The Right-Sized Life with Amy Schmidt

Amy Schmidt
  • 4.9 (94)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

You've proven you're brave. You cannonballed into one chapter of your life and showed up fully — for your family, your career, your community, everyone who needed you. You did that. And it mattered. Now you're asking a different question. Not how do I do more? But does this still fit? Welcome to The Right-Sized Life with Amy Schmidt — the podcast for women who are done maintaining the old life and ready to build the true one. Every episode, Amy brings the honest conversation you've been waiting for — the one that sounds less like a self-help seminar and more like a glass of wine with your wisest friend. Real stories. Practical frameworks. Permission to let go of what no longer fits and make room for what actually does. Because a right-sized life isn't about having less. It's about having what fits — so when the moments that matter arrive, you are actually there for them. Amy Schmidt is the founder of Fearlessly Facing Fifty, bestselling author of CANNONBALL! Fearlessly Facing Midlife and Beyond and the forthcoming The Right-Sized Life, TEDx speaker, and one of the most trusted voices in midlife women's media. Go forth and live aligned. 🤍

  1. 6d ago

    EP7: The One Night a Week That Changes Everything — Introducing No Plan Night™

    Your calendar can look totally reasonable and still leave you running on empty. That’s the tension we dig into today: the quiet exhaustion that doesn’t come from “too much to do,” but from giving your energy in the wrong directions, often by habit. I share the moment that forced me to face it, the resistance I felt, and what happened when I finally gave a clear, grounded no instead of another automatic yes.  We build a simple framework you can use immediately: time is fixed, energy is not. Together we walk through an Energy Audit you can do in one sitting by listing everything that filled your week and sorting it into energy drains, energy builders, and neutral or necessary tasks. That quick sort turns vague burnout into real information, so you can see what’s quietly costing you the most and what actually restores you.  Then I introduce my favourite weekly practice for right sizing your energy: the No Plan Night. One evening a week gets a big red X before anything else can land there no dinner plans, no errands, no “quick calls,” no laundry pretending to be restful. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s one unclaimed evening that gives your whole week more patience, presence, and breathing room. Try it this week, then subscribe, share this with a friend who’s depleted, and leave a review telling me what you’re putting under that red X. Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much. And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

    16 min

  2. May 29

    EP6: The Paper Bag Plan with Director/Writer/Producer Anthony Lucero

    There’s a moment in caregiving that almost nobody says out loud, yet so many families recognize instantly. That’s where my conversation with filmmaker Anthony Lucero begins and where his movie The Paper Bag Plan goes with honesty, tenderness, and a steady respect for dignity. If you’re caring for aging parents, supporting a loved one with a disability, or quietly wondering what the future holds for your family, this story will feel painfully familiar in the best way.  Anthony shares how the film is inspired by his mother, who cared for his brother with severe physical and cognitive disabilities, and by the loss of his sister, who left behind a daughter with Angelman syndrome. We talk about the emotional weight caregivers carry, the family dynamics that form around long-term care, and the question that keeps people up at night: who takes the next shift when the primary caregiver is gone? Along the way, we dig into purpose and identity, including why work and independence matter so much for people with disabilities.  We also pull back the curtain on independent filmmaking. Anthony explains what a microbudget indie film (under $300,000) really requires, how he navigated casting, why he insisted on authentic disability casting, and how his wife stepped in to help finance and edit the project during the pandemic. You’ll also hear where to rent The Paper Bag Plan, why reviews and word of mouth matter, and a reminder to stay through the credits. If this conversation hits home, subscribe, share it with someone you love, and leave a review so more caregivers can find it. Watch the trailer here Get in touch with Anthony here Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much. And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

