Message in the Middle: Midlife Women, Reinvention & Personal Growth

Marianne DeMello-Smith
  • 5.0 (33)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Message in the Middle is a podcast for women navigating the challenges, transitions, and reinventions that often come with midlife.  Hosted by Marianne DeMello-Smith, each episode explores the messy, meaningful moments that shape who we become. Through honest conversations with experts, authors, thought leaders, and everyday women, you'll discover practical insights, inspiring stories, and new perspectives on what it means to grow through life's most difficult seasons. Whether you're facing a career change, caregiving responsibilities, health challenges, grief, relationship shifts, menopause, identity changes, or simply wondering what's next, Message in the Middle offers encouragement, wisdom, and real-world strategies to help you move forward with greater confidence and purpose. Together, we'll explore resilience, personal growth, self-discovery, emotional well-being, and the power of turning life's messes into meaningful midlife messages. Because midlife isn't the end of your story. It may just be the beginning of your next chapter.

  1. Why Your Gut Isn’t Healing (And the Truth About Parasite Cleanses)

    4d ago

    Why Your Gut Isn’t Healing (And the Truth About Parasite Cleanses)

    There’s no shortage of advice when it comes to gut health right now. Parasite cleanses. Heavy metal detoxes. Protocols that promise to fix everything in a matter of weeks. And if you’ve been dealing with bloating, fatigue, constipation, or symptoms that never quite resolve, it makes sense why those promises are so appealing. But what if some of the things you’re doing to heal are actually putting more stress on your body instead of helping it? In this episode of Message in the Middle, Marianne sits down with Dr. Kate Davis, a licensed chiropractor and Functional Medicine doctor whose own decade-long struggle with chronic gut issues led to the discovery of a significant parasite infection that had been missed for years. Together, they unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface when gut healing doesn’t work, why jumping into detox protocols too quickly can backfire, and how to approach healing in a way that actually supports the body. This conversation is honest, eye-opening, and deeply validating for anyone who feels like they’ve already tried everything and still isn’t getting results. In this episode, we cover:  Why parasite cleanses and detox trends can sometimes do more harm than good  What’s actually happening in the body during strong “detox reactions”  The biggest gut health myths circulating right now  Why gut healing often fails, even when you’re doing all the “right” things  What “expensive pee” really means and why absorption matters  The correct order of healing and why skipping steps can keep you stuck  How gut health connects to stress, trauma, and the nervous system  Where to start if you feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or out of options If you’ve ever felt like your body isn’t responding the way it should, this episode will help you understand why and remind you that you’re not as stuck as you think. Connect with Dr. Davis:   Website Instagram  DM me the number ‘100’ on Instagram (@drkatedavis) and I’ll give you $100 off an initial consult + labs package YouTube  Podcast (Unconventional Medicine) Connect with Marianne: Website:  Message In The Middle with MarianneMessage In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlistsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne Subscribe to Message In the Middle: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLeave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content. Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in the Middle podcas...

    47 min
  2. You Built the Life. So Why Does It Feel Like You've Outgrown It?

    Jun 27

    You Built the Life. So Why Does It Feel Like You've Outgrown It?

    There comes a point in midlife that can feel both confusing and surprisingly unsettling. You've built a life. A career. A reputation. Maybe a family. You've worked hard, made sacrifices, and checked many of the boxes you once thought would lead to happiness and fulfillment. And then one day you find yourself wondering: Why doesn't this fit the way it used to? Not because you've failed. Not because your life is falling apart. But because you've grown. In this episode, Marianne sits down with Crystal Bell to explore what happens when the version of success you've been pursuing no longer feels fully aligned with who you've become. Crystal shares her journey from growing up in a low-income, unstable environment to becoming a technology executive, entrepreneur, coach, and wellness studio owner. Along the way, she discovered how perfectionism and overachievement helped her succeed while also creating pressure, exhaustion, and the feeling that more was always required. Together, they explore why so many accomplished women find themselves questioning what comes next in midlife, how to tell the difference between being busy and making progress, and what it means to create a life that reflects who you are now, not who you had to be to survive. In this episode, we discuss: • The hidden costs of perfectionism and overachievement  • Why success and alignment aren't always the same thing  • How to recognize when you've outgrown old definitions of achievement  • The difference between motion and meaningful progress  • Rebuilding trust in yourself after years of overthinking  • Finding clarity during seasons of transition and reinvention  • What it means to grow into the next version of yourself Connect with Crystal:   Clarity-with-crystal.comLI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarity-with-crystalIG: @Clarity.With.CrystalYT: https://youtube.com/@clarity-with-crystal?si=4noHYQLjQjdPSLGQ Connect with Marianne: Website:  Message In The Middle with MarianneMessage In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlistsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne Subscribe to Message In the Middle: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLeave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content. Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in the Middle podcas...

