Shows
Wise Divine Women -Libido -Menopause -Breast Health, Oh My! The Unfiltered Truth for Christian WomenThe Wise Divine Women Podcast presents Amanda Younts, "Midlife Catalyst," helping individuals navigate life's toughest transitions—whether through grief, addiction recovery, or personal reinvention.In this episode of the Wise Divine Women Podcast, Dana Irvine speaks with Amanda Younts about the importance of health and wellness, particularly in leadership roles. Amanda shares her personal journey with health, addiction, and the impact of prioritizing self-care. They discuss behavior change, habit stacking, and the significance of creating a supportive environment for health. The conversation also touched on the sandwich generation, the importance of setting boundaries, and the need for personal narratives in shaping one's life. Amanda emphasizes that self-care doesn't have to be expensive or grand, but rather about making small...2025-05-0934 min
Midlife Catalyst PodcastHormonal Health and Healing: Empowering Women at Every StageIn this powerful episode of Midlife Catalyst, Amanda Younts sits down with hormonal health expert, herbalist, and founder of Ladywell, Ashley Rocha. Ashley shares her deeply personal journey with hormonal imbalance: from debilitating PMS and undiagnosed PMDD to her fertility struggles and eventual empowerment through herbal healing. She explains how those challenges inspired the birth of Ladywell, a mission-driven supplement brand helping women navigate the complex phases of hormonal health—PMDD, postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond.Ashley offers a grounded, transparent look into the gaps in mainstream medicine, the stigma surrounding menopause, and why understanding and tracking your cy...2025-05-0831 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastTransformational Shifts: Purpose, Healing, and Cultural Change with Eric AyersIn this deeply reflective and thought-provoking episode, Eric Ayers shares his journey of navigating personal healing while driving cultural transformation. Eric opens up about how his purpose-led work has guided him through significant life transitions and how he’s used his experiences to fuel positive change within communities.Eric discusses the power of storytelling as a vehicle for healing and how individuals and cultures can shift by simply reevaluating their narrative. He reflects on the importance of aligning with your core values and how doing so has impacted his wellness journey. From redefining success to confronting the ba...2025-05-0144 min
Enlightened Empowered Evolved PodcastMidlife Butterfly: Transform Devastation into Empowerment!Amanda Younts is a passionate advocate for leadership, personal growth, and inclusivity, widely recognized as a "Midlife Catalyst" for her efforts in empowering individuals and organizations to confidently pursue meaningful change. With over two decades of experience in public school leadership and disability advocacy, paired with advanced training in clinical psychology, Amanda provides a unique, holistic approach to leadership development. Her expertise spans organizational health, behavioral transformation, and wellness, offering actionable strategies that inspire authentic, lasting change.
Amanda served as a key member of the superintendent's cabinet for the third largest school district in Oklahoma, where she...2025-04-2533 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastSleep, Self-Care, and the Soundtrack of WellnessIn this cozy and insightful episode, Amanda Younts and Meg Tietz discuss something we all struggle with—getting good sleep, especially in midlife.Amanda shares how focusing on the Six Pillars of Wellness (think: moving your body, ditching alcohol, and being more intentional with your energy) has completely changed how she sleeps and shows up in the world. Meg talks about how perimenopause flipped her sleep upside down, and that led her to create Snuggle Up and Drift—a collection of calming sleep audios designed to help your brain slow down when your body’s exhausted, but your m...2025-04-1745 min
Bookish Flights: Books, Author Interviews & Must-Read RecommendationsThe Art of Surrender and Storytelling with Joanna Davidson Politano (E143)Send us a textJoanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of 8 novels. She loves tales that capture the color, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone’s story. She lives with her husband and children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. Her latest novel, The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House, was released yesterday.Key Highlights:Joanna’s experience as a writer, homeschool mom, and leader of a church writing groupCo-writing her latest novel with her husband—his engineering skills, her storytelling flairThe power of surren...2025-04-1632 min
