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. 3D AGO

    When Your Body Changes the Plan, Not the Purpose

    What if creativity wasn’t just self-expression—but survival? In this deeply moving episode of Blueprint Breakers, I’m joined by thriller author and community builder Tori Westminster, whose writing journey began not at a desk—but in a dark room, during six weeks of unrelenting migraine pain. Tori shares how she mentally “wrote” her first novel while unable to see, move, or function normally—and how that act of imagination became the thing that carried her through one of the hardest periods of her life. But this conversation goes far beyond writing. We talk about: Living with chronic illness and adapting to a body that changes daily Letting go of the life you thought you’d have—and choosing meaning anyway Why writing (and creativity) isn’t meant to be done in isolation How community can be built without hustle, algorithms, or self-promotion The origin of Bunker Squirrel Magazine and why it centers connection over ego Choosing contribution, even when capacity looks different than it used to Tori’s newest project, Conversations with Pain, amplifying voices of those living with chronic illness and disability This episode is an honest, compassionate look at what it means to keep contributing, creating, and connecting—even when the traditional blueprint no longer applies. 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. Among other publications slated for 2026, by popular demand, she will release a 3-month goal journal designed specifically for writers in January of 2026. She will incorporate accountability groups and will coach them through their goals one quarter at a time. Throughout 2026, she will be collecting stories from the chronically ill and disabled—spoonies—to give voice to those who go unnoticed and misunderstood. As a spoonie herself, this is a passion project.  https://www.tcwestminster.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 fuck 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 our Community: https://linktr.ee/amypalmer.today

    35 min

  2. JAN 27

    Recalibrating Your Energy in Midlife

    What happens when the life you were promised never shows up, even after you followed every rule? In this episode of Blueprint Breakers, I sit down with Trilby Johnson, known as The Energy Architect, to explore what many Gen X women experience in midlife: the quiet collapse of old stories, the rise of loneliness, and the moment when self-help, hustle, and “doing the work” stop working. Trilby shares her own Blueprint Breaker story: growing up hyper-vigilant, deeply sensitive, and feeling fundamentally different, and how those early survival strategies shaped her adult life, relationships, and health. We talk about how the body holds truth long before the mind catches up, why loneliness isn’t something to fix, and how energy recalibration helps women reconnect with their own internal authority. This conversation isn’t about self-improvement. It’s about self-recognition. 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 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 Join our Community: https://linktr.ee/amypalmer.today

    36 min

  3. 12/16/2025

    Why Diets Fail Women Over 40

    In today’s episode of Blueprint Breakers, I’m joined by Debbie Harris, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Certified Hypnotist, author, and founder of Maynestreet Weight Loss, for a deeply honest conversation about why dieting truly does suck for women over 40, and what actually works instead. Debbie shares her personal journey as a lifelong dieter who hit a wall during menopause, struggling not just with weight but with inflammation, bloating, hormone imbalance, and eventually an estrogen-based breast cancer diagnosis. That experience became a turning point, one that led her to completely rethink diet culture, food rules, and the way women are taught to relate to their bodies. We talk about: Why weight loss becomes harder during perimenopause and menopause—and why it’s not your fault How hormones, cortisol, sleep, and stress all impact weight and inflammation Breaking free from food guilt and perfectionism What an 80/20 lifestyle really looks like (and why it’s more sustainable) Why support and accountability matter just as much as information How to define your “why” without shame—even if it starts out feeling shallow Learning to stop comparing yourself to other women and tune into what works for your body Creating peace with food instead of fear, rules, or restriction Debbie also talks about her book, Dieting Sucks for Women Over 40, which includes a practical, food-based program (no drugs), self-hypnosis tools, journaling prompts, and guidance for balancing hormones and maintaining weight loss long-term. She shares why community is such a core part of the process and how her Balanced Warrior membership provides ongoing support, accountability, and encouragement for women navigating this phase of life. This episode is compassionate, empowering, and refreshingly real. If you’ve ever felt like your body betrayed you—or like you’re doing everything “right” and still not seeing results—I hope this conversation helps you feel less alone and more hopeful. You can find Dieting Sucks for Women Over 40 on Amazon and learn more about Debbie’s work, free resources, and community at 30toLife.org. https://30tolife.org/ 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 fuck 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

