Atlanta. Dr Wright has written 4 books on topics surrounding active aging and precision longevity, and also started the private membership community, Ajles. Ajles is dedicated to 40-60+ women who are in the passionate pursuit of the Best in Life.   Check out all of Dr. Vonda Wright's books here. Episode Links: Learn more about Dr. Vonda Wright, including information about her books, on her website.Want to hear more from Dr. Wright? Listen to her podcast!Check out the Ajles Life Community

"Wow, none of the things I do are actually FOR ME!" That's what our guest, Dagmara Kokonas, found herself feeling at the age of 40: filling many roles for others, but without a clear sense of herself. Then she decided to go on a solo trip that happened to include daily hikes...and that changed everything. Now, along with her business partner Jenny, Dagmara leads other women in transformative outdoor adventures via her business Top Set Trekkers. In this episode of Mother of Reinvention, Dagmara and I discuss how to face and conquer fear, what it's like when you start embracing more adventure and challenge, and how to make sure you don't lose yourself amid all the roles you play. Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you'll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. Sponsor Shout Out: Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. I'm eyeing the Adore Sneaker to kick up my walking-the-dog, getting-the-groceries style. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. High quality essentials, factory direct to your doorstep. Check out these washed-silk PJ's, perfect for warm summer nights. OneQuince.com/MOR for free shipping & 365-day free returns. About Dagmara: In 2009, at the age of 40, Dagmara Kokonas took a transformative solo trip that changed her mindset on life. Before the trip, Dagmara referenced her life to being like living in a mine: sending resources to the top, always keeping herself down below, always searching for the next fruitful vein. This all changed after her trip, when she began to look upward, outward and inward. Now, she encourages others to "take a risk on an opportunity to encounter a bit of your best self, in a neutral zone somewhere between Real World and Ideal World" and helps women transform their lives through guided, female-focused adventures as one of the Co-Founders of Top Set Trekkers. Episode Links: Read Dagmara's adventure blog.Check out Top Set Trekker's photo blogs and join the Top Set Trekker community.Follow Top Set Trekkers on Instagram @topsettrekkers and Dagmara's personal account @dagmara.kokonas. Read Meagan's post about her transformative solo hiking and camping adventure at age 42.Mother of Reinvention Season 2 is in the works! You can help by offering your feedback about Season 1.

Have you ever found yourself thinking it's "too late" to start a new career path or passion project? (Guilty.) If you can relate, you NEED to listen to this episode with Angeline Boulley, author of the runaway bestselling novel Firekeeper's Daughter. Angeline had the idea for her book at 18, and then, as it does, life happened. She started a career and raised three kids, all the while the story was taking shape in the back of her head. At 44, she finally decided it was time to sit down and get the story down on the screen, and she spent the next ten-plus years honing her craft and shaping her story. In March 2021 - when Angeline was 55 - the book was published and has been on the New York Times bestseller list ever since, has received incredible critical acclaim and was recently optioned by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground to be turned into a Netflix series. ) This interview with Angeline is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to jump in, or jump BACK in, no matter how long your passion has been put on pause. Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles. Now featuring SUPER FAST menus with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you'll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. Sponsor Shout Out: Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. I'm eyeing the Adore Sneaker to kick up my walking-the-dog, getting-the-groceries style. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y7y75ROo4A Podcast listeners need great audio. Sudio ETTs are my favorite earbuds, delivering amazing sound and comfort, plus features like wireless charging, a great range, water resistance, and adaptable noise cancelling. To get 15% off your purchase, visit sudio.com and use code PODCAST at checkout About Angeline: Angeline Boulley, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, is a storyteller who writes about her Ojibwe community in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. She is a former Director of the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education. Previously, Angeline was her tribe's Education Director/Assistant Executive Director and served on the Board of Regents at Bay Mills Community College. Angeline lives in southwest Michigan, but her home will always be on Sugar Island. Firekeeper's Daughter is her debut novel. Episode Links: Visit Angeline's website to learn more about her book, speaking engagements and more. Follow Angeline on the socials: @angelineboulley and @fineangelineFind all of the Mother of Reinvention Episode links here!

