Menopause Rise and Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and Menopause
Welcome to Menopause Rise and Thrive! I’m Dr. Sara Poldmae, and this podcast is for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause—women who are ready to embrace this stage of life with confidence and create a future that feels authentic and fulfilling.
Every week, I’ll walk you through the ups and downs of midlife, sharing helpful tips, real-world advice, and a space where you can feel heard and supported. Whether you’re dealing with hot flashes, weight changes, mood swings, sleep disruptions, or brain fog—or simply trying to make sense of the emotional shifts that come with menopause—you’re not alone.
Together, we’ll cut through the noise of misinformation and explore real, effective strategies for managing menopause symptoms, emotional well-being, and relationship dynamics. Menopause Rise and Thrive is about more than just symptom management—it’s about stepping into your strength, prioritizing your well-being, and finding renewed purpose in this chapter of life.
More than anything, this podcast is about community—a place where women like you can connect, share experiences, and support one another. Together, we’ll challenge outdated myths about aging, celebrate our resilience, and approach midlife with clarity, strength, and empowerment.
Offering a unique blend of insights from my experience as a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Chinese herbalist, acupuncturist, yogi, functional medicine practitioner, and women’s advocate, I’m here to help you reclaim your health and rediscover your passions. Every episode is designed to provide guidance, reassurance, and practical steps so you can navigate menopause with confidence.
Menopause Rise and Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and Menopause
81. Setting Boundaries and Protecting Your Peace During the Holidays with Lauren Massa, Forest Beach Counseling Services
The holiday season can be a time of joy and connection, but for many, it also brings stress, triggers, and the resurfacing of unresolved trauma.
Lauren Massa joins the podcast to share her tips for setting boundaries and protecting your peace this holiday season! Lauren is a licensed counselor and clinical trauma clinician practicing in MD and CO. She feels passionately about building a relationship with her clients to strengthen their self-views and heal from the traumas they may have experienced throughout their lifetime. She loves her work with local moms searching for support on reinforcing boundaries and rediscovering their voices and strength, as well as specializing in the neurodivergent and LGBTQI+ communities. In her free time, you will typically find Lauren out enjoying the sunshine with her cats or chickens while on the lookout for good book suggestions!
In this episode:
- How trauma from childhood or past experiences can affect our holiday experiences.
- The role of boundaries in protecting your emotional well-being.
- Tools like breathwork and intentional decision-making to create space before responding to holiday demands.
- Why understanding your worth is essential to setting and maintaining boundaries.
- Practical tips for navigating difficult family dynamics with clarity and compassion.
- How to redefine holiday traditions to align with your values and needs.
Resources:
Website: https://www.forestbeachcounseling.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestbeachcounseling/
Lauren’s Blog Post, “5 Tips for Setting Boundaries this Holiday Season”: https://www.forestbeachcounseling.com/blog/5-tips-for-setting-boundaries-this-holiday-season
Connect with me, Sara Poldmae:
Website: https://risingwomanproject.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae
Learn more about my upcoming retreat to Panama: https://risingwomanproject.com/retreats/
Ready To Take The Next Step To Thriving In Midlife? Download Your Free Hot Sheet With The Top 3 Things You Can Do Today To Rise + Thrive! https://risingwomanproject.com/contact/
Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!
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