The Next Phase

Stacey Hutson
  • 5.0 (6)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

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. 2D AGO

    #17: Saying Goodbye to Our 90s Mom: On Catherine O’Hara and the Motherhood We Inherited

    In the wake of Catherine O’Hara’s death, a lot of millennial women felt unexpectedly emotional. Not just because we lost a legendary actress — but because we lost Kevin’s mom. In this episode, I reflect on Kate McCallister, the iconic 90s movie mom from Home Alone, and why her character still lives in our bodies decades later. The busy, overwhelmed, loving mom who held everything together — often without rest, support, or language for burnout. This isn’t a tribute episode.  It’s a time capsule. A look at the model of motherhood so many of us absorbed from the movies and shows we grew up watching — and why that model quietly stopped working as we entered adulthood, motherhood, and perimenopause. We talk about: Why celebrity deaths from our childhood can feel like real griefWhat the “90s mom” taught us about strength, sacrifice, and enduranceWhy modern motherhood feels so overwhelming — even when we’re doing everything “right”And how we can take responsibility for building lives with more capacity, not more pressureSo grab your Hi-C, your Dunkaroos, or your Fruit by the Foot.  Dust off the VCR. This is about Kevin’s mom —  and what it means now that we’re the moms.

    12 min

  2. JAN 29

    #16: Perimenopause? What—Like It’s Hard? Herbal Wisdom with Jane Barlow

    Perimenopause can feel like a confusing full-body mystery… but today’s conversation is a deep exhale. I’m sitting down with Jane Barlow, an herbalist and founder of Barlow Herbal, who literally grew up in plant medicine—her dad was a college-educated medicinal botanist, and herbal healing was just normal in her house. And while Jane’s own menopause experience was basically a “nothing burger” (yes, we unpack that), she’s helped thousands of women navigate the real stuff: irregular/heavy periods, mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep that suddenly falls apart. In this episode, we talk about: Why perimenopause doesn’t have to be miserableThe simple starter herb she recommends for almost everyone: red raspberry leaf teaSleep support that can calm a “monkey mind”: valerian root + blue vervainAdaptogens for mood + resilience (and why modern stress makes us think we’re “broken”)Post-menopause vitality: energy, libido, hormones, and the herbs Jane personally usesThe deeper message beneath all of it: learning to trust your body againAnd then… Jane unexpectedly challenges me to something I did not see coming: One hour a week with zero technology. No doom scrolling. No dopamine drip. Just you, quiet, and your nervous system finally getting a signal that you’re safe. If you’re an overachieving millennial mom trying to stop fixing yourself and start listening to yourself—this one is for you. Find Jane: BarlowHerbal.com + @barlowherbal on Instagram + Barlow Herbal on YouTube (And yes… she actually does sell the products we talk about 😉) Jane's tea recommendation:  www.starwestbotanicals.com About Jane:  Jane Barlow is a master herbalist, health advocate, and founder of Barlow Herbal Specialties, carrying forward the legacy of her father, medicinal botanist Dr. Max G. Barlow. With decades of experience in herbal medicine, fitness, and holistic wellness, Jane teaches people how to use medicinal plants to support the body’s natural ability to heal. Before fully immersing herself in herbal medicine, Jane spent over 20 years in the fitness industry, including co-owning a gym with her sister. Her work bridges physical health, nervous system balance, and spiritual awareness, helping people reconnect with their intuition and take ownership of their well-being. Jane is also the author of Be Your Own Shaman, a modern expansion of her father’s classic work From the Shepherd’s Purse, and shares herbal wisdom through her YouTube channel and podcast appearances.

    48 min

  3. JAN 23

    #15: The Energetic Power of Finishing Mundane Tasks

    51 days. That’s how long the too-small sweater sat in my trunk before I finally made the return. In this episode, I’m talking about the mundane tasks we avoid — the returns, the laundry, the mail, the subscriptions we never cancel — and why they take up way more space in our bodies and nervous systems than we realize. For years, I told myself these tasks were beneath me. That I had more important things to focus on. That I would do them tomorrow. But what I’ve come to understand in this phase of life is that it was never about time or discipline — it was about capacity. Unfinished tasks aren’t just clutter or procrastination. They’re unfinished business. They hum in the background. They quietly drain our energy. And over time, they contribute to anxiety, overwhelm, and that constant feeling that we’re behind in our own lives. In this episode, I explore: Why “easy” tasks can feel harder than big goalsHow unfinished business affects your energy and nervous systemThe difference between forcing productivity and building real capacityWhy completing small, mundane tasks can actually free up space for the life you wantThis isn’t about fixing yourself or turning into someone you’re not (like June Cleaver). It’s about listening to what your system actually needs — and discovering that the answers might be smaller, quieter, and closer than you think. ✨ I’m also writing more about this idea over on Substack — including an essay about how much I hate making returns.  You can read it here: I Hate Making Returns If this episode resonated — if you felt it in your bones — I’d be so grateful if you left a review. I read every single one, and they truly mean more than you know. Thanks for being here. I’ll see you in the next phase.

