Women Mastering Midlife

Vicky sits down with Ashley Chandler, founder of The Teenage Guide, for a conversation about the shift every parent faces once their child hits middle school: moving from "boss" to "guide." Ashley draws on nearly two decades in education and coaching, along with her own teenage years in the 90s, to explain why the teen years don't have to be something families just survive. They talk about the real skill behind getting a teenager to listen (hint: it starts with listening to them first), why a mother's identity often goes through its own reconstruction right alongside her teenager's, and how to build a friendship-shaped relationship that lasts long after the kids move out.If you've ever wondered why your once-easy elementary schooler suddenly feels unreachable, or found yourself grieving a version of parenting you're not ready to let go of, this one is for you.What You'll HearAshley's path to this work (03:33) — A dual-credentialed educator with 18 years in schools and coaching, Ashley shares what led her to found The Teenage Guide, including her own experience of feeling under-guided as a teenager in the 80s and 90s.From boss to guide (08:04) — The invisible shift that happens around middle school, why parents feel like they're losing control, and what actually changes underneath that feeling.Midlife as adolescence in reverse (12:20) — Ashley's framework for understanding why so many women's mental health dips right as their kids hit adolescence, and why the loss of the "PTA mom" identity deserves more attention than it gets.Redefining self-care and permission (16:00) — Why self-care isn't about bubble baths, and the very Gen X habit of waiting for someone else's permission to rest.The one move that gets a teenager to actually listen (32:14) — Ashley's approach to validating a teen's opinion before offering your own, even when you strongly disagree, and why "you shouldn't believe that" backfires every time.What you actually control as a parent (40:00) — With friend groups and outside influences largely out of a parent's hands, Ashley walks through what's left to work with: how you show up, what you allow in your home, and the example you set.Building perspective and resilience (43:11) — Why exposure to different ways of living matters for teens' emotional intelligence, and Ashley's take on letting kids struggle enough to find out what they're made of.The sandwich generation, reconsidered (50:23) — A conversation about the parents' side of adolescence: aging parents, kids preparing to launch, and the identity work happening for women in midlife at the same time.A generational thread (54:19) — Vicky and Ashley trace the throughline from their grandmothers' limited options to their own "you can be anything" upbringing, and what they hope changes for their daughters' generation.About Ashley ChandlerAshley Chandler is the founder of The Teenage Guide, where she coaches parents to become guides rather than bosses inside their own homes. A dual-credentialed educator with 18 years of experience across public and private education and adult and teen coaching, Ashley blends neuroscience, behavior change, and communication strategy into practical tools for families navigating the middle and high school years.Connect with Ashley: Website: theteenageguide.comResources MentionedThe Confident Connected Blueprint (Ashley's live class)Have a question about navigating the teen years, or a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Reach out through Women Mastering Midlife.Let's Keep the Conversation GoingIf this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence.Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let's grow stronger together.Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguidesShare your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @misvictoriabyrd. Let's rewrite the narrative together!Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.comBook a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses.DisclaimerThis podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. Women Mastering Midlife is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

Menopause is finally getting the attention it deserves—but with increased visibility comes a new challenge: navigating a rapidly growing industry filled with conflicting advice, products, and voices competing for your trust.In this episode of Women Mastering Midlife, Victoria Byrd, Pharmacist Consultant, Integrative Women’s Health Coach, and Certified Menopause Educator, takes a thoughtful and evidence-informed look at what she calls the “menopause industrial complex.” She breaks down how this evolving landscape impacts midlife women—and how to move through it with clarity, confidence, and discernment.Drawing from her clinical background and years of experience in women’s health, Victoria explores the intersection of social media, supplements, physician influencers, and modern healthcare systems. She also offers a grounded framework to help you filter information, avoid unnecessary spending, and focus on what truly supports your health during perimenopause and menopause.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What the “menopause industrial complex” is and why it mattersWhy increased awareness does not always equal accurate informationHow social media algorithms influence the health advice you seeThe truth about menopause supplements, hormone “balance,” and product marketingHow to evaluate influencers, clinicians, and medical advice onlineThe hidden costs of traditional insurance-based menopause careWhen cash-pay menopause care may offer value—and when it may notA practical framework to assess credibility, research, and biasWhy nuance, not absolutes, is essential in menopause careThe foundational role of hormone therapy, including when it is appropriateThe Five Pillars of Midlife HealthResources & Next StepsSubscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on Substack for deeper clinical insights and ongoing conversationsBook a Midlife Mastery Clarity Session for a personalized, one-on-one approach to your menopause journeyLet’s Keep the Conversation Going: If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence.Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let’s grow stronger together.Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!  Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses Disclaimer  This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.  Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

What if the reason so many high-performing women are burning out, stepping back, or leaving their careers has nothing to do with ambition and everything to do with hormones?In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Victoria Byrd sits down with menopause-in-the-workplace advocate Karissa Pfeffer to unpack the real impact of perimenopause and menopause on women’s careers, leadership, and well-being.Together, they explore the invisible challenges women face in corporate environments, why menopause is still overlooked in workplace policy, and how education, not overhaul, is the first step toward meaningful change.This episode goes far beyond hot flashes. It dives into brain fog, burnout, anxiety, performance issues, and the systemic gaps that are quietly costing companies talent, money, and leadership.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why 1 in 10 women leave the workforce due to menopause symptomsThe connection between perimenopause, burnout, and misdiagnosisHow hormonal changes impact focus, leadership, and productivityWhy menopause is not a “wellness perk” but a critical HR and retention issueThe financial cost to companies when experienced women leaveWhy women hesitate to speak up about symptoms at workThe difference between perimenopause vs. menopause awarenessHow workplace culture can either support or silence midlife womenSimple, low-cost ways companies can start supporting women nowThe role of education in reducing healthcare costs and improving retentionWhy This Conversation Matters:We are the first generation openly talking about perimenopause while still actively building careers, raising families, and leading organizations.And as Victoria shares, this is about more than us, it is about changing the experience for the next generation of women.Connect with Karissa Pfeffer:Learn more about workplace menopause education and how to bring this conversation into your organization:LinkedInInstagramWebsiteLet’s Keep the Conversation Going: If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Women Mastering Midlife on your favorite podcast platform to receive weekly conversations that help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health with clarity and confidence.Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community and let’s grow stronger together.Get your FREE guides HERE: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com/freeguides Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!  Find more information on our website: www.womenmasteringmidlife.com Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses Disclaimer  This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.  Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.