Midlife Mayhem

Send a textWe explore holiday fractures—grief, family rifts, and the pressure of the “shoulds”—and how midlife wisdom helps us set boundaries, loosen control, and rediscover joy. Faith, flexibility, and simple wellness steps create space for peace in a blended-family season.• naming internal fractures and honoring grief• setting calm, clear boundaries around plans• flexibility with blended-family schedules• redefining Christmas beyond the calendar date• stepping back from one-sided relationships• choosing fewer, better gatherings to protect energy• making room for quiet and processing loss• small, sustainable wellness shifts before January• hope for a drama-free, faith-centered holidayIf you have topics for the podcast, if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast, please let me know. Please send me a message. It’s Kim at thinspacewellness.comThe key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textWe explore how to protect energy, set boundaries, and choose relationships in midlife using a simple measure: heartbeats. From blended family stress to bucket-filling habits and clearer communication, we share stories and tools to invest where it truly counts.• the heartbeat lens for time and relationships• cutting leeches and honoring healthy boundaries• choosing communities that value you• people-pleasing pitfalls and acceptance• bucket fillers, self-care, and keystone habits• blended family realities and co-parenting stress• respect, grace, and when to disengage• communication misses with texts and repair• accountability with friends and partners• faith, sunrise rituals, and daily prioritiesIf you have questions or topic ideas, please reach out and let me know. It’s Kim at thinspacewellness.comThe key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textWhat if the most meaningful parts of life show up in the in‑between—airport curbs, hospital breezeways, snow-blown roads at 2 a.m.? We explore “thin spaces,” those moments when heaven feels close and the world goes quiet enough to hear what matters. From caring for Nana through pancreatic cancer to a last-minute flight that arrived just in time, we open up about the decisions, neighbors, and small miracles that held us together.We talk about how a single image—a dad gripping a breezeway handrail between the ICU and NICU—gave us language for our own journey and the name for our wellness practice. You’ll hear how community became medicine when home health wasn’t available, why dignity beats convenience, and how a $150 wedding at the Stanley Hotel became an unlikely anchor of joy during a season of grief. Kim shares the tender peace she found while sitting with her dad in the ICU and later, praying under Spanish moss at the cemetery—a calm that didn’t erase the pain, but steadied it.If you’re in the sandwich years, juggling kids, aging parents, and a career, this conversation offers a humane blueprint: pause on purpose, invite help, and listen for the quiet nudge that says stay. Along the way, we reflect on building Thin Space Wellness to treat both bloodwork and heartbreak, and why presence is a clinical skill as much as a spiritual one. Press play for a story-driven, unguarded look at love, loss, and the everyday places where the sacred slips in.If this resonated, share it with someone who needs a breath of calm today. Subscribe, leave a review, and email your own thin space story to Kim at thinspacewellness.com—we’d love to feature it in a future episode.The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textWe trace Stephen’s path from emergency medicine to orthopedics and entrepreneurship, and we share how those experiences shaped Thin Space Wellness. We dig into food as medicine, aesthetics done thoughtfully, and the practical support that helps people change for good.• gratitude for listeners and how sharing has been therapeutic• Stephen’s training, ER stories, and the decision to pursue the PA path• Wake Forest’s hands-on learning and trauma rotations• pivot from ER to orthopedics after injury• entrepreneurial chapter with buses and a yacht• origin story of aesthetics training and patient-centered injections• food as medicine, elimination diets, and functional testing• Kim’s ischemic colitis story and endurance fueling lessons• support, access, and coaching as the core of behavior change• teaser for part two and Nana’s influenceWe will be back next Wednesday … we’ll do the second part of this episode to continue talking about Thin Space Wellness and how that came about and what it means, what it means to us and what it means to other peopleThe key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textEver felt like your body changed overnight and the scale stopped listening? We get real about midlife weight gain, stress, and hormones—and what it actually takes to feel strong and confident again. Carrie opens up about gaining 60 pounds in her 40s, trying every diet, and finding traction only when medical support, mindset work, and daily habits lined up. Together, we walk through her plan using turzepatide, how GLP‑1s quiet