Blueprint Breakers

Amy A. Palmer

Join us as we celebrate midlife women and beyond, with a special spotlight on the lifestyle "blueprint breakers": those who are living a life outside the "typical", "traditional" societal norm. Connect with this growing community and access experts across all areas of life who will focus on our unique needs: health, finances, caregiving, retirement, menopause, socialization, travel, dating, sex, family and more.

  1. 17h ago

    She Quit Her Job. Then Came the Hard Part.

    What happens when you finally quit the job that's burning you out, only to discover that leaving doesn't fix everything? In this episode of Blueprint Breakers, I'm joined by Brandi Carroll, founder of The Runaway Reset Collective, for an honest conversation about corporate burnout, financial uncertainty, mental health, solo travel, and the messy reality of reinventing your life in midlife. Brandi walked away from her corporate career in 2023, expecting to take a few months to regroup before figuring out her next move. Instead, she discovered that her exhaustion ran much deeper than her job. What followed wasn't a picture-perfect reinvention story. There were financial setbacks, emotional struggles, therapy, and some difficult realizations about what she actually needed to feel fulfilled. But there was also adventure. Brandi began exploring solo travel, building new communities, and rediscovering parts of herself that had gotten lost along the way. Her journey eventually took her on an incredible 41-day adventure by ship and land, visiting destinations including Casablanca, Cape Verde, Madagascar, and South Africa's Garden Route. Today, Brandi is the founder of The Runaway Reset Collective, a travel advisory and community brand helping women reset through intentional travel, burnout recovery, and personal reinvention. She shares her journey openly on YouTube and creates spaces for women to explore what they really want, even when they don't have all the answers. In our conversation, we explore: Why quitting a stressful job doesn't automatically cure burnout The financial realities of walking away without another full-time job lined up How burnout, perimenopause, and personal relationships can collide in midlife Why asking for professional support became an important turning point How solo travel helped Brandi rebuild her confidence and independence The difference between what we value and what we actually need Why not every passion needs to become a business How identifying her personal needs changed Brandi's approach to finding work Why you don't have to have everything figured out to take your next step One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is that reinvention doesn't always follow a straight line. Sometimes you have to try things, change direction, ask for help, and give yourself permission to figure it out as you go. If you're a Gen X woman questioning your career, recovering from burnout, or wondering what comes next, I think you'll find a lot to relate to in Brandi's story. CONNECT WITH BRANDI CARROLL Founder, The Runaway Reset Collective YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brandibeonit TikTok: @brandibeonit Instagram: @therunawayreset Facebook: The Runaway Reset CONNECT WITH BLUEPRINT BREAKERS I'm Amy Palmer, host of Blueprint Breakers and Your Gen X Big Sister. I create conversations and community for women in midlife who are questioning the traditional script and designing a different kind of next chapter. Join our community and explore ways to connect:https://amypalmer.bio

  2. Aug 4

    What If Your Best Career Is Still Ahead of You?

    In this episode, I'm joined by Joleene DesRosiers, whose career has taken her from award-winning television journalist to public speaker, business coach, producer, writer, fitness instructor, and now a successful UGC (user-generated content) creator. We talk about what it really takes to reinvent yourself in midlife, why knowing your worth matters, and how to build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it. Joleene also shares practical advice for women who want to work for themselves, negotiate with confidence, and stop settling for less than they're worth. Whether you're thinking about a career pivot, dreaming of more flexibility, or simply looking for permission to create life on your own terms, I think you'll find a lot to relate to in this conversation. About Joleene DesRosiers  Joleene is an award-winning television reporter and anchor who has a really hard time staying still. Currently a successful UGC creator, Joleene has had many career chapters that led her to the UGC space, which has proved to be the most freeing and lucrative career to date. From TV reporter to business coach to PBS producer to fitness instructor, her journey is a story of empowerment while also finding a life of peace. Learn more at joleenecreates.com Check out the UGC course Joleene mentions in this episode. About Amy A. Palmer As host and facilitator for the Blueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood and represented. After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says f**k the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur. Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life! Connect with Amy: amypalmer.bio