Have you ever noticed how all the pieces of your life seem to go together? When your house is a mess, your head feels like a mess; when you're worried about your relationships it's hard to focus on work or play, and all of it can drain your energy and leave you spiraling downward into negativity. In this episode of the Mother of Reinvention Show, I talk with Meaghan Murphy, Editor-In-Chief of Woman's Day Magazine, about what she learned about positivity, energy, productivity and more while writing her book Your Fully Charged Life. She's full of practical and doable ideas that will help you "charge up" all areas of your life, from health and relationships to work, family, and more. We also talk about changes in the publishing industry and what it's like to completely revamp and run a major newsstand magazine from a home office in the middle of a pandemic. Meaghan's energy is infectious and I know you're going to love this conversation! Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles. Now featuring SUPER FAST menus with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you’ll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. Sponsor Shout Out: Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. Check out the Emmy Wedges to update your summer look and make your feet happy! Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. I love this high-quality jewelry brand & wear their pieces every day. Lately I’ve been rocking their Mini Abby hoop earrings. For 10% off products: analuisa.com/mor and use MOR at checkout. About Meaghan: Meaghan B (no period) Murphy is an author, editor, on-air personality, lifestyle and health expert, a home-hack master and certified trainer. Meaghan was recently named Editor-in-Chief of Woman’s Day, charged with re-energizing the brand across print and digital. This follows a 6-year stint as executive editor at Good Housekeeping. Meaghan promotes Woman's Day in the media as a regular guest expert on shows like the Live with Kelly & Ryan, Today, and The Dr. Oz Show. In addition, Meaghan shot a year-long series for NBC News titled “A Better Way,” in which she shared MacGyver-style home hacks and shortcuts, which led to a column in GH. She joined the fourth season of “Small Business Revolution” (Hulu) as an expert in building community spirit — something she effectively did as Chief Spirit Officer of her own suburban town of Westfield, New Jersey.  A New Jersey native, Meaghan married her younger brother’s best friend, Patrick, and together they live in Westfield with Team Murphy: Charley (10), James (8), Brooks (7), and labradoodle Dempsey, where just released of her debut book Your Fully Charged Life with Penguin Random House.   Episode Links: Visit Meaghan's website, to learn more about her and her book, Your Fully Charged Life: A Radically Simple Approach to Having Endless Energy and Filling Every Day with Yay.You can find Meaghan on social: @meaghanbmurphy, @theyaylist, @bestfieldnj, @offthegrampodcastFind all of the Mother of Reinvention Episode links here.

What if, in your mid-40s, you realized that the very way you've been trying to present yourself to the world all along...wasn't actually YOU? That’s the story you’re about to hear from today’s guest, Leah Blooms. Leah is a mentor, a writer, and artist focusing on intimacy, mental health, gender, sex, and practical self-care. Growing up in a conservative Mormon family, Leah initially follow the expected path, getting married and starting a family young. After struggling with health and wellness issues for decades and searching for answers through a variety of methodologies, Leah (with the help of her now-ex-husband, Joe) finally settled on a missing piece that had been left unexplored: gender. Exploring the expectations of gender and how gender identity can impact health, wellness, and healing has changed everything. Leah and I discuss gender, health, chronic illness, sexuality, kink, body image, embracing being a late bloomer, and so much more in this can't-miss episode of Mother of Reinvention. Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles. Now featuring SUPER FAST menus with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you’ll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. Sponsor Shoutout I love this high-quality jewelry brand & wear their pieces every day. Lately I've been rocking their Mini Abby hoop earrings, an updated gold hoop that hugs earlobes to elevate a classic look. For 10% off all products: analuisa.com/mor and use MOR at checkout.  Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. I'm loving my new Amy Wedges. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Leah: Leah Blooms, he/they/she, is a Seattle based mentor, writer and artist who is passionate about learning, sharing and above all, empowering others to live their best lives. Leah's mentoring practice focusing on intimacy, mental health, gender, sex, and practical self-care using a variety of healing modalities with including energy work, practical self-care/self-discovery, kink, mind/body connection, craniosacral, emotional processing, and aromatherapy. Leah uses writing and painting as healing art, similarly, Leah encourages clients to find and blend modalities that work for them. Episode Links: Check out Leah's new Patreon community.Learn more about Leah's workshops and mentoring. Explore Leah's writing and art. Find all of the Mother of Reinvention Episode links here.

