Love Your Life: Love Your Life: Midlife Reinvention, Emotional Regulation, & Parenting

Susie Pettit
  • 4.9 (205)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

If you've spent years taking care of everyone else and you're ready to reconnect with yourself, this show is for you. I'm Susie Pettit, certified parent coach, life coach, and mom of five. Every week, I share practical tools and compassionate coaching to help you navigate parenting, set healthier boundaries, stop feeling responsible for everyone else's happiness, and reconnect with yourself in midlife. We'll talk about emotional regulation, confidence, relationships, people-pleasing, empty nest transitions, and creating a life you genuinely love. I've lived through divorce, bankruptcy, heart surgery, and family estrangement, and know that even in life's hardest seasons, small shifts can create meaningful change. You don't need to overhaul your life. You just need the right support and one small step at a time. Welcome, Warriors. Let's build a life you love. This is a great podcast for empty nesters, adult children of emotionally immature parents, women with ADHD, CPTSD, or who are trying to figure out "should I stay, or should I go" in a marriage. Learn more about my work at SMBwell.com or on Instagram @‌smb.wellness. Thank you for listening—I'm cheering you on every step of the way!

  1. 1d ago

    Perimenopause: What Every Woman Needs to Know

    Have you been doing all the "right" things but still feel exhausted, moody, foggy, or like your body has completely changed? You're not imagining it, and you're not alone. In this episode, I sit down with women's hormone expert Bria Gadd to talk about what every woman should know about perimenopause. We discuss how to recognize the signs of perimenopause, why so many women are told they're "fine" even when they don't feel fine, and what you can do to support your body during this season of life. You'll learn: How to know if you're in perimenopause Why you don't need to blame yourself or think you're doing something wrong What to do when your lab work comes back "normal," but you still don't feel like yourself Signs your adrenals may be overworked How to get out of "health debt" and rebuild your energy Simple, realistic changes that can make a big difference in midlife Why weight gain and low energy aren't always about eating less or exercising more Whether you're just beginning to notice changes or you're deep in the hormonal roller coaster, this conversation will leave you feeling informed, validated, and hopeful. Because understanding what's happening in your body is the first step toward feeling like yourself again.   If you liked this show, you'll like this one: 359: Menopause Myths With Dr Maria Sophocles on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/359-menopause-myths-with-dr-maria-sophocles/id1434429161?i=1000770657517 359: Menopause Myths With Dr Maria Sophocles on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/5TwRaLgGLrmxBzLlT7vpBu?si=f-rfFtpGTeeSLmOs8eeSTg Get all the links we mentioned and connect with Bria; go here 👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/429 Want more support? 📩 Subscribe to the weekly newsletter so you never miss an episode. http://bit.ly/2gYQMlA 💬 Share this with a friend who's working out harder than ever and gaining weight anyway 👩🏼‍🎓Take it to the next level and join the Love Your Life School http://theloveyourlifeschool.com/ 📸 Tag me on Instagram @smb.wellness so I can cheer you on!

  2. Oct 14

    5 Wellness Basics for Any Age

    I turned 55 last week, and instead of sharing 55 things I've learned, I want to talk about the five basics I keep coming back to after 20 years of coaching women. There's a lot of wellness advice out there! If you're in perimenopause, do this! If you're a woman in her 40s, don't do this! Make sure you're taking this supplement. Eat in this way! Don't forget the ice bath, sauna, special wide toe box shoes and gua sha. Oh me oh my, for many reasons. One, confusion leads to overwhelm and two, much of the advice out there won't move the needle to getting you to feel like you're at your best if you're not doing the 5 things I speak about on this week's episode. Which is great news! Truly! I've been doing this for over 20 years and am now 55, and the truth I see over and over is that feeling better and living a life you love is way simpler than we (and TikTok) make it out to be! In this birthday episode, I'm walking you through my 5 Wellness Basics: sleep, eating, exercise, relationships, and self-knowing. Not as another list of things you're doing wrong. And definitely not as a quest for perfection… I made this episode as a gift for you. Break the confusion, clear the selling tactics: here are 5 basics to focus on.  Big love to you and thank you for being a listener!    🎧 If you liked this episode, you'll like this one:  215: Gap vs Gain Thinking on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/215-gap-vs-gain-thinking/id1434429161?i=1000770657742 215: Gap vs Gain Thinking on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Sh1pxBqsFysNvNCz6gQVo?si=o_CK3zZsSdiyS2DUoQENDQ FEEL BETTER IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WORKSHOP: https://smbwell.com/event ⭐️ Feeling confused or overwhelmed with where to begin? Let's chat! Book your free call with me today: https://smbwell.com/call 📩 Get the weekly email you'll actually read: Weekly WELLNESS and MIDLIFE SUPPORT every Wednesday SMBwell.com/newsletter 👩🏼‍🎓Take it to the next level: See if the Love Your Life School is open for enrollment! http://theloveyourlifeschool.com/ 📸 Marinate your brain in positivity and helpful programming: Come follow me on Instagram @smb.wellness or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SMBwell 🩷Support Susie's mission of helping as many women and girls live lives they love: Become a Patreon here: https://SMBwell.com/patreon 🤓FIRST TIME LISTENER? Grab the PODCAST ROADMAP with the foundations of emotional intelligence and mental wellness here: https://SMBwell.com/roadmap 🌟Get the full show notes here👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/428 📺Find and follow her on YouTube - LOVE YOUR LIFE VLOG - YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW9PibXJfNpKk5Yr6rpNVq4P_utWFkvYS

