The Midlife Feast
The Midlife Feast is a podcast for women over 40 who want more from this season of life. Host Jenn Salib Huber, a dietitian and naturopathic doctor, offers insights on intuitive eating, menopause, and thriving. Each episode features conversations and perspectives to help listeners find the missing ingredient for a fulfilling life.
Episodes
Oatmeal, Overthinking, and Why Food Feels So Complicated in Menopause
This is the 200th episode and the season finale, and I'm closing out the season by defending the most controversial breakfast on the internet: oatmeal.I'm only half joking. Yes, I answer all of your oatmeal questions in this episode. Steel cut versus rolled, how to add protein, cooked versus overnight, and whether it deserves its reputation as a heart-healthy food. But the real conversat
Why You Don't Trust Yourself Around Food (and How to Rebuild It) with Fiona Sutherland
Whenever I talk about intuitive eating, women tell me the same thing: "I love the idea, but I don't trust myself around food." And when I talk to dietitians who help people shift from a weight-centric to weight-neutral or inclusive practice, they find it hard to communicate the idea of self-trust. If you can relate to either of these, this conversation is exactly what you need!This
Perimenopause Mood Swings, Metabolism Myths, & Fasting - 5 Questions I Get All The Time
Is it perimenopause, or are you just finally fed up with the world? Honestly, it might be both.In this listener Q&A, I'm answering the questions so many of you have been sending me, and they're the kind that probably sound familiar. We start with mood, because so many of us feel more irritable, less patient, and a lot less willing to tolerate things we used to put up with. I'll
Menopause and Body Image: How to Accept Your Changing Body with Alli Spotts-De-Lazzer, LMFT, CEDS-C
What is acceptance is the requirement for growht? What would life look like if you just stopped trying to fix yourself? That's the question at the heart of this conversation with returning guest Alli Spotts-De Lazzer, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist who has spent nearly 20 years working with people around eating, body image, and the experienc
How to Know If You're Moving Enough (Without the Rules or the Tracker) with Cadence Dubus
I sat down with Cadence Dubus, founder of Brooklyn Strength, host of the Busybody Podcast, and we talked about why midlife movement gets so complicated when you’ve been trained to chase fitness rules, perfect routines, and a specific body. We unpack how to rebuild trust so movement supports real life, not a pass-fail scoreboard.Why the "one size fits all" fitness world was never designed
Second Helping: Your Bones Are More Than A DEXA Score with Rebekah Rotstein
I'm bringing back one of my favourite conversations this week because May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, and this topic is too important to let it gather dust in the archive.If you've ever left a bone density scan feeling more confused than when you walked in, or got a result that said "osteopenia" and weren't quite sure whether to panic or carry on as normal, this episo
Menopause Movement Myths and What Actually Helps with Dr. Maria Luque
If you're feeling confused by all the menopause fitness advice, this episode will clear that up for you!I am so glad to welcome Dr. Maria Luque back to The Midlife Feast. Maria is a menopause fitness expert with a literal PhD in this space, and she is one of the very few people I trust to cut through the noise in the increasingly crowded menopause fitness world. And there is a lot of noise. S
Be in the Photo: A Midlife Body Confidence Practice for Summer
I noticed a three-year stretch where I’m barely in family photos, even though I was there., and I don’t want that for you. In this episode, I share 3 practices to shift away from chasing "flattering" and choosing presence instead, so you can be visible in midlife and stop letting pictures decide how you feel about your body.I talk about:Why the point of a picture is the moment, not your
Menopause, ADHD & the Hidden Cost of Masking: What Every Midlife Woman Needs to Know with Dr. Helen Wall
I'm joined by Dr. Helen Wall, a GP and registered menopause specialist from England, and author of the new book ADHD and Menopause (May 14th, 2026). Dr. Wall speaks out about the intersection of ADHD, neurodivergence, and hormonal changes in women.In this episode, we get into the science behind why estrogen fluctuations destabilize dopamine signaling in the brain, and why that matters so much
Taking Up Space in Midlife with Lise Thorne
