In this powerful conversation, Wendy Valentine sits down with habits and identity coach—and recovering perfectionist—Monica Packer to unpack why perfectionism keeps midlife women stuck on the sidelines and how to choose progress over perfection. Monica shares her 2015 “aha” moment, explains the perfectionism pendulum (overachieving ↔ underachieving), and shows how self-compassion—not shame—creates sustainable change.

You’ll hear practical ways to quiet the inner critic, navigate the messy middle, set healthier boundaries, and take brave, bite-sized action with Monica’s simple Do Something List. If you’re tired, busy, or overwhelmed but still want to grow, this episode gives you freeing, relatable tools to move forward—imperfectly and authentically.

What You’ll Learn

• The “perfectionism pendulum” and why both all-or-nothing and doing nothing are the same trap
• How self-compassion outperforms self-criticism for lasting habit change
• A 3C toolkit: Compassion, Courage, Curiosity to navigate the messy middle
• How to spot and reframe your inner critic in real time
• Why validation ≠ apathy—and how acceptance jumpstarts momentum
• Practical steps to start small: create a Do Something List and celebrate micro-wins
• How perfectionism strains relationships—and the role of boundaries and invitations to change
• Identity shifts: moving from outcome-based worth to values-aligned action in midlife

🎧 Tune in now at https://TheMidlifeMakeoverShow.com or wherever you listen to podcasts!

👉 Connect with Monica!

www.aboutprogress.com

🌟 Explore All Things Midlife & More

https://wendyvalentine.com

📖 Order Your Copy of Women Waking Up

https://womenwakingup.com

📸 Follow My Midlife Adventures on IG!

https://www.instagram.com/wendy_valentine_/

📝 Get Weekly Midlife Inspiration on Substack

https://wendyvalentine.substack.com/

If you’ve ever laid awake wondering whether to fight for your marriage or finally let go, this episode will feel like a lifeline. Relationship expert and master life coach Sharon Pope joins Wendy to unpack the midlife “stay or go” dilemma: why so many women feel emotionally alone in marriage, how disconnection happens (and how to repair it), and what it really takes to find peace with your decision.

You’ll hear compassionate, practical guidance on renegotiating your relationship as you evolve, using separation strategically (not as limbo), clearing mental clutter to access your inner wisdom, and why “fine” isn’t the life you’re here to live. We also explore the fear of the unknown, the impact on kids at every age, and Sharon’s path from confusion to clarity—plus next steps if you’re ready for Marriage 2.0 or to “Divorce Differently.”

What You’ll Learn

• Why midlife marriages often drift into disconnection—and how to rebuild connection
• How to tell if it’s you, your partner, or the circumstances causing the distance
• The power of renegotiating your marriage as you evolve
• How to clear mental clutter and access clarity about staying or going
• Why separation can be a healthy reset, not a failure
• How to find peace—whether you choose Marriage 2.0 or Divorce Differently

🎧 Tune in now at https://TheMidlifeMakeoverShow.com or wherever you listen to podcasts!

✨Read the blog: 298 💔 Should You Stay or Go? Finding Clarity in Your Marriage with Sharon Pope at https://wendyvalentine.com/should-you-stay-or-go/

👉 Connect with Sharon!

https://www.sharonpope.com

https://www.facebook.com/SharonPopeCoach

https://www.instagram.com/sharonpopecoach/

Want to get unstuck and make a decision about your marriage? I'll teach you how in my FREE Video Course: http://sharonpopefreetraining.com/

🌟 Explore All Things Midlife & More

https://wendyvalentine.com

📖 Order Your Copy of Women Waking Up

https://womenwakingup.com

📸 Follow My Midlife Adventures on IG!

https://www.instagram.com/wendy_valentine_/

📝 Get Weekly Midlife Inspiration on Substack

https://wendyvalentine.substack.com/

Feeling stressed, sleepless, or out of balance in midlife? 🌿 In this episode of The Midlife Makeover Show, Wendy sits down with master herbalist and classical homeopath Sara Chana Silverstein, author of MOODTOPIA. With over 30 years of experience helping women and families, Sara Chana shares simple, practical ways to use herbs—like skullcap, rosemary, sage, and lemon balm—to calm anxiety, improve sleep, ease hot flashes, and boost brain clarity. From tinctures and teas to easy remedies you can keep in your kitchen, this conversation will empower you to take charge of your health and hormones—naturally.

What You’ll Learn

• 🌿 How herbs like skullcap, motherwort, and lemon balm ease stress and anxiety
• 🌙 The best herbal remedies for better sleep and calmer moods
• 🔥 Why sage and soy can help with hot flashes and night sweats
• 🧠 How rosemary boosts circulation and clears midlife brain fog
• 🍵 Tinctures vs. teas: which one works best for your lifestyle
• 💡 Safe ways to combine herbs with conventional medicine

🎧 Tune in now at https://TheMidlifeMakeoverShow.com or wherever you listen to podcasts!

