The Iconic Midlife with Roxy Manning

Michael Allio: He Thought His Love Story Was Over

Michael Allio has lived through the kind of loss that changes everything.

After losing his wife to cancer, the former Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise star suddenly found himself navigating grief, single fatherhood, and the impossible task of helping his young son process emotions he was still trying to understand himself.

What came next was a complete rebuilding of his life.

In this deeply personal conversation, Michael opens up about what grief taught him, how fatherhood changed him, why vulnerability became a...

Jennifer Shaffer Plays Spirit Speed Round

What if you could ask an intuitive medium all the questions you've secretly wondered about... and get the very first answer that comes to mind?

In this special game episode of The Iconic Midlife, intuitive Jennifer Shaffer takes on Spirit Speed Round—a rapid-fire challenge where she finishes thought-provoking sentences about intuition, signs from loved ones, grief, the afterlife, and the messages she believes we're all meant to hear.

From the biggest misconception about mediums to the one message she wishes everyone could receive, Jennifer's answers are he...

Have your loved ones been trying to send you signs... and you've been missing them?

From repeating numbers and vivid dreams to unexplained coincidences and messages that seem too specific to ignore, millions of people have wondered whether those moments are random—or something more.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Iconic Midlife, I sit down with intuitive medium Jennifer Shaffer to explore the extraordinary experiences that have made her one of the most sought-after intuitives in the country. Jennifer shares how she receives messages, the biggest misconceptions about mediumship, what she's learned from helping gr...

What happens when a legendary fashion designer weighs in on today's biggest style debates?

In this bonus game episode of The Iconic Midlife, fashion icon Cynthia Rowley plays Runway or Run Away?—sharing her unfiltered takes on fashion trends, style "rules," and the looks she'd happily embrace...or leave behind.

From sequins before noon to visible bra straps, flats vs. heels, and the idea of "dressing your age," Cynthia proves that confidence and curiosity will always be more fashionable than following someone else's rules.

Whether you're a lifelong fashion lover or simply looking fo...

What if the secret to timeless style has nothing to do with following trends?

This week on The Iconic Midlife, I'm joined by legendary fashion designer Cynthia Rowley, whose career has spanned more than four decades and over 100 runway shows. But this conversation goes far beyond fashion.

We dive into why women over 40 should stop dressing for trends, how confidence evolves with age, the power of reinvention, and what it really takes to stay creatively relevant in an ever-changing world.

Cynthia also shares behind-the-scenes stories from dressing Hollywood's biggest stars, including a hilarious...

What can a fire never take away?

In this special game segment from The Iconic Midlife, Tonya Meisenbach plays "The Fire Couldn't Take..."—a powerful fill-in-the-blank game that reveals the strength, hope, and resilience that carried her through life's darkest chapter.

With every answer, Tonya reminds us that while tragedy can change our lives, it doesn't have to define who we become.

This isn't just a game—it's a moving conversation about confidence, purpose, love, dreams, and the woman she's still becoming.

In this game, Tonya reveals:

• What the fire c...

What happens when the life you knew disappears in an instant?

In 2018, Tonya Meisenbach survived an unimaginable act of domestic violence that left her with life-threatening burns and forever changed the way she looked. But what followed wasn't just a story of survival—it became a story of resilience, reinvention, and discovering a confidence she never knew she had.

In this deeply moving conversation, Tonya opens up about rebuilding her life after trauma, learning to embrace her scars, raising her children while healing, and why she says she actually feels more confident today than she di...

How do you know if something is truly aligned with the life you're meant to live?

In this special Game episode, PlateFit founder Rachael Blumberg joins Roxy for a rapid-fire round of Is it Aligned or Out of Alignment? that goes beyond fitness and dives into intuition, boundaries, relationships, purpose, and personal growth.

Through a series of thought-provoking scenarios, Rachael reveals how she decides what deserves a "yes," what gets a "no," and how living in alignment has transformed every area of her life.

It's fun, insightful, and might just inspire you to...

What happens when you've built a successful business—but realize you're still searching for something deeper?

This week, Roxy sits down with PlateFit founder Rachael Blumberg for an honest conversation about reinvention, identity, and the unexpected paths that can transform your life.

Rachael shares how creating one of Los Angeles' most recognizable boutique fitness brands was only part of her journey. She opens up about walking away from alcohol, exploring psychedelic healing, discovering the practice of circling, and learning that true strength has as much to do with emotional resilience as physical fitness.

Wh...

What deserves your energy in midlife—and what are women wasting far too much time worrying about?

In this bonus game episode of The Iconic Midlife, Helen Christoni joins Roxy Manning for a rapid-fire round of Worth It or Waste of Energy?

From hustle culture and people-pleasing to wellness trends, guilt, boundaries, and reinvention, Helen shares her candid opinions on the habits, pressures, and expectations women face every day.