food noise and delay gastric emptying, and why patience matters when the body rebalances before the weight comes off.We dive into the coaching side most people never get at quick clinics: identifying emotional eating triggers, taming sugar cravings, and building sustainable routines—20,000 steps, smarter snacks, and better sleep. When cravings crept back late in the week, low‑dose naltrexone (LDN) helped smooth out appetite and improved sleep through endorphin release, which made workouts and clean eating easier to sustain. We also cover root‑cause thinking with hormone panels and food sensitivity testing, so you’re not fighting hidden issues that keep progress stuck.Confidence counts too, especially after major weight loss. Carrie chose a natural aesthetic route with Sculptra to stimulate collagen gradually instead of instant‑volume fillers, aiming for lift and balance without looking “done.” We talk through timelines, expectations, and why a slow approach can feel more authentic. If you’re navigating midlife changes, this conversation offers a roadmap that blends science, compassion, and consistency—less hype, more results.Want support on your journey? Email Kim at [email protected]. We coach clients nationwide, offer telehealth with medication delivery in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Colorado, and help connect you to trusted providers if you’re out of state looking for help with GPL-1s. If this resonated, follow, share with a friend, and leave a review to help others find it.The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textEver left a conversation feeling smaller, confused, or like you might be the problem? That uneasy signal matters. We open up about the hidden mechanics of narcissistic abuse—how love bombing morphs into devaluation, why hoovering is so persuasive, and the neuroscience behind trauma bonding that keeps smart, capable people stuck. This is a grounded, stigma-free guide to recognizing patterns, reclaiming clarity, and making choices that protect your peace.With Kerry Rasenberger, a life coach who supports women navigating toxic relationships worldwide, we map out tools you can use today. You’ll hear how to gray rock without sounding hostile, set boundaries that endure the pushback, and create response pauses that break urgency conditioning. We get candid about co-parenting with a narcissistic ex—sticking to facts with kids, using neutral channels, and practicing radical awareness instead of bargaining with who you wish they’d be. We also tackle workplace dynamics, from demanding bosses to late-night texts, and how minimal engagement preserves your energy.Healing takes time, especially when old patterns began in childhood. We talk about coming back to yourself through rest, nutrition, movement, journaling, and friendships that reflect your worth. Self-love isn’t a slogan here—it’s a daily practice of choosing your well-being so you can show up steady for the people you love. If your gut says something is off, trust it. Knowledge is empowerment, and small, consistent steps add up to big change.If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs language for what they’re living, and leave a review to help others find it. Your story can be the start of someone else’s clarity.The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textEver feel like the person in the mirror isn’t the one you are inside? That unresolved tension is what musicians call dissonance, and it shows up in midlife as fatigue, heaviness, and a face that reads tired or stern no matter how hard you try. I just returned from Allergan’s MD Codes training with Dr. DeMaio, and I’m breaking down how a strategic, artistry-meets-anatomy approach can restore structure, lift the midface, and deliver natural results people notice without guessing why.We walk through the difference between “plumping” and true rejuvenation, why precise midface support can sharpen the jawline and soften under-eye hollows, and how good injectors use less product to do more. I clear up the biggest Botox myths, share realistic timelines for holiday-ready results, and explain how fillers integrate with your tissues for a refreshed look that lasts. Along the way, we talk about the deeper side of aesthetics: aligning your outer signals with your inner state so you feel grounded, confident, and ready to be seen in photos again.This conversation also gets practical about wellness. Waiting for January often backfires, so we outline simple ways to start now: checking hormones, considering GLP-1 options including new oral forms when appropriate, and building support that makes change feel easier. If you’ve felt stuck, avoided the camera, or told yourself it’s vain to care, consider this your permission to resolve the tension and choose what helps you feel like you. If you want resources, before-and-afters, or referrals in your state, reach out anytime.