The Next ChaptHER

Lately, you might be noticing small things… You’re asking people to repeat themselves. Restaurants feel louder than they used to. You leave conversations feeling more drained than connected. Or maybe there’s a subtle ringing, buzzing, or just an “off” feeling you can’t quite explain. And you’re wondering… Is this just normal? Or is something actually going on? In this episode, I’m joined by my lon...

One year ago, I was sitting in a parking lot when I got the call that would change my life. But this episode isn’t just about that moment. It’s about what happens after. What a year like that teaches you. And why this conversation matters even if you haven’t faced a diagnosis like mine. Because most of us will go through a year that changes us. A year where life splits into before and after. A yea...

Episode Title: Perimenopause, Menopause, and the Chapter No One Prepared Us For In this episode, Andrea sits down with menopause coach Susie Weinberg to talk about perimenopause and menopause, a stage of life that affects almost every woman, yet many still feel confused and alone when it begins. They talk about common symptoms many women don’t realize are hormone-related, the frustration of being...

In this episode of The Next ChaptHER Podcast, Andrea sits down with Dr. Andrea Hogan — known to her students as “Dr. Dre” — for a powerful conversation about losing your voice without losing it physically. Together, they explore coercive control, what it looks like beyond physical abuse, and how identity can slowly erode through gaslighting, power imbalances, and survival mode. Dr. Dre shares her...

Sometimes life hands you a moment where everything shifts. In this episode of The Next ChaptHER, Andrea Hecht sits down with Amy Schwartz, founder of Fuck It Inc., to talk about what “fuck it” really means — not giving up or being reckless, but choosing yourself when life feels out of control. Amy shares how her personal “fuck it” mantra was born when her life shifted unexpectedly and what it’s ta...

Most women in their 40s and 50s don’t think about long-term care—until they’re suddenly forced to. In this episode of The Next ChaptHER Podcast, Andrea Hecht sits down with Suzanne Scheer, J.D., CLTC®, to unpack what long-term care actually is, why it matters, and why waiting until a crisis hits can leave families overwhelmed—emotionally, logistically, and financially. Suzanne’s passion for this w...

Before we step into the rush of December — the events, expectations, emotions, and everything extra — this episode invites you to slow down and take a breath. Today, Andrea walks you through one of the most clarity-creating exercises she uses with clients and inside her Circle groups: choosing a feeling you want to protect and then using your camera roll or calendar as a truth-telling inventory to...

There are moments in life that stop you cold — the ones you didn’t schedule, didn’t plan for, and definitely didn’t see coming. The kinds of moments that crack you open and force you to see yourself, your life, and your inner voice through an entirely different lens. In today’s episode, I’m joined by USA Today bestselling author Cara Lockwood, whose newest book, There’s No Good Book for This (But...

The past few weeks have been full of “full-circle” moments for me — from hosting my very first Next ChaptHER Connect event, Courage & Caramels, to speaking at a Pink Babka Bake in front of the most incredible group of women. Both experiences reminded me what this community is truly about: connection, conversation, and choosing happiness even when life feels sticky. In this heartfelt episode, I...

It’s been a season of slowing down and healing after my reconstruction surgery on October 6th, and at my recent follow-up, my doctors said the words “you’re healing beautifully.” Those words instantly lifted my spirits and reminded me how much happiness comes from choosing to notice the good, even in the messy middle. So this week, I’m replaying one of my very first and most joyful conversations —...

Have you ever stayed in a relationship hoping it would get better — even as that little voice inside told you something was off? You’re not alone. In this deeply personal and powerful episode, my guest shares her story anonymously to protect her privacy — but it could just as easily be any of ours. She’s smart, successful, and like so many women, she found herself in a relationship that looked lik...

This week on The Next ChaptHER Podcast, I sit down with Pam Lamp, author of Do the Next New Thing, for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about what it really means to step into the unknown and create your next chapter. This episode is extra special—it’s my first guest conversation back since my breast cancer diagnosis. Pam’s story felt like the perfect way to return. Her journey began in a se...

In this episode of the Next Chapter Podcast, I share a personal story about a seemingly small moment—trying on bathing suits for my 20th wedding anniversary trip to the beach—that turned out to be a profound reminder about the power of showing up. It’s not about the bathing suit or how we look, but how we choose to feel in the moments that matter. I dive into how self-doubt and mental chatter can...

In this episode of The Next ChaptHER, I’m pulling back the curtain on what nervous system regulation really looks like — especially when you're walking through something hard in real time. Mindset matters — but it doesn’t work alone. To think clearly, stay grounded, and show up for yourself (and others) when life gets messy, you need tools that bring you back to your center in the moment — not jus...

Mindset isn’t about being strong all the time — it’s about staying present enough to choose your next step, even in the middle of the mess. Back in March, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In May, I had a double mastectomy. And as of today — I’m still healing. Still a patient. Still navigating all the physical, emotional, and mental layers of recovery. In this episode of The Next ChaptHER, I’m n...

It’s been a little while since we’ve had a new episode — and today, I’m sharing exactly why. Back on March 28th, my life flipped unexpectedly with a breast cancer diagnosis. What followed was a blur of appointments, second opinions, doctors, and decisions I never thought I’d have to make. On May 27th, I underwent a double mastectomy — and while the physical healing is underway, the emotional heali...

We’re back with part 2 of our time management series—and this one’s a game changer. I’m sharing my CEO Method for time: a simple yet powerful framework that helps you lead your time with Clarity, Energy, and Ownership. Because managing your time isn’t about squeezing more in—it’s about making intentional choices that honor your energy, your needs, and your priorities in this season of life. In thi...

This isn’t the episode I expected to record. It’s not the topic I had planned. But here we are—and in true Next ChaptHER fashion, I’m showing up and sharing it with you. Just days before my 48th birthday, I got a phone call that changed everything. In this episode, I’m opening up about this unexpected chapter, why you haven’t heard a new podcast in a few weeks, and how I’m navigating this plot twi...

If you’ve ever said, “I don’t have time,” this one’s for you. In this honest and energizing episode, Andrea unpacks the phrase so many midlife women use—and what it’s actually saying about our priorities. Spoiler: it’s not about the hours in the day. It’s about reclaiming your power and finally putting yourself on your own damn to-do list. This episode was recorded before Andrea received her breas...

Episode Summary: Let’s be real—me time often feels like a myth. You carve out a quiet moment, light a candle, maybe even start doing something that brings you joy… and then chaos enters stage left (looking at you, Snoopy 🐶). In this episode, I’m sharing: ✨ The soup story that perfectly captures how “me time” turns into a press conference ✨ The difference between being alone and actually feeling...

We've all been there—staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., our minds running a marathon of overthinking. Did I lock the front door? Should I have taken that other job? How is it possible that I still don’t have it all figured out? If I dropped this episode at 3 a.m., I bet some of you would actually be awake to listen. But what if these middle-of-the-night wake-ups aren’t just annoying? What if they’r...

"Perfectionism kills intuition. And as a former pastry chef who was a perfectionist, I always call myself a recovering perfectionist." – Melanie (09:49) Are You Stuck Following the Recipe—In the Kitchen and in Life? If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by cooking, labeled yourself “the worst cook,” or relied on strict rules and recipes just to get through dinner, this episode is about to change the way...

Friendship in midlife can feel unexpectedly hard. Why does it seem tougher to connect, and what can we do about it?   Andrea Hecht sits down with Nina Badzin, a friendship expert who has spent years helping women navigate this stage of life. They unpack why old social circles may no longer fit, why assumptions about who’s available for friendship can hold us back, and why redefining what we expect...

The college admissions process can feel like a whirlwind of stress, emotions, and endless comparisons, but does it have to? In this episode, Andrea Hecht sits down with Kelly Levi, a college admissions expert and mom of three, to unpack the emotional side of navigating college applications.    From the pressures amplified by social media to the rising number of applications brought on by test-opti...

Redefining your path begins with silencing fear, trusting your instincts, and embracing the bold question: “Why not me?” Amber Powers, the founder of Powers Peak Consulting LLC, joins Andrea Hecht to share her journey of career pivots and the lessons learned along the way. How can we overcome limiting beliefs and move forward with confidence when the next step feels uncertain? Amber’s approach, wh...