It’s not all about losing weight, lifting heavier, or spending hours at the gym. It’s about having the strength and energy to do the things you love, whether that's getting down on the floor with your grandkids, traveling the world, gardening or simply living a good life. 

In this episode of Evolving Together, Ashley Anderson of Functional Fitness joins me again to break down fitness and nutrition into simple, doable steps. We talk about why strength training matters as we age, how to get moving when you're starting from scratch or dealing with pain, and why working with a trainer can be about so much more than weight loss. 

I love the practical nutrition tips Ashley shares, from drinking more water and eating a variety of colorful foods to getting enough fiber and choosing whole food sources of protein. We get real about protein bars, questionable food marketing, and why trying to be perfect with your health can steal the joy right out of life. 

Listen next: If you missed our previous conversation about having the strength and energy to follow your dreams as you get older, check out Episode 13. We also continue our conversation with Ashley about her personal fertility and infertility journey in Episode 18.

Thanks for being here. Let’s evolve together.

About Ashley Anderson

Ashley owns Functional Fitness of Pass Christian, Mississippi. She is a personal trainer turned coach, where the focus isn't just on the gym, it's building a lifestyle of health.  Using fitness and practical lifestyle coaching, her and her team help athletes (of all ages) live pain-free, unstoppable lives. 

Ashley holds a degree in Movement & Sports Science from Purdue and puts a focus on healing the gastrointestinal system (your gut/microbiome) and balancing hormones. She’s also currently participating in the Active Life Professional mentorship program. 

Get in touch with Ashley Anderson

Functional Fitness Pass Christian 228-900-9917 or coach@ffpasschristian.com 

https://www.facebook.com/share/19Gv7UYBx2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.instagram.com/ashley_ffpc/

https://www.instagram.com/functionalfitness_pc/

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

Affiliate Links and Stuff We LOVE 

Juice Plus Superfood Capsules - Better than vitamins

us.juiceplus.com/?partner=10621426

Luminate - the best brain/energy drink that’s actually good for you

https://us.juiceplus.com/products/luminate-watermelon-lime?partner=10621426&variant=48040566194434

Tower Gardens - Grow your own food indoors year round or outdoors, no weeds, no waste, no watering, no soil, just delicious salad greens, herbs and vegetables without pesticides, fertilizers or nasty handling of other people in store.

https://us.towergarden.com/#heidisexton

(add Heidi Sexton at check out for affiliate name)

Sugar Fix Pralines - Original New Orleans Pralines - The only fix for your sweet tooth.

http://www.sugarfixpralines.com 

Seeking Health - the BEST *Ashwaganda, *serotonin support, brain focus and dopamine support supplements. Get $10 off your first order. $20 minimum. https://prz.io/arNRODyIy

*Essential for great sleep, along with l-Theanine.

Lovelyskin.com - They have ALL the best brands for skincare!

mention Heidi Sexton @checkout where it says “referred by a friend?” get $20 off your first order over $50. 

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

So we ask the question: Who am I now?

My conversation with Karen Rudolph is about what happens when we stop seeing those shakeups as proof that something is wrong with us and start seeing them as an invitation to wake up, get curious and find our way back to who we really are.

Karen is the author of Spiraling UP: Command Your Light! and her story includes burnout as an RN, the end of a nearly three decade marriage and a life changing accident that almost left her paralyzed. Her message isn't about fixing ourselves. It's about trusting ourselves, becoming more aware of the patterns and words that shape our lives, and making those little shifts that help us move forward.

We talk about why “work life balance” is unattainable BS and why harmony and  alignment is what we are truly seeking. We venture into how the words we casually use with ourselves, the stories we inherited from childhood, and how something as simple as changing “I should” to “I get to” or “I choose to” can change the way we experience our lives.

But my biggest takeaway from Karen's book and this conversation is one simple question:

What can I build with this?

Instead of staying stuck in the “why is this happening to me?” spiral, what if we got curious about what this experience might teach us, create in us or open up for us?

Maybe we're not starting over. Maybe we're spiraling up.

About Karen, where to get her book and where to find and follow

Karen Rudolf is a life strategist, author, speaker, and the founder of Tranquil SOULutions. After navigating her own life-changing experiences—and spending nearly two decades as a nurse witnessing the powerful connection between the mind, body, emotions, and spirit—she discovered that transformation often begins with how we perceive ourselves and our circumstances.

Today, she supports people in recognizing the beliefs and protective patterns quietly shaping their choices, relationships, and well-being. Through her Spiraling UP™ methodology, she invites others to move from fear to flow, deepen self-trust, and reconnect with the wisdom already within them. Her message is simple and powerful: You are not broken, and there is nothing to fix—there is simply more of you waiting to be discovered.

 https://linktr.ee/KarenRudolf

karen@tranquilSOULutions.com

Art of Manifestation Movie Trailer

https://youtu.be/F-lxQKgP8Bc?si=by24iY18Hj86vI__

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

Affiliate Links and Stuff We LOVE 

Juice Plus Superfood Capsules - Better than vitamins

us.juiceplus.com/?partner=10621426

Luminate - the best brain/energy drink that’s actually good for you

https://us.juiceplus.com/products/luminate-watermelon-lime?partner=10621426&variant=48040566194434

Tower Gardens - Grow your own food indoors year round or outdoors, no weeds, no waste, no watering, no soil, just delicious salad greens, herbs and vegetables without pesticides, fertilizers or nasty handling of other people in store.

https://us.towergarden.com/#heidisexton

(add Heidi Sexton at check out for affiliate name)

Sugar Fix Pralines - Original New Orleans Pralines - The only fix for your sweet tooth.

http://www.sugarfixpralines.com 

Seeking Health - the BEST *Ashwaganda, *serotonin support, brain focus and dopamine support supplements. Get $10 off your first order. $20 minimum. https://prz.io/arNRODyIy

*Essential for great sleep, along with l-Theanine.

