A Certain Age

Are you drowning in to-do lists, overflowing inboxes, and a calendar that feels like it's about to explode? Welcome to a game-changing conversation with Shira Gill, the NYT-bestselling author and home organizing expert who champions the idea that minimalism isn't about having three t-shirts and an all-beige home—it's about being radically intentional with your time, energy, and life.In this episode of A Certain Age, Shira breaks down her revolutionary approach to life editing from her latest book “Lifestyled” which shares practical tools that go waaay beyond decluttering your closet. Learn how to audit everything from your digital subscriptions to your social connections, create meaningful systems that actually work, and develop habits that give you back your peace of mind.Whether you're feeling stuck, exhausted, or just ready for a refresh, this conversation will inspire you to take small, powerful steps towards the life you really want. Shira’s first guest appearance on A Certain Age was one of our most downloaded shows in 2023. Now, she helps us reimagine what's possible in 2025!SHOW NOTES + TRANSCRIPTacertainagepod.comFOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE:InstagramFacebookLinkedInGET INBOX INSPO:Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLYWe share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Need a dose of feel-good tonic for our complicated times? Join host Katie Fogarty for a joy-filled chat with author Gina Hamadey, who took on the delightfully ambitious project of writing 365 thank you notes in one year (yes, really!). Discover how the simple act of writing thank you notes can transform your happiness, relationships and spark big magic—from patching up old friendships to making romantic partnerships sweeter. Gina shares the surprisingly fun (and sometimes awkward) moments of her gratitude journey, plus the science behind why thank you notes pack such a happiness punch. Perfect for anyone looking to add more sparkle to their relationships and boost their daily joy quota. Bonus: you'll learn how to write non-cheesy love letters and be inspired you to dust off your stationery collection!SHOW NOTES + TRANSCRIPTacertainagepod.comFOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE:InstagramFacebookLinkedInGET INBOX INSPO:Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLYWe share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seventy million Americans are reeling from the election results this week. I am one of them. I have cycled through so many negative emotions: shock, anger, rage, fear, sorrow. Relistening to my 2023 interview with Cyndie Spiegel, author of “Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life is Not Okay,” reminded me that we can hold grief in one hand and joy in another. Sitting quietly in the sun, immersing myself once again in this conversation, reminded me that we can look at the world with hopeful eyes even when life feels overwhelming and hard. Need a warm hug? Listen in.SHOW NOTES + TRANSCRIPTacertainagepod.comFOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE:InstagramFacebookLinkedInGET INBOX INSPO:Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLYWe share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the attacks of October 7, 2023, Zibby Owens, the bestselling author, podcaster, publisher, and book influencer reached out to Jewish writers and advocates and asked them to contribute essays to an anthology, “On Being Jewish Now.” In the essay collection, 75 writers share heartfelt reflections that reveal the Jewish experience across a range of snapshots—faith, family, food, and a shared history of both joy and trauma stretching across millennia. In this powerful and moving episode, host Katie Fogarty is joined by Zibby Owens and two essay contributors, authors Dara Levan (It Could be Worse) and Joanna Rakoff (My Salinger Year). Each shares the backstory behind their essay and the complexities of being Jewish in a post-October 7th world. Vulnerable and open-hearted, this episode reminds us of the power of sharing our stories.SHOW NOTES + TRANSCRIPTacertainagepod.comFOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE:InstagramFacebookLinkedInGET INBOX INSPO:Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLYWe share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cate Luzio pivoted a 20- year investment banking career in midlife to launch Luminary—a global professional education and networking platform for women and allies through all phases of their career journey. We explore what it takes to build a business, thrive in our careers, and elevate personal leadership. We also dive into one of Cate’s biggest professional setbacks and how grit and the ability to “come out swinging” helped her survive as a business owner. Plus, the importance of self-advocacy, how to ask for more money, and why everyone needs both an accountability “Cru” and a business plan. Listen in! Future you is loading!SHOW NOTES + TRANSCRIPTacertainagepod.comFOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE:InstagramFacebookLinkedInGET INBOX INSPO:Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLYWe share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you use vaginal estrogen? Recommended by top menopause specialists, backed by multiple studies, vaginal estrogen is proven to work to prevent or treat