Between the Laugh Lines: Reclaim Your Confidence & Identity

You caught yourself in a bad mirror and thought, who is that? and quietly decided you were falling apart. Here's the truth: you're not. What changes in your skin, your face, and your confidence in midlife isn't failure. It's biology; and once you understand it, the fear loses its grip. This week Deb sits down with Dr. Natalya Borakowski, a naturopathic doctor who went from a classical piano career...

If you have ever known exactly what you should do with your money, and avoided it anyway, this episode is for you. Financial anxiety does not care how educated you are. It does not care that you have a degree, a title, or are a mom-preneur. It lives in us all capable, smart women precisely because we know enough to feel ashamed of being stuck. I bring my CPA training and my own personal debt story...

Beauty advice from one stranger. Money advice from another. Identity pep talks from a third. Sound familiar? Most women are piecing together their confidence from three different corners of the internet and wondering why none of it sticks. In this episode, I unpack the three lanes of Between the Laugh Lines: Honest Beauty, Money Truth, and Identity in Progress and I explain why they belong in the...

What if feeling happy again wasn’t about a major life overhaul but instead about paying attention to what’s already there? This week, I sit down with Brielle Neumann, founder of Smile Stories: The Movement, an award-winning social impact brand built on one surprisingly powerful question: What made you smile today? What started as a Post-It wall in a corporate job that didn’t fit, has grown into sc...

There’s a version of midlife nobody warns you about, the one where you’re doing everything right and still feel like nobody sees you. Yup, that was me! In this episode, I stop dancing around it and gets honest about what Between the Laugh Lines is really about, why I avoided talking about money for eighteen episodes despite being a CPA, and what finally made me stop hiding. If you’ve ever looked i...

Sandwich generation survival isn't a phrase; it's a daily reality for women in midlife. You're raising kids, managing a career, and now your aging parent needs you in a way you weren't prepared for. A diagnosis. A fall. A stroke. Suddenly you're the one making the calls, breaking the rules in rehab facilities, and Googling medical terms at 2 a.m. while everyone around you assumes you've got it han...

Amy Nikolai spent decades measuring her confidence by other people's feedback. In her 50s, that finally changed; and what she built in the process is extraordinary! On her own at 17. No college degree. A career built on being the person who executes. Then her daughter's best friend was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away at 11 — and Amy's life shifted permanently. She co-founded the Olivia Hop...

Most of us know we should have a will… but thinking about death, paperwork, and “what if” conversations can feel heavy and overwhelming. In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Jill Mastroianni, lawyer and host of the Death Readiness Podcast, to make estate planning feel clear, doable, and empowering, not scary. We cover: The plain-English difference between a will vs. a trust The biggest estate...

What if the secret to lasting success in business isn't working harder — it's working smarter, with more confidence and less chaos? In this episode of Between the Laugh Lines, host Deb sits down with entrepreneur and business coach Renee Stribbell, who has spent 23+ years building businesses — and helping other women do the same. After transitioning from mortgage broker to business coach, Renee ha...

This episode is the practical follow-up to Part 1, where Jen shared how she always knew hair was her calling. Here, the conversation turns to what she’s learned through years of hands-on experience behind the chair. In this episode, we talk honestly about hair care without the pressure—what’s worth paying attention to, what’s not, and how to build a routine that actually works in everyday life. It...

What does it actually take to start a beauty business with no full expert trained experience, no salon suite, and zero roadmap? In this episode of Between the Laugh Lines, I sit down with a young nail technician who launched her business at a table in her sorority house—and has since built a thriving, consistent service-based beauty business from her parents' home. This is the real story of turnin...

Some people stumble into their calling. Others know it all along. In this episode of Between the Laugh Lines, I'm candidly speaking with my neighbor, friend and longtime hairstylist Jen for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, intuition, and the quiet knowing that led her into the world of hair. Long before trends, social media, or “career plans,” Jen recognized her strengths and followed t...

In this short episode, I go straight into why women (of all ages!!) hesitate to “rip off the band-aid” in life — whether it’s starting something new, ending what’s not working, or finally choosing themselves. If you struggle with overthinking, overwhelm, confidence dips, or feeling stuck in the “almost,” this conversation will help you find clarity, courage, and a grounded next step. I will break...

Celebrity makeup artist Andrea Miller joins me for an inspiring, candid conversation about beauty, confidence, and the craft behind her career in TV, film, and red-carpet artistry. From her early beginnings to the meaningful relationships she’s formed behind the brush, Andrea opens up about how she built her path in the beauty world—and why confidence always matters more than contour. Together, we...

It’s midterm season or just past it—the grades, the stress, the homesickness! But what should families really be doing right now? In this episode, I break it down with empathy and humor, offering a simple framework every college family can use. If you’re a parent wondering what questions to ask, how to offer support, or when to just listen—this one’s for you! Help your student finish strong. Confi...

Parenting a child with ADD or ADHD can feel like a wild mix of love, lessons, and laughter—and no two days are the same. In this heartfelt episode of Between the Laugh Lines, I sit down with my dear friend Danielle for an open, honest conversation about what it’s really like raising boys with ADD and ADHD. Together, we share their experiences as moms navigating school systems, advocating for their...

Feeling overwhelmed by beauty products, influencers, and endless routines? You’re not alone — and this episode is your permission slip to simplify. In this episode of Between the Laugh Lines, I break down how to reclaim your confidence and your counter space by cutting through the beauty clutter. From skincare basics and makeup must-haves, to the simple wellness habits that actually make you glow,...

Confidence grows when we own every stage of our journey.  In this episode, my neighbor and friend- an entrepreneur herself, a wife of a former Marine and a mom to a HS junior girl (oh the drama)- shares how faith anchors her family, her organizing business and her service to the community.  We also talk candidly about her perimenopause journey and how she's struggled with the confidence to overcom...

Gen X vs. Gen Z — two generations, two very different upbringings. In this episode of Between the Laugh Lines, I’m joined by my sister-in-law to share stories from our childhoods as Gen X kids and reflect on how those experiences shape the way we parent our Gen Z children today. From growing up without cell phones to raising kids who are never without one- we talk about resilience, independence, t...

July 4th brought more than fireworks this year-the Big Beautiful Bill is changing student loans! In this episode, I'm breaking down the new law as simply as possible, sharing how the college landscape is shifting fast and offering some practical(and sanity-saving) move-in tips for families.  If you’re a parent or student feeling overwhelmed, press play. You’re not behind — you’re just in time.  Wh...

Took a week off but back on the mic! Duly Noted-there's a little audio hiccup at the end... because just like life, podcasting is messy and real. In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my longtime friend as she opens up about life after her husband's SCA6 diagnosis. We start at her love story and well, end with the love story! From unexpected challenges to finding strength in the everyday, my...

Welcome back friends! This episode is a little longer but well worth the listen if you are someone who needs support and a little nudge to take a chance.  Whether that be starting a new job, going on a website to find a "match", to believing in yourself that anything is possible at any age.  My dear friend of over 35 years is here to talk about all the steps that she took after her husband of thre...

Welcome to the very first episode of Between the Laugh Lines! In this debut, I’m introducing the heart behind the podcast- where beauty, real life and laughter come together- and sharing some personal reflections as a mom of college boys. I’ll also dish out practical advice on navigating the college acceptance journey with some insider perspective. Whether you are a fellow parent, student or just...