👉 Connect with Sara!

https://sarachana.com

🌟 Explore All Things Midlife & More

https://wendyvalentine.com

📖 Order Your Copy of Women Waking Up

https://womenwakingup.com

📸 Follow My Midlife Adventures on IG!

https://www.instagram.com/wendy_valentine_/

📝 Get Weekly Midlife Inspiration on Substack

https://wendyvalentine.substack.com/

In this heartfelt episode of The Midlife Makeover Show, Wendy Valentine sits down with author and connection expert Shari Leid to talk about her inspiring journey of sharing 51 meals across America. Shari reveals how breaking bread with strangers transformed her understanding of belonging, courage, and what it truly means to feel at home. Together, Wendy and Shari explore how small acts—like inviting someone new to lunch—can heal loneliness, deepen friendships, and help us create meaningful connections at midlife and beyond.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why connection is the antidote to loneliness in midlife
• Shari’s powerful lessons from sharing meals in all 50 states
• How to flip the box on limiting labels and create belonging
• Simple ways to spark new friendships and deepen old ones
• How courage, curiosity, and community lead to a more fulfilling life

✨Read the blog: 296 ❤️ Feel Less Alone: Simple Ways to Reconnect at Midlife with Shari Leid at https://wendyvalentine.com/feel-less-alone/

🎧 Tune in now at https://TheMidlifeMakeoverShow.com or wherever you listen to podcasts!

👉 Connect with Shari

https://animperfectlyperfectlife.com

🌟 Explore All Things Midlife & More

https://wendyvalentine.com

📖 Order Your Copy of Women Waking Up

https://womenwakingup.com

📸 Follow My Midlife Adventures on IG!

https://www.instagram.com/wendy_valentine_/

📝 Get Weekly Midlife Inspiration on Substack

https://wendyvalentine.substack.com/

In this episode of The Midlife Makeover Show, Wendy chats with certified functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner Lori Balue, who helps women over 50 reclaim their health, energy, and confidence. Lori shares her inspiring story of losing 100 pounds, reversing disease risk, and thriving through menopause—not by dieting, but by fueling her body with the right nutrition, minerals, and mindset. From low-carb living to adrenal and thyroid support, Lori reveals how midlife women can calm the chaos of menopause, drop stubborn weight, and reignite their second act with food freedom and vitality.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How low-carb eating can be freeing—not restrictive
• Why focusing on minerals, hydration, and digestion is key to weight loss
• The connection between menopause, adrenal health, and thyroid balance
• How to reduce inflammation and increase energy at midlife
• Lori’s story of losing 100 pounds and keeping it off
• Why food sensitivities may be at the root of your fatigue and cravings

🎧 Tune in now at themidlifemakeovershow.com or wherever you listen to podcasts!

✨Read the blog: 295 ✨ Midlife Weight Loss & Menopause Relief with Lori Balue at https://wendyvalentine.com/midlife-weight-loss/

👉 Connect with Lori https://loribalue.com

Lori’s Recipe Book for Aging Beautifully and Adventurously

https://contact.loribalue.com/recipebook

🌟 Explore All Things Midlife & More

https://wendyvalentine.com

📖 Grab Your Copy of Women Waking Up

https://womenwakingup.com

📸 Follow My Midlife Adventures on IG!

https://www.instagram.com/wendy_valentine_/

Welcome to a very special solo episode of The Midlife Makeover Show—it’s book launch day, baby! 🎉Wendy is coming to you from New York City to celebrate the official release of her long-awaited book, Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose and Play.

In this heartfelt, behind-the-scenes reflection, Wendy shares the powerful “dots” that led her to this moment—from pastry school in Paris to heartbreak and healing, from her RV adventures to starting the podcast, and finally, to becoming a published author. If you’ve ever felt like your mess was too messy or your dreams too far gone, this episode will show you how every dot matters. 💖

✨ What You’ll Learn:

• How one spontaneous blog post changed Wendy’s entire life
• The deeply personal story behind Women Waking Up
• Why grief, breakdowns, and rock bottoms are often turning points
• How to recognize the “dots” on your own midlife path
• The importance of trusting the process—even when the dots don’t make sense
• Behind-the-scenes of Wendy’s book deal, podcast origin, and branding journey

📚 Grab your copy of Women Waking Up + free bonuses at: WomenWakingUp.com

💛 Leave a review on Amazon to support Wendy’s mission

📸 Tag Wendy on IG @wendy_valentine_ with #WomenWakingUp to celebrate your own “dot” in the story!