My So-Called Midlife with Reshma Saujani

Best selling author and advice columnist Cheryl Strayed isn’t looking back. She’s taking a front seat to her post menopause years so much so that she’s given it a name — the “crone age.” Cheryl shares why she’s excited about this next stage of her life and what she’s learned from her iconic advice column Dear Sugar. Plus she gets real about grief and why we shouldn't wait for the “deathbed moment.” You can follow our guest on Instagram @Cheryl Strayed https://www.instagram.com/cherylstrayed/ Subscribe to Dear Sugar here https://cherylstrayed.substack.com You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many women take career pauses when they have children. But Neha Ruch – author of The Power Pause – wants you to know that there are so many other times and reasons to consider a pause. Perhaps a family member needs care. Perhaps you need time to explore where you want to go next in your career. Neha tells Reshma how to prepare for a pause, what to do on your pause, and how to set yourself up for success when you return back to the workforce. Follow Neha @neha_ruch on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Sturino loves her body. But the advocate, entrepreneur, and author put a lot of effort and hard work into getting to that place of body acceptance. She and Reshma dive into Katie’s accidental body acceptance journey, which began after her divorce when Katie says she just wanted to get a revenge body. They also discuss where so many of us get our insecurities from, how to shut down (mostly) well-meaning relatives when they start body-shaming you, and normalizing things like thigh chafing and boob sweat via her company Megababe. Plus, does Katie think society is moving back to a place where thinness is back in vogue due to the explosion of GLP-1s like Ozempic? Follow Kaite Sturino @katiesturino on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zarna Garg needed a change. After 16 years as a stay-at-home mom, Zarna had lost her own ambitions and knew it wasn’t sustainable. She attempted – and failed at – a long list of businesses before she found her calling as a stand-up comic. She cracks Reshma up with stories about how soccer socks drove her to the brink of madness and shares advice for midlifers looking to make a change in their own lives. Follow Zarna @zarnagarg on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reshma Saujani and Mel Robbins have both made TIME's Women of the Year (2026) list! To celebrate, we’re revisiting their powerful conversation about courage, control, and what it really takes to change your life. At 41, Mel Robbins was at her rock bottom when a rocket launch changed the trajectory of her life. Mel tells Reshma how she got herself unstuck and began the work that would lead to becoming a #1 New York Times bestselling author and podcast juggernaut. Mel puts her “Let Them” theory into practice for Reshma, with examples from Reshma’s relationships with her mother and her friends. Plus, Mel shares what she’s still working on in her own midlife. Follow Mel at @melrobbins on Instagram. Check out her latest book, The Let Them Theory. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reshmasaujani/?hl=en Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Olympics reminding us what women’s bodies can do, we’re revisiting our conversation with Stacy Sims to talk about how everyday women, not just elite athletes, can train, fuel, and feel stronger in midlife by actually working with their hormones instead of against them.That super-intense, sweat-inducing workout you think you need to be doing to see results? Yeah, that’s not the best way to exercise in your midlife, says exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist Stacy Sims. She and Reshma dive into tons of practical tips and tricks for getting and staying healthy in midlife, including how to increase your fiber and protein intake, improving your sleep, and the importance of listening to your body. Plus, why Stacy doesn’t recommend fasting for women. Follow Stacy @drstacysims on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ambition can sound like a dirty word for women. Too much of it and you’re aggressive. Not enough and you’re invisible. For so many of us, ambition has been shaped by proving, hustling, and chasing success in ways that don’t always feel aligned. In this episode, Reshma sits down with Rha Goddess to talk about what she calls intentional ambition — a way of pursuing your goals that is rooted in clarity, purpose, and self-trust instead of burnout and external validation. In this conversation, they talk about the difference between chasing success and designing it, burnout, worthiness, and a thing called grace. You can follow Rha Goddess on Instagram at @rhagoddess . You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reshma sits down with Sara Reardon, a pelvic floor physical therapist and one of the leading voices in women’s pelvic health. Known to many as The Vagina Whisperer, Sara helps women understand their bodies without shame or fear. Together, they unpack what the pelvic floor actually does, why so many women struggle in midlife, and how pain and discomfort are signals, not something we are meant to tolerate. Sara explains what is common versus what is normal, why women are often dismissed in medical settings, and how to advocate for yourself. You may also discover you have been peeing wrong your entire life. You can follow Dr. Sara Reardoni on Instagram at @the.vagina.whisperer and on her website. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist and cultural critic EJ Dickson joins Reshma for a candid conversation about motherhood, guilt, and the impossible standards women are expected to meet. Drawing from her new book One Bad Mother, EJ breaks down how the idea of the “good mother” is a surprisingly recent invention, why modern parenting runs on shame and self-policing, and who actually benefits from keeping women feeling like they are failing. Follow EJ Dickson on Instagram at @ejdickson. Her book One Bad Mother is out February 10. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're revisiting Reshma’s conversation with astronaut Christina Koch to mark her historic Artemis II launch next week, a milestone moment for human spaceflight and a powerful reminder of what’s possible for women pushing boundaries at every stage of life.Astronaut Christina Koch was about to go out on her first spacewalk, staring out into a “big gaping hole of blackness,” when her heart started racing. So she channeled that fear into focus – reminding herself of all the training she’s done to prepare her for this moment – and stepped out of the airlock. Christina tells Reshma all about the 328 days she spent in space (including the mundane chores astronauts have to do on board the International Space Station) and they discuss Christina’s next mission, Artemis II, which will venture around the moon in 2026. Plus, how NASA designed a training program for Christina that takes into account perimenopause. Follow Christina @astro_christina on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Alison Alford joins Reshma for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to be a daughter in midlife. As a psychologist and the author of Good Daughtering, Alison helps name the invisible rules, emotional labor, and guilt that so many women carry in their relationships with their parents. Together, they explore how daughters can move out of enmeshment, redefine care, and stay connected to their families. Follow Dr. Allison Alford on Instagram at @daughtering101. Her book Good Daughtering is out February You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Meltzer, one of the most widely read authors in America, joins Reshma for a candid conversation about midlife, legacy, and learning how to be gentler with yourself. He reflects on breaking up with achievement, reexamining his relationship with his parents, and the teacher who changed his life by simply saying, “you can write.” They also talk about empathy, self forgiveness, and the ideas behind his viral talks Make Magic and How to Write Your Own Obituary, which explore how we shape the lives we are remembered for. The conversation also touches on the inspiration for his new thriller, The Viper, but at its core, this episode is about accepting the early lines, the mistakes, and the parts of ourselves that make the masterpiece possible. Follow Brad Meltzer on Instagram at @bradmeltzer. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors Check out the What Should I Do With My Money? podcast. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fighting is not the problem. How we fight is. In this episode, Reshma welcomes back psychotherapist, writer, and divorce group leader Oona Metz for a grounded, deeply human conversation about what actually breaks marriages and what still makes them salvageable. As the new year begins and January earns its reputation as “Divorce Day,” Oona helps unpack why midlife becomes such a turning point in relationships and why so many couples are forced to finally look at what they have been avoiding. Follow Oona Metz on Instagram at @oonametz or at oonametz.com . Oona’s new book, Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women, is out January 13. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors Check out the What Should I Do With My Money? podcast. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bozoma Saint John is the newest cast member of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and she has a take-no-shit approach to life that will motivate you to demand everything you deserve. After working in executive marketing positions for companies like Uber, Netflix, Apple and Pepsi, Boz decided to leave corporate America and do things her own way. She had experienced so much loss in her life that she didn’t want to take a single day for granted. She lost her first daughter after a tough pregnancy, and her husband died of cancer. But Boz is not only working through it, she's talking about it. In this episode, she talks with Reshma about her life as a corporate girlie, the conversations she had with Housewives producers and what we can all learn from her book “The Urgent Life.” Follow Bozomo Saint John on Instagram @badassboz. Her book is called The Urgent Life and her Wig and Hair Care company is called Eve by Boz. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know what your purpose is? Many people do, and that can lead to an incredibly fulfilling life. But so many of us don’t. Business journalist-turned-NYU-professor Suzy Welch says midlife is a terrific time to figure this out for yourself, since you bring to it the wisdom of your years. She’s developed a methodology aimed at crafting an authentic life called Becoming You, and she tells Reshma all about how to identify your values, prioritize them, and live a life in accordance with them. Follow Suzy @suzywelch on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Dr. Sharon Malone talking about what drives healthcare disparities in the US. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abby Phillip joins Reshma for a conversation about what it really takes to stay grounded in a world that is loud, fast, and full of opinions. She shares the freedom she has found in not caring what other people think, why kindness has been her most effective rule for navigating institutions that were not built for her, and how she handles the people who try to torpedo her along the way. They also dig into Abby’s book A Dream Deferred and what Jesse Jackson’s legacy can teach us about connection, trust, and the future of American democracy. Follow Abby Phillip on Instagram at @abbydphillip, and check out her new book A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors Get an exclusive 5% discount on NordProtect plans. Go to: https://nordprotect.com/midlife and use the code midlife at checkout. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reshma sits down with world-renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel to talk about why midlife can feel so lonely — and how to rebuild community from the inside out. They unpack why independence has replaced interdependence, how motherhood turned into a performance review, and why asking for help is one of the bravest things we can do. Esther leaves us with a path back, showing how connection can be rebuilt one honest conversation at a time. Follow Esther Perel's podcast Where Should We Begin? on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and subscribe to Entre Nous with Esther Perel on Substack for exclusive bonus content. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors Check out the What Should I Do With My Money? podcast. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tembi Locke has lived many lives, but midlife has pushed her to introduce herself in a whole new way. She tells Reshma how supporting her husband through illness and losing him reshaped everything she thought she knew about identity, ambition, and love. They talk about grief as a turning point, pulling yourself forward, and the idea of renesting (Tembi’s practice of rebuilding an inner home after life has blown the old one apart). They explore why so many women find themselves doing that work in midlife, and what it means to rebuild from the inside out. They also talk about her new memoir, Someday Now, which traces that evolution with honesty and heart. Follow Tembi Locke @tembilocke on Instagram. Her new memoir Someday Now is out now. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors Check out the What Should I Do With My Money? podcast. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Kelly Casperson — a urologist, sex educator, and host of a hit podcast — wants you to have great sex. And she knows you probably aren’t. A lot of that, she says, is because most of what we think we know about sex — especially in midlife — is flat-out wrong! She and Reshma get to the bottom of some fundamentals around libido, desire, and hormones, and also give you some tips on how to improve your sex life. Follow Kelly at @kellycaspersonmd on Instagram. Check out her book and podcast You Are Not Broken. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reshmasaujani/?hl=en Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating coach and author Damona Hoffman joins Reshma to break down the real rules of modern love in midlife. They talk about why dating feels so draining today, how to rewrite the old stories that keep women stuck, and why clarity is more powerful than chemistry. Damona shares her most practical strategies for getting offline quickly, protecting the early magic, and designing a relationship that fits the life you actually want. They also dig into the efficiency trap inside long-term partnerships and why love in this season is less about finding “the one” and more about finding yourself. Follow Damona Hoffman @damonahoffman on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors Check out the What Should I Do With My Money? podcast. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We can’t fix what’s broken for women without fixing what’s broken for men.Gary Barker, founder and CEO of Equimundo, has spent decades studying masculinity, fatherhood, and care. He joins Reshma to talk about the crisis of connection facing young men, why nearly half say no one cares if they’re okay, and how patriarchy hurts everyone: women, men, and families alike. Together they unpack how to build a new model of manhood rooted in empathy, not ego. Because, as Gary reminds us, it’s okay to care about men. And when we do, everyone wins. Follow Gary’s organization Equimundo @equimundo_org on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors Check out the What Should I Do With My Money? podcast. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most monuments celebrate power — generals cast in bronze, heroes carved in stone. Artist and sculptor Molly Gochman builds monuments to something else entirely: the invisible labor, and invisible women, holding the world together. When her father got sick, Molly became his caregiver, and that experience changed how she saw everything — art, time, and what we call valuable. She joins Reshma to talk about what midlife has taught her about letting go of perfection, turning care into creation, and why she’s done waiting for women’s stories to be seen. Follow Molly Gochman @mollygochman on Instagram, and listen to her podcasts Monuments to Motherhood wherever you get yours. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors Check out the What Should I Do With My Money? podcast. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes the math of modern life just doesn’t add up. Economist Corinne Low has spent her career studying how gender, marriage, and work collide (and she’s lived it, too). A Wharton professor and author of Having It All, she joins Reshma to talk about the “squeeze” so many women feel in midlife, when ambition, family, and love all seem to demand more than the day can hold. She shares what her own reset taught her about time, partnership, and the radical act of getting your needs met. Follow Corinne Low @corinnelowphd on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Oster talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors Check out the What Should I Do With My Money? podcast. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With fall sports and activities in full-swing, now's a perfect time to listen back to this episode with Dr. Becky. If your weekends are spent going from one kid’s soccer game to another kid’s dance rehearsal to another kid’s robotics tournament, Dr. Becky Kennedy wants you to know one thing: it’s your weekend, too. The psychologist, mom of three, and founder of Good Inside tells Reshma that not only is it good for you to prioritize yourself, it’s good for your kids to see you doing that, too! They also talk about mom rage, how the “maternal instinct” narrative actually holds women back, and why some of Dr. Becky’s clients tell her they actually look forward to their kid having a meltdown in public. Follow Dr. Becky @drbeckyatgoodinside on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we wanted to highlight one of our favorite episodes this season! For actress, comedian and singer Margaret Cho, being 50 is hot. And she’s here to tell us all about it. Not only is she taking better care of herself these days but she’s also tapping into her goddess energy. So much so that people are paying attention! And she says she owes a lot of this midlife energy to menopause. With hormones no longer ruling her life, she is free to be who she wants to be. She tells us how that evolution happened. Plus, the rituals she does to honor her age, what she's addressing in her new stand-up special Live and Livid and what we can all do to make daily meditation work for us. Follow Margaret @margaret_cho on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily Nagoski talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes we forget: no matter our age, no door is closed if you dare to try. New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul reminds us of that every day. She's the first female governor of the fourth-most-populated state in this country, and more importantly to her, she’s a wife, mom, and grandmother. She tells Reshma how a particular comment from her dad set her on a path of leadership, her journey running for office during early motherhood, and why we need to invest in our children. She reminds us that life is long, so don't close any doors yet; you may be surprised at what you can achieve. Follow Governor Hochul @govkathyhochul on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors Check out the What Should I Do With My Money? podcast. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s nice to feel comfortable. But it’s not where a lot of growth happens. Author, actress, and creator Lilly Singh says she’s really grateful to have a high tolerance for being uncomfortable. She tells Reshma about how stepping out of her comfort zone has served her well in her career, why her journey with authenticity hasn’t been a linear one, and the seven-year-long process to create her new movie, Doin’ It. Follow Lilly @lilly on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors Check out the What Should I Do With My Money? podcast. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 2 of Yvette Nicole Brown's podcast Squeezed premieres today! So let's listen back to Reshma's conversation with her from last fall. Yvette Nicole Brown says being single with no kids in midlife is something to be proud of. At 53, she’s about to walk down the aisle for the first time and she’s happy she waited. All the while, she’s been busy caregiving for her father. In 2013, her dad first started showing signs of Alzheimer's, so Yvette broke her contract with the beloved comedy series, Community, and took him into her home to take care of him. Yvette and Reshma talk about falling in love at 50, caregiving for elderly parents, and how the decision to leave her full-time acting job was a no-brainer. Follow Yvette on Instagram @yvettenicolebrown You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sex during midlife – wow, there’s a lot to talk about! And Reshma digs in with sex educator and author Emily Nagoski. They get into what it actually means – and takes – to prioritize sex, why Emily says pleasure is more important than desire, and what you need to know about changes in sexual desire during perimenopause and menopause. Plus, Emily recommends some sex-positive podcasts to add to your media diet! Follow Emily @enagoski on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Emily talking about her thoughts on how often you should have sex. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you sick of the patriarchy? Same. Author Anna Malaika Tubbs says it’s time to break up with it! Anna offers up a definitive history of the way the patriarchy has oppressed women and denied our contributions in her latest book, Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us. She and Reshma have a riveting conversation about the way the patriarchy was woven into the DNA of the nation and discuss real solutions for creating a more equitable society. Plus, the fascinating way that AI is reproducing American patriarchy. Follow Anna @annamalaikatubbs on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Neha Ruch talking about motherhood, work, and shame. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labor Day had us thinking back to Reshma's incredible conversation earlier this year with Thasunda Brown Duckett about work-life balance. Thasunda was trying to do it all – be a mom, a wife, and a high-powered CEO – when it hit her: work-life balance is a lie. The President and CEO of TIAA tells Reshma how this realization helped her prioritize the myriad things fighting for her time and caused her to become a more present mom to her four children. Thasunda also tells Reshma that she’s learned to live her life knowing that you rent your title but you own your values. Plus, Thasunda offers some accessible financial advice for women in midlife and convinces Reshma to start a Midlife Money group chat with her girlfriends. Follow Thasunda Brown Duckett on Instagram @thasunda. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Neha Ruch talking about navigating the shame that so many women feel when they work outside of the home, and away from their kids. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve likely heard of the motherhood penalty – the systematic economic disadvantage mothers face in the workplace. Well it turns out there’s a menopause penalty, too. Leading the research on this is Stanford economist Petra Persson, who talks with Reshma about the economic toll that the menopausal transition takes on women. They also discuss the importance of norms vs policy when it comes to culture change, what Sweden did to get more dads to take parental leave, and how both the government and employers can better support working women during menopause. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Rasanath Das talking about his journey from working with Playboy to joining a monastery. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Midlife can be both the most challenging and exciting time of your life. Perhaps the things you thought would fulfill you no longer do. Or the shiny objects you’ve chased lose their luster. When this happened for Reshma, she turned to Rasanath Das, who became her monk. Today she talks with Rasanath about what it means to live life with an open heart, her lifelong struggles with rejection, and how to identify – and overcome – your inner fears. Plus, she asks Rasanath for advice for midlifers looking to begin a spiritual practice. Follow Rasanath @upbuildNYC on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Rasanath talking about his journey from working with Playboy to joining a monastery. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sunday Riley doesn’t let the sun touch her. Protecting your skin from the sun is the skincare brand founder’s #1 tip for people of all ages, but especially midlifers. Reshma asks Sunday for a step-by-step skincare regimen and is shocked by what Sunday has to say about sunscreen. The two of them also discuss how society tries to make women feel invisible as they age and how Sunday learned to practice “intentional friendship” from Jane Fonda. Follow Sunday Riley @sundayriley on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Gretchen Rubin talking about seeking connections in a disconnected world. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Midlife can do a number on your happiness. It’s a time when your kids are grown, your identity is shifting, and the roles that defined you for so long just don't fit anymore. Bestselling author and podcaster Gretchen Rubin has studied happiness for years and talks with Reshma about burnout, discipline, and whether the habits and goals that used to work for you still serve you. Plus, they get into Gretchen’s “four tendencies” personality framework, which are an incredibly helpful lens in understanding how we move through midlife. Follow Gretchen @gretchenrubin on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Gretchen Rubin talking about seeking connections in a disconnected world. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many women take career pauses when they have children. But Neha Ruch – author of The Power Pause – wants you to know that there are so many other times and reasons to consider a pause. Perhaps a family member needs care. Perhaps you need time to explore where you want to go next in your career. Neha tells Reshma how to prepare for a pause, what to do on your pause, and how to set yourself up for success when you return back to the workforce. Follow Neha @neha_ruch on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Dr. Sharon Malone talking about what drives healthcare disparities in the US. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know what your purpose is? Many people do, and that can lead to an incredibly fulfilling life. But so many of us don’t. Business journalist-turned-NYU-professor Suzy Welch says midlife is a terrific time to figure this out for yourself, since you bring to it the wisdom of your years. She’s developed a methodology aimed at crafting an authentic life called Becoming You, and she tells Reshma all about how to identify your values, prioritize them, and live a life in accordance with them. Follow Suzy @suzywelch on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Dr. Sharon Malone talking about what drives healthcare disparities in the US. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It can be easy to focus on the negatives of getting older. But menopause expert Dr. Sharon Malone wants you to know there is so much to celebrate, too! Dr. Malone tells Reshma why she thinks there’s a “unique freedom” to being in midlife that is immensely powerful. They also discuss how women like Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris are changing the perception of what it means to be an older woman, why women find it particularly challenging to navigate the healthcare system in this country, and what we need to do to address the mental health crisis facing mothers in America. Plus, how to advocate for yourself in the doctor’s office. Follow Dr. Malone @smalonemd on Instagram . You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Katie Sturino talking about when we first started having negative self images of our bodies. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Sturino loves her body. But the advocate, entrepreneur, and author put a lot of effort and hard work into getting to that place of body acceptance. She and Reshma dive into Katie’s accidental body acceptance journey, which began after her divorce when Katie says she just wanted to get a revenge body. They also discuss where so many of us get our insecurities from, how to shut down (mostly) well-meaning relatives when they start body-shaming you, and normalizing things like thigh chafing and boob sweat via her company Megababe. Plus, does Katie think society is moving back to a place where thinness is back in vogue due to the explosion of GLP-1s like Ozempic? Follow Kaite Sturino @katiesturino on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Katie Sturino talking about when we first started having negative self images of our bodies. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re excited to introduce you to Hello Menopause! — with an episode featuring our very own Reshma Saujani. In this bold and honest conversation, host Stacy London is joined by Reshma Saujani—activist, bestselling author, founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, and host of My So-Called Midlife—for a candid exploration of how menopause and midlife are shifting the paradigm for women’s power, purpose, and priorities.They dismantle outdated narratives around ambition, beauty, caregiving, and perfectionism. Reshma coins the term “midlife penalty,” drawing attention to the economic, physical, and emotional costs women face simply for aging. She opens up about unlearning the need for external validation, the importance of spiritual grounding, and why she believes Gen X women are the agitators our culture needs. From career burnout to body changes, from psychedelics to play, this episode is a no-BS manifesto for reclaiming curiosity, joy, and justice in the second half of life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reshma interviews former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern live on stage about her new book, A Different Kind of Power! This thoughtful conversation covers Jacinda’s leadership style built on compassion and kindness, becoming a mom while in office, and how to navigate self-doubt and imposter syndrome without letting them define you. Plus, Jacinda discusses her difficult decision to resign at the height of her power and shares what’s giving her hope right now. This program was recorded live at the Chicago Humanities 2025 Spring Festival on June 8, 2025. Event produced by Jesse Swanson. Associate produced by Nikki Konomos. Event stage managed by Sophia Fishkins. Event produced and mixed by Dan Glomski. Follow Jacinda Ardern @jacindaardern on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Thanks so much for listening to My So-Called Midlife. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content like me and Shannon Watts talking about stepping away from organizations we founded. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor, producer, and screenwriter Lena Waithe recently completed a 10-day silent retreat during which she had a lot of time to ponder big topics and ideas like attachment, legacy, acceptance, and detachment. After Reshma shares that she’s also done a Vipassana, she and Lena dig deep into ambition, the American Dream, the patriarchy, and the expectations that often get attached to love. Reshma also asks Lena about her career, including how she decides what stories to tell and what Lena learned about writing from the creators of Friends. Follow Lena @lenawaithe on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Too many women in midlife think they’re too old, too busy, or too inexperienced to go after their dreams. Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts wants you to know none of that is true! She lays out how to push that nonsense aside and follow your desires in her latest book, Fired Up. She and Reshma get into how to figure out what you’re passionate about, why midlife is the perfect time to pursue what fires you up, and how to reconcile the idea that focusing on these things will take away from being a mother. Plus, how Shannon reframes failures in order to keep moving forward. Follow Shannon @shannonrwatts on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That super-intense, sweat-inducing workout you think you need to be doing to see results? Yeah, that’s not the best way to exercise in your midlife, says exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist Stacy Sims. She and Reshma dive into tons of practical tips and tricks for getting and staying healthy in midlife, including how to increase your fiber and protein intake, improving your sleep, and the importance of listening to your body. Plus, why Stacy doesn’t recommend fasting for women. Follow Stacy @drstacysims on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke Shields has been in the public eye since she began modeling at 11 months old. Days ahead of her 60th birthday, the actress, model, and author tells Reshma she’s in her “give no f*cks” era. Brooke talks about coming to terms with aging in front of the world, as chronicled in her latest book, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old. They also discuss how aging affects our hair and scalp, which inspired Brooke to start Commence, a hair care company designed for women over 40. Plus, Reshma pays Brooke a compliment that makes her emotional. Follow Brooke @brookeshields on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Astronaut Christina Koch was about to go out on her first spacewalk, staring out into a “big gaping hole of blackness,” when her heart started racing. So she channeled that fear into focus – reminding herself of all the training she’s done to prepare her for this moment – and stepped out of the airlock. Christina tells Reshma all about the 328 days she spent in space (including the mundane chores astronauts have to do on board the International Space Station) and they discuss Christina’s next mission, Artemis II, which will venture around the moon in 2026. Plus, how NASA designed a training program for Christina that takes into account perimenopause. Follow Christina @astro_christina on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re excited to introduce you to Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan, a new show from Lemonada Media. As Meghan, Duchess of Sussex builds out a business of her own, she’s getting advice and insights from a handful of amazing women who have scaled small ideas into successful companies. These fly-on-the-wall conversations will no doubt inspire anyone who’s interested in turning their own entrepreneurial dreams into a reality and anyone else who just wants to hear what really happens behind the scenes. In this inspiring and deeply honest conversation, Meghan and Reshma reconnect after first meeting years ago, when Girls Who Code was expanding into the UK. Now, they sit down to talk about the hard stuff: redesigning workplaces for women and how to make the hard choice to put your health (and yourself) before your work. After you listen, be sure to follow Confessions of a Female Founder wherever you get your podcasts, or head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/confessionsofafemalefounderfd See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zarna Garg needed a change. After 16 years as a stay-at-home mom, Zarna had lost her own ambitions and knew it wasn’t sustainable. She attempted – and failed at – a long list of businesses before she found her calling as a stand-up comic. She cracks Reshma up with stories about how soccer socks drove her to the brink of madness and shares advice for midlifers looking to make a change in their own lives. Follow Zarna @zarnagarg on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your weekends are spent going from one kid’s soccer game to another kid’s dance rehearsal to another kid’s robotics tournament, Dr. Becky Kennedy wants you to know one thing: it’s your weekend, too. The psychologist, mom of three, and founder of Good Inside tells Reshma that not only is it good for you to prioritize yourself, it’s good for your kids to see you doing that, too! They also talk about mom rage, how the “maternal instinct” narrative actually holds women back, and why some of Dr. Becky’s clients tell her they actually look forward to their kid having a meltdown in public. Follow Dr. Becky @drbeckyatgoodinside on Instagram. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When there's a fire, you can do one of three things: run away, stand and watch, or run toward the flames. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has spent her career running toward the flames. Most recently, she went to Washington to ask President Trump for aid after an historic ice storm hit northern Michigan – and ended up, as The New York Times put it, “an unwilling participant in his unending reality show.” But she did it because the people of Michigan needed her to stay and get the help they needed. Reshma also asks the Governor about getting called “that woman from Michigan,” her decision to share that she was sexually assaulted in college, navigating a divorce, and if she has any plans for 2026 when her term is up. Follow Governor Whitmer on Instagram @truegretchwhitmer and on X @truegretch. Check out her book, True Gretch, which also has a YA edition. You can follow our host Reshma Saujani @reshmasaujani on Instagram. Let us know how you’re doing in midlife! You can submit your story to be included in this show at speakpipe.com/midlife Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.