Lovelyskin.com - They have ALL the best brands for skincare!

mention Heidi Sexton @checkout where it says “referred by a friend?” get $20 off your first order over $50. 

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

My dear friend Connie is back for a very real and very honest conversation about self love and self compassion which is what the retreat we cohosted in Asheville was all about. 

And because this is Evolving Together, we also talk about aging, wrinkles, changing bodies, dropping the ball, and learning to soften instead of beating ourselves up. Sometimes self love looks less like “I love everything about myself!” and more like “Okay, I messed up. I still love you. Let’s keep going.”

If you’ve ever struggled with being kinder to yourself, especially in midlife, this conversation is for you. And maybe the question isn’t whether you love yourself perfectly. Maybe it’s simply: Can you love yourself through it?

Find and Follow Connie!

Connie Raley-Rose teaches yoga classes and leads retreats along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and beyond, helping students connect more deeply with themselves through mindful movement, breath, and awareness.

Connie hosts local and international retreats annually. Connie and I co-hosted the “Clearing the Path” retreat in Sedona in 2025 and “Journey to the Heart” in Asheville this September. There will likely be more fun retreats together, so be sure to get on her mailing list. 

Connect and Follow Connie

Website - https://www.connieyoga.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/17Li5veZAr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fearlessjourney?igsh=MTAxaW42anpoNjE0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@connieyoga8267?si=G9P6JikalzrQfgz6

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

Affiliate Links and Stuff We LOVE 

Juice Plus Superfood Capsules - Better than vitamins

us.juiceplus.com/?partner=10621426

Luminate - the best brain/energy drink that’s actually good for you

https://us.juiceplus.com/products/luminate-watermelon-lime?partner=10621426&variant=48040566194434

Tower Gardens - Grow your own food indoors year round or outdoors, no weeds, no waste, no watering, no soil, just delicious salad greens, herbs and vegetables without pesticides, fertilizers or nasty handling of other people in store.

https://us.towergarden.com/#heidisexton

(add Heidi Sexton at check out for affiliate name)

Sugar Fix Pralines - Original New Orleans Pralines - The only fix for your sweet tooth.

http://www.sugarfixpralines.com 

Seeking Health - the BEST *Ashwaganda, *serotonin support, brain focus and dopamine support supplements. Get $10 off your first order. $20 minimum. https://prz.io/arNRODyIy

*Essential for great sleep, along with l-Theanine.

Lovelyskin.com - They have ALL the best brands for skincare!

mention Heidi Sexton @checkout where it says “referred by a friend?” get $20 off your first order over $50. 

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

My conversation with Kristy Halvorsen took us everywhere from living in an Airstream for 9 years, and letting go of labels to learning how to cry, caring for her mom, and discovering that sometimes the hardest decisions are already decided for you if you listen to your heart. 

We talk about following those little nudges, which she calls “tickles of the soul”, releasing expectations, and trusting that life can unfold in ways we never imagined. Our conversation and her book, Perfectly Unfolding are beautiful reminders that we don't have to have it all figured out to take the next step.

About Kristy, and where to get her book

If "normal" is a way of being, Kristy Halvorsen is not that. In 2017, she sold everything, left her firefighting career, and hit the road in her Airstream trailer. For nearly nine years, she has migrated with the seasons, often with no idea where she's headed next. In addition to being a nomadic world traveler, she is a mentor, coach, and bestselling author of Perfect Unfolding: Seven Years of Life-Changing Solo Adventure, One Year That Broke Me Open, a vulnerable, deeply human account of what’s possible when you live in curiosity and wonder, embrace the unknown, and trust life while waking up to the simplicity and freedom available to us all. 

Website: PerfectUnfolding.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristy.halvorsen/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-halvorsen/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/1kristy

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/241413488-perfect-unfolding

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

Affiliate Links and Stuff We LOVE 

Juice Plus Superfood Capsules - Better than vitamins

us.juiceplus.com/?partner=10621426

Luminate - the best brain/energy drink that’s actually good for you

https://us.juiceplus.com/products/luminate-watermelon-lime?partner=10621426&variant=48040566194434

Tower Gardens - Grow your own food indoors year round or outdoors, no weeds, no waste, no watering, no soil, just delicious salad greens, herbs and vegetables without pesticides, fertilizers or nasty handling of other people in store.

https://us.towergarden.com/#heidisexton

(add Heidi Sexton at check out for affiliate name)

Sugar Fix Pralines - Original New Orleans Pralines - The only fix for your sweet tooth.

http://www.sugarfixpralines.com 

Seeking Health - the BEST *Ashwaganda, *serotonin support, brain focus and dopamine support supplements. Get $10 off your first order. $20 minimum. https://prz.io/arNRODyIy

*Essential for great sleep, along with l-Theanine.

Lovelyskin.com - They have ALL the best brands for skincare!

mention Heidi Sexton @checkout where it says “referred by a friend?” get $20 off your first order over $50. 

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Throughout the conversation, Jaimee is taking notes, but not from MY advice! Nope! She is putting together a must have checklist for someone wanting to get the best partner for themselves. 

Along the way, we share plenty of stories about our own marriages, including some questionable dating-app profile pictures, second marriages, friends who gave their stamp of approval, and the realization that love isn't just something you feel. It's something you do.

In the end, maybe it’s less about finding the “right” person, and more about making the relationship right. Weigh in…what would be on YOUR checklist? 