    37 min

  3. May 28

    EP5: When A Big Move Feels Wrong At 2 A.M. with Amy Schmidt

    A brave decision can still feel terrifying once the noise stops. If you’ve ever said yes to a big change then found yourself staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., replaying every detail and wondering whether you made a mistake, you’re not alone. I’m Amy Schmidt, and I’m sharing a very real chapter from my own life: we sold our family home, moved to Florida to build a more intentional “right-sized” season, and then almost immediately had to rework everything when my husband took an incredible opportunity that put him back in the Northeast Monday through Thursday. That shift turned our fresh start into something messier and more honest: four days a week alone in a new city, in a condo that still felt unfamiliar, with silence that sounded like a stranger. I talk about the kind of fear that isn’t a single meltdown, but an accumulation of small moments, and how that fear can start to sound like truth if we don’t slow down and look at it. Then I share the practice that helped me most: getting fear out of my body and onto paper, where it becomes sentences you can question instead of a fog that fills the room. You’ll learn my simple framework, Signal, Story, and Choice: how to treat fear as a signal, how to spot the story your mind builds to explain it, and how to make a clear choice based on what you actually know. I also give you a 20-minute notebook assignment to separate present facts from future projections, reduce anxiety spirals, and build clarity during life transitions. If this resonates, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more women can find these tools when they need them most. Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much. And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

    20 min

  4. May 21

    EP4: What If “Enough” Is The Real Upgrade a conversation with Tidy Dad

    A 14-inch closet, three kids, and a 750 square foot apartment in New York City sounds like a recipe for constant chaos, yet Tyler Moore (Tidy Dad) uses it as proof that simplicity can create real calm. We sit down with Tyler to talk about decluttering and home organization as something deeper than neat shelves: a way to reduce overwhelm, protect mental health, and build a life that feels spacious even when your home is not. We get specific about what makes organizing sustainable, including capsule wardrobe criteria (color, fit, fabric), seasonal resets, and why defining “enough” in one category can unlock room for what you actually use every day. Tyler also shares the less-talked-about side of the tidy journey, from growing up navigating two homes after his parents’ divorce to a breaking point when his family and career expanded at the same time. The thread running through it all is self-awareness: sometimes your circumstances outgrow your capacity, and systems are support, not a moral scorecard. We also go into values-based parenting and “keeping up with the Joneses.” Tyler tells a story about his daughter asking if they are poor after seeing a much bigger house, and how he reframes wealth as having choice, not square footage. You’ll leave with practical time management tools like 15-minute and visual timers, plus one easy starter move: pick a small category you don’t have to negotiate with anyone about, like socks, underwear, or your work bag. If you want more calm with less clutter, listen now, then subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find The Right Size Life. Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much. And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

    37 min

  5. May 20

    EP3:The Fearless Edit - A 20 minute rightsizing tool that builds momentum

    That pile on the shelf isn’t just clutter, it’s a backlog of decisions. We share a simple tool we call the Fearless Edit, built for real life when you’re busy, overwhelmed, or in the middle of change. It starts with a timer, one small space, and one honest question that cuts through guilt and “someday” thinking: does this support the life I’m living right now?  We tell a personal story about sorting through years of a child’s artwork during a move and why keeping everything can feel like love. Then we reveal the turning point: asking whether we’re holding on because we truly need it or because we’re afraid to let it go. From there, we show how a single cleared closet shelf can create visual quiet, emotional relief, and the momentum to tackle bigger spaces over time. Small decisions are not a consolation prize, they’re how big change gets built.  The Fearless Edit comes with clear steps: choose the space with the least resistance, set a 20-minute timer, pick up each item and ask the question, release what doesn’t fit without guilt, and stop when the timer ends even if you’re not finished. We also go deeper than organizing tips, exploring how we accumulate roles, commitments, and identities that no longer fit, and how editing those can be just as freeing as clearing a drawer.  Try it today: 20 minutes, one space, one question. Then subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review. What surface are you going to tackle first? Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much. And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

    10 min

  6. May 14

    EP2: From Cannonball To Calm: Building A Life That Fits Now

    Something shifts after the big midlife leap. You make the brave move, you do the hard thing, you prove you still have it and then you come up for air and realize the real question is quieter: does this still fit? That question is why Fearlessly Facing Fifty and Beyond is evolving into The Right Size Life. The show is not ending. The mission is not changing. I’m still authentically Amy. But the conversation is going deeper, into what it really takes to live aligned in this season. I tell the story behind the rebrand through the “cannonball and the float” metaphor: the splashy reinvention, followed by the calm stretch where adrenaline fades and truth rises. We talk about empty nest transitions, shifting roles, and the ordinary moments that are real for so many. I share what it felt like to sell a house in 2 days, sort through decades of belongings, and sit with my mother’s handwriting on a storage unit floor, finally understanding that right-sizing is never just about stuff. Then we name the work: right -sizing your home, your time, your energy, your relationships, and your identity. Not to become someone new, but to build a life that fits who you are now with everything you’ve learned and everything you’re still becoming. If you’re craving clarity, simplicity, and a grounded sense of purpose, press play and come with me. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review so more women can find The Right Size Life. Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much. And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

