Grownish Women

About Grownish Women

Grownish Women (https://www.grownishwomen.com/) is a podcast for women in the thick of midlife, when everything you thought you had figured out suddenly changes. Hosted by Holly, and occasionally joined by friends or experts when things get really complicated, this podcast dives into the real conversations women in their 40s and 50s are actually having. Or texting each other about at 10:47 pm. Or in Holly's case, 5:05 am. We talk about the stuff no one prepared us for. Watching our kids grow up and move out while our parents start needing more from us. The mental load that never seems to turn off. Perimenopause doing whatever it wants to our bodies. Career pivots. Marriage evolutions. Friendships that save us. And the random moment when you realize you have no idea what you want to be when you grow up. This is the messy middle. The stage of life where you are holding everyone else together while quietly wondering what just happened to your own life plan. Some episodes are thoughtful. Some are a little unhinged. Most involve a lot of laughing because honestly it is the only way to survive half of this. The goal of Grownish Women is not just to make a podcast. It is to build a community of women who are finally saying the quiet parts out loud and giving their friends permission to do the same. Because if we are all going through it, we might as well talk about it. Preferably loudly. Grownish Women A podcast about the sh#% we are all going through but are afraid to talk about. Find us at grownishwomen.com (http://grownishwomen.com).

Publisher

Holly Teegarden

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

1 May 2026

Latest episode

2 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Oct 2026

   Late Diagnosed Autism & ADHD in Midlife: You Are Not Broken

   What happens when the diagnosis you've been learning about for your child turns out to be yours too? In this episode of Grownish Women, Holly talks with Niki, a pastor and mom she met at the Autism Caring Center. Niki was diagnosed with autism and ADHD in her 40s. It started after her daughter's autism diagnosis. Then, after her father died unexpectedly, Niki began sorting through his house and noticed some patterns: six pairs of the same sneakers, chapstick in every room, and "doom piles" everywhere. She started to see more of her dad in herself than she expected. Niki talks honestly about the grief, anger, and freedom that came with her late diagnosis. She explains what unmasking really feels like, how ADHD medication changed her daily life (and her caffeine habit), and how her diagnosis changed her marriage and her parenting. She also shares what she'd tell any mom who is sitting there wondering, "Is this me too?" If you've ever felt like you've spent your life making yourself smaller to keep everyone else comfortable, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we talk about: How her daughter's diagnosis and her father's death led to her own autism and ADHD diagnosis Signs of autism in women that often get missed, like picky eating, texture issues, and struggling with change you didn't choose Why reading Unmasking Autism was so jarring she had to put it down for a month What the adult diagnosis process looked like Starting ADHD medication in midlife, and the caffeine conversation with her doctor Having a doctor who understands perimenopause How a diagnosis can shift a marriage and bring more grace into a relationship Parenting a child who shares your diagnosis Grief over the kid she might have been if she'd been diagnosed sooner Rejection sensitive dysphoria, overexplaining, and the mental load Why "self-care" isn't the same as actually taking care of yourself Her message for moms wondering if this is them too: you are not broken, and you don't need to be fixed Resources mentioned: Unmasking Autism (https://a.co/d/0gz24oK8) by Devon Price Autism Caring Center (https://autismcaringcenter.com/) Skylight Calendar (https://a.co/d/0emBIjid), which Niki calls "life-changing" Psalm 139: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who might need to hear it, and leave us a review. It helps other women in the messy middle find the show.

2. 

