Nowhere Near Done

What if the symptoms you've been blaming on stress, aging, burnout, or "just getting older" are actually signs of perimenopause?In this episode, Sara sits down with Dr. Susanne Ramos—OB-GYN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, founder of Ramos Women's Wellness Center, and one of the leading voices helping women better understand their health during midlife.Together, they break down what is actually happening in the body during perimenopause and menopause, why symptoms can show up years before your periods stop, and why so many women have been told their symptoms are "normal" when there may be options for support.Dr. Ramos explains the roles estrogen and progesterone play throughout the body, the latest thinking on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and how hormones impact everything from sleep, mood, and brain fog to weight gain, libido, cardiovascular health, bone health, and longevity.They also discuss:• Common signs of perimenopause and menopause• Why women experience brain fog, anxiety, insomnia, and joint pain• The truth about HRT and the Women's Health Initiative study• Weight gain, insulin resistance, and metabolic health• Sexual wellness and libido changes• Bone health, muscle mass, and longevity• Lifestyle changes that can make a significant difference• How to find qualified menopause care• Why this stage of life can be a wake-up call to prioritize yourselfMost importantly, this conversation is a reminder that perimenopause is not the end of your story. In many ways, it's the beginning of a new chapter—and there are tools, resources, and support available to help you feel your best.Whether you're curious about hormones, considering HRT, or simply wondering if what you're experiencing is normal, this episode is packed with practical information every woman should hear.Disclaimer: This episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs and treatment options.Resources mentioned in this episode:The Menopause Brain — The Menopause Brain by Lisa MosconiThe Menopause SocietyDr. Susanne Ramos' recommendationsRamos Women's Wellness CenterMary Claire HaverKelly Casperson

What happens when the life you built no longer feels aligned with who you’re becoming?In this deeply honest episode, Sara sits down with her longtime friend Shanna Nakamura for a conversation about divorce, healing, people-pleasing, motherhood, boundaries, and the messy, transformative process of finding yourself again in midlife.Shanna opens up about leaving a long-term relationship, navigating co-parenting, rediscovering who she is outside of being a wife and mother, and the emotional work of finally learning to say no after a lifetime of putting everyone else first.Together, they talk about the invisible mental load women carry, the loneliness many women experience in motherhood and midlife, and why sisterhood and honest conversations matter so much during this season of life.The conversation also dives into therapy, healing old wounds, spirituality, perimenopause, and the importance of creating spaces where women can feel seen, supported, and less alone—without judgment.Topics include:Divorce and starting overMotherhood and identity lossBoundaries and people-pleasingTherapy and emotional healingPerimenopause and midlife transitionsFemale friendship and supportCo-parenting and relationshipsLearning to choose yourselfThis episode feels like the kind of late-night conversation women have when they finally stop pretending they’re okay and start telling the truth. It’s one of the most vulnerable conversations yet.

What happens when women stop waiting until they feel “ready” and start trusting themselves enough to take the leap anyway?In this episode, Sara sits down with former Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley for a conversation about reinvention, resilience, leadership, motherhood, and the courage it takes to continue growing through every season of life.Joyce reflects on the lessons she’s learned throughout her career and personal life, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who encourage you to dream bigger, and why women so often underestimate what they’re capable of.Together, they talk about identity shifts, confidence, fear, ambition, and the pressure many women feel to stay small or play it safe—even when there’s a part of them craving something more.But this conversation is also about setting an example for the next generation: showing our daughters what it looks like to trust themselves, take risks, and go after the life they truly want.Topics include:Reinvention and personal growthLeadership and resilienceMidlife identity shiftsConfidence and self-trustMotherhood and role modelingTaking risks and chasing dreamsFemale ambition and empowermentBuilding a supportive communityIf you’ve been feeling the pull toward something bigger—but fear or self-doubt has been holding you back—this episode might be the reminder you needed.