Sooner Girl Sports PodEpisode 12-March Madness with Amanda YountsYou won’t want to miss this week’s March Madness Basketball conversation with Amanda Younts !!Amanda is a lifelong OU fan and an OU alumn, who grew up going to games with her mom, and learned all things basketball from her dad, who was a HS basketball coach for most of her life.We talk all things Sooner basketball (mens and women’s!) and the March Madness tourney! I’m thankful for Amanda, her friendship and guidance, and her willingness to come on the show with me this week!And she is so much...2025-04-021h 18Midlife Catalyst PodcastFrom Tragedy to Purpose: Finding Meaning in a Parent's PassingLosing a parent is a life-altering experience, especially when it happens unexpectedly in your twenties. In this poignant episode, I sit down with Larissa Holquin of Sooner Girl Sports Pod to explore the profound impact of losing her father to pancreatic cancer at just 24 years old.We delve into the emotional journey of navigating grief while trying to build a career and find your place in the world. Larissa shares how her father's passion for OU athletics became a touchstone for her own identity and a way to keep his memory alive....2025-03-2747 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastLetting Go of Limiting Beliefs to Embrace Your True IdentityHave you ever felt held back by the stories you tell yourself? In this eye-opening continuation of my conversation with Tami Shaw, we explore the power of limiting beliefs and how they shape our identities. As a learning and talent development expert, Tami offers invaluable insights into breaking free from these self-imposed constraints.Key Insights:The impact of community in personal and professional growthHow to identify and challenge limiting beliefsThe importance of authentic self-expression in leadershipTami's Wisdom Nuggets:Why radically simple strategies often yield the best resultsThe...2025-03-1346 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastRewriting Your Inner Narrative: The Power of Tami Shaw's A|B Story MethodHave you ever caught yourself making assumptions that didn't pan out? As someone who's been self-crowned, the queen of misguided assumptions, I know firsthand how this habit can lead us astray. In this eye-opening episode of Midlife Catalyst, I sit down with Tami Shaw, a learning and talent development expert, to explore how we can flip the script on the stories we tell ourselves.We also dive into the delicate balance between striving for excellence and embracing imperfection. Tami shares her journey of learning to rest and recharge, offering valuable insights for those of us caught in...2025-02-2744 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastSmall Changes Big Impact: Rethinking Goals and HabitsEver feel like you're stuck in a perpetual Groundhog Day, making the same resolutions year after year without seeing lasting change? You're not alone. In this candid episode, I open up about my own 20-year cycle of setting and failing to meet the same goals and how I finally broke free from this pattern.I share my journey from superficial resolutions to meaningful, sustainable change by addressing the root causes of my behaviors. Drawing from my experience and training as a lifestyle and wellness coach, I explore Harvard Medical School's six pillars of lifestyle medicine and how...2025-02-2026 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastDo You See Butterflies? My Post-Traumatic Growth With VerCora JohnsonIn this conversation, VerCora Herbert Johnson of Ardmore, OK, shares her profound journey through grief, motherhood, and faith. She reflects on the early loss of her mother and brother, the transformative experience of becoming a mother at a young age, and how her faith has shaped her understanding of love and loss. VerCora discusses the importance of vulnerability, the impact of grief on relationships, and the healing power of writing and mindfulness. She emphasizes the necessity of authentic conversations about grief and the importance of breathing through pain as a means of navigating life's challenges.Key Takeaways2025-02-1356 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastViva Las Vegas: March Madness How The Greatest Week in Sports is More Than Just BasketballIn this engaging conversation, Amanda Younts, of Midlife Catalyst, and Jim Trudeau, founding member of March Madness in Las Vegas, explore how passion and purpose can align to leave a legacy that brings joy and fulfillment to others. This episode explores the vibrant world of March Madness in Las Vegas, discussing the evolution of parties and community events surrounding the week of basketball, the experience of enjoying the city sober, and the dynamics of sports betting. They share personal anecdotes, insights into building a welcoming atmosphere for fans, and the joy of connecting with like-minded individuals during this exciting...2025-02-0647 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastBuilding A Community Around Your Passion...Larissa from Sooner Girl Sports PodIn this engaging conversation, Amanda Younts, the Midlife Catalyst, and Larissa Holquin, of Sooner Girl Sports Pod, explore the themes of personal growth, passion projects, and the evolving landscape of sports media. They discuss the importance of authenticity, the challenges of navigating identity beyond traditional roles, and the impact of social media on community building. The conversation also touches on the significance of women's sports, coaching dynamics, and the personal connections that fans have with their teams. Throughout, they emphasize the need for women to support each other and create spaces where they can express their passions and interests...2025-01-3049 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastFinding Light in Darkness How One Educator Spreads Kindness NationwideIn a world where negativity often dominates the