Have you ever talked yourself out of wearing something, going somewhere, or simply being seen because of what your body looks like? This episode is one you're going to want to save and share!I sat down with Lise Thorne, who you might know as @walking_this_way on Instagram, after one of her reels stopped me mid-scroll. In it, she walked into the ocean in a bikini on a family vacation, no filte
Menopause and Body Image: How to Feel Like Yourself Again
Have you ever been having a perfectly good day, feeling comfortable in what you're wearing, and then caught a glimpse of yourself in a mirror and you suddenly feel the floor fall out from under you? That moment of being yanked out of your body is something I hear all the time.Meet the comparison lizard, the part of our brain wired for social comparison. It used to be a survival skill. Now it&
Permission to Be Seen: Creativity, Resilience & Recording Your First Album at 50 with Becca Kidwell
What if the dreams you thought you missed the deadline on are the ones you're meant to follow now?Becca Kidwell spent her 30s teaching high school English, convinced it was too late to pursue a creative career. She'd learned what so many of us Gen X women can relate to: if you didn't lock in your path by 30, the door was closed. But then something shifted and she started noticing ol
#188 - Turning Down the Critical Voice: Body Acceptance in Your Midlife Body with Kristina Bruce
You know that moment when you catch your reflection unexpectedly and think, "Who is that?" Not in a curious way, but in a way that feels like you don't recognize yourself? If you've had that moment, this episode is for you.In this episode, we're talking about the evolution of body positivity and acceptance, the challenges of embracing body diversity in a culture that'
#187 - Second Helpings - Decoding Cravings & Emotional Hunger in Midlife & Menopause
If your cravings feel more intense than ever, you're not alone. In this second helping (my creative take on replay 🤣) of episode 117, I'm tackling one of the most-asked questions in my inbox: why do cravings feel so out of control in perimenopause and menopause, and what can you do about it? Spoiler alert: it's not about cutting out sugar or having more willpower.I break down the th
#186: GLP-1s, Intuitive Eating & Finding Food Freedom: A conversation with Sam Previte RD
Food freedom is permission to say yes to cake, but it's also permission to say no to dessert because you're full, satisfied, and know you can have it anytime you want. That's the level of trust and attunement I'm talking about in this conversation with Sam Previte, registered dietitian and founder of Find Food Freedom.Sam is one of those dietitians whose passion for intuitive e
#185: The Science and Symptoms of Burnout: How to Build Capacity in Midlife with Dr Ashley Margeson ND
Almost every day, someone tells me they're exhausted, tired, or completely burnt out. But burnout isn't just another word for tired - it's a medical diagnosis with real science behind it. It relates to your capacity, your ability to recover, and importantly, it's deeply impacted by your environment and your hormones.In this conversation with Dr. Ashley Margeson, a naturopathic
#184: Pelvic Floor Freedom: Why Kegels Aren't the Answer & What Works Instead with Lauren Ohayon
Laughing, coughing, sneezing... if these everyday moments have started feeling a little less carefree and a little more leak-prone, you're not alone. And despite what you've been told, the answer isn't just "do more Kegels."In this conversation, movement teacher and pelvic floor expert Lauren Ohayon shares why the pelvic floor doesn't just "squeeze." It danc
#183: Decision Fatigue and Menopause: Why "What's for Dinner?" Makes You Want to Scream
Decision fatigue isn't about willpower - it's about how many decisions you're being asked to make when your capacity is already maxed out. And if you've been caught in the diet cycle for years (or decades), you know exactly what I'm talking about. After 25 different diet plans competing for space in your head, every meal becomes another minefield of "am I doing this r
#182: Visibility As Generosity: Rethinking Photos, Aging, And Confidence With Photographer Kristen Vallejo
If you've ever hidden in the back of a family photo, skipped a headshot session, or cringed when you saw a candid picture of yourself, this episode is for you.I sat down with Kristen Vallejo, a portrait and branding photographer based in upstate New York, who has made it her mission to help women feel comfortable and confident being seen. In this conversation, we unpack why so many of us (esp
#181: The Political Hot Potato of Menopause: Cutting Through Noise with Fiona Clark
Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice about menopause and HRT? You're not alone, and you're not imagining it.In this eye-opening conversation, journalist and author Fiona Clark (MenoWars: Why Menopause's Moment Has Gone Horribly Wrong) joins me to unpack why the menopause conversation has become so polarizing. What started as a grassroots movement of women advocating for better
#180: Seed Oils, Protein Obsession & Nutrition Misinformation: Cutting Through the Noise with Colleen Christensen, RD
Ever feel overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice? One influencer swears by seed oils while another demonizes them. Your feed is flooded with "80 grams of protein" meal challenges, and you're left wondering: what should I actually believe?In this episode, I sit down with Colleen Christensen, registered dietitian, recovering perfectionist, and the compassionate voice behind the w
#179 - Fiber Without The Fuss in Midlife and Menopause
If you’ve been told you should get more fiber but feel confused by the fiber-maxing trend and don’t want it to become a full-time job, this episode is for you.In this episode, I explain why fiber matters in midlife and menopause, how it truly supports digestion, energy, heart health, and satisfaction, and why you don’t need to count every gram or chase perfection.This episode offers clear, practic
#178 - Perimenopause Without Panic: Body Changes, Food Freedom, And Real Support
Perimenopause can feel unpredictable, emotional, and deeply disorienting, especially when your body changes quickly and nothing seems to work the way it used to. In this story session, I'm joined by Britney, a 49-year-old therapist navigating late perimenopause, who shares her honest experience with weight changes, fatigue, mood swings, and the fear that often shows up alongside them.Together
#177 - Reclaiming ‘Selfish’ as a Midlife & Menopause Power Move with Suzy Reading
If the word “selfish” still triggers guilt for you, this episode is the permission slip you didn’t know you needed. I’m joined by the ever-wise Suzy Reading to explore why so many of us in midlife struggle to receive support, set boundaries, and prioritize our own needs — even when we know better.We unpack the deep roots of people-pleasing, the pressure to be endlessly self-reliant, and how we can
#176: Anti-Diet Menopause in the Age of Ozempic With Dr. Mara Gordon
Welcome to 2026, where it suddenly feels harder than ever to talk about menopause, health, and nutrition without the conversation getting hijacked by weight loss. In this longer-than-usual episode, I’m joined by family physician and writer Dr. Mara Gordon (who proudly describes herself as an “anti-diet doctor”) to talk about the question that's been on my mind lately: Is a weight-neutral meno
#175: Food Guilt in Midlife: Why Your Alarm Keeps Going Off (Even When It’s Just Toast)
What if the loudest voice at your meals isn’t hunger, but an overactive alarm telling you you’re doing it “wrong”? In this episode, I dig into the link between food guilt and relentless food noise, and show how midlife shifts, hormones, sleep, mood, and capacity can crank that alarm even higher. Instead of doubling down on rules, I'll walk you through the 3-step process that replaces food mor
#174: How to Rebuild Your Habits in Midlife: A Kinder, Science-Backed Approach with Signe Darpinian, LMFT
Sometimes the routines that feel the hardest to change are the ones that once helped us cope. In this episode, therapist and eating-disorder specialist Signe Darpinian breaks down how those patterns get wired into the brain, why diet culture reinforces them, and how midlife is actually an ideal time to reshape habits with clarity and compassion.We dig into what it really takes to unwind the patter
#173 - How To Age Without Apology with Deb Benfield RDN
What if the fear of “looking older” isn’t really about wrinkles at all, but about relevance, visibility, and power? I welcome registered dietitian and author Deb Benfield to dig into internalized ageism and the subtle ways culture teaches us to distrust our future selves. We walk about how it gets tangled up with diet culture, wellness trends, and perfectionism. Together we unpack why compliments
#172 Q&A Episode: Soy, Metabolism, And Food Noise
I'm answering three questions this week: how to get soy’s benefits if it bothers your gut, what really shifts in metabolism during menopause, and how to quiet food noise. We'll cover:• Non-soy protein swaps from beans, lentils and pulses• Flax lignans as a phytoestrogen alternative• Metabolism as a system of gears, not a dial• Hormones’ indirect impact through symptoms and routines• Defi
#171: Sleep in the Messy Middle of Midlife and Menopause with Dr Shelby Harris