    34 min

  4. 12/09/2025

    Pause With Purpose, Position With Intention

    In this episode of Blueprint Breakers, I sit down with Lauren Francisco — global curator, emotional mastery coach, and author of COMPOSED: The Art of Directing Your Emotions. The timing of this conversation couldn’t be more aligned. I just returned from Thailand, where I was navigating my own wave of emotions, and now we’re heading into the holiday season: a time that amplifies stress, joy, nostalgia, anxiety, and everything in between. Lauren and I talk about what it really means to pause and how that pause gives us the power to position ourselves for the life we want. We explore the difference between reacting and responding, how to hear your intuition when the world feels loud, and why solitude isn’t loneliness, it’s where truth and clarity finally have room to land. Lauren also shares how her upbringing shaped her worldview, the moment she learned to take control of her emotions instead of letting them control her, and how travel, service, and connection across cultures have become the core of her mission. This episode is grounding, clarifying, and deeply human. If you’re feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or in need of a reset as we head into the holidays, I think you’ll find something here that meets you right where you are. About Lauren Francisco Lauren Francisco, MSW, is a global curator, emotional mastery coach, mental health professional, and founder of Life Coach On Demand, where she helps high-achieving individuals lead their lives with clarity, intention, and emotional truth. With a background that spans psychology, clinical social work, therapy rooms, boardrooms, and rural villages around the world, she has dedicated her life to helping people rewrite their stories from the inside out. She is also the founder and executive director of DiverseCity, Inc., a global nonprofit that highlights everyday heroes through storytelling and service. Known for her calm, grounded voice and her gift for making complex emotional concepts feel accessible and transformative, Lauren brings a rare depth to her work. Her debut book, COMPOSED: The Art of Directing Your Emotions, reflects her mission: to help people lead with peace rather than pressure. Connect with Lauren, including links to her book & her podcast: https://www.laurenfrancisco.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 fuck 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 the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    40 min

  5. 11/25/2025

    Reclaiming a Life That Feels Like You

    In this episode, I sit down with Andie Eggimann—an artist, a move-abroad mentor, and a woman who has rebuilt her life more than once in pursuit of what feels true and alive. Andie spent years trying to fit into a version of womanhood that didn’t match who she really was. Eventually, she found her way back to herself: downsizing, traveling internationally with her family of seven, and finally following a long-held dream of living abroad. But the path wasn’t smooth. Plans fell apart, jobs changed, borders closed, and she and her husband had to start over multiple times. What inspires me about Andie is how she held onto her dream anyway, and how she kept pivoting, adjusting, and creating something beautiful out of circumstances that could have shut everything down. Today, she lives by the sea in Portugal and helps others reconnect with what lights them up and explore what moving abroad could look like for them. In this conversation, we talk about: Breaking free from the blueprint you were handed Relearning how to trust yourself How travel can wake up parts of you that have been quiet for years The mix of joy and sorrow that comes with big change Staying flexible when the dream keeps evolving Creating goals that align with your values, not pressure The emotions behind wondering if life might be better somewhere else About Andie Eggiman Andie Eggimann is an artist and move abroad mentor helping people reconnect with what makes them feel alive. After twenty years of shelving her dream, she decided to prioritize her own joy, downsize, and travel internationally with her family of seven. When their move-abroad dream exploded more than once, she and her husband rebuilt from scratch with a stubborn belief that it’s possible to create something beautiful after loss. From her seaside home in Portugal, she makes maps to follow towards hope.  Connect with Andie on Instagram: @ onedaringadventure For Andie’s book, Benediction, and information about upcoming workshops:  https://linktr.ee/onedaringadventure 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 fuck 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 the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    55 min

