Caught in the Middle

About Caught in the Middle

Caught in the Middle with Alyssia Essig Welcome to Caught in the Middle, the podcast for women who are juggling all the things and wondering, “Is anyone else dealing with… this?” If you’re navigating big transitions — kids leaving (or coming back), parents aging, hormones raging, marriages shifting, careers reinventing, bodies changing, identities evolving — you’re in the right place, friend. This show is for the woman who feels like she’s living in the middle of something important… but also slightly chaotic, occasionally hilarious, and sometimes a full-on identity plot twist. I’m Alyssia Essig — mom of two grown daughters, wife, entrepreneur, real estate coach, and proud midlife woman who has lived enough life to know that the middle can be complicated… but also beautiful. I’ve been the career builder, the caregiver, the cheerleader, the fixer, the plate-spinner, the worrier, the boundary-setter (in progress), the dreamer, and the woman who walks into a room and forgets why she’s there. So trust me — you and I are already on the same page. This podcast is your place to exhale. A place to laugh, think, learn, and be reminded that you’re not behind — you’re becoming. You’re not losing yourself — you’re actually finding your next, wiser, bolder version. And you’re definitely not alone — millions of us are walking through the same middle chapters and trying to make sense of them with some grace… and sometimes a handful of dark chocolate. Every episode brings real conversations about real life: rediscovering who you are after years of being everything for everyone navigating the physical, emotional, and hormonal roller coaster of midlife building new habits, new identities, and new dreams managing relationships — marriages, friendships, adult children, aging parents creating a healthier body and a calmer mind designing a career or business that actually fits the season you’re in dealing with burnout, comparison, anxiety, and the pressure to “get it together” learning how to rest, reconnect, and reimagine what you want next You’ll hear inspiring guest interviews, honest solo episodes, practical tools you can use immediately, and personal stories from my own life and coaching work. Some episodes will feel like therapy, some like coffee with your funniest friend, and some like a motivational kick in the leggings — the good kind, not the see-through ones. At its core, Caught in the Middle is about finding magic in the mess. It’s about honoring the woman you’ve been while boldly becoming who you’re meant to be next. It’s about dropping the judgment, tuning into your intuition, and giving yourself permission to want more — or want different — in this season of your life. If you’ve ever looked around and thought: “Is this normal?” “What is happening to my body?” “Why is everyone irritating me?” “Do I even want the same things anymore?” “Is it too late to start over?” …then you’ll feel at home here. Join me every other week for real talk, relatable stories, practical wisdom, and a reminder that the middle isn’t a crisis — it’s a crossroads. You’re not stuck. You’re not behind. You’re not failing. You’re simply in the middle of becoming the woman you’re meant to be. Welcome to the middle — it’s where the magic begins.

Publisher

Alyssia Essig

Category

health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

31 Dec 2025

Latest episode

27 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

5 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 Feb 2026

   When Being Strong Stops Working — And You’re Tired of Carrying It All

   What happens when being the strong one stops working? In this deeply personal first solo episode of Caught in the Middle, Alyssia Essig shares the origin story behind the podcast — and the season of life that forced her to confront burnout, identity shifts, menopause symptoms, aging parents, kids leaving home, and the quiet exhaustion that high-achieving women rarely talk about. After selling 130 homes in 2020 and holding everything together during a chaotic time in the world, Alyssia hit a wall. Not a dramatic breakdown — but a subtle, scary moment of not caring. In this episode, she opens up about: • Hitting a wall in midlife • The shame of admitting “I’m not okay” • Therapy, antidepressants, and hormonal shifts • Navigating aging parents and kids leaving for college • Burnout in high-functioning women • Emotional release and finding joy again • The 5 shifts that helped her regain awareness and control This isn’t a productivity episode. It’s a permission episode. If you’ve ever been the glue… the achiever… the one everyone depends on… and lately you’ve felt tired, flat, or not like yourself — you are not alone. Because midlife doesn’t come with a manual. Just a podcast. 🔎 Why This Is SEO Strong It naturally includes search-friendly phrases like: midlife burnout high-functioning women menopause symptoms identity shifts aging parents kids leaving home therapy and antidepressants emotional release finding joy

2. 

   6 Feb 2026

   Caught in the Middle of Aging Parents, Adult Kids, and the ‘What Ifs’ Nobody Wants to Talk About

   Caring for aging parents. Planning for our children. Trying to understand wills, trusts, and estates — all while juggling work, family, and life in midlife. In this episode of Caught in the Middle, I’m joined by Paige Fingerhut Charnick, a real estate professional who specializes in probate and estate-related transitions, for a calm, practical conversation about the things so many families avoid talking about until they’re forced to. This is a national, non-legal conversation designed to help you understand the landscape — not overwhelm you with jargon. In this episode, we discuss: What adult children should know when caring for aging parents The basic differences between wills, trusts, and estates (in plain English) Common misconceptions around family trusts and estate planning When and why plans should be updated as life changes How planning ahead can reduce stress for children and loved ones Where real estate can quietly intersect with probate and estate planning This episode is for anyone who feels caught in the middle — between parents who need support, children who still need guidance, and the growing awareness that “we should probably deal with this.” Our goal is not fear or urgency — it’s clarity, confidence, and small, manageable next steps.

3. 

   16 Jan 2026

   Inside Your DNA: Unlocking Hormones, Health & Long-Term Wellness

   The conversation delves into the world of genetic testing and nutrigenomics, exploring how genes influence nutrient processing, quality of life, and privacy concerns. It emphasizes the importance of understanding genetic variants and their impact on healthspan, as well as the significance of skeletal muscle mass for long-term health and well-being. Takeaways Nutrigenomics and Genetic Testing Quality of Life vs. Lifespan Importance of Skeletal Muscle Mass Privacy Concerns in Genetic Testing Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Genetic Testing and Nutrigenomics 06:34 Exploring Specific Gene Variants and Their Impact 17:25 Healthspan vs. Lifespan and Importance of Skeletal Muscle Mass 29:02 Privacy Concerns and Genetic Testing

4. 

   1 Jan 2026

   Caught in the Middle Introduction

   Welcome to Caught in the Middle

5. 

   31 Dec 2025

   HRT Boot Camp: Real Answers from The Menopausal Marine

   The conversation begins with an introduction and background of the guest, Eric Rittmeyer, and his journey into menopause research. It then delves into the taboo of menopause, misconceptions and studies on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), cultural and generational perspectives on menopause, perimenopause and its symptoms, and an in-depth understanding of menopause and hormones. The conversation delves into the individualized nature of hormone replacement therapy, emphasizing the importance of tailored treatment. It explores the emotional impact of menopause, challenges in accessing accurate information, and the need for self-education. The discussion also covers different types of hormone replacement therapy and the importance of educating men about menopause from a male perspective. Takeaways Menopause as a universal female medical experience The importance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and its misconceptions Individualized hormone replacement therapy Importance of educating men about menopause Chapters 00:00 Understanding Menopause and Hormones 24:05 Individualized Hormone Replacement Therapy 31:40 Challenges in Accessing Information 41:12 Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings