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From ‘you only have 18 summers with your kids, enjoy every moment!’ to a sunk-cost mentality about how we used our time in our younger years, midlife can be full of hangups about time: how we save it, how we spend it, how we value it. I was thrilled to have a chance to chat with my longtime writer friend Laura Vanderkam about her newest book, Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance, and how the ideas and concepts in it can apply to everything from motherhood and midlife to creativity and ambition. Watch the video to see a practical, encouraging, and funny chat with Laura!

video links

• Grab Laura’s new book

• Laura’s book 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think

• Laura’s novella, Juliet’s School of Possibilities

• The Frugal Girl

• Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits episode about big ideas

• My book The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next came out a year ago today! My last chapter was entirely about time - how we spend it, and how we perceive it, especially as our kids create independent lives and we move into the next steps of ours. (p.s. - I usually use Bookshop links, but for some reason my book is super cheap on Amazon right now - so if you are wanting to buy a couple of copies as gifts, this is a great time.)

Because even though we all, in the throes of early motherhood, knew in our hearts that “it goes so fast” and “babies don’t keep”, we were also caught up in the forward thrust of Real Life happening all around us. Our own ambitions, whether they be career-focused or personal, mattered to us; our families’ needs for food, shelter, clothing, and a reasonably functional and clean home might take precedence over rocking said baby. There was no fairy mothering godmother to tell us exactly how to slow down, let things go, prioritize; we made decisions in the moment and probably we could sometimes have made better ones. - The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next

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There’s nothing like being taken out with a bad cold in the first week of December to humble and hobble one’s best-laid holiday plans, is there? And even before I started getting the sniffles on December 1, I had the nagging feeling I was already behind.

But…behind on what? What if the problem isn’t that the season (or the year!) is too short, but that I’m crowding it by trying to do too much - not only in my holiday mothering but in my career, my creative life, and elsewhere - and just overwhelming both myself and the intended recipients of my work in the effort?

In this episode, my last of 2025, I share about my complicated history with “producing”, and how this simple statement - “I don’t have to do so much” - has been acting like a mantra for me, helping me make more clear-eyed decisions about what I can let go of (or simply the fact that I can let go of anything at all.)

I talk about how “overproduction” can overwhelm both the producer and those who are trying to enjoy the fruits of her efforts (I compare it to throwing a dinner party where, eager to impress and delight, the host loads the table with dishes and everyone winds up too stuffed to really enjoy themselves), how this tends to show up in my creative life and the content I create, and the ways I push gently back against those tendencies to create space for a slower, more satisfying type of productivity.

If you prefer, you can also watch this episode as a video:

While this will be the final regular episode of The Kettle podcast, my monthly Journal episodes and newsletters will live on for paying subscribers! These are the slow, seasonal, resource-rich episodes and accompanying newsletters that come out on the first of each month. The Monthly Journals are in a private feed and get emailed to paying subscribers each month. If you’re a paying subscriber and aren’t sure how to access the Journal episodes, just respond to this email and I’ll help you out.

We’ve also got some great seasonal conversations going on in our private Discord chat: I shared my “holiday fatalism” - the belief that if everything isn’t done by December 20 I may as well just give up until next year; member Katie shares that she actually tends to be an “under-doer” at the holiday and how she’s gently expanding her participation this year, plus lots of holiday baking ideas and inspiration. It’s all in the private chat for paying subscribers.

A note that I have decided to continue to offer annual memberships at a deeply-discounted rate indefinitely, while raising the price on monthly memberships. I know people upgrade to paid for all kinds of reasons: to access our community offerings, to read and listen to a specific piece or two of exclusive content, to have access to all the exclusive content whenever they want it, or sometimes just to support my work. Offering different subscription options allows people to decide what works best for them, and then I don’t have to do that thing where I stress out wondering if I’m giving everyone what they need. (Enneagram 2 over here!)

That’s all for this final pre-holiday check-in. I hope you are well, and your holiday is shaping up to be exactly what you need it to be. Merry Christmas, and I’ll talk to you soon, friends.

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It's finally December, and my hands are itchy to make things. How about you?

Today, I’m settling in with a cozy journal episode all about making (which includes, of course, baking)—the creative, connected kind that feels especially grounding this time of year.

I recorded this on the last day of November, after a snowy, white-knuckled drive to drop Owen off at his roommate’s house so the two could make their way back to campus together. I came home ready to curl up with tea, knitting, and a stack of holiday magazines, and that sense of relaxed creative energy became the starting point for today’s conversation.

In this episode, I share the story of returning to knitting after more than three decades. With the help of my neighbor Sue and a beginner-friendly washcloth pattern, I’ve been slowly rebuilding my knitting “muscle memory,” making mistakes, unraveling whole evenings’ worth of work, learning tension and shaping, and loving the meditative rhythm of it all. I’m not quite ready for knitted holiday gifts this year, but I’m excited to explore simple, festive projects—maybe ornaments, garlands, or anything that makes use of this new hobby without the pressure to perform.

And of course, no holiday-season conversation about making would be complete without a conversation about baking. Last year I baked a lot; but not a lot of different things. Instead, I leaned into a small rotation of beloved recipes (cranberry-orange everything), making them again and again until they felt like (tasty) old friends.

This year, I want to expand on that same idea, leaning into a few baking themes instead of trying to make every Christmas cookie in the book. Think tea-based baked goods, pastries, and maybe a recipe pulled from the history books. I’ll be using our upcoming community Holiday Baking Bee to establish this year’s treat lineup, and in the episode I talk through the recipes I want to revisit, where I’m looking for inspiration, and even the practicalities of keeping my feet, shoulders, and neck happy during long baking sessions.

I also share details about the Baking Bee happening December 5–7, how you can participate, and a few reminders about where to find member links, resources, and event info.

Our monthly episodes are a benefit for paying members of The Kettle Community. To hear the full episode and find those helpful links, as well as links to community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private Discord chat, and more.

Click below to listen to the full episode and join our peaceful, creative little haven! Annual memberships are 60% off through December 7, so this is a great time to join.

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This time of year brings with it a certain tension: we want to soak up every last moment of the waning warmer weather, while also preparing to turn inward for the colder, shorter days, and longer, cozy nights ahead. How can we ease that inner conflict to get what we need out of this liminal season while readying ourselves for the long, dark winter ahead?

In this month’s Journal - exclusively for paying members of The Kettle - I’m reflecting on the tasks and treats that are helping me feel more prepared for the colder months ahead so I’ll be happy to retreat when it’s really time. From a sampling of cozy books and warming recipes to establishing indoor movement practices, this episode is all about readying our spaces and routines for a slower, quieter winter’s pace.

Upgrade your subscription now to hear the full episode and find those helpful links, as well as links to community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private Discord chat, and more.

Click below to listen to the full episode and join our peaceful, creative little haven!

episode links:

• Holiday Baking & Books episode with CJ | A Well-Read Tart

• Vera Wong’s Guide To Snooping (On A Dead Man) by Jesse Sutanto. Laugh-out-loud funny, poignant and a little bit tense! Definitely read the first one, too.

• The Dove Pond series by Karen Hawkins. I recommend starting with The Book Charmer, but I first read (and loved) A Cup of Silver Linings.

• The Proper Place by O. Douglas. Published in 1926 and set in early 20th century Scotland, this book features class tension, cozy village scenes and characters, and a cast of lovable, spunky, and quirky characters. It somehow manages to remind me of Jane Austen’s books, Little Women, and Anne of Green Gables all at once.

• The Herbal Year by Christina Hart-Davies. More than a simple reference guide, this book’s lovely illustrations, season-by-season structure, and storytelling offer an accessible and inspiring entry point into the world of herbal medicine. This would be a lovely gift for someone who’s interested in herbs, folklore, and the natural world.

• The carrot cake I made for Will’s birthday (as I shared in the episode, I’ve upgraded my baking game over the years - but my cake-decorating skills are still stuck in 1998.)

• The warm grain salad recipe Sarah Powers turned me on to. (And, everyone, please do share your favorite warm salad/grain bowl recipes for an upcoming episode of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits!)

• My YouTube channel (new videos every Tuesday - the next video will be all about creating a meditative tea ritual, wherever you are.)

interested in a custom tea blend + virtual tasting workshop?

Fill out this sign-up questionnaire and I’ll be in touch. (If you want to give this as a gift or set up a group session, just email me for details.)

community events and links:

• Mark your calendars! We’ve got something in the works for December 5-7: a weekend-long community baking bee. Get ahead of your holiday baking, try out some new recipes, or just enjoy a cozy weekend in the kitchen, in the company of other members of The Kettle. This will be a lightly-guided, interactive, choose-your-own adventure experience that you can shape to suit your own goals and schedule. Keep an eye out for more information soon.

• Join The Kettle community for our weekly Co-Create Sessions on Wednesdays from 9 AM - 10:15 EST. Work on your creative project of choice in a supportive, encouraging environment! We regularly have members working on projects as diverse as scrapbooking, writing, art journaling, needlework, organizing photos, baking - but sitting and waiting for an idea to come is A-okay, too. The Zoom link is always the same, so get it on your calendar now.

• And don’t forget to check out the new Discord server, where we’re talking about upping our sourdough game, delicious N/A beverages, getting into genealogy, and more.Join us there!

Wondering how to access these exclusive Journal episodes in your favorite podcast app? Your private RSS feed is here. If you aren’t sure what to do with it, this tutorial should help. Feel free to reach out with questions!

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The history and tradition of tea is so much richer than indicated by that little row of boxes on the supermarket shelf. In this episode I’m taking you behind the scenes of the process I’m undergoing to become a Certified Tea Sommelier: what the program is like, what I’m learning, and how I hope to use my newfound knowledge as I dive more deeply into this fascinating world.

episode links

Last year’s free November journal episodeis a good way to get a sense of what these monthly Journal episodes (now for paying subscribers only) are like.

I’m pursuing my Tea Sommelier certification through the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada

Here’s my new kettle, plus the poll from 2023 that helped me decide (more than a year later)!

Recent podcast episodes about tea: The magic of good tea with Henrietta Lovell, the Rare Tea Lady, and 20th century tea rooms and the path to becoming a citizen historian with Jan Whitaker

Bespoke tea blends from Bevy - here’s how to work with me to create a customized tea blend, made just for you!

Email me to reserve your BevyBox.

A BevyBox is a curated, customized gift box for people who love tea and tea-adjacent things including journals, teaware, and craft supplies, completely customized starting at $75. Email me at hello@bevytea.com with your budget range plus your preferences: tea types and flavors, whether you want to include craft supplies, a journal, stationery, teaware, etc, and anything else you want to tell me about the recipient (which can, of course, be YOU!) I’ll respond with questions and we’ll create the box together.

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After spending nearly three weeks living in our RV in the Upper Peninsula, I’m back home and settling in, and in this month’s Journal - exclusively for paying members of The Kettle - I’m reflecting on my routines and priorities and how they evolve with the season. From baking bread in an RV kitchen, to stepping away from social platforms, to simply claiming more screen-free time for long river rambles and reading printed books, I’ve been noticing how change, big and small, can shine a light on old habits and patterns and open up space for new ways of being.