    18 min

  4. JAN 15

    #14: The New Year Self-Help Spiral (and How I Found More Space Instead)

    January has a way of turning us into projects. Fix your habits. Fix your body. Fix your mindset. Fix your life. In this episode, Stacey reflects on the familiar New Year self-help spiral—and why, after decades of goal-setting, optimizing, and trying to become “better,” she’s choosing something different. Through a deeply personal New Year ritual, a surprising realization, and one tiny experiment that changed how she experiences time, Stacey explores what it actually means to create more space in your life—without forcing change, quitting your phone, or becoming someone new. This is a conversation about presence, nervous system safety, and learning how to enjoy the life you’ve already worked so hard to build. In this episode, we talk about: Why January can feel so aggressive for self-help-prone womenThe difference between fixing yourself and listening to yourselfHow constant phone consumption quietly steals our sense of time and spaceA simple, ordinary practice that brought Stacey back to herselfWhy small, embodied rituals can be more powerful than big New Year resolutions✨ Mentioned in this episode: Stacey’s Substack, where she shares a deeper reflection on the tooth-brushing practice and explores creating more space and joy through everyday rituals Episode #3: Why You Should Listen to Fewer Podcasts—Including This One Want to drop a note to Stacey? Email her at stacey@stacey-hutson.com If you’re tired of feeling like a before-version of yourself—and ready to experience your life instead of constantly trying to improve it—this episode is for you.

    27 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    #13: Explain EFT to Me: How to Calm Your Nervous System When You’re Spiraling

    Have you ever been set off by something that looks small to everyone else — but suddenly your chest is tight, your throat feels blocked, and you can’t fully exhale? Your body feels like it’s under attack… even though nothing “that bad” just happened. That’s spiraling — and if you’re a millennial mom in perimenopause, it may be happening more often than ever. In today’s episode of The Next Phase Podcast, I’m teaching you one of the most powerful nervous system regulation tools I know — one you can use anytime, anywhere, completely on your own. We’re talking about EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) — also known as tapping. I’ll walk you through: What spiraling actually is (and why it’s not a personal failure)Why anxiety feels more intense during perimenopauseWhat EFT is and why it works (yes, there’s real science behind it)How tapping helps calm your nervous system without numbing youA simple EFT formula you can use anytime you feel overwhelmedAnd finally, a guided EFT session you can come back to whenever you need itThis episode is especially for you if: Your anxiety feels physical (tight chest, racing thoughts, shallow breath)You’re tired of trying to “positive think” your way out of stressYou want to calm your body without gummies, wine, or scrollingYou need a tool that works in the moment — not later✨ Guided EFT Session EFT tapping begins at: 25:32 (Bookmark this section so you can return to it anytime you’re spiraling.) 🖐 EFT Meridian Points Used in This Episode Use this list to follow along during the tapping session: Karate Chop Point – Side of the hand, below the pinkyEyebrow – Inner edge of the eyebrowSide of the Eye – Outer corner of the eyeUnder the Eye – On the cheekbone, directly below the eyeUnder the Nose – Between the nose and upper lipChin – Crease between the lower lip and chinCollarbone – About 1 inch from the center of the collarboneUnder the Arm – About 3–4 fingers below the armpit, along the side of the bodyTop of the Head – The crown of the head(No need to memorize these — perfection is not the goal. Presence is.) 💛 Want More Support? If EFT resonated with you and you want help using it to finally tackle the things you’ve been avoiding, I’d love to invite you to my January Reset Body Doubling Session. We’ll start with a guided EFT to calm your nervous system — then actually do the thing together, from a grounded, supported place. You don’t need more willpower in January.  You need nervous system support — and community. 👉 Sign up here: stacey-hutson.com/body-doubling If this episode helped you, feel free to come back to the tapping anytime. There’s no rush, nothing to fix, and nothing you need to figure out right now. Just one breath at a time. Peace 🤍

    32 min

  6. 12/11/2025

    #12: Why Your Belly Is Changing in Perimenopause — And What Actually Helps

    After watching K-Pop Demon Hunters, my daughters asked me if they “should want abs”… and that moment changed the entire direction of this episode. Today we’re talking about meno belly — why your belly is changing in perimenopause, what’s actually happening biologically, and the stories we’ve carried since growing up as millennial girls raised on Friends, Ally McBeal, The O.C., and the Victoria’s Secret angels. This episode isn’t about flattening your stomach.  It’s about healing your relationship with it — so we don’t pass our body shame down to our daughters. Inside, we cover: What “meno belly” really isHow hormones, stress, sleep, and muscle loss affect your midsectionThe moment I caught myself judging my own body on the matA cultural reframe inspired by Pulp Fiction and Sarah Landry (@thebirdspapaya)Next week, we’ll talk about how to support your metabolism in your 40s — without restriction or punishment. 👉 Download my Cycle Syncing Food Guide + Cycle Syncing Map here.

