Meditate In Style

Does your marriage need a little reviving up? My next guest Deanna Bryant does just that! Wanna rejuvenate your midlife marriage & tackle those hard convos with your spouse? Look no further, Deanna's soothing voice eases any woes and creates a safe space for discussion. She even shares motherhood advice for empty nesters. I’ve learned so much from listening to her own podcast, "Revive Your Midlife Marriage", that I just had to have her here on NSD to share with my audience. Deanna is a midlife marriage strategist and relationship coach for midlife couples who find their marriages at a crossroads when the kids are older or grown up. She and her husband ​have been married for over two decades and have two adult children and a teenager who live at their home in East Tennessee. Her business is 'Revive Your Midlife Marriage' at reviveyourmidlifemarriage.com/ and she spent 25 years as an educator before making a major life change when she went back to school to become a coach. In trying to figure out her niche of coaching, she recognized her passion was midlife couples like she and her husband. In midlife, they had gone through a particularly tough time as many couples do. And while the love and commitment were there, there were issues they simply didn't have the skills to address alone. That said, they sought outside help to repair their relationship and this eye-opening experience birthed - so to speak - her passion for helping midlife couples. When not couples coaching Deanna enjoys spending time with her family which includes a feisty cowboy corgi, two cats, and a horse that thinks he is her shadow! She and her husband love hiking in the mountains and kayaking on the rivers of East Tennessee, as well as indulge in excellent food and travel to extraordinary places, staying in quaint bed and breakfasts. I just know you're going to be engaged and fascinated by our conversation which covers a lot of marital territory. Enjoy!

Meet this week's NSD podcast special guest Amanda Villaveces, who breaks down the holiday - and other seasonal - angst that so many of us feel throughout the year, particularly now with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner.. Amanda is the founding Director of Mental Health Lou (link https://www.mentalhealthlou.com/) and a Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist in private practice. She regularly hosts workshops and helps with the development of Mental Health Lou projects, and loves nothing more than to speaking about mental health in the community. She helps promote and create mental wellness programs throughout Louisville and works with clients on personal growth and healing in her private practice each week. How did it all begin? Flashback to 2018 at a small coffee shop in Louisville. Amanda met with a local mental health non-profit to discuss celebrating mental health in Louisville, a meeting that resulted in a collaboration which quickly grew to include multiple providers, other non-profits, businesses and more. That year 'Mental Health Month in the Ville' was born and over 25 events took place throughout the city to bring mental wellness tools and resources to our community. Almost 4 years later it's thriving and there's no sign of stopping Amanda & MHL! Please listen in our recent conversation about how to combat seasonal mental health issues - whether celebrating a holiday by yourself - it's OK! - or how to cope with a family reunion that you really would feel a lot better about taking a pass. And be sure to visit Mental Health Louisville on social media at @mentalhealthlou on Instagram and https://www.facebook.com/mentalhealthlou.

