The Next Phase

Stacey Hutson

I used to be fun. I used to be driven. I used to be sexy. I used to be...young. What happened?  Dear Millennial moms in your late 30s or 40s -- former forces of nature, Are you burned out, overwhelmed, and wondering where your energy (and your old self) went? You’re not alone. The Next Phase is the podcast for overachieving moms navigating perimenopause who are dying to take back their energy, their bodies, and their magic. Here, we will not pummel you with hormone treatment plans or talk about perimenopause as if it's a diagnosis. Instead, we're going to celebrate it. We're going to use it as an excuse to really start taking care of ourselves. As a matter of fact, we're going to find ourselves in our perimenopause era.  Hosted by Stacey Hutson—certified health coach, wellness chef, former co-host of the Mother Plus Podcast, and mom of two—you’ll learn how to: Understand what’s really happening in perimenopause and how to work with your changing body, use nutrition, supplements, and sleep as medicine to restore your energy, get in tune with your cycle and learn practical ways to sync your life with your hormones, and create rituals (with a little woo) that help you slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with yourself. Each episode blends personal stories, expert insights, and actual doable steps you can take right away.  ✨ Subscribe now to The Next Phase and join a community of millennial moms redefining wellness in their 40s. Let’s make perimenopause your most magnetic chapter yet.

  1. 4D AGO

    #28: Caregiver Fatigue: Taking Care of Aging Parents While Raising Kids

    Many millennial moms are going through something that past generations never had to do: Raise young children while also caring for aging parents. It’s overwhelming, emotional, and (somehow) completely unexpected. In this episode of The Next Phase Podcast, Stacey Hutson sits down with elder care clinician Debra Kooser to talk about what really happens when the roles begin to reverse—and why so many women feel unprepared for this stage. Together, they explore: what it looks like when aging parents begin to need more supportthe emotional impact of role reversal between parent and childwhy so many families wait until a crisis to make decisionsand the very real toll of caregiver fatigue and burnoutDebra explains why caregiver fatigue is more than just stress—it’s a serious, often unrecognized experience that affects both mental and physical health. This conversation also highlights something many women don’t expect: The guilt, emotional exhaustion, and mental load that comes with trying to balance it all. For listeners who are starting to notice changes in their parents—or already feel overwhelmed by the responsibility—this episode offers both validation and a starting point. About Debra:  Debra Kooser has a Masters Degree in counseling with over 30 years in healthcare, the last 18 years in hospice as a Medical Social Worker and Bereavement Coodinator.  Additionally, she has worked as a Geriatric Care Manager for an estate planning lawfirm. She has a specialty in consulting with adult children navigating their aging parents needs. She coordinates senior living placement from a clinical perspective, as well as offering ongoing case management for busy adult children/relatives who benefit from support and oversight for their family members. Resources & Next Steps: Debra Kooser helps families navigate caregiver fatigue, planning, and next steps. You can reach her here: debra.eldersolutions@gmail.com Local to Colorado? Stacey is speaking at the Golden Women in Business Founder’s Day event next week—an evening celebrating women making real impact in the community. Join us in Golden on April 29th: 🔗 https://www.goldenwomeninbusiness.com/upcoming-events/founders-day-2026

    27 min
  2. APR 16

    #28: What If You’re Doing Nervous System Work Backwards?

    Are you doing nervous system work… and it’s still not working? In this episode, I’m sharing a realization that completely changed the way I approach anxiety, overwhelm, and “regulation” as an ADHD mom. For years, I did everything I was supposed to do: meditation, breathwork, supplements, EFT, energy work… And yet, I still felt stressed, rushed, and completely out of control in my daily life. Why? Because I was trying to calm my nervous system… while living in constant chaos. Laundry everywhere.  Unpaid bills.  An overpacked schedule.  Always running late. 👉 There’s a disconnect there. In this episode, I’m breaking down why I believe so many of us are doing nervous system work backwards—and what actually needs to come first. This is not about abandoning the “woo.” It’s about putting it in the right order. The new approach: Environment → Logistics → THEN nervous system tools If your life doesn’t feel manageable, no amount of meditation is going to fix that. Want to take this further? I created a simple, no-overwhelm guide to help you start: 👉 The Work Before the Woo Reset This walks you through exactly what I’m focusing on right now to get my life out of chaos and into something that actually feels calm and manageable. No routines. No pressure. Just real-life steps that make a difference. You can download it for free here:  🔗 The Work Before the Woo Reset If this episode resonated, I’d love to hear from you. email me: stacey@stacey-hutson.com