   25 Sept 2026

   Triangulation: Why a Narcissistic Mother Pits Her Children Against Each Other

   "Don't tell your sister I told you this, but…" If that sentence sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Triangulation is when two people stop talking to each other directly and everything goes through a third person. In families with a narcissistic mother, that third person is Mom. She controls what gets passed along, what gets twisted, and what gets left out. Siblings end up knowing each other only through her version of the story. This one is deeply personal for me. I explain what triangulation is and the different forms it takes. I walk through the golden child, scapegoat and invisible child roles, and I get into the big question: why would a mother divide the children she's supposed to protect? I also share my own story: seeing the pattern clearly after my mom moved in with me, realizing how much time I'd lost with my sister, and choosing grace and boundaries at the same time. When I asked on Threads whether anyone else's mom had pitted them against their siblings, more than 200 of you answered, "Yes. Me too." I'm reading some of your stories in this episode, because you need to hear them. I know I did. You are not alone, you are not crazy, and you are not the problem. I'm not a therapist, and nothing in this episode is a diagnosis. When I say "narcissistic mother," I mean a pattern of behavior, not a clinical label. If this episode stirs things up for you, please reach out to someone you trust or a licensed mental health professional. In this episode: The four common forms of triangulation: the messenger, the comparison, the ally recruit, and the go-between Why the golden child and scapegoat roles are about Mom's needs, not who her kids really are The reasons behind it: control, staying at the center, avoiding accountability, and patterns passed down through generations How to stop carrying messages, reconnect with your siblings, and protect your boundaries Why forgiveness is yours to define, and doesn't have to mean reconciliation Let's connect: Find me at Grown-ish Woman on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook. New episodes drop every Friday. If this episode hit close to home, share it with your sibling. I'm sharing it with mine.

3. 

   18 Sept 2026

   Why Reclaiming Yourself Matters More Than Reinventing Yourself

   Have you ever felt like you’re not photogenic? It turns out, that feeling is rarely about how you actually look. It can be a protective belief, a way of bracing for being seen before anyone else has the chance to judge you. In this episode of Grownish Women, Holly talks with Tracy about comparison, self-perception, and the features we fixate on that others may never even notice. The real work isn’t better lighting or a more flattering angle, it’s learning to see yourself, and your story, with more generosity. About Tracy Tracy is a portrait photographer, educator, and creator of Make Your Life a Masterpiece™ (https://www.villamontarti.com). Through portraiture, legacy work, education, and retreats, she helps midlife women honor the life they’ve lived, reconnect with their identity, and build a meaningful next chapter.

4. 

   11 Sept 2026

   Is the 7-7-7 Marriage Rule Real Life or Just a TikTok Trend?

   My husband & I take on the 7-7-7 rule, the TikTok trend that says couples should go on a date every 7 days, an overnight getaway every 7 weeks, and a trip together every 7 months. We talk about the actual research behind why time together matters for a marriage, then get honest about what is realistic for us right now. The real takeaway is not about hitting the numbers. It is about being intentional with your person, even when life makes that hard. Key Points: The 7-7-7 rule breakdown: a date every 7 days, an overnight getaway every 7 weeks, a trip every 7 months We admit they have never pulled off all three, and the every 7 months trip is the one that consistently falls apart for them Research shows couples who date regularly report higher relationship happiness Research shows couples report more affection and connection while away together than at home Research shows novel, shared experiences on vacation are linked to more intimacy after the trip ends, not just during it The main takeaway: the 7-7-7 rule is not a scoreboard. It is a reminder to be intentional, not a rigid standard to hit perfectly Discussion of what intentionality looks like in their current season of life, kids, budget, and time included

5. 

   4 Sept 2026

   53 Things Nobody Tells You About the Messy Middle

   I'm sharing 53 hard-won lessons from the messy middle of adulthood, with a focus on self-trust, menopause, friendships, marriage, parenting grown kids, and letting go of what no longer fits. It's part pep talk, part permission slip, and part reality check for women navigating midlife change. In this episode, I talk directly to you about what gets easier, what gets harder, and what finally stops mattering. The big themes are self-care, relationships, and reclaiming joy without apology. I wrote all 53 myself, in honor of turning 53, one for every year. The full list is also up as a blog post at grownishwomen.com (http://grownishwomen.com).

6. 