  3. Oct 7

    The Father Wound: Are You Still Looking for What You Didn't Get?

    What if the way you receive compliments, ask for help, handle other people's moods, and look for validation has more to do with your childhood than you realized? In this episode of The Love Your Life Show, I'm talking about the father wound and why you can have a loving, well-intentioned dad and still carry patterns from childhood into your adult relationships. I was inspired to make this podcast by Terri Cole's work on the father wound and a conversation she had with Cathy Heller. In this episode I help you see how the father wound may be showing up for you in real life and give you 2 ways you can start healing it. This isn't about asking whether you have a father wound or not (we all have traces of one) nor is this about making your dad a villain. Even the most well-intentioned, loving dad leaves some wounding behind. It's the nature of the human experience. Bring your open mindset and your warrior notebook. This episode could really change some things for you! Click play if you've ever: Struggled to accept compliments Feel uncomfortable receiving help Think you owe people when they do something for you Feeling responsible for everyone else's emotions Constanly crave external validation. Want someone else to say "good job you!" Have a hard time knowing what you want or need Feel like you're never good enough and there's always something else you need to do.  As I said, this is one of those foundational episodes of the Love Your Life Show. If you listen with an open mindset and actually start practising one (or both!) of the things I teach today, your life will change. 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed. I can't wait for you to listen. And start today 🩷 🎧 If you liked this episode, you'll like this one:  153: Become a Boundary Boss with Terri Cole on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/153-become-a-boundary-boss-with-terri-cole/id1434429161?i=1000770657749 153: Become a Boundary Boss with Terri Cole on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KBihzl9KfmkzVw5ZYhDoF?si=FSWP1iJQSsSB0mkfo5D7lg Link to Terri's new book https://amzn.to/4zxmz3Y ⭐️ Want help healing your father wound? Let's knock it out! Schedule a session here: https://smbwell.com/coach 👩🏼‍🎓Commit to consistent growth: See if the Love Your Life School is open for enrollment! 📩 Get the weekly email you'll actually read: Weekly WELLNESS and MIDLIFE SUPPORT every Wednesday SMBwell.com/newsletter 🩷Buy Susie a cup of coffee ☕️ (and also support her mission of helping women live lives they love: https://SMBwell.com/patreon 🤓FIRST TIME LISTENER? Grab the PODCAST ROADMAP with the foundations of emotional intelligence and mental wellness here: https://SMBwell.com/roadmap 🌟Get the full show notes here👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/427 📸 Marinate your brain in positivity and helpful programming: Come follow me on Instagram @smb.wellness or Facebook