    8 min

  7. May 5

    Episode 1: Why So Many Women Miss Sleep Apnea Signs

    You can do everything “right” and still wake up exhausted, headachy, and foggy and it might not be menopause at all. We’re pulling back the curtain on obstructive sleep apnea in women over 50, a condition that’s massively underdiagnosed because many women don’t fit the stereotype of loud snoring and obvious pauses in breathing. I’m joined by my personal physician, Dr. Cannon, a dentist with deep training in dental sleep medicine, to explain what’s really happening in the body at night. We talk about why the tongue is often the hidden driver of airway collapse during REM sleep, how women can subconsciously fight to keep their airway open, and why that “fight” can show up as TMJ pain, teeth grinding, neck tension, reflux, and morning migraines. We also dig into why oxygen saturation drops matter for brain health and cardiovascular risk, even when sleep apnea is labelled mild. We compare common treatment paths, including CPAP, Inspire, and oral appliance therapy, and Dr. Cannon walks through how a custom dental device gently brings the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. You’ll also hear how home sleep testing has changed the game, making it easier to get real answers without an overnight lab stay. Finally, we unpack the two-way link between sleep apnea and weight gain through stress hormones like cortisol, and where GLP medications fit into the bigger picture. If you’ve been blaming “this stage of life” for relentless fatigue, this conversation can help you spot the real signs and take action. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more women can finally get the sleep and health they deserve. Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much. And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

    35 min

  8. 07/09/2025

    EP 217: Hot Flashes and New Flames: Author Jane Costello's Take on Midlife and beyond

    Dive into the refreshing world of midlife fiction with bestselling UK novelist Jane Costello as she reveals the creative journey behind her latest romantic comedy, "It's Getting Hot in Here." With candor and humor, Jane shares how she's boldly reimagining the rom-com genre with a 47-year-old protagonist navigating perimenopause, teenage children, and unexpected romantic stirrings. After selling over a million copies of her debut novel and publishing 15 books across two decades, Jane offers a fascinating glimpse into her evolution as a writer. Her story begins not with childhood dreams of authorship, but during maternity leave with her first child, when she carved out precious writing time during nap sessions. For anyone who's ever doubted their creative potential, Jane's journey from uncertainty to international success proves that persistence transforms possibility into reality. Whether you're an aspiring writer seeking practical advice or a reader hungry for stories that reflect the richness of midlife experiences, this conversation delivers wisdom and warmth in equal measure. Jane demystifies the writing process with refreshing honesty, sometimes describing it as "like knitting with spaghetti," while celebrating how her latest book flowed with unexpected joy. Her advice to writers—begin with a compelling idea, create a rough plot outline, and treat writing as a marathon rather than a sprint—cuts through creative intimidation with practical clarity. And her message to her younger self? "Relax more and worry less. Things are going to work out okay." Don't miss this inspiring conversation about finding new creative chapters in midlife and beyond. Connect with Jane and purchase her book here: Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much. And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

    19 min
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4.9
out of 5
94 Ratings

About

You've proven you're brave. You cannonballed into one chapter of your life and showed up fully — for your family, your career, your community, everyone who needed you. You did that. And it mattered. Now you're asking a different question. Not how do I do more? But does this still fit? Welcome to The Right-Sized Life with Amy Schmidt — the podcast for women who are done maintaining the old life and ready to build the true one. Every episode, Amy brings the honest conversation you've been waiting for — the one that sounds less like a self-help seminar and more like a glass of wine with your wisest friend. Real stories. Practical frameworks. Permission to let go of what no longer fits and make room for what actually does. Because a right-sized life isn't about having less. It's about having what fits — so when the moments that matter arrive, you are actually there for them. Amy Schmidt is the founder of Fearlessly Facing Fifty, bestselling author of CANNONBALL! Fearlessly Facing Midlife and Beyond and the forthcoming The Right-Sized Life, TEDx speaker, and one of the most trusted voices in midlife women's media. Go forth and live aligned. 🤍

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