   28 Aug 2026

   The Caregiving Conversation You Need Before It's a Crisis

   A few years ago, my dad passed away suddenly, and my family hadn't had the conversations we needed to have. There was no trust in place, no plan. My mom moved in, and almost overnight, I was raising my daughter and caring for my mother at the same time. If that sounds familiar, you're living the sandwich generation, and you're far from alone. In this episode, I sit down with Joy Holte to talk about the realities of family caregiving, from spotting burnout and navigating sibling dynamics, to understanding what kind of outside help actually exists. Joy shares why caregiving is a growing crisis, how to tell when a parent needs help, and what families should ask before hiring in-home support. We also break down the difference between medical care and in-home care, the financial surprises families often face, and why end-of-life support requires both planning and rest. This is a conversation we'll keep coming back to, because so many of us are in the middle of it right now, and it deserves more than one episode. In this episode, we cover: Why family caregiving has become a growing crisis, with roughly 53 million caregivers in the U.S. and about 60% reporting burnout Why adult children often miss the signs that their parents need support The difference between medical care and in-home care, and what insurance may or may not cover The most important question to ask a care agency before hiring them What happens when a parent refuses help but the family knows support is needed End-of-life care, the paperwork that follows a death, and why rest matters just as much as practical help Guest: Joy Holte Joy Holte was the owner of one of the leading providers of trusted in-home senior care and companion care. With more than 17 years in the healthcare industry, her passion lies in not just offering in-home care, but in uplifting the lives of clients and employees alike. Her leadership philosophy centers on empathy and positive reinforcement, and she remains committed to innovating and elevating the standards of care, with the wellbeing of clients and employees at the heart of everything she does.

7. 

   21 Aug 2026

   Hair Loss After 40: What Your Stylist and Doctor Actually See

   Hair thinning in your 40s and 50s is not "just aging" — and it's definitely not something you have to quietly tolerate. In this episode, I sit down with my hairstylist of 20+ years and co-owner of Copacetic Beauty Lounge (https://www.copaceticpgh.com), Missy Browning, and her longtime client and now friend, Dr. Jen, a family practice doctor. Between the salon chair and the exam room, they see this every single day. Literally both of them told me women come in asking about hair loss every day. We're breaking down what's actually happening to your hair during perimenopause, menopause, high stress, medication changes, and GLP-1 weight loss drugs and what you can do about it before it gets worse. In this episode, you'll hear: Missy's 30-second read and how she spots hair loss the moment a client sits in her chair, and what brittle texture and break lines actually reveal Why stylists are often the first line of defense for women who are too embarrassed to bring up hair loss with anyone else Dr. Jen's personal hair loss story what triggered it, and how she went from panic and trial-and-error to an actual plan The medical side: protein, nutrient deficiencies, medication side effects, and how perimenopause and menopause factor in The role of GLP-1 weight loss drugs in hair shedding Salon-side fixes that work fast like blunt cuts, the right products, and when it's time to consider a topper or wig When it's time to bring the conversation to your primary care doctor Why this episode matters: If you've been staring at your part in the mirror, panic-buying products online, or wondering if anyone else is dealing with this, this conversation is for you. No shame, just the truth, and a real path forward. About our guests: Missy Browning is a hairstylist and co-owner of Copacetic Beauty, where she's worked with clients navigating hair loss for years including offering a dedicated hair loss service. Dr. Jen is a family practice doctor who brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the conversation on hair loss and its underlying causes.

8. 

   14 Aug 2026

   Midlife Career Change: Trusting the Timing of Your Life with Hollie Geitner

   Have you ever wondered if it's too late to start over? In this episode of Grownish Women, Holly sits down with Hollie Geitner, APR, a communications strategist with nearly 30 years of experience, to talk about her midlife career change at fifty. After leading communications through utility crises, shaping messaging for regional economic development, and counseling executives across healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and the nonprofit sector, Hollie walked away from her corporate title to start her own firm, Anchored Voice Consulting. This is a conversation about corporate burnout, career reinvention, and what it actually feels like to lose the "corporate shield" of a title after two decades. Hollie shares why she believes reputation and network outlast any title, how she learned to trust the timing of her own life, and what she wishes someone had taught her about boundaries earlier in her career. If you're a woman in the messy middle of a career pivot, questioning whether it's too late to bet on yourself, or just quietly exhausted in a job that no longer fits, this episode is for you. In this episode, we talk about: The moment staying in corporate America felt riskier than leaving it What it's like to lose your professional identity after 25 years in one field Why reputation and network outlast any job title Trusting the timing of your life, even when it doesn't make sense on paper Boundaries, burnout, and building something that's actually yours Advice for women in their 20s and 30s navigating the early years of their careers About Hollie Geitner: Hollie Geitner, APR, is the founder of Anchored Voice Consulting, LLC, helping organizations and leaders find their voice and tell stories that actually land. Learn more about her work at anchoredvoice.com (http://anchoredvoice.com).

