V.I.B.E. Living Podcast

Shock, denial, panic—then the next test, the next call, the next choice. Our breast cancer series returns to the part most people skip: the emotional cost of diagnosis and the work of rebuilding identity, relationships, and purpose while treatment remakes your life. We open up about the moment a braid on a pillow becomes a new trauma, the decision to shave on your own terms, and why a wig can feel like both armor and weight. From faith to lip kits, from silence to belly laughs, nothing is off the table.

We dig into the hard ed...

What if the bravest move in midlife isn’t to push harder, but to release the grip? We sit down with Dr. Naeema Olatunji to trace a powerful arc from burnout and a life-altering cycling accident to a life rebuilt on faith, non-attachment, and a simple guiding question: what’s possible now?

We open with the hidden signals that you’re overdue for change—the repeating arguments, the stale roles, the identity welded to job titles—and why surrender isn’t quitting but choosing peace over illusion. Dr. Naeema shares the moment she let go, lying on the floor of...

A single late-night choice can redraw an entire map. That’s what happens when Gail Bliss, a seasoned performer and international flight attendant, taps the audition button on a whim and lands on The Voice as its oldest U.S. contestant to advance—thanks to Snoop Dogg’s unexpected replay. We dive into the messy, magnetic reality behind that moment: decades of craft, the pivot from sax to song, the Patsy Cline era, Nashville’s backrooms, and a 60th birthday vow to do six epic things that turned a canceled trip into a once-in-a-lifetime stage.

We unpack what age...

Ever wonder why some foods feel impossible to stop eating? We pull back the curtain on how ultra-processed products are engineered to hook your taste buds, spike your blood sugar, and keep you coming back—while quietly nudging up your risk for type 2 diabetes, mood swings, and gut disruption. With nutritionist Julie Ruelle from Go Coco, we translate the science into everyday choices that protect your hormones, energy, and sanity.

We start by separating helpful processing—like freezing vegetables or turning milk into yogurt—from ultra-processed foods packed with dyes, stabilizers, artificial sweeteners, and ingredients your grandparents wouldn...

Three survivors share their breast cancer journey.  They talk about how mindset, medicine, and community changed their breast cancer outcomes. We explore early detection, individualized treatment, cultural barriers in care, and practical tips from nutrition to radiation skin protection. 

A life-changing diagnosis doesn’t arrive with a manual, so we brought together three women who wrote their own. Cynthia Rogers, Meri Ramey Gray, and Dr. Ebony Prophet Bullock open up about the messy middle—dense breast screenings, biopsies, chemo side effects, radiation skin care—and the unexpected moments of clarity that guided their choices. Their stories are differen...

Some stories are spoken. Others are lived so powerfully they outshine words. Karen Wilson joins us to share how a 17-year caregiving journey with her mother—through cancer, stroke, COPD, and chronic pain—became a living curriculum for resilience, presence, and protective love. When a stroke silenced her mother’s speech, gestures and energy did the talking, teaching Karen to pour hope, choose her words with care, and treat gratitude as a daily state, not a polite reaction.

We go deep on the mindset that sustains caregivers and anyone navigating long seasons of stress: how to make a life...

Are you ready to rewrite midlife?   

The biggest lie about midlife and aging says your best years are behind you. We set it on fire.  Author and practitioner Allison Davis joins us to reframe midlife as a season of strength, clarity, and fresh purpose. Together, we reveal the 3 pillars that can transform your next chapter: Body Work, Brain Work, and World Work.

Learn how small daily shifts—more protein, better sleep, movement, hydration, and deep breathing—build lasting energy and confidence. Discover the mindset and spiritual practices that lower stress, spark joy, an...

Your body knows before your mind can explain. We sat down with Jen to unpack how simple, intentional gestures can translate hard-to-name emotions into clear signals you can act on, turning anxious contraction into grounded expansion without forcing, fixing, or faking it. Her journey—from feeling “not smart” in test-driven classrooms to discovering kinesthetic and emotional intelligence—led to a somatic method that has helped thousands reclaim presence, confidence, and self-trust.

