The Midlife Makeover Show | Women Over 40, Menopause Support, Life After Divorce, Empty Nest Advice, Aging Gracefully

• 302 🌟 Progress Over Perfection: A Journey of Self-Discovery with Monica Packer

  In this powerful conversation, Wendy Valentine sits down with habits and identity coach—and recovering perfectionist—Monica Packer to unpack why perfectionism keeps midlife women stuck on the sidelines and how to choose progress over perfection. Monica shares her 2015 “aha” moment, explains the perfectionism pendulum (overachieving ↔ underachieving), and shows how self-compassion—not shame—creates sustainable change. You’ll hear practical ways to quiet the inner critic, navigate the messy middle, set healthier boundaries, and take brave, bite-sized action with Monica’s simple Do Something List. If you’re tired, busy, or overwhelmed but still want to grow, this episode gives you freeing, relatable tools to move forward—imperfectly and authentically.   What You’ll Learn The “perfectionism pendulum” and why both all-or-nothing and doing nothing are the same trap How self-compassion outperforms self-criticism for lasting habit change A 3C toolkit: Compassion, Courage, Curiosity to navigate the messy middle How to spot and reframe your inner critic in real time Why validation ≠ apathy—and how acceptance jumpstarts momentum Practical steps to start small: create a Do Something List and celebrate micro-wins How perfectionism strains relationships—and the role of boundaries and invitations to change Identity shifts: moving from outcome-based worth to values-aligned action in midlife 🎧 Tune in now at https://TheMidlifeMakeoverShow.com or wherever you listen to podcasts!   👉 Connect with Monica! www.aboutprogress.com   🌟 Explore All Things Midlife & More https://wendyvalentine.com   📖 Order Your Copy of Women Waking Up https://womenwakingup.com   📸 Follow My Midlife Adventures on IG! https://www.instagram.com/wendy_valentine_/   📝 Get Weekly Midlife Inspiration on Substack https://wendyvalentine.substack.com/

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• 301 🦠 Brain Fog, Fatigue & Lyme: What Doctors Miss with Nicole Bell

  In this powerful episode, Wendy Valentine sits down with Nicole Bell, author of What Lurks in the Woods and CEO of Galaxy Diagnostics, to uncover the truth about Lyme disease and tick-borne infections that are too often misdiagnosed or misunderstood.   Nicole shares her deeply personal story of her husband’s tragic battle with a misdiagnosed tick-borne illness that was mistaken for early-onset Alzheimer’s, and how that journey fueled her mission to transform Lyme testing and awareness. Together, Wendy and Nicole discuss why so many people struggle to get answers, the importance of early detection, the connection between Lyme, chronic illness, and hormone shifts, and how to become your own best health advocate.   What You’ll Learn: Why Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood The difference between Lyme and other tick-borne infections like Babesia and Bartonella How traditional Lyme testing fails—and what new diagnostic methods work better Common symptoms that can mimic menopause, anxiety, or chronic fatigue How tick-borne illness can trigger neurodegenerative and mental health conditions Practical steps to protect yourself, detect infection early, and find real healing 🎧 Tune in now at https://TheMidlifeMakeoverShow.com or wherever you listen to podcasts!   👉 Connect with Nicole and Galaxy! Galaxy Diagnostics: https://www.galaxydx.com/ https://www.instagram.com/galaxydiagnostics/ https://www.facebook.com/galaxydx Nicole: https://www.nicoledaniellebell.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nicoledaniellebell/   🌟 Explore All Things Midlife & More https://wendyvalentine.com   📖 Order Your Copy of Women Waking Up https://womenwakingup.com   📸 Follow My Midlife Adventures on IG! https://www.instagram.com/wendy_valentine_/   📝 Get Weekly Midlife Inspiration on Substack https://wendyvalentine.substack.com/  

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• 300 🧠 Brain Health Breakthrough: Sleep Better & Stress Less with Ariel Garten

  In this enlightening episode of The Midlife Makeover Show, Wendy Valentine sits down with neuroscientist and Muse co-founder Ariel Garten to explore the fascinating connection between meditation, brain health, and midlife transformation. Ariel explains how neuroplasticity allows us to rewire old thought patterns, strengthen emotional resilience, and even slow brain aging. You’ll learn how Muse’s brain-sensing headband offers real-time feedback to make meditation easier, more effective, and even life-changing—helping you sleep better, stress less, and take back control of your mind. This episode is packed with science, stories, and soulful wisdom that will leave you inspired to train your brain for a brighter, calmer future.   What You’ll Learn How meditation changes your brain and boosts neuroplasticity The simple science behind Muse and real-time neurofeedback Why just 5–10 minutes a day can improve focus, calm, and sleep How meditation supports midlife emotional balance and resilience Ways to heal trauma and rewrite your inner story for lasting peace 🎧 Tune in now at https://TheMidlifeMakeoverShow.com or wherever you listen to podcasts!   👉 Connect with Ariel! Website: https://choosemuse.com MUSE Instagram: instagram.com/choosemuse Ariel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariels_musings/ Facebook: facebook.com/choosemuse Save 15% on the Muse Headband with code: VALENTINE   🌟 Explore All Things Midlife & More https://wendyvalentine.com   📖 Order Your Copy of Women Waking Up https://womenwakingup.com   📸 Follow My Midlife Adventures on IG! https://www.instagram.com/wendy_valentine_/   📝 Get Weekly Midlife Inspiration on Substack https://wendyvalentine.substack.com/  