headlines, Dr. Christopher Culver stands as a beacon of hope, championing kindness and empowerment in education and beyond. As a proud product of Oklahoma's education system, Chris has dedicated his career to serving educational communities, from the classroom to cabinet-level administration. In this heartfelt conversation, Chris opens up about his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a passionate advocate for kindness and belonging. His story is a testament to the power of resilience and the impact of educators who believe in their students.Key Insights...2025-01-2356 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastIntuition and Authenticity Navigating Midlife with Meg Tietz Part 2In this intimate conversation with Meg Tietz, we explore the profound impact of personal loss, the power of authenticity, and the journey of self-discovery in midlife. As we delve into Meg's experiences, from the poignant moments at her mother's bedside to her newfound life in Florida, we uncover valuable insights on living with intention and embracing change.Navigating Life's Transitions:Meg shares her heartfelt reflections on: The transformative experience of being present during a loved one's final moments Finding new ways to honor and include departed family members in life's adventures...2025-01-1648 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastMidlife Pioneers from OklahomaCatch up with former podcaster Meg Tietz on major changes she made in midlife as a result of experiencing her mother's death, ending the Sorta Awesome podcast, and moving to Florida. Meg shares how she went about making bold and radical changes to live in alignment with her authentic self and boldly step into midlife as a wife, mother, and writer. Amanda and Meg talk about doing life differently and not accepting the status quo but bravely listening to intuition and stepping into a world that more closely aligns with their authentic selves.2025-01-1043 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastUnboxing Your True Self One Chapter at a Time: Midlife Catalyst Community IntroductionAre you yearning for a ife true self? In this episode, I open up about my journey of personal transformation and the power of community in navigating life's challenges.As the host and creator of Midlife Catalyst, I share my vision for creating a space where ordinary people can tell extraordinary stories of breaking free from societal expectations. Drawing from my own experiences with grief, sobriety, and career changes, I explore how embracing vulnerability and connecting with others can lead to profound personal growth.Key Insights From This Episode: The importance...2025-01-0724 minMidlife Catalyst PodcastFinding Purpose and Joy Through Recovery A Conversation with Whitney CombsSobriety is a journey that transforms not just our relationship with alcohol, but our entire lives. In this powerful episode, I sit down with Whitney Combs, a nationally board-certified Health and Wellness Coach specializing in addiction and recovery. Whitney shares her personal story of getting sober in 2017 and the profound impact it's had on her life and career.From physician assistant to recovery coach, Whitney's path illustrates the unexpected turns life can take when we choose to prioritize our well-being. She opens up about: The moment she realized her drinking had spiraled out...2025-01-0249 min
Christian Faith and FictionEpisode 105: Award Winning Christian Historical Fiction Novels (part 1)Here are some Christian historical fiction books that have won awards in the last few years.
Have you read any of these books? Let me know what you thought of them in the comments.
You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/3CCIv7So5-Y
If you want more information about the books you can find it on my blog where you can also leave a comment: https://louallenwriter.wordpress.com/2022/06/16/award-winning-christian-historical-fiction-books-part-1/
Award Winning Christian Fiction video playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUR_Oq3QrxgTzTE8OTm64GZULOkwUKGhT
Books Mentioned:
2023-12-0310 minChristian Faith and FictionEpisode 46: The Wish List Tag (booktube tag — March 2021)I was tagged by Stephanie at Quilting, Beauty and Books to do The Wish List Tag which she created. The challenge is to go to your wish list and find an author’s surname for every letter of the alphabet. Then choose a book by that author that you want to read. How many letters are you missing?
Here is Stephanie’s original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11IReIsVu4Q
You can comment on the blog post here: https://louallenwriter.wordpress.com/2021/03/19/the-wishlist-tag-plus-a-sneak-peak-of-my-goodreads-list/
You can watch the video here:
2023-11-1015 minChristian Faith and FictionEpisode 34: The Christy Awards Finalists and Winners 2020I recently saw the list of winners of the Christy Awards 2020. There were some books mentioned that I’d never heard of. Here are the shortlisted books and the eventual winners:
You can comment on my blog post here: https://louallenwriter.wordpress.com/2020/12/17/christy-award-winners-and-finalists-2020/
You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/xgHa8IZaXs4
Books mentioned:
Contemporary Romance
Just One Kiss by Courtney Walsh
Sweet on You by Becky Wade
Now and Then and Always by Melissa Tagg
First Novel
The Means That...2023-11-0805 min