Find and Follow Jaimee in all these places -

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jaimeeedorris/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jaimeeedorris/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/jaimee-dorris

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jaimeedorris

Website:  https://jaimee.tv/

Read Gulf Coast Woman Magazine where she shares the advice we talked about today!

https://www.gcwmultimedia.com/when-to-get-married/ 

About Jaimee Dorris

Jaimee Dorris is a TV personality, creative producer, and storyteller with over 20 years of experience helping people and businesses stand out. She creates authentic, magnetic, and joy-filled content.

She began her career as a news reporter for WLOX-TV, covering Hurricane Katrina, before launching her own web design and marketing studio — Jaimee Designs Web Studio — in 2007. In 2019, she created her own TV show—MS Congeniality TV—a lively talk show that celebrated bold people and ideas across the South. The show aired on WXXV-TV in Gulfport and WGNO-TV in New Orleans. In 2022, she returned to the WLOX-TV anchor desk, infusing Good Morning Mississippi with viral dance videos and a fresh energy that redefined the station’s local image.

Named “Miss Issippi” for the state’s bicentennial in 2017 and crowned Mrs. Mississippi American 2020, Jaimee has spent her career blending creativity, confidence, and fun.

Today, Jaimee focuses on content creation and personal branding, helping clients amplify their voices and show up with brilliance—online and off. She lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with her husband, Joel. Together, they have a blended family of five adult children, three businesses, and three beloved fur babies. 

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

Affiliate Links and Stuff We LOVE 

Juice Plus Superfood Capsules - Better than vitamins

us.juiceplus.com/?partner=10621426

Luminate - the best brain/energy drink that’s actually good for you

https://us.juiceplus.com/products/luminate-watermelon-lime?partner=10621426&variant=48040566194434

Tower Gardens - Grow your own food indoors year round or outdoors, no weeds, no waste, no watering, no soil, just delicious salad greens, herbs and vegetables without pesticides, fertilizers or nasty handling of other people in store.

https://us.towergarden.com/#heidisexton

(add Heidi Sexton at check out for affiliate name)

Sugar Fix Pralines - Original New Orleans Pralines - The only fix for your sweet tooth.

http://www.sugarfixpralines.com 

Seeking Health - the BEST *Ashwaganda, *serotonin support, brain focus and dopamine support supplements. Get $10 off your first order. $20 minimum. https://prz.io/arNRODyIy

*Essential for great sleep, along with l-Theanine.

Lovelyskin.com - They have ALL the best brands for skincare!

mention Heidi Sexton @checkout where it says “referred by a friend?” get $20 off your first order over $50. 

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Susan, my BFF of 35+ years, and I continue our conversation from Episode 5 about adult children living at home. But, this time, we get honest about the unique challenges of blended families like adult privacy, sex, overnight guests, and rules all while living under the same roof. 

Every family, and every kid, even if they are grown, is different. Sometimes evolving together means figuring out what works for your family instead of worrying about what everyone else thinks you should be doing. There’s no one right way to do this and we are figuring it out in real time, sharing with you. 

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

Affiliate Links and Stuff We LOVE 

Juice Plus Superfood Capsules - Better than vitamins

us.juiceplus.com/?partner=10621426

Luminate - the best brain/energy drink that’s actually good for you

https://us.juiceplus.com/products/luminate-watermelon-lime?partner=10621426&variant=48040566194434

Tower Gardens - Grow your own food indoors year round or outdoors, no weeds, no waste, no watering, no soil, just delicious salad greens, herbs and vegetables without pesticides, fertilizers or nasty handling of other people in store.

https://us.towergarden.com/#heidisexton

(add Heidi Sexton at check out for affiliate name)

Sugar Fix Pralines - Original New Orleans Pralines - The only fix for your sweet tooth.

http://www.sugarfixpralines.com 

Seeking Health - the BEST *Ashwaganda, *serotonin support, brain focus and dopamine support supplements. Get $10 off your first order. $20 minimum. https://prz.io/arNRODyIy

*Essential for great sleep, along with l-Theanine.

Lovelyskin.com - They have ALL the best brands for skincare!

mention Heidi Sexton @checkout where it says “referred by a friend?” get $20 off your first order over $50. 

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

In Episode 19, I'm joined by Dr. Tracy Daniel-Hardy, author of The Adventures of Butch and Ruby: Chronicles of a Caregiver, to talk about what it really means to care for aging parents, especially when dementia enters the picture. 

We talk about the emotional weight of caregiving, protecting our parents' dignity while still keeping them safe, encouraging independence without expecting more than they are capable of, and learning to communicate in ways that help rather than take over. We also talk about the grief that happens while someone is still here, the loss of the parent we once knew, and how hard it can be to watch someone you love slowly lose pieces of themselves.

While the journey for the caregiver is incredibly difficult, Tracy shares how she’s managed to bring humor and laughter throughout the daily challenges, but also how stepping away to regroup is essential for showing up in a positive light for her parents.  

If you're caring for a parent, partner, grandparent, or another loved one, this is a reminder that there is no perfect. There is only making the best choices we can at any given time. I also hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone. Let’s keep evolving together.

Join us in Patreon as a Groupie as we continue the conversation and support for caregivers of those with dementia. 💜 http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834 (Look for the “Caregivers” Collection.)

