Sleep is the foundation for a good life. When you get optimal sleep you feel grounded, make better decisions, feel energetic, make healthier food choices, and simply feel better. Around 50% of midlife women find that obtaining quality sleep is challenging during perimenopause and perimenopause, which is why Dr. Val is back on the show to help us navigate all things sleep! Dr. Cacho is an integrative sleep medicine specialist (MD), wellness consultant, and writer. Her interests and expertise include: diagnosing and treating medical sleep disorders during perimenopause and menopause, women’s sleep concerns, mind-body approaches to insomnia, self-compassion training, clinical hypnotherapy, and promoting sleep health and wellness. I asked all the questions you wanted to know as it relates to sleep. This is a deep dive. Please share it with your friends. RESOURCES MENTIONED JOIN MICHELE’S NEWSLETTER + Receive A Free Curated List of 52 Self-care Tips Michele on IG First Interview with Dr. Val – Sleep 101 for Midlife Women Website: https://sleephoria.com/ Dr. Val’s Sleep Membership – Sleephoria Sisterhood IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvalsleepgal Sleep Quiz GUEST BIO: Dr. Valerie Cacho is double board-certified in sleep and integrative medicine. She has been a practicing sleep physician for over 11 years. She is passionate about inspiring her patients to obtain optimal sleep health and wellness through integrative, holistic and lifestyle medicine approaches. She is also an expert in the field of women’s sleep health and is the founder of Sleephoria and online educational company promoting sleep health and whole living for women. She also creates videos about sleep tips on YouTube. If you enjoyed this interview, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple podcasts. Your reviews are so appreciated! XO, Michele

How do you know how much money you need to save in order to retire? How do you calculate what that looks like? How do you allocate spending for expenses, fun, and savings from your paycheck so you stay on track? What kind of investments should you make and how does where you are in life impact that? What about saving and paying for your kid’s college? How important is life insurance and having a trust and will? These are just some of the questions we tackle on this week’s episode with Laura Rotter, CFA, MBA, CFP™ and founder of True Abundance Advisors, a fiduciary, fee-only financial planning firm focused primarily on serving professionals in mid-life. This is a must listen to take ownership of your financial future. Be sure to share this conversation with a friend! This is for informational purposes and is not financial advice. Consult your financial advisor for assistance. RESOURCES MENTIONED JOIN MICHELE’S NEWSLETTER + Receive A Free Curated List of 52 Self-care Tips Michele on IG GUEST INFORMATION LAURA’S FREEBIE – Laura created a great tool that might be of interest. Please take 2-3 minutes to respond to a set of questions focused on where you are today, how you think about the future and what, if anything may get in the way. If you’re part of a couple, it highlights differences worth discussing. You’ll automatically access a personalized summary and the questions that will help you think about the future. Creating a Meaningful Vision for the Future Website: TrueAbundanceAdvisors.com Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurarotter RESOURCES MENTIONED: Bank account with “buckets” Ally Bank Budgeting apps: https://www.tillerhq.com monarchmoney.com Books: Talking Money with Your Honey  The Algebra of Wealth GUEST BIO: I am Laura Rotter, CFA, MBA, CFP™ and founder of True Abundance Advisors. After 30 years of successfully managing money for institutional investors including Citicorp and Para Advisors, I found my definition of abundance shifting. As I reviewed my own financial landscape, I realized that abundance wasn’t just about accumulating more wealth, but about employing my wealth to do the things I most valued. My mindset changed from “I must use my life to make money,” to “I can use my money to make a life,” I am passionate about sharing my financial planning process, which guides my clients toward decisions that integrate the attainment of both financial security AND life satisfaction as they near retirement. If you enjoyed this interview, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple podcasts. Your reviews are so appreciated! Not sure how to do it? Instructions are below. XO, Michele