Feel like your sleep has gone missing in midlife? Join me and my guest Dr Shelby Harris as we break down why sleep changes in perimenopause, how culture has overhyped “perfect sleep,” and the tools that actually help. Dr. Shelby Harris also explains CBTi in plain language so you can stop chasing hacks and start building steady, restful sleep. We talk about:• The perfect storm of hormones, mood, an
#170: The One Thing Menopause Dietitians Want You to Know About Nutrition
We all want to simplify nutrition (and life!) but are we going down the wrong path when it comes to finding "one thing" for nutrition in menopause? Laura Clark RD and I talk about how real progress in midlife comes from flexibility, self-trust, and simple, satisfying meals. We break down the hype around protein, fiber, and even the microbiome so food feels calmer, kinder, and more doabl
#169: Style, Not Size: Dressing for the Life You’re Living with Jacquelyn Prattipati
If your closet feels like a battlefield and getting dressed has turned into a daily reminder that your body isn’t the same as it used to be, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by personal stylist Jacquelyn Prattipati, who helps women in midlife rediscover confidence and comfort through clothes that fit the body (and the life) they have now.We’re talking about what “feeling put together”
#168: ADHD, Menopause, and The Messy Middle with Diana Reid RD
Menopause can scramble your mood, planning, memory, and appetite cues, especially if you’re living with ADHD. My guest this week is Diana Reid, RD and we dive into how shifting estrogen affects dopamine in the brain and why that can make meal planning feel impossible, grocery stores overwhelming, and evenings vulnerable to emotional hunger and snacking. Together, we map the hidden steps that turn
#167 - When Perimenopause Unmasks ADHD with Dr. Jen Wolkin
Midlife brain fog and overwhelm aren’t signs of falling apart. It’s really just your biology getting louder. Dr. Jen Wolkin, a Harvard-trained neuropsychologist, explains how perimenopause can reveal ADHD that’s been there all along and why compassion, not willpower, brings clarity.We unpack how estrogen shifts dopamine and norepinephrine, why hormone swings magnify time blindness and emotional re
#166: What if “healthy” is a pattern, not a prescription? Redefining lifestyle medicine in menopause
The words “diet and exercise” often feel like a trap door into diet culture and the diet mentality. Given that the theme for this year's World Menopause Day is lifestyle medicine, I wanted to explore lifestyle medicine through a behavior-first lens and share compassionate, doable choices that actually fit your life. Starting with real stories—a cholesterol scare that triggered a Google spiral
#165- Mom Rediscovered: Jen Butler on Breaking Up with Diet Culture and Drinking to Find Herself Again
Isn’t it wild that you can do everything “right”-be the devoted mom, caregiver, spouse, or friend, and yet still feel like you’ve lost touch with the “real” you? That’s where our conversation with writer, speaker, and coach Jen Butler begins. It’s a candid look at how midlife cracks open our default scripts around food, alcohol, and identity, and how choosing peace can be much more fulfilling than
#164 - Autoimmune Disease in Midlife: Beyond Diet Culture Myths with Dr. Alison Danby ND
Feeling lost in a sea of conflicting advice about autoimmune disease? It can be especially tricky during perimenopause and menopause when hormones throw everything off. Dr. Alison Danby, a naturopathic doctor who specializes in autoimmune health, is here to break it all down with clear, science-backed guidance that feels like a sigh of relief.What you won’t hear is any ideas about cutting out glut
#163 - Story Session: From Scientist to Menopause Advocate: Dr. Béatrice Séguin's Unexpected Journey
“How could I, an educated scientist married to a doctor, not know this was happening to me?” At 45, Béatrice Séguin was floored to realize she was already in menopause, after years of missing the signs.In this honest and energetic story session, Béatrice shares how that wake-up call turned her into a menopause advocate and led to her podcast This Time of the Month (TTOM). We talk about why so many
#162 - Rewiring, Not Retiring: How Your Brain Transforms in Menopause with Dr. Sarah McKay
Ever walk into a room and instantly forget why you’re there? Or struggle to find words you know are on the tip of your tongue? I have good news for you! You’re not losing your mind. Your brain is simply changing.In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Sarah McKay reveals what’s really behind midlife “brain fog” and why it’s part of a powerful transformation. From hot flashes and sleep struggles to su
#161 - Season 6 Kickoff: Kitchen Table Talk: My Sister and I Dish on Menopause and My New Book