In this episode, I share my sourdough routine at home and on the road and a fish chowder recipe I made from the huge salmon Eric caught up north, and I talk about my decision to deactivate my Instagram and Facebook account. I also share the final post I wrote before logging off. (You can hear me voice it on the episode and also read the text in the post below.)

October always feels like an especially transformational month to me, and I’m glad to be able to explore the changes happening in my life with you here. Upgrade your subscription now to hear the full episode and find those helpful links, as well as links to community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private chat area, and more. Click below to listen, as well as join our peaceful, creative little haven!

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Have you ever wondered about the different paths available to becoming a historian - and how historians choose the topic areas that fuel their passions? In this episode I chat with author and consumer historian Jan Whitaker to explore a fascinating corner of American history: the rise of rural tea rooms in the early 20th century. These small, often women-run businesses offered a rare space for independence, entrepreneurship, and community during a time of rapid social change. We also take a closer look at what it takes to be a a “citizen historian”. Whether you’re curious about consumer culture, women’s history, or finding your own way into historical storytelling, this episode offers plenty to inspire. Sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy!

episode links:

• Jan’s book:Tea At The Blue Lantern Inn: A Social History of the Tea Room Craze In America

• Jan's blog and website

news:

My book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next releases in audiobook on September 23!

Most of my posts here are free, but behind the paywall you’ll find exclusive content and community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private chat area, and more. Click below to listen as well as join our peaceful, creative little haven!

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The idea of “prepping” often elicits eye-rolls. But you don’t have to be awaiting the apocalypse to find value in stocking your shelves. The truth is, a little pantry planning and preserving can help us ride out price spikes, lean times, and supply-chain issues so we can live (and eat!) well even when life is bumpy - not to mention, ensure that we have …

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After a sad and stressful start to the month, I came home to a full house, stuffed fridge, bursting container garden, and some seriously disrupted routines. And while I once wouldn’t have recognized my all-over-the-place, can’t-focus-or-settle-down state of mind as a symptom that something wasn’t quite right, I now understand that this is how my brain and body react when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

This podcast episode and accompanying blog post, exclusively for paying members of The Kettle, is all about overwhelm: how it shows up for me in my body and behavior, how I recognize what’s going on, and how I’ve learned to calm my nervous system and get things back on track when it’s all a little too much.

Upgrade your subscription now to listen to the episode and see photos, links, and a written list of my tips for dealing with overwhelm. It’s also where you’ll find the links to community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private chat area, and more. Click below to listen as well as join our peaceful, creative little haven!

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Hi friends. I usually publish my monthly Journal episode on the first of the month, but in the wake of a devastating loss in our family, I’m instead putting up a short (and, warning, hastily edited!) episode in the public feed.

My sister-in-law, Jen, died on Tuesday, leaving behind her husband Adam (my stepbrother) and my niece and nephew Elia and Judah, just three and five.

As family and friends mourn this loss and rally around the grieving father and children, I’ve been reflecting on what it looks like to care during times of loss and grief, and how the traditions around mourning (plus natural limitations around our perceived ability to act) used to create the structure and “what to do next” for us.

Now, in a world where we are confronted with so many tragic stories and so many things we could potentially act on or advocate for, it can be hard to know where to focus our energy and what is truly “ours” to do. A death in the family is really driving home how important and impactful those small, localized, personal efforts can be.

I’ll be back later this month with my Journal episode (for paying subscribers) and am sure I will have more to say about this loss as I process. In the meanwhile, if you feel so moved, you can make a donation to this GoFundMe set up to help Adam, Judah, and Elia navigate this terrible loss and rebuild their lives.

Thank you, friends, and keep caring.

Warmly,

Meagan

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Ever cringe at how much of your monthly budget goes to restaurants? Yeah, been there - and so has CJ, creator of the food and book blog, A Well-Read Tart and a self-described former “restaurant rover and takeout queen.”

While CJ and I both know how easy it is for eating out to become the default solution for everything from boredom to overwhelm to lack of planning, over the past couple of years the so-so nutritional value of many restaurant meals, a desire to keep our budgets in check, and just one too many underwhelming and overpriced eating-out experiences have helped push us both toward a new default: eating almost all of our meals at home.

In this episode, CJ shares how she and her husband transitioned away from relying on restaurants to preparing most of their own meals, how she overcame mindset hurdles, what her planning process looks like, and the small, satisfying ways she still treats herself without defaulting to a restaurant menu.

Whether you’ve been wanting to cook more at home or are just curious about making a similar shift, the tips, encouragement, and resources in this episode might just get you on your way.

Recipe site and cookbook recommendations from CJ | A Well-Read Tart:

• How Sweet Eats

• The Girl Who Ate Everything

• Pastry Chef Online

• Smitten Kitchen

• Dessert for Two

• Allrecipes.com

• Taste of Home Cookbook

• Taste of Home Website

• The classic Betty Crocker Cookbook

• The Betty Crocker website

Recipes we talked about on the show:

• Quick Chickpea Curry

• Shrimp Turmeric Curry

• Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

• Grilled Spiced Skirt Steak

• Lemon Piccata Flounder with Herbed Couscous

• Baked Flounder with Shrimp Stuffing

• Loaded Turkey Nachos (for the homemade taco seasoning we talked about!)

• Quick and Easy Black Bean Burgers With Peach Guacamole

• CJ’s Easy Homemade Fruit and Nut Granola recipe

• My “so good I eat it everyday” granola recipe

I hope you loved listening to this episode as much as I loved making it. As a reminder, while these mid-month conversations are still totally free (and ad-free), my Journal episodes - which come out on the first of each month - are a benefit for paying subscribers to The Kettle.

In future behind-the-paywall posts and episodes I’ll be sharing more tips on eating well at home as well as a peek at my experiment in small-space living - including adventures in baking sourdough bread in a tiny RV kitchen!

Upgrade your membership now to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

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The July journal episode of The Kettle is all about the idea of “smallness” and what that means to me right now. In the episode I share some specific ways I’m leaning into smaller-scale efforts in my real life and the results. From working on my new book (a fiction project!) a little at a time, to the small-but-oh-so-satisfying yield from my modest-sized container garden, to the small space I’m inhabiting right now in the 30+ year old RV Eric and I are using as our home base Up North, this episode is all about the beauty of small!

Upgrade your subscription now to listen to the full episode, and see more episode photos and links, and if you’re a paying subscriber. http://meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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Can you remember the first time you had a really good cup of tea, or maybe a tea experience that left you feeling inspired intrigued, and wanting more? Today’s guest Henrietta Lovell, the founder of the Rare Tea Company and author of the laugh-out-loud funny, informative, and inspiring memoir, Infused: Adventures in Tea, has made an entire career (and life!) from drinking good tea, journeying to the places that grow it, and meeting the people who harvest and make it.

In this episode of The Kettle podcast, Henrietta shares her journey in building the Rare Tea Company from the ground up, her unconventional approach to running a tea business, her thoughts about buying directly from tea farmers, using teabags vs. loose-leaf, why she avoids tea with flavorings and additives, and why buying quality tea is worth it.

We also talk a little about the history of tea-drinking, how our own cultural expectations can shape the way we experience tea, and of course, how to brew the perfect cup (spoiler: it depends on your palate and preferences!)

Some of my favorite teas from the Rare Tea Company:

• Malawi Antlers tea - this is the very unique tea I’m drinking during the episode; it’s made up of the delicate stems, rather than the leaves, of the tea plant. Sweet stonefruit flavors in the first cup, becomes more complex the longer you infuse.

• Rare English Breakfast black tea - Malty, rich, smooth; milk and sugar optional.

• Nepali Gunpowder Green - gunpowder green teas are more toasty than grassy; if you’re on the fence about green tea, give this one a try.

• Chinese Iron Goddess Oolong - midway between a black and green tea, this oolong is light, floral, and delicately sweet.

Other links:

Infused: Adventures in Tea - Henrietta’s memoir

Richard Hart Bread: Intuitive Sourdough Baking, by Richard Hart (who makes an accidental appearance in the episode!) and Laurie Woolever, with Henrietta Lovell - nominated for a 2025 James Beard award (check the site after June 16 to see if they won!)

I hope you loved listening to this episode as much as I loved making it. As a reminder, while these mid-month conversations are still totally free (and ad-free), from now on my Journal episodes - which come out on the first of each month - are a benefit for paying subscribers to The Kettle.

Upgrade your membership now to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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Monthly Journal episodes and the accompanying post, which includes links to our upcoming community events, are a benefit for paying members of The Kettle. As a reminder, annual memberships to The Kettle are on sale through June 5 - just $30/year.

Happy June, friends. I don’t know about you, but over the last week, I feel like the world around me has just come…alive.

Everywhere I look, leaves are leafing, buds are budding, and blooms are blooming.

Our world can be a stressful and anxiety-inducing place right now - but then, it always has been, hasn’t it? It’s equally true that it’s wild and wonderful and full of life - and how lucky we are, to quote the musical Hamilton, to be alive right now.

In this month’s Journal episode - now reserved for paying members of The Kettle - I’m focusing on little things that feel alive - and help ME feel alive - in the place and season we’re in.

From getting my kitchen routines back on track after the disruption of my book launch, to watching my garden grow, to starting a new fiction project (which I’ll tell you all about in the episode,) there are so many ways my world just feels ALIVE in this particular moment of time. I can’t to share them with you in the June Journal episode of The Kettle podcast. Listen here or in your favorite podcast app!

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Hello friend,

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve given eleven livestreamed interviews and three or four (or was it five?) podcast interviews. I’ve been on TV twice, done two in-person signing events and have two more coming this weekend. And my book has only been out for nine days. A launch is an exercise in stamina, and this one is hitting me pretty differently at 47 than it did when I wrote my last book as a wee lass of 34.

Other things have changed since then, too; namely, how much I find myself leaning on the generosity of other writers and creators to help me get the word out.

Between 2007-2011, when I wrote my other books, publicity looked pretty different. It was more about trying to hit up the big outlets and hoping you landed appearances on the Today show or Good Morning America; maybe an op-ed in the New York Times. Today, in the age of social media, podcasts, and Substack, publishers expect authors to lean much more heavily on our personal networks to spread the word.

It’s wonderful that so many of my friends have bona fide mini-media-empires of their own, but it’s also a little wearying to have to work my way around my circle of friends, friendlies, and not-exactly-friends-but-we-met-at-a-conference-one-time acquaintances, hoping they’ll have interest in my book and time to read and share it.

But over and over again, I’ve been blown away by the generosity I’ve encountered. Starting with Gretchen Rubin, KJ Dell'Antonia, Mary Laura Philpott, Ashlee Gadd and Sarah Powers, who all agreed to “blurb” (provide advance praise) for my book, even though four of the five of them do not also own a business with me (in fact, Mary Laura didn’t know me at all.) Christine Koh and Laura Vanderkam were among the first to offer to interview me for their podcasts. Fellow West Michigan author (and Jenna’s-Book-Club novelist) Bonnie Jo Campbell sent me the most gracious and encouraging email offering to connect me to bookstore owners in her area. And eleven Substackers agreed to interview me LIVE on release day (all the recordings are linked up in this post.)