Some answers may surprise you.

In This Episode

What happens when life changes in an instant—and you have to find a way to keep moving forward?

In this deeply personal episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning sits down with entrepreneur, wellness executive, and Make Time Wellness co-founder Helen Christoni for a powerful conversation about grief, resilience, caregiving, women's brain health, and rebuilding a meaningful life after unimaginable loss.

After losing her daughter Bella and witnessing the devastating impact of dementia and cognitive decline on loved ones, Helen found herself reevaluating everything—from how women care for themselves to the emotional burdens so m...

Joanna Krupa is back—but this time we're putting her to the test.

In this bonus game episode of The Iconic Midlife, Joanna plays Hot or Unhinged?, where she weighs in on dating, relationships, red flags, modern romance, animal rescue, and some seriously questionable life choices.

No overthinking. No filter. Just instant reactions and plenty of laughs.

In this episode:

• Dating younger: Hot or Unhinged?

• Sliding into DMs

• Sleeping with your ex

• Reality TV drama

• The biggest dating red flags

• Animal rescue and rel...

What happens when the world knows your face—but not your story?

For years, Joanna Krupa has been recognized as a model, television personality, entrepreneur, and passionate animal advocate. But behind the glamour is a woman who has navigated love, heartbreak, public scrutiny, motherhood, reinvention, and the pressure of living so much of her life in the spotlight.

In this candid Season 2 premiere of The Iconic Midlife, Joanna opens up about what it's really like to age in the public eye, the misconceptions people have about reality television, dating after divorce, motherhood, beauty standards, confidence, lo...

Skin Truth or Myth? Dr. Jessica Weiser Debunks Midlife Beauty Myths

Can you actually damage your skin barrier without realizing it?

Do women in menopause need a completely different skincare strategy?

And are we all overdoing skincare in the pursuit of looking younger?

In this rapid-fire “Skin Truth or Myth?” episode, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessica Weiser joins Roxy Manning to separate beauty fact from fiction — tackling some of the biggest misconceptions women hear about aging skin, retinol, exfoliation, injectables, skincare trends, collagen loss, and midlife beauty pressure.

They also discus...

At a certain point in midlife, many women start noticing something frustrating: the skincare routine that used to work suddenly… doesn’t.

You buy better products. Add more steps. Spend more money. Maybe even consider lasers or injectables. And yet your skin still feels duller, thinner, drier, more reactive, or somehow just not like you anymore.

So what’s actually happening?

In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy sits down with renowned board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessica Weiser for a smart, nuanced conversation about what really happens to skin during perimenopause and menopause — and why...

We’ve all met her.

The woman who says she’s “fine”… while running on anxiety, overwhelm, exhaustion, caffeine, adrenaline, and maybe a nightly glass of wine she swears she “deserves.”

In this revealing game episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning and clinical forensic psychologist Dr. Mandy Diamond unpack the midlife behaviors women have quietly normalized — and ask the question:

What’s really going on underneath?

From high-functioning anxiety and ADHD symptoms to emotional regulation, overstimulation, burnout, and “wine o’clock culture,” this conversation explores the patterns many women don’t even realize they’re stu...

What happens when the woman everyone thinks has it together… secretly feels overwhelmed, overstimulated, anxious, scattered, and exhausted?

In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning sits down with clinical forensic psychologist Dr. Mandy Diamond for a smart, honest, and deeply relatable conversation about the patterns many high-functioning women quietly struggle with in midlife.

From anxiety and undiagnosed ADHD to the complicated role alcohol can play in coping, this episode explores why so many women suddenly feel “off” during perimenopause and midlife — and why those feelings are often misunderstood.

Dr. Diamond shares insights...

Welcome to the most unhinged beauty conversation we’ve had yet.

In this bonus game episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy is joined again by Julie Obst and Alana Ungvari of LA Beauty Connect for a rapid-fire round of:

Snatched or Sketchy? 👀

From facelifts and fillers to surgery recovery culture, TikTok beauty trends, “preventative” procedures, influencer transparency, and Beverly Hills beauty standards… nothing is safe.

We’re judging it all.

Funny, chaotic, brutally honest, and slightly terrifying.

If you’ve ever:

Facelifts are having a moment.

Recovery videos are flooding TikTok, women are talking more openly about cosmetic procedures than ever before, and somewhere between “aging gracefully” and “doing too much,” a whole new beauty culture has emerged.

In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy sits down with Julie Obst and Alana Ungvari, founders of LA Beauty Connect — luxury recovery specialists and self-described “plastic surgery doulas” helping women navigate the emotional, physical, and logistical side of cosmetic procedures in Beverly Hills.

From facelift trends and filler fatigue to post-op recovery, social media beauty pressure, and...

No Perfect Answers with Caroline Stanbury

What happens when you stop choosing the “right” answer… and start choosing the honest one?

In this bonus game episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning puts reality tv star Caroline Stanbury in the hot seat for a rapid-fire round of impossible trade-offs, power plays, social dynamics, ambition, relationships, image, control, and the real cost of living life on your own terms.

There are no safe answers here.

From choosing between power or peace, privacy or visibility, control or freedom, Caroline is forced to answer the ki...

In this bold, unfiltered episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning sits down with the reality star, entrepreneur, podcast host, and former Ladies of London and Real Housewives of Dubai star for a conversation about reinvention, beauty, power, relationships, ambition, and what it really takes to build a life entirely on your own terms.

From rebuilding after divorce in her 40s to marrying a younger man, embracing beauty treatments without apology, developing her own peptide venture, and potentially becoming a mother again at 50, Caroline opens up about the choices most women are judged for—but secretly admire.

What do you keep—and what do you let go of?

In this game segment, The Fondle Project founder Gina Lamanna is put on the spot with a series of unexpected choices—forcing her to reveal how she really thinks about relationships, identity, control, and what actually matters now.

Some answers are instant. Others… not so much.

We’re switching things up.

In this game of “You Can Only Keep One,” Gina Lamanna has to make quick, instinctive choices between two competing ideas—no overthinking, no perfect answers.

What unfolds is a g...

She was told everything was fine.

But something didn’t feel right—and she couldn’t ignore it.

In this episode, Gina Lamanna shares what happened when she chose to trust herself and keep pushing for answers, even when she was being reassured that everything was okay.

What followed wasn’t just a turning point in her health—it was a complete shift in how she sees her body, her relationships, and her life.

This is a conversation about intuition, persistence, and what it really means to stop overriding yourself.

There ar...

Is that daily glass of red wine actually helping your heart… or hurting it?

In this quick-fire game, Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum puts common “heart health” habits to the test—separating what actually supports your body from what’s just hype.

From menopause myths to everyday wellness habits, we’re calling it out: heart health… or heart nope?

In This Episode:

Why This Matters

There’s a lot of...

Heart disease is the #1 health threat to women—and yet it’s still the one most overlooked.

In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, I sit down with leading cardiologist Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum to unpack the connection between menopause, hormones, and cardiovascular health—and why so many women are missing the warning signs.

We talk about what hot flashes may actually signal, how hormonal shifts impact your heart, and the subtle symptoms that are too often dismissed or misdiagnosed. Dr. Steinbaum also shares what women should be doing now to protect their long-term health—and the crit...

Not every relationship is meant to last forever.

But not every relationship needs to end either.

Sometimes the real question isn’t stay or go — it’s something more nuanced.

In this game episode, Dr. Darcy Sterling joins me for Cut, Keep or Redefine — where we break down real-life relationship scenarios and decide what’s actually worth holding onto… and what isn’t.

From friendship breakups to dating after divorce, these are the kinds of situations that don’t have easy answers — but say a lot about what we value, what we tolerate, and w...

Relationships don’t just end in midlife — they evolve, fracture, and sometimes quietly fall away.

Friendships that once felt effortless can start to feel misaligned. Long-term relationships shift in ways you didn’t expect. And if you find yourself dating again after a divorce or breakup, it’s often with a completely different perspective — and a completely different set of questions.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Darcy Sterling, licensed therapist and host of We Need To Talk with Dr. Darcy Sterling, to explore what’s really happening beneath the surface of relationships in midlife.

Trust your doctor's guidance or trust your own instincts—it's a dilemma that many of us face, and honestly, it can feel like choosing between a rock and a hard place. In this episode, we dive deep into that very question, weighing the merits of medical advice against our gut feelings, especially when something feels off. With a captivating blend of personal anecdotes and thoughtful insights, we explore the landscape of health awareness, particularly for women, and the importance of proactive measures like low-dose chest CT scans. Our guest, who has a family steeped in medicine, shares her journey th...

She did everything right.

Healthy. Active. A mother of four. A non-smoker.

And still—she had lung cancer.

In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning sits down with investor, healthcare policy advocate, and lung cancer survivor Shira Boehler to unpack a diagnosis that wasn’t supposed to happen—and what it reveals about the gaps in modern healthcare.

At 43, Shira went in for a preventative full-body scan with no symptoms, no warning signs, and no reason to believe anything was wrong. What she found instead was Stage 1 lung cancer—caught e...

Are your symptoms being missed… or misunderstood?In this bonus episode of The Iconic Midlife, I’m joined again by Dr. Eboni Cornish for a rapid-fire game we’re calling “Missed or Misunderstood?”I throw out real symptoms and scenarios that so many women experience in midlife—and she breaks down what might actually be going on beneath the surface.From brain fog and fatigue to anxiety, hormone shifts, and everything in between, this is a fast, eye-opening look at why so many women are told they’re “fine”… when they don’t feel it.It’s quick. It’s sharp. And it might change...

So many women hit a point in midlife where something just feels… off.The fatigue, the brain fog, the anxiety, the sense that you’re not quite yourself anymore.You run the labs. You’re told everything looks “normal.”And yet—you don’t feel normal at all.In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Eboni Cornish, a physician specializing in neuroinflammation and complex, often “invisible” illnesses like Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions.We unpack what’s really going on beneath symptoms that are often dismissed or misdiagnosed—especially in midlife—and why Lyme disease is far more widespread than most people realize.T...

Cold plunges. Intermittent fasting. Daily cardio. Peptides. Supplements.

There’s no shortage of wellness advice right now — especially for women in midlife.

But what’s actually worth your time?

And what might be overhyped?

In this bonus episode of The Iconic Midlife, we’re playing “Overrated or Underrated” with Dr. Chris Asandra, a longevity physician and hormone health expert, and Maria Chase, founder of BURN LA.

It’s a rapid-fire breakdown of some of the most talked-about fitness and wellness trends — where they land, what actually works, and where women may be ove...

What happens when the workouts that used to work… stop working?

So many women hit their 40s and feel like the rules suddenly changed.

Energy shifts. Sleep becomes unpredictable. Muscle feels harder to maintain. And despite doing all the “right” things, the results don’t always follow.

In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, we’re breaking down what’s actually happening in the body during midlife — and how women can rethink fitness, metabolism, and recovery in a way that actually works.

I’m joined by Dr. Chris Asandra, a physician specializing in...

What’s actually worth it when it comes to midlife skin?

Because between facials, lasers, injectables, luxury creams, and every trending treatment in between… it’s easy to spend a lot of money without really knowing what’s working.

So instead of another long conversation, we did something different.

In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning puts skin specialist Erica Marie Gatt, founder of EM Skin Studio, in the hot seat for a rapid-fire game of Face Off—where she has to choose between two options… and defend her answer.

No “it dep...

If your skincare routine suddenly feels like it stopped working overnight… you’re not imagining things.

During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal shifts can dramatically change the skin. Collagen production slows, elasticity decreases, dryness increases, and breakouts can return even if you haven’t had acne since high school. Products that once worked beautifully may suddenly feel ineffective.

In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, host Roxy Manning sits down with esthetician and skin specialist Erica Marie Gatt, founder of EM Skin Studio in Hermosa Beach, to break down what’s actually happening to women’s skin durin...

Menopause Myths vs Facts: What’s Actually True?

Menopause is having a moment — but with all the conversation comes a lot of confusion.

From hormone therapy fears to hot flash folklore, women have been told a lot of things about menopause… and not all of them are true.

In this fun game-style episode of The Iconic Midlife, we separate fact from fiction and put some of the most common menopause myths to the test.

Because midlife shouldn’t be navigated with outdated information.

Together, we tackle questions women hear all the...

For decades, women have been told a very incomplete — and often misleading — story about menopause.

Hot flashes. Mood swings. Just “power through it.”

But according to menopause specialist Dr. Louise Newson, much of what women have been taught about hormones, HRT, and midlife health is outdated, misunderstood, or simply wrong.

In this powerful conversation, we unpack the myths that have shaped women’s understanding of menopause for years — and what the science actually says about hormones, brain health, mental health, and longevity.

This episode is especially timely as I’m attending the National C...

What happens when you take real-life financial decisions women face in midlife… and turn them into a game?

In this bonus episode of The Iconic Midlife, I’m joined again by wealth advisor and financial life designer Hayley Dickson for a rapid-fire round of “Worth It… or Not?”

We put some of the most common midlife money dilemmas on the table — the kinds of choices many women quietly wrestle with:

Should you prioritize experiences now or build more long-term wealth?

Is it worth staying in a high-paying job you’ve outgrown?

How much...

By the time we reach our 40s and 50s, money stops being theoretical.

It becomes personal.

It’s no longer just about income — it’s about security, freedom, legacy, reinvention, marriage, divorce, risk, and the quiet question so many smart women ask themselves:

Am I actually building wealth… or just maintaining a lifestyle?

In this episode, I sit down with wealth advisor and financial strategist Hayley Dickson to talk about what midlife women often get wrong about money — and how to reset your financial life with clarity and intention.

We unpack...

The IDGAF attitude of midlife is a refreshing perspective that really takes center stage in our chat today with supermodel Veronica Webb. We're diving into the idea that as we age, we tend to care less about the little things that used to weigh us down, and honestly, it’s liberating! We share some wild stories from the modeling world, like a scorching Vogue shoot in Times Square that left one of us literally passing out—thank goodness for the pre-cell phone era, right? We also dish on the glamorous and not-so-glamorous moments of our careers, from rubbing elbows with...