    13 min
  3. APR 9

    #26: The Decluttering Mindset That Actually Works for Messy People with Dana K. White

    Messy. Overwhelmed. Always behind. At some point, you start to wonder… Is this just who I am? In this episode, I’m talking to Dana K. White — creator of the No Mess Decluttering Process and author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life — about what it actually takes to get your home (and your life) under control… especially if you’re not naturally organized. Because here's the thing you need to remember: You don’t need a perfect system. You need a system that works with your brain. We talk about:  Why clutter feels so moral (and why that’s not helping you)  The mindset shift from “done” → “better” Where to start when your house feels completely overwhelming  Why dishes matter more than making your bed  The real reason laundry feels never-ending (and how to fix it)  How to handle a partner or family who isn’t on board  And why decluttering might be the missing piece for your nervous system If you’ve ever felt like:  “I should be better at this by now…”  This episode is for you. ✨ Want more support with this? If this episode hit something for you…  If you’re tired of trying to fix yourself and just want a way to support your real life… I’m working on something for you. It’s not ready yet — but you can join the “First to Know” list here: 👉 Get on the list 📚 Resources + Links Dana K. White:  Books (start here): https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/books/  Podcast & Blog: https://www.aslobcomesclean.com  Find a certified decluttering coach: https://declutteringcoaches.com From this episode:  Try Dana’s method: Start with trash in your most visible space Mindset shift: Better > Done

    52 min
  4. APR 2

    #25: Why You Feel Scattered No Matter How Hard You Try

    Do you feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up in your own life? Like no matter how many times you promise yourself you’ll “get it together”… you’re still forgetting things, missing things, and starting every day already behind? In this episode, Stacey breaks down why high-achieving women—especially moms—can feel completely scattered… even though they’re capable, smart, and doing all the “right” things. This isn’t about discipline. It’s not about laziness. And it’s not because you suck at adulting. It’s because your life isn’t set up to support you. In this episode, you’ll learn:  Why being “good at school” didn’t prepare us to run a life  How constant self-improvement can actually make you feel more scattered  The hidden reason you feel like you’re always behind  Why listening to yourself matters more than fixing yourself  A simple 10-minute “Night Before Reset” to make your mornings calmer and easier If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your life is harder than it should be—this episode will help you finally understand why. 🧠 Try This: The Night Before Reset  → Take 10 minutes tonight to prepare for tomorrow morning  → Pack lunches, set out clothes, prep what usually stresses you out  → Notice how different your morning feels 📩 What’s Next: If this episode resonated with you, Stacey is building something specifically for women who feel this way. Make sure you’re on her email list so you don’t miss it. Sign up here