9. 

   7 Aug 2026

   Welcome to the Messy Middle Take 2

   Season 2 Premiere: The Messy Middle Just Got Messier Welcome back, y'all, it's been a hot minute! I'm easing back in with a full life update, because so much has shifted in just a month. My mom moved out, and it cracked open a revelation about triangulation I didn't even have a name for until now. My daughter came back home after the roommate thing didn't work out, so we're not quite empty-nesting after all. And I launched a business, Spoken Over Her (https://www.spokenoverher.com), iincluding the wild post-it-note moment in my car that led to a whole Bible journal app I never saw coming. I'm getting honest about the wins too: my marriage is solid, I've healed so much with my stepdaughter, I'm loving being a grandma, and at 52 I'm finally learning what boundaries actually feel like. But I'm also sitting in the messy middle of things like I still haven't worked out (SOS, send help), still wrestling with not being the breadwinner anymore, still figuring out what my day-to-day even looks like now. And I'm giving you a sneak peek at everything coming this season: career pivoting after 40, hair loss in perimenopause, getting an ADHD diagnosis later in life, why our sleep falls apart, triangulation, and parenting the parent, plus a solo episode on my birthday. Grab your coffee (or your post-it notes) and get comfy. This one's a lot, in the best way.

10. 

    19 Jun 2026

    Nine Episodes and a Whole Lot of Healing

    We made it to the end of Season 1, and Holly is wrapping it all up solo and she's got feelings about it. In this season finale, Holly reflects on every episode from the past season, from the unexpected grief of sending a kid to college, to the soul sisters who made her rethink friendship, to the conversations about midlife style, skin care, sex after 40, and blending families that nobody else seems to be having out loud. She also gets real about her own confessions including being judgy about Botox (she's sorry), and being genuinely nervous about the sex therapist episode (she was wrong about that too). Holly also shares what's coming in Season 2, why she believes this podcast is actually her version of mission work, and why she's unapologetic about talking about taboo topics as a Christian woman. In this episode: A look back at every Season 1 guest and why each conversation mattered Holly's personal confessions from the season Why she's convinced normalizing the hard stuff disarms the enemy (yes, really) What's coming in Season 2 including hair thinning, cannabis moms, parenting your parent, and what she knows at 53 A big thank you to everyone who listened, shared, and reached out Grownish Woman returns August 7th. Until then savor July, hit Holly up on Threads or Instagram, and please, please leave a review. 🙏

11. 

    12 Jun 2026

    Getting Dressed Shouldn't Feel Like a Chore: Style, Identity & Midlife with Joanna Heyman S1 E8

