Kitchen Table Talk

About Kitchen Table Talk

Every woman has a kitchen table story — the one she tells after the kids are grown, after the marriage changed, after the career she thought she wanted turned into something else entirely. Welcome to Kitchen Table Talk. Here, women over 40 share the pivots, the setbacks, and the moments that remade us — no filters, no fluff. This isn't a podcast about having it all figured out. It's about what happens after. Pull up a chair. Let's talk.

Publisher

Tonisha Johnson

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Aug 2026

Latest episode

5 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Nov 2026

   Who Taught You That?: The Rules You Chose By Default

   Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/kitchen-table-talk-for-women-over-40/voicemail) Have you been living by rules you never chose? Host Tonisha Johnson sits down with Dr. Paige Gutheil, an osteopathic family physician, certified menopause practitioner, and founder of Goza Wellness, a holistic healthcare collaborative. Together they trace how women over 40 ended up following default beliefs about work, motherhood, aging, bodies, and rest, and what it takes to rewrite them. Dr. Paige shares the career moment that made her question everything. After having her first child, she realized every "yes" at work was technically a "no" to her daughter. She went on to leave a traditional practice and build a direct primary care model. You'll also hear: -Why courage often has to "fester" before it turns into action, and why that process deserves respect -Why she calls counseling and coaching "personal training for your brain" -How childhood imprinting and a society that praises production can keep you stuck -What her daughter said on a walk that stopped her in her tracks: "that would be turning on yourself, Mom" -How living out of alignment keeps the body in go-go-go mode, and what Dr. Paige says that means for rest, digestion, and immune function Why she says women need about an hour more sleep per night than men, and why nobody tells you -How staying open to new ideas relates to neuroplasticity as we age A small first step: question one "has to be this way" rule, like how the dishwasher gets loaded If you're in perimenopause or menopause, rethinking your career, setting boundaries with family, or tired of measuring yourself against a standard you never picked, this conversation gives you language and permission to start small. Press play, then tell us in the comments: what rule have you been living by that you never chose? Kitchen Table Talk Podcast: real conversations for women over 40. Host: Tonisha Johnson. Guest: Dr. Paige Gutheil, osteopathic family physician, certified menopause practitioner, and founder of Goza Wellness. Topics: limiting beliefs and default rules, women over 40, mindset and identity, career change after motherhood, direct primary care, courage and intuition, self-compassion and grace, coaching and counseling, family boundaries, stress and the nervous system (sympathetic vs. parasympathetic), perimenopause and menopause, women's health and sleep, body image and aging, neuroplasticity, personal growth. Mentioned: Goza stands for grace and also means "enjoy wellness." Dr. Paige's Instagram handles as given in the episode: Goza Wellness (goza.wellness) and dr.paige.do (http://dr.paige.do). Drop a comment: which "rule" are you ready to question? Visit Tonisha's website: TonishaJohnson.com (http://TonishaJohnson.com) Connect with Dr. Paige on Instagram and send her a DM about what you're working on: https://www.gozawellness.com (https://www.gozawellness.com) IG: goza.wellness or dr.paige.do (http://dr.paige.do)

2. 

   1 Nov 2026

   Succesful, But Not Whole and Feeling Empty?

   Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/kitchen-table-talk-for-women-over-40/voicemail) Why do so many driven women hit the top and still feel empty? Because success doesn't equal wholeness. In this episode, Rhonda Peterson shows you how to redefine success on your own terms, set priorities that fit your life, and move from surviving to thriving. Women over 40, this one is for you. On this episode of the Kitchen Table Talk Podcast, host Tonisha Johnson sits down with executive coach and speaker Rhonda Peterson, founder of the Real Life She-EO Ohio Collaborative. They talk about what it means to be successful but not whole, and how to rebuild when the ladder you've been climbing is on the wrong wall. What you'll get from this episode: -Why the world's definition of success can leave you fragmented -Rhonda's "flip the triangle" idea for putting yourself, not work, at the base of your life -How to see failure, a canceled launch or a job loss as learning instead of a verdict on you -How Rhonda found her footing after a family crisis changed her priorities -Why staying in constant stress has a physical cost, and how to stay grounded -How saying "no" lets your highest priorities happen -Why you need safe people on your journey, and how to track your progress Key takeaways: -Success means different things to different people and in different seasons of life. -Being "not whole" often comes from fitting yourself into someone else's version of success. -Failure is a chance to regroup and learn. -Wholeness includes mind, body, spirit and emotions. -Make decisions based on your priorities, and say no to what doesn't fit this season. -Don't give up. Stay the course and find trusted people to walk with you. -Your new definition of success doesn't have to match anyone else's. Connect with Rhonda Peterson Website: rhondapeterson.com (http://rhondapeterson.com) (cohorts: rhondapeterson.com/cohorts) LinkedIn: Rhonda Peterson Coach Like, subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs a seat at the table.

3. 