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a boost, and leave a quick review so more midlife women can find it. Your support helps this message reach someone who’s ready to feel aligned again.The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textA confession, a catharsis, and a roadmap for anyone who’s ever felt the ground disappear beneath their feet. Kim opens up about growing up around divorce, losing her mother, and how those early stories planted a vision of love she chased into adulthood—through a too-fast first marriage, a second marriage defined by control and narcissism, and finally a partnership that feels like home. Along the way, she tells the unvarnished truth about shame, smear campaigns, and the exhausting work of proving your character to people who never asked you directly.We dig into the ripple effects: how divorce reshapes friendships, splits extended families, and complicates school events and celebrations. Kim shares the quiet moments that changed everything—the porch conversation that broke the first marriage wide open, the rain-soaked camping trip that clarified her exit, and the trembling question from her dad that, when answered, stitched trust back together. There’s practical wisdom here, too: building a support team, setting boundaries without burning bridges, protecting kids from adult conflict, and using structure—yes, including Ironman training—to pull anxiety into motion and rebuild resilience.There’s also hope. A funny, human re-meet on Match.com leads to Steven, two four-year-olds, and a blended family that proves joy can grow after rupture. Midlife becomes a turning point: less people-pleasing, more self-respect; fewer apologies for wearing the warm coat or posting the happy photo; more courage to live the life that fits, not the fantasy that hurts. If you’re stuck, grieving, or afraid of the next step, consider this your invitation to breathe, ask for help, and borrow our belief until yours returns.If this conversation helps you or someone you love, share it. Subscribe, leave a review, and email Kim at [email protected] with your story or interest in our upcoming Estes Park retreat for divorced and blended families. Your voice might be the mirror someone else needs.The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textWhen the 3 a.m. thoughts won’t quit, the truth gets loud: relationships can save us, stretch us, and sometimes break us open. I’m talking about the raw middle—where childhood trauma still hums under the surface, where people-pleasing used to run the show, and where midlife finally hands us permission to protect our peace without apology. This conversation moves through the tender parts: learning I’m not for everyone, choosing boundaries that keep my family’s nervous system calm, and grieving the “shoulds” I carried about parenting, holidays, and how love is supposed to look.I share how my relationship with my dad deepened when I began asking the hard questions about my mom’s accident, and how that courage influences the way I show up now. We get real about divorce fallout—friendships that drift, judgment that stings, and why curating your circle is an act of care, not cruelty. There’s also a heart piece on chosen family: being fully embraced by my mother-in-law, Dawn, and her husband, John, and how their steady acceptance redefined belonging when I needed it most. If you’ve ever felt misread by your community or kept quiet to avoid adding fuel to a rumor, I see you. Silence can hurt more than gossip, and simple check-ins—a coffee invite, a kind text—can change someone’s week.Consider this an invitation to grow braver in conversation: ask, listen, and hold space. Let the “shoulds” go so real connection can breathe. And if you’re navigating midlife relationships, blended families, or the long shadow of grief, you don’t have to do it alone. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs this, and leave a review to help others find the show. Want to talk or be a guest? Email me at [email protected]—we’ll walk this midlife maze together.The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textSurrounded by golden aspens on the porch of Seven Keys Lodge in Estes Park, I sat down with grief counselor Bridget Caletka for what became one of the most powerful conversations I've had about loss, healing, and the spaces between."Say their names," Bridget encourages as we discuss those we've lost—her mother Alice and my mother Susan. This simple act of naming brings tears to both our eyes, highlighting how rarely we hear the names of loved ones who have passed. We explore why our society has become so grief-avoidant, lacking the mourning rituals that previous generations embraced, instead expecting people to quickly "move on" and return to normal functioning after profound loss.As a certified nature-informed therapist, Bridget explains how natural settings function as "mirror, mentor, and medicine" in the healing process. This perfectly describes the therapeutic power of places like Estes Park, where the boundaries between heaven and earth seem to blur in what I call "thin spaces." The scientific evidence supporting nature's healing effects on our emotional wellbeing makes a compelling case for intentionally seeking these experiences.Childhood