This week’s episode is extra special for TWO reasons! For one, we are kicking off Season 6, and my sister Friedel is interviewing me! We’re diving into my new book, Eat to Thrive During Menopause, and why I felt called to write it after my own surprising start to perimenopause at 37.Instead of talking about what to cut out, I share why I focus on what to add, such as fiber, phytoestrogens, and car
#160 - Season 5 Finale: The Midlife Glow-Up You Didn’t See Coming
What if menopause wasn’t something to endure, but something to embrace? After asking my Instagram community about the unexpected gifts of midlife, their answers revealed just how liberating this season can be. From deeper friendships and renewed creativity to freedom from dieting and people-pleasing, their stories echoed a powerful shift, and one rooted in self-awareness, strength, and permission
#159 - Story Session: Perimenopause, Boundaries, & the Power of Self-Care Rituals in Midlife with April MacKinnon
In this story session, April MacKinnon, founder of Anointment Natural Skin Care, opens up about nearly a decade of navigating perimenopause. From the early waves of anxiety and disrupted sleep to the surprising strength she found through resistance training, she shares her very relatable experience. We explore how resistance training helped April through anxiety when running no longer worked, how
#158 - Why Good Girls Gossip: Reclaiming Female Connection in Midlife with Tova Leigh
Have you ever hesitated to open up with other women because you feared judgment, competition, or being labeled as “too much”? If this hits home, I’ve got good news: you are not the problem. In this episode, author and comedian Tova Leigh shares stories from her new book Good Girls Gossip and explains why reclaiming gossip, as deep, truth-sharing connection among women, is revolutionary. We talk a
#157 - Finding Your Movement Rhythm with ADHD and Perimenopause with Christine Chessman
In this episode, I sat down to chat with our very own Joyful Movement Coordinator in the Midlife Feast. At 49, Christine received an ADHD diagnosis after years of masking. She shares how perimenopause brought long-overlooked symptoms into focus.We unpack how midlife hormonal shifts can amplify ADHD traits and why rigid fitness plans rarely work for neurodivergent brains. As a movement coach, Chris
#156 - How to Cancel Your Clean Plate Club Membership with Emily Sucher, RD
If you’ve ever felt guilty for not finishing your plate, even if you’re full, and you’re not 100% sure why, you might be a member of the Clean Plate Club.In this episode, I invited registered dietitian Emily Sucher to explore how messages from childhood are still impacting our food decisions today. Whether you grew up hearing about starving children or just hate the idea of wasting food, this conv
#155 - Q&A Episode: Food Tracking, Plant Proteins, & Collagen Supplements
In this solo Q&A episode, I am tackling some of the most recent questions shared with me about the sneaky ways diet culture creeps in, what protein adequacy really looks like (especially for plant-based eaters), and whether collagen is fact or hype. If you want to get your questions answered in the future, submit them here! Links MentionedThe Substack Article Mentioned: Read it hereTry the Mid
#154 - How to Appreciate Your Changing Menopause Body with Dr. Charlotte Ord
Our bodies change in midlife and menopause, and many times in ways that feel confusing or frustrating. But what if those changes aren’t a problem to fix, but an invitation to reconnect with ourselves?In this conversation, Dr. Charlotte Ord, psychologist and body image expert shares a refreshing take on body appreciation. It’s not about pretending to love every wrinkle or roll. It’s about noticing
#153 - Style Joy in Midlife: What to Do When Nothing Feels Right with Dacy Gillespie
Standing in your closet thinking, "Nothing fits anymore?" It’s not the best feeling, but can I let you in on something? You don’t have to hold onto your “lose weight wardrobe”. In this encouraging conversation, stylist Dacy Gillespie helps us reframe how we think about style in midlife, especially when our bodies, styles, and preferences have changed.Together, we explore why comfort isn’
#152 - Intuitive Eating in Menopause: A Conversation with Evelyn Tribole MS, RDN
In this episode, I get to bring you a very special guest, someone whose work has transformed my whole practice, and who has been helping people heal their relationship with food and their bodies through intuitive eating for three decades! In this conversation, Intuitive Eating co-founder Evelyn Tribole shares why this compassionate, research-backed framework is more relevant than ever—especially d
#151 - Is It Hunger, Food Noise, or Hormones?