When I say that these acts were generous, I don’t only mean the generosity of another creator offering me access to their audience or knowledge. Of course that is generous, but that’s also the way this business works - we swap promo for content and contact for contact; in many ways these exchanges are reciprocal.

But in this experience, the generosity ran deeper than the simple exchange of value. I’ve come away with the feeling that people really showed up for me and this book - not just by doing the expected I’ll-scratch-your-back-you-scratch-mine stuff, but by putting all their attention into our live conversations (not a single phoned-in interview in the lot), by cheering my launch on social and at in-person events, by reading my words with a generosity of spirit, and by continuing to go above and beyond in sharing it after our scheduled interviews were over (I mean, just look at the display of writerly generosity in this lovely post by Asha Dornfest:)

I’ve had a lot of conversations recently with other friends (both writers and non-writers) that seem to always, in some way, circle back around to generosity: how good it feels to be generous, and yet how difficult it can feel to make space for generosity when we all feel busy and overstretched in a world where there is both so much need and so much distraction. How hard it is sometimes to tell the difference between genuine generosity, the kind that pours out of the overflow, and the kind of giving where we just drain ourselves dry in order to feel more worthy or “good.”

After feeling so inspired by the outpouring of generosity I’ve received, I have been reflecting on this for the last few days. A few ideas have come to mind:

1. It helps to make time and space for generosity.

I like to think of myself as a generous person, but my best intentions can get the best of me. When I feel too busy or strapped for time, those generous acts I really want to make time for tend to slip through my fingers.

I think somewhere in my subconscious I’ve held on to a belief that if generosity is scheduled or planned, that it somehow doesn’t “count” - that “true” generosity bubbles up spontaneously when a need arises. But for me, that kind of attitude just leaves a lot of good intentions unfulfilled, because when the urge strikes me to be generous, I am not always in a position to act on that urge. And by the time I can do something for the person I want to help, I’ve often gotten caught up in the next thing on my list, or I’ve literally forgotten.

So the other day I thought: I wonder what it would look like if I actually set aside a chunk of time each week specifically to do things for others? Whether a small, simple thing, like sharing my writer friends’ work online - or something more resource-consuming, like volunteering time or donating money to a local nonprofit, what if I had a specific “container” for generous activity set aside on my calendar?

I still won’t ever be able to do all the generous things I wish I could do, and I’ll probably miss opportunities here and there. But by approaching a block of time with that singularity of purpose, I am much more likely to not only actually remember to get those things done but to approach requests with a spirit of abundance, rather than the “I’d like to help, but where will I find the time?” feeling I’m prone to getting right now when faced with a need. Because I’ll already have time set aside, so it’ll just be a matter of filling it up.

I’m thinking I’m going to make Wednesday afternoons that block of time for myself. Generous Wednesday has a nice ring to it, yes?

1. It can actually be generous to say “no.”

Over the past few months I’ve done a lot - I mean, a lot - of outreach for my book, and as part of that, I’ve asked for a lot of favors: for blurbs, for reviews, for shares, for introductions, for access. And while I know that emails do slip through the cracks and certainly don’t blame anyone for a non-response (I know I’ve done this to others plenty of times myself) I have to say that I have a certain appreciation for a quick and definitive, “I’m sorry, but I just can’t.”

Yes, the initial moment of rejection stings a bit, especially if it’s a person I really hoped would be interested in my book, but it’s better than following up into the void or vague suggestions of interest that never go anywhere…or worse big promises that disappear in a puff of smoke, as Amie McNee describes in this recent post:

Everyone is telling everyone else how supportive they are of each other. Thy’re going to connect you, platform you, promote you, hire you. 99% of it never materialises.

I have to admit that I felt both taken aback and extremely fortunate while reading her post, because while I’m not going to say I’ve never been let down, I have not experienced this en masse. It’s made me so grateful for the generosity folks have shown me, for the most part, in honestly summing up their own capacity and declining (or even just backing out with notice) when they can’t do something.

I’m not sure I’m always as honest with myself and clear with others in this regard as I could be, so it’s also strengthened my resolve to show the same kind of generosity to others…even when that means saying “I’m so sorry, but I can’t.”

1. We can’t be generous to everyone at all times.

These days we are so connected, aware of so much need, and often trying to please so many people at once (my personal Kryptonite.) I am so guilty of tying myself in knots to try to “be generous”, often offering more and more to people who aren’t even all that interested in what I have to give.

But there will always, always be more demands on our time and attention than we can deliver on; there will always, always be more people we could give of ourselves to. So how do I balance my desire to give with my capacity, both as a human being and as a creative?

I think the answer begins with simply trying to do less, but do it better. We live in a growth-oriented culture that glorifies “scale” and “optimization”, but reaching more and more people doesn’t actually do more good if it means spreading ourselves too thinly in the interim, running out of steam or burning out entirely.

This is something I will be continuing to think about as I process my book launch experience, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear from you: What are some ways you’ve experienced generosity lately? What are ways you aim to show generosity to others?

Speaking of generosity: I’ve been so grateful to those of you who’ve generously supported my work as paid subscribers, even as I’ve been so head-down in book writing and promotion that I haven’t offered you much value in return.

In the spirit of reciprocity, I’m working on ways to right that imbalance now. My first step will be putting these monthly Journal episodes and posts behind the Substack paywall starting on June 1, as a special way to acknowledge paid subscribers.

If you aren’t currently a paid member of The Kettle and enjoy these monthly reflections, you’ll want to upgrade your subscription now. I’m offering a deep discount through June 5: annual memberships are just $30/year, less than $3/mo!

And if you'd like to hear some more of my reflections on generosity and how I intend to use this space to give back to my audience, listen to the podcast episode linked in this newsletter. In it, I share some specific ways I’ll be narrowing my focus so that I can create a better experience here for the people who’ve so generously supported my work with their dollars, as well as those who would like to going forward. If you’re interested a deeper connection with my content and the community we’re building here, now is a great time to upgrade your subscription. And if you cannot swing the cost to upgrade but are an invested reader/listener, email me at Meagan at meaganfrancis dot com and I’ll happily comp your subscription.

And speaking of giving back - my publisher is giving me TEN copies of The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Nextto give away! Just fill out this quick & easy form by 11:59 PM on May 16 to be entered to win.

Until next time, friends - I’m grateful for you.

Warmly,

Meagan

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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How might the experience of forming and raising a family change if we felt more able to share honestly and openly about our struggles, joys, and everything in between? Today I’m talking with Rebecca N. Thompson, MD, a family physician and public health physician who specializes in women’s and children’s health—and the author of the new book Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love.

In this episode, Rebecca shares the process of writing her book, in which she tells the stories of twenty-one mothers whose lives and experiences intersect with hers and one another’s. We discuss Rebecca’s experiences of navigating three complicated, life-threatening pregnancies and losses as a medical professional, how her bumpy path to creating a family inspired this collaborative storytelling project, and how the meanings of motherhood can evolve and change for each of us through the many seasons of our lives.

episode links

• Rebecca N. Thompson’s author website, which includes links to upcoming events

• Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love by Rebecca N. Thompson

Reminder: my book The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next is out May 6, and I’m offering free signed book plates for every pre-order! Email the receipt/confirmation with “Book Plate” in the subject line to meagan@meaganfrancis.com, and be sure to include your mailing address and any special directions (like if you want it made out to a specific person besides yourself.) I’ll be accepting those receipts until May 15 and mailing out the book plates later this month.

And keep an eye out for an email on May 5 with my Virtual Book Tour lineup!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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When you think of your children growing up, do you view their leaving as the end of an era - or the beginning of something new? In this episode, renowned happiness expert, author, and podcaster Gretchen Rubin joins me to discuss her “open-door” approach to parenting young adults, her brand-new, instant-NYTimes-bestselling book Secrets of Adulthood, our midlife lady hobbies, the way we remember (and don’t remember) our kids’ childhoods, and even the possibility of new puppies.

Episode links:

Gretchen’s new book: Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths For Our Complex Lives

HAPPIER with Gretchen Rubin - Gretchen’s podcast

"Abandon the Empty Nest. Instead, Try the Open Door." Gretchen’s article in The Atlantic that inspired this conversation

I’ll be featured in Gretchen’s “Five Things” newsletter on May 9. Sign up now so you don’t miss it!

Pssst - my book release date is right around the corner, May 6! Pre-orders mean a lot to authors - I’d love if you’d order your copy today.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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This spring a lot of figurative “seeds” that I planted long ago, like my upcoming book launch and an expansion of my brick-and-mortar business, are starting to bear fruit - just at the time I am also hoping to literally put seeds in the ground.

Sometimes, a bounty of good (but energy-consuming) things comes at the same time we’re also trying to invest in the next thing, and we can’t always plan on a steady rhythm of planting and harvesting.

In this episode of The Kettle podcast I share more of my thoughts about how to lean into busy seasons, whether they’re times of harvest, times of planting - or sometimes, both at once.

related links

Bevy, my tea + creative supplies shop, has a newsletter! If you love tea, are tea-curious, or just want a behind-the-scenes peek at what it’s like to own a brick-and-mortar shop, subscribe for free here.

My book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next, is available for pre-order now!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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For most of us, getting groceries automatically equals “going to the supermarket.” But does that brightly-lit jumble of logos, packaging, and confusing nutrition labels have to be the only - or even the primary - way we fill our fridges and pantries?

For the past few years, as I’ve been committed to sourcing more and more of my food locally and seasonally, it’s automatically led to me relying less and less on the supermarket - and I’ve learned a lot along the way.

In this episode of The Kettle, I share some alternate ways I’m sourcing everything from fruits, veggies, grains, and beans to meat and dairy - as well as the surprising mindset shifts that have made this process easier.

episode links:

• Country Life Foods - this is where I buy bulk beans, grains, sweeteners, oils and more. Free delivery with minimum purchase size. Save 10% with my link!

• Thrive Market - good for smaller portions of whole foods, supplements, cleaning supplies and more. I’ve bought everything from Safe Catch tuna and salmon to chia seeds from Thrive. My link gets you a free gift when you sign up.

• The Guide to Getting Out of Supermarkets - an inspiring episode of The Ancestral Kitchen Podcast

• Find a CSA (community-supported agriculture) near you

• Loved this post by Sarah Cook: Biggest Grocery Store Scams

• I’m currently reading The Secret Life of Groceries by Benjamin Lorr, and it’s blowing my mind.

related links:

My book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next, is available for pre-order now!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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Are you even a midlife lady if you don’t suddenly drop everything and start a garden? In today’s episode, I talk with Christine Koh about our shared adult-onset passion for herbal medicine and our attempts - with varying degrees of success - at growing things. Christine shares how her adventures in gardening and herbalism - part of what she jokingly calls her #gloriouswitch transformation - were a force for healing as she came out of a stressful stage of life, and now provide her with a grounded, embodied way to connect her with the physical world, community, and tradition.