   16 Oct 2026

   Who's Holding You Up?: The Village You Didn't Know You Needed

   Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/kitchen-table-talk-for-women-over-40/voicemail) You don’t have to do it all alone. Why do so many high-achieving women act like they do? Emmy Award-winning journalist Tonisha Johnson sits down with podcast host, author, and advocate Christina Vera for an honest talk about community, support, and the village you may not realize you need. Christina opens up about a high-pressure leadership role that left her overwhelmed and doubting her own strength, and about the trusted friend in her village who reminded her of her worth. She also shares how faith, reflection, and a few random encounters shaped her view of community. Sometimes the village isn’t a title or a position. As Christina says, it can be a random encounter that changes everything. In this episode: Why independence can become isolation The weight of leadership and the need for support How faith and reflection reveal who has been holding you up Breaking the deficit mindset when you never saw women leading Who’s holding you up? Listen now, then share this episode with a woman who needs to hear it. Kitchen Table Talk is a podcast for women navigating midlife pivots.

4. 

   4 Oct 2026

   What About What I Want: Doing the Thing You Have to Do vs What You Want to Do

   Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/kitchen-table-talk-for-women-over-40/voicemail) Ever feel torn between the responsibilities you have to carry and the dream you can't stop thinking about? In this episode, I sit down with Tracy Powell, entrepreneur and Founder of The House of IsA, a luxury women's and men's wear brand. Tracy walks us through her leap from a successful real estate career into fashion: the doubt, the tough money conversations with her husband, the sacrifices (including downsizing), and the faith that kept her moving. In this conversation, we talk about: ✔ Recognizing the signs that it's time for a change ✔ Why the dream you've dismissed as a "hobby" may be pointing to your purpose ✔ What it really took to leave a stable career and downsize for a bigger calling ✔ Taking small, practical first steps toward what you want ✔ Why a strong support system matters Connect with Tracy: https://www.thehouseofisa.com/ (https://www.thehouseofisa.com/) | IG: @thehouseofisa

5. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Step Out of the Box: It's Time!

   Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/kitchen-table-talk-for-women-over-40/voicemail) What happens when the voice you ignored for years finally gets loud enough to change your life? Sheryl (Sherrie) Brown spent 34 years in education — teacher, assistant principal, principal — showing up for kids across Northwest Ohio. In this episode, she opens up about the moment she stepped away from that career, the courage it took to speak up when it mattered most, and how journaling and silence helped her rediscover her own voice after years of always being "on." That same journey is now fueling her book, "Weeds to Wishes" — proof that the hardest seasons can grow into something beautiful. If fear, people-pleasing, or "it's too late" has been holding you back, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Sherri's story is a reminder: your voice still matters, and the next small step might be the one that changes everything.

6. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Midlife Reinvention: Hanging Onto the Old You in a New Season

   Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/kitchen-table-talk-for-women-over-40/voicemail) Hanging onto the Old You in a New Season | Coach Leslie Tillman on faith, freedom, and finally stepping forward What happens when your life has already changed, but your identity is still stuck in the old version of you? Coach Leslie Tillman shares the turning point that moved her from fear, doubt, and low self-esteem into a season of bold faith, clarity, and purpose. Tonisha Johnson leads a powerful conversation about the hidden cost of staying attached to outdated habits, old environments, and labels that no longer fit. Leslie opens up about the moment she knew “enough was enough,” why she insisted on being called Coach Leslie Tillman, and how getting out of the wrong spaces changed everything. You’ll hear: Why being “unstoppable” is less about hype and more about faith that keeps moving; How desperation for change can become the beginning of real transformation; Why leaving an old job or old identity isn’t just physical, it’s mental, emotional, and spiritual; Why environments, friendships, and even the way you introduce yourself can keep you stuck. Leslie also breaks down the deeper meaning behind The WellRest Spot in Columbus, Ohio, including its connection to the woman at the well and the power of creating a space where people can rest, receive hope, and hear God clearly. It’s a conversation about surrender, humility, and the freedom that comes when you stop competing, stop performing, and start walking in what you were actually called to do. If you’ve been feeling the pull toward something more, this episode is for you. Perfect for anyone standing at the edge of a pivot, wondering whether it’s time to let go of the old and step fully into the new.

7. 

   26 Aug 2026

   Surviving the Middle

   Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/kitchen-table-talk-for-women-over-40/voicemail) In this episode of the Kitchen Table Talk podcast, host Tonisha Johnson speaks with Fanee Frederick, CEO of Indelible Event Management, about the challenges and lessons learned while navigating the middle of life and shifting into entrepreneurship. The concept of "surviving the middle" resonates with many, as it often represents a time of uncertainty and transition. Fanee Frederick emphasizes that this phase can be daunting, filled with emotions ranging from fear to excitement. She notes that moving from a structured corporate environment to the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship requires a significant mindset shift. It is essential to embrace this transformative process and understand that growth often comes from discomfort.

8. 

   26 Aug 2026

   Who am I now?

   Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/kitchen-table-talk-for-women-over-40/voicemail) In this episode, Rion Robinson shares his journey of taking bold leaps, or 'cliff jumps,' in life and business. He discusses how embracing uncertainty, overcoming fear, and staying authentic can lead to growth and transformation. Discover how stepping out of comfort zones can lead to profound transformation and authentic living.

9. 

   24 Aug 2026

   Why I Left the Studio Lights for the Kitchen Table: Welcome to Kitchen Table Talk

   Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/kitchen-table-talk-for-women-over-40/voicemail) Summary In this episode, Tonisha Johnson shares the inspiring story behind the Kitchen Table Talk podcast, emphasizing authentic storytelling, community, and empowering women over 40. She discusses her journey from broadcast journalism to podcasting, highlighting the importance of connection, faith, and real conversations.

Contact Kitchen Table Talk

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.