  4. Sep 30

    The Truth About Emotional Eating: Why You Eat When You Don't Want to

    What if the reason you keep eating when you don't want to has nothing to do with willpower? What if you're not broken, undisciplined, or lacking the ability to make good choices? In this episode of The Love Your Life Show, I'm sharing the truth about emotional eating and helping you see it in a completely different way.  And once you understand what I teach, you have leverage. I'll explain why food is such an effective coping strategy, why beating yourself up about your eating can actually keep you stuck, and the simple shift that can help you move from automatic eating to intentional choice. In this episode, I'm talking about: Why emotional eating isn't a moral failing or a lack of willpower How food helps us distract from feelings we don't know how to process Why shame and self-judgment can become another distraction from the life you actually want to live The difference between eating intentionally and eating automatically Why you don't need another eating plan, you need more coping strategies How learning to pause can help you feel more confident and in control You are not the problem. You don't need more shame or more discipline. You need to understand what's really happening and learn more ways to support yourself. Because when you change the things I speak of in this episode, you can change so much more than your eating.   🎧 If you liked this episode, you'll like this one:  Transform Your Body + Life with Susan Hyatt on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/48-transform-your-body-life-with-susan-hyatt/id1434429161?i=1000770657866 Transform Your Body + Life with Susan Hyatt on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tm9p9Tc22707Q04XRNs47?si=WFvihplGT4G9plPLm7phKg 283: Productive Discomfort + Goals on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/283-productive-discomfort-goals/id1434429161?i=1000770657439 283: Productive Discomfort + Goals on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Pji5N76y7ysxl7zuzrPcB?si=QzB7FtZzQnOnhfJQpeptgw NEXT STEPS: 👩🏼‍🎓Emotionally eat less by next month!!! I will give you your money back if you follow the steps and don't see progress! Join the Love Your Life School http://theloveyourlifeschool.com/ now! 🩷Are you more of a "I like doing this alone" person? Sign up for a one-on-one session now! https://smbwell.com/coach 📩 Get the weekly email you'll actually read: Weekly WELLNESS and MIDLIFE SUPPORT every Wednesday SMBwell.com/newsletter 📸 Marinate your brain in positivity and helpful programming: Come follow me on Instagram @smb.wellness or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SMBwell 🩷Support Susie's mission of helping as many women and girls live lives they love: Become a patreon here: https://SMBwell.com/patreon 🤓FIRST TIME LISTENER? Grab the PODCAST ROADMAP with the foundations of emotional intelligence and mental wellness here: https://SMBwell.com/roadmap 🌟Get the full show notes here 👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/426 📺Find and follow her on YouTube - LOVE YOUR LIFE VLOG - YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW9PibXJfNpKk5Yr6rpNVq4P_utWFkvYS

  5. Sep 23

    BEST OF: How to Raise Happier, Less Anxious Kids

    In this BEST OF episode, we're revisiting an important conversation about how we can support ourselves and our kids through anxiety, big feelings, and the challenges of life right now. I'll share what actually moves the needle in terms of us feeling happier in our everyday life, what our kids really need from us, and how we can help the people we love build the skills and confidence to navigate life's ups and downs. Whether you're parenting a preteen, teen, or not a parent, this episode offers encouragement and practical ways to support yourself and the people you love without taking on too much responsibility and too much on your shoulders.   In this episode, we'll explore: What has changed since 2008 to make us more anxious and less happy How to help ourselves and those we love feel happier and less anxious What things we can start TODAY to feel more in control of our moods and life How to actually take the small steps that will make big change in our lives and for generations to come. Easy ways to get my support if you want it. Press play and let's dive in. 😎   🎧 If you liked this episode, you'll like this one:  367: Boundaries with Kids: Why It Feels So Hard (and Matters So Much) on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/367-boundaries-with-kids-why-it-feels-so-hard-and/id1434429161?i=1000770657397 367: Boundaries with Kids: Why It Feels So Hard (and Matters So Much) on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/1B2mH5uGBvl6YkOedYkn4o?si=hU4S-rnORhGVZxgUmoiMKw ⭐️ Join me in NEXT MONTH'S CHALLENGE! Begin November feeling in control of your cell use and proud of what you're modelling for your kids. http://TheLoveYourLifeSchool.com 👩🏼‍🎓 Want Faster Change in your house? Sign up for a parenting consult: https://bit.ly/4qRyZjh We meet once, you leave with a plan! 🎧 Excited to learn the foundations of Emotional Intelligence? Get the Podcast Roadmap here: https://SMBwell.com/roadmap 📩 Get the weekly email you'll actually read: Weekly WELLNESS and MIDLIFE SUPPORT every Wednesday http://bit.ly/2gYQMlA 📸 Marinate your brain in positivity and helpful programming: Come follow me on Instagram @smb.wellness https://instagram.com/smb.wellness or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SMBwell 🩷 Support Susie's mission of helping as many women and girls live lives they love: Become a Patreon here: https://SMBwell.com/patreon 🌟Get the full show notes here 👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/425

