Grownish Women

Holly Teegarden
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Biweekly

Grownish Women is a podcast for women in the thick of midlife, when everything you thought you had figured out suddenly changes. Hosted by Holly, and occasionally joined by friends or experts when things get really complicated, this podcast dives into the real conversations women in their 40s and 50s are actually having. Or texting each other about at 10:47 pm. Or in Holly's case, 5:05 am. We talk about the stuff no one prepared us for. Watching our kids grow up and move out while our parents start needing more from us. The mental load that never seems to turn off. Perimenopause doing whatever it wants to our bodies. Career pivots. Marriage evolutions. Friendships that save us. And the random moment when you realize you have no idea what you want to be when you grow up. This is the messy middle. The stage of life where you are holding everyone else together while quietly wondering what just happened to your own life plan. Some episodes are thoughtful. Some are a little unhinged. Most involve a lot of laughing because honestly it is the only way to survive half of this. The goal of Grownish Women is not just to make a podcast. It is to build a community of women who are finally saying the quiet parts out loud and giving their friends permission to do the same. Because if we are all going through it, we might as well talk about it. Preferably loudly. Grownish Women A podcast about the sh#% we are all going through but are afraid to talk about. Find us at grownishwomen.com.

  1. Oct 2

    Late Diagnosed Autism & ADHD in Midlife: You Are Not Broken

    What happens when the diagnosis you've been learning about for your child turns out to be yours too? In this episode of Grownish Women, Holly talks with Niki, a pastor and mom she met at the Autism Caring Center. Niki was diagnosed with autism and ADHD in her 40s. It started after her daughter's autism diagnosis. Then, after her father died unexpectedly, Niki began sorting through his house and noticed some patterns: six pairs of the same sneakers, chapstick in every room, and "doom piles" everywhere. She started to see more of her dad in herself than she expected. Niki talks honestly about the grief, anger, and freedom that came with her late diagnosis. She explains what unmasking really feels like, how ADHD medication changed her daily life (and her caffeine habit), and how her diagnosis changed her marriage and her parenting. She also shares what she'd tell any mom who is sitting there wondering, "Is this me too?" If you've ever felt like you've spent your life making yourself smaller to keep everyone else comfortable, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we talk about: How her daughter's diagnosis and her father's death led to her own autism and ADHD diagnosisSigns of autism in women that often get missed, like picky eating, texture issues, and struggling with change you didn't chooseWhy reading Unmasking Autism was so jarring she had to put it down for a monthWhat the adult diagnosis process looked likeStarting ADHD medication in midlife, and the caffeine conversation with her doctorHaving a doctor who understands perimenopauseHow a diagnosis can shift a marriage and bring more grace into a relationshipParenting a child who shares your diagnosisGrief over the kid she might have been if she'd been diagnosed soonerRejection sensitive dysphoria, overexplaining, and the mental loadWhy "self-care" isn't the same as actually taking care of yourselfHer message for moms wondering if this is them too: you are not broken, and you don't need to be fixedResources mentioned: Unmasking Autism by Devon PriceAutism Caring CenterSkylight Calendar, which Niki calls "life-changing"Psalm 139: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made"If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who might need to hear it, and leave us a review. It helps other women in the messy middle find the show.

  2. Sep 25

    Triangulation: Why a Narcissistic Mother Pits Her Children Against Each Other

    "Don't tell your sister I told you this, but…" If that sentence sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Triangulation is when two people stop talking to each other directly and everything goes through a third person. In families with a narcissistic mother, that third person is Mom. She controls what gets passed along, what gets twisted, and what gets left out. Siblings end up knowing each other only through her version of the story. This one is deeply personal for me. I explain what triangulation is and the different forms it takes. I walk through the golden child, scapegoat and invisible child roles, and I get into the big question: why would a mother divide the children she's supposed to protect? I also share my own story: seeing the pattern clearly after my mom moved in with me, realizing how much time I'd lost with my sister, and choosing grace and boundaries at the same time. When I asked on Threads whether anyone else's mom had pitted them against their siblings, more than 200 of you answered, "Yes. Me too." I'm reading some of your stories in this episode, because you need to hear them. I know I did. You are not alone, you are not crazy, and you are not the problem. I'm not a therapist, and nothing in this episode is a diagnosis. When I say "narcissistic mother," I mean a pattern of behavior, not a clinical label. If this episode stirs things up for you, please reach out to someone you trust or a licensed mental health professional. In this episode: The four common forms of triangulation: the messenger, the comparison, the ally recruit, and the go-betweenWhy the golden child and scapegoat roles are about Mom's needs, not who her kids really areThe reasons behind it: control, staying at the center, avoiding accountability, and patterns passed down through generationsHow to stop carrying messages, reconnect with your siblings, and protect your boundariesWhy forgiveness is yours to define, and doesn't have to mean reconciliationLet's connect: Find me at Grown-ish Woman on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook. New episodes drop every Friday. If this episode hit close to home, share it with your sibling. I'm sharing it with mine.

