The Becoming Years with Alina Wilson

What happens when experience gives us wisdom but not necessarily certainty? Who we are still becoming in the second half of life? What do we keep, what do we let go of, and how does our definition of success change? Listen in as Alina explores the themes of success, personal growth, and the impact of uncertainty on life and relationships with Nina Justin. The conversation explores the intersection of technology, humanity, and personal identity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining core human skills amidst rapid technological advancements.

Nina Aziz Justin — Malaysian-born, Europe-based, a TEDx speaker, author, entrepreneur and st...

In this episode, host Alina Wilson converses with author and coach Tony Caliendo about his book 'Less Over More,' exploring the concept of prioritizing less in order to achieve more meaningful outcomes in life.

They discuss the importance of recognizing the difference between 'wrong more' and 'right more,' and how societal conditioning often leads to a scarcity mindset that drives individuals to over-consume and over-achieve.

In this conversation, Tony Caliendo shares his journey of self-discovery and the importance of redefining success through personal narratives and emotional intelligence. He emphasizes the significance of understanding...

Girlfriends... if your sleep, mood, memory, or libido feels different lately, you’re not imagining it—and it may not be “just aging.” In this episode of The Becoming Years, Alina talks with nurse practitioner Nora Lersch about perimenopause, menopause, hormones, and why women deserve to be heard by a medical community seemingly unwilling to listen.

Nora brings more than 30 years of nursing experience, including menopause care and oncology. She runs a sexual health and menopause clinic for cancer patients in Portland, OR, helping women navigate symptoms that can follow cancer treatment. Hormone therapy may be an option f...

The advice most people get about goals is backwards—and it may be quietly keeping you stuck. Alan Lazaros reveals the system he’s used for 11 years to turn vague ambition into measurable progress, even when life, work, and motivation are all pulling in different directions.

Alina and Alan go beyond the surface to explore why so many people never reach their goals: they’re trying to change everything without first getting honest about who they are, what matters, and what’s actually getting in the way. In this episode, you’ll discover:

What if the behaviors you’re trying to “fix”—overworking, overeating, hoarding, choosing unhealthy relationships, withdrawing, or sabotaging your own success—aren’t random flaws? What if they’re clues?

In this conversation, Alina speaks with Charlene Underhill Miller, a psychotherapist, educator, coach, writer, lecturer, and marriage and family therapist based in California. Together, they explore how childhood trauma, neglect, and family patterns can show up later in relationships, work, parenting, food habits, and self-sabotage.You’ll learn how to recognize repeating patterns without judging yourself, replace “Why did I do that?” with more useful questions, and begin...

This episode explores how fear, resentment, and unchecked emotions shape workplace culture, from employer leadership to employee behavior. Alina speaks with Debbie Longo, a workplace development coach with 24 plus years of experience, about how self-evaluation, discomfort, and mindset shifts can change the energy of a business.We discuss how negative culture can take root, why fear shows up in both thoughts and behavior, and how employers and employees can each take responsibility for their role in creating a healthier environment.

Main Topics Covered:

In this episode of The Becoming Years, Alina and Margaret Gardiner, former Beauty Queen, Journalist, & Author, talk about her debut novel Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar and the deeper themes behind it: self-worth, people-pleasing, and the cost of performance.

Margaret shares how her background in psychology and her early experiences in beauty and fashion shaped the story. Together, they explore how women are often trained to self-blame, stay likable, and put others first at their own expense.

Margaret explains why her protagonist, Joey, is intentionally unlikable at first — because real healing often begins in uncomfortable, imperfect pl...

Unlock the secrets to boosting your self-esteem and transforming your life with wisdom from Dame Clarissa Burt, a knighted international media icon, former supermodel, and author of The Self-Esteem Regime.

In this inspiring episode, Clarissa shares how her tumultuous childhood fueled her passion for helping others, revealing practical, bite-sized tools to strengthen confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence, especially when life feels overwhelming.

You'll discover the four pillars of self-esteem - look good, feel good, be good, and give back—plus actionable steps to nurture each. Clarissa breaks down how to cultivate inner strength through boundaries, in...

Some conversations feel less like interviews and more like catching up with a life-long friend—and that’s exactly what this episode is. Today, I’m joined by my dear friend Danielle Van Auken, founder of Organic Bronze Bar, to talk about the journey of turning a passion for helping women feel confident into a nationally recognized franchise rooted in purpose and connection.

Danielle and I share more than a friendship—we share a belief that beauty is about so much more than appearance. It’s about how we make people feel, the stories we carry, and...

Some conversations feel less like interviews and more like catching up with a life-long friend—and that’s exactly what this episode is. Today, I’m joined by my dear friend Danielle Van Auken, founder of Organic Bronze Bar, to talk about the journey of turning a passion for helping women feel confident into a nationally recognized franchise rooted in purpose and connection.

