Midlife With Melissa

Melissa Schaefer
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Self-Improvement

Hi, I'm Melissa. Welcome to Midlife With Melissa, a podcast for women like me navigating the beautiful, messy, and transformative midlife years. Through honest conversations, personal stories, and encouragement, we'll explore confidence, self-discovery, relationships, motherhood, career changes, menopause, and the question we all ask: "What's next?" If you've ever wondered who you are beyond the roles you've played for others, you're not alone. Join me Monday mornings on Midlife With Melissa Midlife isn't the end—it's a new chapter.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 9: Brain Fog Anxiety and the Fear You're Falling Apart

    FREE PERIMENOPAUSE SYMPTOM TRACKER I created a printable and digitally fillable symptom-tracking bundle to help you record what you are experiencing, notice possible patterns, and feel more prepared when speaking with your healthcare professional. The bundle includes daily, weekly, and monthly tracking pages. Download your free tracker here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ktun35vtnxb49zx8uuua5/Midlife_With_Melissa_Perimenopause_Tracker_Bundle.pdf?rlkey=z69k7clovmrvbok453xf8x1h9&st=482ndlxr&dl=1 In Episode 9 of Midlife With Melissa, I’m talking about the kind of brain fog that goes far beyond walking into a room and forgetting why you went there. I share what it felt like to put the milk in the cabinet, place the butter in the microwave, forget a familiar PIN, and lose my train of thought while I was still speaking. When moments like these began filling entire days, I started questioning whether I could trust my mind. I also open up about anxiety that seemed to arrive before the day had given it a reason—when everything around me was safe, but my body responded as though something was wrong. This episode explores how brain fog and anxiety can change the way we see ourselves. A forgotten word can begin to feel like proof that we are no longer intelligent. An anxious day can make us question whether we are still capable. But a symptom is an experience—it is not our identity. If you have been frightened by changes in your memory, concentration, or anxiety, I hope this conversation reminds you that you deserve support, compassion, and answers. Pull up a seat, friend. You are not alone here. Disclosure: This episode reflects my personal experience and is shared for general educational and informational purposes only. I am not a medical or mental health professional, and nothing in this episode should be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Changes in memory, concentration, or anxiety can have many possible causes. Please speak with a qualified healthcare professional about symptoms that are new, worsening, severe, or interfering with your daily life. The free symptom tracker is intended for personal tracking and general education. It does not diagnose a medical condition or replace professional medical care.

    Episode 9: Brain Fog Anxiety and the Fear You're Falling Apart

  2. 6d ago

    Episode 8 Starting HRT — Hope, Questions, and Listening to My Body

    Episode 8: Starting HRT — Hope, Questions, and Listening to My Body For a long time, I knew something felt different—but I didn’t understand why. The anxiety. The brain fog. The changes in my sleep, energy, emotions, and ability to handle everyday life. I spent far too much time wondering what was wrong with me before I began asking a different question: Could perimenopause be part of what I’m experiencing? In this episode of Midlife With Melissa, I’m sharing my personal experience researching hormone replacement therapy, choosing telehealth care, beginning HRT, and what I’ve noticed during my first several weeks of treatment. I’ll also share why having a provider I can communicate with has mattered so much to me, what I’ve learned about becoming an active participant in my own healthcare, and the very real brain-fog mistake that resulted in me taking my morning and nighttime medications at the wrong times for five days—and the simple system I use now so I don’t have to rely on memory alone. This episode is not about telling another woman to choose HRT. It’s about awareness. It’s about learning what questions to ask. And it’s about recognizing that when something in your mind or body feels different, you deserve the opportunity to understand why. I especially hope younger women hear this conversation, because education about perimenopause shouldn’t begin only after we’ve spent years wondering what happened to us. You don’t need to have every answer today. Sometimes hope begins simply by asking the first question. 💛 I’ve been saving you a seat. Important Disclosure & Disclaimer: In this episode, I mention Winona, the telehealth provider I personally chose for my care. At the time this episode was recorded and published, I am not a Winona ambassador and have not received payment, free services, discounts, products, or any other benefit for mentioning the company. This is not a sponsored episode or paid endorsement. I am sharing my personal experience for informational and educational purposes only. I am not a physician or other medical professional, and this podcast is not medical advice. Hormone therapy is not appropriate for everyone, and individual benefits, risks, medications, dosages, and treatment decisions vary. Please discuss your symptoms, medical history, medications, treatment options, and any medication questions or concerns with a qualified healthcare professional or pharmacist.

