The Next Phase

Stacey Hutson

I used to be fun. I used to be driven. I used to be sexy. I used to be...young. What happened?  Dear Millennial moms in your late 30s or 40s -- former forces of nature, Are you burned out, overwhelmed, and wondering where your energy (and your old self) went? You’re not alone. The Next Phase is the podcast for overachieving moms navigating perimenopause who are dying to take back their energy, their bodies, and their magic. Here, we will not pummel you with hormone treatment plans or talk about perimenopause as if it's a diagnosis. Instead, we're going to celebrate it. We're going to use it as an excuse to really start taking care of ourselves. As a matter of fact, we're going to find ourselves in our perimenopause era.  Hosted by Stacey Hutson—certified health coach, wellness chef, former co-host of the Mother Plus Podcast, and mom of two—you’ll learn how to: Understand what’s really happening in perimenopause and how to work with your changing body, use nutrition, supplements, and sleep as medicine to restore your energy, get in tune with your cycle and learn practical ways to sync your life with your hormones, and create rituals (with a little woo) that help you slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with yourself. Each episode blends personal stories, expert insights, and actual doable steps you can take right away.  ✨ Subscribe now to The Next Phase and join a community of millennial moms redefining wellness in their 40s. Let’s make perimenopause your most magnetic chapter yet.

  1. 16h ago

    #35: Decluttering for ADHD: How Your Home Can Give You Your Energy Back

    You already know you should declutter your house. But what if a clean house was never a good enough reason to actually do it? Five months ago, decluttering expert Dana K. White said something on this podcast that I haven't been able to stop thinking about: The goal isn't to have a clean house. The goal is to have a house that doesn't hold you back. So this summer, after YEARS of thinking about decluttering, I finally did it. I decluttered 7 rooms and 3 spaces in 5 weeks. And what happened wasn't just that my house looked better. My brain felt different. Because every time I searched for a missing basketball jersey, stepped over a Goodwill bag, dug through a laundry basket for underwear, couldn't find a piece of paperwork, or walked past something I'd been meaning to deal with for six months, my house was quietly spending some of my limited capacity for me. I thought avoiding the mess meant I had more time for the things I actually cared about. I had it completely backwards. In this episode, we're talking about decluttering as unconventional nervous system work, especially for those of us with ADHD brains. I'm sharing what happened when I stopped trying to create a “clean” house and started asking two very different questions: How is this space holding me back? How can I make this space make tomorrow easier? Because maybe nervous system regulation sometimes looks like meditation, breathwork and somatic exercises. And maybe sometimes it looks like knowing where the damn leotard is. In this episode:  Why “having a clean house” was never enough to motivate me  The Dana K. White advice that completely changed the way I think about my home  How I decluttered 7 rooms and 3 spaces in just 5 weeks  Why your clutter may be taking your time and energy even when you're avoiding it  The surprising connection I've noticed between my environment, ADHD brain and nervous system  Why I stopped organizing for an imaginary “neat freak” version of myself  How I'm creating a home that does some of the remembering for me  The two questions I'm now asking in every space of my house I don't want my house to BE my life. I want my house to make my life possible. If you're creative, ambitious, full of ideas and perpetually wondering why you can't just get your shit together at home, this episode is for you.

  2. Aug 26

    #34: The Holistic Approach to Perimenopause That Helps You Stop Guessing with Dr. Danica Woods