"Self care" is often associated with pampering practices like pedicures and retail therapy. But what if getting really acquainted with your finances - and what they can do for you - is one of the most important ways you can care for yourself and your future? No matter what you hope to do, be, or accomplish in the "what's next" of your life, the fact is that having a good grasp of your finances opens up a world of options. In this episode of Mother of Reinvention I talk to Certified Financial Planner Melissa Joy about the many reasons women put off financial planning - but why NOW is the right time to start. Our conversation is a compassionate yet no-nonsense look at why there's no reason to wait to get acquainted with your money and create a plan for what it can do for you - now and for your future. Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles. Now featuring SUPER FAST menus with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you’ll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. Sponsor Shoutout I love this high-quality jewelry brand & wear their pieces every day. Check out the Solid Kinoko earrings that transform my yoga clothes to a Zoomworthy professional look! Get 10% off all products at  analuisa.com/mor and use MORMD at checkout.  About Melissa: Melissa lives in Michigan with her husband Jeff and children, Gus and Josie. In 2018, she founded Pearl Planning after working in the world of financial planning for over 20 years. She is a Certified Financial Planner as well as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. Her company specializes in working with executives, entrepreneurs, and those needing help with transitions such as retirement or divorce. Pearl Planning is based in Michigan, but has clients coast-to-coast. Melissa is a frequent speaker at financial conferences and has been awarded recognition on the Working Mother Magazine & Shook Research 2017 & 2018 Top Wealth Advisor Moms List. She has also been quoted as an investment and financial planning professional in publications such as Financial Advisor Magazine, Yahoo! Finance, Money Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Financial Planning Magazine, and Morningstar Advisor. Episode Links: Learning more about Melissa's company, Pearl Planning.Check out MORFaves to see what I'm loving these days!

When you're already juggling a dozen projects, how do you make space and time for something new - especially if you have no idea how it's done? That's the dilemma author, podcaster, business owner, designer, and all-around renaissance woman, Christine Koh, found herself facing when she decided to add "getting bylines in major publications" to her repertoire. There was just one problem: Christine didn't actually know how to do that. But by getting intentional about her goal and reaching out to her network for help, she quickly added "published in the Boston Globe, CNN, and The Washington Post" to her already-illustrious bio. In this episode of Mother of Reinvention, Christine and I discuss her many career pivots and projects, her recent decision to reclaim the "Dr." in her title, why taking chances pays off, why it's so important to reach out to your community for help, and more. Left to Right: Christine Koh, Meagan Francis, Sarah Powers Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles. Now featuring SUPER FAST menus with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you’ll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. Sponsor Shout-Out Elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. I'm loving my new Amy Wedges. Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. I love this high-quality jewelry brand & wear their pieces every day. Get 15% off in time for Mother's Day: analuisa.com/mormd, use MORMD at checkout.  About Christine: Christine Koh is a music and brain scientist turned multimedia creative. She is also a fierce believer in the power of humans, small moments and actions, and vulnerable, authentic storytelling. She communicates on these beliefs through her work as a writer (her latest work is at the Washington Post, Boston Globe Magazine, and CNN; co-author of Minimalist Parenting; and founder of the award-winning blog Boston Mamas), podcaster (Edit Your Life, Hello Relationships), designer (Brave New World Designs), and creative director (Women Online). Christine lives in the Boston area with her husband Jonathan and daughters Laurel and Violet. She's @DrChristineKoh on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Episode Links: Learn more about Christine's book, listen to her podcast or learn about her various projects on her website.Read Christine's Instagram post, mentioned in this episode, behind her decision to reclaim the "Dr." in her title.Also, catch her latest newsletter where Christine shares a great narrative on "behind the scenes" of her recent stalled book project and success in getting her byline in major publications.I'd love to hear from you! Send an email to motherofreinventionshow@gmail.com and tell me how you're liking the show.