    11 min
  5. MAR 19

    #24: Tarot 101: A Simple Way to Reconnect With Your Intuition in Midlife

    If you’ve ever been curious about tarot… but also a little skeptical… this episode is for you. Today, I’m joined by tarot reader and teacher Rosetta Magdalene for a grounded, beginner-friendly conversation on what tarot actually is — and how you can use it as a tool for clarity, intuition, and even nervous system regulation. We’re not here to prove whether tarot is “real.” We’re here to explore what happens when you open yourself up to something a little more magical in your everyday life. In this episode, we cover: What tarot cards actually are (and where they came from)How to choose your first tarot deckSimple ways to use tarot in your daily or weekly routineHow tarot can help with anxiety, overwhelm, and decision-makingWhy midlife can open the door to deeper intuition🔮 Where to Find Rosetta Website: https://tarotrosetta.com Free Guide: Read Tarot for Yourself the Easy Way (11-page beginner guide) https://bit.ly/tarotgo Free Manifestation Newsletter: Dispatch from the Magnetic Field https://bit.ly/sparkle365 Work With Rosetta: Book a tarot reading or tutorial session directly on her website 🛒 Want to Start Your Own Tarot Practice? Search this phrase to find beginner-friendly decks Rosetta recommends:  “Rider Waite Smith tarot deck all 78 cards” ✨ Ready to Reconnect With Your Own Rhythm? Download my free Cycle Syncing Guide — a simple way to support your energy, mood, and metabolism through each phase of your cycle: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or leave a quick review — it helps more women find the show.

    34 min
  6. MAR 13

    #23: Astrology 101: How Your Birth Chart Can Help You Understand Yourself in Midlife

    Somewhere in our late thirties and forties, a lot of women start to feel like something isn’t working anymore. The way we’ve been living. The expectations we’ve been carrying. The constant pressure to improve ourselves. But what if this phase of life isn’t a crisis? What if it’s a wake-up call? In this episode, I’m joined by intuitive astrologer, yoga teacher, and shadow work practitioner Jamie DeLuccio for a conversation about self-help, self-acceptance, and what it actually means to understand yourself on a deeper level. Jamie explains how astrology can offer something many women are quietly craving in midlife: a sense of being seen, understood, and validated for who they already are. We talk about: • Why self-help can sometimes make us feel more broken  • The basics of astrology (sun, moon, rising & houses)  • Why so many women start questioning their lives in midlife  • What shadow work actually is  • How astrology can help you understand your patterns and purpose  • The connection between lunar cycles, ritual, and nervous system regulation If you’ve been feeling that quiet sense that something in your life needs to shift, this conversation may help you understand why. And more importantly, it might remind you that nothing is wrong with you. If you’re curious about your own birth chart or want to work with Jamie, you can find her here: Website: jamiedeluccio.com Instagram: @jamiedeluccio Jamie offers intuitive astrology readings, shadow work sessions, women’s circles, and transformational retreats designed to help people reconnect with who they truly are beneath conditioning and expectations. Resources Mentioned Pull your birth chart: astro.com Learn the basics of your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs, which are the three core placements Jamie recommends starting with when exploring your astrology chart. We also discuss shadow work (Carl Jung), lunar cycles, and using ritual and quiet reflection as tools for self-understanding.

    43 min
  7. MAR 5

    #22: The Millennial Perimenopause Masterclass: Hormones, Stress, Metabolism, and the Nervous System

    If your body suddenly feels harder to live in — you’re not imagining it. In your late 30s and early 40s, hormones start shifting. Sleep changes. Stress hits harder. The workouts and diets that used to work suddenly… don’t. But hormones are only part of the story. In this episode of The Next Phase Podcast, Stacey breaks down what is actually happening in a woman’s body during early perimenopause — and why so many millennial moms feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and confused by the changes happening to them. Think of this episode as a masterclass on what’s really going on beneath the surface. You’ll learn about the four major shifts happening in your body during this phase of life: • The Calm Dial – why declining progesterone affects sleep and anxiety • The Metabolism Dial – how fluctuating estrogen changes appetite and fat storage • The Stress Dial – why your nervous system becomes more reactive • The Muscle Dial – why strength training suddenly becomes metabolic medicine But Stacey also explores something deeper: how decades of high achievement, people-pleasing, and constant self-optimization may have left many millennial women living in a chronically dysregulated nervous system — and why perimenopause often exposes it. If you’ve been trying to “fix” your hormones through food, supplements, or self-help and still don’t feel like yourself, this episode will help you understand why. Stacey also shares four simple shifts you can try over the next 30 days to begin supporting your hormones, metabolism, and nervous system. Topics in this episode • Early perimenopause symptoms  • Hormones and nervous system regulation  • Why stress tolerance changes in your late 30s and 40s  • Strength training and hormone health  • Blood sugar and cortisol regulation  • Breaking the millennial self-improvement cycle  • Simple nervous system resets for busy moms Interested in working with Stacey? Stacey is opening a limited number of 1:1 coaching spots for women navigating perimenopause, nervous system regulation, and lifestyle shifts in this next phase of life. Email Stacey at stacey @ stacey-hutson.com with the subject line “INTERESTED” to learn more. Or find a time in my schedule for a call.  Follow & Connect Instagram: @stacehutson Website: stacey-hutson.com