What happens when women stop pretending they have it all together and start having honest conversations about friendship, motherhood, burnout, and midlife?In this episode, Sara sits down with Arielle Curry—elementary school principal, mother, and close friend—for a conversation that feels more like coffee with a friend than a formal interview.Together, they talk about the importance of female friendships in your 40s, the invisible emotional load so many women are carrying, and how differently we begin showing up for ourselves in this phase of life. They also reflect on motherhood, people-pleasing, boundaries, burnout, and what they wish they could tell their younger selves now.With kids running around in the background and plenty of real-life interruptions along the way, this episode perfectly captures the beauty and chaos of this season of life—and the importance of having women beside you through it.Topics include:Female friendship in midlifeMotherhood and emotional overwhelmBoundaries and people-pleasingBurnout and identity shiftsParenting and partnershipWhat we wish we knew soonerFinding support and community in your 40sIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, lonely, or like you’re carrying too much on your own… this conversation will probably feel like a deep exhale.

What happens when two women in the middle of perimenopause start having the conversations they wish someone had with them sooner?In part two of this conversation, Sara and Jenny Schatzle get deeply personal about hormones, HRT, relationships, and what it actually feels like when your body—and identity—start changing in midlife.They open up about their own perimenopause journeys, navigating symptoms that left them feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, and searching for answers. They also talk honestly about the role HRT has played in their lives, the emotional complexity surrounding body image and aging, and the pressure women feel to keep holding everything together while silently struggling.But this episode also dives into something so many women quietly experience: how perimenopause can impact our relationships, communication, and ability to ask for help. Sara and Jenny talk about partnership, emotional support, resentment, overwhelm, and learning how to stop carrying everything alone.This episode feels like sitting down with women who are finally saying the quiet parts out loud.Topics include:Perimenopause and hormonal changesHRT and women’s healthRelationships and communication in midlifeEmotional labor and asking for helpBody image and agingPartnership and supportFriendship, honesty, and feeling less aloneLearning to redefine health and self-worthIf you’ve ever looked around at your life and thought, “Why does this suddenly feel so much harder?”—this conversation will probably feel very familiar.

What if you’re not “just stressed”… and your hormones are actually trying to tell you something? In this episode, Sara sits down with women’s health nurse practitioner Andrea Strand for an honest conversation about perimenopause, hormones, and why so many women feel dismissed when they know something in their body feels off.They talk about the symptoms no one prepares women for—brain fog, anxiety, sleep issues, mood changes, weight gain, exhaustion—and why so many women are told everything is “normal” when they don’t feel normal at all. Andrea breaks down what’s actually happening hormonally during perimenopause, the role of HRT, and why prevention and education matter so much for women’s long-term health.Together, they also unpack the shame, confusion, and frustration many women experience while trying to navigate this phase of life.This episode is informative, validating, and the kind of conversation every woman wishes she had sooner.Topics include:Perimenopause symptomsHormones and HRTAnxiety, sleep, and brain fogWeight changes in midlifeWomen’s health advocacyFeeling dismissed by doctorsPrevention and longevityIf you’ve ever thought, “I don’t feel like myself lately,” this episode is for you.

What happens when the woman who built a fitness empire starts questioning everything she was taught about weight, bodies, and self-worth?In part one of this conversation, Sara sits down with Jenny Schatzle to talk about the evolution from diet culture to body confidence—and why so many women in midlife are rethinking the way they’ve spent decades talking to themselves.They get real about body image, aging, perimenopause, and the complicated emotions surrounding GLP-1 medications. Sara shares her personal experience using GLP-1s to lose 30 pounds, while Jenny opens up about why she chose not to use them—and together they unpack the pressure women feel to stay small, look young, and “fix” themselves.This episode is honest, nuanced, vulnerable, and deeply relatable for any woman who’s ever looked in the mirror and wondered why her body suddenly feels unfamiliar.Topics include:Diet culture and body imageGLP-1 medications and weight lossConfidence and self-worthBreaking generational patterns around body imageThis is part one of a two-part conversation with Jenny Schatzle.

Nowhere Near Done is a podcast for women who refuse to believe their story is winding down—just because life looks different than it used to. This is for the ones in the messy middle, navigating big shifts, unexpected changes, and the question of what now?I’m Sara Bush, and I’m right there in it with you—moving through career pivots, perimenopause, and the uncomfortable (and often necessary) process of rediscovering purpose.This isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about telling the truth. It’s about owning where you are, even when it’s uncertain. And it’s about creating a space where women can show up as they are, speak honestly, and feel supported while they figure out what’s next.TakeawaysSay the real thing—even when it’s uncomfortableNavigate change on your own terms