To say I'm totally obsessed with my next NSD podcast guests is an understatement! Rachel and Tammy are the creators and fashion/beauty curators of 'Denim Is the New Black’, a super stylish website dedicated to the celebration of everyday looks that are effortlessly put together, purposeful, and very chic. They want women who visit their website at denimisthenewblack.com/ and follow them on social media to consider them girlfriends who love to shop and will help you simplify the shopping process, all the while keeping you looking and feeling stylish every day and night of the week. I immediately connected with this smart, savvy duo, both 40+ moms of teens, like me, who have the same passion for fashion as I do. Devotees of “street style”, they believe in investing in the best basics they - and all women - can afford and feel strongly that this is the foundation of a great wardrobe. They're all about building a wardrobe of solid basics, along with a heavy dose of denim, and just the right amount of edge. They're also not afraid to add the occasional trend or two to keep things fresh and fun. Their motto? True style is confidence and confidence is sexy! Mainly their goal is to be a voice for women saying that STYLE HAS NO AGE and getting older does not mean we must fade into the background. The older we get, the better we know ourselves, and the easier our style choices become. More about them: Rachel resides in downtown Denver with her husband of 19+ years and three teenagers. She's a true a lover of laid-back everyday style (sneaks, she's looking at you!). In her spare time, she enjoys tending to her 50+-and-growing plant collection, attempting her best to exhaust the family's 100-lb shepherd, and sipping a glass of good red wine. Meanwhile Tammy lives in San Diego with her husband and two teens and has a big-time love affair with her two toy poodles (and Rex cat too!). She's a creator with an eye for style, and a serious photographer at heart. Tammy is always on the quest for finding the perfect pair of jeans and loves adding a touch of glam to the everyday. I really enjoyed our conversation and how we women over 40 can get our style mojo back, feel good about what we’re wearing, and have the confidence to rock a trend we may have worn years ago and can still work it (I'm currently obsessed with everything '90s)! We also touched base on the trends we may need to say farewell to as we age. I know you're going to have as much fun listening in on us as we did because we pretty much left no style-related stone unturned! Be sure to check out their website, Instagram feed at denimisthenewblack, and on Facebook at facebook.com/denimisthenewblack.

I love helping others and when I recently asked my NSD pocast listeners what topics they wanted to learn more about I was happy to discover that lending a helping hand to those who struggle was at the top of the list. So this week's podcast focuses on a chronic condition that affects adults as well as children: ADHD Eleven million adults have ADHD with most of that number being women, female teens, and young girls. And that majority is the one most under diagnosed. Once I knew these alarming statistics, I did some digging and found Keri Knight, a licensed therapist who specializes in ADHD. Keri and I sat down to discuss a lot of info surrounding ADHD, her unique approach to therapy and much more, which I know will be of interest and very helpful for all you all. Keri is a very compassionate and intuitive therapist who has a special interest in working with women and girls with ADHD, as well as the creative, sensitive, and gifted. She has specialized training and experience with issues such as trauma, stress management, and mood dysregulation. Keri takes a holistic approach to her work with clients and blends therapy modalities with a mind-body wellness approach, while being a strong advocate for incorporating mindfulness practices into daily life. She is a qualified EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapist and mindfulness teacher and will complete her yoga teacher certification this year. To learn more about this fascinating woman who's a huge champion for other women, teens, and young girls, and how you can work with Keri, visit her website at https://keri-knight.clientsecure.me/#home, on Instagram at @keriknightcounseling, and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/keri.feldkamp.

"Where's all my soul sistas? Lemme hear ya'll flow, sistas! Hey sista, go sista, soul sista, flow sista Hey sista, go sista, soul sista, go sista!" Why am I kicking off the new season of my podcast with lyrics from the classic "Lady Marmalade"? Because Season 3's first guest is a true soul sister: Life/performance coach Kim White, who not only has kept me focused while remaining fearless and fabulous over 40, but is also a dear friend. Call her an Influencer, Motivational Speaker, Performance Coach or The Energy Lady (what her hubby calls her!) but regardless of her many titles Kim has taught me to keep going no matter my age, because as we both firmly believe you're never too old to start! Failures don’t define us and take it from her, who after 40 became a coach, fitness instructor and a mom, that is the truth! She is an expert at late blooming and as a fellow late bloomer, our connection was heaven sent! Kim has spent more than 17 years working with topics of human performance, energy management, and leadership. She has been able to leverage her degree in Health Education (Otterbein University) and a master’s degree in Education Administration & Curriculum with a specialty in Professional Development (Ashland University). In addition to her teaching licensure in Special Education (The Ohio State University), Kim holds her Professional Teaching License from the State of Ohio’s Department of Education in Health. Kim holds her Business Coach Certification from the World Coach Institute (WCI) and Fitness Instructor Certification from the American Exercise Council (ACE). Additionally, Kim is a Learning and Performance Consultant within Nationwide Retirement Institute (NRI), a department in Nationwide Financial, which delivers differentiated value to associates, financial advisors, leaders, and partners through programs that help them effectively grow both personally and professionally. For more information about Kim visit her online at purposewithkim.com, on Instagram at cultivate.your.purpose, and stay tuned here for upcoming episodes which will take our Not So Darlin "motley crew" of GenXers, Millennials and Boomers on a series of awesome, eye-opening journeys through summer '22!