Get Tracy’s book and follow her here - 

Get your copy of the book here -

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/YQFVN7EZHXXF9/checkout/3JECVNAMP6JH4TTSYQHITC5J

https://www.facebook.com/tracy.daniel/

https://www.instagram.com/tdanielhardy/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracydh

Senior Academy of Technology and Continuing Education

tracy@senioracademyoftech.org

Tracy’s Bio - 

Dr. Tracy Daniel-Hardy is a retired educator, ed-tech visionary, and a prominent voice for senior caregiving and advocacy. With nearly three decades of experience in the Gulfport School District, including 15 years as Director of Technology, Dr. Tracy has been a pivotal advisor for the Mississippi Department of Education K12 Security Advisor, Google North America K12 Customer Advisor, Tech & Learning Advisor, MS Ed Tech Leaders Association member, Future Ready Tech Leader Advisor, Innovation Directors Network member, and MS Educational Computing Association (Past President).

Dr. Tracy earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Administration from The University of Southern Mississippi and is a proud alumna of Alcorn State University.

Dr. Tracy’s community impact includes being Founder of and Chief Instructor of the Senior Academy of Technology and Continuing Education; board member for Seashore Highlands Methodist Senior Services, Back Bay Mission, and The John C. Robinson Brown Condor Association; 1st Vice President of MS Gulf Coast Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. President of the Hancock Harrison Alcorn State University National Alumni Association, member of The Gulf Coast (MS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and member of the Board Development Committee for The Girls Scouts of Greater Mississippi.

She is the author of the book, The Adventures of Butch and Ruby: Chronicles of a Caregiver; as a featured columnist for Caregivers Corner in Gulf Coast Woman Magazine; as a contributor to several leadership anthologies, and weekly on social media as she shares stories of her caregiving journey with her parents.

Tracy is an advocate for caregivers and the elderly by being a dedicated community educator volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association and caregiver champion/educator.

Whether she is speaking from a stage or writing from the heart, Dr. Tracy’s mission remains the same: to empower the marginalized and provide a toolkit for those navigating the complexities of caregiving. 

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

Affiliate Links and Stuff I LOVE 

Juice Plus Superfood Capsules - Better than vitamins

us.juiceplus.com/?partner=10621426

Luminate - the best brain/energy drink that’s actually good for you

https://us.juiceplus.com/products/luminate-watermelon-lime?partner=10621426&variant=48040566194434

Tower Gardens - Grow your own food indoors year round or outdoors, no weeds, no waste, no watering, no soil, just delicious salad greens, herbs and vegetables without pesticides, fertilizers or nasty handling of other people in store.

https://us.towergarden.com/#heidisexton

(add Heidi Sexton at check out for affiliate name)

Sugar Fix Pralines - Original New Orleans Pralines - The only 

That's where my conversation with Ashley Anderson begins. Ashley spent years trying to have a baby, navigating infertility, endometriosis, surgeries, fertility treatments and all of the emotional and financial exhaustion that comes with it. Eventually, she and her husband had to ask a really difficult question: How much more are we willing to do?

Ashley doesn't pretend she isn't sad about not having children. She is. But she has also learned that she can grieve what she didn't get while being genuinely happy with the life she has.

We talk about infertility, marriage, money, health, the pressure women feel to have children, the incredibly insensitive things people sometimes say, and what it looks like to create a meaningful life when it doesn't look like the one you imagined.

As Ashley says, "Your book has more chapters left in it." 

About Ashley Anderson

Ashley owns Functional Fitness of Pass Christian, Mississippi. She is a personal trainer turned coach, where the focus isn't just on the gym, it's building a lifestyle of health.  Using fitness and practical lifestyle coaching, her and her team help athletes (of all ages) live pain-free, unstoppable lives. 

Ashley holds a degree in Movement & Sports Science from Purdue and puts a focus on healing the gastrointestinal system (your gut/microbiome) and balancing hormones. She’s also currently participating in the Active Life Professional mentorship program. 

Get in touch with Ashley Anderson

Functional Fitness Pass Christian 228-900-9917 or coach@ffpasschristian.com 

https://www.facebook.com/share/19Gv7UYBx2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.instagram.com/ashley_ffpc/

https://www.instagram.com/functionalfitness_pc/

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

Katie explains biofeedback, how it can help us become more aware of what’s happening in our bodies, and why learning to regulate those physical responses can be such a powerful part of healing. We also talk about trauma, chronic stress, burnout, and that uncomfortable realization that sometimes what feels “normal” to us isn’t actually calm or necessarily healthy at all.

And if you’ve ever wondered why knowing what you should do isn’t always enough to actually feel better, you’ll want to hear this conversation. We get into the science, the mind body connection, and how biofeedback can give you another tool for reclaiming a sense of control over your own body.

Get in touch with Katie -

www.katiermasonlpc.com 

Sanghaal Holistic Recovery, 2059 E Pass Rd Suite 9, Gulfport. www.katiermasonlpc.com 

Katie’s Bio

Katie is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor, and founder of Sanghaal Holistic Recovery in Gulfport, MS. She has been in private practice since 2015, and her work has taken a lot of meaningful turns over the years. From working with children and adolescents in community mental health, to advocating and providing care for the transgender community as a WPATH provider, to integrative therapeutic yoga, and now into her passion for mind-body medicine and nervous system regulation. 

Her own healing journey has been the foundation for all of it, with every pivot being personal before it was professional. The primary focus of her work is rooted in biofeedback therapy, which is a technique backed by decades of research that teaches you how to regulate and rewire your nervous system back to a state of calm and balance. 

LPC-S in Mississippi, LMHC in Florida, Level 2 Reiki practitioner, Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, and Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher. She holds specialization certifications in general biofeedback and mind-body medicine from Saybrook University. 

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

In this episode, Lianne and I continue our conversation around how all relationships evolve as we get older and how some fall by the wayside either intentionally or by circumstances. Either way, it’s ok.  

We discuss outgrowing friendships without resentment, learning when to speak up and when to shut up, setting healthier boundaries, apologizing with humility, and surrounding ourselves with people who truly support who we are becoming.