Welcome to the first episode of Conversations with My Friends a new series I’m doing on topics that I’d be discussing with a friend. For the topic of Empty Nest, I invited my first mentor on the show to discuss what life is like after kids are off to college and beyond. My friend Sue is wise, funny, and the person who I’ve called at so many life transitions for her input. I’ve known her since I was 18. She was my boss and mentor the summer before heading off to college and she’s been a dear friend ever since. We often learn from talking to our friends and hearing their experiences and perspectives. Sue is sharing her experience of life since her kids have flown the nest, how she and her husband have been enjoying the time together, and the importance of having good friends around you. If you are an empty nester or about to be, you will love this conversation. Be sure to share it with a friend! RESOURCES MENTIONED JOIN MICHELE’S NEWSLETTER + Receive A Free Curated List of 52 Self-care Tips Michele on IG GUEST BIO: Sue Bear professes for many years to have had a career a year. She began in teaching moved on to lobbying in Massachusetts, did a stint in fundraising, and settled into non-profit management as an executive director where she honed her jack-of-all-trades skills specializing in team building and thoughtful administration. Craving more flexibility and creativity, Sue launched her own consultant business as an events specialist. As an audience advocate, she creates special events that engage and draw the audience in.

Are you dealing with anxiety and/or panic attacks? If so, this interview is for you. Dr. Nicole Cain author of the acclaimed book, Panic Proof, shares how to heal from anxiety. You’ll learn the warning signs, simple exercises that take less than 3 minutes, and numerous other strategies and information to help you. This is an empowering conversation with a leading expert not just as a therapist but that offers a holistic path to healing. Be sure to share it with a friend. RESOURCES MENTIONED JOIN MICHELE’S NEWSLETTER + Receive A Free Curated List of 52 Self-care Tips Michele on IG GUEST INFORMATION Website: https://drnicolecain.com/ Book: Panic Proof: The New Holistic Solution to End Your Anxiety Forever  https://www.panicproof.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/drnicolecain/ GUEST BIO: A sought-after speaker and writer, Dr. Cain has shared her expertise alongside renowned figures like Deepak Chopra. Her insights are regularly featured in prestigious publications like Psychology Today and Health magazine. Dr. Nicole is also the founder of the Holistic Wellness Collective, a one-stop-shop membership program designed to support self-healers. This program guides users through the practical application of Panic Proof’s wisdom, offering helpful videos and a supportive community. If you enjoyed this interview, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple podcasts. Your reviews are so appreciated! Not sure how to do it? Instructions are below. XO, Michele

“What if, instead of passively waiting for failure, we proactively designed it into our learning processes to harness its potential for profound growth? Dr. Manu Kapur – leading human learning expert – reveals how, when, and why failure can be intentionally designed to foster deep learning, creativity, and growth in his highly anticipated new book, PRODUCTIVE FAILURE: UNLOCKING DEEPER LEARNING THROUGH THE SCIENCE OF FAILING. It’s a game-changer not only for students, but also for educators, coaches, athletes, leaders, professionals, and learning enthusiasts.” If you want to learn how to use productive failure to maximize your learning and growth, this episode is for you. Be sure to share it with a friend. RESOURCES MENTIONED JOIN MICHELE’S NEWSLETTER + Receive A Free Curated List of 52 Self-care Tips Michele on IG GUEST INFORMATION Website: https://www.manukapur.com/ Book: Productive Failure book Ted Talk: Productive Failure and How Failure Drives Learning GUEST BIO:  Dr. Manu Kapur is a world-renowned expert on learning and currently heads the Future Learning Initiative at ETH University Zurich. He divides his research time between ETH Zurich and the Singapore-ETH Center in Singapore. Dr. Kapur earned hisdoctorate in Education from Columbia University. Dr. Kapur is known for his pioneering research on intentionally designing for and learning from failure, demonstrating how this approach can lead to more effective learning compared to traditional methods. He frequently speaks at corporate and educational events and is often interviewed on learning-related subjects, including several appearances on NPR and two successful TEDX talks: Productive Failure and How Failure Drives Learning. If you enjoyed this interview, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple podcasts. Your reviews are so appreciated! Not sure how to do it? Instructions are below. XO, Michele