    Episode 8 Starting HRT — Hope, Questions, and Listening to My Body

  3. Aug 13

    Beyond The Episode: When Perimenopause Enters The Marriage

    The Changes Women Should Start Paying Attention To What if women learned about perimenopause before they were standing in the middle of it wondering what happened to them? In this first Beyond the Episode conversation from Midlife With Melissa, I’m speaking especially to women in their 30s—and to the mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends who believe we need to start having these conversations much earlier. This isn’t about making younger women afraid of menopause. It’s about giving them something many of us never had: Awareness. We’re talking about learning your own normal—your menstrual cycle, sleep, energy, mood, anxiety, concentration, sexual health, and the way your body usually responds to everyday life—so that if something begins to change later, you have a reference point. We’ll also talk about why perimenopause is about much more than hot flashes, how sleep and brain fog can become important pieces of the picture, why anxiety that suddenly feels different deserves attention, and how recognizing a pattern can be more useful than judging yourself over one difficult day. Most importantly, I want younger women to understand this: You do not need to diagnose yourself. You do not need to spend your thirties worrying about menopause. But you deserve to know your body well enough to recognize when something changes—and to feel confident saying: “This feels different. Can you help me understand why?” I also share what I would tell my own 30-year-old self today, why I believe mothers and daughters should be talking about these changes openly, and how a simple health history can become an incredible gift to your future self. Awareness isn’t about fear. It’s about having language. It’s about asking better questions. And it’s about making sure the next generation of women doesn’t have to learn everything only after they’re already struggling. 💛 Keep learning. Keep talking. And remember…I’ve been saving you a seat. Important Disclaimer:This episode shares my personal experience alongside general educational information from established medical and menopause-health organizations. I am not a physician or medical professional, and this podcast is not medical advice or a tool for diagnosing perimenopause or any other health condition. Symptoms discussed in this episode can have many possible causes. If you notice new, persistent, or concerning changes in your health, please discuss them with a qualified healthcare professional. Sources referenced in preparing this episode include: The Menopause Society, Mayo Clinic, and the National Institute on Aging.

    Beyond The Episode: When Perimenopause Enters The Marriage

  4. Aug 10

    Episode 7: The Loneliness Nobody Sees

    Episode 7: The Loneliness Nobody Sees Loneliness is not always the absence of people. Sometimes, it is the feeling that no one can see the life you are quietly living inside. In this deeply personal episode of Midlife With Melissa, I share what happened when the home that once felt peaceful and comforting slowly began to feel like a prison. With Jason frequently working out of town, I spent long stretches without speaking to anyone except my dog, Sunshine. I withdrew from family, avoided leaving the house, stopped listening to music, and quietly mourned the woman I used to be. I also talk about the fear that opening up would make me a burden, how honest conversations with my mom and Jason began easing the weight of isolation, and why Sunshine became such an important source of comfort and routine. Creating this podcast eventually gave me another reason to speak, connect, and begin participating in my own life again. This episode is for the woman who feels unseen, misunderstood, or disconnected—even when people love her. Connection may not return all at once. Sometimes, it begins with one conversation, one familiar voice, and one small step toward the life happening beyond your walls. You are not broken. You are not alone. And no matter how long the road has felt, there is still hope. Content note: This episode discusses isolation, anxiety, depression, emotional distress, and difficulty functioning in everyday life. Please take care of yourself while listening. Disclaimer: This episode reflects my personal experiences and is intended for encouragement and conversation only. I am not a medical or mental-health professional, and nothing shared in this podcast should be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or a substitute for qualified professional care. Please speak with a healthcare or mental-health professional about concerns regarding your own well-being.

