Just Getting Better

Amanda Jones, the 2021 National School Librarian of the Year and author of  That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America , joins Michelle and Julia this week to share her journey from advocate to target in the fight against book bans. Amanda shares her harrowing experience of standing up against censorship at a local library board meeting, which ignited a targeted campaign of harassme...

What happens when you stand up for what you believe in, even when it feels like the world is against you? In this week’s riveting episode, Amanda Jones, the 2021 National School Librarian of the Year and author of That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America , joins Michelle and Julia to share her journey from advocate to target in the fight against book bans. Amanda shares her...

Menopause isn’t the end—it’s the start of a new chapter where we can thrive like never before . – Dr. Jessica Shepherd In this empowering episode, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Shepherd, board-certified OBGYN and author of Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause . Together, we explore the myths, challenges, and truths surrounding menopause and midlife transitions. Dr. Shepherd shar...

Michelle and Julia are joined by the remarkable Sarah Armstrong, Vice President of Global Marketing Operations at Google and author of  The Art of the Juggling Act: Bite-sized Guide for Working Parents . With an impressive career spanning roles at Coca-Cola, McKinsey, and now Google, Sarah reflects on her journey from excelling as a collegiate volleyball player at Georgetown University to leading...

“Boundaries take courage, but they’re a muscle you can build.”  – Sarah Armstrong Michelle and Julia are joined by the remarkable Sarah Armstrong, Vice President of Global Marketing Operations at Google and author of  The Art of the Juggling Act: Bite-sized Guide for Working Parents . With an impressive career spanning roles at Coca-Cola, McKinsey, and now Google, Sarah reflects on her j...

Every version of yourself is Every version of yourself is worth exploring. There’s always another branch waiting to be born. exploring. There’s always another branch waiting to be born. – Jane Bertch Michelle and Julia sit down with Jane Bertch, the inspiring founder of La Cuisine Paris and author of The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris, One Lesson at a Time . Jane shares her transf...

Michelle and Julia sit down with Jane Birch, the inspiring founder of La Cuisine Paris and author of The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris, One Lesson at a Time . Jane shares her transformative journey from her roots in Chicago to building a successful business in Paris, a city she has called home for nearly 20 years. Tune into the episode here . With every episode, you’ll have an op...

Every version of yourself is Every version of yourself is worth exploring. There’s always another branch waiting to be born. exploring. There’s always another branch waiting to be born. – Jane Bertch Michelle and Julia sit down with Jane Bertch, the inspiring founder of La Cuisine Paris and author of The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris, One Lesson at a Time . Jane shares her transf...

We had the incredible opportunity this week to speak with  Eleanor Allen , the dynamic founder and CEO of Catapult for Change . Eleanor’s journey from engineering and global leadership to entrepreneurship is filled with invaluable lessons on resilience, authenticity, and leading with purpose. Tune into the episode here . With every episode, you’ll have an opportunity to meet two new fa...

In our latest episode, we’re joined by Eleanor Allen, the dynamic founder and CEO of Catapult for Change . Eleanor’s journey from engineering and global leadership to entrepreneurship is filled with invaluable lessons on resilience, authenticity, and leading with purpose. In this episode, we discuss: Practical strategies for creating inclusive workplaces Eleanor’s multicultural upbring...

We had the incredible opportunity this week to speak with  April Ryan , an esteemed White House correspondent, MSNBC political analyst, and DC Bureau Chief for the GRIO. April shared her insights on the current political climate, reflecting on her extensive experience covering the White House since the Clinton administration. Tune into the episode here . With every episode, you’ll have...

We had the incredible opportunity to speak with April Ryan , an esteemed White House correspondent, MSNBC political analyst, and DC Bureau Chief for the GRIO. April shared her insights on the current political climate, reflecting on her extensive experience covering the White House since the Clinton administration. We delved into the challenges and exhaustion many face during this political season...

Hosts Michelle and Julia kick off season 2 and dive into their summer adventures, favorite reads and a big announcement… The wine writers turned friends reflect on their excitement for the upcoming season, including football, family time, and the return of the podcast after a break. The episode concludes with a brief tasting of some fabulous wines, including a Chardonnay from Los Vascos in C...

In this final episode of Season 1, Julia and Michelle tackle a full range of topics from the Olympics, hot tv shows, politics, skincare trends and as always. the books and wines they’re currently crushing on. EPISODE HOT TOPICS Olympics Viewership Must-See TV The Current State of Politics Tweens, Skincare and Self-Esteem Great Books We Love EPISODE LINKS READS :  A Death in Cornwall by Danie...

In this powerful episode, Julia and Michelle sit down with Dr. Akilah Cadet , a renowned leader in organizational development and author of White Supremacy is All Around: Notes from a Black Disabled Woman in a White World . Dr. Cadet shares her insights on navigating life as a Black disabled woman, discussing topics such as the importance of calling people in instead of calling them out and the im...

Julia and Michelle dive deep into the topic of women’s health with special guest Dr. Kamilia Smith, the founder and director of Charleston House Gynecology based in Dallas, Texas. The episode kicks off with a candid discussion about personal experiences with menopause, including unexpected periods and the challenges of navigating hormonal changes. Dr. Kamilia Smith EPISODE THEMES Embracing V...

Julia and Michelle dive into the world of hair care with special guests Shaz and Kiku, the founders of Shaz and Kiks, an Austin-based hair wellness brand inspired by Ayurvedic principles.

In this week’s episode, hosts Julia and Michelle had the pleasure of hosting Denise Hamilton , an author, speaker, and consultant, to discuss her new book, “Indivisible: How to Forge Our Differences into a Stronger Future.” EPISODE THEMES Breaking Free From Limiting Beliefs Challenging Broken Stories and Embracing Authenticity Strengthening Relationships and Embracing Self-Worth...

Julia and Michelle welcome the inspiring and empowering Christine D’Ercole to Just Getting Better this week. EPISODE THEMES Embrace authenticity Rewrite your self-talk narratives Find strength and joy in your journey of self-improvement Christine D’Ercole Christine, an original cycling instructor at Peloton, a Schwinn Certified master instructor, Masters World Champion and a thirteen t...

In this inaugural episode, Julia and Michelle introduce their podcast "Just Getting Better," an intimate and engaging platform for women navigating life and seeking personal growth. They reflect on their friendship, sharing anecdotes from their past encounters at wine conferences and their mutual love for wine blogging. The hosts discuss their diverse backgrounds, from Julia's transition from beau...