"Where's all my soul sistas? Lemme hear ya'll flow, sistas! Hey sista, go sista, soul sista, flow sista Hey sista, go sista, soul sista, go sista!" Why am I kicking off the new season of my podcast with lyrics from the classic "Lady Marmalade"? Because Season 3's first guest is a true soul sister: Life/performance coach Kim White, who not only has kept me focused while remaining fearless and fabulous over 40, but is also a dear friend. Call her an Influencer, Motivational Speaker, Performance Coach or The Energy Lady (what her hubby calls her!) but regardless of her many titles Kim has taught me to keep going no matter my age, because as we both firmly believe you're never too old to start! Failures don’t define us and take it from her, who after 40 became a coach, fitness instructor and a mom, that is the truth! She is an expert at late blooming and as a fellow late bloomer, our connection was heaven sent! Kim has spent more than 17 years working with topics of human performance, energy management, and leadership. She has been able to leverage her degree in Health Education (Otterbein University) and a master’s degree in Education Administration & Curriculum with a specialty in Professional Development (Ashland University). In addition to her teaching licensure in Special Education (The Ohio State University), Kim holds her Professional Teaching License from the State of Ohio’s Department of Education in Health. Kim holds her Business Coach Certification from the World Coach Institute (WCI) and Fitness Instructor Certification from the American Exercise Council (ACE). Additionally, Kim is a Learning and Performance Consultant within Nationwide Retirement Institute (NRI), a department in Nationwide Financial, which delivers differentiated value to associates, financial advisors, leaders, and partners through programs that help them effectively grow both personally and professionally. For more information about Kim visit her online at purposewithkim.com, on Instagram at cultivate.your.purpose, and stay tuned here for upcoming episodes which will take our Not So Darlin "motley crew" of GenXers, Millennials and Boomers on a series of awesome, eye-opening journeys through summer '22!

For this week's podcast I sat down and spoke very freely and honestly with my dear friend and acclaimed Louisville-based poet Lorie Harris. Her inspirational writings, as expressed in her works which include Colors of Character and Just Beyond the Sunrise, are not only an outlet to express and share her own difficult life experiences but are essentially journals to motivate others to maintain their strength and creativity while finding their own outlets during life's messier moments. Lorie started writing at the age of 11 as an outlet and source of freedom for all she was going through at the time. Drawn to poetry, she would lose herself in the rhythm of rhyme. Now an avowed advocate for domestic violence, as she herself is a survivor of mental, physical and sexual abuse, Lorie’s goal for people reading her poetry is for them to find healing in their souls and peace of mind. By putting pen to paper and sharing her work, she wants to encourage others and have them look at her poems - as she does - as a form of artwork; little short stories painted in words of rhyme. Lorie's recollections of mental, physical, and sexual abuse are heart-wrenching. However, listening to her describe how her faith pulled her through the darkest of times gives me hope that her recollections/writings will help those in need find strength and seek help if they are experiencing the same. Her poetry books are simultaneously beautiful and inspiring, and my hope is that listening to this week's podcast and reading her books will be healing to your own soul.

