With a graduation, a move, an anniversary, and travel all happening within a couple of weeks of each other during what was already a jam-packed spring, I've been giving a lot of thought to what helps particularly chaotic periods feel more manageable. In this episode, I'm reflecting on some of the practices, habits and mindsets, from sticking to healthy routines to leaving room for spontaneity, that I've learned can help me thrive - not just survive! - during really, really busy seasons of life. ...
May 30, 2024•26 min
Have you ever dreamed about getting away from it all... all by yourself? Five years ago, a year or so after getting divorced when I desperately needed to do something just for myself, I went on a life-changing six-day solo hiking and camping adventure. In this episode I share why the trip was so meaningful, how I packed and prepared, how you can safely plan your own solo getaway - and why you should consider it. Episode Links: Beginner hiking and camping gear guide for women A woman's guide to s...
May 23, 2024•29 min
A few months ago I looked back over the last few years' worth of my smart watch data and was shocked to see my step average had plummeted by over half in the last year or so - coinciding with some other health issues that I believe were related. We're told to get in at least 10,000 steps per day, and while there's some debate over that number, I definitely feel my best when I'm consistently getting in lots of natural movement - but sometimes tight schedules and modern conveniences conspire to ke...
May 16, 2024•23 min
Herbal teas (or to be more accurate, tisanes) are a delicious and approachable way to explore the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of herbs-- and I drink them literally every day! In this episode I share the herbal infusions I'm drinking most often right now, along with product recommendations and details about how I prepare them. I also unpack why herbal "tea" technically isn't actually tea, and offer some words you can use instead. Episode Links: Lots of links in this episode! I've organiz...
May 09, 2024•26 min
With an abundance of technological tools at our disposal and endless options to "go out and do stuff", it would seem we'd feel more connected than ever. But we're in the midst of what's been called an "epidemic of loneliness" - and all those options seem only to have created more disconnection. What if the solution for loneliness is actually to do less, stay closer to home, and really make those connections count? In this episode I delve into some ways to create stronger ties with the friends, f...
May 02, 2024•24 min
Moving, shaking, and constantly on the go? Been there, done that, and had the burnout to prove it. In midlife, I'm looking for a calmer, less-expensive and less consumption-oriented experience. In this episode I share why I'm happy to let my current lifestyle center around pursuits at home, what a "home-centered" life means to me, and the benefits of looking "in here" instead of "out there" for entertainment, socializing, and creativity. Featured Tea: Decaf Paris from Harney & Sons : fruity,...
Apr 25, 2024•36 min
When I was a younger mom, I put a lot of stock in "getting things done." I'll admit, I felt a little thrill of pride when people would ask "How do you do it all?" The reality, of course, is that I wasn't doing it all then...and I'm definitely not doing it all now! But the way I show up for my to-do list, and my relationship with ambition, are both changing in midlife, which has led my crazy-busy 30s to give way to much-more-meandering 40s. In this episode I share a handful of ways the idea of "p...
Apr 18, 2024•29 min
Which skincare products, rituals and routines really work (and how do we know they're "working"?) In this episode I share my skincare routine, including specific products I love and how they work together, plus my thoughts about how creating a "skincare philosophy" can make it easier to decide which products, procedures, and processes make sense for YOU. Episode Links: Embracing skincare monogamy My midlife skincare routine How to make gua sha part of your skincare routine DIY facial oil blog po...
Apr 11, 2024•34 min
What do we owe our elders - and the younger generation who'll one day be in the position of caring for us? After spending a week helping an aging family member who is going through a lot of life changes, I'm reflecting on the misguided cultural idea that we can somehow plan, declutter, or outsource our way out of "burdening" our families with our care, needs, or even our stuff - and what we lose when we rob one another of the opportunity to connect by helping and being helped. Featured Tea: Scot...
Apr 04, 2024•20 min
I started my first podcast in 2012, and have been at it ever since - which means I've been podcasting continuously for twelve years! In today's behind-the-scenes episode I'm sharing my insights on creating a sustainable podcasting lifestyle based on what I've learned over the past twelve years. I'll share my thoughts on everything from choosing a format to working with a cohost, creating a strategy that works with your overall goals, how much time and money to invest in your sound quality, and m...
