Girlish Gurus

What if everything you've been told about aging after 50 is wrong? Getting older doesn't mean becoming weaker, less confident, less visible, or less adventurous. In fact, your 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond could be the most empowering years of your life! In this inspiring episode of the Girlish Gurus Podcast, hosts Joy and Lorraine welcome Leanne Ely, nutritionist, entrepreneur, New York Times bestsel...

How do you stay healthy during the holidays without missing out on the food, fun, family, and celebrations you love? For women over 45, the holiday season can make our usual healthy routines feel almost impossible. Between parties, travel, houseguests, cocktails, desserts, disrupted workouts, and busy schedules, it's easy to fall into an all-or-nothing mindset. But staying healthy through the holi...

A Girlish Gurus Conversation with Joy & Lorraine Would you rather have the body you had at 30—or the confidence you have now? Would you rather look 10 years younger—or feel 10 years younger? And here's the big one: Would you rather go back to age 30 knowing everything you know now…or stay exactly where you are today? In this episode of Girlish Gurus, there’s no guest and no expert—just Joy and...

Guest: Contemporary Abstract Artist Robin Jack Sarner What happens when you put a passion—or even a career—on hold for nearly 20 years while raising a family? And what happens when, after 50, you decide it’s time to reclaim that part of yourself? In this episode of Girlish Gurus, Joy and Lorraine sit down with Los Angeles–based contemporary abstract mixed-media artist Robin Jack Sarner for an hone...

What happens when puberty and perimenopause collide under the same roof? Hormones are shifting, emotions are running high, patience may be running low—and suddenly a simple conversation about an unmade bed can feel like an international incident. 😅 In this episode of Girlish Gurus, Joy and Lorraine sit down with parenting expert Sue Donnellan to talk about navigating the sometimes complicated—and...

Have you ever wondered if your body is trying to tell you something before you actually feel stressed, exhausted, or sick? In this episode of Girlish Gurus, we're joined by Mgr. Radim Šlachta, Ph. D., exercise physiologist, researcher, and co-founder of Elonga, to explore one of the most fascinating health metrics you've probably never been taught about: Heart Rate Variability (HRV). While many of...

What if the greatest gift you could leave your children and grandchildren wasn't money—but health? In this episode of Girlish Gurus, Lorraine Miano and Joy Alford Brand sit down with holistic health advocate Kate Cherry, founder of MissioWay Health & Wellness, to explore how the everyday choices we make at home can have a lasting impact on future generations. After navigating food allergies an...

Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'll travel when I find someone to go with" or "Maybe next year"? If so, this episode is for you. This week on Girlish Gurus, we're joined by Joy Owens, CEO of Butler Travel, mom of two, avid outdoor enthusiast, adventure racer, and seasoned traveler who has explored more than 60 countries. Joy specializes in creating unforgettable group travel experiences th...

Have you ever struggled with feelings of rejection, low self-worth, or the need for validation from others? In this inspiring episode of Girlish Gurus, Lorraine Miano and Joy Alford Brand welcome author Lori Michalina Wood to share her powerful healing journey from childhood rejection to emotional and spiritual wholeness. Many women carry emotional wounds from childhood into adulthood without real...

What if the key to feeling calmer, more resilient, and more emotionally balanced isn't another mindset hack—but learning to listen to your body? In this fascinating episode of Girlish Gurus, Joy and Lorraine sit down with Erica Hornthal, board-certified dance/movement therapist, licensed clinical professional counselor, author of Body Aware, and creator of Kinesthetic Cognitive Therapy. Known as "...

✨ Inspiring Midlife Magic, One Podcast at a Time! ✨ What if one of the most powerful wellness tools for women over 40 wasn’t another supplement… but LIGHT? In this illuminating episode of the Girlish Gurus podcast, Joy and Lorraine sit down with wellness pioneer Connie Zack, co-founder of Sunlighten, to explore the science-backed benefits of infrared sauna therapy for women navigating perimenopa...

What if letting go of your “stuff” could actually help you live a lighter, freer, more intentional life right now? In this heartfelt (and surprisingly uplifting!) episode, Joy and Lorraine explore the philosophy and powerful lessons brought to life in The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. Despite its dramatic name, Swedish Death Cleaning isn’t about death—it’s about living well. It’s about tho...