    Episode 7: The Loneliness Nobody Sees

  5. Aug 7

    Episode 6: Let One Person In

    Content note: This episode includes an honest discussion of severe emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, and surviving a suicide attempt. Please take care of yourself while listening. When emotional pain becomes overwhelming, finding the words to explain it can feel impossible. In this deeply personal episode, I share how frightening thoughts and feelings began taking over even though my life felt safe, comfortable, and exactly where I wanted it to be. I talk about the shame that kept me silent, the moment I attempted to give up, and why continuing to tell my husband, Jason, the truth became one of the most important things I could do. I also share how journaling and working through emotions from my past brought meaningful healing—but did not fully explain the frightening changes I was experiencing. Eventually, I had to admit that I had done everything I knew how to do by myself and still needed help. This episode is about the weight that begins to lift when one trusted person finally knows the whole truth. It is also a reminder that you do not need perfect words before asking someone to stay beside you, help you find support, or take the next safe step. If you are struggling, please keep speaking until someone understands the seriousness of what you are experiencing. You are not a burden. You are worthy of help. And you do not have to find your way back alone. This episode reflects my personal experiences and is intended for encouragement, awareness, and conversation only. I am not a medical or mental-health professional, and this podcast should not be used as a substitute for medical care, therapy, crisis intervention, or other qualified professional support. If you are in the United States and experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or a mental-health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or use its online chat service. The Lifeline is available throughout the United States and its territories. If you believe you may harm yourself or someone else, or you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services where you live. Please do not remain alone with an immediate safety crisis. Disclaimer and crisis support

    Episode 6: Let One Person In

  6. Aug 3

    Episode 5: When Your Emotions No Longer Feel Like Your Own

    What happens when fear, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm begin showing up in ways you cannot understand or control? In this episode, I share what it was like to live in a constant state of fight or flight—even during ordinary moments like arriving at the grocery store. I talk honestly about the panic that kept me sitting in the truck, my increased sensitivity to people’s tones, and the frustration and distance these changes created between my husband, Jason, and me. When I could not explain what was happening inside me, I often became silent and withdrew. But through research, repeated conversations, and finally finding the words to describe my experience, Jason and I stopped standing on opposite sides of the problem and began looking for the next step together. I also share why I chose to speak with a telehealth provider, my personal experience beginning hormone replacement therapy, and the encouraging changes I have noticed so far. This episode is a conversation about replacing shame with curiosity, helping our loved ones understand that midlife changes can affect the entire family, and remembering that we do not need perfect words before asking for support. Your emotions are not proof that you are broken. They may be telling you that something deserves attention, understanding, and care. Content note This episode discusses anxiety, panic, isolation, emotional distress, and difficulty functioning in everyday situations. Please take care of yourself while listening. Disclaimer This episode reflects my personal experiences and is intended for encouragement and conversation only. I am not a medical or mental-health professional, and nothing shared in this episode should be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or a recommendation for any specific treatment. Hormone replacement therapy is not appropriate for everyone. Every woman’s symptoms, health history, risks, and treatment needs are different. Please speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your symptoms and the options that may be appropriate for you.

    Episode 5: When Your Emotions No Longer Feel Like Your Own

  7. Jul 31

    Episode 4: Learning to Trust Yourself Again

    Episode 4: Learning to Trust Yourself Again After a season of fear, isolation, and feeling disconnected from yourself, how do you begin trusting your own thoughts, choices, and abilities again? In this episode, I share what it has looked like for me to slowly find my footing after a difficult season of midlife. Rebuilding trust did not happen through one dramatic moment. It began with small decisions, honest conversations, and learning to recognize that feeling afraid did not always mean I was unsafe. This is a gentle conversation about self-doubt, emotional exhaustion, healing, and the small promises we can begin making to ourselves again. You do not have to feel completely confident before taking the next step. Sometimes, trust returns one quiet choice at a time. Disclaimer: This episode is based on my personal experiences and is intended for encouragement and conversation only. It is not medical, mental-health, or professional advice. Please speak with a qualified healthcare or mental-health professional about any concerns regarding your own well-being. Based on what you have shared about Episode 4, you do not need a suicide or crisis-content warning for this episode. The general disclaimer above is enough unless the recording specifically discusses suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or an attempt.

    Episode 4: Learning to Trust Yourself Again

  8. Jul 27

    Episode 3: How Do You Rebuild Confidence After Losing Yourself?