    You’re exhausted. Your sleep is weird. Your period is changing. You’re more anxious, more overstimulated, and your body suddenly seems to have a mind of its own. So you finally make the doctor’s appointment. You wait 30 minutes, get 15 minutes to explain everything, and leave hearing some version of: “Your labs look normal.” So... now what? Welcome back to Season 2 of The Next Phase Podcast. We’re kicking off our Back to Basics season with something I desperately needed in my own perimenopause journey: a different way to understand what was actually happening in my body. In this episode, I’m sitting down with my own naturopathic doctor, Dr. Danica Woods, to demystify naturopathic medicine — what it is, what it costs, what happens during that first (nearly two-hour!) appointment, and why looking at the whole person can sometimes uncover pieces of the puzzle that have been missed. And we get personal. I share what finally drove me to seek another kind of care after years of recurring health issues, urgent-care visits, antibiotics, and buying supplements based on whatever Instagram told me I needed. We also talk about the testing Dr. Woods did with me, what surprised us about my hormones, and why perimenopausal women may need more individualized information than a generic list of symptoms and supplements.  In this episode, we talk about:  What a naturopathic doctor actually does — and how their training differs from conventional medicine  Why a naturopathic intake can take nearly two hours  What naturopathic care and lab testing actually cost  The problem with guessing which supplements your body needs  Why “normal” labs don't always end the conversation  Hormone testing during perimenopause and why timing matters  My own experience with hormone testing — and what I was surprised to learn  When it's time to stop Googling your symptoms and get professional help  How to find a naturopath who actually feels like the right fit for you If you’ve ever left a doctor’s office thinking, “But I still don’t feel right…”, this conversation is for you. This isn’t about rejecting conventional medicine. It’s about understanding that you can ask more questions, get curious about your body, and find care that makes sense for the woman you’re becoming. About Dr. Danica Woods Dr. Danica Woods is a naturopathic doctor with a whole-person approach to health and a particular interest in women’s hormone health, physical medicine, and mind-body care. Her work focuses on looking beyond individual symptoms to understand the larger patterns affecting a patient’s health — from hormones and nutrition to sleep, stress, movement, health history, and lifestyle.  Dr. Woods earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University and holds a BA in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado Boulder. She is also a certified Integrative Holistic Life Coach and an active member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors, where she serves on the board as Legislative Chair. Her philosophy is grounded in helping patients understand their bodies, uncover underlying contributors to their symptoms, and create individualized paths toward better health — rather than simply chasing one symptom at a time. Stay Connected This season of The Next Phase is all about getting back to basics — with our bodies, our homes, our money, and our ADHD brains. And I’ve been working all summer on resources to help you put some of what we’re talking about into practice. Want to know what I’m working on? Join my email list here and get your free Cycle Syncing Map: Stacey's Email List   Find Dr. Woods: Her website Her instagram

  3. May 28

    #33: How to Create a Home That Calms Your Nervous System

    What if your home is affecting your nervous system more than you realize? In this episode, Stacey sits down with interior designer, feng shui master, and author Lisa Morton for a conversation about clutter, energy, burnout, and the surprising emotional impact of the spaces we live in. After experiencing severe burnout early in her own design career, Lisa became fascinated by the connection between our environments and our wellbeing. Today, she blends interior design, feng shui, and energy work to help women create homes that feel calmer, more supportive, and more aligned with the lives they actually want to live. Together, Stacey and Lisa explore: how our homes affect our emotional statewhy so many women in midlife suddenly want to change their homesthe connection between clutter and “stuck” energypractical feng shui shifts anyone can tryhow to create a home that feels grounding instead of overwhelmingand the magic of actually becoming friends with your homeThis conversation is equal parts practical, comforting, and surprisingly emotional — especially for the women who feel overstimulated, scattered, or disconnected from the spaces they live in. About Lisa Morton: Lisa Morton is an interior designer, feng shui master teacher, podcast host, and creator of the Intuitive Home Method. For more than 25 years, she has transformed homes, businesses, and even luxury private jet interiors. She is also the host of the Feng Shui Living podcast and author of the book Aligned at Home. Find Lisa: Website: purelivingwithlisamorton.com Podcast: Feng Shui Living Book: Aligned at Home

