Lately, you might be noticing small things…

You’re asking people to repeat themselves. Restaurants feel louder than they used to. You leave conversations feeling more drained than connected. Or maybe there’s a subtle ringing, buzzing, or just an “off” feeling you can’t quite explain.

And you’re wondering… Is this just normal? Or is something actually going on?

In this episode, I’m joined by my longtime friend and audiologist, Dr. Rhee Nesson of Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, to talk about something we don’t often connect to this chapter of life: hearing health.

It’s about understanding the subtle shifts happening in your body and knowing what to do next.

We talk about:

• Why hearing changes are often so gradual you don’t notice them at first
• The connection between hearing, brain health, and mental load
• How perimenopause and menopause can show up in ways like ringing in the ears (tinnitus), dizziness, or sensitivity to noise
• Why feeling overwhelmed or exhausted in social settings might not just be “in your head”
• The emotional side of it — confidence, connection, and how you show up in conversations
• What it actually looks like to get a baseline and be proactive without spiraling

Because this isn’t just about hearing.

It’s about how you move through your life. How you connect with people. How you feel in your own body.

And if something feels off, you don’t have to ignore it.

If you’re experiencing ringing, buzzing, or changes in your hearing, this is a helpful place to start:

https://hearingdoctorsofnj.com/tinnitus-during-menopause-what-women-need-to-know/

For more comprehensive tinnitus support and treatment options: https://tinnitusdoctorsofnj.com/

Explore hearing health resources or schedule an evaluation with Dr. Rhee Nesson and her team at Hearing Doctors of New Jersey: https://hearingdoctorsofnj.com/

Follow along on Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hearingdoctorsofnj/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hearingdoctorsofnj/

If you’re noticing changes — physically, emotionally, or just that sense of “something feels different” — this is exactly the space I support women through.

Not just what is happening… but how to process it, understand it, and move forward without feeling stuck in it.

Because sometimes it’s not one big thing. It’s a lot of small shifts happening all at once.

And having someone to talk it through with changes everything.

Learn more about working together: https://www.fullyinformedlife.com

Read more reflections from this past year on Substack: https://thenextchapther.substack.com/

Follow along on Instagram: @fullyinformedlifecoaching

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

And as you listen, just notice: What have I been brushing off that might actually be worth paying attention to?

One year ago, I was sitting in a parking lot when I got the call that would change my life.

But this episode isn’t just about that moment. It’s about what happens after. What a year like that teaches you. And why this conversation matters even if you haven’t faced a diagnosis like mine.

Because most of us will go through a year that changes us. A year where life splits into before and after. A year where something happens that we didn’t plan, didn’t want, and didn’t see coming.

In this solo episode, I’m reflecting on the past year and sharing the questions I’ve been asking myself:

• What do I know now that I wish I had known then?
• What does the one-year mark actually mean?
• What did I get wrong about how hard this would be?
• And what does it look like to keep living while going through something hard?

I talk about the part no one really sees. The invisible part. The part where you look fine on the outside but are carrying so much on the inside.

And I share what actually helped me navigate this messy middle. Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too.

This episode is not just about cancer. It’s about identity, resilience, community, and what it means to move through something hard and still find yourself on the other side.

If you’re in your own version of a messy middle right now, you’re not alone.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to keep moving forward.

Read more reflections from this past year on Substack: https://thenextchapther.substack.com/

Follow along on Instagram: @fullyinformedlifecoaching

Learn more about working together: https://www.fullyinformedlife.com

Episode Title: Perimenopause, Menopause, and the Chapter No One Prepared Us For

In this episode, Andrea sits down with menopause coach Susie Weinberg to talk about perimenopause and menopause, a stage of life that affects almost every woman, yet many still feel confused and alone when it begins.

They talk about common symptoms many women don’t realize are hormone-related, the frustration of being told “everything is normal,” the emotional impact of this stage of life, and why support and self-advocacy are so important.

This conversation is about more than hormones. It’s about identity, relationships, confidence, and learning how to navigate this chapter with more information, support, and compassion for yourself.

Resources Mentioned: https://menopause.org/ https://www.letstalkmenopause.org/

Connect with Susie Weinberg: Website: www.susieweinbergmenopausecoach.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemenopausecoach

Connect with Andrea: Website: https://www.fullyinformedlife.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullyinformedlifecoaching Substack: https://substack.com/@thenextchapther

In this episode of The Next ChaptHER Podcast, Andrea sits down with Dr. Andrea Hogan — known to her students as “Dr. Dre” — for a powerful conversation about losing your voice without losing it physically.