Mar 28, 2024•27 min
Spring is officially here, but after a winter that often felt like spring and with spring weather that still feels a little wintry, we may need to be a little more intentional to connect with the season this year. This episode contains seven simple ideas to help you make the most of the early spring, including: Switch up your skincare Plan a new daily routine to maximize outdoor time Watch wildlife in your backyard and beyond Ease into spring fashion from the feet up Listen on for tips and ideas...
Mar 21, 2024•23 min
How do memoirists manage to tell the truth about painful circumstances in their past, while still keeping a grip on compassion and levity? In today's episode I talk with memoirist T. Marie Bertineau about how she processed difficult childhood memories to write about her family of origin with both love and honesty. We also discuss her upbringing in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and what she's learned about life and legacy as a writer, midlife woman, and memoirist. Episode Links: The Mason House by T...
Mar 14, 2024•38 min
From fermenting oatmeal, to making yogurt, to tending my own tea plant--I've been up to some fun experiments in my kitchen lately. In this episode I'll share some of the ways I've been focused on exploration in the kitchen, why kitchen creativity is one path to becoming more comfortable with the everyday jobs of meal-planning and dinner-making, which of my kitchen projects have worked out and which are still "in progress", why I'm not eating at restaurants very much right now, and how all this k...
Mar 07, 2024•25 min
While I love sharing pieces of my life in this podcast, there's one big part that I haven't talked much about online--and that's my story of a midlife return to the Christian faith. In this episode, I explain a little more about that reticence and also share a talk I gave at my local church last week, which features a funny story from my childhood and some of my thoughts and feelings about this stage of parenting, plus sheds a little light on my conflicted feelings about the Bible -- and how I c...
Feb 29, 2024•35 min
Do certain areas in your home inspire you creatively? What's the link between comfort and creativity? In this episode I'm joined by Sarah Powers, my cohost at The Mom Hour, to talk about our favorite cozy spaces and why they help us feel more ready to create. Episode Links Order Sarah's and my new guided journal, The Mother's Gratitude Journal: An Easy Guide to Capturing Everyday Joys and Milestone Moments , launching March 5! Milk Oolong Meagan was drinking Yogi herbal tisane that Sarah was dri...
Feb 22, 2024•37 min
When you think about exercise, what moves you? Maybe you want to drop a pants size or tone up your arms. But movement isn't just about looking better - it's about staying active and vital for our entire lives. And it all beings with mobility: where flexibility, stability and strength, and the mind-body connection meet. In this episode we revisit a 2023 interview with Angela Metrou of Modern Mind and Body Care to find out just why this under-looked aspect of our overall health is so important, an...
Feb 15, 2024•28 min
Tea is a beverage, a trade, a historical phenomenon - and so much more. In this episode I revisit my 2022 conversation with Laura Cepeda, certified tea sommelier and owner of the wellness lifestyle brand Modestine . Laura was introduced to tea by her grandmother Modestine at a young age, and we talk about her early tea experiences while growing up in the Caribbean, how her grandmother's approach to community and wellness influenced her, her experience of becoming a tea sommelier, and just why te...
Feb 08, 2024•35 min
What books are on my bedside table right now? In this episode I share four titles - all of them featuring topics I love like nature, herbal medicine, winter appreciation, and gardening - plus a sneak peek at my ever-evolving reading life and habits. Episode Links: Listen to my episode about rediscovering reading in midlife and my daily reading practices Learn more about the books in this episode in this episode's companion post! Featured Tea: Breakfast in ROC - A mild Earl Grey, blended in Roche...
Feb 01, 2024•19 min
Beans: It was my (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) WOTY for 2024, and eating more of them is my only New Year's Resolution. How am I doing with this very lofty legume goal? Listen here for a free sneak peek of this exclusive subscriber-only episode, and if you'd like to hear the whole thing, you can find the full episode here . Or, just feel free to catch up on the archives while you wait. I'll be back next week with another free episode of The Tea's Made! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.co...
Jan 25, 2024•9 min
The winter is finally here in earnest, and right now I’m all about staying warm and cozy. Listen to learn a DIY idea to keep you snug, how I keep my hands and legs warm on long walks, my improvised, bean-forward soup recipe, and more! Episode Links: Join me on Substack for exclusive episodes on the last Thursday of each month! The ridiculously soft and cozy Pottery Barn blanket Sarah Powers gifted me The WoolX Leggings I live in My Substack post about eating more beans in 2024 The rechargeable h...