Danielle and I share more than a friendship—we share a belief that beauty is about so much more than appearance. It’s about how we make people feel, the stories we carry, and...

If you’re ready to level up your self-worth, ditch the perfectionism, and celebrate even the smallest wins, then this episode is your new best friend.

Join Alina & Amy on a rollercoaster ride through the wild worlds of hormones, success, and the core beliefs that shape our lives - told in a way that only Amy Lenius can deliver. This episode is packed with practical, hilarious insights on transforming your mindset and habits. Amy explains how tiny tweaks—like celebrating laundry or ditching perfection—can lead to massive success.

If you've ever wondered how to thrive...

Ever feel like life keeps testing your patience and your joy? Today, Shannon Donahoe-Simpson is a TEDx speaker, cancer survivor, and joy enthusiast. She joins Alina to spill the tea on how she turned life's chaos into a pathway for awakening her inner happiness. Spoiler alert: it involves boundaries, bravery, and some awesome dance moves.

00:00 - Welcome to the Becoming Years: Finding Joy in the Journey

02:07 - Shannon’s childhood trauma and her breakthrough moment

03:50 - Sharing her story to empower others and break silence

06:44 - Fi...

Ever wonder what makes life worth living beyond the paycheck? Alina Wilson teams up with Andy Semotiuk, a Forbes columnist and international law expert, to tackle the heavyweight questions — Who am I? Why am I here? And how do we stay resilient when the world throws shade? Spoiler alert: It’s all about values, purpose, and a good dose of humor.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introducing Andy Semichuk: From Edmonton winters to Forbes columns
03:11 – Why these themes keep coming back in our lives and careers
05:39 – The philosophical foundation: Who am I and why am I here?

Ever wonder how someone can turn a life of adversity into a blueprint for success? Meet Terry Tucker—a former basketball star, SWAT negotiator, hospital admin, and cancer warrior—who's got lessons for us all. Fasten your seatbelt, because this episode is a rollercoaster of raw honesty, killer insights, and a whole lot of why not?

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Alina and Faye Inger, a novelist with a background in forensic psychology, discuss her journey, insights on intuition, and the dynamics of relationships. The conversation covers themes of forensic psychology's impact on her personal transformation, spiritual awakening, and the power of community. The discussion also emphasizes the significance of supportive relationships and the normalization of taboo topics. If you're ready to tap into your creativity, this episode is for you!

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Have you ever wondered why certain scents calm your nervous system and others don't? Aromatherapy expert Angela Sidlo answers this question and more! Her science-based approach focuses on the use of essential oils and aromatherapy for menopause and overall wellness.

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Just what is sensuality and why does it matter? In this episode, Alina explores the distinction between sensuality and sexuality, the impact of purity culture on women, the role of neuroscience in sensory experience, the process of reigniting sensuality, and the journey of overcoming shame. She shares personal insights on how these themes intersect and influence women's lives, offering a path to reclaiming sensuality and embracing a more fulfilling experience of life and sexuality.

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Alina's conversation with Brianna Bass covers topics such as nourishment vs. self-care, emotional wellbeing, aging into perspective, intimacy, platonic relationships, barriers to vulnerability, and finding balance in relationships.

Brianna discusses the impact of high-functioning codependency and the importance of building a life for sustained relevance. The over-functioning and under-functioning dynamic in relationships is explored, along with the challenges and strategies for finding balance and mutual support.

The conversation highlights the impact of unspoken expectations, the process of grieving the identity of the over-functioner, the use of high functioning as a defense...

The conversation delves into the themes of midlife unraveling and reconstruction, the intersection of sexuality and spirituality, and the process of restructuring and transformation.

It explores the challenges and experiences of women navigating these transformative phases in their lives, offering insights and reflections on the journey of self-discovery and growth. It explores phases of change, rewards for letting go, undoing of persona, and creative unleashing. It then navigates the battle of the opposites from a neuroscience perspective, addressing the central nervous system, integration of frameworks, and creative expression in relationships.

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The Becoming Years podcast explores the challenges of ending friendships with grace and navigating betrayal in friendships. The conversation delves into the pain of ending friendships, recognizing signs of a friendship running its course, graceful endings, and allowing space in friendships. It also covers ending friendships with clarity and compassion, navigating betrayal, and rebuilding community and capacity for friendships.

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Today I want to talk about beauty—not the kind we’re sold,
but the kind we feel. Most of us struggle with the belief that beauty conditional - that we must look a certain way to be accepted or feel worthy.

So here are ten gentle, human things you can do to feel more beautiful—not because they change how you look,
but because they change how you relate to yourself.

Resources:

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