    Episode 3: How Do You Rebuild Confidence After Losing Yourself? What happens when you no longer recognize the confident woman you once were? In this deeply personal episode of Midlife With Melissa, I share what it felt like to withdraw from the world, stop answering the phone, avoid leaving home, and believe that other people could see something was wrong—even when they could not. I had not grown cold to the world. I had gone inward because I was scared of the unknown. I talk about the difference between being unwilling and reaching a place where you simply do not have any will left. I also share how honest conversations, support from Jason, faith, understanding, and taking small steps helped me begin finding my way back. Confidence did not return all at once. It came back quietly—through one small decision, one promise kept, and one brave step at a time. Starting this podcast became part of finding my voice again. For months, I did not even want to hear myself speak. Today, I can honestly say: I love who I am again. If you have been feeling lost, disconnected, or afraid that the woman you once were is gone, I hope this episode reminds you that she is still there. You are not failing. You are going through something. And you do not have to find your way back alone. Until next time, be gentle with yourself, keep choosing hope, and remember: I’ve been saving you a seat. Disclaimer This episode reflects my personal experiences and is shared for encouragement and connection. I am not a doctor or therapist, and this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care.

    Episode 3: How Do You Rebuild Confidence After Losing Yourself?

  9. Jul 20

    Episode 2: No One Warned Me About Perimenopause

    Episode 2 Description No One Warned Me About Perimenopause No one warned me that perimenopause could affect so much more than my body. In this deeply personal episode, I’m sharing what it felt like to experience brain fog, overwhelming emotions, exhaustion, anxiety, isolation, and the frightening feeling that I was no longer myself. For a long time, I kept asking, “What is wrong with me?” Learning about perimenopause helped me begin replacing fear and self-criticism with understanding and compassion. I also share why asking for help matters, how one person choosing to stay beside me made a difference, and why I never want another woman—or my own daughters—to feel as lost and unprepared as I did. You are not weak. You are not alone. And your worth has never depended on how productive, energetic, or put together you feel. Sometimes healing begins with one small step—and sometimes it begins by letting one person know you are hurting. Content note: This episode includes discussion of depression, isolation, emotional distress, and going through a very dark period. This episode reflects my personal experience and is not medical advice. Please speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your own symptoms and treatment options. If you are in the United States and experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, call or text 988, or use the 988 Lifeline chat. Connect with me through the Midlife With Melissa Facebook page, Instagram, or YouTube. You’ve always got a seat here.

    Episode 2: No One Warned Me About Perimenopause

  10. Jul 13

    Episode 1: Where Did The Woman I Used To Be Go?

    Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt like you've somehow lost yourself? In this very first episode of Midlife With Melissa, I share the invisible emotional shift that so many women experience during midlife—but few people ever talk about. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, emotional, disconnected from yourself, or wondering where your confidence went, I want you to know you're not alone. This isn't a conversation about having all the answers. It's an invitation to sit down, take a deep breath, and discover that there is hope—and that the woman you've been searching for may have been there all along. Hi friend... I've been saving you a seat.

    Episode 1: Where Did The Woman I Used To Be Go?

  11. Trailer

    Welcome to Midlife With Melissa / Podcast Trailer

    Welcome to Midlife With Melissa. If you've ever looked in the mirror and wondered, "Where did the woman I used to be go?"—you're not alone. I'm Melissa, and this podcast is a place where women can slow down, feel understood, and rediscover themselves through honest conversations about midlife, confidence, identity, relationships, personal growth, and the changes that so often catch us by surprise. Whether you're navigating perimenopause, menopause, an empty nest, a new beginning, or simply searching for yourself again, you'll always have a seat here. New episodes every Monday. I'm so glad you're here.

Trailer

About

Hi, I'm Melissa. Welcome to Midlife With Melissa, a podcast for women like me navigating the beautiful, messy, and transformative midlife years. Through honest conversations, personal stories, and encouragement, we'll explore confidence, self-discovery, relationships, motherhood, career changes, menopause, and the question we all ask: "What's next?" If you've ever wondered who you are beyond the roles you've played for others, you're not alone. Join me Monday mornings on Midlife With Melissa Midlife isn't the end—it's a new chapter.

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Schaefer
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Melissa Schaefer
  • Show Website
    Midlife With Melissa