Episodes

Have you ever felt like there’s something more calling you, something deeper, more aligned, more you? If you’ve spent years showing up for everyone else and are now facing a quiet inner nudge that’s hard to ignore, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Message in the Middle, I’m joined by transformational coach Anna Quigley, who has spent over 30 years studying neuroscience, quantum mind-body tools, and sensory imagination. Anna believes that intuition isn’t just a mystical concept, ...

Healing our relationship with food, our body, and ourselves is rarely a straight line. In this eye-opening episode of Message in the Middle, Marianne sits down with journalist, author, and educator Mallary Tenore Tarpley to explore the often-overlooked “messy middle” of eating disorder recovery. Mallary’s new book, Slip, blends personal memoir with investigative reporting to reveal why recovery is rarely a straight path and how neurobiology, genetics, and lived experience all play a role. If ...

Midlife often brings big transitions, changes in identity, priorities, relationships, and even our own sense of self. But what if the biggest challenge isn’t the circumstances around us, but the stories we tell ourselves about them? In this episode of Message in the Middle, I sit down with Cheryl Fischer, speaker, trainer, event moderator, host of the Mind Your Midlife podcast, and certified Life and Mindset Coach. Cheryl works with women to shift the inner narrative from “I’m stuck” or “I’m no...

Midlife brings so many shifts—children leaving home, aging parents, career changes, identity shifts, and layered on top of it all, grief in its many forms. Sometimes it’s the loss of a loved one, and other times it’s the ache of realizing life looks different than we imagined. In this episode of Message in the Middle, I’m joined by Jane Dye, a registered nurse, board-certified holistic health coach, and certified grief educator. With more than 30 years of nursing practice, much of it in psychia...

What if aging wasn’t about decline, but about becoming more fully yourself? In this episode of Message in the Middle, I sit down with bestselling author and leadership coach Erika Andersen to talk about what it really means to age well—and how we can begin preparing for a vibrant “third act” of life long before we get there. Erika has spent more than 30 years guiding senior leaders at companies like Spotify, Amazon, and Charter through deep transformation. Now, in her seventies, she’s turning...

Have you ever felt like your own mind is working against you? That no matter how much you want to change, old patterns and doubts keep pulling you back? In this episode of Message in the Middle, I sit down with educator, entrepreneur, and author Mitch Weisburgh to talk about his new book MindShifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success. Mitch has spent decades helping people and organizations learn, grow, and adapt and now he’s sharing practical tools to help us do the s...

If you’ve spent years counting calories, restricting foods, or shaming yourself for not having the “perfect” body, you’re not alone. For so many women, especially in midlife, the relationship with food and body image can feel like an exhausting tug-of-war. But what if the way out isn’t about more willpower or stricter rules? What if it’s about relearning how to trust yourself? In this episode of Message in the Middle, I sit down with Joanne Edinberg, Certified Eating Psychology Coach and founde...

If you’ve been feeling the weight of the world lately, wondering how we got here, why everything feels so divided, or how to reconnect to yourself in a culture that seems more disconnected than ever, this episode offers a thoughtful, healing perspective. In this soulful and timely conversation, Marianne sits down with Phyllis Leavitt, a seasoned psychotherapist, spiritual seeker, and author of America in Therapy: A New Approach to Hope and Healing for a Nation in Crisis. Drawing from more than ...

What if the words you speak could shape your reality and what if the key to moving forward was simply refusing to quit on your hardest days? In this empowering episode of Message in the Middle, I’m joined by Hall of Fame athlete, award-winning entrepreneur, and bestselling author Phebe Trotman. As the powerhouse behind the Never Quit on a Bad Day book series, Phebe shares her deeply personal philosophy on resilience, the transformative power of intentional language, and what it really means to ...

In this episode of Message in the Middle, we’re diving into the often-overwhelming world of career change and job search strategy. I’m joined by Amy Adler, president of Five Strengths Career Transition Experts and a nationally recognized expert in resume writing and career positioning. With credentials like Certified Master Resume Writer, Certified Executive Resume Master, and Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert, Amy brings the perfect mix of strategy and heart to career transition. She’...

Have you ever felt exhausted for no clear reason? Struggled with anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere? Or found yourself wondering why, despite doing all the “right” things, you still don’t feel like you? If so, this episode of Message in the Middle might shine a light on a hidden factor that could change everything. Marianne is joined by Natalie Jurado, a certified magnesium expert and the founder of Rooted In, a wellness brand focused on helping women reclaim their energy, clarity, and e...

Ever feel like you’re running on empty while trying to keep it all together? You’re not alone — and you’re not broken. In this episode of Message in the Middle, I’m joined by Jenny Evans — global speaker, author, and expert in the chemistry of stress, confidence, and performance. Jenny breaks down what’s really happening in your body when you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or soul-tired — and how resilience isn’t just a mindset, it’s a biological skill you can train. We explore: Why so m...

