RenewHer

Have you ever wondered... "Is it too late for me?" Too late to write the book. Start the business. Take on a new challenge. Or finally pursue the dream that's been quietly sitting in your heart for years. In this RenewHer Reflection, Genell explores one of the biggest myths many women believe—that our best opportunities are behind us. Through inspiring stories of women like Julia Child, Laura Inga...

Why Your Brain May Feel Slower (And How to Build Brain Resilience) Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there? Struggled to find the right word? Or felt like your brain just isn't as sharp as it used to be? If so, you're not alone. Many women assume these moments are simply a normal part of aging—but what if that's not the whole story? In this episode of the RenewHer Podcast...

Do you remember information better when you write it down instead of typing it? Science suggests there's a reason why. In today's Brain Notes, we're exploring the fascinating research behind handwriting versus typing—and what it means for your brain. Although typing is faster and more convenient, studies have found that writing by hand activates more areas of the brain involved in learning, memory...

Have you ever looked back on a difficult season in your life and realized it was actually the moment that changed everything? In this RenewHer Reflection, I share a perspective that completely changed the way I think about life's disappointments. Inspired by a quote from Jay Shetty and the wisdom of Steve Jobs, I reflect on my own journey—from being laid off from my corporate career, to a failed h...

What Every Woman Needs to Know About Brain Health Women are at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease—yet the reasons behind this are still not fully understood. In this episode, we explore what current research is revealing about women’s brain health, why prevention matters long before symptoms appear, and how everyday lifestyle choices can help support long-term cognitive resilience. This is not...

We all know too much sugar isn't good for us—but what is it actually doing to our brain? In this episode of Brain Notes , we're taking a closer look at the connection between sugar and brain health. You'll learn how excess sugar can contribute to brain fog, memory problems, and cognitive decline, where hidden sugars are lurking, and why some sugars are better than others. Plus, I'll share a few si...

In today’s RenewHer Reflection, we explore a powerful question that may be shaping your life more than you realize: Are you living from a scarcity mindset or a growth mindset? The mindset you operate from influences how you interpret challenges, setbacks, and even your own potential. And often, we don’t even realize the lens we’re using. A scarcity mindset is rooted in the belief that there isn’t...

Have you ever noticed how quickly one thought can change your mood? Maybe your boss says, "Can we talk tomorrow?" and suddenly your mind has created a worst-case scenario. Or perhaps you replay a conversation, wondering if you said the wrong thing. Before long, your thoughts have turned into stories—and those stories affect how you feel, how you respond, and even how your body reacts. In this epis...

When most people think about protecting their brain, they think about exercise, sleep, or nutrition. But what if some of the biggest influences on brain health are hiding in places you least expect? In this episode of Brain Notes, we explore three surprising body systems that play a powerful role in cognitive health: your ears, your mouth, and your gut. You'll learn why untreated hearing loss has...

Have you ever talked yourself out of something—not because you weren't capable, but because you weren't sure you were good enough? In this RenewHer Reflections episode, I share personal stories from my life and explore how self-doubt and my inner critic quietly shaped many of my decisions. From repeating swim lessons three times as a child to questioning opportunities later in life, I reflect on t...

Ever find yourself staring at a menu for far too long… or scrolling Netflix without being able to choose anything at all? We tend to think of decision-making as a simple skill—something we should just be good at. But the reality is more complex. Even smart, capable, high-performing people can find themselves stuck, second-guessing, or overwhelmed by choices that seem like they should be easy. In t...

What are the best mental exercises for your brain? Is doing crossword puzzles enough? In this episode of Brain Notes , brain health coach Genell Lemley explores why the most powerful way to strengthen your brain isn't simply doing the same puzzles over and over—it's learning something new.   Discover how different activities stimulate different parts of the brain, why lifelong learning matter...

If you've ever wondered why you feel more forgetful, less focused, more anxious, or simply not quite like yourself during midlife, hormones may be playing a bigger role than you realize.   In this episode of the RenewHer podcast, I sit down with functional health practitioner and mind-body health coach Janell Yule to explore the powerful connection between hormones and brain health.   We...

Most people think about taking care of their heart, but very few think about taking care of their brain. Yet your brain is behind everything you do—including how you think, focus, communicate, make decisions, and show up at work. In this Brain Notes episode, we explore the powerful connection between brain health and work performance. If you've been feeling mentally foggy, struggling to concentrat...

Welcome to the first episode of RenewHer Reflections, a new short-form series within the RenewHer podcast. These episodes are more personal and conversational—a chance to share reflections, observations, and experiences that connect to the challenges and opportunities many women face in midlife and beyond. In this episode, I reflect on a dinner with three lifelong friends I've known for nearly fif...

How well did you sleep last night? For many high-achieving women, the answer isn’t simple. We push through fatigue, rely on caffeine, and normalize exhaustion as part of success. But what if the real issue isn’t just being tired… but what chronic sleep deprivation is actually doing to your brain? In this episode, we explore the powerful connection between sleep and brain health—and why so many wom...

Have you ever picked up your phone to check one thing and suddenly found yourself scrolling for far longer than intended? In this Brain Notes episode, Genell explores how constant digital stimulation may be affecting our focus, mental clarity, and overall brain health. Social media can be an incredible tool for connection, learning, and inspiration, but it is also designed to capture our attention...

Connection is often thought of as something emotional or social. But what if it’s also deeply biological? In this episode of RenewHer, we explore the powerful role that connection plays in brain health, emotional resilience, and longevity—and why it may be one of the most overlooked pillars of cognitive well-being. From meaningful friendships to everyday interactions, from loneliness to loss, and...

Grief is often thought of as something purely emotional. But what if it’s more than that? In this deeply personal episode, I open up about the 15-year anniversary of my husband John’s passing—and explore what I’ve come to understand about how grief truly lives in the brain. From the unexpected waves of emotion to the brain fog, memory triggers, and sense of disorientation, there is a neurological...

What if the thing you fear most about aging… isn’t aging at all—but losing your mind? For many high-achieving women, that quiet concern about memory, clarity, and staying sharp is always there—especially if you’ve seen a parent or loved one experience cognitive decline. But here’s the truth: cognitive decline is not inevitable. In this episode of RenewHer, we explore a more empowering way to think...

What starts as spring cleaning… can turn into something much deeper. In this episode of RenewHer, I take you inside a very personal process of sorting through years of memories—boxes filled not just with “stuff,” but with pieces of lives, stories, and moments that once meant everything to someone. As I worked through photos, letters, and memorabilia, I found myself facing a question I think m...

What if the real risk isn’t making a change… but staying exactly where you are?   In this episode of RenewHer, we explore a powerful reframe: the very thing that feels uncomfortable—stepping into something new—is often exactly what your brain needs to stay sharp, resilient, and engaged.   Because when you understand how your brain works, everything shifts.   That hesitation you feel...

In this episode of the RenewHer Podcast, I sit down with Julie Cober — executive leadership coach, former corporate CHRO, bestselling author, and founder of the Legacy Leadership Academy. After nearly three decades in senior HR roles, Julie realized that while she loved helping others, the corporate environment was no longer the right container for her. Feeling out of alignment, combined with stre...

What does it mean to truly live at your prime — not at 25, but at 50+? In this episode of RenewHer, I sit down with Giselle Carson — corporate immigration attorney, two-time immigrant, five-time Ironman, 29-time marathoner, ultra-marathoner, author, and lifelong student of growth. But this conversation isn’t about credentials. It’s about endurance — in life, in reinvention, and in becoming. Gisell...

What happens when life looks successful on the outside — but something inside feels unfinished? In this episode of RenewHer , Genell Lemley sits down with Cathryn Baker, a former founder who built and sold two multimillion-dollar companies and then, unexpectedly, found herself bored, disconnected from her confidence, and quietly questioning what was next. At 67, Cathryn made a bold decision to beg...