Feeling hungry all the time? Or do you feel like fullness just doesn’t land the way it used to? You’re not imagining things—and it’s not about discipline either. Hormonal changes in menopause can change how you experience hunger, and that can be disorienting.In this episode, we answer a listener’s honest question about feeling constantly hungry, and explore how biology, behavior, and hormones all
#150 - The Capacity Crisis: Why Women Feel Emotionally Exhausted in Midlife with Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur, ND
Why are we SO drained in midlife? Dr. Sarah Vandeboncoeur returns to unpack the exhaustion so many women feel—not just from perimenopause, but from decades of overgiving.Most of us enter this phase already running on empty, juggling work, family, and endless to-dos. Add hormonal shifts, and let’s be honest- something has to give. That irritability and bone-deep fatigue? They’re signals, not flaws.
#149 - Cooking for Pleasure Not Perfection with Chef Andrea Buckett
Feeling uninspired with your go-to menu lately? Chef Andrea Buckett is here to bring the joy back to your kitchen. With 20 years of experience, she shares her refreshingly simple approach to food—because cooking should be fun, not stressful!Andrea’s five-ingredient meals, pantry hacks, and creative condiment tips (wait until you hear what mustard can do for salmon!) will help you break free from b
#148 - Mindful Menopause: Using Meditation to Navigate the Transition with Diana Winston
Did you know science shows that mindfulness can do more than just help you relax? It can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and might even slow brain aging? That’s more than just symptom relief!Diana Winston, director of UCLA Mindful, joins me to explore how meditation can support your menopause experience. She makes mindfulness accessible for everyone, even those who feel too busy or think it’s not f
#147 - How to Stop the Cycle of “Starting Over” Every Monday
Do you find yourself vowing to “start fresh” every Monday, only to feel like you’ve fallen off the wagon by the time the weekend (or lunch) rolls around? The Monday reset cycle keeps so many of us trapped in an exhausting loop of restriction, indulgence, and shame—making food feel like a constant battle.But what if Monday was just another day? In this episode, we explore why this cycle gets stuck
#146 - What to Do When Intuitive Eating Doesn't Work with Julie Duffy Dillon
After years of dieting, the advice to "eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full" can feel frustrating and oversimplified-especially if you’ve been trying to “get” intuitive eating This week, fellow intuitive eating dietitian Julie Duffy Dillon joins me to help us understand some of the common roadblocks that keep us “stuck" and why reconnecting with your body’s natural cues tak
#145 - Why We Binge: Unpacking the Restrict-Binge Cycle with Toni Rudd, RD
Struggling with binge eating and the endless restrict-crave cycle? You’re not alone. In this episode, dietitian Toni Rudd unpacks the emotional triggers behind binge eating, the impact of dieting, and why willpower isn’t the problem.We also explore how ADHD can influence eating behaviors and share practical tools like mindful eating and food abundance to help you build self-trust and a healthier r
#144- Why Yoga is So Much More Than Movement in Menopause with Niamh Daly
Can yoga help us navigate the emotional and physical changes of menopause? Niamh Daly joins me to explore how yoga, when adapted to our changing bodies, can support nervous system regulation, pelvic floor health, and emotional well-being during midlife.We cover the importance of personalized movement, challenging the idea of yoga as a cure-all while highlighting its deeper benefits beyond the mat.
