In this episode, our conversation centers on redefining midlife and menopause not as a period of decline but as a transformative threshold. The conversation challenges long-standing cultural narratives that tie women's value to youth and productivity. Guest Julie Cardoza, a licensed marriage and family therapist, shares her insights and experiences on navigating midlife. Julie provides midlife-informed programs, somatic tools, and nature-based healing practices to support women's personal transformation. She highlights the profound opportunities present during this stage and underscores the importance of embracing these changes with curiosity. The episode also delves into the nervous system's role and how hormonal shifts affect mental and physical health. Julie emphasizes the need for rituals and community support to navigate this transition, fostering a sense of empowerment and sovereignty.00:00 Introduction to Midlife and Menopause00:59 Challenging the Decline Narrative02:31 Embracing the Midlife Journey with Julie Cardoza05:38 Julie's Personal and Professional Journey10:48 Defining Midlife and Menopause18:20 The Importance of Rituals and Thresholds26:05 The Nervous System and Midlife26:53 Understanding the Role of Estrogen and Progesterone27:46 The Impact of Hormonal Changes on Stress and Resilience30:07 Unmasking in Midlife: Hormonal Shifts and Neurodiversity31:45 Embracing the Crone Archetype and Midlife Transformation35:18 Creating Rituals and Embracing Impermanence41:49 The Importance of Quality of Life and Presence43:29 Taking Up Space and Sharing Wisdom45:14 Connecting and Supporting Midlife Women
Guest Bio:
ulie Cardoza is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant with over two decades of experience in behavioral health care. She is also the founder of Heartscapes, LLC—an integrative holistic coaching and wellness company supporting women in midlife through menopause-informed programs, somatic tools, and nature-based healing practices.
In both her therapy and coaching work, Julie helps clients move through thresholds of burnout and disconnection into deeper embodiment, nervous system regulation, and personal transformation. Her approach blends EMDR, polyvagal theory, expressive arts, and ritual to support healing at the intersections of trauma, identity, midlife, and hormonal change.
She believes midlife isn’t the end of something—it’s the threshold of becoming. And she’s passionate about helping women reclaim their voice, power, and well-being in this transformative season of life.
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