Mom To MORE Sharon Macey

In this episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Amy Schmidt - Best-selling author, speaker, podcast host and “Beyond 50” visionary.
Amy Schmidt is an award winning television and podcast host, best-selling author, TEDx Speaker, motivational speaker, confidence, reinvention & parenting media expert, and founder of the brands, Fearlessly Facing Fifty™ and Your Confidence Connector.
She was nominated to the Inaugural Forbes 50 over 50 - Women shattering age and gender norms, 2021 list. In May, 2021 she also became the CEO and Founder of Meant For More. Transformative events for women, curating thought leaders around top of mind topics for women at midlife and beyond.
Join Sharon and Amy as they discuss the significance of stepping outside one's comfort zone, courageously embracing new challenges, and earnestly learning from failures along the journey of personal growth and empowerment.

Amy Schmidt is a true inspiration for those seeking to redefine their lives and pursue new passions. Transitioning from a dedicated stay-at-home mom to an award-winning television and podcast host, bestselling author, and motivational speaker, Amy exemplifies fearless reinvention. Her journey underscores the transformative power of embracing creativity and leveraging personal experiences to forge a fulfilling path forward, inspiring others to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery.
Amy's resilience, cultivated through her years as a stay-at-home mom, shines through her emphasis on patience, spontaneity, and flexibility. Her advocacy for courageous conversations and the importance of a supportive network reflects her commitment to empowering women. Amy's insights on embracing failure as a catalyst for growth, paired with practical advice on self-affirmation and overcoming perfectionism, offer invaluable guidance for those striving for contentment and fulfillment in the present moment.

[01:59] Amy’s background and achievements 
[04:05] Importance of being a stay-at-home mom
[06:17] Parenting superpowers and the 30-minute decompression rule
[08:50] Inspiration behind the name "Cannonball"
[11:05] Fearlessly embracing new challenges
[14:42] Overcoming perfectionism and procrastination
[16:50] Being present, appreciating the moment and turning off the noise
[23:27] Accepting compliments and creating greatness statements
[28:41] Advice to your 30-year-old self and Amy’s “More”
[34:47] Where to find Amy and her book online

Learn more about Amy Schmidt:
Websites: Fearlesslyfacingfifty.com and Theamyschmidt.com

Amy's book "Cannonball!: Fearlessly Facing Midlife and Beyond": https://www.amazon.com/Cannonball-Fearlessly-Facing-Midlife-Beyond/dp/057869901X
Facebook: @theamyschmidt (Your Confidence Connector) and @fearlesslyfacingfifty
Instagram: @theamy.schmidt 
Have a book club? Connect with Amy at: amy@fearlesslyfacingfifty.com
Looking for MORE? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for episode #19 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Samantha Danielle, content creator, keynote speaker and advocate for women's empowerment and self-care. Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥
 

In this ‘flipped’ episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is interviewed by former podcast guest and best-selling author, Lee Woodruff (catch Lee’s episode here: https://www.momtomore.com/podcast/episode-8-lee-woodruff)
Sharon Macey is a mom, wife, content creator, blogger, speaker and host of the Mom to MORE podcast. She created the Mom To MORE™ community for women rediscovering themselves beyond motherhood, sharing the multi-faceted, diverse and often untold stories of moms and their personal transformations..
Sharon enjoyed a successful career as an award-winning copywriter and marketer before proudly embracing the role of stay-at-home-mom. During the years of raising her 3 kids, she realized that while doing all of the expected mom things, she had developed skills that served as the foundation for her own personal reinvention.  Sharon knows that moms of any age can use their talents, wisdom and unique gifts to create their empowering and fulfilling next chapters in life, their “MORE”.  She proudly uses her many mom-skills daily.
Sharon holds a BA in advertising from the University of Texas at Austin and a Digital Marketing Strategies certification from the Kellogg School of Management. She lives her empty-nest life with her husband and comedic doodle, Comet.
Join Sharon and Lee as they discuss practical advice on maintaining mental and physical well-being as mothers, career transitions and growth, and lessons learned from past podcast guests.