If you've ever wondered whether you've outgrown a friendship or struggled with letting someone go, this conversation is for you.

If you missed our conversation about embracing gray hair and identity in midlife, be sure to listen to Episode 9 before (or after) diving into this episode."

Connect With and Follow Lianne-

Lianne Allard is a hairstylist on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with years of experience helping clients navigate hair changes through every stage of life. Known for her practical advice and supportive approach, Lianne believes beauty should be about confidence and self-expression—not pressure or perfection.

IG https://www.instagram.com/lianneallard/

MÉCHE A Salon in Biloxi, MM https://www.instagram.com/meche.gulfcoast/

FB https://www.facebook.com/lianne.preston.3

Follow along on the demo and reno of the future Evolving Together podcast Airstream studio.

https://youtube.com/@evolvingtogetherprojects?si=3ZhNJwTKPytUD_gV

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

My friend Gabby and I sat down to talk about that strange in-between season where your kids still need you... just not in the same way they used to. We talk about trying not to rescue them, figuring out when to step in (and when not to), and wondering if we're helping... or enabling.

The conversation also takes a deeper turn as Gabby shares what it's like raising Black sons in America. She talks about the fears she carries as a mom, and I share how hearing those experiences changed my perspective as a white mom raising sons of my own.

It's thoughtful, it's funny, it's completely unscripted, and yes... we somehow end up talking about forgetting babies at home, the best teacher appreciation gifts ever, and why every parent is just making it up as we go.

Come pull up a chair and join us.

How to find Gabby and get you some authentic New Orleans pralines. Plus, just follow her. She’s hilarious and real.  

www.sugarfixpralines.com Get 30% off your order with code PERI

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sugarfixpralines?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarfixpralines/profilecard/?igsh=MXR1dzRtbzV0Zzhzbg==

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sugarfixpralines? 

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

In this episode, I sit down with board-certified holistic physician and bestselling author Dr. Niti Solomon to talk about simplifying wellness and creating healthy habits that actually stick. After her own health crisis changed the way she practiced medicine, Dr. Niti developed an approachable, step-by-step framework to help people improve their health without guilt, perfectionism, or complicated plans.

We discuss why small changes can create lasting results, the surprising power of hydration, how our habits shape our health, and why self-compassion is one of the most important ingredients in lasting wellness.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dr. Niti's personal journey from traditional to holistic medicine
• The connection between food, inflammation, and overall health
• Why simple habits are often the most effective
• The AWE-some method for building sustainable healthy routines - Activity, Water, Energy
• The importance of hydration and "gem veggies"
• Breaking free from perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking
• Why health is about vitality—not just the absence of disease

Check out the movie trailer for Art of Manifestation coming out in September, 2026
https://youtu.be/F-lxQKgP8Bc?si=by24iY18Hj86vI__

About Dr. Niti Solomon

Doctor Niti is a board-certified holistic physician and best-selling author of Project L.O.V.E. (Lifestyle Optimization Victoriously Established), Naked Health and Vitality Dressed Up Books. She is the pioneer of the women's health movement named “Feminine Forward” which is the champion project for female leaders to support one another to achieve well-being with ease.

Dr. Niti shares her passion through her new book, on her website, www.DoctorNiti.com, and through online courses to assist people in optimizing their lifestyles with ease. 

Connect with and follow Dr. Niti

www.DoctorNiti.com Dr. Niti Solomon's Project LOVE and Naked Health books available on her website along with Dr. Niti's free wellness resources and AWE-some tracking tools

Email - connect@DoctorNiti.com 

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/doctornitis

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/doctornitiheals/

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@doctorniti8840

As always, if you enjoyed this episode, I'd love it if you'd leave a review and share it with someone who could use a little encouragement on their own wellness journey.

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Anderson of Functional Fitness to talk about what really matters when it comes to aging well. We discuss why consistency beats perfection, how strength training supports longevity, what "functional fitness" actually means, and why it's never too late to start building a stronger, healthier body.

Whether you're just beginning your fitness journey or looking for motivation to keep going, this conversation will encourage you to think differently about movement, strength, and what it means to invest in your future self.

About Ashley Anderson

Ashley owns Functional Fitness of Pass Christian, Mississippi. She is a personal trainer turned coach, where the focus isn't just on the gym, it's building a lifestyle of health.  Using fitness and practical lifestyle coaching, her and her team help athletes (of all ages) live pain-free, unstoppable lives. 

Ashley holds a degree in Movement & Sports Science from Purdue and puts a focus on healing the gastrointestinal system (your gut/microbiome) and balancing hormones. She’s also currently participating in the Active Life Professional mentorship program. 

Get in touch with Ashley Anderson

Functional Fitness Pass Christian 228-900-9917 or coach@ffpasschristian.com 

https://www.facebook.com/share/19Gv7UYBx2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.instagram.com/ashley_ffpc/

https://www.instagram.com/functionalfitness_pc/

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime BFF, Susan, to talk about how major life transitions can leave us wondering, Who am I now? From career changes and layoffs to menopause, retirement, remote work, and shifting body shapes, we talk about how being trendy doesn’t work for us. Tapping into a more authentic version of ourselves derived from personal evolutions has helped us redefine our style in midlife. Can you relate?

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

In this episode, I sit down with holistic physical therapist, yoga teacher, and author Jackie Castro-Cooper to talk about what self-care really looks like during this season of life. We explore why slowing down isn't selfish, how our minds and bodies are deeply connected, and simple practices that can help us navigate not just perimenopause and menopause but all the changes that come with midlife.

If you've been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like you've somehow lost yourself, this conversation is a reminder that healing doesn't have to be complicated—it often begins with giving yourself the same compassion you so freely offer everyone else.