#143-Story Session: What 30 Years as a Dietitian Taught Pia About Health and Weight
After years of practicing traditional dietetics, Pia and I found ourselves on a liberating journey—stepping away from diet culture and embracing a weight-neutral, intuitive eating approach. In this episode, we share our experiences, from joyful food-filled retreats in Italy to the challenges of being non-diet dietitians in a weight-obsessed world.What if health wasn’t measured by the scale? We unp
#142 Non-Hormonal Alternatives to HRT with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz
There are many reasons why you might want to learn how to manage menopause without hormones, but it definitely can be a confusing terrain to navigate. In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz is here to discuss what the options are if you can’t, or don’t want to use hormone therapy. She shares practical, non-hormonal options—from nutrition and supplements to lifestyle changes—that can make a real
#141 - Trusting Your Body: Finding Peace Through Grief with Nina Manolson
Have you ever found an old piece of clothing, slipped it on, and felt a wave of sadness when it no longer fit? That’s body grief—the longing for a past version of yourself and the struggle to accept where you are now. In this episode, I sit down with Body Peace coach Nina Manolson to unpack why these moments hit so hard and how to navigate them with more kindness and less self-judgment.We dive int
#140 - Navigating Motherhood and Perimenopause: Embracing Identity Shifts with Jessie Harrold
What happens when motherhood and perimenopause collide? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and doula, and author of Mothershift, Jessie Harrold, to talk about the big identity shifts that come with these life stages. We unpack the messy emotions, the self-doubt, and the cultural pressures that make change feel so hard—and why it’s also a chance to rediscover who we are.Jessie and
#139 How to Fall in Love with Movement While Rejecting Anti-Fat Bias with Louise Green
Have you ever had the courage to tell a fitness professional that weight loss isn't one of your goals? The confused, blank stares that often follow can make it feel impossible not to just walk right out the door.Weight bias is a major issue in the fitness industry, and we're tackling it head-on with Louise Green, a pioneering fitness professional and advocate for size inclusivity. In thi
#138 5 Things I Wish I Had Known About Intuitive Eating 10 Years Ago
I'm celebrating a huge personal milestone—10 years of embracing intuitive eating and un-dieting—and I’d love for you to join me as I look back on my journey. In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s really been like to navigate the ups and downs of perimenopause while also unlearning the harmful messages of diet culture. I'll explain why intuitive eating is more than just another set of ru
#137 - 5 Tips for Spotting Nutrition Misinformation with Dr. Emma Beckett
If you’re already drowning in the new year's diet culture and wellness industry noise, I’m here to answer your SOS! Dr. Emma Beckett, an expert food and nutrition scientist and author of You Are More Than What You Eat teaches us what filters to apply when sifting through nutrition information. We dig into the overwhelming health advice on TikTok and social media in general and talk about simp
#136 -Health vs. Weight: Debunking the Biggest Wellness Myth with Val Schonberg, RD
If you believe that weight loss is an essential step in improving your health, this episode will explain why that assumption just doesn't hold up. I'm joined by registered dietitian and menopause expert Dr. Val Schonberg who draws on her background in sports nutrition and eating disorders to explain why behavior-based goals—rather than the scale—are key to sustainable well-being.We dive
#135 How to Turn Your Body Image Inside Out in Midlife with Deb Schachter & Whitney Otto
It’s December, which can often mean that the spiral begins: parties to attend, nothing in your closet feels right, and you’re stuck thinking, “I hate how I look, I don’t want to go.” Sound familiar?In this episode, I’m joined by Deb Schachter and Whitney Otto, authors of Body Image Inside Out, for a compassionate conversation about breaking free from those “bad body image moments.” They share a
#134 - What Every woman Needs to Know About Body Image in Midlife with Summer Innanen
Ever have one of those mornings where nothing feels right? Your clothes don’t fit the way you want, or a glance at an old photo sends you into a spiral of self-criticism? If you’re navigating midlife or perimenopause, you’re not alone.In this episode, I sit down with body image expert and coach Summer Inanen to explore how hormonal shifts, societal pressures, and life stressors impact how we see o
#133 - We Need to Stop Pretending We Don't Have Time For Self-Care with Heather Chauvin
What if self-care wasn’t a luxury, but a lifeline? Heather Chauvin joins us to share how she turned a stage four cancer diagnosis into a powerful mission to help women redefine self-care. Her energetic time management system has transformed lives, making it easier to prioritize well-being during midlife transitions like menopause and shifting roles.We challenge outdated self-care myths and help sh
#132 - Why You Need to Put Capacity, Self-Compassion, & Self-Care on the Menu
Navigating your nutrition goals during menopause can be tough any month of the year, and especially around the holidays. But what if you could approach this season with a non-diet mindset focused on balance instead of burnout? Today I want to share practical tips for managing your physical, mental, and emotional needs so you can stay as nourished, satisfied, and present as possible.We’ll focus on
#131 - Story Session: How Early Menopause Led to Food Freedom with Sarah Dosanjh
Ever feel like life throws you a curveball (or three) that changes everything? Tune in as we chat with Sarah Dosanjh, who went from being a police officer to a psychotherapist and binge-eating coach after facing early menopause in her 20s. That experience shook up her relationship with food and eventually led her to a dramatically new way of serving others.Together, we dig into the rollercoaster o
#130 - How Can I Tell if Intuitive Eating Is Right For Me? With Sinéad Crowe
How do you know if you’re finally done with dieting? It’s the million-dollar question, right? You can start by listening to this conversation with Sinéad Crowe, an intuitive eating counselor and perinatal mental health practitioner, who shares her journey from restrictive diets to a balanced, intuitive relationship with food. Sinéad opens up about how her struggles with dieting and binge eating ca
#129 - Breaking the Binge Cycle in Midlife with Stefanie Michele
Get ready to rethink what you know about binge eating and food addiction in this eye-opening conversation with health coach, occupational therapist, body image, and binge eating coach, Stefanie Michele. With her decades-long journey with binge eating, Stefanie shares insights to help break the stigma around it. You'll learn why binge eating is often more about emotional suppression and dietar
#128 Story Session: Navigating ADHD in Midlife and Menopause
Did you know that October is ADHD awareness month? It is! 🙌🏽In this story session, I invited community member Jenny to share her ADHD story with us, from her childhood diagnosis in 1984 to the challenges she’s faced in perimenopause. She opens up about the brain fog, anxiety, and her decision to shift away from traditional stimulant medications towards practices like yoga and hiking for relief. I
#127 - The Truth About Soy in Midlife
Ever wondered if soy is a friend or foe during menopause? You're definitely not alone. There's so much conflicting information that it’s hard to know what to believe. Some people, like me, are big fans of including soy regularly, while others say it should be avoided completely. It’s a hot topic in the world of nutrition, women’s health, and especially menopause—and today, we’re diving r
#126 - 3 Reasons Why Intuitive Eating Might Feel Hard with Abbie Attwood
Can you imagine a world where food choices are driven by joy, not fear? Today I’m joined by non-diet, weight-inclusive dietitian Abbie Attwood to explore the three most common roadblocks to intuitive eating. We dive into the "messy middle," that tricky space where you’ve left behind diet culture but haven’t yet found your sweet spot with your eating habits. These common hiccups include:➡
#125 - Does Your Vagina Need a Coach? with Kim Vopni
In this episode, we tackle a topic that deserves a heck of a lot more attention than we’re giving it—our pelvic floor. Kim Vopni, the "Vagina Coach," and founder of the “Buff Muff Method” helps us understand what it means to care for your pelvic health through perimenopause and menopause. Kim shares valuable advice on managing common symptoms like painful sex and annoying leaks.We dive i
#124 - Looking Forward to Menopause: Life's Second Spring with Kate Codrington
What would it take for you to truly embrace and even get excited about this season of life? In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back Kate Codrington—author and midlife coach—who always brings such warmth, joy, and wisdom to these conversations.Together, we talk about the different stages of life as seasons—spring's exploration, summer's energy, autumn's reflection, and winter
#123 - You Are More Than What You Eat with Dr. Emma Beckett PhD
Isn’t it refreshing to hear this dieting trope “you are what you eat” turned on its head? In this episode, I had the privilege of chatting with Dr. Emma Beckett, an Australian nutrition scientist and the brilliant mind behind You Are More Than What You Eat. Dr. Beckett’s book dives into the science of eating behaviors, but she makes it all so relatable and easy to understand.We’re cutting through
#122 - 3 Reasons It’s Time to Lean Into Menopause
Is it just me, or is the “fight menopause” messaging starting to feel a bit stale? Yes, midlife 100% comes with its challenges (many of which we’ll tackle together in Season 5 with the help of some fantastic experts and guests).But to kick off this season, I wanted to share three reasons why I think life post-menopause is pretty awesome. My favorite being that midlife is this incredible opportunit
#121 - 5 Things My Sister Wants You to Know About Perimenopause
Welcome to this week's episode of the Midlife Feast, our season four finale! 🎉 For this special episode, I invited my sister, Friedel to join me. We didn't grow up together, (those details are in the episode) but by luck, we both ended up living in the same city in the Netherlands and I couldn’t be more grateful to be sharing this season of life with her! We dive into our shared experie