    46 min
  3. Alli O'Malley on the Hidden Face of Abuse and the Truth About Recovery

    Jun 20

    Alli O'Malley on the Hidden Face of Abuse and the Truth About Recovery

    Sometimes the hardest experiences to recognize are the ones we are living through. Many women think intimate partner violence only looks one way. They picture obvious warning signs, visible injuries, or situations that seem dramatically different from their own. But what happens when the harm is subtle? When it shows up as constant self-doubt, walking on eggshells, losing trust in your own instincts, or slowly becoming someone you no longer recognize? In this powerful conversation, Marianne sits down with author, coach, speaker, and former CEO of RESOLVE of Greater Rochester, Alli O'Malley, to explore what intimate partner violence really looks like, why it can be so difficult to name, and what healing looks like after survival. Drawing from both her lived experience and decades of professional leadership in the domestic violence field, Alli shares insights into the hidden dynamics of abuse, the ways systems often fail survivors, and why healing requires more than simply escaping harm. Together, they discuss rebuilding self-trust, reclaiming identity, finding supportive community, and moving beyond a deficit-based view of recovery. Whether this conversation reflects your own experience or helps you better understand someone you love, it offers an honest, compassionate look at resilience, healing, and the possibility of thriving after trauma. Connect with Alli: Substack: https://alliomalley.substack.com/ Website: https://www.thistlerise.com Connect with Marianne: Website:  Message In The Middle with MarianneMessage In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlistsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne Subscribe to Message In the Middle: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLeave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content. Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in the Middle podcas...

    52 min
  4. From Broken to the Big Stage: Scott Scovill on Fear of Failure and Reinvention

    Jun 13

    From Broken to the Big Stage: Scott Scovill on Fear of Failure and Reinvention

    What if the thing standing between you and the life you still want isn’t talent, timing, or confidence—but tenacity? In this episode of Message in the Middle, Marianne sits down with entrepreneur, creative director, and author Scott Scovill to explore what it really takes to keep going when fear, failure, and self-doubt tell you to stop. Scott’s story doesn’t follow a traditional path. He went from a struggling student who felt “broken” and paralyzed by fear of failure to building one of the most successful live video production companies in the music industry, working with artists like Garth Brooks, the Rolling Stones, and Luke Combs. And in his fifties, he discovered he could sing and stepped onto a stage in front of thousands. His message is simple but powerful: tenacity is not something you’re born with. It’s something you build. In this conversation, we explore:  What fear of failure actually feels like and how it keeps people stuck  Why taking the first step changes everything  The difference between enduring a life and pursuing one that feels aligned  How to reconnect with your own dreams after years of meeting expectations  What it means to stay open to growth and reinvention in midlife If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to try something new, or questioned whether you still have it in you to go after what you want, this episode will challenge that belief. Connect with Scott: ScottScovill.com Get the Book: Tenacious: The Art of Relentlessly Pursuing Your Wildest Dreams Connect with Marianne: Website:  Message In The Middle with MarianneMessage In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlistsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne Subscribe to Message In the Middle: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLeave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content. Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in the Middle podcas...

    47 min
  5. The Identity Gap: Who You Were vs. Who You’re Becoming with Dr. Sarah Andreas

    Jun 6

    The Identity Gap: Who You Were vs. Who You’re Becoming with Dr. Sarah Andreas

    There’s a moment in midlife that many women recognize, even if they’ve never had the language for it. You’re no longer who you used to be… but you’re not fully who you’re becoming either. In this episode of Message in the Middle, Marianne sits down with Dr. Sarah Andreas, artist, educator, and author of Step Into the Ether, to explore what she calls the identity gap. That in-between space where old identities begin to fall away and something new is quietly forming. Together, they unpack:  What the identity gap actually feels like in real life  Why reinvention is not a one-time event, but a cycle  Sarah’s three-phase framework: Reveal, Render, and Rise The role of creativity and art in accessing deeper self-understanding  Why grief is often part of becoming someone new  How to stay grounded when you’re no longer who you were, but not yet who you’ll be This conversation is thoughtful, honest, and deeply validating for anyone navigating change, transition, or reinvention in midlife. If you’ve been feeling untethered, uncertain, or quietly evolving… this episode will help you make sense of where you are and remind you that there is nothing wrong with being in the middle. Connect with Sarah:   https://sarahandreas.com/https://www.soulzenstudio.com/resources Connect with Marianne: Website:  Message In The Middle with MarianneMessage In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlistsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne Subscribe to Message In the Middle: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLeave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content. Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in the Middle podcas...