Have you ever felt like something in your life is out of alignment, but the thought of making a change feels overwhelming—or even a little terrifying? You’re not alone. In this episode of Message in the Middle, host Marianne talks with executive coach and leadership consultant Rachel Burr, who has spent more than 20 years helping people navigate the messy middle of growth and transformation. Together, they explore the fear that often shows up at the edge of change, the damaging belief that we’r...

In this heartfelt episode of Message in the Middle, Marianne sits down with mindfulness teacher, caregiver, and dementia advocate Jessica Smith for a conversation that lives at the intersection of presence, purpose, and deep compassion. For over two decades, Jessica has studied and practiced awareness-based meditation under the guidance of renowned spiritual teachers like Ram Dass, Sharon Salzberg, and Michael Singer. But it’s her personal journey as a long-distance caregiver for her mother, wh...

What happens when your world begins to go dark — literally — before you’ve even hit your teenage years? In this powerful episode of Message in the Middle, I sit down with author, speaker, and resilience coach Laura Bratton, who was just nine years old when she learned she would lose her sight. Laura’s story is not just about blindness — it’s about vision. Vision for what’s possible, even when life takes an unexpected turn. From navigating a decade-long transition to blindness to becoming the fi...

In this deeply moving and hopeful episode of Message in the Middle, I sit down with Dr. Greg Nelson—an executive leadership coach, speaker, and writer who’s spent over two decades guiding others through change, identity, and purpose. But now, Greg is navigating the most personal change of his life: a 2024 diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, alongside a battle with lymphoma. Rather than retreating into silence, Greg has chosen to share his journey out loud, with honesty, vulnerability,...

In this insightful episode of Message in the Middle, I sit down with the incredibly knowledgeable Dr. Christine Boev to tackle the most common midlife health questions women are asking right now. Whether you're navigating perimenopause or menopause, feeling drained of energy, struggling to lose weight, or just looking for ways to feel the best you can feel, this conversation is packed with practical tips and science-backed insight to support you on your journey. Dr. Boev brings a unique perspec...

In this transformative episode of Message in the Middle, I’m joined by Tara Wiskow, an intuitive energy healer and life reinvention expert who’s helping women break free from the patterns that keep them small—self-abandonment, self-sabotage, and people-pleasing. After naturally losing 220 pounds and healing through layers of emotional pain, Tara has made it her mission to empower women to rise into their most authentic, powerful selves. Through her She Rises program, Tara guides women to unrave...

In this episode of Message in the Middle, host Marianne sits down with Amy Friesen—award-winning eldercare expert, best-selling author, and host of the Artful Aging podcast. With more than 20 years in the senior housing industry, Amy has become a guiding light for families navigating the emotional and logistical complexities of caregiving, particularly women in the sandwich generation. Together, we unpack the often-unspoken challenges caregivers face, from navigating senior housing options and ...

In today's episode I am sitting down with Sarah Wilson, a certified wellness coach, host of the Everything’s Messy podcast, and women with a mission to help other Type 1 Diabetics find the path of true understanding and to help them take their power. Sarah describes her background as messy, and while it may be unconventional, it’s also a powerful story of resilience, transformation, and taking back control. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 15, Sarah struggled for decades to fully unders...

What does it really mean to lead when you're filled with doubt, surrounded by resistance, and still expected to show up strong? In this episode of Message in the Middle, I’m joined by Dr. Jenn Donahue, a retired U.S. Navy Captain, former Commodore of an 1,800-person regiment, and a civil engineer who's led high-stakes geotechnical projects all over the world, including building bridges in Iraq and combat outposts in Afghanistan. But today, Jenn opens up about: The reality of facing impostor s...

In today’s episode of Message In the Middle we’re diving into one of life’s most important, and often overlooked topics, aging well. We’re asking the big questions many of us face as we grow older or support aging loved ones: How do we maintain independence? Is aging at home the best choice for everyone? What do we need to know about planning and paying for care? Joining me is the incredibly knowledgeable Laura Lynn Morrissey, a Certified Fitness Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Dementia Practitio...

In this episode of Message in the Middle, I sit down with Marcia Heath, professional editor, writer, and founder of Bungalow Hill. Marcia’s career was the kind most people would envy—publicist at Simon & Schuster, executive editor at Harcourt, brand strategist for startups and Fortune 500s. But by her early sixties, she found herself burnt out and questioning what came next. Then came Aruba and a small, soulful surf shop that changed everything. Marcia’s debut book, The Little Giant: The Story...

In this episode of Message in the Middle, Marianne is joined by Shannon Russell, a woman who truly understands what it means to pivot with purpose. Shannon is a Career Transition and Business Coach, speaker, author of Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life, and the host of the Second Act Success Career Podcast. Shannon’s own path has taken her from producing for major networks like MTV, E!, TLC, and Yahoo!—to launching a successful STEM franch...