Through her podcast, Sharon highlights stories of women who have reinvented themselves, whether by returning to previous careers, pursuing new entrepreneurial ventures, or exploring personal passions, which often become a business.  Sharon's guests share their challenges, successes, and insights, offering listeners motivation and practical advice on how to approach their own post-parenting chapters.

Sharon's own story is emblematic of resilience, vision, and taking chances,, making her an inspiration to moms looking to redefine themselves and pursue their dreams beyond motherhood. Her podcast not only celebrates the achievements of women but also serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement for those navigating similar paths of personal and professional growth.
[00:00] Introduction
[03:06] Sharon’s background and her journey.
[05:29] The genesis of Mom to MORE™ and its purpose.
[08:23] Lessons learned from past podcast guests and their success stories
[11:19] Sharon’s personal journey into motherhood.
[13:31] Challenges faced by working moms.
[15:22] The inspiration behind starting the Mom to MORE™ podcast.[18:01] The uniqueness of Mom to MORE™ in the podcast landscape.[19:53] Aging and reinvention for women.
[21:40] CelebratingMom to MORE™’s first sponsor,  ALLY Shoes.
[23:22] Sharon shares the best advice she gave her children and their reflections.
[26:58] Sharon shares her “MORE”
[30:45] Where to find Sharon online
Learn more about guest host, Lee Woodruff:
Lee’s website: https://leewoodruff.com/
Instagram: @leewoodruff
Looking for MORE? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for episode #18 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Amy Schmidt - Best-selling author, speaker, podcast host and “Beyond 50” visionary.. Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Zibby Owens, award-winning podcaster, best-selling author, bookstore owner, publisher and CEO who has been called the “Literary Fairy Godmother” of the book world. Her remarkable journey that started as a stay-at-home-mom is beyond inspiring.
Zibby, like most moms, wears many hats.  She is the award-winning podcast host of Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books; CEO of Zibby Media, (aka: The Zibby-Verse) which includes the publishing house Zibby Books, a book club, retreats, classes & events; and is the proud owner of Zibby’s Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Santa Monica. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America, Katie Couric Media and other outlets.
She is, quite simply, the IT GIRL in publishing. But most of all, she is a mom.
Join Sharon and Zibby as they discuss not being fearful of trying new things, taking small steps in a direction that excites you and not giving up on the journey to achieving your goals.

Zibby’s story showcases the power of perseverance, determination, and resilience in the face of rejection and setbacks. Her ability to reinvent herself and pursue her passion for writing despite initial failures is a testament to the idea that it's never too late to chase your dreams.

Zibby’s journey serves as a reminder to other moms that with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take risks, they can also create their own path to success and fulfillment. Her story is a beacon of hope and motivation for moms who are looking to embark on their own journey of reinvention and self-discovery. And it’s a reminder to moms to take time for themselves and stay connected to their own interests and passions.
[00:00] Introduction
[02:31] Zibby’s Background
[06:52] Starting a Podcast and Overcoming Fear
[12:00] Skills Developed as a Stay-at-Home Mom
[15:16] Handling rejection and perseverance
[19:44] Never giving up and the impact on Zibby's children
[22:08] Zibby's New Book: Blank
[25:09] Advice for Moms Starting Their Next Chapter
[27:36] Where to Find Zibby Online

