Now What

Squad, I have a confession — I have always wanted to be an actress. Always. And today I'm sitting across from someone who has literally helped women bust down the doors of Hollywood by making people laugh first. Meet Lynn Harris: culture-shifting producer, award-winning journalist, author of six books, former Tonya Harding lookalike (yes, we get into it), and founder of Gold Comedy — the comedy sc...

Squad, it's Father's Day, which means Papi is back in the chair — and within the first 90 seconds I'm already mad at him for something he did in my dream last night. Welcome to marriage. Meet Papi: Husband. Father of three. Professional avoider of feelings until cornered on a podcast. Wore a visor through two birth experiences for reasons he still cannot explain. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE WE GET INTO: 🎙️...

Squad, we talk a lot about reinventing ourselves in midlife — new career, new mindset, new body. But what about the actual physical space you come home to every single day? Because if your environment isn't aligned with who you are becoming, it is quietly working against you. Kim Costa is here to fix that. 🏠 Meet Kim Costa: She's a top 5% realtor, author of Live in Your Wheelhouse, and creator of...

Squad, if you've ever looked in the mirror, seen one breakout, and immediately questioned every decision you've made since 1997 — this episode is for you. Zhanna Gavrilov is about to completely change how you think about your skin, your self-talk, and what's actually going on beneath the surface. Meet Zhanna Gavrilov: She's a European-born, California-based holistic skin specialist, licensed esthe...

Squad, we are talking about money today. Your money. Your next chapter. Your plan. And I brought in the guy who makes this stuff actually make sense — without the intimidation, without the jargon, and without making you feel behind. This conversation is going to fire you up in ways you did not expect from a money episode. Meet Mike Milligan: He's a certified financial planner, fiduciary, founder o...

Squad, if you've ever thought your body was broken, your metabolism was shot, or it was just too late — Michelle MacDonald is about to blow your mind. This conversation is one of the most science-packed, myth-busting, fire-starting episodes we've ever done. Buckle up. Meet Michelle MacDonald: She's a world-renowned strength and transformation coach, four-time FMG champion, founder of The Wonderwom...

Squad! She raised me, outlasted a game show circuit, survived sepsis at 84, and still showed up to this podcast with curled hair and a matching leather jacket. This one is for every mother, daughter, and woman who refuses to slow down — no matter what life throws at them. 🎉 This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Squad, our friends at Cozy Earth are hooking you up — use code MELIS at cozyea...

"You're not stuck… you're stalling." Gloss Squad… you didn't just press play — you signed up for a challenge. After a slightly woo-woo but wildly eye-opening hypnosis session (yes, in my closet 😅), I had a realization I couldn't ignore: I'm not confused… I've been playing small. And I know I'm not the only one. So welcome to Make Shiz Happen May — where we stop waiting, stop overthinking, and fin...

"It's not just our kids graduating… we are too." Graduation season hits different when you're the parent. One minute you're clapping, cheering, taking a million photos… …and the next you're crying in your car over the last lunchbox . Because here's the truth no one talks about: This isn't just their transition—it's yours too. In this solo episode, Melis gets real about the emotional whiplash of gr...

GLOSS SQUAD… buckle up because PAPI is BACK and this one? This one is unfiltered, slightly chaotic, and accidentally turned into a couples therapy session 😅 We talk a lot about midlife for women… but today? We flipped the mic and got REAL about what's actually going on in a man's head. And let's just say… they're feeling it too 👀 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE GET INTO: 💭 Do men actually feel the midli...

HOOPS & GLOSS! Do you have teens? Are you around teens? Do you have younger kids who will become teens at some point in their lives? Then you DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS EPISODE! Melis has the most fascinating conversation with Communication Strategist Maria Iams. Maria gives simple communication tools on how to connect with your teenager…and they're easier than you think! Here's what's coming at ya:...

"Maybe the problem isn't that you want more… maybe you've outgrown what you built." Midlife isn't where you slow down — it's where you expand. This week, Melis is calling it out: 👉 This is the season of disruption. You can have a life that looks good on paper… and still feel restless. That doesn't make you ungrateful — it means you're evolving. 🔥 In This Episode: Why "I should be happy" is keepi...

SQUAD! In Part 2 of this conversation, digital creator and athlete Elle Cassellman shares what happens when you decide to dream bigger than the plan you originally had for your life. From getting into UCLA after being told she never would… to building confidence through faith, consistency, and bold action… this episode is about showing up even when nothing feels guaranteed. In this episode, they t...