We also discuss some of the specific herbal remedies both Christine and I have experimented with, some gardening successes (and a failure or two) from last year, and what we’re hoping to do in our gardens and kitchens this spring and summer.

It’s the perfect cozy late-winter chat to get you thinking about working with your hands, growing green things, and making healing remedies for your family and friends.

NOTE: Christine and I are planning a LIVE broadcast for later this week! We’ll be sharing more about our garden plans for spring, plus doing a show-and-tell of some of our herbal medicine projects. More details coming - make sure you’re subscribed to my Substack so you don’t miss it.

Links from this episode:

Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee de la Foret

Medicinal Herbsby Rosemary Gladstar

Christine’s Wellness Brew

My Journey to Becoming a Glorious Witch - Edit Your Life

Better Homes & Gardens garden planner

Morality, Politics, and How to Find Common Ground (with Dr. Kurt Gray) - Edit Your Life

162 Things To Do Instead Of Doomscrolling - There’s Always A Story (Christine’s Substack)

My private subscriber chat has been busy lately, with conversations about college-aged kids, creative goals, and more. Join us!

We’re also kicking off a weekly co-create circle on February 25 which will only be available to paid subscribers. Join The Kettle now to RSVP.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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It’s February, and that means…we made it through January! In this episode I share my thoughts on the grounding joys of giving care. I also explore two beekeeping saints, teas with rose petals, new adventures in sourdough, some cozy reads and PBS shows to watch, and what it means to feel spring in your bones - even before you see it reflected in the temperatures, and read one of my latest essays aloud. Listen on for my February journal episode, and scroll down for links to the books, shows, teas and more!

Featured Teas

This month’s featured teas all contain rose, which is associated with love - and also, heart health. Drink up!

• Love Tea by Mountain Rose Herbals - hearty, earthy rooibos and delicate rose petals complement one another, while cacao nibs add a touch of sweetness.

• Milady Grey by Tealyra - a bright citrus take on Earl Grey, with rose petals to add a bit of delicacy to lemongrass and orange flavors.

• Vanilla Rose Ceylon by Flying Bird Botanicals - sweet vanilla and complex rose in a black ceylon blend.

• Tulsi Sweet Rose by Organic India. Tulsi is one of my absolute favorite herbs for tea, and combined with rose petals and chamomile, it’s just divine.

Reading:

• The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. Note: These books (there are at least 26 of them!) are seriously binge-able, but I’ve been able to find most of them through my local library via the Libby app. Some of the covers are so pretty, I had to own a hard copy!

• Dr Sharon Blackie also has an excellent article about female February saints, where you can learn more about Saints Brigid and Gobnait, in her latest Substack (this one is behind a paywall, but I find the subscription well worthwhile!)

Watching:

• Royal Palace Secrets, Royal Myths & Secrets, and Lucy Worsley Investigates, all hosted by Lucy Worsley. (And a big plug for a PBS Passport membership; as I’m slashing most of my streaming services I’m finding that this one is more than worth the low price.)

Read-Aloud Essay:

Continue the conversation

Join paid subscribers in the private chat to share what you’re making, reading, watching, and sipping this month!

About me:

Hi! I’m Meagan, an author, podcaster, and midlife mom of five (mostly grown) kids. Here at The Kettle, I share my thoughts on how to live wisely and well in a manic modern world, and I look forward to hearing yours. If you want to connect more deeply, the private chat is open to paid members. I’m looking forward to getting to know you!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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More and more, people are talking about leaving social media for good. But how? It’s easy to feel trapped by these networks that have become so intertwined in every aspect of our lives, from shopping to socializing. In this episode of The Kettle, I catch up with my good friend and business partner Sarah Powers to discuss her decision to walk away from Instagram over a year ago, and how the exit impacted her: both the positive effects (a return to writing without self-consciousness; more engagement in her physical world) and more negative effects (turns out, she struggles with information FOMO.) We also discuss my new in-real-life tea business, and whether it’s necessary for small businesses to have a social media presence to thrive today.

Episode Links:

• Sarah's Substack, Home Again, and her series A Year Without Instagram: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

• This is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are by Melody Warnick

• If You Could Live Anywhere: The Surprising Importance of Place In A Work-From-Anywhere World by Melody Warnick

• The One Parenting Decision That Really Matters, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz for The Atlantic

• A past podcast interview: Cozy, Creative Spaces with Sarah Powers

• Sarah’s and my other podcast, The Mom Hour

• Join The Kettle community to access a private chat with other members, including a new conversation based on this topic.

• My most recent Substack post: What If Things Don’t Get Better?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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Deep breath, friend: you don’t have to come into the New Year raring to go on January 1. In the first episode of the newly-named and slightly-refocused podcast, The Kettle (formerly The Tea’s Made) I take a different, slower approach. I reflect on my holiday celebrations, offer an alternative to the idea of ambitious (or restrictive) New Year’s resolutions and goals, reflect on the impact of small, embodied rituals and rhythms for keeping us grounded and rooted in what’s real, and also read one of my Christmas motherhood essays out loud. And, of course, you’ll get some tea recommendations (we’re exploring rooibos this month; links below.)

Enjoy getting to know the newly ad-free podcast The Kettle in this January Journal episode, and also please consider supporting both the podcast and my writing here with a paid subscription. I appreciate you and I’m glad you’re here!

All new essays and episodes at The Kettle are free. Consider joining the paid community to delve deeper and support my work.

Episode Links:

(many links are affiliates; buying using my link helps support the podcast!)

Christmas gifts I talked about

• Segretto Cast Iron Enameled Bread Pan - while my old Dutch oven worked just fine for baking bread, I’ve done a few loaves in this one already and it’s definitely a step up. Highly recommend if you are ready to elevate your bread game, or just want to take a new hobby more seriously.

• Bread Scoring Tool - another very-nice-to-have tool; scoring is an important step in sourdough bread baking and while a sharp knife works fine, having a dedicated (and super-sharp) bread lame is a great way to achieve more precise and lovely cuts.

Featured Teas

I’ve been loving rooibos tisanes lately - teas made from this African bush are robust, hearty, and caffeine-free, making them perfect for a cold winter’s evening. Here are four I love:

• Simpson & Vail White Chocolate Peppermint Rooibos. Rooibos pairs really well with both white chocolate and mint, and this blend isn’t too strong - so it’s a beginner-friendly option for the wary rooibos novice.

• Vahdam Chocolate Vanilla Rooibos. Rich chocolate, cocoa, cinnamon and vanilla combine to create a decadent tea fit for dessert. If you like a spiked hot chocolate or cider, try reaching for this instead.

• Mrs. Rooiboson from Flowerhead Teas -

Sarah Powers sent me this tea from California for Christmas and it.is.delightful. The mint and citrus are a fabulous foil for the red rooibos. Plus, look at that cute packaging. Highly recommend!

• Lemongrass Rooibos from Terravita - Sarah also sent me a Swiss lemongrass rooibos after her family’s trip to Europe last winter (she’s like my international tea fairy!) The combination of flavors was such an unexpected pleasure and really helped kick off my deep dive into Rooibos. I can’t find the exact tea Sarah sent me (probably because it wasn’t written in English!) but this blend is a close approximation.

Essays and more

• In this episode I read a recent essay out loud - you can read it here, and I’ve also put together all the posts I wrote about holiday mothering with older kids.

• And, I shared my New Year’s resolution from last year - to eat more beans! - and how it’s influenced a similar mini-challenge I’m embarking on this year; to drink a new-to-me tea every day in January. Here are some of my thoughts on the power of playful, non-restrictive New Year’s goals:

Thanks for coming along on this journey as I transition my podcast and newsletter to The Kettle, friends! I am so excited to continue gathering with you here in 2025 and beyond.

Get full access to The Kettle with Meagan Francis at meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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What could be cozier than a holiday baking session based on your favorite book? In this episode I talk with CJ of A Well-Read Tart, a blog for book and food lovers, where CJ shares book reviews, food inspiration and recipes based on her favorite literature.

Listen on to hear us share what we're each reading right now and some favorite cozy holiday food scenes from books, as well as CJ's ideas for letting literature inspire you in the kitchen. I also share some updates on what's happening in my kitchen now that Christmas is just around the corner. It's the perfect episode to keep you company while wrapping gifts or, of course, making cookies!

Complete Episode Book List: Sunrise by the Sea: A Little Beach Street Bakery Novel by Jenny Colgan * The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz * Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian * Horse by Geraldine Books * Christmas Charms by Teri Wilson * The Wish List by Michelle Major * Maria by Michelle Moran * Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken * Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder * A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith * Meet Felicity by Valerie Tripp * The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani * The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller * There's Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber * Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella * An Irish Country Christmas* by Patrick Taylor

Be sure to check out my Substack for a companion post with cookie recipes and more!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Get full access to The Kettle with Meagan Francis at meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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In our monthly Journal, I share a special message for moms of older kids who aren't feeling quite so magical about the holidays these days, plus Christmas-inspired teas, my plans for decorating and baking, and some hopes for the Advent season. Listen for a cozy chat and be sure to check out the companion journal post at TheTeasMade.com for links, photos, updates and more!

Episode Links:November Journal episode

Episode 37: Why connecting with our food matters, with Alison Kay

Smith Tea - Morning Light

Harney & Sons White Christmas

Harney & Sons Celebration

Morning Light from Smith Teamaker

Winter Wonderland Rooibos Herbal Tisane from Simpson & Vail

Minimalist Advent candle holder

Order your BevyBox by 12/7 to ship by 12/12.

Nordic Winter Cookbook by Viola Virtamo

The Calm Christmas podcast with Beth Kempton

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Get full access to The Kettle with Meagan Francis at meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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Rooted in locality, seasonality, and agrarian living, the liturgical calendar - the feasts, celebrations, and other observations that made up the early church year - can help root us in the natural rhythms of life. But while most of us are familiar with a few holidays from the early church year, modern living doesn't make a lot of space for recognizing the depth of the calendar that once dictated the rhythm of daily lives. In today's episode I speak to Kristen Haakenson of HearthStoneFables.com, who shares practical wisdom about how to incorporate elements of the historical church calendar into contemporary life. Whether you're hoping to enrich your faith, develop a stronger understanding of where these holidays fit in the context of history and agrarian life, or simply want to imbue more seasonality into your day-to-day life, you'll definitely want to listen to our conversation. And after the discussion, I share some ways I hope to let Kristen's advice inspire my holiday celebrations, including recognizing the Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany.

Episode Links:November Journal episode

Kristin's Substack, Hearthstone Fables

Ancestral Kitchen

This episode is brought to you by Bevy, my tea and craft-supply company! Order your holiday 2024 BevyBox - a gift box hand-curated by me and featuring tea, craft supplies and other special goodies - at BevyBox.co, and use code TEA15 for 15% off.PS: I'd love to hear from you at my new email address! Share your thoughts about today's episode, topics/guests you'd love featured on the show in the future, or just to say hi: hello@theteasmade.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

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In this month's Journal, I share what's inspiring me going into November: my favorite cinnamon-spiced teas, embroidery projects as holiday gifts, making herbal tinctures, and an epic novel trilogy from medieval Norway.