  4. May 21

    #32: Midlife Skincare and the Pressure to Age Well

    Micropeels. Botox. Retinol. Peptides. Red light masks. 11-step skincare routines. The pressure on women to “age well” right now can feel completely overwhelming — especially when your skin suddenly starts changing seemingly overnight in your late 30s and 40s. In this episode, Stacey sits down with Stephanie DiPisa, founder of Solara Suncare, for a conversation that starts with sunscreen… and turns into something much deeper. After two of Stephanie’s children experienced severe reactions to traditional sunscreen, and while navigating her own health journey with Lyme disease, she found herself deep in the world of ingredients, inflammation, hormones, wellness, and sensitive skin. What started as one mom trying to solve a problem for her family eventually became an award-winning skincare brand trusted by dermatologists, estheticians, beauty editors, and retailers including Bluemercury, Neiman Marcus, Whole Foods, and Target. But this conversation isn’t really about skincare products. It’s about what happens when women enter midlife and suddenly feel pressure to “fix” every part of themselves. In this episode, we talk about:  why skin changes so dramatically in midlife  inflammation, hormones, and sensitive skin  sunscreen confusion and what actually matters  wellness overwhelm and trying to “age well”  simplifying skincare in your 40s  the connection between stress, nervous system health, and skin  supplements, social media wellness culture, and learning to listen to your body  and why sometimes less really is more If you’ve ever looked in the mirror during this phase of life and thought,  “Who is this woman?”  this conversation is for you. About Stephanie DiPisa Stephanie DiPisa is the founder of Solara Suncare, a mineral sunscreen and skincare brand she created after two of her children experienced severe reactions to traditional sunscreen. While navigating her own health journey with Lyme disease, Stephanie became deeply interested in ingredients, inflammation, wellness, and sensitive skin. Today, Solara is an award-winning skincare brand trusted by dermatologists, estheticians, beauty editors, and wellness-conscious women looking for simpler, cleaner skincare solutions. Find Stephanie + Solara Instagram: @stephdipisa + @solarasuncare Website: https://solarasuncare.com

  5. May 8

    #30: Why Your Hair Changes in Perimenopause (and What You Can Actually Do About It)

    If your hair suddenly feels different in this phase of life… you’re not imagining it. In this episode, I’m talking with Allison Conrad and Jay Small, founders of AREY, about what actually happens to women’s hair in perimenopause — and why so many of us feel completely caught off guard by it. We talk about:  why your hair suddenly feels completely different in midlife  the science behind gray hair (and why it’s not “just genetics”)  how stress and inflammation impact aging hair  why postpartum can accelerate hair aging  the surprising connection between scalp health and overall health  what’s actually happening when your hair becomes thinner, drier, or frizzier overnight  and why changes to our hair can feel way more emotional than we expectThis conversation goes way beyond beauty. It’s really about what happens when we start noticing the physical signs that we’re entering a new phase — and how disorienting that can feel as women who are used to functioning at full speed all the time. And yes… we also talk about what can actually help. Just to be clear: this is not a sponsored episode. AREY is simply something I found while trying to understand what was happening to my own hair in my 40s, and I thought it could help some of you too. 🎉 GIVEAWAY 🎉 I teamed up with AREY to give one listener their AM + PM Duo (a 3-month supply valued at $295). Enter here: Arey + Next Phase Giveaway About AREY: AREY creates products designed to support healthier aging hair by focusing on scalp health, oxidative stress, and long-term hair wellness. Learn more: arey.com Follow them: @areyhaircare If this episode resonated with you, send it to a friend who’s been staring at her hair lately wondering what the heck is happening. Have an idea for the next episode? Email me at stacey@stacey-hutson.com DM me @stacehutson

  6. May 1

    #29: High-Achieving Moms—Are You Losing Yourself? (with Jess Ekstrom)

