Lo-Unmuted

Dr. Lorraine Smoots

5.0 (1)
Society & Culture
Weekly

Welcome to Lo Unmuted—a podcast about midlife, identity, relationships, faith, healing, and intentional living. Through honest conversations and personal reflections, Dr. Lorraine “Lo” Smoots explores what it means to move through life’s transitions with greater clarity, self-awareness, and purpose. lounmuted.substack.com

Nov 4

Discernment Requires Disappointment

Discernment does not always bring peace first - it brings clarity, and clarity changes everything. If you have ever felt stuck between what you see and what you are willing to accept, this final episode of Lo Unmuted will hit hard. Dr. Lorraine “Lo” Smoots closes out Season 2, The Art of Discernment, with a powerful reminder: discernment is not about becoming more judgmental, it is about becoming more honest. Honest about yourself. Honest about the people around you. Honest about the life you are building. Across the season, Lo has explored relationships, finances, health, healing, integrity, boundaries, perspective, and disappointment - and here, she brings those threads together into one striking truth: sometimes the hardest part of seeing clearly is accepting what clarity requires. You’ll hear why disappointment often follows discernment, why acceptance is usually the part we fight the hardest, and how clarity forces a choice between protecting the story you hoped would be true and honoring the reality in front of you. Lo unpacks what it means when the relationship did not change, the friendship did not change, the situation did not change - but you did. We break down the emotional cost of staying where you have outgrown yourself, the quiet responsibility that comes with knowing better, and why once you see the red flags, your worth, or the truth about what no longer fits, you cannot unknow it. The result is not a harder heart - it is a deeper wisdom and a more intentional life. This episode is for anyone standing at the edge of a difficult realization, wondering whether peace is still possible when it arrives wrapped in disappointment. If you are ready to stop negotiating with reality and start living more aligned with what you already know, this closing conversation delivers exactly that. Perfect for listeners who are ready to trust themselves more deeply, set the boundary, walk away, or finally accept what clarity has been asking of them all along. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lounmuted.substack.com
Oct 28

The Power of Perspective: A Conversation w/Guest, Vivian Bolden, LPC

What if the situation isn't the only thing that needs to change? What if the way we see it changes everything? In this episode, we'll explore the profound impact of perspective on our lives, emotions, and relationships, drawing insights from my conversation with Vivian Bolden, a licensed professional counselor and a retired U.S. Air Force veteran. Together, we delve into the art of discernment and how shifting our perspective can transform our experiences. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lounmuted.substack.com
Oct 21

Healing Beyond Prescriptions: A Conversation w/ Guest, Tamara Sciafe, NP

Most people are taught to trust the prescription and ignore everything else. This conversation shows why that can be a costly mistake, and how to become a stronger advocate for your own health before the small signs turn into bigger problems. Dr. Lo sits down with Tamara Scaife, a board-certified nurse practitioner with nearly three decades in healthcare, to unpack what true healing looks like when it goes beyond treating symptoms. If you have ever left a doctor’s appointment with “normal” labs but a persistent feeling that something is still off, this episode will feel like it was made for you. You’ll discover why prevention matters more than waiting until you’re sick, why lab work is only one tool in the toolbox, and how to recognize symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, and stress before they get brushed aside. Tamara also breaks down why healthcare works best as a partnership, how to choose a provider who actually feels safe and supportive, and why keeping a simple journal can help you finally put words to what your body has been trying to say. We also get honest about midlife health, menopause, and the invisible weight so many women carry while trying to hold everything together. Tamara shares practical guidance on movement, nutrition, sleep, and stress management, plus the everyday habits that can make a real difference in long-term wellness. One of the most powerful reminders in this episode: you do not need to accept discomfort as “just aging.”At its core, this is a conversation about self-trust, informed care, and learning how to speak up before your body has to speak louder. It is essential listening for women in midlife, anyone navigating a frustrating healthcare system, and every listener who wants to feel more confident, prepared, and heard. Perfect for anyone ready to move from passive patient to active partner in their health - and to understand why healing is so much bigger than a prescription. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lounmuted.substack.com
Oct 14

When It All Makes Sense Later

When It All Makes Sense Later Lo Unmuted | Season 2: The Art of Discernment I never planned on getting a doctorate. As a matter of fact, it wasn't even something I had considered. I had my bachelor's, I had my master's, and as far as I was concerned, I was done with school. But apparently, life had something else in store for me. And here's the interesting part. Once I earned my PhD, I didn't necessarily know what I was supposed to do with it. So what happens when you accomplish something significant, but the reason behind it doesn't become clear until years later? In this episode, I'm sharing a personal story about unexpected opportunities, discernment, and how certain things in life have a way of coming full circle. Because sometimes, you have to live a little longer before it all starts making sense. Have you ever looked back at something in your life and finally understood why you went through it? Join me for this conversation, and let me know your thoughts in the comments. New episodes every Wednesday. Until then, stay unmuted. #LoUnmuted #TheArtOfDiscernment #WhenItAllMakesSenseLater #LifeLessons #Discernment This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lounmuted.substack.com
Oct 7