Episode Links:*most links are affiliates. If you make a purchase via my link, I will earn a small commission - a great way to support this podcast!

Read my accompanying November Journal post at TheTeasMade.com

Episode 32 - How and Why To Start Foraging For Wild Plants

Light of Day Organics Heartwarming Cinnamon Tea

Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice

Hot Cinnamon Spice decaf option

Mountain Rose Herbs

My Vitamin D supplement

Stick N Stitch printable embroidery paper, or pre-printed designs: love these snowflakes, these fun designs for lovers of books (and cats!), and vintage-inspired holiday designs.

Only Murders in the Building

the Kristin Lavransdatter Trilogy by Sigrid Undset

This episode is brought to you by Bevy, my tea and craft company! Order your holiday 2024 BevyBox - a gift box hand-curated by me and featuring tea, craft supplies and other special goodies - at BevyBox.co, and use code TEA15 for 15% off.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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Between social media platforms, email, blogs, podcasts, streaming video and all the rest, there are so many ways these days to consume (or create!) content. In this episode I share what taking social media breaks has done for my brain, how pressure to create and consume has impacted the way I feel about my work, and what I'm planning to do going forward - including a change to the format of this podcast.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Get full access to The Kettle with Meagan Francis at meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

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When it comes to staying on top of meal planning and cooking, my solution to overwhelm and disorganization is simple: a series of weekly and daily routines that work for my home, family, and schedule. In this episode I share five kitchen routines that help me feel more connected and confident in my kitchen, from menu planning and grocery shopping to soaking beans and feeding sourdough starter. The idea isn’t to copy my routines exactly but to create your own based on your lifestyle and unique kitchen goals. Listen for inspiration and ideas!

Episode Links:Check out BevyBox, my new curated tea + craft gift boxes for the holiday!

Here's the Bokashi system I use and love! You can also start with a one-bucket system and add another bucket later. (I have it in the ecru/cream color.)

Previous episodes about food:

Episode 17: What’s happening in my kitchen right now

Episode 36 What is eating "ancestrally" with Alison Kay of Ancestral Kitchen

Episode 37: Why connecting with our food matters, with Alison Kay of Ancestral Kitchen

Episode 38: Eating locally, preserving, and establishing your own “flow” in the kitchen

Episode 39: The hidden cost (and value!) of food, with farmer and author Shannon Hayes

Brand Partners:Find all of my brand partners and the latest deals on my Shop page!

OSEA –Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Hatch is having a big sale starting October 8 - don't miss it!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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In our culture we put a lot of emphasis on building wealth - but what, exactly, does that mean, and how does our view of wealth contribute to (or detract from) our flourishing as humans? In this continuation of Episode 39's conversation with author and farmer Shannon Hayes, we delve more into the economics of home and family life, the difference between an extractive and what Shannon calls a "life-giving" economy, and what wealth can really look like if we are willing to define it on our own terms.

Episode Links:Read Shannon's blog and check out her family's farm

The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow (Shannon's podcast)

Find all of Shannon's books, including Redefining Rich

Episode 38, The Tea's Made: Eating locally, preserving, and establishing your own “flow” in the kitchen

Episode 39, The Tea's Made: The hidden cost (and value!) of food, with farmer and author Shannon Hayes

Check out my recent blog post about developing a relationship with your kitchen

Brand Partners:Find all of my brand partners and the latest deals on my Shop page!

OSEA –Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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Everyone is talking about rising food prices these days, but we spend very little time talking about the value of food. In this episode I speak with Shannon Hayes, farmer and author, about her journey from academia back to the farm she grew up on. She tells us about her unconventional upbringing and how it led her to value a life connected to land and community - and the power of a home-cooked meal.

Shannon also explains the real costs that impact the prices at her family farm, how those costs are often hidden from consumers at the supermarket, and the true value you're getting from nutrient-dense, farm-fresh, locally-grown food.

For me this conversation raised the question: what if we all stopped talking about food in terms of its cost, and shifted the conversation to its value?

Episode Links:Read Shannon's blog and check out her family's farm

(I also noticed that Shannon is offering a free seminar called "Freedom in the Kitchen" as part of the School of Traditional Skills. Definitely worth signing up!)

The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow (Shannon's podcast)

Find all of Shannon's books (I recently read and adored Redefining Rich!)

Check out my recent blog post about developing a relationship with your kitchen

Brand Partners:Find all of my brand partners and the latest deals on my Shop page!

OSEA –Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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Does shopping, cooking and eating locally and seasonally have to be time-consuming and difficult? As I've slowly added new kitchen skills to my repertoire, I've come to realize that the key to meal planning and preparation without burnout is developing the rhythms and routines that allow us to find "flow" in our kitchens.

From preserving produce to dreaming about a root cellar to experimenting with sourdough bread, I'll let you in on some of the projects I'm working on in my kitchen right now and share what a typical day in my "food life" looks like, as well as a mindset shift that can help you stay in flow and keep from getting discouraged as you're learning new skills.

Episode Links:Episode 17: What's happening in my kitchen right now

Episode 36: What is eating “ancestrally”? with Alison Kay of Ancestral Kitchen

Episode 37: Why connecting with our food matters, with Alison Kay of Ancestral Kitchen

My steel-cut overnight oatmeal, made in the rice cooker

The Sunday Steep #4: Eighty pounds of goat meat

Check out my weekly newsletter about creativity and connection - and, of course, tea! - The Deep Steep

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Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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"But who actually has the time to cook this way?" Our guest Alison Kay hears that a lot when she shares about her passion for ancestral eating. But for Alison, sourcing ingredients locally and preparing it in a way inspired by our great-great-grandmothers isn't a chore or a time-suck, and it's definitely not romanticizing the past. Instead, it's a crucial way she expresses her creativity, connects with her community and the land around her, and cares for herself and her family.

In this episode, a continuation of our conversation from Episode 36, Alison explains why this way of cooking and eating has been so life-changing for her, and offers a close-up look at how she actually incorporates ancestral philosophies into her modern kitchen.

Episode Links:Ancestral Kitchen, Alison's site

The Ancestral Kitchen podcast

What ancestral eating isn't - the article we discuss in today's episode

Episode 36 of The Tea's Made: What is eating "ancestrally" with Alison Kay of Ancestral Kitchen. This is the first half of this conversation.

A couple episodes of the Ancestral Kitchen Podcast that I love:

70 Fermenting Oats - this is the episode that convinced me to start souring my morning oatmeal!

66 50 Ways To Save Money On An Ancestral Diet - a great starting point if you're just learning about ancestral eating; especially if you're concerned about your budget.

Check out my weekly newsletter about creativity and connection - and, of course, tea! - The Deep Steep

Brand Partners:Find all of my brand partners and the latest deals on my Shop page!

OSEA –Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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With all the diets and nutrition trends that focus on exclusion and restriction, it can feel like food is being reduced to its components - not something I personally think is a very satisfying way to eat.

But what if there was another way to view food - a way that leans on the wisdom of our great-great grandmothers, yet is adaptable to a modern kitchen?

After a fraught relationship with eating impacted her mental, emotional and physical health for decades, our guest Alison Kay of ancestralkitchen.com and The Ancestral Kitchen Podcast found a path to health via ancestral eating and developing a true connection with her food. In this episode, Alison shares her backstory - including losing half her body weight as a young woman and later, struggling to conceive - and how ancestral eating helped her heal and thrive. Alison also explains what ancestral eating is - and isn't, how this way of eating works for her, and why the prices we see in the supermarket don't reflect the true cost of food.

Episode Links:Ancestral Kitchen, Alison's site

The Ancestral Kitchen podcast

What ancestral eating isn't - the article we discuss in today's episode

Check out my weekly newsletter about creativity and connection - and, of course, tea! - The Deep Steep

Brand Partners:Find all of my brand partners and the latest deals on my Shop page!

OSEA –Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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Why did I go the traditional publishing route vs. self-publishing? What did the writing process look like, beginning to end? And how do I feel about the idea of sh*tty first drafts? In this episode of The Tea's Made I answer all of these questions and more.

Episode Links:Taking a book idea from proposal to contract. In this episode I answer listener questions about working with an agent, platform and more.

Head to TheTeasMade.com to read more of my writing!

Brand Partners:OSEA –Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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I'm back from my book-writing break and ready to talk shop! In this episode I answer listener questions about the process of pitching your book idea to an agent or publisher, including:

-How long should I expect it to take to hear back from an agent after I query them?

-What questions should I ask a potential agent before I sign?

-How hands-on should I expect my agent to be in the proposal process?

-What size audience/readership will an agent or editor be looking for in an author?

And more! Look back next week for the follow-up episode: what it's like to actually write the book once contract is in hand!

Episode Links:How a book proposal is made - This is a video I made a little over a year ago when my proposal was still out to editors! In it I detailed the process of writing the proposal and pitching agents.

Brand Partners:OSEA –Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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Hi all! Hopping in from my podcasting break with a birthday message, some tips on staying connected and calm in a divided and noisy world, and a little preview of what you can expect when The Tea's Made returns on August 15.

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From starting a brick-and-mortar retail shop, to putting the finishing touches on my book manuscript, to caring for my new chicks, to getting another son ready for college, this summer has already been jam-packed with activity. In the last episode of The Tea's Made before my midsummer break, I'm sharing more details about what's happening in my world and what you can expect when I return in the early fall.

Featured Tea:Harrod's English Breakfast

Brand Partners:OSEA -Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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When I was a young girl, I was completely fascinated with the idea of being able to find food and medicine in nature. But in our modern world, eating anything that grows wildly can seem strange...undesirable...even dangerous. While it took me until my mid-40s, I've begun to embrace foraging and wildcrafting as not only a fun and mostly-free hobby, but also a way of looking at the world differently. In this episode I'll talk about what this journey has looked like for me and share basic tips for getting started, staying safe, and using what you find.

Featured Tea: Yooper Yellow from S•TEA•P

Featured Links:Learn more about my new tea shop on Instagram!

Follow Bevy Tea on Instagram

The Seek app from iNaturalist

Midwestern Medicinal Plants by Lisa M. Rose

Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee de la Forêt

Here's a good basic blog post on starting foraging. I agree with the author that getting a book or two is a really good idea, as is getting mentored in real life from an experienced forager!

Cotton mesh drawstring bags like these are great for collecting and drying herbs

Brand Partners:OSEA -Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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From navigating relationships with our teenagers to how we engage with social media, the post-40 years offer many opportunities to rethink old patterns of people-pleasing and live more authentically. In this conversation with author Rachel Macy Stafford, learn how to create a "Soul Shift" that will help you slow down, connect, and live more in line with your deepest values.

Episode Links:Find Rachel Macy Stafford Online:

• Instagram
• Substack
• Facebook
• Rachel's website

Rachel's Books:

• Hands-Free Mama
• Soul Shift
• Only Love Today
• Live Love Now

Brand Partners:OSEA -Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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Sometimes life is hard, sometimes life is exciting...and often, it's both at the same time. When that happens, it's not always easy to know how to feel from one moment to the next. In this episode I'm sharing some news from my life over the past week, and how I've been coping with some sad events and hard moments in the midst of the exciting things happening alongside them.