Together, they explore coercive control, what it looks like beyond physical abuse, and how identity can slowly erode through gaslighting, power imbalances, and survival mode. Dr. Dre shares her personal journey of recognizing coercive control, navigating mental health recovery, and reclaiming authorship of her life.

This conversation also turns toward rebuilding — letting new things in, rediscovering joy, finding community, and stepping into advocacy and purpose.

• What coercive control is and why it’s often invisible

• How women lose their voice and sense of self over time

• Mental health recovery and removing stigma around seeking help

• Post-traumatic growth and reclaiming authorship

• Finding identity and joy beyond survival

LinkedIn: Andrea Hogan, PhD Instagram: @thegolfingprofessor TikTok: @dreahogan329 YouTube: @TheGolfingProfessor Book: Lucky Lion (available on Amazon)

Domestic Abuse Advocacy Resource: https://www.crystalfedeli.com/

Host: Andrea Hecht Certified Professional Life Coach | Fully Informed Life

Instagram: @fullyinformedlifecoaching Podcast: The Next ChaptHER

Substack: The Next ChaptHER Website: https://fullyinformedlife.com

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another woman who may need language, validation, and hope for her next chapter.

Sometimes life hands you a moment where everything shifts.

In this episode of The Next ChaptHER, Andrea Hecht sits down with Amy Schwartz, founder of Fuck It Inc., to talk about what “fuck it” really means — not giving up or being reckless, but choosing yourself when life feels out of control.

Amy shares how her personal “fuck it” mantra was born when her life shifted unexpectedly and what it’s taught her about choice, boundaries, and living fully.

Andrea also reflects on her own “fuck it” moment during her breast cancer experience, and why this conversation resonates far beyond health crises. This episode is for any woman navigating a curveball, an identity shift, burnout, caregiving, loss, or the messy middle of real life.

• What “fuck it” really means (and what it doesn’t)

• Choosing joy while still grieving what could have been

• Reclaiming choice when life feels out of control

• Boundaries, saying no, and protecting your sanity

• Why choosing yourself doesn’t require permission

Amy Schwartz is the founder of Fuck It Inc., a jewelry and lifestyle brand turned movement — created as a reminder to keep living fully, even when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Website: https://www.fuckitinc.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fckit.inc

Andrea Hecht is a Certified Professional Life Coach & Well-being Specialist and the founder of Fully Informed Life. Through her coaching and The Next ChaptHER podcast, Andrea helps women reconnect with themselves and find their Roadmap Back to J.O.Y. (Journey of You) — especially in life’s messy middle.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullyinformedlifecoaching Learn more: https://www.fullyinformedlife.com

Most women in their 40s and 50s don’t think about long-term care—until they’re suddenly forced to.

In this episode of The Next ChaptHER Podcast, Andrea Hecht sits down with Suzanne Scheer, J.D., CLTC®, to unpack what long-term care actually is, why it matters, and why waiting until a crisis hits can leave families overwhelmed—emotionally, logistically, and financially.

Suzanne’s passion for this work is deeply personal. As part of the sandwich generation, she spent years caring for her parents through extended illnesses while raising her own young child. That experience opened her eyes to what families go through when there isn’t a clear plan in place—and why education before a crisis is so critical.

Together, Andrea and Suzanne break down long-term care in simple, human language—without fear-mongering or pressure—so women can make informed decisions that protect both their future selves and the people they love.

• What long-term care really means (and what it does not)

• Why Medicare and health insurance don’t cover custodial care

• Common misconceptions that keep women from planning ahead

• Why long-term care isn’t just about aging—it can happen at any age

• The different types of care: home care, assisted living, memory care, and more

• Traditional long-term care insurance vs. newer hybrid/asset-based options

• How health history and timing affect eligibility

• Why planning ahead gives you choice—not panic

• How proactive planning can reduce emotional and financial strain on families

• Long-term care covers custodial care—help with daily activities—not medical treatment

• Medicare offers only limited, short-term rehab coverage

• Planning earlier often means more flexibility, better options, and less stress

• Newer long-term care products can provide value even if care is never needed

• The goal isn’t just financial protection—it’s dignity, autonomy, and family peace

Suzanne Scheer, J.D., CLTC® is a long-term care specialist who helps individuals and families plan proactively—before they’re in crisis. She is known for her clear, compassionate approach and specializes exclusively in long-term care education and planning.