Injustices seem to be piling up all around us - and yet the noisy, polarized world we inhabit can make it really hard to know how or when to use our voices. So how do we find the courage and conviction to speak up and take action when we know something is wrong, while staying positive and open? Today Karen Walrond, author of the upcoming book The Lightmaker's Manifesto: How To Work For Change Without Losing Your Joy, identifies the formula: courage to be vulnerable (and sometimes, wrong); curiosity to be interested in other people's experiences, and compassion to really listen and build bridges, not walls. If you've been feeling helpless or intimidated in the face of the never-ending news cycle, you won't want to miss this frank conversation about using your voice for good without losing sight of the good in each other. Karen and I also talk about her very outside-the-box career pivots, from engineer to lawyer to blogger and photographer to speaker and coach. It's a meaty, inspiring conversation with one of my favorite people, so be sure to listen. Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles. Now featuring SUPER FAST menus with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you'll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. About Karen: Karen Walrond is an author, speaker, and leadership and activism coach. She has been trained in positive psychology coaching and is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, having been trained in Brené Brown's work on vulnerability, courage, shame-resilience and worthiness. Karen is a sought-after keynote and TEDx speaker and has appeared on television and other news media including PBS, Huffington Post, CNN.com and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She has won several awards including the YWCA Houston Outstanding Woman Award. Her latest book, The Lightmaker’s Manifesto: How to Work for Change without Losing Your Joy comes out in fall 2021 and is available to pre-order. Episode Links: Pre-order The Lightmaker's Manifest and visit Karen's website to learn more about her work. Please get in touch! Send an email to motherofreinvention@gmail.com to say hello.And if you’d like to find out more about some of Meagan’s favorite products, head over to the MOR Faves page at MORfaves.com.

Do you know when you can give more - and when it may be time to hold back? The practice of yoga - and specifically, learning to strike that delicate balance between not giving up when things get challenging, but also resting when it's the right thing to do - has been a big part of my personal reinvention story, so I'm excited today to talk to Lisa Segar, one of my favorite instructors at my local studio, Yoga Life. For years I mostly knew Lisa as the instructor who taught 4:45 Vinyasa Flow on Thursdays and 7 PM Restorative on Mondays, so it was an honor to get to know her better - and a surprise to find out that she doesn't actually, you know, live on the mat! Lisa has a demanding full-time job as a home health nurse and a new blended family, which includes her husband and stepkids plus two kids from a previous marriage, and her story and mine dovetail in a lot of ways - Lisa and I were going through our divorces around the same time, and she began teaching at Yoga Life right around the time I started stepping up my practice there. Today Lisa and I talk about everything from dealing with out-of-control feelings and perfectionism, and how yoga has helped her embrace her 50s, see her body and health in a new way, and has, in her words, given her a life. Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles. Now featuring SUPER FAST menus with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you'll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. Sponsor Shout-Out Vionic is the place to elevate your shoe game with cute styles + amazing comfort. Take a look at the Amy Wedge to update your spring and summer look! Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Lisa: Lisa Segar discovered yoga in 2015 during the end of her marriage, and began instructor training in September of 2016. She began teaching at YogaLife, an Ashtanga-based studio in St. Joseph, MI, in September of 2016, where she has been teaching since early 2017. Lisa holds a 500-RYT certification as well as a level one certification in Restorative Yoga. Off the mat, Lisa has been a mom for 22 years to her two boys, Seth and Austin. She recently married her husband Kurtis and has become a stepmom to Summer and Carly. Being a nurse for 25 years, Lisa has worked most of her career in Home Care. Lisa practices as a Certified Wound Ostomy Continence nurse and is also a clinical instructor for the Lake Michigan College Nursing Program. Episode Links: Practice yoga with me! YogaLife Studio offers a variety of virtual classes and has a great deal for new students - $25 for two weeks of unlimited yoga. Check out my advice on setting up a home yoga practice and studio.Please get in touch! Send an email to motherofreinvention@gmail.com to say hello.