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With a graduation, a move, an anniversary, and travel all happening within a couple of weeks of each other during what was already a jam-packed spring, I've been giving a lot of thought to what helps particularly chaotic periods feel more manageable. In this episode, I'm reflecting on some of the practices, habits and mindsets, from sticking to healthy routines to leaving room for spontaneity, that I've learned can help me thrive - not just survive! - during really, really busy seasons of life.

Featured Tea:Gorge Sunrise from Good Medicine Tea - use code TEASMADE for 15% off!

Episode Links:Episode 27: Five ways to add more steps to your day

Brand Partners:OSEA -Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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Have you ever dreamed about getting away from it all...all by yourself? Five years ago, a year or so after getting divorced when I desperately needed to do something just for myself, I went on a life-changing six-day solo hiking and camping adventure. In this episode I share why the trip was so meaningful, how I packed and prepared, how you can safely plan your own solo getaway - and why you should consider it.

Episode Links:Beginner hiking and camping gear guide for women

A woman's guide to solo hiking and camping

Episode 26: Herbal how-to: my favorite herbal teas & how I prepare them

Brand Partners:OSEA -Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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A few months ago I looked back over the last few years' worth of my smart watch data and was shocked to see my step average had plummeted by over half in the last year or so - coinciding with some other health issues that I believe were related. We're told to get in at least 10,000 steps per day, and while there's some debate over that number, I definitely feel my best when I'm consistently getting in lots of natural movement - but sometimes tight schedules and modern conveniences conspire to keep us sedentary! In this episode you'll hear five ways I've gotten those daily steps back up - way up - and how you can create a more movement-oriented mindset, without ever going to the gym.

Episode Links:My Garmin Vivoactive 4s - I've used this watch for daily movement and sleep tracking (as well as keeping time!) for over 3 years and it's still going strong.

I love these 2-lb Velcro wrist weights with thumb loop. I wear them for the first part of my walk, while I do the stairs, and I incorporate lots of arm movements (both planned and more random) to maximize the "strength training" portion of the day. Then I ditch them in my car and enjoy the rest of my walk like normal. I also have a 20-lb kettlebell in my car and will often tack on a quick leg workout + kettlebell swings at the end of my walk.

I LOVE wearing my Happy Feet toe aligner socks to show my feet a little love at the end of the day!

Vionic insoles - I put these in all my non-Vionic shoes, including my regular sneakers and hiking boots. Vionic is a sponsor; use code TEASMADE at checkout for 15% off.

A good magnesium supplement also helps a lot with foot and other muscle/joint pain.

Brand Partners:OSEA -Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your first purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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Herbal teas (or to be more accurate, tisanes) are a delicious and approachable way to explore the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of herbs-- and I drink them literally every day! In this episode I share the herbal infusions I'm drinking most often right now, along with product recommendations and details about how I prepare them. I also unpack why herbal "tea" technically isn't actually tea, and offer some words you can use instead.

Episode Links:Lots of links in this episode! I've organized them by products + resources.

Products:

• Wholesome Cleanse from Flying Bird Botanicals
• Queendom Reign by Modestine Tea
• Tulsi Citrus Soother from Light of Day Organics
• Warm Hugs from Good Medicine Tea Use code TEASMADE for 15% off your first order
• Breathe Deep from Yogi Tea
• Mint Medley from Bigelow
• Chocolate Trufflemint from Good Medicine Tea Use code TEASMADE for 15% off your first order
• Peppermint from Smith Tea
• Let Go by Modestine Tea
• Aphrodite from Good Medicine Tea Use code TEASMADE for 15% off your first order
• Smooth Move from Traditional Medicinals
• Nordic Mug from David's Tea

Resources:

• Blog post: 3 Herbal Tea Blends To Help You Sleep
• Blog post: Three Black Teas I'm Loving Lately
• Blog post: 3 system-supporting herbs that are always in my tea cabinet
• Episode 13: Tea as self-care with Laura Cepeda of Modestine Tea

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With an abundance of technological tools at our disposal and endless options to "go out and do stuff", it would seem we'd feel more connected than ever. But we're in the midst of what's been called an "epidemic of loneliness" - and all those options seem only to have created more disconnection. What if the solution for loneliness is actually to do less, stay closer to home, and really make those connections count? In this episode I delve into some ways to create stronger ties with the friends, family, neighbors and people in our local area, while still living a home-centered life.

Featured TeaCardamom Noir from Good Medicine Tea Use code TEASMADE for 15% off your first order

Links Mentioned In EpisodeThe Seek app by iNaturalist

Episode 24: Why I'm embracing a home-centered life

Episode 2: How to be a great host

Brand Partners:OSEA -Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your entire purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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Moving, shaking, and constantly on the go? Been there, done that, and had the burnout to prove it. In midlife, I'm looking for a calmer, less-expensive and less consumption-oriented experience. In this episode I share why I'm happy to let my current lifestyle center around pursuits at home, what a "home-centered" life means to me, and the benefits of looking "in here" instead of "out there" for entertainment, socializing, and creativity.

Featured Tea:Decaf Paris from Harney & Sons: fruity, sweet and full-bodied.

Featured Links:Episode 17: What's happening in my kitchen right now

Brand Partners:OSEA -Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your entire purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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When I was a younger mom, I put a lot of stock in "getting things done." I'll admit, I felt a little thrill of pride when people would ask "How do you do it all?" The reality, of course, is that I wasn't doing it all then...and I'm definitely not doing it all now! But the way I show up for my to-do list, and my relationship with ambition, are both changing in midlife, which has led my crazy-busy 30s to give way to much-more-meandering 40s.

In this episode I share a handful of ways the idea of "productivity" is changing for me as a midlife mom of older kids, and how sometimes the unsung things that nobody sees you doing are actually the things that add up to a rich, full, and manageable life.

Featured Tea:Aphrodite from Good Medicine Tea - use TEASMADE for 15% off your order.

Check Out Deals From Our Partners:OSEA -Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your entire purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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Which skincare products, rituals and routines really work (and how do we know they're "working"?) In this episode I share my skincare routine, including specific products I love and how they work together, plus my thoughts about how creating a "skincare philosophy" can make it easier to decide which products, procedures, and processes make sense for YOU.

Episode Links:Embracing skincare monogamy

My midlife skincare routine

How to make gua sha part of your skincare routine

DIY facial oil blog post

My favorite OSEA products

Check Out Deals From Our Partners:OSEA -Use the code TEASMADE or MEAGAN for 10% off your entire purchase.

Vionic – with unmatched support and stability, Vionic’s line of shoes and boots are wearable wellbeing for your feet. Use code TEASMADE for 15% off after you log into your account.

Hatch – Well-rested mornings begin with relaxing bedtime routines, and the Hatch Restore 2 offers both. I wind down AND wake up every single day with customizable colorscapes, sounds, and lighting. Use code TEA20 for $20 off.

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What do we owe our elders - and the younger generation who'll one day be in the position of caring for us? After spending a week helping an aging family member who is going through a lot of life changes, I'm reflecting on the misguided cultural idea that we can somehow plan, declutter, or outsource our way out of "burdening" our families with our care, needs, or even our stuff - and what we lose when we rob one another of the opportunity to connect by helping and being helped.

Featured Tea:Scottish Afternoon Tea from Apothica Tea, or Harney & Sons

Featured Links: Check out my blog!

Featured Partners:Want to learn more about some of my favorite brands and show partners?Head over to my Shop page.

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I started my first podcast in 2012, and have been at it ever since - which means I've been podcasting continuously for twelve years! In today's behind-the-scenes episode I'm sharing my insights on creating a sustainable podcasting lifestyle based on what I've learned over the past twelve years. I'll share my thoughts on everything from choosing a format to working with a cohost, creating a strategy that works with your overall goals, how much time and money to invest in your sound quality, and more. Listen whether you're an aspiring podcaster - or you're just curious how your favorite podcasts get made.

Featured Links:* The Mom Hour turned 9 years old last week! * Read the blog post that complements this episode, with specific tech recommendations and information about early access to my podcast mentoring program.

Featured Partners:Want to learn more about some of my favorite brands and show partners? Head over to my Shop page.

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Spring is officially here, but after a winter that often felt like spring and with spring weather that still feels a little wintry, we may need to be a little more intentional to connect with the season this year. This episode contains seven simple ideas to help you make the most of the early spring, including:

• Switch up your skincare
• Plan a new daily routine to maximize outdoor time
• Watch wildlife in your backyard and beyond
• Ease into spring fashion from the feet up

Listen on for tips and ideas that will help you welcome the season, here on The Tea's Made podcast!

Featured Tea:* Peppermint from Smith Tea

Featured Links:*links below may be brand partners

• My skin care routine - use the code TEASMADE for 10% off your first order at OSEA!
• Uptown Loafer from Vionic Shoes - Use the code TEASMADE for 15% off plus free shipping when you create an account, valid for one time use.
• The platform bird feeder I have and love
• The Merlin Bird ID app
• The Seek app
• Midwest Foraging, by Lisa M. Rose
• Backyard Foraging: 65 Familiar Plants You Didn't Know You Could Eat, by Ellen Zachos

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How do memoirists manage to tell the truth about painful circumstances in their past, while still keeping a grip on compassion and levity? In today's episode I talk with memoirist T. Marie Bertineau about how she processed difficult childhood memories to write about her family of origin with both love and honesty. We also discuss her upbringing in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and what she's learned about life and legacy as a writer, midlife woman, and memoirist.

Episode Links: * The Mason House by T. Marie Bertineau * Follow T. Marie' on instagram * The Great Lakes Review featuring T. Marie's short story

Featured Partners:Want to learn more about some of my favorite brands and show partners? Head over to my Shop page.

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From fermenting oatmeal, to making yogurt, to tending my own tea plant--I've been up to some fun experiments in my kitchen lately. In this episode I'll share some of the ways I've been focused on exploration in the kitchen, why kitchen creativity is one path to becoming more comfortable with the everyday jobs of meal-planning and dinner-making, which of my kitchen projects have worked out and which are still "in progress", why I'm not eating at restaurants very much right now, and how all this kitchen activity ties into self-care and my personal health journey.

Featured TeaGorge Sunrise from Good Medicine Tea - use code TEASMADE for 15% off your first order.

Episode Links* Deconstructing myself - the Substack post I referenced in the episode * Ancestral Kitchen Podcast - in particular the episode about fermenting oats * My blog post about making oatmeal in the rice cooker * Finnish viili cultures from Yemoos * Camellia Sinensis (tea) plant * My subscriber-only podcast episode about soaking, simmering and preparing beans

Featured PartnersWant to learn more about some of my favorite brands and show partners? Head over to my Shop page.

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While I love sharing pieces of my life in this podcast, there's one big part that I haven't talked much about online--and that's my story of a midlife return to the Christian faith.

