All of us have looked in the mirror and asked ourselves: “Am I too old to wear this?” Or: “Does this make me look old?” Cultivating your personal style in midlife doesn’t come without challenges. Our bodies are changing. The way the world sees us is changing. We want to look our best, but we also want to be comfortable. What are the rules about dressing as we get older? Are there rules? In this episode, New York based style expert Elysha Lenkin has tips for dressing in every season of your life so that you can feel confident and authentically yourself. A big part of the process is eliminating pieces in your closet that no longer serve you. You will love Elysha’s suggestions for taking risks and adding creativity and style into your life.

To learn more:

The Guided Closet Cleanout Challenge: https://elyshalenkin.com/al_gcc

Website: https://elyshalenkin.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elysha_nyc/

FB group, Closet Shopping Collective: https://www.facebook.com/groups/elyshalenkinstyle/

FREE QUIZ to FIND YOUR IT FACTOR and discover your ON-CAMERA style: https://elyshalenkin.com/ital_quiz

I started yoga in 2023 after being very skeptical about it as a confirmed adrenaline junkie. I’m now closing in on 500 classes. I’ve learned so much about myself through yoga. It’s not just about physical health, but about mental and spiritual health as well. And while it’s great for people of any age, there is growing research that it is specifically helpful to people in midlife and can even prolong life. Doctors and scientists report that it lowers your heart rate and your blood pressure, reduces stress and helps prevent injuries from other activities, like running. In this episode I’m talking to a yoga teacher about her personal transformation through yoga and the joy it brings to her students. Amy Boerner calls herself an “evangelical yogi.” After listening to this interview you will understand why!

To learn more:

Good JuJu Yoga & Retreats

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In this episode, we talk to Sairan Aqwari who achieved the American dream by coming from Iraq to build a career in the United States as a successful engineer. It wasn’t an easy transition coming from the Middle East and building a life in the United States, but with dedication and hard work she was able to find here what she had always dreamed about—personal and professional success. Then, suddenly, in midlife, she realized that the messages she and other women were getting about reinventing themselves were negative. She says: “I was navigating feelings of stagnation, questioning whether I was truly living up to my full potential. It was daunting to imagine reinventing myself at a stage in life when many believe it’s too late.” Determined to quiet the negative voices and to help other women do the same, she began coaching women. Her goal is to help them define their passion, recognize their potential, and make an income in their new chapters. You will enjoy our lively conversation with practical tips on how to silence the naysayers, unlock your hidden talents, and begin again.

To learn more about Sairan:

https://www.instagram.com/sairanaqrawi/

It’s not something many of us feel comfortable talking about-sex. But let’s face it, most of us are doing sex wrong. We’ve been fed a bunch of images from movies and media that don’t pan out in the real world. According to recent studies, about 73 percent of women between 48 and 68 are still sexually active, but that number continues to decrease with age according to Harvard Medical School as about 50 percent of them are experiencing some type of sexual dysfunction. Some of this is physical—typically a woman’s libido decreases in menopause with a decrease in estrogen, and these physical changes can lead to painful intercourse. But barriers to sex and intimacy can also be psychological, and this is troubling because there is ample scientific evidence that having real intimacy in our lives is critical to our emotional well-being and longevity.

In this episode, my dear longtime friend Bella Brooks talks about her journey to becoming a newly minted Certified Sex Coach and Sexologist. She explains how she helps people find better connection, intimacy, and pleasure by improving sexual confidence and communication skills. Her goal is to help them redefine relationships and re-frame sexuality on their own terms. What’s missing in your sex life? What do you want to change? Bella has a lot of great wisdom to share on these topics.

SPECIAL CONTENT FOR AGELESS LISTENERS:

Bella Brooks Love Coach - Couples Intimacy Guide Ageless

Bella Brooks Love Coach - Online Dating Survival Guide - Ageless

https://bellabrookslovecoach.com/

There are friends we have for a season in our lives, that we might not see again, but they have a profound impact on us and make us smile when we think of them. There are lifelong friends, people who knew you “when.” They know your history, your stories, and they love every version of you without judgment. Even if you don’t see them often, your bond remains strong forever. And then there are adult friends, friends that might not have been there from the start, but once you meet them, you can’t imagine your life without them. They walk with you through decades sharing experiences, confidences, and the daily ups and downs of life.

My original idea for this episode was to simply to explore the friendships between women and gay men. Why are these friendships so common, especially in midlife, and why are they so important to us as women, and to the men we share these friendships with?

But what I discovered in my conversation with longtime friends John Mitterling and Karen Livingston is something far deeper than a surface exploration of this topic. In our very raw interview, John vulnerably shares his painful journey to coming out to the world as a gay man and how Karen was by his side with compassion every step of the way, without judgment, to lift him up. Join me for this profound exploration of friendship and how it can enrich, and sometimes, even save our lives.

LINKS FOR SHOW NOTES:

www.harmonync.org

www.voicestogether.org

Downsizing used to be something people did well after retirement when they “got old.” But the trend is changing. More people are choosing to leave the nest as soon as it becomes empty to start a new chapter, a simpler chapter free of home maintenance and one that comes with more time and flexibility. Some people want to travel, others want to be closer to their adult children. Whatever the reason, there are practical and logistical steps that are a necessary part of this process. In this episode, we speak to a veteran real estate agent about what she’s seeing and best practices to efficiently downsize. We also talk to a recent downsizer about the hurdles and the perks of simplifying your living situation.

To Learn More:

Glenwood Agency Real Estate |Superior Home Buying| Raleigh, NC - A Superior Way to Shop.

Home | Ann-Cabell Baum Realtor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncabell/

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Pamela DeLoatch's mother lied about her age. Pamela didn't learn about the ten-year discrepancy until after her mother died. Why did she do it? Pamela suspects that like many women of her generation she felt that getting older was a sign of weakness, a sign that you were no longer relevant, especially as a woman. But at 61, Pamela has embraced a new philosophy. She's proud of what she has accomplished in her lifetime and still has so much to offer to her community. Pamela had a career in corporate America, and after pivoting in her fifties, she is now a successful freelance writer. She's married with four grown children. Life wasn't always easy balancing work and family as they crisscrossed the country several times moving from North Carolina to Chicago and back again twice. But with age comes the wisdom to know that if you have survived something once, you can do it again, and again, and again. In this episode, Pamela and I break down the myths and stereotypes about aging and even dig into Brooke Shields' insightful new book: Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed To Get Old.

To learn more about Pamela:

https://www.instagram.com/pamela_deloatch/

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(45) Pamela (Cothran) DeLoatch | LinkedIn

About 2 million women reach menopause every year; that’s about 6000 women per day. Scientifically, this means they stop having their periods for one year. The average age to begin menopause is 52, but it can occur anywhere from 45 to 58. And there’s a big lead up to the red carpet that a lot of women don’t even know about that carries its own set of symptoms called perimenopause. Here’s the real kicker, these seasons of a woman’s life can last for years. The list of symptoms is endless—hot flashes, trouble sleeping, irritability, weight gain. Yet, it seems like medical resources have historically not focused on the serious issues that women face during menopause. In this episode, we talk frankly about what happens to women during menopause and look at the medical solutions that are available to help them deal with this transition in a tangible and meaningful way. My guests include a women who shares her menopause journey with us and a Family Nurse Practitioner who specializes in women’s health.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-catchings-08598b12/

Primary Care Provider in Cary, NC | Susan Catchings, DNP, FNP-C | Avance Care