If, like me, you've ever had a bit of a cynical attitude about gratitude journals and other thankfulness projects, this episode is for you! The year she turned 50, writer and podcaster Nancy Davis Kho embarked on an ambitious project: to write thank-you letters to 50 people who had impacted her in both positive and negative ways, ultimately helping to shape her life. That undertaking eventually became a book: The Thank you Project: Cultivating Happiness One Letter of Gratitude At A Time. In today's episode of The Mother of Reinvention Show, Nancy and I discuss "milestone" birthdays, how to rewire your brain toward positivity, how gratitude helps strengthen resilience and more. Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles. Now featuring SUPER FAST menus with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you’ll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. About Nancy: Nancy Davis Kho is a speaker, author, and podcaster whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and Salon.co. Nancy is the author of the book THE THANK-YOU PROJECT: Cultivating Happiness One Letter of Gratitude at a Time, and her blog and podcast cover “the years between being hip and breaking one”. The Midlife Mixtape Podcast won a 2020 Iris Award as Podcast of the Year and Nancy has been both champion and judge in the acclaimed international comedy-lit improv show, Literary Death Match. Find out more about Nancy at www.DavisKho.com. Episode Links: Buy Nancy's book: The Thank-You Project: Cultivating Happiness One Letter of Gratitude at a Time Find Nancy's podcast and blog at midlifemixtape.comIf you'd like to find out more about some of Meagan's favorite products, head over to the MOR Faves page at MORfaves.comHave you left a rating/review for Mother of Reinvention on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen) yet? It is so helpful!

Could you pick up your family and leave life as you know it for a year - or more? Heather Greenwood Davis is a long-time travel writer, and in 2011 - when her sons were 8 and 10 - she embarked on a multi-continent, year-long trip with her entire family. Nearly ten years later, Heather shares the way that this trip was life-changing for her family, how it's made them more courageous and resilient separately and as a unit, and how she's taken this sense of adventure forward into her career, life, and relationships. Whether you've been a lifelong traveler or are just getting around to it in this phase of your life, Heather's story of grit and gusto is sure to inspire you to start filling out that passport application and planning your next adventure. Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles. Now featuring SUPER FAST menus with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you'll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. Sponsor Shout-Out Vionic is the place to elevate your shoe game with cute styles, amazing comfort. (Check out the Willa Flat in blue suede to turn your at-home look into total Boss Lady.)  Get free shipping when you use code MOR at vionicshoes.com. About Heather: Heather Greenwood Davis is a Contributing Writer and on-air storyteller for National Geographic and a Feature Writer with The Globe and Mail. Her work appears regularly in a host of national and international publications. Heather also appears on television stations across North America and has been featured in O Magazine and NPR. She is the resident travel expert on The Social - a national daily lifestyle show -  and co-host of Get, Set, Go!. Heather believes in travel as a change agent, and has shared insights as a speaker in university classrooms, at conferences and at trade gatherings. Heather is also the voice behind GlobetrottingMama.com – an international, family travel blog that features the adventures she takes with (and without) her husband Ish and their two sons, Ethan and Cameron. Episode Links: Read about Heather's year-long around-the-world trip with her husband and kids - which awarded them the title "National Geographic Travelers Of The Year". Check out Heather's website to learn about her many media outlets and what she's up to now.Globetrotting Mama is a great place to get inspired about what's possible around traveling with kids. Please get in touch! Send an email to motherofreinvention@gmail.com to say hello.And if you’d like to find out more about some of Meagan’s favorite products, head over to the MOR Faves page at MORfaves.com. Just for fun - a pic of Heather and I looking glam at the 2018 Iris Awards.

What does it mean to live in alignment? It could be literal: standing up straight, with your body's skeletal and muscular systems properly lined up. Or it could be figurative: doing and saying the things that "line up" with your values and goals. This discussion with Zeena Dhalla, founder of VerticAlign Posture Coaching, is a lesson in both. Zeena has a fascinating story of many pivots, from working in the entertainment industry to going from "barely active" to running a marathon, to becoming a fitness instructor and eventually, a gym owner; to writing a book and now focusing her career on posture and ergonomics. Along the way, Zeena and her husband adopted a toddler from India, which required her to pivot again as she worked to align her career with her family responsibilities. The through-line in Zeena's story: when you focus on aligning your actions with your values, you'll run into less resistance and opportunities will open up - when they're supposed to. Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles. Now featuring SUPER FAST menus with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you’ll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. About Zeena:Zeena Dhalla is founder of VerticAlign Posture Coaching and a proud posture geek. Zeena graduated from Northwestern University. She has been featured as a writer and fitness model by by OC Squeeze, OC Metro, OC Register, as well as, on the television show Daybreak OC. She was also featured in Pilates Style Magazine as the Author and Model for ‘Pilates for Baby Boomers’. Zeena has served on the Board of Director for the National Association for Women Business Owners. Since becoming a mom to her daughter that she and her husband adopted from Kolkata in 2008, Zeena has focused on maintaining a balance between work and motherhood. Episode Links: If you’re like most people who spend hours sitting at a desk or looking down at your phone, you may be seeing changes in your posture like slumped or rounded shoulders, resulting in feeling back or neck pain that you can’t seem to fix on your own. Visit Verticalalign to see if Zeena and her team can help make you comfortable again!You can find Zeena's book, Sculpt and Shape: The Pilates Way here.Lastly, for all things, Zeena, you can also visit her personal website, www.zeenadhalla.com where you can find additional resources and to see what she is up to lately. And be sure to look for her on Instagram @zeenadhalla.Meagan would love to hear from you! Send an email to motherofreinvention@gmail.com to say hello.And if you'd like to find out more about some of Meagan's favorite products, head over to the MOR Faves page at MORfaves.com!

