Are you holding onto old patterns that no longer serve you—and wondering if it’s too late to change? In this episode, we explore the powerful idea that transformation is always possible, no matter your age or history. In this episode, I sit down with bestselling author and inspirational teacher Caren Paskel to talk about what it really means to believe in yourself in midlife—and how that belief can radically shift your health, your energy, and your entire life direction. Caren’s story is a deeply moving example of growth through adversity. From identifying as a shy, introverted child to becoming a dynamic speaker and retreat leader, she shares how self-belief became her foundation—especially after the profound loss of her soulmate and husband.

Caren Paskel is a best-selling author, speaker, and founder of Caren Paskel Self-Evolution, Youthful Longevity Yoga Training and Retreat™, and the Self-Evolution Education (S.E.E.) Foundation. A master in Vedanta philosophy and a lifelong yoga practitioner—starting her growth journey at just 16—Caren has dedicated her career to guiding individuals toward holistic transformation, empowerment, and self-mastery. With decades of experience in yoga and spiritual education, she provides a practical roadmap for integrating ancient wisdom into modern life.

A firm believer in the power of mentorship and collective energy, Caren has inspired thousands through her Self-Evolution courses, retreats, and books, including The Power of Self-Belief. Her teachings focus on the eternal values of life, the path of yoga to self-realization, and the importance of breaking free from small thinking to step into one’s highest potential.

In this episode:

• What it really means to believe in your higher self—not just your personality
• The connection between self-belief and healthy aging
• Why changing your “paradigm” is essential for long-term well-being
• How proximity to inspiring people can spark your own inner transformation
• The difference between self-esteem and true self-belief
• How Caren’s caregiving journey became a catalyst for spiritual growth
• Lessons from yoga philosophy that helped her move through grief and rebuild

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about Caren’s retreats and education foundation: https://carenpaskel.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carenpaskelselfevolution/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caren-paskel/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@carenpaskelyoga6711
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carenpaskel/

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Are you feeling overwhelmed by sudden bursts of rage—and wondering if it’s just you? You’re not alone. Many midlife women experience emotional intensity that seems to come out of nowhere. That fiery anger, the kind that feels like it’s bubbling just beneath the surface, isn’t just in your head—and it might be telling you something important.

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and business coach, Bailey Feldman, as we unpack the rising rage so many women experience in their 30s and 40s. We get honest about what it feels like, where it comes from (hint: it’s not just hormones), and what you can actually do to feel more balanced and in control. Whether you're in full-blown perimenopause or just starting to notice shifts, this conversation is your invitation to get curious—not critical—about what your body and emotions are trying to say.

In this episode:

• Why rage is more common than you think in your 30s and 40s
• What Chinese medicine says about emotional buildup (hello, liver Qi stagnation)
• How hormonal shifts start before perimenopause officially begins
• Lifestyle habits and mindset shifts that can smooth emotional edges
• The role of acupuncture, herbal support, and gentle liver detox
• Why we need community—and how multi-generational spaces can support healing
• The importance of pushing back on the “just survive it” mindset

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about acupuncture and holistic hormone support: risingwomanproject.com
• Bailey’s community space for women: Fount + Flourish
• Fount + Flourish Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefount_co
• Bailey’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baileyfeldman_

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Are you constantly walking into a room only to forget why you're there? Or maybe you’re mid-sentence and suddenly lose your train of thought? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not losing your mind. In today’s solo episode, I’m diving into a topic that so many of my patients bring up: brain fog during perimenopause and menopause. We’ll explore what’s really behind this frustrating symptom and, most importantly, what you can do to start feeling clearer, calmer, and more capable again.

If you’ve been wondering why your focus feels off or your memory isn’t what it used to be, this episode will help you connect the dots—and find real solutions.

In this episode:

• What brain fog really is (and why it’s not “just in your head”)
• The powerful role estrogen and progesterone play in memory and clarity
• How stress and high cortisol levels make brain fog worse
• Why your sleep quality is directly tied to your cognitive health
• Practical lifestyle changes to support a clearer, sharper mind
• The impact of exercise, healthy fats, and herbal adaptogens like Ashwagandha
• When to consider bioidentical hormone therapy—and why it’s not always the first step

Resources Mentioned:

🌿 FREE RESOURCE: Download your guide to thriving in midlife: https://risingwomanproject.com

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Are you feeling stuck in the "shoulds" of midlife — checking all the boxes of success but still wondering, is this all there is? You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not broken. In this inspiring episode, we're talking about how pleasure, self-discovery, and nervous system healing can reignite your midlife revolution.

Today, I’m joined by Natty Frasca, a pleasure coach, speaker, and fierce advocate for midlife women owning their full power. Natty shares her deeply personal story of transformation after hitting 40 — and how reconnecting with pleasure helped her rebuild her marriage, career, and sense of self. If you’re ready to reclaim your joy and lead with love, this conversation is for you!

In this episode:

• Natty’s “kitchen counter epiphany” — and how it changed everything.
• Why feeling good isn't just nice — it’s revolutionary.
• How pleasure practices heal the nervous system and fuel resilience.
• Why traditional marriage narratives don't fit many midlife women (and what to do about it).
• Small, everyday ways to “love push” and ripple positive change into the world.
• How Natty rebuilt her marriage through intention, imagination, and action.
• The essential link between pleasure, safety, and true intimacy.

Resources Mentioned:

• Website: https://www.thefemininerebellion.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefemininerebellion/

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Are you second-guessing your gut feelings—or brushing them off in the name of being “nice”? If you’ve ever doubted what you were seeing or feeling in a relationship—whether personal or professional—this episode is for you. In the first episode of the newly rebranded Menopause: Rise and Thrive, I’m opening up about a recent working relationship that challenged me to reconnect with one of the most essential midlife tools: self-trust.