  6. Sep 16

    Stop Feeling Guilty for Your Boundaries

    Want to feel less guilty? Especially around your kids, friends, siblings, or spouse? If you feel guilty saying no, worry about disappointing people, or find yourself overexplaining your decisions, this episode is for you. I'm talking about why boundary guilt is so common, especially for women who were raised to put everyone else first. I'll teach you exactly how to stop interpreting someone else's discomfort as proof that your boundary is wrong and start trusting yourself instead. I'm also breaking down the important difference between setting boundaries with healthy adults and setting boundaries with your kids, including teens, preteens, and young adults.   In this episode, I'll help you:  ✨ Understand why setting boundaries can trigger guilt ✨ Stop confusing someone else's discomfort with doing something wrong ✨ Set healthy boundaries without overexplaining or overdefending ✨ Handle pushback from your spouse, family, or friends ✨ Help make it safe for your kids to push back on some boundaries ✨ Step into your confident adult self and say less   You don't have to wait until setting a boundary feels comfortable. Listen in and let's make boundaries feel a whole lot easier.   🎧 Links Susie mentioned in this episode: https://smbwell.com/narc https://smbwell.com/mom https://smbwell.com/parenting ⭐️ Plus… if your kids don't push back against your boundaries or you are confused about any other aspect of your life or what to do…Let's chat! Book your free call with me today: https://smbwell.com/call 📩 Get the weekly email you'll actually read: Weekly WELLNESS and MIDLIFE SUPPORT every Wednesday SMBwell.com/newsletter 👩🏼‍🎓 Take it to the next level: See if the Love Your Life School is open for enrollment! http://theloveyourlifeschool.com/ 📸 Marinate your brain in positivity and helpful programming: Come follow me on Instagram @smb.wellness or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SMBwell  🩷 Support Susie's mission of helping as many women and girls live lives they love: Become a Patreon here: https://SMBwell.com/patreon 🤓 FIRST TIME LISTENER? Grab the PODCAST ROADMAP with the foundations of emotional intelligence and mental wellness here: https://SMBwell.com/roadmap 🌟 Get the full show notes here 👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/424 📺 Find and follow her on YouTube - LOVE YOUR LIFE VLOG - YouTube  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW9PibXJfNpKk5Yr6rpNVq4P_utWFkvYS

  7. Sep 9

    Why You Keep Procrastinating (and What to Do Instead)

    Have you ever told yourself, "I'll do it tomorrow," only to find yourself saying the same thing the next day? And the next?And the next?  All the while, feeling worse and worse about yourself? (been there, done that 🫣) This episode is going to help so much. Click play to learn how you're NOT lazy, unmotivated, or any other garbage your inner mean girl is telling you. I have the amazing Monica Packer on the Love Your Life Show this week. She's the host of the About Progress podcast and author of the new book STICKY HABITS (get it here:  Sticky Habits https://amzn.to/4yAG3EH). She and I talk about the surprising reason so many of us procrastinate and why it often has nothing to do with discipline. We dive into the hidden ways perfectionism showed up in our lives, why success doesn't always feel the way we imagined it would, and how to stop waiting until everything feels "just right" before taking action. We talk about a lot, including: - Why procrastination is often a symptom, not the real problem. - The hidden ways perfectionism may be showing up in your life (even when you swear you're not a perfectionist). - The lie of what social media tells us success is.  - How to stop tying your worth to how well you mother, your bank account, or any other achievement. - A healthier way to build habits that support, rather than shame, you. (This was especially awesome!) - And how "good enough" action can lead to a life you love! Whether you've been putting off a goal, waiting for the perfect time, or simply feeling stuck, this conversation will leave you feeling supported, feeling less broken, more confident, and with some ideas on how to move forward. I'm so glad you're here.   If you liked this show, you'll like this one: 161: How to Change Your Life without Changing Your Life on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/161-how-to-change-your-life-without-changing-your-life/id1434429161?i=1000770657842 161: How to Change Your Life without Changing Your Life on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LjTFPnJYvDjun1trMMXjJ?si=cg78LM1DQdCGEyQ1gwK5xA Get all the links we mentioned, HER BOOK, and connect with Monica here 👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/423 Next Steps:  📩 Subscribe to the weekly newsletter so you never miss an episode. http://bit.ly/2gYQMlA 💬 Share this with a friend who complains that she doesn't finish things or who gets frustrated with how often she "falls off the wagon". 👩🏼‍🎓Work on busting perfectionism in community! See if the Love Your Life School is open for enrollment. http://theloveyourlifeschool.com/ 📸 Tag me and Monica on Instagram @smb.wellness to let us know you listened. Share which small thing you'll start this week. ⚡️