    21 min
  8. FEB 26

    #21: Why Millennial Workouts Are Backfiring in Perimenopause (With Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT)

    Millennial moms were raised on one fitness message: More cardio. Eat less. Push harder. Sleep when you’re dead. And now? We’re herniating discs. Developing “meno belly.” Feeling exhausted. And wondering why the workouts that used to work… don’t anymore. In this episode of The Next Phase Podcast, I sit down with Dr. JJ Thomas, Doctor of Physical Therapy, to talk about what is actually happening inside our bodies in our late 30s and 40s — and why our old fitness mentality may be working against us. Dr. JJ has been a physical therapist for 26 years and specializes in helping women build strength for longevity, not just aesthetics. We talk about: What anabolic resistance is — and why it starts in our 30sWhy more cardio + less food can backfire in perimenopauseThe real reason protein matters (and how much you likely need)How muscle mass regulates hormonesWhy strength training is more powerful than you thinkWhy training patterns, not just muscles, changes everythingHow to think about sleep vs. workouts in midlifeThe difference between looking “in shape” and being structurally in shapeWhy taking care of your fitness is not selfish — it’s capacity-buildingIf you’ve ever felt like your body is betraying you… this episode will reframe that entirely. This isn’t about getting skinny. It’s about building a resilient, functional, hormonally-supported body that can carry you through the second half of your life. And because “just try harder” is no longer a strategy… I made you something. My free Cycle Syncing Map walks you through how to eat, train, and plan your energy around your hormones. Especially in perimenopause. It’s free. It’s practical. And it’ll change how you think about your body. Get it here: Cycle Syncing Map Want to learn more from Dr. JJ? Follow Dr. JJ on Instagram for exercise demos and education:  👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjjphysicaltherapist (And if you sit at a desk all day long, learn how to do “Twisty Bear.” You’ll thank me.) Listen to the Dr. JJ Thomas Podcast: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-jj-thomas-podcast/id1554499031 Check out the fitness app I do every morning here: 👉 https://playbookapp.io/creators/dr-jj-thomas-primal-physical-therapy

    46 min
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

I used to be fun. I used to be driven. I used to be sexy. I used to be...young. What happened?  Dear Millennial moms in your late 30s or 40s -- former forces of nature, Are you burned out, overwhelmed, and wondering where your energy (and your old self) went? You’re not alone. The Next Phase is the podcast for overachieving moms navigating perimenopause who are dying to take back their energy, their bodies, and their magic. Here, we will not pummel you with hormone treatment plans or talk about perimenopause as if it's a diagnosis. Instead, we're going to celebrate it. We're going to use it as an excuse to really start taking care of ourselves. As a matter of fact, we're going to find ourselves in our perimenopause era.  Hosted by Stacey Hutson—certified health coach, wellness chef, former co-host of the Mother Plus Podcast, and mom of two—you’ll learn how to: Understand what’s really happening in perimenopause and how to work with your changing body, use nutrition, supplements, and sleep as medicine to restore your energy, get in tune with your cycle and learn practical ways to sync your life with your hormones, and create rituals (with a little woo) that help you slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with yourself. Each episode blends personal stories, expert insights, and actual doable steps you can take right away.  ✨ Subscribe now to The Next Phase and join a community of millennial moms redefining wellness in their 40s. Let’s make perimenopause your most magnetic chapter yet.

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