Rooted In Wellness: A Conversation w/Guest, Barbara James-Payne

Herbal Wellness, Discernment, and Natural Healing with Barbara James Payne Natural healing is not about rejecting medicine. It is about learning how to care for your body with more discernment, better prevention, and the right tools at the right time. Barbara James Payne shares how she moved from chronic illness and medication overload to a whole new approach to wellness, and why the smartest path is often not either-or. If you have ever wondered where herbs fit in a modern health routine, this conversation gives you a grounded place to start. Barbara breaks down what herbal healing really means, which everyday herbs can support your nervous system, immune system, and digestion, and why “natural” does not automatically mean “safe.”If you would like to connect with Barbara you can find her on Instagram @Barbara or Facebook @Barbara James-Payne This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lounmuted.substack.com
Sep 30

Planning For Life Before the Unexpected: A Conversation w/Guest, Tonya Davis-Jordan

Retirement is not just a number in a bank account - it is a life transition you need to prepare for before it arrives. Financial coach Tonya Jordan shares the practical steps that can protect your money, your family, and your peace of mind long before crisis forces your hand. Host Dr. Lorraine “Lo” Smoots, opens with a deeply personal story of an unexpected early retirement triggered by a health crisis, then uses her signature “Muted or Unmuted” game to challenge the beliefs that keep people stuck: that it is too late to start after 50, that wills are only for the wealthy, and that retirement planning is only about saving money. From there, Tonya breaks down the essentials every adult should understand now. You’ll discover why catch-up contributions matter, why beneficiaries must be reviewed regularly, and why a will, trust, durable power of attorney, and advanced health care directive are non-negotiable. She also explains how to build a real emergency fund, what three to six months of expenses actually means, and why debt, health care costs, and long-term care can derail even the best-laid retirement plan. The conversation gets even more important when the focus turns to the emotional side of transition. Tonya shares how losing a spouse and later facing a layoff reshaped her own perspective on purpose, identity, and resilience. If your job, title, or role has become your whole sense of self, this episode will push you to think bigger about what comes next. Tonya’s approach is clear, direct, and deeply rooted in helping people make wise decisions before life makes them for them.Perfect for anyone in their 40s, 50s, or 60s, young adults just starting out, and families who know they need to have the conversation but have been putting it off. If you want more control, more clarity, and less panic when life changes, this is essential listening. For more insights on retirement and financial planning, connect with Tonya on her social media and or website linked below. website: theacctpros.comFacebook: @Tonya D. Davis-Jordan This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lounmuted.substack.com
Sep 23

Midlife Health,Hormones & Male Menopause: A Conversation w/Guest, Dr. Tahera English

EPISODE DESCRIPTION - Ready to publish Midlife fatigue, weight gain, mood shifts, and intimacy changes are not always “just aging.” Dr. Tahera English breaks down what your body may actually be signaling and why the same season of life can look different for women and men. If you or someone you love has been brushing off low energy, stubborn weight, stress, sexual health changes, or feeling unlike yourself, this conversation is for you. Lo and Dr. Tahera challenge the myths people repeat about midlife and replace them with practical, science-backed insight you can use right away.You’ll discover: * why menopause gets the spotlight while men’s hormonal changes often go unnamed * how testosterone decline shows up differently in men and women * why stress may be the biggest driver of midlife symptoms for many men * what blood flow, blood pressure, and diabetes have to do with intimacy * why eating less and exercising more is not always the answer * how to stop treating your symptoms like background noise and start listening to your body Dr. Tahira also explains why one-size-fits-all advice falls apart when it comes to hormonal health. Instead of chasing generic fixes, she shares how she looks at lifestyle, stress, eating patterns, workouts, and labs to understand what a person actually needs. This episode is about more than hormones. It’s about better self-awareness, better advocacy, and better communication with the people closest to you. When you understand what midlife can do to the body and the relationship, you can respond with more clarity, compassion, and discernment.Essential listening if you are navigating midlife yourself, loving someone who is, or finally ready to stop normalizing symptoms that deserve attention.And if you want to connect with Dr. English you can follow her on her Instagram or her website, linked below. Website: https://puravitalitywellness.com/Instagram: @dr.tahera This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lounmuted.substack.com
Sep 16

The Mirror Effect: When the Past Reappears and Forces Self-Confrontation

What happens when an old connection suddenly reenters your life after years of absolute silence? In this episode of Lo Unmuted, host Dr. Lorraine “Lo” Smoots explores the intricate architecture of midlife boundaries, structural discernment, and outgrowing historical attachments. Triggered by a polite outreach to congratulate a former friend from her military history on his retirement, Lo walks listeners through the unexpected emotional fallout that occurs when a casual reconnection forces hidden truths into the light. We dive deep into why people often rush to remove an external connection rather than facing the internal unrest, loneliness, or escapism that the interaction awakened within themselves. This isn’t an episode about exposing the past. It’s an exploration of identity, accountability, and the spiritual laziness of using religious frameworks to hide from personal growth. Join Lo as she breaks down why removing a person from your life doesn’t solve your inner chaos... it only removes the mirror #discernment #realconversations #Lounmuted #themirroreffect This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lounmuted.substack.com

Welcome to Lo Unmuted—a podcast about midlife, identity, relationships, faith, healing, and intentional living. Through honest conversations and personal reflections, Dr. Lorraine “Lo” Smoots explores what it means to move through life’s transitions with greater clarity, self-awareness, and purpose. lounmuted.substack.com

Creator

Dr. Lorraine Smoots
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

27
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© LoRaine Smoots
Show Website

Lo-Unmuted