"I've got a girl crush, Hate to admit it but I got a hard rush, It's slowin' down, I got it real bad, Want everything she has, That smile and that midnight laugh, She's givin' you now." This week's podcast makes me sing these unforgettable lyrics from @LittleBig Town's hit "I’ve Got a Girl Crush" over and over and you know why? It's true when it comes to this week's NSD podcast guest! Even though I recently acknowledged I'm not a huge country music fan (sorry, not sorry), I am a HUGE fan of this woman who is a rock star (er, country rock star?!) in every sense of the word in my book. Meet Natasha Lacy, a true English rose & rockin' UK mum (enter my British accent) who I recently met and befriended on Instagram (link https://www.instagram.com/_natashalacy/). This gorgeous, formidable, powerhouse of a woman just turned 50 and has style, confidence and riotous sense of humor you'll swoon for. She radiates confidence, beauty & a sense of youth inside and out, empowering us all over 40 to feel our most confidant with great finesse plus those Not So Sarlin topics like menopause (don't roll your eyes, it's coming sooner or later). From a fashion and style standpoint I adore her flair for making vintage fashion look fabulous no matter what era it's from and I urge - no, implore! - you to check out her life and style tips at instagram.com/_natashalacy/ and her website at https://www.natashalacy.com/.

Meet Steve Adams, A Man Who Metaphorically Wears a LOT of Hats As a father, real estate agent, investor, speaker, and the author of “Now What: A Divorced Dads Guide To Parenting Excellence" Steve Adams is a busy man but at the end of the day his most important role by far is being a dad to his two children. After his own divorce he decided he wanted a more meaningful role in the their lives. Over and over he pondered how fathers can remain active and relevant with their kids once the ink dries on the divorce decree. Steve turned around his priorities and focused on parenting, establishing a set of principles which worked well for him and which he wanted to share with other men (and women). This led him on his path to pen "Now What", which he firmly believes will work for any divorced father. "Being a committed father isn't rocket science," he says. "It's much harder!" Are you all - men and women alike - out there ready to take this on? I think you are, as it's super important for those who've been divorced or are going through it now. Listen in as Steve and I I chat about how divorce affects all family members for a variety of reasons, most notably the fact that in the majority of cases mothers receive full custody while fathers, more often than not, become 'weekend dads' or end up totally nonexistent. I know from personal experience how divorce can cripple one's self-esteem, especially as it relates to the children, as I too am a daughter of divorce with practically a nonexistent father who when I was around only complained about money he had to pay my mom; who never taught me how to drive; missed out on my high school graduation; and didn’t even walk me down the aisle at my wedding. That's some tough stuff that and Steve and I tackle it, along with a lot more you won't want to miss. And be sure to check out Steve's book at https://bit.ly/stevensd21.

How many of you have dreamed of walking away from your daily job and starting your own business? Meet Laura Watkins, a woman who did just that. Upon earning her bachelor's degree in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration at the University of Louisville, she entered the corporate workforce. However, her true goal had always been to open her own business. When a co-worker asked her, "If you could do absolutely anything, what would it be?" the answer seemed to fall out of Laura's mouth: "I would quit my job, go to hair school and open an Aveda salon." And within a year, that's exactly what she did. At age 30 Laura resigned her corporate job and began the journey to get her cosmetology license. Fast forward to 2021 and Laura's salon, Pure Salon Spa, an Aveda salon and spa on Bardstown Road in Fern Creek, which will celebrate its 13th year in business and has been ranked among the top 200 salons in North America by Salon Today Magazine for the past 10 years. Married for 18 years with two daughters, her other passions include empowering women, garnering more respect for careers in the beauty industry, and very importantly for Laura from a personal standpoint, ending the stigma associated with mental illness. Her passion around ending the mental illness stigma comes from her own struggles with severe depression, with which she was first diagnosed in 2015 and continues to seek treatment to stay mentally well to this day. Laura had many misconceptions about mental illness until it happened to her, and she firmly believes there is still a long way to go with ending those preconceived notions, which means talking more and more about it to raise awareness. One in four people struggle with mental illness in her/his lifetime and that means there are a LOT of people out there struggling alone. Laura wants to change that! I recently had the opportunity to discuss all of her passions on this week’s Not So Darlin podcast. Please listen in on our conversation and visit the Pure Salon Spa website at puresalon-spa.com (link https://puresalon-spa.com/), on Instagram at @puresalonlou (link https://www.instagram.com/puresalonlou/) and Facebook at facebook.com/puresalonspalou (link https://www.facebook.com/puresalonspalou).