Jen walks us through the Power of Gesture, a research-informed practice born on Zoom during the pandemic, where hands became a precise instrument for nervous system regulati...

What if aging wasn't something to fear but something to embrace? What if those gray hairs and laugh lines weren't signs of decline but badges of wisdom and life fully lived? 

Natascha Harding, pro-aging maverick and Golden Bachelor contestant, joins Lynnis Woods-Mullins to flip the script on aging. With refreshing candor and infectious energy, they explore why the space between our ears—our mindset—is the most crucial factor in how we experience growing older.

"We are changing, we are shifting the narrative, and we are cutting a new path," Natascha declares, challenging listeners to rejec...

What does it take to recognize you're in an abusive relationship when denial feels safer than truth? When someone finally told Tiffiny Newton she was being abused, she refused to believe it—even as her partner controlled every aspect of her life.

This powerful conversation takes us through Tiffiny's journey from victim to survivor to advocate, revealing the subtle warning signs of abuse that often go unnoticed. She candidly shares how manipulation disguised as love kept her trapped in a cycle she attempted to escape five times before finally breaking free.

"Trauma bonding is like a...

What if your body's subtle signals could reveal health issues months or even years before they appear on traditional medical tests? That's the power of bioenergetic testing, a science-based approach that's helping midlife women decode their body's whispers before they become screams.

In this eye-opening conversation, mechanical engineer turned health detective Beth Milbrecht shares how she helps women who've been told their symptoms are "just aging" or "just stress" get to the root of what's really happening. With over 35 years of engineering experience, Beth brings a problem-solver's mindset to health challenges, using bioenergetic testing to identify imbalances...

What if your mindset could literally heal your body at the cellular level? Carey Mencarini extraordinary journey proves it's not just possible—it's transformative.

Wheelchair-bound, on oxygen, and given mere months to live with an ALS-like diagnosis in her early 40s, Carey refused to accept this fate. Her two young sons needed her, so she embarked on a healing journey that would defy all medical predictions. Through IV vitamin therapy, extended water-only fasting, and most critically, harnessing the power of her mind, she completely reversed her condition.

The science behind her recovery is fascinating. IV th...

"There aren't any good options." "Dating is a waste of time." "All the good ones are taken." Sound familiar? These limiting beliefs are exactly what Dr. Michelle Henry, relationship coach with a PhD in counseling and psychology, helps women overcome in this eye-opening conversation about dating after 40.

Drawing from her personal journey that led to meeting her husband in her early forties, Dr. Henry unveils how negative thought patterns become self-fulfilling prophecies in our dating lives. She expertly guides us through the process of reframing these thoughts, showing how each dating experience—even disappointing ones—offers valuable less...

When was the last time you truly listened to your body? Those whispers of "I don't feel right" or "I'm so tired" aren't just inconveniences – they're crucial messages that deserve your attention.

In this deeply personal conversation, health and mindset coach Andrea Joy shares her harrowing journey from severe burnout to vibrant health. After opening her own business at 26 while caring for her mother with stage four cancer, Andrea found herself facing multiple autoimmune conditions, including lupus symptoms and hypothyroidism. Despite doctors telling her she was "fine" or that her symptoms were "normal," she knew something was wr...

Ever felt invisible? As if society has decided women of a certain age should gracefully step into the shadows? Martina Gruppo knows this feeling all too well - both from experiencing cultural invisibility in Italy and from years spent with a covert narcissist who methodically dimmed her light and tried to take her power.

In this profound conversation, Martina shares her journey from silent suffering to radiant self-reclamation. Her story, captured in her book "Hello Flower," reveals how even the strongest women can become entangled in relationships that slowly strip away their sense of self. With remarkable...

What if the secret to thriving in midlife isn’t about chasing more—but about rediscovering what we’ve forgotten?

When Elizabeth Bruckner saw grocery store shelves emptying in 2020, it sparked more than anxiety—it ignited a deep transformation. Living in a typical suburban home surrounded by concrete and a backyard pool, she began a journey into modern homesteading—a lifestyle choice that turned uncertainty into empowerment.