With warmth and vulnerability, I invite you into my journey of learning to trust what’s real, not just what you hope could be. This episode is a tender yet powerful reminder that growth often means letting go—and that your intuition deserves to be honored.

In this episode:

• Why trusting your gut is harder than it sounds—and how midlife can help sharpen that instinct.
• The subtle ways we override our own discomfort in the name of harmony.
• Personal story of a professional relationship that sparked deep self-reflection.
• How emotional intelligence and self-protection often conflict—and what to do about it.
• The role of caregiving and “being nice” in silencing your own needs.
• A powerful plant analogy you won’t forget—on outgrowing old containers (and relationships).
• Permission to release relationships that no longer align—and embrace discernment as growth.

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Join me at my next wellness retreat! https://risingwomanproject.com/retreats/2025-april/

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Is this it?”—like you’ve checked all the boxes but something still feels...off? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by the fabulous Sue Willoughby, a fearless midlife trailblazer whose journey will make you laugh, cry, and most of all, feel inspired. From her VW bus named Arlo to her unique work with horses through Equus coaching, Sue is on a mission to help women over 40 drop the roles that no longer serve them and live a life that feels authentic and bold.

We explore why midlife is actually the perfect time to shake things up, stop people-pleasing, and get radically honest about what we want. Sue shares her own powerful story of transformation and healing—from a tough childhood and corporate burnout to creating a life filled with meaning, connection, and (yes!) horse wisdom. This one’s all about permission: to evolve, to feel deeply, and to live fully.

In this episode:

• 00:01 – Why Sue and I are instant kindred spirits (hint: VW buses and bold living).
• 02:30 – Sue opens up about growing up with chaos and becoming fiercely independent.
• 04:45 – The moment we lose ourselves in the roles of wife, mother, and caretaker.
• 06:00 – Why questioning the script is essential for midlife women.
• 08:30 – Chinese Medicine’s take on midlife and how kidney energy fuels reflection.
• 11:00 – Saying yes to yourself (and no to what no longer fits).
• 13:00 – The magic of letting go: how discomfort leads to freedom.
• 15:00 – Boundaries, reactivity, and what it really means to stay in your lane.
• 17:25 – What a horse can teach you about truth, presence, and being seen.
• 22:00 – Curious about Equus coaching? Here’s what it’s like—no riding required!
• 27:30 – Details on Sue’s upcoming women’s retreats and how to join her.

Connect with Sue Willoughby:

• Web: https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
• LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/
• YT: https://www.youtube.com/@SueWilloughby
• Podcast: A Life Worth Being
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SueWilloughby

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Join me at my next wellness retreat! https://risingwomanproject.com/retreats/2025-april/

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Do you ever feel like you’ve lost touch with the vibrant, energized version of yourself? Maybe you’re juggling work, family, and changing hormones—and wondering where you went in the process. If you’re nodding yes, this episode is for you.

Today, I’m joined by our beloved nurse practitioner Monique Willingham for a heartfelt, real-talk conversation about how to reclaim your sense of self in midlife. We’re pulling back the curtain on what we see in our clinic every day—and how boundaries, emotional clarity, and intentional self-care are essential tools for not just surviving, but thriving during menopause and beyond.

This isn’t about quick fixes or symptom-chasing. It’s about rediscovering who you are—and becoming the strongest, most joyful version of yourself.

In this episode:

• Why boundaries are the foundation of true wellness in midlife
• The emotional and physical disconnect so many women feel—and what to do about it
• How to redefine your priorities and make time for you
• The role of community and connection during hormonal transitions
• How mindset impacts your healing and why short-term fixes don’t work
• Tips for cultivating consistency and long-term wellness (even in a busy life)
• How acupuncture and holistic care support emotional and physical resilience

Resources Mentioned:

🎁 FREE RESOURCE: Download your guide to feeling empowered in midlife: https://risingwomanproject.com

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Join me at my next wellness retreat! https://risingwomanproject.com/retreats/2025-april/

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Are you stuck in patterns that no longer serve you? Do you struggle with habits, behaviors, or beliefs that feel impossible to change? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the power of neuroplasticity and how you can rewire your brain for lasting transformation.

My guest today is Adele Spraggon, an award-winning author, internationally recognized thought leader, and expert in behavioral change. She’s here to share her groundbreaking four-step method, which is backed by neuroscience and has helped thousands of people break free from self-limiting patterns. Whether you’re dealing with stress, emotional eating, or struggling to set boundaries, Adele’s approach will give you the tools to create real, lasting change—without relying on willpower alone.

In this episode:

• Why traditional self-help methods often fail—and what actually works
• How brain patterns shape your habits, emotions, and beliefs
• The surprising truth about why willpower doesn’t work long-term
• Adele’s four-step process for rewiring your brain
• How to break free from food cravings and emotional eating
• Using this method to set better boundaries and say ‘no’ with confidence
• Why your brain is your best ally in creating lasting change

Resources Mentioned:

• Get Adele’s book: Shift: 4 Steps to Personal Empowerment – Download your free copy
• Book a free call with Adele to explore your personal patterns – Schedule here
• Website: https://shift4steps.com

Connect with me, Sara Poldmae:

• Website: https://risingwomanproject.com
• Instagram: @drsarapoldmae

If you loved this episode, please follow the show and leave a review! Your support helps us continue to bring you empowering conversations to thrive in midlife. Until next time, take charge of your mind, body, and spirit—and live fully with intention.

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!