Connect with Jackie Castro-Cooper 

⭐️subscribe to her newsletter to stay up to date https://bit.ly/Jackiescommunity

Get Jackie's book: The Power of Self-Care, Self-Love https://www.amazon.com/Power-Self-Care-Self-Love-Therapists/dp/1954693427

And the companion workbook too! https://www.amazon.com/Power-Self-Care-Love-Workbook/dp/1954693370

Website: GCMFR.com

IG- myofascial_jackie https://www.instagram.com/myofascial_jackie?utm_source=qr

FB #1 https://www.facebook.com/share/1YXH4BKu8Z/?mibextid=wwXIfr

FB #2 https://www.facebook.com/share/1HXTExoLvE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiempt

More about Jackie

Jackie is one of the first holistic, alternative physical therapists in the US. She obtained her Master’s in physical therapy from the University of South Alabama. She is a professional speaker, health and business consultant, yoga teacher RYT-200, retreat leader and the author of, The Power of Self Care/Self Love: A Physical Therapist's Guide to Evolving Into Your Higher Self and The Power of Self Care/Self Love Journal Workbook. Her private practice which specializes in chronic pain, women's health, Intra Oral TMJ, Internal pelvic work, pediatrics, and JFB MFR was born in 2007, Gulf Coast Myofascial Release Physical Therapy in Ocean Springs, MS.

Her mission in life is to share information that is not widely known specifically for the alleviation of pain and suffering. In 2017, Jackie created the “Women’s Health Forum” which educates and promotes alternative health care for our communities. In 2019, she founded  The Self Care/Self Love Retreats, and after 20 years in private practice now provides mentorship/consultation for health care providers “Tea With Jackie: Your Health and Spiritual Resonance”

Jackie supports those seeking to combine both evidence-based research and spiritual healing practices through yoga, meditation, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique or tapping), breathing techniques, visualization, and JFB myofascial release. 

Jackie is a long time board member of STEPS Coalition focused on the needs of the underserved through social and environmental justice. A member of MS Business Women, she's in charge of providing scholarships to unconventional women returning to community college to pursue a degree. 

She is a volunteer and ambassador for MS Heroes, a nonprofit that uplifts and supports Caregivers that also provides wheelchair ramps. 

Jackie is the founder of, The Alliance for the Education of Undocumented Youth that supports DREAMERS by providing scholarships to MGCCC.

In 2017 her monthly E-newsletter was born. Here Jackie provides healing videos that she shares with her subscribers https://bit.ly/Jackiescommunity

As seen in, WLOX, the Dr. Liana Show, February 2021 cover of Success Women’s Magazine and Cover of The Self Care Magazine Issue 2. January 2026 Cover of Gulf Coast Woman Magazine. 

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

In this honest and unfiltered conversation, I sit down with Jaimee Dorris to talk about reinvention, transitions, and the uncertainty that often comes with midlife. Jaimee shares what it was really like walking away from a successful television career, why she chose her health over a dream job, and what it's like to be in a season where the next step isn't yet clear.

Together, we explore people-pleasing, hormones, identity, saying "no," trusting ourselves, and why the uncomfortable pauses in life may be exactly where our greatest growth begins.

If you've ever wondered what's next—or felt like you're becoming someone new without knowing exactly who that is—this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why reinvention doesn't always come with a roadmap
• Leaving a successful career to prioritize health
• The difference between being driven and being led
• Perimenopause, identity shifts, and listening to your body
• Learning to say no without guilt
• Why uncertainty can be an invitation instead of a setback
• Trusting yourself through life's transitions

Thank you for listening to Evolving Together. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating their own season of change.

Get in touch with and follow Jaimee Dorris here!

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jaimeeedorris/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jaimeeedorris/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/jaimee-dorris

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jaimeedorris

Website:  https://jaimee.tv/

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

Whether you're already embracing your silver strands or still debating your next salon appointment, this conversation is a reminder that confidence comes from feeling comfortable in your own skin, not from meeting someone else's expectations.

Connect with Lianne 

Lianne Allard is a hairstylist on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with years of experience helping clients navigate hair changes through every stage of life. Known for her practical advice and supportive approach, Lianne believes beauty should be about confidence and self-expression—not pressure or perfection.

IG https://www.instagram.com/lianneallard/

MÉCHE A Salon in Biloxi, MM https://www.instagram.com/meche.gulfcoast/

FB https://www.facebook.com/lianne.preston.3

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

http://Patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

But this conversation goes deeper than perimenopause and menopause hormones. Gabby shares about her health scares, the anxiety that can come with getting older, the emotional weight of losing loved ones, and how our past experiences can shape the way we experience midlife. It’s a conversation to remind all of us, we don't have to navigate these changes alone.

With plenty of humor, honesty, and a few tangents only good girlfriends can have, this episode is a reminder that midlife may be unpredictable and a pain in @ss, but there is comfort in sharing the journey together.

How to find Gabby and get you some authentic New Orleans pralines. Plus, just follow her. She’s hilarious. 

 www.sugarfixpralines.com Get 30% off your order with code PERI

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sugarfixpralines?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarfixpralines/profilecard/?igsh=MXR1dzRtbzV0Zzhzbg==

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sugarfixpralines? 

Heidi’s Juice Plus link to the Berry Blend capsules. Poke around while you’re there. You may find more of what you need.

https://us.juiceplus.com/products/berry-capsules?partner=10621426&variant=45438349476098

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

https://patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

In this soft and sweet conversation, Heidi sits down with Tiffany Martinez, founder of The Sanctuary Wellness, to explore how childhood experiences, self-worth, boundaries, and healing shape the love we give and receive throughout our lives. Together, they discuss the journey from survival mode to self-love, the importance of learning to receive support, and why healthy relationships often begin with the work we do within ourselves.

