Honest conversations about the emotional, psychological, and cultural shifts of midlife—from mental health and menopause to rediscovering yourself.​​​​

In this first episode, I share my personal and professional journey that led me to this space — one shaped by aging, navigating perimenopausal symptoms, confronting gaps in mental health knowledge, and advocating for myself along the way.

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I talk about what Pause Culture really means, why I created this platform, and how taking control of my midlife narrative has become an active, ongoing process. This episode is an invitation to reflect, connect, and engage in honest conversation about what it means to live fully and intentionally in this season.

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This isn’t just my story — it’s a dialogue I hope inspires your own.

Welcome to the pause that changes everything.

In this episode of The Pause Culture Podcast, we explore what it means to accept — and claim — the midlife payoff.

After decades of proving, pleasing, and pushing through, midlife offers us the chance to shift from survival to self-honoring.

But why do so many of us delay that shift? And what changes when we stop waiting for permission?

I unpack the emotional and cultural reasons we hesitate to accept and claim the payoff, share my personal story, and offer journal prompts to help you reflect on what you truly owe yourself in this season.

Why do so many women in midlife feel anxious, foggy, or emotionally flat — even when “nothing’s technically wrong”? In this episode, we’re naming what’s really going on beneath the surface.

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From hormone shifts and hidden caregiving labor to identity whiplash and allostatic load, we explore the emotional and neurological weight that midlife brings — and why it’s not all in your head. You’ll also learn how health psychology helps us connect the dots between mood, memory, and meaning.

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Plus: a free Midlife Mental Health Check-In to help you reflect, reset, and reclaim your emotional clarity. Download it at dialoguewithdiseph.com/checkin.

Menopause isn’t a one-way street—and for many women, the road is anything but straightforward. In this episode, we explore the many ways women enter menopause: naturally, medically, surgically, prematurely, and everything in between. Whether your experience came gradually, suddenly, or left you feeling unprepared, your story matters.

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You’ll hear about:

• Natural vs. early vs. premature menopause

• The impact of surgical menopause and chronic illness

• The emotional, relational, and physical weight of transition

• Why cultural silence does more harm than good

• How to ask for what you need—and why you absolutely deserve to

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This is a compassionate, honest look at what it really means to cross the bridge into menopause—and a reminder that however you got here, you’re not alone.

Midlife can be a breaking point — or a breakthrough.

In this episode, I explore what I call a Case of the Done-Being-Nices: that moment when the mask slips, the performance stops, and you finally stop bending for expectations that no longer fit.

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This isn’t about apathy — it’s about alignment.

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I share my own experience of choosing clarity over confusion, peace over people-pleasing, and freedom over performing.

Whether you’re just beginning to feel this shift, or deep in your own Done-Being-Nices era, this episode is a permission slip to honor what’s true — even if it’s still unfolding.

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Let it be messy. Let it be yours. And let that be enough.

Feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, or like you're just trying to hold it all together? You’re not alone — and you’re not losing it. This episode explores how midlife changes impact the nervous system, what “fawn” really looks like (especially for women), and why your old coping tools may not be working anymore.

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I’ll walk you through five simple nervous system “rescue tools” — or as I like to call them, nervous system snacks — to help you reset, soothe your stress, and return to your body with more ease. No perfection. No performance. Just small, powerful steps toward regulation and repair.

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Because midlife isn’t just about pushing through.
It’s about waking up to yourself — grounded, aware, and finally in charge of your story again.

We often associate grief with death, but in midlife, loss wears many faces. In this episode, we explore the quiet, often unspoken grief that comes with life transitions — the relationships that shift, the dreams we set aside, the roles we outgrow, and the versions of ourselves we leave behind.

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From ambiguous loss to unmet expectations, this is a gentle, grounded reflection on how grief shows up in everyday midlife moments — and why naming it can be the beginning of healing. Whether you’re grieving something you can’t quite explain or finally giving language to something long buried, you’re not alone here.

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Take a deep breath, settle in, and let’s tend to the invisible weight we carry.

This week, I’m joined by Dr. Jasmine McClendon, board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Minding Up Psychiatry, to talk openly about the role of psychiatric medication in midlife mental health.

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We explore how to recognize when therapy alone may not be enough, common mental health challenges in midlife, misconceptions about medication, and how stigma and identity often intersect for women navigating this season of life. Dr. McClendon also shares what to consider before starting medication, what to look for in a provider, and how to advocate for yourself—bringing clinical expertise and grounded wisdom to a conversation many of us are afraid to have out loud.

Stress in midlife can feel relentless — from juggling family responsibilities and work to navigating the changes in our own bodies and minds. In this episode, I open up about my own recent struggles with mental and emotional exhaustion and explores why rest isn’t a luxury we earn, but a necessity we need. I share practical ways to pause — from quick micro‑breaks to deeper practices that restore body, mind, and soul. If you’ve ever felt guilty about slowing down, this conversation will help you see rest in a whole new light.

In this season finale of The Pause Culture Podcast, I reflect on the journey through midlife — the mess, the magic, and everything in between. Join me for a heartfelt look back at the ten key lessons learned across the season, and discover the one powerful thread tying it all together: permission. Permission to rest, grieve, set boundaries, dream, and rewrite your story.

Plus, get a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 2, including new topics, surprises, and how to stay connected during the break.

Whether you’re deep in midlife or just beginning to explore this transformative season, this episode is your invitation to take up space, embrace your story, and lean into the turning point that midlife offers.