    Episode Description For so many women in midlife, getting dressed has gone from something fun and creative to something that feels like a chore. Or worse, a daily reminder of everything that has shifted in your body and your life. The wardrobe full of different sizes. The default uniform of whatever is comfortable. The avoidance of mirrors and dressing rooms and anything that requires too much thought before 8am. In this episode, Holly sits down with personal stylist and color analyst Joanna Heyman for a conversation that starts with clothes and ends somewhere much deeper. This one is about self-discovery, reconnection, and finally getting dressed in a way that actually feels like you. About Our Guest Joanna Heyman is a personal stylist and color analyst who helps women align their outward appearance with who they truly are and where they want to go. Her approach goes beyond trends, focusing on each client's unique coloring, body shape, style personality, and lifestyle so they can create a wardrobe that feels authentic and effortless. Learn more about working with Joanna or get your colors done at JoannaHeymanStyling.com (http://JoannaHeymanStyling.com) and follow her on Instagram @JoannaHeymanStyling What We Talk About in This Episode Why so many of us stopped having fun getting dressed and what it actually says about where we are in life. Why your closet tells a stylist everything she needs to know about how you see yourself. The difference between dressing to hide and dressing to show up. Why color analysis is one of the most freeing things you can do. What to spend money on and what to save on. And whether there is such a thing as dressing your age. Holly also gets fully transparent about her own complicated relationship with clothes, shopping, and her body. And Joanna shares something at the very end that reframes the entire conversation. Resources & Links JoannaHeymanStyling.com (http://JoannaHeymanStyling.com) @JoannaHeymanStyling on Instagram

12. 

    5 Jun 2026

    The Meanest Voice in the Room Is Yours. Let's Change That. S1 E7

    What if the harshest critic in your life isn't your mother, your boss, or your ex — it's you? For most women raised in the Gen X era of buck up, push through, and handle it, the inner voice can be relentless and punishing. And we don't even notice it anymore. It's just the soundtrack. In this episode, Holly sits down with Wendy Wahlquist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Become Your Happy, for a conversation that is equal parts eye-opening and deeply personal. Wendy was Holly's own therapist — and this episode came from Holly's honest realization that somewhere along the way, she let the tools she'd worked so hard to build quietly collect dust. Life got full. The practice slipped. Sound familiar? This is the conversation that brought those tools back out. And it might do the same for you. In this episode we talk about: — Why everything you shove down doesn't disappear — it waits, and in your 40s and 50s it starts coming back up in your body as weight changes, sleep problems, brain fog, anxiety, hormone issues, and mood swings out of nowhere — Why the way you've always done things stops working during perimenopause — and what actually needs to change — Why anger is not the enemy — it's a message worth listening to — What self-compassion actually is (hint: it is not a spa day) and why Kristin Neff's research proves it is one of the most powerful tools your nervous system has — How being kinder to yourself is directly connected to setting boundaries — and why guilt shows up every time and what to do with it — How to practice this when you are sandwiched between aging parents, kids, and a mental load that never ends — and you have about thirty seconds to spare — A four-part somatic grounding practice you can do in under a minute when anxiety spikes and you need to tell your nervous system I am safe right now About Wendy Wahlquist, LMFT Wendy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Become Your Happy, LLC in Cranberry Township, PA. She specializes in trauma and PTSD using Somatic Experiencing®, mindfulness, and trauma-informed approaches. She also sees clients online throughout Pennsylvania. 🌐 becomeyourhappy.com (http://becomeyourhappy.com) Books & Resources Mentioned: 📚 Both books by Kristin Neff 📚 Anything by Brené Brown 🎙️ Unlocking Us with Brené Brown 📚 The Body Keeps the Score 📚 Hilary McBride — quoted in this episode

13. 

    29 May 2026

    Sex After 40: No Filter With a Sex Therapist S1 E6

    Between 40 and 70% of women in midlife are dealing with real changes in their sex lives like desire, dryness, disconnection and most of us are suffering in complete silence. Not telling our partners, not telling our doctors, and definitely not telling our girlfriends. So Holly did what any good podcast host would do. She brought in a sex therapist. In this episode, Holly sits down with Baliegh Butler, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, to have the conversation most of us have been avoiding. Spoiler: sex therapy is nothing like that Sex and the City episode. Nothing. In this episode we talk about: Why so many women in their 40s and 50s are experiencing changes in desire, arousal, and intimacy — and why it is NOT a personal failure What perimenopause actually does to your sex life (and why nobody warned us) What sex therapy really looks like and why you might wish you'd gone sooner Why we don't talk to our partners, our doctors, or even our girlfriends about this The importance of knowing your own body and how to communicate that to your partner Vibrators as self-care tools, water-based lube, and yes, Bluetooth options Quality vs. frequency and why pressure kills desire The one conversation every couple needs to have but keeps avoiding Rapid fire answers from a sex therapist: Best kept secret for keeping the spark alive after 40 Vibrator: essential self-care tool or still taboo? Frequency vs. quality — which wins? Connect with Baliegh Butler: Balance & Bliss Therapy (https://www.balanceandblisstherapy.com/) In-person in Wexford, PA | Virtual throughout Pennsylvania Follow her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584047425097).