In this episode, I explain a little more about that reticence and also share a talk I gave at my local church last week, which features a funny story from my childhood and some of my thoughts and feelings about this stage of parenting, plus sheds a little light on my conflicted feelings about the Bible -- and how I came around to seeing the beauty in its stories of real people doing real things, while finding belonging and hope in its pages.

I hope you enjoy it - and if you feel moved by this episode or have questions or comments, I'd love to hear from you: email meaganfrancis@gmail.com.

Episode LinksWant to see me over-gesturing with my hands? You can watch the entirety of my talk on Vimeo, including the music: Gloria Gaynor, Killers, The Head & The Heart, and The Civil Wars. I come on around the 9:40 mark.

Featured PartnersWant to learn more about some of my favorite brands and show partners? Head over to my Shop page.

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Do certain areas in your home inspire you creatively? What's the link between comfort and creativity? In this episode I'm joined by Sarah Powers, my cohost at The Mom Hour, to talk about our favorite cozy spaces and why they help us feel more ready to create.

Episode Links* Order Sarah's and my new guided journal, The Mother's Gratitude Journal: An Easy Guide to Capturing Everyday Joys and Milestone Moments, launching March 5! * Milk Oolong Meagan was drinking * Yogi herbal tisane that Sarah was drinking * The Pottery Barn blanket that Sarah gifted Meagan * Quince blanket that Sarah referenced



Featured PartnersWant to learn more about some of my favorite brands and show partners? Head over to my Shop page.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

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When you think about exercise, what moves you? Maybe you want to drop a pants size or tone up your arms. But movement isn't just about looking better - it's about staying active and vital for our entire lives. And it all beings with mobility: where flexibility, stability and strength, and the mind-body connection meet.

In this episode we revisit a 2023 interview with Angela Metrou of Modern Mind and Body Care to find out just why this under-looked aspect of our overall health is so important, and how to work with your body to move more efficiently and functionally, no matter your age or fitness goals.

Episode LinksFind Angela Metrou at her website or on Instagram. Also, check out her Ankle Mobility program!

Featured PartnersWant to learn more about some of my favorite brands and show partners? Head over to my Shop page.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

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From getting up off the floor to checking a blind spot on the highway, our daily lives are filled with small movements that require mobility to do with ease and comfort. As we get older, these movements can start to become more difficult or even painful, and typical workout sessions can create imbalances that stress our joints and make us more prone to injury.

In this episode I talk to health and fitness coach Angela Metrou, CPT and owner of Modern Mind & Body, about the differences between simple stretching and true mobility training, how strength training and mobility training work together, and why it’s vital for us to be thinking about our joint health and range of motion as we enter midlife, whether we’re elite athletes or just trying to reach into a high cupboard without a twinge.

Links In This Episode:

• Learn more about our guest Angela Metrou, CPT at her website, ModernMindandBody.com and on her Instagram account.
• The “getting up off the floor” reel that led me to reach out to Angela
• Angela’s Foot & Ankle Mobility Program

Shop Our Featured Partners

Make eating well easy! Prep a week’s worth of healthy meals in just 1-2 hours a week with PrepDish. Menus, shopping lists, and detailed prep and cooking instructions for a variety of eating styles. Head to http://prepdish.com/mor to try your first two weeks, FREE.

OSEA is my go-to skincare brand, made with clean, botanically-sourced ingredients. The Seaglow Resurfacing Scrub is my favorite-ever exfoliator! 10% off your first order by using the code REINVENT at OSEAMalibu.com.

Comfortable and fashion-forward, Vionics are stylish self-care for your feet. Shop their collection of boots and booties for fall, like the Hazal lug-sole ankle boot, and be sure to use code REINVENT15 for 15% off your order at VionicShoes.com.

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Midlife skincare can be more than befuddling. With so many cleansers, toners, serums and creams on the market, how do we know what to use on our aging skin? Is it possible to turn back the clock with chemicals? And, how do we really feel about Botox, fillers, and other age-defying procedures? In this episode I share my favorite skincare products, including my daily step-by-step routines, as as well as the midlife skincare philosophy that’s helping me make tough decisions about what I’m willing to do – and NOT willing to do – to help my skin look its best.

PRODUCT LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:

OSEA:Ocean Cleansing Milk (If you like a less-creamy cleanser I also like the OSEA Ocean Cleanser.)

Seaglow Resurfacing Scrub

Sea Vitamin Boost Spray

Hyaluronic Sea Serum

Advanced Protection Cream

Atmosphere Protection Cream

Essential Hydrating Oil.

Seaglow AHA Overnight Serum

Burt’s BeesBurt’s Bees Facial Oil

Burt’s Bees Oil Cleanser

Toups & CoReparative Serum

Tallow Balm in Sweet Girl scent

Other:My skincare routine

My DIY facial oil

Gua Sha tutorial

Sun Bum Tinted Mineral Skin Primer

Shop Our Featured PartnersMake eating well easy! Prep a week’s worth of healthy meals in just 1-2 hours a week with PrepDish. Menus, shopping lists, and detailed prep and cooking instructions for a variety of eating styles. Head to http://prepdish.com/mor to try your first two weeks, FREE.

OSEA is my go-to skincare brand, made with clean, botanically-sourced ingredients. Get up to $108 in FREE product with purchase through September 4. 10% off your first order by using the code REINVENT at OSEAMalibu.com.

Comfortable and fashion-forward, Vionics are stylish self-care for your feet. Shop their collection of boots and booties for fall, like the Regan (pictured at left) and be sure to use code REINVENT15 for 15% off your order at VionicShoes.com.

Happy mornings start with healthy sleep routines. Teach your body and mind to fall asleep easily and wake up peacefully with the Restore 2, featuring soothing sounds for sleeping and waking, plus gentle light patterns that stimulate your body’s natural rhythms. Get 15% off the Hatch Restore 2!

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Should women over 40 shun carbs, practice intermittent fasting, or max out our protein? What are "hormone-balancing foods," is "metabolic flexibility" really a thing, and are insulin spikes as scary as they sound? And why does it suddenly feel so complicated to simply put food on our plates once we hit midlife? In this episode I talk with Dr. Jenn Salib Huber, a registered dietician, naturopathic doctor, and intuitive eating advocate who educates midlife women on supporting their health and hormones with non-restrictive eating, about just why our midlife food mentality can get so messy - and how to untangle it all. I also share what I've discovered about my own approach to food and diet mentality after taking a few months completely "off" of counting calories, tracking macros, or restricting my eating.

OUR FEATURED PARTNERS:



Comfortable and fashion-forward, Vionics are stylish self-care for your feet. Shop their collection of boots and booties for fall, like the Regan (pictured at left) and be sure to use code REINVENT15 for 15% off your order at VionicShoes.com.

Happy mornings start with healthy sleep routines. Teach your body and mind to fall asleep easily and wake up peacefully with the Restore 2, featuring soothing sounds for sleeping and waking, plus gentle light patterns that stimulate your body’s natural rhythms. Get 15% off the Hatch Restore 2!

Make eating well easy! Prep a week’s worth of healthy meals in just 1-2 hours a week with PrepDish. Menus, shopping lists, and detailed prep and cooking instructions for a variety of eating styles. Head to http://prepdish.com/mor to try your first two weeks, FREE.

OSEA is my go-to skincare brand, made with clean, botanically-sourced ingredients. Check out my skincare routine featuring OSEA products, (the Seaglow Resurfacing Scrub is a new fave!) and get 10% off your first order by using the code REINVENT at OSEAMalibu.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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From getting married (on a raft!) to helping open a bookstore, running an AirBNB to digging into my family history, it's been a busy summer for this 40something mom. Listen for a quick update on what's been happening in Meagan's world plus a sneak peek at what you'll hear in Season 6 of the Mother of Reinvention podcast!

Check out the REINVENT Retreat, happening this October 20-22 in Southwest Michigan and online. Head to ReinventRetreat.com for more info and register with code REINVENT15 for 15% off through August 31!

One big happy blended family :) You'll find lots of other wedding pics over at my Instagram!

Thanks to MOR's Season 6 partners:Comfortable and fashion-forward, Vionics are stylish self-care for your feet. Check out my favorite summer styles, and use code REINVENT

for free shipping at VionicShoes.com.

OSEA is my go-to skincare brand, made with clean, botanically-sourced ingredients. Get 10% off your first order by using the code REINVENT at checkout.

Make eating well easy. Prep a week's worth of healthy meals in just 1-2 hours a week with PrepDish. Head to http://prepdish.com/mor to try your first two weeks, FREE.

Loving the show? Let me know. Email me at hello@motherofreinventionshow.com!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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Being a “boy mom” is one thing. What about when you’re trying to guide, mentor, and mother nearly-grown MEN? In this episode I catch up with parenting author and mother to four young men, Jennifer Fink, to discuss what we get wrong about boys and how misunderstanding young men can hinder their growth as humans, plus our shifting relationships with our sons as they move into their teen years – and beyond.

Episode Links:

• Visit Jennifer’s website
• Read Jennifer’s new book, Building Boys: Raising Great Guys in a World That Misunderstands Men
• Check out Jennifer’s recent article in the Washington Post: We’re Missing A Major Mental Health Crisis: Teen Boys Are Struggling, Too
• Join the Building Boys Facebook group

Thanks to this season’s partners:

Comfortable and fashion-forward,Vionics are stylish self-care for your feet. Check out my favorite styles, and use code REINVENT for free shipping at VionicShoes.com.

OSEA is my go-to skincare brand, made with clean, botanically-sourced ingredients. Get 10% off your first order by using the code REINVENT at checkout.

Loving the show? Let me know.

• Email hello@motherofreinventionshow.com!
• Find me on Substack.
• Hit me up on IG at @meaganfrancis!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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If you were getting married all over again, what would you change about your wedding? And, what are the best and most challenging things about midlife marriage? As my wedding day draws near, I posed those questions to eight writer/podcaster friends, and their answers are full of insight, wisdom, and humor – along with a few can’t-miss tips. Enjoy this heartwarming, hopeful, and VERY special episode!

About This Episode’s Guests

Asha Dornfest

• Asha’s website
• Check out Asha’s blog and community, Parent of Adults
• Follow Asha on Instagram

Karen Walrond

• Karen’s website
• Follow Karen on Instagram
• Listen to Karen on the following Mother of Reinvention episodes: The Joy Of Sending Your Kid To College and The Accidental Activist – How Regular People Can Make Change For Good
• Pre-order Karen’s book Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell

Christine Koh

• Listen. to Christine’s podcast, Edit Your Life
• Follow Christine on Instagram
• Check out Christine’s Substack, There’s Always A Story
• Listen to Christine on this episode of MOR: Reinventing With Intention With Christine Koh: Mother of Reinvention, Episode 7

Amy Suardi

• Amy’s website 
• Follow Amy on Instagram
• Amy hosts a weekly Co-Create Circle at the REINVENT Community!