Learn more about Zibby Owens:
Website for everything in the” Zibby-Verse”: https://zibbymedia.com/
Website for Zibby’s writing: https://www.zibbyowens.com/
Instagram: @zibbyowens
Sign up for the Zibby-verse newsletters!
Looking for MORE? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.
Keep an eye out for episode #17 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast when Sharon will be interviewed by Lee Woodruff to celebrate the one year anniversary of the podcast🎙️ Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Maryfran Klein, former stay-at-home-mom and Founder of MF Kookies™.
Maryfran hung up her high heels after a 20+ year career with Elite Models to raise her 3 children.
As in any moms life, unexpected challenges always present themselves and Maryfran was no different, with 2 of her children requiring medical interventions.   She was grateful to be able to be with her kids during these challenging times.
She started baking her own chocolate chip cookies as a sweet treat for her family, and overtime everyone became convinced that she had perfected the best cookie out there.
When their youngest daughter started her sophomore year in college in 2019, Maryfran decided to take that entrepreneurial leap to realize her dream of a cookie business and MF Kookies™ was born. (Needless to say, she was blessed with some kick-a** initials!) She found a niche for her cookies that didn’t exist before and baked her way into freezer sections in the Chicago area and also created a successful direct-to-consumer business.  Maryfran’s message to moms: Creating a business in your 50’s is hard work and absolutely possible.
Join Sharon and Maryfran as they discuss advocating for children's health, the empowerment of mothers, the importance of having a vision, and believing in oneself.
Despite facing the daunting challenge of her child's medical condition and her own initial self-doubt, Maryfran harnessed the skills honed through parenting—such as multitasking and time management—to build a successful cookie empire.
Her experience serves as an empowering example to other mothers and aspiring entrepreneurs that it is possible to reinvent oneself and achieve sweet success, proving that with vision, passion, and the willingness to learn and grow, dreams can be transformed into reality, no matter the stage of life.
[00:00] Introduction
[02:14] Maryfran’s background
[06:50] Insights on raising healthy, successful children while balancing personal aspirations
[08:31] Exploration of the journey from motherhood to entrepreneurship, the rediscovery of passions, and the importance of having a vision.
[11:20] The transferable skills from parenting to business
[13:20] Lessons in chemistry role of experimentation in product development
[17:50] Starting a business with passion and determination
[20:40] The surprise success of MF Kookies™ at the very first trade show despite an initial setback
[20:56] The importance of family support in pursuing new ventures
[25:09] Reflections on growth through entrepreneurship and aspirations
[28:25] The vision for the future of MF Kookies™ and Maryfran's “MORE”
[32:08] Where to find MaryFran online
Learn more about MaryFran and MF Kookies:
MFKookies.com (order direct and shipped fresh)
Instagram: @mfkookies
Facebook: @mfkookies
MF Kookies™ design firm, Design Womb: https://designwomb.com/
Instagram: @designwomb
Looking for MORE? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for episode #16 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Zibby Owens: Mom, podcaster, best-selling author, and publisher who has been called the “Literary Fairy Godmother” of the book world. Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Dr. Hilary Berger, former SAHM and Founder of Work Like a Mother®.
Dr. Hilary S. Berger is deeply passionate about helping women thrive, offering a unique career counseling perspective tailored to the realities of a mother’s life. 
She is the founder of Work Like A Mother® and the creator of an award-winning career counseling method integrating careers, motherhood and mental health. She is a practicing psychotherapist, a holistic career therapist and a licensed professional counselor.
For over 25 years she has passionately counseled mothers to heal from their loss of self, rebuild their professional purpose, relevance, career competencies, and most importantly, their confidence throughout their parenting years and after children have left the nest.  She has successfully served over 3000 women and is unapologetically dedicated to shaping a  new narrative for young women to adopt a professional and lifestyle roadmap for their future where motherhood is acknowledged as a legitimate aspect of their career journey.
Hilary is a mother to four children who understands firsthand the daily challenge to parent as your heart and soul dictate, while also striving as a SAHM to access the courage and confidence needed to fulfill your own goals and dreams outside of parenting.
Join Sharon and Dr. Hilary Berger as they discuss the “problem with no name,” work-life balance strategies and reclaiming professional identities as mothers.