🔗 Website: https://www.sgsinsurance.net 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannescheer/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannescheer_jd_cltc/

💻 Upcoming Webinar: “Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance” will be on February 19th at Noon EST. Registration link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tcs5Y0ZIRgaHWVlFbwbYkw

• The Shopper’s Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-ltc-lp-shoppers-guide-long-term.pdf

To learn more about Andrea’s work supporting women through transitions and helping them find their roadmap back to J.O.Y. (Journey of You), visit fullyinformedlife.com.

Continue the conversation with Andrea on Instagram @fullyinformedlifecoaching.

🎧 Subscribe so you never miss what’s next on your favorite podcast app. ⭐ Leave a review if this episode resonated. It helps more women find The Next ChaptHER Https://www.ratethispodcast.com/thenextchapther

Until next time, keep writing your next chapter.

Before we step into the rush of December — the events, expectations, emotions, and everything extra — this episode invites you to slow down and take a breath.

Today, Andrea walks you through one of the most clarity-creating exercises she uses with clients and inside her Circle groups: choosing a feeling you want to protect and then using your camera roll or calendar as a truth-telling inventory to understand what supports that feeling… and what drains it.

This isn’t about resolutions, reinventions, or “new year, new me.” It’s about recognizing a feeling that already lives in you — even if it shows up inconsistently — and learning how to protect it as you move into your next chapter.

Inside this episode, Andrea shares:

• Why choosing one anchor feeling is far more powerful than setting a dozen goals

• How your camera roll and calendar reveal the real story of your year

• The three buckets that help you see your wins, your drains, and your clues

• How patterns point directly to what needs to be protected, released, or re-aligned

• Why boundaries hide in your calendar

• How Andrea’s own year — including breast cancer, recovery, healing, recalibration — led her to choose strength as her feeling to protect

This episode is part grounding, part practical exercise, and part invitation to choose differently before January arrives.

• How to identify the feeling that anchors you

• What your camera roll and planner reveal about your lived experience

• How to gather data about your life without judgment

• How small smile moments and forgotten wins show you what supports you

• Why repeated drains show you exactly where boundaries are needed

• A simple, powerful framework to step into December with intention

Download the step-by-step reflection guide here.

Share it with a friend who might need a moment of clarity before the holidays hit. You never know who needs an anchor feeling right now.

Learn more about coaching or the Roadmap Back to J.O.Y. program: FullyInformedLife.com

Follow Andrea on Instagram: @fullyinformedlifecoaching @thenextchaptHER

There are moments in life that stop you cold — the ones you didn’t schedule, didn’t plan for, and definitely didn’t see coming. The kinds of moments that crack you open and force you to see yourself, your life, and your inner voice through an entirely different lens.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by USA Today bestselling author Cara Lockwood, whose newest book, There’s No Good Book for This (But I Wrote One Anyway), brings humor and raw honesty to the chapter of her life that changed everything: her breast cancer journey.

But our conversation goes far beyond illness. This episode is about mindset, self-talk, and the negative playlist so many women carry without even realizing it. It’s about what happens when life throws a curveball big enough to make you finally hear that inner soundtrack — and the turning point that comes when you decide to rewrite it.

Cara and I dive into reframing old narratives, challenging the stories we’ve absorbed over the years, why asking for help is actually a strength, and what it means to take back control of the pen as you write your next chapter.

Whether you’re currently navigating a heavy season or simply feeling stretched thin, this conversation is your reminder that you are stronger than you think… and you deserve the same grace you so freely give to everyone else.

Rewrite Your Inner Soundtrack (Free Guide): https://fullyinformedlifecoaching.myflodesk.com/hitplayonjoy

Cara Lockwood: Website: https://nogoodbookforthis.com/ Instagram: @cara.the.author | @cara_lockwood

Instagram: @fullyinformedlifecoaching @thenextchapther

Follow my writing + life’s curveball journey on Substack: https://substack.com/@thenextchapther

Explore coaching and resources: https://fullyinformedlife.com