Jan 18, 2024•20 min
It's obvious: I love tea! But how do I incorporate it into my life, and what are my favorite ways to choose, brew, and enjoy it? In the tenth episode of this podcast, I dig a little deeper into my #tealife and share my rituals, practices, and preferences around tea – plus, I answer a bunch of great listener questions about how to brew tea, my favorite strainers and accessories, and more! Warm up that kettle and get out your favorite cup – it’s time for a #TeaLife primer on this episode of The Te...
Jan 11, 2024•29 min
Feeling pressure to "reinvent" yourself this year? In this episode of The Tea's Made, I encourage a gentler approach to reimagining your life, plus share what I call the three C's - conviction, confidence, and consistency - that are vital to making lasting changes. Grab a cup of tea and your favorite journal - it's time for a cozy session of gentle reinvention! Featured Links: Check out my Substack article featuring my favorite teas of 2023 plus some thoughts about creating a "tea lifestyle" . F...
Jan 04, 2024•27 min
Do you think of yourself as “the creative type”? Maybe you think creativity is something that’s only for artists with a capital “A” – people like painters, dancers, and writers. In our current production-oriented culture, we often overlook the creativity inherent in our daily lives, but the truth is: we are all creative people, and we all have the capacity to live more creative lives. In today’s episode of The Tea’s Made podcast I speak with writer and creativity coach Amy Suardi about how “norm...
Dec 28, 2023•34 min
How do you feel about the winter? Do you embrace the frosty air and darker mornings and earlier sunsets…or do you find yourself gritting your teeth through it all and waiting for spring? A few years ago I realized I could use an attitude adjustment about this time of the year and I thought, who better to look to for inspiration than the people who live in Nordic countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland? In this episode of The Tea’s Made, we explore a handful of Nordic principles for go...
Dec 21, 2023•26 min
What could be cozier than a holiday crafting session? In this episode I share four simple projects that you can still squeeze into this holiday season. Each project should only take a couple of hours at most and the ingredients can easily be found online or at your local grocery store or craft store. So fill your cup and settle in for a holiday crafting sesh with me in this episode of The Tea’s Made podcast. Featured Tea: Celebration from Harney & Sons is a black tea blend with hazelnut, apr...
Dec 14, 2023•25 min
Raise your hand if you always intend to keep walking outside throughout the winter…but year after year, you find those walks dwindling away to “never” or “rarely.” There’s something about the mix of the weather getting colder, the days getting shorter, and the holidays crowding your time that can make it really hard to keep getting outdoors this time of year, but winter walking has amazing benefits – and it’s worth creating an intentional practice that keeps you moving! In today’s episode I shar...
Dec 07, 2023•21 min
Do you think of yourself as a lapsed reader? Maybe you look back longingly to the days when you were always tied up in a book (or three) and wonder where all your former reading time goes. Here are some words that may reassure you: if you love books, you’re still a reader ! It may just take some time to get back to thinking of yourself that way. In the thick of early motherhood I lost touch with my readerly self, but as my kids have gotten older I’ve found new ways to re-incorporate time with bo...
Nov 30, 2023•34 min
If you’ve ever made a statement that starts with “I’m not the kind of person who can…” – this episode is for you. Opting out of things that stress us out can be great, but learning new skills is good for us – and it can be especially freeing to re-try things we don’t think we’re “good at”, just for the fun of it. In this episode you’ll hear some of my thoughts about why new stages of life are a great time to try things you thought you “couldn’t” do, and how to set yourself up for success…whateve...
Nov 23, 2023•26 min
What does it take to be a good host? If Instagram has you convinced hospitality requires lots of money to spend on decor and the guest accommodation level of a four-star hotel, it's time for a reframe. What if true hospitality – the kind that makes people feel welcome and comfortable – didn’t have to cost a lot of money or require a ton of space or skill? In this episode of The Tea’s Made, we’re going to be talking about real hospitality – the art of welcoming people in and making them feel love...
Nov 16, 2023•30 min
From big life changes like divorce, remarriage, career transition or moving, to more everyday changes like kids getting older, holiday celebrations are always evolving. In this episode I share how my family's holiday traditions have evolved in the seven years since I divorced and I talk with author Kelle Hampton about she and her kids' first holiday season in a brand-new home with a whole new life. Kelle and I also share what lights us up during the holidays, our favorite traditions, and how all...
Nov 09, 2023•34 min
