Spill the Real Podcast

Amanda Owen & Kristi Hayden
  • 4.8 (4)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Spill the Real—a podcast for women in their 40s navigating midlife, motherhood, marriage, and identity shifts. Hosted by two real-life friends, we have honest, unfiltered conversations about what it really feels like to balance it all while wondering, “Is there more?” From relationships and parenting teens to hormones, purpose, and letting go of guilt—nothing’s off limits. Think margarita-fueled book club vibes without the reading. If you’ve ever felt restless or ready for more, you’re not alone. Let’s figure it out together.

  1. Jul 17

    Permission granted. When Do We Let Ourselves off the Hook?

    Learning to Stop Carrying What Was Never Yours At some point, many women become the default. The planner. The peacemaker. The one who remembers birthdays, schedules appointments, keeps traditions alive, checks in on everyone, and somehow makes sure life keeps moving. We carry the invisible load without even realizing how heavy it's become. But what if some of the pressure we're feeling isn't coming from anyone else? What if it's coming from the expectations we've placed on ourselves? Real Talk Question: What's something you've been holding yourself responsible for that maybe... you don't have to anymore? In this episode, we're talking about guilt, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the freedom that comes from realizing we don't have to carry everything. Because sometimes the healthiest thing we can do isn't trying harder—it's finally giving ourselves permission to let go. #spillthereal #margaritabookclub

  2. Jul 10

    The Things We Don't Say Out Loud: Midlife Fears

    Some fears are easy to admit. Spiders. Heights. Public speaking. But the fears that show up in midlife? Those are the ones we usually keep to ourselves. The fear of getting older. The fear of losing the people we love. The fear of running out of time. The fear of making the wrong decision. The fear of starting over. The fear that maybe we've missed our chance. Real Talk Question:  What's a fear you've never said out loud because saying it makes it feel too real? In this episode, we're talking about the quiet fears so many women carry but rarely say out loud. Together, we're unpacking the worries that keep us awake at night, exploring how those fears change as we age, and reminding each other that courage isn't about having no fear—it's about continuing to move forward despite it. Because chances are, if you're carrying one of these fears, you're not carrying it alone.

  3. Jul 3

    Failure Isn't Fatal: The Reinvention After the Ruin

    Failure. It's a word most of us try to avoid, but if we're honest, it's something every woman experiences. Whether it's a relationship that didn't last, a career that didn't go as planned, a parenting decision we wish we could redo, or a dream we quietly put on the shelf, failure has a way of making us question our worth. Real Talk Question: What's something you once considered a failure that you now see differently? In this episode, we're having an honest conversation about why women take failure so personally, the invisible failures no one talks about, and how some of life's greatest setbacks become the very things that shape us into stronger, wiser versions of ourselves. Because maybe failure isn't the end of the story. Maybe it's where the next chapter begins.

  4. Jun 26

    Real, Fake & Fabulous: Why We're Done Apologizing for the Things That Make Us Feel Good

    Let's be honest—very few things in midlife are exactly as they appear. The hair might not be real. The lashes might not be real. The tan might not be real. And honestly? That's okay. In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on the beauty enhancements, confidence boosters, and little secrets women often feel pressured to hide. From wigs and extensions to Botox and beauty treatments, we're talking openly about the things women do to feel more like themselves—and why there's so much unnecessary shame attached to those choices. Because if we're all comparing ourselves to each other, shouldn't we at least be honest about what we're comparing? This isn't a conversation about judgment. It's a conversation about confidence, authenticity, aging, and giving women permission to do what makes them feel good without needing to explain themselves. Real Talk Question What's something you've done—or considered doing—to feel more confident that you were hesitant to admit out loud? Maybe confidence isn't about proving that everything is natural. Maybe it's about being honest about the things that help us feel good in our own skin. Whether it's gray hair or hair extensions, wrinkles or Botox, a wig, a treatment, or simply a really good moisturizer—women shouldn't have to apologize for wanting to feel confident. The goal isn't perfection. The goal is feeling like yourself. And whatever helps you get there? That's your business. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who could use the reminder that confidence doesn't come with rules. Subscribe, leave a review, and join us next week for another real conversation about navigating midlife with humor, honesty, and zero apologies.

  5. Jun 19

    Rinse, Repeat, Recharge… Maybe Same Month Different Year

    Same Month, Different Year Real Talk Question: What part of the year do you dread the most/have the hardest time preparing for mentally? Ever look at the calendar and think, "How is it already this month again?" The older we get, the more life can feel like it's running on a loop. The laundry never ends. The bills keep coming. School schedules, holidays, summer chaos, and busy seasons show up right on cue every year. The calendar repeats itself, but somehow we're never quite the same person living through it. In this episode, we're talking about the strange experience of revisiting the same season year after year while carrying different experiences, different wounds, different wisdom, and maybe a different level of exhaustion. We're exploring how to prepare for the seasons we know are coming, why certain times of year carry emotional weight, and what "recharging" actually looks like in midlife. Maybe growth doesn't always look like dramatic transformation. Maybe healing isn't becoming a completely different person. Maybe sometimes growth looks like walking through the same hard season you've faced before—but doing it with softer edges, healthier boundaries, deeper self-awareness, and a little more honesty than last time. The season may be repeating. But you are not. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who's walking through a familiar season in a brand-new way. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us next week for another honest conversation about navigating midlife with humor, grace, and a healthy dose of reality.