Dr. Hilary's message underscores the need for women and girls to have flexible career options that allow them to maintain their professional relevance while navigating the responsibilities of motherhood. By promoting the idea of integrating motherhood into the career journey and advocating for choices that support both roles, Dr. Hilary advocates for a paradigm shift that empowers women to lead fulfilling lives as mothers and professionals simultaneously.
[00:00] Introduction
[02:25] Dr. Hilary’s background and her life as a stay-at-home mom
[03:44] The “problem with no name”
[06:11] The creation of Work Like a Mother®
[10:22] A new career development method
[15:09] Balancing mom and professional identity.
[19:31] Trying and failing is OK
[23:47] Work-life balance strategies.
[25:44] Rebuilding an authentic life after motherhood
[28:27] Shifting Career Perspectives and embracing multiple identities as moms
[32:58] Where to find Dr. Hilary Berger online
Learn more about Dr. Hilary Berger:
https://www.worklikeamother.com/
On Instagram + Facebook @worklikeamother
On LinkedIn: @Hilary Berger
Find Dr. Hilary’s book at Barnes & Noble here: https://go.sylikes.com/eMCV805VIrQE and on Amazon.
Looking for MORE? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for episode #15 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Maryfran Klein, Former SAHM and Founder of MF Kookies 🍪 Coming soon - really delish and you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this “Expert Episode” of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Dr. Jennifer Guttman, Clinical Psychologist and author of Beyond Happiness: The 6 Secrets of Lifetime Satisfaction.
Dr. Guttman tells us that our society tends to put happiness on a pedestal-it’s everyone’s ultimate goal and is even enshrined in our Declaration of Independence.  But what happens if happiness is the wrong goal? Happiness is an emotion...not a state of being. It is not enough to soldier us through life’s challenging moments like losing a job, or when a child is ill.  Meanwhile, 40% of people worldwide say they are not happy. The reason? Happiness is simply not sustainable. 
Dr. Jennifer Guttman received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Long Island University. She is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy with specializations in trauma treatment and family systems. Over the past five years Dr. Guttman launched a motivational brand platform called Sustainable Life Satisfaction®. She produced a YouTube series, course and a workbook based on this method. This year she released, Beyond Happiness: The 6 Secrets of Life Satisfaction published as a hardcover and paperback by Post Hill Press.
Dr. Guttman is a regular contributor to Psychology Today, Thrive Global, MindBodyGreen, and has written articles for numerous media outlets and publications. She has been a guest on several network television programs across the country including, KTLA, ABC News, NBC Bloom, and CBS Georgia, among many others. In addition, she has been featured on dozens of podcasts.
Over the past 30 years, Dr. Guttman has sustained a robust practice with offices in NYC, Connecticut, and virtually as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist nurturing exciting personal interactions with thousands of clients from diverse walks of life.
Join Sharon and Dr. Guttman as they discuss the concept of transformation, six secrets to achieving satisfaction, and the importance of modeling self-care.
Dr. Guttman challenges conventional notions of happiness, advocating instead for sustainable life satisfaction. She unveils six secrets to achieving this satisfaction, urging listeners to abandon assumptions, curb people-pleasing tendencies, confront fears, make decisive choices, complete tasks, and actively reinforce self-worth.
Offering practical guidance, Dr. Gutman empowers mothers to embark on their journey towards fulfillment, stressing the importance of self-care and setting positive examples for their children.
Tune in for an illuminating dialogue on discovering contentment and satisfaction amidst the myriad demands of motherhood and beyond.
[00:00] Introduction
[02:48] Dr. Gutman's personal journey and experiences with adversity
[10:38] Aiming for satisfaction rather than happiness
[13:35] Small positive changes to achieve satisfaction.
[17:15] Actionable steps for avoiding assumptions.
[20:23] Setting boundaries and saying no mindfully.
[23:19] Making decisions without fear of judgment
[26:21] Owning your decisions and building self-confidence.
[28:10] Implementing bite-sized tasks for productivity
[32:10] Importance of self-care and modeling it for children.
[36:20] Where to find Dr. Guttman online
Learn more about Dr. Jennifer Guttman:
https://www.guttmanpsychology.com/
Instagram: @guttman_psychology 
Find Dr. Guttman’s book on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble here: https://go.sylikes.com/eMB7QbZxKYtu
Looking for More? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  
@Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for episode #12 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Dr. Hilary Berger, former SAHM and Founder of Work Like a Mother. Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