"I literally screamed like my limbs were being pulled off of me." That's how Jessica Ashley - now a divorce coach and creator of Single Mom Nation, a resource and podcast for single moms of all kinds, reacted when she first began her divorce journey. In the ensuing 13 years, Jessica has learned now only how to create a bigger, happier, healthier life for herself and her kids, but she's also taken what she's learned and applied it to helping other women in transition. In the very first episode of The Mother of Reinvention Show, I talk with Jessica, a longtime friend, about reinventing your life through changing relationships, and how to use any disruptive situation as an opportunity for growth by tapping into your own strength and leaning on the right people. It's a great conversation for any woman facing life reinvention, whether they've personally dealt with divorce or not. Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish is a subscription-based meal planning service catering to Keto, Gluten-Free, and Paleo lifestyles. Now featuring SUPER FAST menus with included grocery lists: shop once, do an hour of prep whenever you have time, and you'll enjoy healthy, delicious meals all week long. Sign up at PrepDish.com/MOR to get your first 2 weeks FREE. About Jessica: Jessica Ashley is a thriving single mom of two and founder, author and host of Single Mom Nation, where she shares her advice on self-care, co-parenting, dating and relationships, focusing on girlfriend-to-girlfriend advice as well as expert tips for single mothers and divorcing women. Jessica has been featured on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, Huffington Post, Martha Stewart Radio and has won many awards for her writing. Episode Links: The mission of Single Mom Nation: "where single mothers of all experiences, women seeking divorce, ending a relationship, deploying with the military or supporting a deployed parent, who feel alone in a marriage or partnership, who are considering parenting and relationship options or some other circumstance that lifts them up as the primary person raising a child - it is where we can all meet to get girlfriend-to-girlfriend advice, generously support each other, where we can laugh, sob, be sassy, feel safe and get real." Visit Single Mom Nation to learn more!If you are currently going through a divorce, or maybe know someone else who is, check out Divorce Girlfriends where Jessica hosts monthly 90-minute Zoom coaching conversations. Each month, the conversations cover a topic that is critical to being calm, confident, and clear through divorce so you can thrive on the other side. Join the conversation at Divorce Girlfriends.Meagan would love to hear from you! Send an email to motherofreinvention@gmail.com to say hello. And if you'd like to find out more about some of Meagan's favorite products, head over to the MOR Faves page at MORfaves.com!

Your kids are getting older. Now what? Whether you’re facing a mid-career pivot, health and wellness journey, divorce or blending a family, or just looking to add a sense of adventure, curiosity and courage to your everyday life again now that the little-kid stage is past, you’re definitely going to want to check out my new podcast, Mother of Reinvention. Click through to check out the trailer, and stay tuned - the first full episode will drop March 25!

Does "reinvention" always mean some big, bold leap into a new future? Or, can it also mean adapting with grace to changing circumstances? And how does your stage of motherhood affect what "reinvention" may look like for you? In this special bonus episode of Mother of Reinvention, I muse over the difference between proactive and reactive reinvention, how reinventing has looked at different stages of my life, and how this podcast is evolving to help support your "reinvention" story, whether it's dramatic and fast, or slowly unfolding.Want to learn more about sponsorship opportunities? Email meagan@reinvention.media.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy