The Next ChaptHER

Feeling stuck in autopilot mode—showing up for everyone but yourself? As Andrea Hecht puts it, "When you're constantly giving everything to everyone else, like your family, your career, your friends, it's really easy to feel like you're disappeared from your own life." In this episode, Andrea shares her personal journey of rediscovery and introduces her "This Is Me" coaching framework, designed to...

Loneliness can linger even in the busiest rooms, but meaningful connections have the power to transform how we feel and thrive. As your host Andrea Hecht says, “Loneliness isn’t really about how many people are around you. It’s really about that quality of connections that we have.” In this episode, Andrea explores the often-overlooked issue of loneliness, especially among women in midlife, who ma...

“What if you spent just $1 a day on yourself an entire year?” Your host, Andrea Hecht, starts this episode with this question. What could that dollar add up to—clarity, confidence, connection, or even joy?   In this episode, Andrea challenges the common hesitation many women feel about investing in themselves. How come we spend so easily on others but second-guess even small acts of self-care? She...

“When you’re kind and do a kind gesture for a friend, it makes you feel good. When you feel good, you feel confident about yourself. When you do something kind for someone else, they feel good, become confident, and want to pass on that kindness. It creates a chain reaction of kindness, spreading positivity. That’s what I hope to do with the Emmie Effect—affecting the world in a very positive way....

“When you curate—starting with your closet, which is always ever-evolving—and continue to let go while bringing things in with intention, you become more aligned,” says Laura P. Barker, a closet curator and personal stylist helping women over 40 redefine their style narratives. Laura joins Andrea Hecht and invites us to see our closets as more than just a place for clothes. Does your wardrobe trul...

“Fulfillment isn’t about what you do for a living. It’s about how you actually are living. It’s about connecting to what brings you joy and what brings you purpose,” says Andrea Hecht. In this episode, she invites women in midlife to rethink what fulfillment truly means. Is it about the titles you hold, the success you’re chasing, or is it something deeper?  Drawing from her journey of stepping aw...

“The biggest misconception is, ‘Oh my God, I hit 40, and I’m done. My time is over. I peaked in my 20s.’ But that’s completely wrong—a total misconception. The best is yet to come,” says Rachael Goodman, a registered psychotherapist and certified sex and couples counselor at Level Up, who specializes in intimacy and sexual relationships for women in midlife. In this episode, she joins Andrea Hecht...

“With social media, influencers are now at the forefront of who our teens look up to. But how do we, as parents, help them discern which influencers are worthy of their admiration, especially in a world where AI can create perfect yet unrealistic personas?” Andrea Hecht raises this question in the final episode of the series “A Pediatrician's Perspective.” With Dr. Lisa Klein, they talk about the...

“The young tween girls today want skincare as birthday gifts at their parties. That’s all they want: skincare, skincare, skincare,” says Dr. Lisa Klein. “This is a problem. It’s the latest craze, and it’s not okay. It’s not just about wasting money; these kids are damaging their skin.”   In this episode, part two of “A Pediatrician’s Perspective” series, Andrea Hecht and Dr. Klein talk about the r...

“We need to be able to have open conversations so they feel comfortable coming to us when they’re in a bad or an uncomfortable situation,” says returning guest Dr. Lisa Klein, a board-certified pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine and co-founder of Turning Teen. Andrea Hecht and Dr. Klein kick off their three-part series, "A Pediatrician’s Perspective” which aims to empower parents to...

“I am a very, very big proponent of less is more. I definitely do not think that it is necessary to use a 25-step skincare routine or do all sorts of injections or a million lasers, etc.,” says this week’s guest, Dr. Julia Milman, a board-certified physician and the owner and medical director of Dr. Julia Milman’s Aesthetic Medicine.   In this episode, Dr. Milman discusses her practical advice for...

“Back-to-school season isn’t just about the kids—it’s about us, too,” says Andrea Hecht. In this episode, she reminds us that this time of year brings new beginnings not only for children but also for parents. Sharing a nostalgic story from her own school days, Andrea reflects on the excitement and potential that come with this season. It’s the perfect moment for mothers to pause and consider how...

“Mothers really are the ultimate caregivers, and we don’t have enough support for mothers,” says Dr. Nicole Pensak, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of “Rattled: How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain.” In this episode, she sits down with Andrea Hecht to shed light on the often-overlooked mental health challenges that new mothers face.   Dr. Pensak draws on h...

“I have to help in bridging that gap for students from graduation into the real world, not only in finding a job but also in understanding financial literacy,” says Heather Redisch, founder of the Talent Maven and creator of the Adulting 101 Masterclass. In this episode, she and Andrea Hecht dive into the unique challenges Gen Z faces, especially as they transition into adulthood during the post-C...

“Gratitude lights our world,” says Jill Rivkin, co-founder of Gratitude Generation. “It’s an overall attitude about how you approach your life.” This week, Andrea Hecht sits down with Jill to discuss the transformative power of gratitude. Jill shares her journey from being a young storyteller to becoming a magazine writer, editor, and children’s book author, as well as her transition from city lif...

“Resilience is about wanting to welcome failure into your life so that you build skills and trust in your ability to navigate things you didn’t think you could,” says Suzanne Sitrin, founder of Blue Birch Consulting. Suzanne shares insights on balancing a career and family while being a strong leader at home and work. Emphasizing the importance of resilience and a growth mindset, Suzanne reframes...

“Stress is a common factor in many people’s lives, and its impact on digestive health is profound and often underestimated,” says Andrea Hecht. In this episode, she tackles the connection between stress and digestion with Bonnie Wisener, a registered holistic nutritionist and founder of Shift Nutrition and Wellness. Bonnie shares insights on how stress affects digestion, often in overlooked ways....

“Puberty is normal. Every single adult you meet has been through puberty. Whether you want to or not, you will go through puberty,” says Dr. Lisa Klein, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine. In this episode, host Andrea Hecht and Dr. Klein, who have been friends since childhood, tackle the often-taboo topics of puberty and sexual health in parenting. They aim to normalize these essen...

Are you maximizing your daily productivity? Discover how in this episode with Ronna Belinky, a time management consultant and founder of Workflows by Ronna. Transitioning from her early ambitions in gymnastics and screenwriting to mastering efficiency in TV production on shows like “Will & Grace,” Ronna shares invaluable insights on organizing for success.   Ronna introduces a transformative p...

How did a mother of a preemie parent build resilience and purpose? In this episode, Andrea Hecht connects with Jodi Klaristenfeld, the founder of FLRRiSH, which supports preemie parents from hospital to home. They explore the unpredictable nature of motherhood, discussing both its difficulties and triumphs.   The critical birth of Jodi’s daughter, born prematurely due to a rare and severe conditio...

“When you are very clear on what your values are, that can keep you moving forward,” advises Andrea Hecht as she delves into the impact of aligning personal values with life’s pursuits. Andrea likens personal values to fuel for a journey—essential for smooth and directed travel. She discusses how values are influenced by factors like family, religion, and community, and how they evolve over time....

Necessity is the mother of invention. In this episode, Andrea Hecht sits down with Jackie Samuelson, the inventor of the Nursing Cool Cover—a breastfeeding cover with an integrated fan, which earned her a patent and a spot on Shark Tank. Jackie discusses how she became an entrepreneur and turned her idea into a reality, from securing a patent to launching the product.   Jackie's journey into entre...

This episode of The Next ChaptHER podcast explores the power of reinventing oneself during motherhood. Our guest, Becky from Love Set Match, shares her journey of starting her styling business after leaving the magazine industry. She emphasizes the importance of reaching out and making connections, building a support system, and adapting to challenges.    Becky talks about how she started her tenn...

In this inspiring episode of The Next ChaptHER podcast, Jodi shares her journey as a mother of 3 boys and eating psychology coach. She reminds us of the importance of nourishing ourselves as mothers and helping ourselves develop healthy eating habits.    Jodi encourages us to approach our relationship with food with curiosity and self-compassion and provides practical tips for calming and regulati...

In this episode of The Next ChaptHER podcast, Andrea Hecht has an honest and heartfelt conversation with Abby Perry, a fellow Midwesterner, sorority sister, and mother of four (triplets + 1). Abby shares her journey from struggling to find her passion as a child to becoming a pharmaceutical sales representative and, eventually, an entrepreneur.   Abby, as a woman with ADHD, talks candidly about th...