Sarah Powers

• Find Sarah at The Mom Hour
• Follow Sarah on Instagram
• Listen to Mother of Reinvention episodes featuring Sarah Powers: That life-changing moment when you do something completely different and Meagan Turns 45! Here’s What’s Next

Nancy Davis Kho

• Nancy’s website 
• Follow Nancy on Instagram
• Listen to Nancy on Mother of Reinvention: Rewiring Your Brain Using Gratitude
• Check out Nancy’s book, The Thank-You Project: Cultivating Happiness One Letter of Gratitude At A Time

Amy Allen Clark

• Listen to Amy’s podcast, Book Gang
• Visit Amy’s website
• Follow Amy on Instagram
• Listen to Amy on Mother of Reinvention: Leaning (Back) In To What You Love with Amy Clark of the Mom Advice Book Club

Rachel Macy Stafford

• Rachel’s website
• Follow Rachel on Instagram
• Read Rachel’s new book: Soul Shift: The Weary Human’s Guide To Getting Unstuck and Reclaiming Your Path To Joy
• Listen to Rachel on Mother of Reinvention: Living authentically in midlife

Thanks to this season’s partners:

Comfortable and fashion-forward, Vionics are stylish self-care for your feet. Check out my favorite styles, and use code REINVENT for free shipping at VionicShoes.com.

OSEA is my go-to skincare brand, made with clean, botanically-sourced ingredients. Find out more about the products I love best, check out the limited-time Free Gift With Purchase event and save 10% on your first order by using code REINVENT at checkout.

Loving the show? Let me know.

• Email hello@motherofreinventionshow.com!
• Join my email list!
• Hit me up on IG at @meaganfrancis!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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It’s easy to romanticize the “simple life” (I’m guilty of it pretty much daily) but what happens when the simple, sustainable, satisfying life you set out to create turns into…something else entirely? Australian author and sustainability advocate Anna Featherstone experienced exactly this while she and her husband were running a “small” farm that, along the way, ballooned into a full-time-and-then-some endeavor…while they were also raising three young kids.

Realizing it was time for a change, the family pivoted and now live in a much simpler way while Anna focuses on writing books and helping authors self-publish. Listen to the episode to hear more about what drives Anna’s passion for sustainability, community, and creativity, and how she’s channeling those passions now that her farm-girl identity is (temporarily, perhaps?) on hold.

Episode Links:

• Visit Anna’s website and learn more about her books, including Honey Farm Dreaming: A Memoir About Sustainability, Small Farming, And The Not-So-Simple Life (available free right now via Kindle Unlimited!)
• Find Anna on Facebook and Instagram

Thanks to this season’s partners:

Comfortable and fashion-forward, Vionics are stylish self-care for your feet. Check out my favorite styles, and use code REINVENT for free shipping at VionicShoes.com.

OSEA is my go-to skincare brand, made with clean, botanically-sourced ingredients. The new Undaria Collagen Body Lotion has earned a permanent spot on my nightstand. Get 10% off your first order by using the code REINVENT at checkout.

Loving the show? Let me know.

• Email hello@motherofreinventionshow.com!
• Join my email list!
• Hit me up on IG at @meaganfrancis.
• Find me on Reinvented, my new Substack blog!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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What does it mean to live “authentically” in midlife? I chat with Rachel Macy Stafford, author of the new book Soul Shift: The Weary Human’s Guide to Getting Unstuck, about the roles we tend to layer onto our identities starting when we’re young, and how the middle of life is the perfect time to start shedding those layers so we can live more lightly. Plus we discuss parenting teens through a pandemic, our shared history as mom bloggers, the pressures of social media and more.

Episode Links:

• Visit Rachel’s website and learn more about her books, including Soul Shift: The Weary Human’s Guide To Getting Unstuck
• Find Rachel on Facebook and Instagram
• Listen to my 2017 podcast conversation with Rachel on The Mom Hour

Thanks to this season’s partners:

Comfortable and fashion-forward,

Vionics arestylish self-care for your feet.

Check out my favorite styles, and use code REINVENT

for free shipping at VionicShoes.com.

OSEA is my go-to skincare brand, made with clean, botanically-sourced ingredients. I use the Hyaluronic Sea Serum and Advanced Protection Cream every day! Get 10% off your first order by using the code REINVENT at checkout.

Loving the show? Let me know.

• Email hello@motherofreinventionshow.com!
• Join my email list!
• Hit me up on IG at @meaganfrancis!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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What do you do when your midlife body just doesn’t feel like you anymore? From hormone-induced weight gain to a shifting of your proportions, a changing body can be a normal – if not always welcome – part of perimenopause and menopause.

In this conversation, Kristen Mei Chase and I get real about how we’re feeling about our bodies right now, how we’re trying to reframe our struggles, and how we’re learning to have fun while re-learning how to dress ourselves and the bodies we have now.

Kristen Mei Chase, looking fabulous at a signing for her book, A Thousand Miles to Graceland

Some Pants I’m Loving:

• Vuori Lux Harem Pants
• Athleta – Meagan loves the Cabo Linen Wide-Legged Pants
• Pact – Coastal pant in French Navy.

A handful of midlife-friendly and size-positive social

accounts to follow:

• Orly Shani
• The Chic City Girl
• Keeping it Caitlin
• Taryn Truly
• Goodbye, Crop Top

Loving the show? Let me know!

Email hello@motherofreinventionshow.com or find me on IG at @meaganfrancis



Thanks to this season’s partners:

With incredible comfort, Vionics are stylish self-care for your feet.

Check out my favorite styles, and use code REINVENT for free shipping at VionicShoes.com.

Personal training to help you reach your fitness goals anytime, anywhere. I’ve been training with fitness since January and my workouts have never been so consistent! Head to TryFuture.com/reinvent to save $130.

OSEA is my go-to skincare brand, made with clean, botanically-sourced ingredients. I use the Hyaluronic Sea Serum and Advanced Protection Cream every day! Get 10% off your first order by using the code REINVENT at checkout.

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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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Midlife women have a lot on our plates. Should nurturing friendships take a backseat when we're busy? Not according to Laura Tremaine, author of The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs. In this candid conversation, Meagan and Laura discuss why the work of friendship is worth doing, plus Laura shares her five friendship philosophies. You'll leave this conversation feeling inspired to say "yes" to that next invitation -or maybe you'll even be the one to reach out.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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"Owning an bookstore is literally my dream." Since announcing our plans to start our own indie book shop with our partners in northern Michigan, my sister Kathreen and I have heard those words many times. But if you're not accustomed to thinking of yourself as a business owner, making the leap from a 9-5 job (and the accompanying paycheck) can seem like too big and risky a change to ever seriously consider. In this episode Kathreen and I discuss our plans through the lens of her background as a state employee, and why she ultimately decided to say "yes."

The full, unedited version of my conversation with Kathreen is available exclusively to members of REINVENT Midlife. The full, unedited version of my conversation with Kathreen is available exclusively to members of REINVENT Midlife.  You can also visit our online shop to support us. And please follow Paper Mill Books on Instagram to keep up with our progress.

Interested in sponsorship opportunities with the Mother of Reinvention podcast? Email podcast@reinvention.media.

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Strained mother-daughter relationships. Second-chance romances. Overcoming childhood trauma. And, finding your true self in midlife. What do these things have in common? They're all themes in Kristen Mei Chase's debut novel, A Thousand Miles to Graceland, as well as in her actual life.

Listen in as Kristen and I discuss midlife mom-daughter relationships, parenting teenagers, dating, divorce, finishing fiction projects, and more in this candid and inspiring conversation.

The full, unedited version of my conversation with Kristen is available exclusively to members of REINVENT Midlife. 

Interested in sponsorship opportunities with the Mother of Reinvention podcast? Email podcast@reinvention.media.

Find Kristen on Instagram: @thatkristenagain or on her website.

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“You’re enough.” “You’re amazing.” “You’re beautiful, just as you are.” Also: “Employ a growth mindset!” “Do better.” And, “This is your year to slay!”

Everywhere we look, we see conflicting messages: you’re wonderful and deserving of acceptance just as you are, but – pssst – honestly, you could do a lot better. And at no time is that message louder than midlife, when it’s easy to feel like you’ve missed opportunities to make the absolute most of your life. In this episode I talk with Kate Hanley, creator and host of the How To Be A Better Person Podcast, about how you can both accept yourself AND seek growth, and why the question of “self-acceptance or self-improvement?” doesn’t have to be either/or, but both/and.

Also check out my interview on Kate’s podcast: Stop Waiting For An Empty Nest!

The full, unedited version of my conversation with Kate is available exclusively to members of REINVENT Midlife. Get 20% off an annual membership here: http://meaganfrancis.com/bonus.

Interested in sponsorship opportunities with the Mother of Reinvention podcast? Email podcast@reinvention.media.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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Do you fantasize about moving across the country - or globe - the minute the kids move out? Are you happily settled in your current town or city? Or, is your answer a bit more nuanced? While the place we live can have a major impact on the way we live, the truth is that we have a lot of influence over the way we experience our surroundings - and the average person has plenty of time to settle into, and get the most out of, multiple home towns.

In this episode I talk with Melody Warnick, author of This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are, and If You Could Live Anywhere: The Surprising Importance of Place in a Work-From-Anywhere World, about just why finding the "perfect" place to move can be so tricky, and how you can become "place attached", wherever you are right now. Plus I share how my nomadic younger days led to a much more settled-down midlife, and how I see my wanderlust playing out as I head into the empty-nest years.

For access to the extended interview and more exclusive content for midlife moms, check out Reinvent Midlife, my private membership community. Interested in joining? I'm offering a special listener-only discount.

For sponsorship opportunities with the Mother of Reinvention podcast, email podcast@reinvention.media.

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Have you ever looked back at something monumental that’s happened in your life and realized that the one BIG moment of decision or surrender was quite out-of-character for you? In this episode I talk with Sarah Powers, my business partner and cohost at The Mom Hour, about our very different personalities - Sarah's more attuned to details and rules; I'm more of a free-spirit visionary - and how sometimes, breaking out of those roles has led us to much bigger and richer experiences, both separately and together.

Want to hear the full, unedited interview? Check out membership to REINVENT, at a special listeners-only discount: http://meaganfrancis.com/bonus

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What gets in the way of making positive changes in your life? Do you doubt that your ideas are very good - or will have an impact? Do you worry that you don't have what it takes to get it done? Or do you lack the follow-through to take action on your goals? Whatever obstacles you've run into in the past, here's the pep talk that will get you in the right frame of mind for setting intentions in the new year.

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When it comes to turning your long-held dreams into reality, what gets in your way? Is it the conviction they will matter, confidence that you can pull them off, or the consistency to follow through? In this special bonus episode of the Mother of Reinvention Podcast, I break down three essential elements of executing a vision: Conviction, or "I must," Confidence, or "I can," and Consistency, or "I do." No matter where you struggle most in this trifecta, I hope you'll find some insights in this episode!

Sponsorship inquiries: podcast@reinvention.media

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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.

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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:

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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

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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.

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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)

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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?

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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)

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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/

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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™

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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)

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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

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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 )

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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

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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 lives and choices so that we can create our own narratives.

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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 (and other things.)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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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

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"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.

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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.

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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.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y7y75ROo4A

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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"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.

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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!

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 VerticAlign 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!

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"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.

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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.

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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!

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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!