Whether you're seeking more love in your life, navigating a relationship, or learning to reconnect with yourself, this episode offers gentle wisdom, hope, and practical encouragement for the journey.

In This Episode

• How childhood experiences influence our understanding of love
• Why self-love is the foundation of healthy relationships
• The role of boundaries in protecting your peace
• Learning to receive love, support, and kindness from others
• Moving from victimhood to acceptance and healing
• Exploring healing modalities like sound baths, yoga, Reiki, journaling, and gratitude
• Why personal growth continues even after we've "done the work"
• Finding fulfilling love later in life

About Tiffany

Tiffany Martinez is the founder of The Sanctuary Wellness, a space devoted to healing, connection, and personal transformation along the Gulf Coast. With over 30 years behind the chair as a stylist and certifications in sound healing, yoga, and Reiki, her work blends experience and compassion to support the nervous system and the whole person. What began as a personal journey through challenge and healing has grown into a mission: to create environments where people feel safe to slow down, reconnect, and return to themselves.

Tiffany is deeply committed to breaking the stigma around emotional well being and making healing accessible. Through workshops, sound journeys, and community centered events, she creates spaces that gently guides individuals from overwhelm into calm, from disconnection into presence. Her work is rooted in the belief that when we care for our inner world, we ripple that healing outward into our relationships, our communities, and beyond.

Get in touch with Tiffany

https://www.thesanctuaryofgulfport.com/

FB- https://www.facebook.com/share/18j9VHzqiT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thesanctuaryofgulfport?igsh=MTUyYnJsaXI2ajgxaQ==

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

https://patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

In this episode of Evolving Together, I have a conversation with French-trained physical therapist, osteopath, and bodywork specialist Candice to explore the connection between our emotional health and physical pain.

We get into how trauma, stress, grief, people-pleasing, and unspoken emotions can become stored in the body—and how those patterns often begin showing up more prominently during midlife. Candice shares insights from over 20 years of experience helping clients uncover the root causes of chronic tension, pain, and imbalance.

This conversation covers fascia, emotional healing, movement, menopause, headaches, back pain, energy work, and why taking a holistic approach to wellness may be the missing piece in your healing journey.

Whether you're navigating midlife changes, recovering from old wounds, or simply curious about the mind-body connection, this episode offers practical wisdom and plenty of "aha" moments.

Connect with Candice

Candice is a French PT, Osteopathic Practitioner and Myofascial Specialist with a 2 decade-experience. These past 2 years, she also added Reiki (certified level 1 and 2) and Life Wellness Coaching to her tool box, which makes her an even more rounded Holistic practitioner.

Find her at https://www.yesforwellness.com/ and on Instagram and Facebook @yesforwellness 

https://www.instagram.com/yesforwellness?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

https://www.facebook.com/yesforwellness

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator through this link.

https://patreon.com/EvolvingTogether834?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

In this candid and heartfelt conversation, Heidi sits down with her longtime friend Susan to talk about the realities of adult children living at home. From rising costs of living to shifting cultural norms, they explore why more young adults are staying (or returning) home—and what that means for parents navigating midlife.

With honesty, humor, and zero judgment, they unpack the emotional, financial, and relational layers of this modern family dynamic. They also reflect on their 35+ year friendship, the evolution of parenting, and how expectations don’t always match reality.

This is a conversation about redefining independence, embracing flexibility, and figuring it out as you go.

 In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why the traditional “empty nest” timeline no longer applies
• The financial realities facing young adults today
• Cultural differences in multigenerational living
• The emotional push and pull of wanting independence (for both parents and kids)
• Creating a home that adult children can return to
• Navigating expectations vs. reality in midlife parenting
• The idea of “home base” and why it matters more than ever
• The challenge of balancing support vs. enabling
• How parenting doesn’t really end—it just changes

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator

Patreon – Evolving Together

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TicToc - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

When Adulting Feels Too Hard: Coping with Overwhelm and Stress at Any Age

Some days adulting just feels like too much.

In this honest and relatable solo episode, Heidi shares what it really looks like to show up when you don’t feel like it—and why those moments matter more than we think. From juggling responsibilities like finances, caregiving, and everyday life stress to feeling completely overwhelmed by it all, this episode dives into the reality of midlife pressure.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in responsibilities or just want to throw your hands up and say “nope, not today,” you’re not alone.

Heidi shares her own experiences and walks you through simple, practical ways to cope with overwhelm so you can reset, regain perspective, and move forward with more self-compassion.

Key Takeaways

• Overwhelm is a normal part of a full life—not a personal failure
• You don’t have to solve everything at once
• Small pauses can reset your nervous system
• Releasing emotions (not suppressing them) is essential
• Not everything on your list actually needs to get done
• Asking for help or letting go is a strength, not a weakness

Tools to Cope When Adulting Feels Too Hard

Heidi shares simple, real-life strategies you can use immediately:

1. Stop and Breathe
2. Cry) It Out
3. Talk It Out
4. Journal or Voice Dump
5. Reevaluate Your To-Do List

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator

Patreon – Evolving Together

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TicToc - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/

In this episode of Evolving Together, host Heidi Sexton sits down with yoga teacher and retreat leader Connie Raley-Rose for a heartfelt conversation about yoga, healing, emotional release, and the ways we reconnect with ourselves during midlife.

What starts with a few hilarious technology mishaps turns into a deeply grounding discussion about what yoga truly is — far beyond flexibility, poses, or workouts.