ZOE’s menopause research shows that perimenopause and menopause symptoms can be reduced through nutrition. Thousands of women took part in their research and the findings show that changing food habits may reduce the chance of having a particular menopause symptom by up to 37% for some women, and this includes women taking HRT. It’s no surprise that what you eat can impact how you feel In this interview you’ll learn more about the research and specific food and lifestyle modifications that make a difference. My two guests are: Dr. Federica Amati, who works as Head Nutritionist for science and nutrition company, ZOE and holds a PhD in Clinical Medicine Research from Imperial College London, has a masters in Public Health and is an Association for Nutrition (AfN) accredited Nutritionist. Alongside her research and nutrition work, Federica has written two books, Recipes for a Better Menopause and Every Body Should Know This, which was recently released in the UK. Sarah Berry is a Professor at King’s College London and has run more than 35 human nutrition studies. Notably, she is the Chief Scientist at ZOE, the science and nutrition company. She’s the lead nutritional scientist for the ZOE PREDICT study — the world’s largest in-depth nutritional research program and leads research across menopause, microbiome and sleep. This is a deep dive into how to use nutrition to manage menopausal symptoms so be sure to share it with your friends! RESOURCES MENTIONED JOIN MICHELE’S NEWSLETTER + Receive A Free Curated List of 52 Self-care Tips Michele on IG GUEST INFORMATION Website: zoe.com/menoscale Instagram: Zoe Sarah on IG Federica on IG GUEST BIOS: Dr Federica Amati works as Head Nutritionist for science and nutrition company, ZOE and holds a PhD in Clinical Medicine Research from Imperial College London, has a masters in Public Health and is an Association for Nutrition (AfN) accredited Nutritionist. She is the Nutrition Topic Lead at Imperial College London School of Medicine, and has led research teams for the NIHR ARC and the WHO Collaborating Centre. Alongside her research and nutrition work, Federica has written two books, Recipes for a Better Menopause and Every Body Should Know This, which was recently released in the UK. Sarah Berry is a Professor at King’s College London and has run more than 35 human nutrition studies. Notably, she is the Chief Scientist at ZOE, the science and nutrition company. She’s the lead nutritional scientist for the ZOE PREDICT study — the world’s largest in-depth nutritional research program and leads research across menopause, microbiome and sleep. She’s often featured as a guest on ZOE’s own podcast, ZOE Science and Nutrition. If you enjoyed this interview, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple podcasts. Your reviews are so appreciated! Not sure how to do it? Instructions are below. XO, Michele

Astrology lovers, this one’s for you! In this episode, I sit down with sought-after astrologer, Ophira Edut, co-author of The Astrology Advantage, to dive deep into how the stars can help guide us through everyday life. From career choices to personal decision making, Ophira shares her insights on how astrology can offer a practical edge in today’s world. You’ll learn about the I*AM System which “is a new personality test, created by The AstroTwins, that uses astrology to identify your personal success archetype.” Be sure to share it with your friends! RESOURCES MENTIONED JOIN MICHELE’S NEWSLETTER + Receive A Free Curated List of 52 Self-care Tips Michele on IG GUEST INFORMATION Website: astrostyle.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/astrotwins TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@astrotwins_ Take the I*AM Quiz: https://astrostyle.com/astrology-advantage/iam-archetype-quiz/ Buy the book: The Astrology Advantage Other Links Mentioned: https://www.astro-seek.com/ GUEST BIO: Ophira Edut is one of the most sought-after astrologers and intuitive advisors of our times. As the longtime resident astrologer for ELLE and the author of over 20 books, she is a private advisor to a roster of CEOs, celebrities, global leaders and successful entrepreneurs. Ophira has appeared as a guest expert for Bravo, MTV, Good Morning America, and the Today Show, and created the first streaming reality TV dating show based on astrology, Cosmic Love (Amazon Prime Video, 2022). Ophira’s book, The Astrology Advantage, introduces The AstroTwins’ revolutionary IAM System, which simplifies the birth chart into three archetypes: Innovator, Authority and Maven. Her work on the subject of “spiritual technology” as an essential tool for business success has been featured in Fast Company and at leadership conferences around the world, including the Milken Global Conference (2024) and the WIN (Women in Negotiation) Summit. If you enjoyed this interview, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple podcasts. Your reviews are so appreciated! Not sure how to do it? Instructions are below. XO, Michele

