More Beautiful Podcast

Life lessons from podcasting? You better believe it! At the start of this fourth season of the More Beautiful Podcast, Maryann reflects on the valuable lessons she's learned from her podcasting journey so far. These tips will pump you up and set you in motion for the rest of your day, your week or even your year. They will hopefully ignite a spark and nudge you in a direction you've been yearning...

When applied strategically, makeup is one of the best midlife pick-me-ups. It can brighten your complexion and your mood. It can lift your spirits as well as your facial features. A few well-placed beauty products can be as transformative as more invasive cosmetic procedures. And if you're a creative gal, makeup is yet another form of artistic self-expression.   On this episode, I'm delighted to b...

Midlife, menopause and music. Is this the new trifecta for women over 40? Lovely people, you are in for a treat, because this is a special two-for-one episode just for you. Here I was, thinking this was going to be a solo show filled with my musings about the loss of our common culture. And then guess what? A lovely woman named Monique Cupid, who just so happens to be doing work in the midlife spa...

You were born an uninhibited, confident creature filled with self-love and curiosity. Then, through the years, you slowly evolved into the person you needed to become—in order to fit in, meet other people's expectations of you, and perhaps achieve society's definition of success. My guest on this episode—Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bermudez, an Emmy-winning journalist turned digital lifestyle host and soci...

If you're the parent or caregiver of a teenager, this episode is for you. It can be challenging to navigate the ups and downs of the adolescent years—whether your child is merely exhibiting age-appropriate but frustrating behaviors (door slamming and eye rolling, anyone?) or facing more complex challenges. In this compassionate conversation with family therapist Dr. Kelly Moore, you'll gain strate...

Honor Davis-Marks is on a mission. A champion of women over 40, she wants to help you release your inner critic, embrace your changing body, and ride all those midlife transitions with courage and conviction. But Honor is no Pollyanna. She's as genuine as they come, and her platform, Honestly With Honor, takes a candid look at all the foibles and conflicted feelings that accompany this messy life...

If you're someone who has no intention of settling down anytime soon, or if you're itching to try on some new hats, you're going to find this conversation with actor Diane Britt-Smith so inspiring. Diane left a successful longtime stint as a video producer to dive into a multifaceted midlife career that includes acting, modeling, voiceover artistry and street photography. She's also inspiring peop...

Midlife can be a messy time marked by a lot of change. But my guest on this episode of the More Beautiful Podcast is on a mission to shine a light on the numerous advantages—rather than disadvantages—you have once you reach this pivotal life stage. According to Holly Boxenhorn, a psychotherapist and empowerment coach, midlife presents the perfect opportunity to leverage all your wisdom, experience...

What is your soul work? What were you put on this planet to do? Many people find themselves asking these questions in midlife, which can be a period of great transition. But change can be difficult, especially when you don't know exactly what you want. In this episode of the More Beautiful Podcast, occupational therapist Hillary Baggett and I chat about how to discover (or rediscover) your life's...

We've all been around long enough to know that life can throw us curveballs. Having an estate plan—which typically includes a will, healthcare directive, financial power of attorney, and often a revocable trust—can ensure that your family is protected if something happens to you. If you've been putting off creating an estate plan, or you're not sure whether your family needs one, you'll love this...

Oh, to be seen. The mention of an old children's television show prompted More Beautiful Podcast Host Maryann LoRusso to reflect on this age-old, universal desire. And all the conversations she's had on this show that touched on that desire—or, dare we say, need . And the feeling that many people have as they arrive at midlife that society no longer sees them as much as before—that they're becomin...

Who's ready for a makeover? No, not the kind we used to see on TV where a woman is transformed on the outside only. My guest today, Heidi Fossali, is an author and "reboot coach" who still believes in the power of makeovers—and guides her clients through new hair, makeup and wardrobe choices. But Heidi says any good makeover must start from the inside, especially during midlife. In this episode, w...

You know that meditation is great for your mind, body and soul—but fitting it into your life can be easier said than done. If you find it hard to sit for 30 minutes with your legs crossed, trying to suppress your thoughts, you're not alone. For me it's nearly impossible. But my guest on this episode—award-winning author, broadcaster, speaker and meditation expert Lori Saitz—says it's OK. There is...