Modern homesteading doesn’t require a cabin in the woods or going completely off-grid. It’s about reclaiming traditional, sustainable skills—like fermenting vegetables, growing herbs in containers, o...

The moment hit me at 63, suddenly noticing my body changing in ways I never expected. That shocking realization led to this powerful conversation with mindset coach Cheryl Fisher about navigating midlife body changes with grace and intention rather than resignation.

What we say to ourselves about our changing bodies matters profoundly. When we constantly verbalize negative thoughts about midlife weight gain, we're unwittingly programming our minds to accept defeat. Fisher reveals how many women fall into patterns of body complaints as a way to connect with others through shared struggles, creating a downward spiral of self-fulfilling prophecies...

Karen Stattner vividly recalls the day she fractured her back in a riding accident—a moment that would launch her on an unexpected journey into the world of somatic healing. Despite diligently following her physical therapist's advice to strengthen her core through Pilates, she remained in pain with restricted movement for years. The most frustrating part? Her X-rays showed everything had healed structurally.

 In this powerful episode, Karen shares how discovering clinical somatics finally gave her lasting relief. She introduces the eye-opening concept of sensory motor amnesia—those unconscious tension patterns your brain forgets how to re...

Hospitals can feel like confusing, overwhelming places—especially when you or a loved one needs care. In this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Monique Nugent, hospitalist and author of "Prescriptions for Admissions," we pull back the curtain on what really happens inside hospital walls and how to navigate this complex system with confidence.

Dr. Nugent shares powerful insights from her years of hospital practice, revealing the critical difference between expected and unexpected hospital visits. She offers practical advice for preparing questions before surgery, communicating effectively with healthcare providers, and addressing concerns in real-time rather than suffering in silence. He...

Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'll just suck it up until retirement"? Shannon Russell is on a mission to show women there's a better way.

In this enlightening conversation, career transition coach Shannon Russell shares her journey from a 16-year veteran of television production to a successful entrepreneur and author. After missing too many birthdays and bedtimes with her young children, Shannon made the bold decision to leave her Hollywood career and create something entirely new—what she calls her "second act."

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Shannon's candid discussion of creating pe...

Are you struggling with digestive issues that just won't resolve? That ongoing constipation might be your body's desperate attempt to get your attention.

Wellness expert Melissa Hall-Klepacki joins Glennis Woods-Mullins to tackle a subject many midlife women experience but few discuss openly: constipation and gut health. This frank, enlightening conversation reveals why digestive issues become more prevalent during midlife and how addressing them properly can transform your overall wellbeing.

Melissa shares the eight root causes of constipation most doctors never mention, from the surprising impact of morning routines to the hidden dangers lurking in your...

Have you noticed a sudden shift in your body after menopause, despite maintaining your usual exercise routine? That unexplained weight around your middle, loss of muscle tone, and decreased energy isn't your imagination—it's your hormones working against you.

Award-winning fitness coach Ashley Selman reveals the missing piece of the midlife fitness puzzle that most women never hear about: as estrogen drops during menopause, human growth hormone (HGH) plummets alongside it. This hormonal double-whammy explains why traditional workouts stop delivering results after 45, and why some exercise approaches might actually be making things worse.

The good ne...

What if the wisdom you're seeking has been within you all along? That quiet, steady voice nudging you toward your true path isn't just wishful thinking—it's your intuition speaking. But how do we distinguish between fear-based thoughts and authentic inner guidance?

Intuitive consultant Jenn Cohen joins us to explore the transformative power of intuition, particularly during midlife transitions. Drawing from her years collaborating with major studios like DreamWorks and NBC Universal, Jen reveals how intuition operates as our "first sense" rather than merely a sixth sense—a natural faculty we all possess but often neglect.

...

What if everything you've been told about weight loss is wrong? The story of Sheila Kelty will transform how you think about health and weight management forever. From an electric wheelchair, facing imminent death with lupus, diabetes, and 130 extra pounds—to vibrant health without exercising. This isn't just another weight loss story; it's a complete paradigm shift.