  3. May 19

    Why Smart Women Still Struggle With Weight Loss

    Why does weight loss feel so hard, especially for smart, capable women who already know what they “should” be doing? In this episode of Blueprint Breakers, Amy sits down with certified life coach and author Lizzie Merritt to explore the deeper psychological and nervous system patterns behind emotional eating, stress, motivation, and midlife weight struggles. Lizzie shares insights from her new book, LIGHT: The New Psychology of Weight Loss, including why shame and perfectionism keep women stuck, how nervous system safety impacts our choices, and why curiosity is far more effective than willpower. This conversation also explores: Why motivation disappears under stress The connection between fight-or-flight and food Emotional eating and nervous system regulation The LIGHT framework for sustainable change Why tiny steps matter more than perfection Midlife burnout and self-compassion Thoughts on GLP-1 medications Reframing “failure” as data and learning This is an empowering, compassionate conversation for women who are tired of blaming themselves and ready for a healthier, more sustainable approach. About Lizzie Merritt Lizzie Merritt is a certified life coach who helps people stop blaming themselves for why weight loss has felt so hard.  She is the author of You Are a Miracle and LIGHT: The New Psychology of Weight Loss, where she combines humor, compassion, and practical brain science to help readers lose weight without turning their lives upside down.  Lizzie is a military spouse, Marvel movie nerd, and enthusiastic crier at cheesy commercials. She believes curiosity works better than willpower and will always choose science over shame. Connect with Lizzie: https://confidentbody.coach/ About Amy A. Palmer As host and facilitator for the Blueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood and represented. After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says f**k the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur. Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life! Connect with Amy: amypalmer.bio

  4. Apr 14

    From Playing Small to Speaking Up in Midlife

    In this episode of Blueprint Breakers, Amy A. Palmer sits down with Lisa Jones, host of The Leadership Story podcast and a recognized expert in business continuity and resilience. With over 20 years of experience helping organizations navigate disruption, Lisa shares how her personal story mirrors the very work she does professionally. Raised in a family of strong, independent women, Lisa internalized both the expectation to be self-sufficient and the pressure to stay quiet and “not cause waves.” She followed parts of the traditional blueprint… but like many women, found herself navigating career uncertainty, burnout, and a lack of intentional direction. This conversation explores how Lisa began to question long-held patterns, move beyond people-pleasing, and step into a more intentional, self-led chapter of life, including launching her own podcast and reclaiming her voice. About Lisa Jones Lisa Jones is the host of The Leadership Story podcast, where she highlights conversations with resilient women leaders and explores authentic career growth and leadership through challenge. With over 20 years of experience in business continuity and resilience, she has led global teams and helped organizations navigate crisis and uncertainty. Named DRI International’s 2025 Consultant of the Year, Lisa brings deep expertise in strategic planning and leadership development, and is passionate about helping women recognize their lived experiences as powerful assets in shaping confident, authentic leadership. About Amy A. Palmer As host and facilitator for the Blueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood and represented. After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says f**k the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur. Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life! Connect with Amy: amypalmer.bio Join the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  5. Apr 7

    From Burnout to Bali: How Nichole Designed Her Freedom Life

    In this episode, I’m sitting down with Nichole Knight—and honestly, this is one of those conversations that stayed with me long after we hit stop. Nichole spent over 20 years working in corporate finance, managing wealth for ultra high net worth families. She did everything right. Built the career. Made the money. Created the stability. And then… her body forced her to stop. What followed was burnout, a sabbatical, a one-way ticket to Bali…and a complete reimagining of her life. Today, she’s living what she calls her “Freedom Life,” and helping other women understand that financial freedom isn’t just for the wealthy; it’s something we can intentionally build, if we’re willing to look at our numbers and rethink what we’ve been taught. We talk about money, burnout, freedom, and the kind of life many of us don’t realize we’re allowed to want. About Nichole Knight Nichole Knight is a former corporate finance executive who spent over two decades managing wealth for ultra high net worth families before a burnout diagnosis in 2022 led her to completely reevaluate her life. What began as a sabbatical turned into a bold decision to walk away from her career and design what she now calls her “Freedom Life”—a location-independent lifestyle rooted in choice, ease, and alignment. Today, as a Money Mindset and Transition Coach and founder of the Freedom Chaser Club, Nichole helps women move from financial fear to financial freedom by shifting their relationship with money, building a solid financial foundation, and redefining what success truly looks like on their own terms. Connect with Nichole on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamnicholeknight/featured About Amy A. Palmer As host and facilitator for the Blueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood and represented. After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says f**k the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur. Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life! Connect with Amy: amypalmer.bio Join the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  6. Mar 31

    100 Episodes Later: What I Know Now About Midlife Freedom

    100 episodes. I can’t quite believe I’m saying that. In this solo episode, I’m taking a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate what this journey has really been about—not just the podcast, but everything that has come with it. I’m sharing why I started this podcast in the first place, what I’ve learned about you (and me), and how this entire experience has reshaped how I think about work, rest, success, and what’s actually possible in midlife. If you’ve ever felt like the traditional path doesn’t quite fit… this episode is for you. About Amy A. Palmer As host and facilitator for the Blueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood and represented. After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says f**k the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur. Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life! Amy's Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @amypalmer.today Join the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  7. Mar 17