  8. Sep 2

    Emotional Regulation: Regulate Yourself Before You Regulate Them

    What if the first person you need to regulate isn't your child, your partner, or anyone else around you?  What if it's you? In this episode of The Love Your Life Show, we're talking about a skill that can completely change the way you handle conflict, big feelings, and other people's problems: regulating yourself before you try to regulate someone else. If you're anything like me, when someone around me is upset, frustrated, angry, or uncomfortable, I feel the urge to jump in. To give advice! To fix it! To explain why they should think about it differently! All in an effort to try to make "the problem" go away. But here's what I've learned as an emotional intelligence coach and mom.  What if we're the problem?! 😳 Because here's the thing: us getting involved is not helpful for them.  It's short-term helpful for us (as we feel a bit less uncomfortable), but it's a short-term fix for a long-term problem. What if, instead of trying to get them to change so we feel more emotionally regulated, we learn to regulate ourselves? What if we "let them" have the experience they're having, "letting them" learn how to manage their problems and their emotions while we let us learn how to manage ourselves?!? 🙄 Crazy idea, I know, but it is the path to emotional maturity, you feeling more calm in your days, and you raising the next generation of humans who can self-regulate! Listen in as I share what this can look like with kids, partners, family members, and other adults. People are going to be upset.  They're going to be frustrated.  They're going to disagree. And that's okay. They have lives to live and part of a big life is having uncomfortable emotions and learning how to manage them. Listen in to learn how you don't have to prevent every uncomfortable feeling. You don't have to solve every problem. And you don't have to manage everyone else's emotions. In fact, the most helpful thing you can do, no matter the age of the human, is to regulate yourself first. Calm is contagious. ✨ 💫 ✨ And if you want to get better at emotional regulation, this is exactly the kind of skill we're practicing together inside the Love Your Life School. If enrollment is still open when you're listening, come join us.   🎧 If you liked this episode, you'll like this one: the one on validation (where I share LOVE picture and acronym)  395: Emotional Validation: How to Support Without Fixing in Parenting and Relationships on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/395-emotional-validation-how-to-support-without-fixing/id1434429161?i=1000770657379 395: Emotional Validation: How to Support Without Fixing in Parenting and Relationships on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/7jjouBRDLpiYChDEwDOYtU?si=ttTHL0uGR_yuM6HZS7d59g ⭐️ NEW ⭐️ Feeling confused or overwhelmed with where to begin? Let's chat! Book your free call with me today: https://smbwell.com/call 📩 Get the weekly email you'll actually read: Weekly WELLNESS and MIDLIFE SUPPORT every Wednesday SMBwell.com/newsletter 👩🏼‍🎓Take it to the next level: See if the Love Your Life School is open for enrollment! 📸 Marinate your brain in positivity and helpful programming: Come follow me on Instagram @smb.wellness or Facebook  🩷Support Susie's mission of helping as many women and girls live lives they love: Become a Patreon here: https://SMBwell.com/patreon 🤓FIRST TIME LISTENER? Grab the PODCAST ROADMAP with the foundations of emotional intelligence and mental wellness here: https://SMBwell.com/roadmap 🌟Get the full show notes here👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/422 📺Find and follow her on YouTube - LOVE YOUR LIFE VLOG - YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW9PibXJfNpKk5Yr6rpNVq4P_utWFkvYS

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About

If you've spent years taking care of everyone else and you're ready to reconnect with yourself, this show is for you. I'm Susie Pettit, certified parent coach, life coach, and mom of five. Every week, I share practical tools and compassionate coaching to help you navigate parenting, set healthier boundaries, stop feeling responsible for everyone else's happiness, and reconnect with yourself in midlife. We'll talk about emotional regulation, confidence, relationships, people-pleasing, empty nest transitions, and creating a life you genuinely love. I've lived through divorce, bankruptcy, heart surgery, and family estrangement, and know that even in life's hardest seasons, small shifts can create meaningful change. You don't need to overhaul your life. You just need the right support and one small step at a time. Welcome, Warriors. Let's build a life you love. This is a great podcast for empty nesters, adult children of emotionally immature parents, women with ADHD, CPTSD, or who are trying to figure out "should I stay, or should I go" in a marriage. Learn more about my work at SMBwell.com or on Instagram @‌smb.wellness. Thank you for listening—I'm cheering you on every step of the way!

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