trauma, particularly losing a parent young, creates patterns that often manifest in adulthood—attachment difficulties, trust issues, people-pleasing tendencies. Yet Bridget offers hope through concepts like Irvin Yalom's "ripple effect," showing how those we've lost continue to influence us and future generations, living on through our mannerisms, values, and the work we do.Finding specialized grief support can be challenging. Through her work with Mosaics, a Texas nonprofit connecting people with appropriate mental health resources, Bridget advocates for better systems to match people with properly trained grief counselors, especially for traumatic grief.Whether you're actively grieving or carrying past losses that have shaped you, this conversation offers permission to honor your experience rather than "getting over it." The healing journey isn't about forgetting—it's about integrating loss into the beautiful complexity of who you are becoming. Join us for this intimate exploration of how grief transforms us, and how we can find healing in unexpected places.The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textWhat happens when unimaginable tragedy strikes in childhood? For Tim Resch, losing his father, grandfather, and younger brother to a drunk driver at age 13 became the catalyst for an extraordinary life journey that led him to become a real-life mountain man in the Colorado Rockies.In this deeply moving conversation with host Kim Branham, Tim shares his remarkable story of resilience with raw honesty and surprising humor. Days before the accident that claimed his family members, young Tim had watched the film "Jeremiah Johnson," igniting a lifelong passion for mountain living that would eventually become his salvation. Without formal grief counseling available in the 1970s, Tim instinctively processed his trauma by talking openly about it—even when it made others uncomfortable.The conversation takes unexpected turns as Tim recounts his unconventional path: moving to New Hampshire as a troubled teen, discovering the Colorado mountains with $18,000 in insurance money, and famously "trading his wife for four tires and a horse" to pursue his mountain dreams. Now at 65, Tim has spent decades living his vision—working as a mule packer, outfitter, and mountain guide while hosting guests at his off-grid Airbnb where he shares his wisdom around the fire.What makes this episode truly special is the philosophy Tim developed through adversity: "Now, what are you going to do?" This forward-looking perspective has guided him through life's challenges and taught him that "the best thing on earth to spend is time." Through their friendship, Tim and Kim reveal how differently people process grief, yet how healing comes through connection and found family.Whether you're facing your own midlife challenges or simply seeking inspiration, Tim's extraordinary journey reminds us that while trauma shapes us, it doesn't define us. His story proves that finding purpose and joy remains possible even after devastating loss. Listen now to discover how one man transformed tragedy into a life of authentic purpose and adventure.The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textKim Branum shares the defining moment of her life—losing her mother in a tragic accident at age seven when her mom stopped to help a stranger on the side of the road. This childhood trauma has shaped every aspect of her life since that day.• How the accident happened when Kim was seven and her brother was 18 months old• Memory gaps that protected her from the trauma as her mother was killed helping a stranger• The painful innocence of wanting to replace her mom's sweet tea before learning she was gone• Learning to hide her grief when it made others uncomfortable• Her father's remarriage and the systematic erasure of her mother from their home• The healing journey of becoming a nurse like her mother• Finding the accident report as an adult and experiencing the loss all over again• Understanding how the tragedy affected everyone in her family, including her fatherJoin us next week as Kim interviews Tim Resch, who will share his own story of early trauma and how it shaped his life. If you have a story you'd like to share, please reach out—Kim would love to hear from you.The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textKim Branum welcomes her patient-turned-friend Kim from Estes Park, Colorado, who shares her remarkable 60-pound weight loss journey using GLP-1 medications over the past 14 months.