    Rethinking Relationships in Midlife: A Conversation About Polyamory

    One of the things I love most about this podcast is getting to hear perspectives that are very different from my own. Sometimes those conversations are inspiring, sometimes surprising, and sometimes they challenge assumptions we didn’t even realize we were carrying. Today’s conversation is one of those. We’re talking about ethical non-monogamy in midlife—a topic that can feel unfamiliar or even a little uncomfortable for some people. But rather than approaching it with judgment or sensationalism, I wanted to approach it with curiosity. Because when we hear how other people design their lives and relationships, we often learn something meaningful about honesty, autonomy, and connection. My guest today is Tracie Guy-Decker. Tracie is a podcaster, writer, illustrator, and mom based in Baltimore, Maryland. She co-hosts the podcast Deep Thoughts About Stupid Sht* with her sister and is launching a blog and memoir project called Hot Flash of Genius, where she shares the challenges, joys, and insights of ethical non-monogamy in midlife. In this conversation, Tracie shares how she found herself exploring this lifestyle later in life, what ethical non-monogamy actually means, and what it requires in terms of communication, honesty, and self-awareness. Whether this topic feels relatable to you or completely outside your experience, I think you’ll find this conversation fascinating. About Tracie Guy-Decker Tracie Guy-Decker is a podcaster, writer, illustrator and mom based in Baltimore, Maryland. She is co-host, with her sister, of the podcast Deep Thoughts About Stupid Sh*t, and is launching a blog and memoir project entitled Hot Flash of Genius, to share the challenges, joys, and insights of ethical non-monogamy in midlife. Through all of her work, Tracie endeavors to make the world a bit more meaningful, a bit more compassionate, and a lot more fun. You can find her at tracieguydecker.com  About Amy Palmer As host and facilitator for the Blueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood and represented. After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says f**k the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur. Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life! Amy's Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @amypalmer.today Ways to work with me: https://amypalmer.bio

  8. Feb 17

    Redefining Friendship in Midlife

    Friendship in midlife is different. And I don’t think any of us were prepared for that. In this episode, I brought three incredible women back to the mic, Tori, Trilby, and Carole, for my very first Blueprint Breakers roundtable conversation. And we dove into something I see women talking about constantly online: Friendship. Why does it feel harder now?Why do some friendships quietly fade?Why does it sometimes feel like we’re the only ones making the effort?And how do we actually build meaningful connection at this stage of life? About Tori Westminster Tori is a 5-star thriller author who has spent the last 6 years of her writing journey building other writers up through social media, groups, and, more recently, through Bunker Squirrel Magazine and Patreon. These were not strategies meant to drive revenue, but avenues to build community. Tori believes that writing in isolation does not produce good books and is not good for the soul. So, creating a safe space for writers was only logical.  https://www.tcwestminster.com/#/ About Trilby Johnson – Breakthrough Savvy When nothing you know works any more, Trilby Johnson — the Energy Architect — guides midlife Gen X women through pivotal internal shifts to gain unique clarity, self-trust, and autonomy, so they no longer feel frustrated or at the mercy of circumstances and design their own personal toolkit for living life fully on their terms. Drawing on decades of integrative holistic therapies, corporate experience, extensive studies in cognitive and alternative modalities, and her own personal evolution, she brings deep insight and practical wisdom to her work. She is also the author of Fearlessly Alone – Finding You Happy No Matter What, among other titles. To connect with Trilby: https://linktr.ee/fearlesslyme About Carole Rosenblat Carole Rosenblat is a traveler, writer, journalist, tour company owner, and speaker. Two things all of these have in common are travel and female empowerment.  She traveled around the world without a plan for her blog, Drop Me Anywhere, where readers voted to choose the destinations. She left to explore them within two weeks (sometimes a day) following the voting results. As a result of overwhelming feedback, especially from women over 40, Carole opened Drop Me Anywhere Tours for Women.  Website: https://dropmeanywhere.com/ About Amy Palmer As host and facilitator for the Blueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood and represented. After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says f**k the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur. Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life! Amy's Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @amypalmer.todayJoin our Community: https://linktr.ee/amypalmer.today

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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Join us as we celebrate midlife women and beyond, with a special spotlight on the lifestyle "blueprint breakers": those who are living a life outside the "typical", "traditional" societal norm. Connect with this growing community and access experts across all areas of life who will focus on our unique needs: health, finances, caregiving, retirement, menopause, socialization, travel, dating, sex, family and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Amy A. Palmer
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    107
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Amy A. Palmer
  • Show Website
    Blueprint Breakers