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/

We’ve made real progress in talking openly about menopause, women’s health, and how to live longer, healthier lives. But there’s still one topic too many women shy away from in midlife: money. For a lot of us, conversations about finances were considered impolite, unfeminine, or just not our responsibility. Add in the realities of divorce, career changes, caregiving, or years of putting everyone else first, and it’s no wonder so many women hit midlife feeling financially unprepared or even ashamed. But what if shifting the way we think and talk about money could actually be the most empowering move we make?

On this episode of Beauty is a Bitch, I’m joined by Amanda Barclay, Senior Financial Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill, A Bank of America Company. She’s not only one of Forbes’ “Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” in 2024 & 2025, but she’s also deeply passionate about helping women take control of their financial futures. Together, we’re digging into the money conversations we need to be having — with ourselves, our friends, our partners and even our kids.

We’ll explore questions like: How can we make finances a regular, unapologetic part of our midlife conversations? What steps should women take to prepare for the unexpected — whether it’s divorce, illness or time away from the workforce? And what money mistakes do women make most often, and how can we avoid them? Amanda also shares her perspective on building confidence, narrowing the wealth gap, and why financial independence is about so much more than numbers. This episode is all about giving you the tools and mindset shifts to feel secure, confident, and powerful with your money.

Amanda Barclay
Senior Vice President | Wealth Management
Senior Financial Advisor
Senior Portfolio Advisor

The Barclay Group
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
805 Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, NY 11021
(516) 498-3308
Amanda.Barclay@ml.com
http://www.fa.ml.com/amanda.barclay

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-barclay

In this episode of Beauty is a Bitch, we’re talking personal style — but not in the “what’s trending” kind of way. My guest, Elysha Lenkin, has spent over 30 years in the fashion industry (styling everyone from Serena Williams and Tina Fey to Carrie Underwood and O, The Oprah Magazine), and now she’s on a mission to help midlife women use style as a tool for personal evolution.

Elysha and I dig into why so many women reach that moment of standing in front of their closet saying, “Nothing feels like me anymore,” and what’s really happening underneath. We talk about the biggest mistakes midlife women make when trying to evolve their style, the voices in our heads that whisper “Am I too old for this? Is it too much?” — and how to quiet them. And of course, we break down how style can actually energize the next stage of your life and help you show up bigger, bolder, and more confident than ever.

Elysha is also launching her first Style Evolution online salon series — a five-day event designed to help women redefine their wardrobes and their confidence at midlife. If you’re ready to stop settling for “good enough” and start showing up in style that truly reflects who you are now, you’ll want to sign up.

The Style Evolution Series: styleevolutionseries.com

Website: elyshalenkin.com

Instagram: elysha_nyc

This week on Beauty is a Bitch, we’re diving into one of my favorite topics: how to age stronger, smarter and on our own terms.

My guest today, Dr. Vonda Wright, is an orthopedic surgeon and internationally recognized expert on active aging and mobility. She’s spent 25 years helping everyone from elite athletes to professional dancers stay strong, injury-free and performing at their best—and now she’s sharing her expertise with the rest of us.

Her new book, UNBREAKABLE: Go Strong. Live Long. Age with Power (coming out August, 26, 2025) is a powerful guide to building what she calls “shields” against the timebombs of aging—so we can extend not just our lifespan, but our health span.

In this episode, we talk about why strength training is essential—especially in midlife—what push-ups and jumping can tell us about our longevity, and why it’s never too late to get stronger and feel better in your body. We also bust some of the biggest myths about women and aging—and Dr. Wright shares what she hopes every woman takes away from her book.

If you’re ready to shift how you think about aging—and take back your power—this one’s for you.

Let’s get into it.

Show Notes:

Pre-Order: UNBREAKABLE: Go Strong. Live Long. Age with Power

Website: drvondawright.com

Instagram: @drvondawright

Facebook: VondaWrightMD

If you’ve noticed your lower back doesn’t love planes, trains, or even the carpool line anymore—you’re not imagining it. As we age, our bodies become more vulnerable to travel-related back pain, especially for women over 50. But here’s the good news: there are simple, science-backed ways to feel better on the go—and today’s guest has the expert advice you need.

Lauren sits down with renowned NYC spine surgeon and founder of The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, Dr. Bolanle Okubadejo, to break down why our backs get cranky during travel, and what we can actually do about it. From posture hacks to lifting tips, and even small movement strategies you can do right from your seat, this episode is full of practical tools to help you protect your spine without relying on gimmicks or gear.

They’ll also discuss why women over 50 are particularly susceptible to back pain, the common travel mistakes that make it worse, and how to stay mobile, strong, and pain-free—no matter where life takes you.

If you’re heading out on vacation, commuting daily, or just tired of feeling stiff after sitting, this is your must-listen episode. Your spine will thank you.

Website: https://nynjspine.com

Instagram: spinedocnynj

This episode we’re diving into the intersection of aging and technology. My guest is Brent Franson, the Founder and CEO of Death Clock (yes, that’s really what it’s called), the world’s most downloaded longevity app. It may sound scary but promise it isn’t. It’s been named one of the “Techs That Will Change Your Life in 2025” by The Wall Street Journal, and has ranked in the top five of the U.S. App Store’s Health & Fitness category—so clearly, something’s working.

We talk about how AI and tech are transforming the way we think about aging, prevention, and longevity, especially for women in midlife. Brent created Death Clock out of frustration with a system that only reacts when we’re already sick. His mission? Help people take proactive steps—before it becomes a health crisis.

We explore why it’s never too late (or too early) to start investing in your future self, how tech can empower women over 50, and why tracking your habits might be the most life-affirming thing you do.

Here is some of what you can expect in this episode:

• What the Death Clock app actually does (and why it’s not morbid at all)

• Why the healthcare system is reactive—and how tech helps you get proactive

• How AI can empower women in midlife to stay informed, independent, and healthy

• The surprising connection between daily habits and longevity

• How wearables and digital wellness tools are changing the game for aging

If you’re curious about AI, aging, or just want to live longer—and better—this episode is for you.

Website: https://www.death-clock.org/

App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/death-clock/id6499554412

Twitter: https://x.com/brentfranson