• Starting Weight Watchers at age 10 led to a lifetime of yo-yo dieting and trying countless fad diets• After decades of struggle, Kim had resigned herself to remaining overweight in middle age• Initial disappointment when no weight loss occurred during the first month of GLP-1 treatment• By month two, the medication began working effectively and has continued for 14 months• Achieving single-digit jeans size for the first time ever in her life• Slow medication titration process working with qualified practitioners• Freedom from constant calorie counting and the mental burden of food restriction• Ability to keep previously triggering foods like ice cream in the house without feeling compelled to overindulge• Unexpected benefits for anxiety and depression with fewer emotional ups and downs• Currently at her high school weight with a goal of losing 10-20 more pounds• Importance of working with knowledgeable practitioners for proper dosing and supportIf you have questions for Kim or about GLP-1 medications, reach out to [email protected] key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textFeeling stuck in your body despite your best efforts? You're not alone. The buzz around GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro has reached fever pitch, but separating fact from fiction can feel impossible. As a nurse and midlife woman who's been there myself, I'm pulling back the curtain on these "medications heard around the world."The magic of GLP-1 treatments extends far beyond weight loss. Yes, they slow digestion to keep you fuller longer, but their most remarkable effect happens in your brain. That constant mental chatter about food—the cravings, the planning, the guilt—simply quiets down. Many patients describe this sensation as transformative, noting it extends beyond food thoughts to create a general sense of mental calm and contentment. Scientists are now exploring these medications for anxiety, depression, and addiction treatment because of this powerful neurological impact.Despite what you might have heard, properly managed GLP-1 treatment shouldn't make you miserable with side effects. Those horror stories of constant nausea and vomiting? That's improper dosing or lack of medical supervision. And contrary to popular belief, most patients don't stay on these medications forever. With proper coaching and lifestyle changes, many successfully wean off after reaching their goals. Using these medications isn't "cheating"—it's utilizing effective medical resources to overcome biological barriers, particularly hormonal challenges that resist traditional approaches. If you're tired of feeling trapped in a body that won't respond to diet and exercise alone, I'd love to help you explore whether GLP-1 treatment might be your path to freedom. Subscribe for more midlife wellness insights, and join us next week when I welcome my first guest who'll share her personal GLP-1 journey!The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textKim shares her personal wellness journey from childhood weight awareness to finding freedom from restriction and true comfort in her skin after losing 45 pounds in midlife.• First became aware of weight during summers with grandparents, fluctuating between "plumping up" and slimming down• Developed food restriction habits in elementary school after a cafeteria worker's comment about going for seconds• Experienced a pattern of restriction followed by binge eating throughout childhood and teens• Felt lost during the transition from childbearing years to midlife, especially after a miscarriage• Gained significant weight while on medication and felt stuck in her "mom bod" until seeing a shocking photo• Tried the GLP-1 medications after years of restrictive dieting and successfully lost 45 pounds• Found the medications completely changed her relationship with food, ending the restriction-binge cycle• Created Thin Space Wellness to help others achieve similar transformations and find comfort in their bodies• Future episodes will cover GLP-1 medications in depth and feature interviews with patients who've had successFollow our podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. If you know someone who could benefit from this information, please share it with them.The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]

Send a textWelcome to Midlife Mayhem—where we embrace the beautiful chaos that comes with life in the messy middle. I’m your host, Kim Branum, RN-BSN, wellness coach, co-owner of Thin Space Wellness, and boy mom x3. In this very first episode, recorded during a sleepless night in a bathrobe and eye patches (because midlife skin care waits for no one), I give you a real, unfiltered introduction to what this podcast is all about.You’ll get a glimpse into my world: splitting time between North Carolina and Estes Park, Colorado, running wellness practices in both states (plus offering Telehealth), all while navigating the daily mayhem of midlife motherhood. Spoiler alert: the insomnia that led to this recording was fueled by the mental gymnastics of deciding how to school our 10-year-old—homeschool, virtual, in-person? The pressure to get it right is real.Tune in for a raw, honest look at midlife—the good, the hard, the hilarious—and know you’re not alone in the madness. New episodes drop every Wednesday.The key to thriving through midlife transitions isn’t perfection — it’s support. Whether you’re navigating hormonal shifts, parenting changes, or rediscovering your sense of purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more at www.ThinSpaceWellness.com or connect with me directly at [email protected]