    47 min
  6. You Don’t Have to Change Everything to Change Your Life | Michele Kehrer on Clarity, Resilience, and Brave Shifts

    May 30

    You Don’t Have to Change Everything to Change Your Life | Michele Kehrer on Clarity, Resilience, and Brave Shifts

    What if the answer isn’t to change everything… but to change just a few things that change everything? In this episode of Message in the Middle, Marianne sits down with Dr. Michele Kehrer, business growth coach, entrepreneur, and four-time cancer survivor, to explore what it really means to find clarity in the middle of chaos. After building and selling a successful physical therapy practice in downtown Chicago, Michele now helps overwhelmed entrepreneurs and midlife women step out of constant decision-making and into focused, sustainable growth. But her work is deeply shaped by her personal journey through illness, loss, and reinvention. This conversation goes beyond business strategy. It is about identity, resilience, and learning how to move forward when life no longer looks the way you expected. Together, Marianne and Michele explore:  The difference between being busy and being truly stuck  Why most women are focusing on the wrong things  How to find clarity in the middle of competing priorities  The emotional side of letting go, even when it is the right choice  What cancer taught Michele about time, energy, and what actually matters  How small mindset shifts can create meaningful, lasting change This episode will resonate with any woman navigating a season of change, whether in her health, career, relationships, or sense of self. Because sometimes the shift that saves your life is the same one that helps you rebuild it. Connect with Michele: https://www.instagram.com/balancemichele/https://www.facebook.com/michele.kehrerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michelekehrer/https://michelekehrer.com/ Connect with Marianne: Website:  Message In The Middle with MarianneMessage In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlistsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne Subscribe to Message In the Middle: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLeave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content. Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in the Middle podcas...

    38 min
  7. Why You Still Feel Stuck (Even After Doing the Work) | Somatic Healing with Melanie Smithson

    May 23

    Why You Still Feel Stuck (Even After Doing the Work) | Somatic Healing with Melanie Smithson

    There’s a moment many women reach in midlife where they realize something frustrating… They’ve done the work. They understand their patterns. They’ve processed their experiences. They can talk about their past with clarity and insight. And yet, something still feels stuck. In this episode of Message in the Middle, Marianne sits down with somatic psychotherapist and author Melanie Smithson to explore why insight alone doesn’t always create the healing we’re looking for—and what might be missing from the conversation. Melanie’s work centers on a powerful truth: the body holds what the mind tries to manage. And when we don’t fully release what we’ve experienced, it doesn’t disappear—it stays with us, showing up as tension, reactivity, and emotional patterns we don’t always understand. Together, they explore:  Why understanding your story doesn’t always lead to change  How unprocessed grief and life transitions live in the body  What somatic work actually is—and how it differs from traditional approaches  Why so many of us struggle to let go (even when we want to)  Simple, accessible ways to begin reconnecting with the body  What it feels like when real release starts to happen This conversation is especially relevant for women navigating midlife transitions, grief, identity shifts, and the quiet frustration of feeling like they’ve done everything “right” but still don’t feel free. If you’ve ever wondered why awareness hasn’t created the shift you expected, this episode offers a new way to think about healing—one that moves beyond the mind and into the body. Connect with Melanie:  http://www.smithsonclinic.com/ Connect with Marianne: Website:  Message In The Middle with MarianneMessage In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlistsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne Subscribe to Message In the Middle: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLeave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content. Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in the Middle podcas...

    50 min
  8. It’s Not Too Late to Change Your Life: Debbie Weiss on Letting Go of the Victim Mindset

    May 16

    It’s Not Too Late to Change Your Life: Debbie Weiss on Letting Go of the Victim Mindset

    What happens when you wake up one day and realize your life doesn’t look the way you thought it would? In this episode of Message in the Middle, Marianne sits down with Debbie Weiss, best-selling author, speaker, and host of the Maybe I Can podcast for a deeply honest conversation about what it really takes to change your life in midlife. After decades of caregiving, personal loss, infertility, and feeling defined by her circumstances, Debbie reached a turning point at 50. Not because her life suddenly became easier, but because she made a decision to stop waiting for things to change and start showing up differently. Together, Marianne and Debbie explore:  What a “victim mindset” actually feels like in everyday life  How caregiving and self-sacrifice can quietly disconnect you from your identity  The emotional cost of taking full responsibility for your life  Why small, intentional changes can create powerful momentum  When “taking small steps” can actually become a form of avoidance  What separates women who move forward from those who stay stuck This conversation goes beyond surface-level inspiration and into the real, sometimes uncomfortable truth about change, identity, and what it means to reclaim your life after years of putting yourself last. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to start over, this episode is a powerful reminder that it’s not. Connect with Debbie:  https://www.debbierweiss.com Connect with Marianne: Website:  Message In The Middle with MarianneMessage In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlistsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne Subscribe to Message In the Middle: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLeave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content. Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in the Middle podcas...

    48 min
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5
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About

Message in the Middle is a podcast for women navigating the challenges, transitions, and reinventions that often come with midlife.  Hosted by Marianne DeMello-Smith, each episode explores the messy, meaningful moments that shape who we become. Through honest conversations with experts, authors, thought leaders, and everyday women, you'll discover practical insights, inspiring stories, and new perspectives on what it means to grow through life's most difficult seasons. Whether you're facing a career change, caregiving responsibilities, health challenges, grief, relationship shifts, menopause, identity changes, or simply wondering what's next, Message in the Middle offers encouragement, wisdom, and real-world strategies to help you move forward with greater confidence and purpose. Together, we'll explore resilience, personal growth, self-discovery, emotional well-being, and the power of turning life's messes into meaningful midlife messages. Because midlife isn't the end of your story. It may just be the beginning of your next chapter.

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