Midlife Mavens

On this episode of the  Midlife Mavens podcast, psychologists Marci Burroughs and Carol O’Saben interview family nurse practitioner Mary Katherine Roberts about women’s health topics often left undiscussed, especially pelvic floor problems after pregnancy, childbirth, or hysterectomy. They explain how pelvic floor weakening can contribute to urinary issues, cystocele (bladder prolapse), and rectocele (rectal bulging), and discuss practical strategies such as changing positions to empty the bladder, pelvic floor physical therapy, splinting/bracing, and pessaries, with surgery as a later option and urogynecology referrals for specialized care. The conversation also covers hormone replacement therapy, including early testosterone decline, individualized HRT approaches, libido being affected by mental health and medications like SSRIs, and the role of estrogen and testosterone in bone health and osteopenia, noting HRT may still be considered even years after menopause.
 
00:00 Hysterectomy Prolapse Shock
00:25 Podcast Intro Disclaimer
01:27 Meet Nurse Practitioner MK
02:42 Why Pelvic Floors Go Unspoken
04:59 Peeing Problems Position Fixes
06:10 Pelvic Floor PT Beyond Kegels
08:14 Prolapse After Hysterectomy
10:26 Urogynecology Slings Pessaries
13:17 Cystocele Rectocele Explained
15:42 Rectocele Bathroom Workarounds
18:39 Breaking Shame Seeking Help
19:42 Mid Episode Therapy Plug
20:48 Testosterone Dip And Perimenopause
22:18 HRT Options 
24:12 Libido Is More Than Hormones
27:12 Bone Density Osteopenia Hormones
30:06 Starting HRT After Ten Years
31:55 Myths Pain And Advocacy
34:43 Find A Provider Who Listens
35:45 Closing Resources And Goodbye
 
Got a question or a suggestion for a future episode?  Use our “Ask Us Anything” Form:  https://forms.gle/3bo4KuaXfGxCUS9C9
 
If you are looking for a therapist and would like to reach out to Marci or Carol, take a look at their websites:
Marci:  https://www.marciburroughsphdcst.com
Carol: https://www.drosaben.com
 
Other therapist directories you can use to help you find therapy include:
Psychology Today:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/th…
Mental Health Match:  https://mentalhealthmatch.com/
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists:  https://aasect.org
iTherapy:  https://itherapy.com

On the Midlife Mavens podcast, psychologists Marci Burroughs and Carol O’Saben discuss midlife financial planning with CFP financial planner Mary Huntley of Cambium Wealth Partners, emphasizing that money is both an emotional topic and simple math. Mary describes a planning process that identifies hopes and fears, turns them into concrete goals with dollar amounts, and uses projections and probabilities to help clients shift from saving to spending in retirement. She advises interviewing financial professionals, looking for the CFP credential, and distinguishing planning from investment management, noting options from pro bono and hourly help to asset-based fees and standalone plans. The conversation covers savings “gut” numbers, marriage/divorce and Social Security considerations, budgeting basics, reducing eating-out costs, realistic travel, and helping women confidently spend, give, and plan tax-efficiently after accumulating wealth.
00:00 Money Fights and Sex
00:15 Podcast Intro and Disclaimer
01:17 Meet Financial Planner Mary
03:01 Why Money Feels Emotional
05:01 Therapy Meets Finance
06:55 Retirement Spending Fears
08:52 Fulfillment Generator Exercise
11:35 No Magic Retirement Number
12:25 Finding the Right Planner
14:49 Planning vs Money Management
16:45 Behavioral Finance Coaching
18:48 Costs and Affordable Options
20:59 Planning Fees Explained
21:30 Modular Planning Options
22:03 Planning Without Asset Management
23:41 Motivation Through Probabilities
24:51 Women And Money Confidence
25:59 Savings Intuition Example
27:50 Relationships Money And Midlife
28:36 Emotions Meet The Math
31:22 Midlife Money Myths And Tips
32:59 Food Health And Finances
34:35 Travel Dreams On A Budget
36:22 From Scarcity To Spending
38:11 Closing Thanks And Resources
Got a question or a suggestion for a future episode?  Use our “Ask Us Anything” Form:  https://forms.gle/3bo4KuaXfGxCUS9C9
If you are looking for a therapist and would like to reach out to Marci or Carol, take a look at their websites:
Marci:  https://www.marciburroughsphdcst.com
Carol: https://www.drosaben.com
 Other therapist directories you can use to help you find therapy include:
Psychology Today:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/th…
Mental Health Match:  https://mentalhealthmatch.com/
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists:  https://aasect.org
iTherapy:  https://itherapy.com

Psychologists Marci Burroughs and Carol O’Saben discuss family estrangement on the Midlife Mavens podcast, framing distance from family as an intentional, protective response rather than an impulsive choice. They describe estrangement as a spectrum—from reduced contact and emotional guardedness to full cutoff—and note it is often preceded by long-standing patterns, failed boundary-setting, enmeshment, abuse/neglect, substance use, coming out LGBTQ+, or divorce/remarriage conflicts. They address societal and cultural stigma, myths that family must always come first, and the shame clients feel when others minimize their experiences. The hosts explore grief, ambiguous loss, and sometimes relief on both sides, and consider whether reconciliation is possible through accountability and understanding. They recommend therapy, self-reflection, support groups, chosen family, grieving unmet expectations, and adjusting boundaries and expectations.
 
00:00 Why Distance Happens
01:17 Why Estrangement Is Taboo
02:51 Midlife Shifts And Boundaries
05:13 Defining Estrangement
08:02 Patterns Not One Event
10:42 Types And Common Causes
15:26 Shame And Social Judgment
16:57 Mid Episode Contact Break
18:03 Why Society Resists It
21:48 Grief Relief And Loss
25:00 Can Relationships Heal
27:54 Finding Support And Options
30:23 Chosen Family And Grieving
34:05 Masked Estrangement Is Common
35:22 Wrap Up And Next Steps
 
Got a question or a suggestion for a future episode?  Use our “Ask Us Anything” Form:  https://forms.gle/3bo4KuaXfGxCUS9C9
If you are looking for a therapist and would like to reach out to Marci or Carol, take a look at their websites:
Marci:  https://www.marciburroughsphdcst.com
Carol: https://www.drosaben.com
 Other therapist directories you can use to help you find therapy include:
Psychology Today:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/th…
Mental Health Match:  https://mentalhealthmatch.com/
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists:  https://aasect.org
iTherapy:  https://itherapy.com

In this episode of the Midlife Mavens podcast, hosts Marci Burroughs and Carol O'Saben speak with Ryan Whited, a strength and exercise coach, personal trainer, and elite climber. The conversation delves into common fitness myths, including the misconceptions around pain and exercise intensity. Ryan emphasizes the importance of consistency and mindset in building sustainable health habits. They discuss the 'minimum dose effect,' the value of non-exercise activities, and how monitoring one's physical state can guide the right amount of exertion. Practical advice on distinguishing between harmful pain and benign discomfort is shared, encouraging listeners to maintain movement even with physical challenges. The episode serves as a motivational guide for women navigating their fitness journeys in midlife and beyond.
 
00:00 Introduction to Midlife Mavens Podcast
01:07 Fitness Myths and Mindset Shifts with Ryan Weden
01:43 Debunking Fitness Myths and Pain Management
03:39 Minimum Dose Effect and Sustainable Health Habits
08:42 Mindset Shifts and Consistency in Exercise
17:59 Emotional and Physical Pain: Parallels and Insights
21:10 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
 
Got a question or a suggestion for a future episode?  Use our “Ask Us Anything” Form:  https://forms.gle/3bo4KuaXfGxCUS9C9
 
If you are looking for a therapist and would like to reach out to Marci or Carol, take a look at their websites:
Marci:  https://www.marciburroughsphdcst.com
Carol: https://www.drosaben.com
 
Other therapist directories you can use to help you find therapy include:
Psychology Today:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/th…
Mental Health Match:  https://mentalhealthmatch.com/
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists:  https://aasect.org
iTherapy:  https://itherapy.com

In this episode of the Midlife Mavens podcast, hosts Marci Burroughs and Carol O'Saben engage in a candid discussion with Ryan Whited, a strength and exercise coach, personal trainer, and elite climber. They delve into the importance of fitness and exercise for midlife women, offering insights into overcoming fears, daily aches and pains, and common fitness myths. Ryan shares his innovative approach of using minimal equipment for effective home workouts and emphasizes shifting focus from vanity to overall health. The conversation highlights how rethinking physical activity can empower and improve the lives of women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond.
00:00 Introduction to Midlife Mavens
01:24 Meet Ryan Whitehead: Strength and Exercise Coach
02:01 Personal Journey with Fitness and Healing
04:12 Changing Perspectives on Aging and Exercise
07:26 Addressing Fitness Myths and Mindset Shifts
21:00 Virtual Training and Home Workouts
25:01 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
 
Got a question or a suggestion for a future episode?  Use our “Ask Us Anything” Form:  https://forms.gle/3bo4KuaXfGxCUS9C9
 
If you are looking for a therapist and would like to reach out to Marci or Carol, take a look at their websites:
Marci:  https://www.marciburroughsphdcst.com
Carol: https://www.drosaben.com
 
Other therapist directories you can use to help you find therapy include:
Psychology Today:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/th…
Mental Health Match:  https://mentalhealthmatch.com/
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists:  https://aasect.org
iTherapy:  https://itherapy.com

In this episode of the Midlife Mavens podcast, hosts Marci Burroughs and Carol O'Saben welcome Dr. Jessica Beachkofsky, a psychiatrist specializing in perimenopause and menopause. They discuss various hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options, debunk myths around HRT and perimenopause, and provide insights into the role of testosterone in midlife. Dr. B emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations from HRT, the safety concerns around supplements, and the significance of patient-specific approaches in treatment. The episode aims to offer empowering and educational content for women navigating midlife transitions.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
01:18 Meet Dr. B: Specializing in Perimenopause and Menopause
01:38 Exploring Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Options
08:28 The Role and Controversy of Testosterone in Midlife
15:35 Debunking Myths and Misinformation about Menopause
23:24 Final Thoughts and Resources
More information about Dr. B:
 Dr. Jessica Beachkofsky (https://www.jessicabeachkofsky.com) is a psychiatrist specializing in perimenopause and menopause mental health. Dr. B works with women navigating hormonal shifts, mood changes and all the brain chaos that comes with a perimenopause menopause transition. She's really good at making medicine and psychiatry digestible, engaging, and actually useful because knowledge is power and midlife women deserve both.
Got a question or a suggestion for a future episode?  Use our “Ask Us Anything” Form:  https://forms.gle/3bo4KuaXfGxCUS9C9
If you are looking for a therapist and would like to reach out to Marci or Carol, take a look at their websites:
Marci:  https://www.marciburroughsphdcst.com
Carol: https://www.drosaben.com
 
Other therapist directories you can use to help you find therapy include:
Psychology Today:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/th…
Mental Health Match:  https://mentalhealthmatch.com/
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists:  https://aasect.org
iTherapy:  https://itherapy.com

In this episode of the Midlife Mavens podcast, hosts Marci Burroughs and Carol O'Saben continue their conversation with Dr. Jessica Beachkofsky, a psychiatrist specializing in perimenopause and menopause. They dive deep into hormone replacement therapy (HRT), discussing historical fears, current understandings, and the relationship between HRT and breast cancer risk. Dr. B also elaborates on bone health, osteopenia, and the benefits of estrogen for heart health. This episode aims to provide clarity and factual information to empower women navigating midlife changes.
 
00:00 Comparing Alcohol and HRT in terms of breast cancer risk
00:16 Introduction to Midlife Mavens Podcast
01:18 Meet Dr. B: Specialist in Perimenopause and Menopause
01:32 Debunking Myths About Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
03:31 Risks and Benefits of HRT
06:30 When to Consider Starting HRT
10:41 Alternative Ways to Manage Menopause Symptoms
17:14 Bone Density and Osteopenia Explained
25:54 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
 
More information about Dr. B:
 Dr. Jessica Beachkofsky (https://www.jessicabeachkofsky.com) is a psychiatrist specializing in perimenopause and menopause mental health. Dr. B works with women navigating hormonal shifts, mood changes and all the brain chaos that comes with a perimenopause menopause transition. She's really good at making medicine and psychiatry digestible, engaging, and actually useful because knowledge is power and midlife women deserve both. 
Here’s Dr B’s hormone information sheet:  https://tinyurl.com/drb-hormones
 
Got a question or a suggestion for a future episode?  Use our “Ask Us Anything” Form:  https://forms.gle/3bo4KuaXfGxCUS9C9
 
If you are looking for a therapist and would like to reach out to Marci or Carol, take a look at their websites:
Marci:  https://www.marciburroughsphdcst.com
Carol: https://www.drosaben.com
 
Other therapist directories you can use to help you find therapy include:
Psychology Today:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/th…
Mental Health Match:  https://mentalhealthmatch.com/
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists:  https://aasect.org
iTherapy:  https://itherapy.com

In this episode of the Midlife Mavens podcast, hosts Marci Burroughs and Carol O'Saben welcome Dr. Jessica Beachkofsky (https://www.jessicabeachkofsky.com/) a psychiatrist specializing in perimenopause and menopause mental health. The discussion revolves around the impact of hormones on mood, anxiety, sleep, and libido, highlighting the roles of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Dr. B explains how hormonal changes during midlife affect the brain, bones, and cardiovascular system. The episode also explores the sedative effects of progesterone on sleep, the significance of early perimenopausal symptom recognition, and the challenges of hormone testing. Tune in as the hosts and Dr. B delve into the complexities of managing midlife hormonal changes and the potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
 
00:00 Introduction to Midlife Mavens
01:08 Meet Dr. Jessica Beachkofsky
01:59 Understanding Hormones and Mental Health
02:56 The Role of Estrogen in Women's Health
07:58 Progesterone and Sleep
14:09 Challenges with Hormone Testing
19:47 Recognizing Perimenopausal Symptoms
26:00 Conclusion and Next Steps
 
More information about Dr. B:
 Dr. Jessica Beachkofsky (https://www.jessicabeachkofsky.com) is a psychiatrist specializing in perimenopause and menopause mental health. Dr. B works with women navigating hormonal shifts, mood changes and all the brain chaos that comes with a perimenopause menopause transition. She's really good at making medicine and psychiatry digestible, engaging, and actually useful because knowledge is power and midlife women deserve both. 
Here’s Dr B’s hormone information sheet:  https://tinyurl.com/drb-hormones
 
Got a question or a suggestion for a future episode?  Use our “Ask Us Anything” Form:  https://forms.gle/3bo4KuaXfGxCUS9C9
 
If you are looking for a therapist and would like to reach out to Marci or Carol, take a look at their websites:
Marci:  https://www.marciburroughsphdcst.com
Carol: https://www.drosaben.com
 
Other therapist directories you can use to help you find therapy include:
Psychology Today:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/th…
Mental Health Match:  https://mentalhealthmatch.com/
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists:  https://aasect.org
iTherapy:  https://itherapy.com