14. 

    25 May 2026

    Eight Years In: What Nobody Tells You About Blending Families - S1 E5

    Eight years ago, Holly said yes to Mike and to a life that was going to be more complicated, more beautiful, and more challenging than either of them expected. In this special anniversary episode, Holly and Mike sit down together for the first time on Grownish Women to talk honestly about what it really takes to blend a family. Did you know that 60 to 70 percent of blended families end in divorce? Holly and Mike did and they walked down the aisle anyway. In this episode they pull back the curtain on the things nobody warned them about and the things that have held them together through eight years of building something real. In this episode they talk about: Why blended family divorce rates are so high and what nobody tells you going in The unnamed expectations that almost broke them Navigating two completely different parenting styles under one roof Parenting a child with special needs inside a blended family Why they hit a wall and how couples counseling and a church marriage program helped them through it Money, communication breakdowns, and the debt dragon they slayed together How faith has been the foundation and what that looks like practically for couples who don't share the same beliefs What grace actually looks like inside a marriage, day after day Where they are now, eight years in, and what the next chapter looks like The three things they'd tell any couple about to blend their families: Mike: Communicate openly. Define your expectations. Never stop working. Holly: Don't go to bed angry. Set your boundaries early. Give each other grace.

15. 

    22 May 2026

    Aging Gracefully: What Does That Even Mean? S1 E4

    About This Episode I thought doing anything "anti-aging" was a bad thing. I was wrong. This week I sat down with Licensed Master Esthetician Carrie Cohen, founder of Swoon Aesthetic Spa, and she completely changed how I think about aging. We talk about the stuff nobody told us, why we're all secretly doing things but refusing to talk about it, and why your aging strategy needs to be yours not your mom's, not your feed's, yours. Fair warning: my 11s showed up to this conversation too. About Carrie Cohen In the midst of a 16 year career in finance and raising 3 kids, Carrie Cohen made a major midlife pivot. As the granddaughter of an Avon Lady, skincare has always been part of her story growing up surrounded by beauty, exploring creams, and learning early the power of self-care. But it was her own journey with dry skin, along with her daughter's struggles with acne, that truly sparked her passion and purpose. Frustrated by the lack of real results at traditional spas and the clinical feel of many med spas, Carrie envisioned something different where advanced, results-driven treatments meet a warm, welcoming experience. From that vision, Swoon was born. What We Cover Why "aging gracefully" doesn't mean what our moms meant anymore Why we're all doing things but nobody's talking about it — and why that needs to stop How to find a strategy that fits YOUR comfort level, timeline, and budget The treatments Carrie says are worth every penny What she'd skip completely The one thing we're all overthinking Facial hair during perimenopause, yes, we went there Why your provider should never be pointing out flaws you didn't walk in with The red flags to watch for no matter where you live What Carrie has grown to love about getting older Carrie's Rapid Fire Answers Treatment worth every penny: Sculptra, Botox, and laser Trend she'd skip: At-home red light therapy masks What to start earlier: Sunscreen every single day and retinol What we're all overthinking: What everybody else is doing Connect with Carrie Swoon Aesthetic Spa (https://www.theswoonspa.com/)or on social media @theswoonspa Connect with Holly Grownish Women (https://www.grownishwomen.com/) or on instagram at @grownishwomen New episodes every Friday on your favorite podcast platform.

16. 