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• 299 ☯️ Sleep, Stress & Simple Habits for Thriving in Midlife with Erin Clifford

  Wendy Valentine welcomes wellness expert, author, and coach Erin Clifford for a practical, no-hype conversation about creating work-life harmony in midlife. Erin shares why “balance” is a myth, how tiny, realistic habits outpace big overhaul plans, and why values, boundaries, and flexible routines are the true foundations of health. From stress and sleep to movement, nutrition, and corporate wellness, Erin reframes thriving as a personalized, sustainable path—one you can start today with small wins that add up. We also dig into her new book, Wellness Reimagined, a part-book, part-workbook guide to building a wellness plan that actually fits your life.   What You’ll Learn The difference between work-life balance and work-life harmony—and why harmony wins How to identify your top values and use them to set healthy, self-honoring boundaries Simple starter habits for nutrition (think whole foods, fiber, protein) without rigid rules Easy ways to move more (walks, bands, yoga, pickleball) even if you “don’t like exercise” Why sleep, stress management, and routines are the glue that hold wellness together The power of choosing one small habit at a time to build momentum and confidence How to create a personalized wellness plan using Erin’s “choose-your-own-adventure” approach Reframing midlife as a fun, freeing chapter for reinvention—not perfection   🎧 Tune in now at https://TheMidlifeMakeoverShow.com or wherever you listen to podcasts!   ✨Read the blog: 299 ☯️ Sleep, Stress & Simple Habits for Thriving in Midlife with Erin Clifford at https://wendyvalentine.com/sleep-stress-simple-habits/    👉 Connect with Erin Clifford https://erincliffordwellness.com/ https://wellnessreimaginedbook.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinwellness/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erincliffordwellness/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@erincliffordwellness   🌟 Explore All Things Midlife & More https://wendyvalentine.com   📖 Order Your Copy of Women Waking Up https://womenwakingup.com   📸 Follow My Midlife Adventures on IG! https://www.instagram.com/wendy_valentine_/   📝 Get Weekly Midlife Inspiration on Substack https://wendyvalentine.substack.com/

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• 298 💔 Should You Stay or Go? Finding Clarity in Your Marriage with Sharon Pope

  If you’ve ever laid awake wondering whether to fight for your marriage or finally let go, this episode will feel like a lifeline. Relationship expert and master life coach Sharon Pope joins Wendy to unpack the midlife “stay or go” dilemma: why so many women feel emotionally alone in marriage, how disconnection happens (and how to repair it), and what it really takes to find peace with your decision.   You’ll hear compassionate, practical guidance on renegotiating your relationship as you evolve, using separation strategically (not as limbo), clearing mental clutter to access your inner wisdom, and why “fine” isn’t the life you’re here to live. We also explore the fear of the unknown, the impact on kids at every age, and Sharon’s path from confusion to clarity—plus next steps if you’re ready for Marriage 2.0 or to “Divorce Differently.”   What You’ll Learn Why midlife marriages often drift into disconnection—and how to rebuild connection How to tell if it’s you, your partner, or the circumstances causing the distance The power of renegotiating your marriage as you evolve How to clear mental clutter and access clarity about staying or going Why separation can be a healthy reset, not a failure How to find peace—whether you choose Marriage 2.0 or Divorce Differently   🎧 Tune in now at https://TheMidlifeMakeoverShow.com or wherever you listen to podcasts! ✨Read the blog: 298 💔 Should You Stay or Go? Finding Clarity in Your Marriage with Sharon Pope at https://wendyvalentine.com/should-you-stay-or-go/    👉 Connect with Sharon! https://www.sharonpope.com https://www.facebook.com/SharonPopeCoach https://www.instagram.com/sharonpopecoach/ Want to get unstuck and make a decision about your marriage? I'll teach you how in my FREE Video Course: http://sharonpopefreetraining.com/   🌟 Explore All Things Midlife & More https://wendyvalentine.com   📖 Order Your Copy of Women Waking Up https://womenwakingup.com   📸 Follow My Midlife Adventures on IG! https://www.instagram.com/wendy_valentine_/   📝 Get Weekly Midlife Inspiration on Substack https://wendyvalentine.substack.com/  

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