Karden Rabin, co-author of "The Secret Language of the Body," is a nervous system medicine practitioner focused on mind-body healing. He discusses how childhood trauma can affect adult emotional well-being and the importance of regulating the nervous system to combat issues like anxiety and chronic pain. Karden introduces the AIR framework—Awareness, Interruption, and Redesign—and emphasizes practical exercises to foster healing. His insights underline the deep connection between emotional health and physical recovery, providing listeners with tools for transformative healing.

“It’s Not Me & It’s Not You…It’s Stress: How To Restore Harmony In Your Relationships with Liz Earnshaw, LMFT”. We all experience stress but we often overlook that the issues we are having with our partners aren’t due to the person, but to the stress! From emotional disconnection to conflicts over big and small issues, stress can quietly erode intimacy and trust between partners. You’ll learn about the different types of stress, hear relatable stories from the book, and learn practical strategies for managing stress to be more present. Whether you’re feeling the pressures of daily life or navigating a major challenge, this episode will provide insights and tools to help you and your partner maintain a strong, supportive connection, even in the toughest times. Be sure to follow the show and share this episode with a friend!    RESOURCES MENTIONED JOIN MICHELE’S NEWSLETTER + Receive A Free Curated List of 52 Self-care Tips Say hi to Michele on INSTAGRAM GUEST INFORMATION Website: https://abetterlifetherapy.com/ Book: ‘Til Stress Do Us Part Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizlistens/ GUEST BIO: Elizabeth Earnshaw is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Gottman Therapist, Clinical Fellow of the AAMFT, and the author of I Want This To Work: An Inclusive Guide to Navigating the Most Difficult Relationship Issues We Face in The Modern Age” and Til Stress Do Us Part, How to Healh The #1 Issue in Our Relationships. Elizabeth founded the therapy practice A Better Life Therapy, LLC and shares relationship health content on Instagram as @lizlistens. If you enjoyed this interview, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple podcasts. Your reviews are so appreciated! Not sure how to do it? Instructions are below. XO, Michele

According to the latest research, approximately 40% of women in the United States will experience noticeable hair loss by age 40. Hair loss and thinning hair can have profound emotional and psychological impacts. Dr. Alan Bauman joins us to share valuable insights on the causes of hair loss, supplement recommendations, innovative restoration techniques, the best treatment options available today, where the future of hair restoration is going, and offers practical advice for women struggling with thinning hair. If you are experiencing hair loss, this episode is packed with information you won’t want to miss! Be sure to follow the show and share this episode with a friend!    RESOURCES MENTIONED JOIN MICHELE’S NEWSLETTER + Receive A Free Curated List of 52 Self-care Tips Say hi to Michele on INSTAGRAM   GUEST INFORMATION WEBSITE: https://shop.baumanmedical.com/   SOCIAL MEDIA:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/380395 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baumanmedical/ Dr. Bauman’s personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/dralanbauman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baumanmedical GUEST BIO:  Dr. Bauman is an acclaimed board-certified hair restoration physician with over 28 years of experience in the medical field. He is the founder and CEO of Bauman Medical, an international leading treatment center in the field of hair restoration. Dr. Bauman has established himself as an authority in the industry.+ 34,000 Patients Treated + 12,000 Hair Transplant Surgeries Performed + 12,000 PRP Hair Regrowth Treatments Administered. Dr. Bauman is one of approximately only 200 physicians worldwide to achieve the certification from the esteemed American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS). If you enjoyed this interview, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple podcasts. Your reviews are so appreciated! Not sure how to do it? Instructions are below. XO, Michele