  6. Jun 12

    The Friendship Shift Nobody Warned Us About

    Friendship looked so different when we were younger. Back then, proximity did most of the work. We saw our friends every day at school, practice, work, or hanging out on weekends. Fast forward to midlife, and maintaining friendships can feel like a full-time job complete with scheduling conflicts, unanswered texts, and wondering if everyone else got invited except you. Real Talk Question: What’s a way you show up differently as a friend these days? In this episode, we're diving into the friendship shift nobody warned us about. From friendship breakups and midlife loneliness to adult friendship insecurities and the friends who truly show up when life gets hard, we're having the honest conversation so many women are already having in their heads.   And maybe the biggest lesson of all: friendship in midlife isn't about who talks every day. It's about who still shows up, who makes space for the real version of you, and who reminds you that you're not navigating this season alone. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who has been part of your journey through every version of life. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us next week for more real conversations about navigating midlife with humor, honesty, and heart.

  7. Jun 5

    Anxiety, Overthinking & the Mental Spiral

    Ever find yourself lying awake at 2 a.m. replaying a conversation, creating worst-case scenarios, or wondering why your brain just won't turn off? You're not alone. In this episode, we're having an honest conversation about anxiety, overthinking, and the mental spirals so many women experience but rarely talk about. From the invisible mental load of managing everyone else's needs to the pressure of keeping it all together, we're unpacking what happens when stress, hormones, burnout, and life's responsibilities collide. We'll discuss why anxiety doesn't always look like panic, how high-functioning women often carry emotional exhaustion in silence, and why so many of us spend our days anticipating problems that haven't even happened yet. We'll also explore how midlife and hormonal changes can intensify anxiety, intrusive thoughts, sleep struggles, and emotional overwhelm. Most importantly, we're talking about the things we quietly hold in—the fears, worries, guilt, loneliness, and pressure that can leave us feeling isolated even when we're surrounded by people. If you've ever thought:"Did I say the wrong thing?""Why hasn't she texted back?""Am I the only one who feels this way?" This conversation is for you. Because maybe healing begins the moment we stop carrying everything alone and finally say out loud the thing we've been holding silently.

  8. May 29

    There’s a Pregame to Menopause?!

    Episode Description If you've ever found yourself wondering why you're suddenly exhausted, anxious, forgetting simple things, waking up at 3 a.m., or feeling like your body is playing a game you never agreed to—this episode is for you. This week, we're spilling the real on perimenopause, the phase before menopause that somehow affects nearly every woman but isn't talked about nearly enough. Many of us thought menopause was something that happened in our 50s and started with hot flashes. What we didn't know is that the "pregame" can begin years earlier and bring a long list of symptoms that leave women questioning their sanity, their health, and sometimes their entire identity. We're diving into the symptoms no one warned us about, sharing personal experiences, and discussing how to navigate this season with more knowledge, support, and a little less panic. Because maybe you're not losing your mind... maybe your hormones are just trying to get your attention. Real Talk Question: What is the craziest symptom that you have experienced or heard of that you had no idea was related to perimenopause? Episode HighlightsSymptoms Nobody Prepared Us For We discuss some of the most surprising and frustrating symptoms women experience, including: Heavy or irregular periods Brain fog and forgetfulness Anxiety and mood changes Heart palpitations Hot flashes and cold flashes Insomnia and disrupted sleep Thinning hair and brittle nails Weight gain Rage and irritability Dizziness and nausea Changes in body odor Allergies that suddenly appear Itchy ears Metallic taste in your mouth Feeling unlike yourself Why so many women think they're "just stressed" The frustration of being told everything is "normal" Learning to trust your body and advocate for yourself Practical ways to support yourself through this transition: Tracking symptoms and recognizing patterns Prioritizing sleep and recovery Increasing protein and strength training Managing stress and protecting your energy Knowing when to seek medical support Finding providers who understand women's hormonal health Giving yourself grace during a season of change Our Biggest Takeaway Perimenopause isn't something that's happening to you—it's something your body is moving through. The more we understand what's happening, the more empowered we become to support ourselves, ask better questions, and stop assuming we're just supposed to suffer through it. Spill The Real Reflection Question After listening, we'd love to hear from you: What symptom made you realize your hormones might be playing a bigger role in your life than you thought? Come join the conversation and share your experience. Because if there's one thing we've learned, it's that women need more honest conversations about this season of life and a lot more reassurance that we're not alone. #SpillTheRealPodcast #Perimenopause #WomenOver40 #MidlifeUnfiltered #Hormones #MenopauseAwareness #RealLifeConversations #WomensHealth #MidlifeWomen #SpillTheReal The Emotional Side of PerimenopauseWhat Do We Do From Here?

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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to Spill the Real—a podcast for women in their 40s navigating midlife, motherhood, marriage, and identity shifts. Hosted by two real-life friends, we have honest, unfiltered conversations about what it really feels like to balance it all while wondering, “Is there more?” From relationships and parenting teens to hormones, purpose, and letting go of guilt—nothing’s off limits. Think margarita-fueled book club vibes without the reading. If you’ve ever felt restless or ready for more, you’re not alone. Let’s figure it out together.

Information

  • Creator
    Amanda Owen & Kristi Hayden
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Amanda Owen & Kristi Hayden
  • Show Website
    Spill the Real Podcast

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