What do you do when your dreams are derailed by tragedy? As much as we like to talk about the beauty of getting older, there's no denying that this life stage sometimes comes with loss. There are all kinds of losses, and unfortunately, this week's guest, Cristina M. Ramirez—an entrepreneur, educator and author of Empowered By Discomfort— experienced one of the most tragic kinds. She recently becam...

Are you ready to get out there and start crushing midlife? If you have any fears about getting older, or you think aging is no fun, you need to listen to this conversation. My guest is Mimi Ison, an athlete, influencer and founder of Hey Middle Age. At age 60, Mimi is pushing herself physically almost every day: boxing and dancing and lifting weights and flying on a trapeze and doing a myriad of o...

Do you sometimes feel like you bought a ticket to the midlife shitshow? If so, trust me, you're not alone. This time of life comes with its fair share of challenges. In my first solo episode of the More Beautiful Podcast, I'm reflecting on why so many of us are feeling out of sorts right now. I'm also drawing on my first 60 podcast interviews to offer you some real strategies you can use to spin t...

Are you thinking about becoming an entrepreneur or veering off on a new career path? Starting a venture in midlife can seem daunting, but business coach/consultant Allison Berardi says this is the perfect time to pivot. As you approach the second half of life, your inner voice grows stronger. It may demand change or a sharper alignment with your values, skills and desires, encouraging you to final...

Does Alzheimer's or another form of dementia run in your family? Are you afraid that you're losing your memory or that you someday will? Are you trying to support someone you love who is grappling with dementia? If any of these scenarios applies to you, you'll find this episode both enlightening and comforting. My guest, Emerson Lee, is a memory-loss doula who specializes in preparing people for t...

If you're like many midlife women, you may be finding that what you did in your 20s and 30s to stay fit and healthy is no longer working. Your hormones are probably going wonky, and your tried-and-true workouts and meal plans are no match for the changes your body is experiencing. You may feel frustrated, confused and/or helpless. On this episode I chat with Kim Barnes Jefferson, a lifestyle coach...

Instead of thinking about midlife as a time to scale back, play it safe or pack it in, what if we instead embraced it as an ideal time to try new things, take some chances, and fail repeatedly? On this episode, I chat with fellow journalist Christine Morrison, who worked in a previous life as a marketing executive for some of the top fashion brands of the '90s. Christine is a self-described "late...

What would happen if your worst fears came true and you lost everything? It happened to my next guest, who in her 40s suddenly lost her job, her marriage and her money and became a mom on welfare. Now, 15 years later and about to turn 60, Lorraine C. Ladish is the author of several books, an entrepreneur and influencer who's been featured in Oprah Daily, and is married to the love of her life. She...

What if we've spent most of our lives doing what's expected of us, rather than listening to what our heart is telling us? What if we decided to follow our instincts and break free of the things that are no longer serving us? Is that even possible in our 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond? Today's guest found out when she retired early from a coveted job as a public school librarian to become a romance novel...

Why do women outlive their reproductive years? How does our menopause experience differ from that of other species and cultures? Why do many women still crave sex after their reproductive days are over? In this fascinating chat with Dr. Deena Emera, author of  A Brief History of the Female Body: An Evolutionary Look at How and Why the Female Form Came to Be , we explore various mysteries of the fe...

Entrepreneur, author and speaker Chip Conley is on a mission to rebrand midlife, encourage intergenerational collaboration, and help people in their 40s, 50s and beyond approach their second act with curiosity and optimism. Here's what he wants you to know. What would be your next move if you had already disrupted the hospitality industry not once, but twice—first as the founder and CEO of Joie de...

We hear the advice so often: Get out of your head and into your body. Listen to your body. Trust your body. But what do those things actually mean, and how do you achieve them—especially if you're a woman in the throes of perimenopause or menopause? My guest on this episode of the More Beautiful Podcast is the lovely and inspiring Gabriella Espinosa, the founder of Women's Body Wisdom, an online c...