💕 Episode Overview What if your friendships were one of the most powerful tools for your health, happiness, and longevity? In this heart-opening episode, Joy and Lorraine dive into the science behind female friendships—and why connection isn’t just a “nice to have”… it’s essential. From the role of hormones like oxytocin to the groundbreaking concept of “tend and befriend,” we explore how women a...

🌍 Episode Overview Packing for a trip should feel exciting… not overwhelming. Yet so many women find themselves staring at an open suitcase wondering, “What if I need this?” In this episode of Girlish Gurus, we sit down with Natalie, the creator of the viral Packing Sudoku™ method—a structured 3×3 wardrobe system that has helped millions of women simplify travel, reduce decision fatigue, and pack...

What if everything you’ve been told about menopause is incomplete? In this powerful and enlightening episode of Girlish Gurus, Lorraine and Joy sit down with renowned nutrition scientist and thought leader Dr. Deanna Minich to reframe the conversation around hormones, midlife, and what it truly means to support the body through transition. Rather than viewing perimenopause and menopause as a time...

Family relationships can be some of the most meaningful—and sometimes the most complicated—connections in our lives. In this thoughtful and deeply compassionate conversation, Joy and Lorraine sit down with Tania Khazaal, a relational guide who helps parents navigate strained or estranged relationships with their adult children. This episode is not about blame, shame, or choosing sides. Instead, it...

What if one of the most powerful tools for midlife health was sitting right on your plate? In this inspiring and informative episode, Joy and Lorraine sit down with Attessa Bradley, founder of Standing Tall Foods, to talk about purposeful nutrition for women in perimenopause and beyond. After her own wake-up call at age 49, Attessa discovered a massive gap in the way women’s health—and especially...

Lichen sclerosus (LS) affects far more women than most people realize—yet it remains widely misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and rarely discussed openly. In this compassionate and educational episode of Girlish Gurus, we shine a much-needed light on vulvar lichen sclerosus and the emotional, physical, and nervous-system impact it can have on women, especially in midlife. Our guest, Stephanie Hrehirc...

In Part 2 of our Mind Magic series, we move from inspiration into implementation. After introducing the science and philosophy behind manifesting in Part 1, this episode is all about how to actually apply the principles from Mind Magic by James R. Doty in your real, everyday midlife life. This conversation is especially powerful for women who are ready to leave behind restrictive resolutions and i...

What if 2026 wasn’t about dieting harder, exercising more, or fixing what’s “wrong”—but about intentionally creating how you want to feel? In this powerful New Year episode of Girlish Gurus, Lorraine & Joy invite midlife women to release traditional resolutions and explore manifesting through science, compassion, and clarity, inspired by Dr. James R. Doty’s book Mind Magic. ✨ In this episode,...

As the year gently comes to a close and we enter the sacred space of Christmas and reflection, this episode of Girlish Gurus is the perfect invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters. We are honored to welcome Jenny Dubay—author, speaker, and trauma-informed coach—whose work bridges ancient feminine wisdom with modern-day healing. Jenny writes historical fiction inspired b...

In this episode of Girlish Gurus, Joy and Lorraine chat about healthy, easy & yummy homemade gifts you can create for family & friends!  Everyone can be healthy for the holidays! Both easy and delicious, we are excited for you to bring some Season's Eatings flair to your holiday table.  Here's to a deliciously healthy holiday season!   Some of the key topics of the discussion include: As w...

In this episode of Girlish Gurus, Joy and Lorraine share some tips on eating healthy for the holidays! We share the research, and begin with some yummy side dishes that you can enjoy with your loved ones this holiday season! Both easy and delicious, we are excited for you to bring some Season's Eatings flair to your holiday table.  Here's to a deliciously healthy holiday season!   Some of the key...

Laughter really is the best midlife medicine! This week, the Girlish Gurus, Lorraine & Joy, sit down with the hilarious duo behind The Midlifers — Suzette and Lisa — two women on a mission to celebrate aging with humor, heart, and a healthy dose of real talk. Calling themselves the “tweens of adulthood,” The Midlifers are sharing the ups, downs, and sideways moments of life in the middle. From...

Happy Women’s Health Month, Gorgeous Gurus! 🎉 In this special episode, we’re celebrating YOU—your health, your strength, your midlife transformation. October is Women’s Health Month, and we’re marking it by revisiting some of our favorite health-focused Girlish Gurus episodes that have educated, empowered, and inspired thousands of women. From calming your nervous system to embracing menopause, o...