Nobody talks about reinvention starting this early. In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Melis sits down with digital creator and lifelong athlete Elle Cassellman — someone she has known since Elle was a teenager, and who is now boldly carving her own path at just 21. From navigating COVID during high school to rediscovering purpose through running, transferring colleges against the norm, and...

SQUAD! What happens when a political science major pivots to acting, travels the world, builds a career in tech… and then decides to run for mayor? This week on  Now What?! , I sit down with my friend, former Microsoft coworker, proud UCLA Bruin, and current Walnut Creek Mayor Kevin Wilk to talk about reinvention, leadership, and why it's never too late to change direction. We get real about local...

SQUAD… this one is a  deep exhale and a full-body "oh my God… same." In this episode, I'm joined by Lori Montry — somatic healing practitioner, author of You're Not the Problem , and creator of the Freedom Formula (a nervous system–based roadmap for sustainable behavior change). Lori's message is simple… and life-changing: you are not the problem. Your patterns aren't proof you're broken — they're...

Gloss Squad… today's guest is proof that sometimes the algorithm  understood the assignment. I discovered La-Toya (aka Toy Toy 💁🏽‍♀️) on Instagram after reposting a mindset clip about Olympic skier Eileen Gu — and two days later? She's on the pod. That's how we move. La-Toya is the founder of Girl Talks Sports , a growing global media platform and community created by women who love sports — and...

If your sex life feels more like a chore than a connection, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Elana Auerbach , author of The Sure Thing , to talk about how a simple weekly pleasure practice can rebuild intimacy — on purpose. This isn't about pressure or performance… it's about presence. ✨ In This Episode: The difference between spontaneous desire vs. responsive desire (game changer) Why sche...

💖 Valentine's Week Special Show Notes Gloss Squad… it's your girl Melis — but after this episode, you can just call me Cupid. 🏹✨ This Valentine's Day special is not just cute. It's not just romantic. It's not just "awww." It's actual, real-life, midlife magic that started… right here on Now What?!  In this Valentine's Week Special, you'll hear: ✨ How a podcast episode sparked a real-life relat...

✨ Episode Highlights In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Christina and I unpack why so many smart, capable women still struggle with self-sabotage, procrastination, and feeling "off" — especially in midlife. In this episode, we talk about: 🧠 Self-sabotage & procrastination — why they're not character flaws, but subconscious protection patterns 🔁 The internal dialogue & stories we tel...

Hey Gloss Squad — returning guest alert! 🚨✨ You met Jodi Echakowitz back in March 2024 on Episode 21 ( From Weight Watchers to Wonder Woman )… and since then? This woman has been BUSY becoming her strongest self. 💪🔥 In this episode, Jodi gets real about the part of transformation people whisper about but rarely say out loud: plastic surgery after major weight loss — and why choosing it wasn't...

Hey  Gloss Squad — I'm kicking off 2026 with a simple question that might change everything: what's the hard thing you've been avoiding… and why? 👀✨ Yes, I finally did the scary thing I'd been talking myself out of for years (👙), but this episode isn't about the stage — it's about what came after . Because doing the hard thing is only half the story. The real magic is standing in it… and asking...

Why is self-love the hardest love to give? You can hype your kids, cheer on your friends, support your partner… but when it comes to YOU? Suddenly the inner critic takes over. In today's episode, I'm joined by intuitive empath and seven-time author Karen Blaine to break down what real self-love looks like—beyond the quotes, the memes, and the "just be kind to yourself" advice we all roll our eyes...

Episode Description Today Melis is joined by Marie Crews —certified health & wellness coach, retreat facilitator, and bestselling author of Even When… She Rose —to talk about the healing power of journaling, her four-step Nautilus Way, and how she rebuilt her life after unimaginable loss. In This Episode, We Explore: The Nautilus Way: Write Your Way Free Why you don't need to be a "writer" to jour...

Hoops & Glossers… grab your gloss and maybe a fan — because this one's spicy. 🌶️ In Part 2 of The Midlife Flame , Melis  and Aimee Ames turn up the heat and get real about physical intimacy, body confidence, and what happens when you decide midlife doesn't have to mean "meh." Aimee opens up about her Somatica coaching practice — yes, including the now-famous "throw me against the wall" exercise —...