  3. Sep 18

    Why Reclaiming Yourself Matters More Than Reinventing Yourself

    Have you ever felt like you’re not photogenic? It turns out, that feeling is rarely about how you actually look. It can be a protective belief, a way of bracing for being seen before anyone else has the chance to judge you. In this episode of Grownish Women, Holly talks with Tracy about comparison, self-perception, and the features we fixate on that others may never even notice. The real work isn’t better lighting or a more flattering angle, it’s learning to see yourself, and your story, with more generosity. About Tracy Tracy is a portrait photographer, educator, and creator of Make Your Life a Masterpiece™. Through portraiture, legacy work, education, and retreats, she helps midlife women honor the life they’ve lived, reconnect with their identity, and build a meaningful next chapter.

  4. Sep 11

    Is the 7-7-7 Marriage Rule Real Life or Just a TikTok Trend?

    My husband & I take on the 7-7-7 rule, the TikTok trend that says couples should go on a date every 7 days, an overnight getaway every 7 weeks, and a trip together every 7 months. We talk about the actual research behind why time together matters for a marriage, then get honest about what is realistic for us right now. The real takeaway is not about hitting the numbers. It is about being intentional with your person, even when life makes that hard. Key Points: The 7-7-7 rule breakdown: a date every 7 days, an overnight getaway every 7 weeks, a trip every 7 monthsWe admit they have never pulled off all three, and the every 7 months trip is the one that consistently falls apart for themResearch shows couples who date regularly report higher relationship happinessResearch shows couples report more affection and connection while away together than at homeResearch shows novel, shared experiences on vacation are linked to more intimacy after the trip ends, not just during itThe main takeaway: the 7-7-7 rule is not a scoreboard. It is a reminder to be intentional, not a rigid standard to hit perfectlyDiscussion of what intentionality looks like in their current season of life, kids, budget, and time included

  5. Sep 4

    53 Things Nobody Tells You About the Messy Middle

    I'm sharing 53 hard-won lessons from the messy middle of adulthood, with a focus on self-trust, menopause, friendships, marriage, parenting grown kids, and letting go of what no longer fits. It's part pep talk, part permission slip, and part reality check for women navigating midlife change. In this episode, I talk directly to you about what gets easier, what gets harder, and what finally stops mattering. The big themes are self-care, relationships, and reclaiming joy without apology. I wrote all 53 myself, in honor of turning 53, one for every year. The full list is also up as a blog post at grownishwomen.com.

  6. Aug 28

    The Caregiving Conversation You Need Before It's a Crisis

    A few years ago, my dad passed away suddenly, and my family hadn't had the conversations we needed to have. There was no trust in place, no plan. My mom moved in, and almost overnight, I was raising my daughter and caring for my mother at the same time. If that sounds familiar, you're living the sandwich generation, and you're far from alone. In this episode, I sit down with Joy Holte to talk about the realities of family caregiving, from spotting burnout and navigating sibling dynamics, to understanding what kind of outside help actually exists. Joy shares why caregiving is a growing crisis, how to tell when a parent needs help, and what families should ask before hiring in-home support. We also break down the difference between medical care and in-home care, the financial surprises families often face, and why end-of-life support requires both planning and rest. This is a conversation we'll keep coming back to, because so many of us are in the middle of it right now, and it deserves more than one episode. In this episode, we cover: Why family caregiving has become a growing crisis, with roughly 53 million caregivers in the U.S. and about 60% reporting burnoutWhy adult children often miss the signs that their parents need supportThe difference between medical care and in-home care, and what insurance may or may not coverThe most important question to ask a care agency before hiring themWhat happens when a parent refuses help but the family knows support is neededEnd-of-life care, the paperwork that follows a death, and why rest matters just as much as practical help Guest: Joy Holte Joy Holte was the owner of one of the leading providers of trusted in-home senior care and companion care. With more than 17 years in the healthcare industry, her passion lies in not just offering in-home care, but in uplifting the lives of clients and employees alike. Her leadership philosophy centers on empathy and positive reinforcement, and she remains committed to innovating and elevating the standards of care, with the wellbeing of clients and employees at the heart of everything she does.

  7. Aug 21

    Hair Loss After 40: What Your Stylist and Doctor Actually See

    Hair thinning in your 40s and 50s is not "just aging" — and it's definitely not something you have to quietly tolerate. In this episode, I sit down with my hairstylist of 20+ years and co-owner of Copacetic Beauty Lounge, Missy Browning, and her longtime client and now friend, Dr. Jen, a family practice doctor. Between the salon chair and the exam room, they see this every single day. Literally both of them told me women come in asking about hair loss every day. We're breaking down what's actually happening to your hair during perimenopause, menopause, high stress, medication changes, and GLP-1 weight loss drugs and what you can do about it before it gets worse. In this episode, you'll hear:Missy's 30-second read and how she spots hair loss the moment a client sits in her chair, and what brittle texture and break lines actually revealWhy stylists are often the first line of defense for women who are too embarrassed to bring up hair loss with anyone elseDr. Jen's personal hair loss story what triggered it, and how she went from panic and trial-and-error to an actual planThe medical side: protein, nutrient deficiencies, medication side effects, and how perimenopause and menopause factor inThe role of GLP-1 weight loss drugs in hair sheddingSalon-side fixes that work fast like blunt cuts, the right products, and when it's time to consider a topper or wigWhen it's time to bring the conversation to your primary care doctorWhy this episode matters:If you've been staring at your part in the mirror, panic-buying products online, or wondering if anyone else is dealing with this, this conversation is for you. No shame, just the truth, and a real path forward. About our guests:Missy Browning is a hairstylist and co-owner of Copacetic Beauty, where she's worked with clients navigating hair loss for years including offering a dedicated hair loss service. Dr. Jen is a family practice doctor who brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the conversation on hair loss and its underlying causes.

  8. Aug 14

    Midlife Career Change: Trusting the Timing of Your Life with Hollie Geitner

    Have you ever wondered if it's too late to start over? In this episode of Grownish Women, Holly sits down with Hollie Geitner, APR, a communications strategist with nearly 30 years of experience, to talk about her midlife career change at fifty. After leading communications through utility crises, shaping messaging for regional economic development, and counseling executives across healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and the nonprofit sector, Hollie walked away from her corporate title to start her own firm, Anchored Voice Consulting. This is a conversation about corporate burnout, career reinvention, and what it actually feels like to lose the "corporate shield" of a title after two decades. Hollie shares why she believes reputation and network outlast any title, how she learned to trust the timing of her own life, and what she wishes someone had taught her about boundaries earlier in her career. If you're a woman in the messy middle of a career pivot, questioning whether it's too late to bet on yourself, or just quietly exhausted in a job that no longer fits, this episode is for you. In this episode, we talk about: The moment staying in corporate America felt riskier than leaving itWhat it's like to lose your professional identity after 25 years in one fieldWhy reputation and network outlast any job titleTrusting the timing of your life, even when it doesn't make sense on paperBoundaries, burnout, and building something that's actually yoursAdvice for women in their 20s and 30s navigating the early years of their careersAbout Hollie Geitner: Hollie Geitner, APR, is the founder of Anchored Voice Consulting, LLC, helping organizations and leaders find their voice and tell stories that actually land. Learn more about her work at anchoredvoice.com.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Grownish Women is a podcast for women in the thick of midlife, when everything you thought you had figured out suddenly changes. Hosted by Holly, and occasionally joined by friends or experts when things get really complicated, this podcast dives into the real conversations women in their 40s and 50s are actually having. Or texting each other about at 10:47 pm. Or in Holly's case, 5:05 am. We talk about the stuff no one prepared us for. Watching our kids grow up and move out while our parents start needing more from us. The mental load that never seems to turn off. Perimenopause doing whatever it wants to our bodies. Career pivots. Marriage evolutions. Friendships that save us. And the random moment when you realize you have no idea what you want to be when you grow up. This is the messy middle. The stage of life where you are holding everyone else together while quietly wondering what just happened to your own life plan. Some episodes are thoughtful. Some are a little unhinged. Most involve a lot of laughing because honestly it is the only way to survive half of this. The goal of Grownish Women is not just to make a podcast. It is to build a community of women who are finally saying the quiet parts out loud and giving their friends permission to do the same. Because if we are all going through it, we might as well talk about it. Preferably loudly. Grownish Women A podcast about the sh#% we are all going through but are afraid to talk about. Find us at grownishwomen.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Holly Teegarden
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Holly Teegarden

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