    What if success isn’t supposed to cost you yourself? So many of us did everything “right.” We chased the goals. Built the life. Hit the big hairy audacious goals. And then somewhere along the way… we started to feel like we were losing ourselves in the process. In this episode, I’m talking with Jess Ekstrom—speaker, founder, and bestselling author—about what happens when high-achieving women realize the finish line isn’t what they thought it would be. We talk about:  the pressure to keep chasing the next “summit”  how motherhood reshapes your identity in ways you don’t expect  why so much self-help leaves us feeling more disconnected, not less  and how to start trusting yourself instead of constantly looking outside for answers This is one of those conversations that doesn’t try to fix you— it helps you see yourself more clearly. About Jess: Jess Ekstrom is a Forbes Top-Rated speaker, bestselling author, and the founder of Headbands of Hope, a company that has donated millions of headbands to children facing illness. She is also the founder of Mic Drop Workshop, where she helps women become paid public speakers and use their voices in a bigger way. Her new book, Making It Without Losing It, explores what it really means to succeed—without sacrificing yourself in the process. If this episode resonated with you… Jess’s new book Making It Without Losing It just released this week, and it goes deeper into everything we talked about today. You can find it here:  🔗 Making It Without Losing It

  7. Apr 23

    #28: Caregiver Fatigue: Taking Care of Aging Parents While Raising Kids

    Many millennial moms are going through something that past generations never had to do: Raise young children while also caring for aging parents. It’s overwhelming, emotional, and (somehow) completely unexpected. In this episode of The Next Phase Podcast, Stacey Hutson sits down with elder care clinician Debra Kooser to talk about what really happens when the roles begin to reverse—and why so many women feel unprepared for this stage. Together, they explore: what it looks like when aging parents begin to need more supportthe emotional impact of role reversal between parent and childwhy so many families wait until a crisis to make decisionsand the very real toll of caregiver fatigue and burnoutDebra explains why caregiver fatigue is more than just stress—it’s a serious, often unrecognized experience that affects both mental and physical health. This conversation also highlights something many women don’t expect: The guilt, emotional exhaustion, and mental load that comes with trying to balance it all. For listeners who are starting to notice changes in their parents—or already feel overwhelmed by the responsibility—this episode offers both validation and a starting point. About Debra:  Debra Kooser has a Masters Degree in counseling with over 30 years in healthcare, the last 18 years in hospice as a Medical Social Worker and Bereavement Coodinator.  Additionally, she has worked as a Geriatric Care Manager for an estate planning lawfirm. She has a specialty in consulting with adult children navigating their aging parents needs. She coordinates senior living placement from a clinical perspective, as well as offering ongoing case management for busy adult children/relatives who benefit from support and oversight for their family members. Resources & Next Steps: Debra Kooser helps families navigate caregiver fatigue, planning, and next steps. You can reach her here: debra.eldersolutions@gmail.com Local to Colorado? Stacey is speaking at the Golden Women in Business Founder’s Day event next week—an evening celebrating women making real impact in the community. Join us in Golden on April 29th: 🔗 https://www.goldenwomeninbusiness.com/upcoming-events/founders-day-2026

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

I used to be fun. I used to be driven. I used to be sexy. I used to be...young. What happened?  Dear Millennial moms in your late 30s or 40s -- former forces of nature, Are you burned out, overwhelmed, and wondering where your energy (and your old self) went? You’re not alone. The Next Phase is the podcast for overachieving moms navigating perimenopause who are dying to take back their energy, their bodies, and their magic. Here, we will not pummel you with hormone treatment plans or talk about perimenopause as if it's a diagnosis. Instead, we're going to celebrate it. We're going to use it as an excuse to really start taking care of ourselves. As a matter of fact, we're going to find ourselves in our perimenopause era.  Hosted by Stacey Hutson—certified health coach, wellness chef, former co-host of the Mother Plus Podcast, and mom of two—you’ll learn how to: Understand what’s really happening in perimenopause and how to work with your changing body, use nutrition, supplements, and sleep as medicine to restore your energy, get in tune with your cycle and learn practical ways to sync your life with your hormones, and create rituals (with a little woo) that help you slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with yourself. Each episode blends personal stories, expert insights, and actual doable steps you can take right away.  ✨ Subscribe now to The Next Phase and join a community of millennial moms redefining wellness in their 40s. Let’s make perimenopause your most magnetic chapter yet.

You Might Also Like