the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).GSM is incredibly common and includes bladder leaks, vaginal dryness, painful sex, and frequent UTIs, which can be deadly as we age.But many women are scared of vaginal estrogen due to an outdated and misleading FDA-mandated warning label that treats local vaginal estrogen with the same broad brush as systemic estrogen.In this episode, Katie connects with three women’s health leaders behind a new campaign called “Unboxing Menopause” which calls for the FDA to update or remove this misleading warning label. Top urologists Drs. Kelly Casperson and Rachel Rubin give us an explainer on how vaginal estrogen prevents the tissue decline and infections that kill too many elderly women and costs the economy billions. Let’s Talk Menopause co-founder Donna Klassen loops us in on the goals of the campaign and how you can help move this critical women’s health initiative forward.SHOW NOTES + TRANSCRIPTacertainagepod.comFOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE:InstagramFacebookLinkedInGET INBOX INSPO:Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLYWe share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Dr. Jessi Gold, everything was absolutely fine—until it suddenly wasn’t. As a practicing psychiatrist and assistant professor, Dr. Gold was used to being constantly busy. Dr. Gold’s always-on, never say no approach to caregiving led to extreme burnout and the need to seek treatment for her own mental health. Now, Dr. Gold is out with a brand new book, “How Do You Feel?” that is part memoir, part mental health manual, and 100 percent designed to stave off burnout, overwhelm and guide people in caregiving roles to protect their mental health. We explore burnout versus full-blown depression, the signs of impending burnout, when DIY self-care at home is the right move, and when it’s time to seek professional treatment. Plus, we uncover the high costs of perfectionism and the pursuit of gold stars, and get into strategies for caring for yourself while caregiving for others. SHOW NOTES + TRANSCRIPTacertainagepod.comFOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE:InstagramFacebookLinkedInGET INBOX INSPO:Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLYWe share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An epic on-camera hot flash gave TV journalist Tamsen Fadel a crash course on menopause and how little most women know about navigating this seismic transition. Now the Emmy-winning journalist has teamed up to produce a first of its-kind documentary PBS-film on menopause—The M Factor. Tamsen returns to A Certain Age to share her menopause story and give a BTS of the film and how listeners can set up community screenings. Listen in to hear Katie and Tamsen talk hot flashes, volcanic mood swings, and why everyone needs a menopause support team. Mark you calendars, grab your popcorn! The M Factor debuts on PBS on 10.17 + 10.18.SHOW NOTES + TRANSCRIPTacertainagepod.comFOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE:InstagramFacebookLinkedInGET INBOX INSPO:Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLYWe share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Still struggling to sleep? Grab your comfiest Pjs, break put that eye mask! Sleep pro Dr. Shelby Harris has ideas to help you hit the pillow and get better, more consistent Zzzs. Make tonight the night you start to clock restorative, restful sleep. We explore insomnia, why we can’t fall asleep OR stay asleep, evidence-based treatments to clock better midlife sleep, plus the impact of menopause on sleep and its surprising link to sleep apnea and more. Want to wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day? This week’s show has simple strategies and tools to help!SHOW NOTES + TRANSCRIPTacertainagepod.comFOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE:InstagramFacebookLinkedInGET INBOX INSPO:Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLYWe share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mixed feelings about midlife? Do not miss this jolt of inspiration from midlife OG and NYT bestselling author Chip Conley.In this A Certain Age bonus episode, we explore Chip’s latest book, “Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Life Gets Better with Age,” an optimistic blueprint for making your 40s to 70s the best decades of your life. Drawing on fascinating social science research, inspiring stories, and timeless wisdom across cultures and perspectives, Chip will convince you that aging is a superpower and that you are poised, not on the brink of a crisis, but on the precipice of joy and transformation.Host Katie Fogarty and Chip explore how to navigate midlife turbulence, the power of curiosity, and why pop culture gets midlife so wrong—forget crisis, think renaissance. Plus, hear Chip offer practical, actionable strategies for thriving in the face of change and creating the life you want, powered by insights gleaned as a co-founder of The Modern Elder Academy and a life of serial reinvention.Find our midlife book content 24/7 on social @themidlifebookclub and on our website: www.themidlifebookclub.com.SHOW NOTES + TRANSCRIPTacertainagepod.comFOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE:InstagramFacebookLinkedInGET INBOX INSPO:Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLYWe share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices