The holidays have a way of stirring up everything at once — joy, nostalgia, gratitude, and for so many of us in midlife, a deep grief for the people and seasons of life we miss. It’s a complicated blend, and it can feel incredibly lonely… even when you’re surrounded by family and celebration.

That’s one reason this episode feels especially personal to me. I was never someone who believed in signs — until after my father passed. And then… they started showing up. Little moments, small winks from the universe that landed exactly when I needed them most. Now I see them all the time, and the truth is: they’re always there. You just have to be open to noticing them.

My guest today, Ann Bolinger-McQuade, understands this better than anyone. As an author and workshop facilitator, she has dedicated her life to helping people recognize these quiet messages — what she calls personal oracles — especially during times when grief feels heavy. After her own breast cancer diagnosis set off a series of life-changing experiences, Ann began to see the world as alive, supportive and filled with guidance.

Together, we talk about why the holidays feel so emotionally charged in midlife, how to hold both joy and grief without guilt, and simple ways to honor the people we miss. Ann also shares how to notice the meaningful “oracles” that often appear during this heightened season, offering comfort and connection when we least expect it.

A few things we discuss:
• Why mixed emotions during the holidays are completely normal — especially in midlife
• How gratitude and grief can coexist without canceling each other out
• Simple ways to feel connected to loved ones who aren’t physically here

If the holidays feel complicated for you this year, this conversation is a soft place to land — and a reminder that you’re never as alone as you think.

Website: https://everydayextradimensions.com/

Book: Everyday Oracles: Decoding the Divine Messages That Are All Around Us

Instagram: @everydaypersonaloracles

Your eyes do so much more than help you see — they quietly reveal how well you’re aging. In this episode, I’m joined by optometrist, author, and dry eye specialist Dr. Pam Theriot, whose decades of experience have made her a true expert on the intersection of eye health, longevity, and midlife wellness. We get into the surprising ways your daily habits, beauty routine, and environment affect the skin around your eyes, your tear film, and even your vision.

Dr. Theriot also shares her own journey with chronic dry eye and how it shaped her mission to help people feel at ease in their eyes again. We talk about the biggest mistakes women over 40 make with their eyes, the beauty trends doing more harm than good, and the simple, everyday habits that help your eyes look brighter, feel more comfortable, and age more gracefully.

Some of the things we’ll be discussing are:
• How your eyes reflect internal health — and early signs of aging you shouldn’t ignore
• Whether certain beauty trends (hello, lash extensions) are quietly damaging your eyes
• What women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond should avoid to protect long-term eye health
• The link between dry eye, screen time, and hormone changes in midlife

If you’ve ever wondered why your eyes feel irritated, look tired, or seem to be aging faster than the rest of your face, this conversation is your roadmap to understanding what’s really going on — and what you can do starting today.

Tune in to learn why caring for your eyes is one of the most important (and overlooked) parts of aging well.

In this episode of Beauty is a Bitch, we’re taking a deep dive into brain health and stress — but from a completely different perspective. My guest, Gilbert Martina, is a former healthcare executive turned ancestral health educator, and he’s here to help us rethink how we approach wellness, aging and emotional resilience.

We explore why dementia rates are soaring in Western cultures while remaining strikingly low in certain Indigenous Amazonian communities, and what those differences can teach us about lifestyle, community and connection. Gilbert also explains how chronic stress accelerates brain aging, how ancestral rituals like storytelling, meditation and communal living can protect cognitive health, and why reconnecting with tradition and spirit might be one of the most powerful tools for longevity.

For women over 50 juggling it all — work, family, and self-care — this conversation offers practical, simple daily practices to support both brain and emotional health. We also touch on inherited trauma, its impact on the body and brain, and how to begin the healing process.

As the holidays approach, Gilbert shares wisdom from his Caribbean heritage on finding peace, balance and resilience during stressful times — and how to take that first step toward a more grounded, connected way of living.

Tune in to learn how honoring ancient wisdom can help you stress less, think clearer and age better — mind, body, and soul.

Instagram: @gilbert.martina

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilbertbmartina

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gilbert.martina.35/