Together, Heidi and Connie explore how yoga can help us process grief, stress, trauma, perfectionism, emotional overwhelm, and disconnection from our bodies — all things many of us experience during midlife transitions.

Whether you’re a longtime yogi, yoga-curious, or someone who has always said, “I’m not flexible enough,” this episode offers an accessible and compassionate look at how yoga meets us exactly where we are.

In This Episode:

• Connie’s unexpected path into yoga through a VHS tape in the 1990s
• What “vinyasa” actually means
• Why flexibility is not required to begin yoga
• The emotional side of yoga and why people sometimes cry during practice
• How trauma and stress can become stored in the body
• The difference between gym yoga and deeper yoga practice
• Finding the right yoga class and teacher for your needs
• Why comparison has no place in yoga
• Understanding terms like asana, prana, OM, and namaste
• How yoga supports connection between body, mind, and spirit
• Why yoga often finds us during difficult life transitions

Memorable Quote:

“The true yoga finds you.”

Topics Discussed:

• Vinyasa yoga
• Emotional healing through movement
• Breathwork and nervous system regulation
• Midlife stress and body awareness
• Yoga teacher certifications explained
• Self-compassion and grace
• Spiritual connection through practice
• Why beginners often feel intimidated — and why they shouldn’t

About Connie Raley-Rose

Connie Raley-Rose teaches yoga classes and leads retreats along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and beyond, helping students connect more deeply with themselves through mindful movement, breath, and awareness.

Heidi and Connie also co-hosted the “Clearing the Path” retreat in Sedona and will be hosting future retreats together.

Connect and Follow Connie

Website - https://www.connieyoga.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/17Li5veZAr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fearlessjourney?igsh=MTAxaW42anpoNjE0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@connieyoga8267?si=G9P6JikalzrQfgz6

Perfectionism, Control & Learning to Let Go

In this episode of Evolving Together, host Heidi Sexton dives into the exhausting cycle of perfectionism, overthinking, people-pleasing, and the need to control everything around us.

Why do so many of us in midlife still feel like we’re not doing enough, achieving enough, or being enough?

Heidi shares deeply personal stories about growing up walking on eggshells, how perfectionism shaped her adult life, and the mindset shifts that helped her begin releasing the pressure to get everything “right.”

From podcast anxiety to forgotten Thanksgiving desserts to intimidating fashion school professors, this episode is an honest, humorous, and heartfelt reminder that good enough truly can be enough.

In This Episode:

• The connection between perfectionism and control
• How childhood experiences can shape perfectionist tendencies
• Why midlife is the perfect time to release impossible standards
• The emotional and physical toll of trying to do everything perfectly
• Fear-based overthinking and “what if” spirals
• Learning to stop seeking constant approval from others
• Why taking action matters more than endless planning
• The difference between healthy effort and unhealthy perfectionism
• How grace, trust, and awareness help us grow

Four Ways to Release Perfectionism & Control:

1. Take Action
    Stop overthinking and start doing. Clarity comes through action, not endless analysis.
2. Release the Idea of a “Perfect Time”
    Better timing exists — perfect timing usually doesn’t.
3. Trust Yourself
    You are capable of making mistakes, learning, adapting, and surviving setbacks.
4. Give Yourself Grace
    Planning and caring deeply are strengths — until they become self-punishment.

Memorable Quotes:

“We don’t need more thinking. We need more doing.”

“Good can be good enough.”

“Perfection truly exists in each moment that we become aware.”

Questions to Reflect On:

• Where am I demanding perfection from myself?
• Whose judgment am I afraid of?
• What would happen if I allowed “good enough” to truly be enough?
• Where could I offer myself more grace?

Welcome to Midlife: Why I Created Evolving Together

In the very first episode of Evolving Together, host Heidi Sexton shares the deeply personal story behind the podcast and the winding road that led her here.

From growing up in New York and working in fashion and acting, to motherhood, teaching, divorce, grief, caregiving, reinvention, and rediscovering purpose in midlife — Heidi opens the door to the honest, messy, beautiful realities so many women experience but rarely talk about openly.

This episode is an invitation to evolve together.

In This Episode:

• Why midlife can feel like a massive identity shift
• The perfectionism and fear that delayed starting the podcast
• How relationships, parenting, aging, and loss reshape us
• Heidi’s unconventional career path from fashion design to teaching
• Divorce, grief, caregiving, and finding purpose after upheaval
• Why community and honest conversations matter in midlife
• Learning to align life with your values
• Creating space for growth, healing, laughter, and support

Memorable Quotes:

“Midlife magnifies and shines the light on all the gaps and wounds that we shoved down or thought we healed.”

“Growth usually sucks while you’re going through it.”

“We are still here, and it’s up to us to make a difference with the life we’re given.”

About the Podcast

Evolving Together is a space for candid conversations about all the messy things happening in midlife — relationships, identity shifts, parenting, grief, health, purpose, reinvention, and everything in between.

Together, we learn, laugh, cry, question things, and evolve with zero judgment.

Support the Podcast

Love what you’re hearing? Support the show and join the community on Patreon, either free or through one of the tiers; Groupie or Collaborator

Patreon – Evolving Together

Depending on whether you have a free membership or tiered, Patreon members may receive:

• Early access to episodes
• Bonus “Mindful Midlife Moment” episodes
• Community chats
• Extended guest conversations
• Opportunities to submit stories and questions for future episodes

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Find and Follow Evolving Together on...

Facebook - facebook.com/evolvingtogetherpodcast/

Instagram - instagram.com/evolving.together.podcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Evolving.Together.Podcast

TicToc - https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvingtogether.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-95t6IEQmA4U

Evolving Together Website - https://evolvingtogether.transistor.fm/