  6. 10/07/2025

    How Menopause Sparks Your Comeback

    So many of us have been taught to think of menopause as the end of something - the end of youth, energy, possibilities. But what if it’s actually the beginning of one of the most powerful chapters of our lives? In this conversation with Julie Gordon White, Founder and CEO of MenoWell, we discuss how menopause can become the spark for transformation and reinvention. We talk about how to navigate this season with more confidence, how to support your body and mind with simple lifestyle shifts, and why it’s never too late to pivot into something new- whether that’s a business, a dream, or a whole new version of yourself. We also explore the importance of education, advocacy, and community when it comes to menopause, and how sharing our stories not only helps us feel less alone, but also empowers other women to do the same. This conversation is real, honest, and deeply hopeful. If you’ve ever felt like midlife was “too late” for a comeback, this episode is your reminder that your next chapter might just be your best one yet. About Julie Gordon White Julie Gordon White is the founder and CEO of MenoWell Menopause Fiber + Protein Bars, an Oprah Daily Best Menopause product. Julie advocates for women in all stages of "The Pause". Julie is also an award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling business author, and TEDx speaker. In 2023, Julie launched MenoWell after struggling with "Menopause Middle" and watching her friends suffer in silence as their symptoms and increasing weight gain were robbing their confidence. Not letting a pandemic get in her way, she decided to do something about it and created delicious plant-based, nutrient-dense, and low-calorie energy bars with all the goodness a menopausal body needs, along with a MenoLounge community to support women with advice from expert guests! MenoWell Bars are available online on Amazon and www.mymenowell.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 Join the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    31 min

  7. 09/09/2025

    The Secret Sauce to Weight Loss Consistency

    This episode is especially meaningful for me because my guest, Lizzie Merritt, is not only a brilliant life and weight loss coach- she’s also my personal coach. Like many midlife women, I used to believe weight loss was only about eating less and exercising more. Lizzie helped me see that the real change comes from mindset, self-compassion, and learning how to handle stress and emotional eating. With her support, I’ve discovered how to: Release shame and guilt that kept me stuck Celebrate small, consistent wins (even just 10 minutes of movement) Plan for my natural cycles of energy and rest instead of fighting them Understand why my nervous system takes over when I’m stressed Approach health with an anti-diet mindset that feels realistic and kind If you’re a midlife woman who’s tired of the all-or-nothing cycle of dieting, or if you’ve ever felt like you “know what to do” but can’t seem to do it, this conversation will give you hope, tools, and a fresh perspective. About Lizzie Merritt Lizzie is a Martha Beck Certified Wayfinder Life Coach and professional weight loss coach specializing in helping people figure out why they don’t do the things they think they *should* do in order to lose weight and feel happy.   She believes that diets are just the worst; the only way to lose weight is imperfectly; and that weight loss is much more about what’s between your ears than what’s on your plate. Check out her book You Are a Miracle to learn about all the things that diets don’t tell you.   She also runs Spartan races, cries at cheesy commercials, and is a huge Marvel movie nerd.  confidentbody.coach  ✵  @coachlizzie.merritt 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 the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    29 min

  8. 08/19/2025

    Midlife Reinvention Stories: Angel James

    Join me as I sit down with Angel James, former Emmy-award winning television news producer turned content creator, whose work has inspired hundreds of thousands of Gen X women to embrace midlife with joy, music, and unapologetic authenticity. Angel spent more than 20 years in local TV news, booking and producing live segments for one of the most-watched morning shows in the country. But in true midlife reinvention fashion, she walked away: without a plan, but with a desire to rediscover herself.  In this conversation, Angel and I talk about: How she made the leap from TV producer to social media creator. The freedom and joy she found in showing up authentically online. Why midlife can be the ultimate call to adventure- whether it’s starting over in your career, taking a solo trip, or simply daring to explore your own city. The importance of human connection, rest, and giving ourselves grace in a culture that glorifies hustle. How loss, family, and friendship have shaped the way she’s choosing to live the second half of life. If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to let go of titles, embrace reinvention, and start again in midlife, this episode is for you. About Angel James  Angel James is a former television news producer-turned-content creator. Angel spent more than 20 years in local news, where she spent a majority of her time as the supervising producer— booking segments for a live, 6-hour, 5-day a week Emmy-award winning morning show— and the most-watched local morning news in the country at the time. Since then, she has grown small businesses by up to 60% by ideating, producing, shooting & editing organic social media content for business categories that include fitness, jewelry, restaurants, non-profits & even one of the most respected model scouts in the business. Now based in the NJ/NYC area, she’s also grown a following of her own on social media— a 215,000 member community comprised mostly of powerful GEN X women. With 5.5 million likes and counting— all going through midlife together, not just surviving, but thriving… with the help of some 80s music. Because… well, it helps.  TikTok: ajgirl1 Instagram: angelmjames The book Angel referenced: Learning to Love Midlife by Chip Conley 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 fuck 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

    31 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
17 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
    98
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Amy A. Palmer
  • Show Website
    Blueprint Breakers

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