    30 min

  7. 12/04/2025

    #11: Millennial Menopause & Why We’re So Nostalgic for the 90s with Lauren Tetenbaum

    You know that low-key identity crisis that hits somewhere around 38–42? The mood swings, the random rage, the 3 AM wakeups, the nostalgia for your 90s life and the feeling that you’re somehow running out of time? It might not just be burnout. It might be perimenopause. In this episode, I’m talking with Lauren Tetenbaum — therapist, former lawyer, certified menopause practitioner, and author of Millennial Menopause — the bright pink book I found in Barnes & Noble that basically helped birth this podcast. We get into: Why so many millennial moms feel “off” but can’t put their finger on whyWhat perimenopause actually is (and why the label matters less than your symptoms)The sandwich-generation pressure cooker: little kids, aging parents, and a changing bodyMillennial rage, overstimulation, and feeling like a “different person” overnightHow to ask for what you need at home and with your doctor without feeling stupid or dramaticWhy surrounding yourself with women in their 50s can make turning 40 feel less terrifyingHow perimenopause can become a permission slip to rest, reset, and re-write this next phaseIf you’ve ever wondered, “Is this perimenopause or am I just losing it?” this conversation is your sign you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless.

    48 min

  8. 11/27/2025

    #10: How to Make Cycle Syncing Automatic (So You Can Actually Stick With It)

    Between kids, work, and mom-life chaos, no one has the bandwidth to reinvent a grocery list every week based on their hormones. Today I’m teaching you how to make cycle syncing automatic with four reusable grocery lists—one for each phase. Instacart or in-store, it works either way. Just tap → add to cart → done. By the end, cycle syncing won’t be something you try—it’ll be something you actually do. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✨ Why cycle syncing works for energy, PMS, mood, metabolism & digestion ✨ The four phases (menstrual → follicular → ovulatory → luteal) & what foods support each ✨ How to build automatic grocery lists for each phase using Instacart ✨ How to do the same thing using checklist apps (for in-store shoppers) ✨ Why warm vs. cold foods matter, and how metabolism changes each week ✨ Why PMS is largely fixable through nutrition alone ✨ How systems thinking (à la Chelsi Jo) makes wellness way easier ✨ How to join my first Perimenopause Party & upcoming body-doubling sessions Referenced Episodes & Links Cycle Syncing Resources Episode 2: Explain Cycle Syncing To MeEpisode 4: How to Eat With Your Cycle Download the Cycle Syncing PDF Chart: Food lists for every phase → https://stacey-noelle-llc.kit.com/6426d3a1fbApps & Tools Mentioned Instacart App → https://www.instacart.com (Features used: Saved Lists under Profile → Collections → Saved Lists)Microsoft To Do (Checklist App) → https://todo.microsoft.com Other list apps you can use:TodoistAnyListTickTickClearGoogle KeepPodcast Mentioned Systemize Your Life with Chelsi Jo https://chelsijo.co/systemEvents ✨ The Perimenopause Party — December 10 at 8:30 PM MT (FREE!) Warm drink. Soft pants. A cozy night getting your tedious tasks done… together. Sign up here: https://stacey-hudson.com/periparty ✨ Body Doubling Sessions Starting January 2025 Join other millennial moms as we knock out the “I’ll do it later” tasks in real time. (Details shared first inside the Perimenopause Party!) A Quick Food Phase Refresher (from the episode) MENSTRUAL (Days 1–5) — Your Winter Warm, grounding, mineral-rich foods:  Beets, mushrooms, lentils, sweet potatoes, kidney beans, warm soups/stews. FOLLICULAR (Days 6–13) — Spring Fresh, light, energizing foods:  Smoothies, leafy greens, chicken + eggs, berries, fermented foods, artichokes, flaxseed. OVULATORY (Days 14–15) — Summer Cool, hydrating, antioxidant-rich foods:  Cucumbers, leafy salads, citrus, tomatoes, peppers, salmon, sardines, oysters, cooling herbs. LUTEAL (Days 16–28) — Fall Comforting, stabilizing foods that support blood sugar:  Root veggies, squash, oats, quinoa, turkey, almonds, pumpkin seeds, apples, lentils, chickpeas. (Your full PDF guide with all the details is linked above.)

    22 min
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5
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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.

Information

  • Creator
    Stacey Hutson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Next Phase
  • Show Website
    The Next Phase