    15 May 2026

    Soul Sisters: The Friends Who Feel Like Home - S1 E3

    Have you ever been around a group of women and thought how do they do that? That ease, that realness, that "I don't have to perform here" kind of friendship? That's what this episode is about. I sit down with Jaci, Amanda, and Tori, three women who found each other during the pandemic and built something they now call their Soul Sister circle. They talk about navigating friendship across different seasons of motherhood, why the trips they take together have no agenda on purpose, and what it actually feels like to be in a friendship where nobody is keeping score. But Holly gets personal first. She shares the loss that quietly made her guard her heart for years and why watching these three women together made her realize she hadn't fully let people in. Or shown her daughter how. If you've been craving that kind of friendship but don't know where to start or you have women in your corner but haven't made the time, this one's going to hit. About our Guests: Amanda is a mother, storyteller and lifelong collector of meaningful moments. She spends her days exploring the intersections of friendship, healing, creativity and what it means to come home to yourself. You can usually find her studying astrology, slowly penning her memoir, chasing sunshine somewhere along the river, or planning her next weekend getaway in the woods. Professionally, she works behind-the-scenes as a project manager and event planner for organizations like Listen, Lucy and Big Brothers Big Sisters, creating experiences rooted in connection, storytelling and community. Read Her Latest Essay on Substack (https://thecosmicpassport.substack.com/) 🪐 Tori wannabe chef | comfy pants connoisseur DIYer | mediumalist | house manager @eleanorparksquare (https://www.instagram.com/eleanorparksquare/) | @manyhatspgh | @storiesoftoriiii (https://www.instagram.com/storiesoftoriiii/)

17. 

    8 May 2026

    The Grief Nobody Warns You About When Your Kids Leave - S1 E2

    Nobody warns you that watching your child leave, whether it's for college or the military, can feel like grief. In this episode, I'm joined by my friend Heidi Iliff, Pittsburgh's only high-school-seniors-only portrait photographer, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about exactly that. Heidi has been through it more than once. Two kids enlisted in the Air Force, a daughter at Baylor, and another one heading there this fall. She has lived this transition in every direction and she still says it's brutal. This conversation actually started the podcast. After I dropped my daughter at school and came home completely wrecked, I called Heidi. She said yeah, it's brutal. And I said why didn't you tell me?! We get into all of it. The goodbyes that hit different every time. The identity shift nobody prepares you for. The unexpected emotions that show up whether your kids are thriving or struggling. And the wisdom you can only get from someone who has been through it and come out the other side. If you're about to send a kid off, in the middle of it right now, or still processing an empty house, this one is for you. Our guest today, Heidi Iliff, is a Senior Portrait Photographer in Pittsburgh PA. She own’s and operates the city’s only “high school seniors ONLY” full service boutique portrait studio. Her studio is located conveniently in Pittsburgh within the Penn Brewery Building. She photographs student’s all year round & specializes in custom curated products that preserve your student’s photos like works of art! Heidi’s years of focusing on working with high school student’s has made her in-tune with what the youth want in their photos- as well as what will be the most precious images the mommas will want to hang in their homes. She walks along side her client’s all school year offering an epic experience. Heidi live’s in Sewickley with her husband and 5 remaining at home children. Heidi’s two oldest children are enlisted in the Air Force. She has a daughter in School at Baylor University, and her daughter who is graduating this year will be following her sister to Baylor in the fall. www.largerthanlifefamily.com (http://www.largerthanlifefamily.com) insta- Largerthanlifephotography Facebook- Larger than Life Photography

18. 

    1 May 2026

    Welcome to the Messy Middle - S1 E1

    Welcome to Grownish Women — the podcast where we finally talk about the sh#% we're all going through but afraid to say out loud. In this first episode, Holly Teegarden introduces herself the only way she knows how: by being uncomfortably honest. She opens up about her mom moving in at 87 after losing her dad, her daughter's surprise boomerang home from college in New York City, the weight she gained when she stopped moving entirely, and going gray before COVID and never looking back. If you've ever felt like everyone else has it together and you're the only one falling apart, this one's for you. Welcome to the tribe. You can find us on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/grownishwomenpodcast).

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