The traditional weight loss narrative revolves around willpower, calorie counting, and intense workouts. Yet these approaches often fail us, especially as we age. Sheila reveals why "calories in, calories out" is a fundamentally flawed concept and how high-intensity workouts can ac...

Ever noticed how your brain tries to convince you that overthinking is just part of the process?  In this illuminating conversation with psychotherapist Lindsey Carnick, we unravel the fascinating paradox at the heart of anxiety and overthinking.

Lindsey introduces a powerful metaphor that might forever change how you view anxious feelings: anxiety is merely an alarm system, not the threat itself. Just like a smoke detector that goes off when you're cooking or taking a hot shower, our internal alarm systems frequently signal problems that don't actually exist. The key isn't to fear the alarm but to r...

When the unexpected diagnosis of Lewy body dementia struck Carla Preyers's husband, she found herself thrust into a role she never anticipated. "The journey chose me," she explains, recounting the four-year battle for a proper diagnosis and the profound challenges that followed. This conversation reveals the often-invisible struggles caregivers face when supporting loved ones with dementia.

The emotional heart of this episode lies in Carla's honest discussion of caregiver self-preservation. Her commitment to morning prayers, positive environments, and regular exercise wasn't just about wellness—it was survival. "I had to manage my energy," she shares, explaining how ne...

What if your body already knows how to heal itself, and your brain just needs to get out of the way? After 27 years of debilitating chronic illness—including lupus, chemical sensitivities, and chronic fatigue syndrome—wellness coach Lori Clemmons discovered the transformative power of neuroplasticity when conventional treatments failed her.

In this enlightening conversation, Lori reveals how she went from being homebound and sometimes bedridden to hiking, jogging, and living vibrantly by retraining her brain. The key? Calming her overactive limbic system—the part of the brain constantly scanning for threats—through mindful practices like forest bathing, meditati...

When was the last time your doctor mentioned your soul during treatment? I'm willing to bet never—and that's precisely the problem Dr. Catherine Kelly addresses in this profound conversation about what's missing from modern medicine and psychology.

"The father of medicine, Hippocrates, said the soul is present in every illness and every organ over 2,000 years ago. Carl Jung said the same for psychology. But where is it now?" Dr. Kelly asks. As a former medical school professor, she witnessed firsthand how the soul has been systematically removed from our healing traditions despite being the most foundational as...

Ever wake up feeling exhausted despite a full night in bed? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation, sleep specialist Dr. Bajoi John reveals why quality sleep might be your most underutilized superpower.

Drawing from his experience treating over 50,000 patients, Dr. John dismantles the myth that sleeping less equals achieving more. "You can do more by sleeping more," he explains, challenging our hustle-focused culture with scientific evidence about how proper rest enhances every aspect of our lives.

The discussion explores Dr. John's practical SLEEP-NOW method—a comprehensive framework anyone can implement tonight. From creating the pe...

Welcoming a new baby into the family transforms everyone's lives—not just the parents. But what's your role as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling when that precious bundle arrives? Postpartum doula Foster Wilson guides us through this delicate family transition with wisdom that bridges generations.

Foster reveals that the most valuable contribution family members can make isn't what most expect. "Being of service in these early times helps build the bond with your child as they are transforming from woman to mother," she explains. "The bonding with your grandchild will certainly come, but those early weeks it...

What if, instead of fixating on what’s left on your bucket list, you created an “anti-bucket list” of things you no longer need to do? This perspective-shifting idea comes from award-winning filmmaker Sky Bergman, who has gathered 3,000 years of collective wisdom from adults 75+ on how to live well.

As milestone birthdays like 70 approach, many of us wonder if we’ll have enough time to accomplish everything we desire. Bergman’s documentary Lives Well-Lived and book Lives Well-Lived Generations challenge our youth-obsessed culture by showcasing vibrant, purposeful aging. Her research identifies four essential elements of a well-lived life: p...