32. Spiritual Awakening in Midlife: What Happens When You Listen to Your Gut
What if a near-fatal car accident was the divine interruption you didn’t know you needed?
In this powerful and soul-stirring episode, Cathy sits down with healer, mom of 3, and former military finance professional Ravyn Robinson-Barco to explore what it really means to reinvent yourself in midlife. From traumatic brain injury to discovering the world of Reiki, Ravyn’s story is one of grit, grace, and a deeply spiritual reawakening.
Together, they explore:
✨ What midlife reinvention looks like after identity-shifting loss
🧠 Living with a TBI and learning to function differently
🌿 Why alternative healing (Reiki, acupuncture, herbs) worked when traditional medicine didn’t
💬 High-functioning masking, mom guilt, and spiritual intuition
🌀 Faith, motherhood, trauma, and the courage to step into purpose
Ravyn’s authenticity, wisdom, and warmth will speak directly to your soul—especially if you're feeling stuck, burnt out, or longing for something more in this season of life.
💬 Connect with Ravyn:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consciouscoloradocollective/
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.consciouscoloradocollective.com/
🔗 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
Join the Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
Follow on Instagram: @girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
Connect with Cathy: @dearcathy719
Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@girlfriendsguidepodcast
🎧 Available now on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
🌟 Don’t forget to rate & review to help more women thrive in midlife.
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31. Midlife Moms, Mental Health & the Truth About Raising Kids Today
Hey friend — this week’s episode is a soul-stirrer.
I’m joined by one of my best friends, Kristin Jaramillo, and let me tell you, this conversation is rich with wisdom, perspective, and real-life resilience. From raising two kids 13 years apart to navigating lupus and facing a near-death diagnosis with her husband, Kristin’s story is a masterclass in showing up through life’s wildest turns.
We dive into:
💡 Parenting two kids across generations
🧠 Kids' mental health & navigating entitlement
🌀 Kristin’s battle with lupus & her pivot to plant-based healing
💬 Teaching emotional resilience & connection
❤️ Surviving a misdiagnosed cancer scare with her husband
🌿 How stillness, meditation, and intuition shaped her strength
Kristin brings calm, courage, and compassion to every chapter of her life—and I know you’ll feel more grounded and empowered after hearing this one.
👇 Come join the conversation and community:
📲 Instagram: @girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
📩 Join our Facebook group: Girlfriends Guide to Midlife
▶️ Watch the podcast on YouTube: youtube.com/@girlfriendsguidepodcast
📧Connect with Kristin Jaramillo
[email protected]
✨ If this episode moved you, leave a rating or share it with a friend. This is how we grow a movement of resilient midlife women—one story at a time.
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30: Journey of Divorce, Solo Parenting & Betting On Myself (Feat. Juli Forde)
Hey friend,
This week’s episode hits deep. I sit down with my dear friend, powerhouse creative, and solo mom of three,
Juli Forde to talk about what it really looks like to start over. From navigating a military marriage and parenting solo during deployments to rediscovering her identity post-divorce, Juli shares the raw, beautiful truth behind what it means to bet on yourself.
We talk about:
✨ Letting go of the “perfect family” narrative
💔 The courage it takes to leave when love isn’t enough
💪 How solo parenting cracked her open and made her stronger
🎨 Why starting a creative business was the lifeline she didn’t know she needed
🔥 The exact moment she decided to go all in on herself
💡 Key Takeaways:
Midlife is a mindset, not a number
Leaving something doesn’t mean failure—it might just mean choosing yourself
Vulnerability is strength, especially when it inspires someone else
You don’t have to leap, but you do have to move
Betting on yourself is never wasted energy
🎧 Listen now on YouTube 📺 https://youtu.be/aAd44iH3Cmc
📲 Connect with Juli and check out her work:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliforde/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildandwoodcreations/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildandwoodcreations/
💬 Join the Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/574473915022978
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlfriendsguidepodcast/
Host on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearcathy719/
🙏🏼 If this episode hit home, share it with a friend, drop a comment, or leave a review. You never know who needs to hear this message today.
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29. Real Talk with My Husband: Midlife, Marriage & Raising Boys (Feat. Marcus Matthynssens)
This week’s episode is extra special—because I’ve finally convinced my husband, Marcus, to sit down for a real, unfiltered conversation on the podcast (yes, whiskey was involved 😆).
Together, we dive deep into:
💬 What midlife looks like for men vs. women
❤️ Navigating marriage through hormones, mood swings, and big transitions
👨👩👦 Raising two boys and learning to parent with grace, flexibility, and LOTS of laughter
🧠 How men internalize emotions and what women often miss
👣 Letting go as your kids grow up—and finding purpose as empty nesters
💡 The secret to 22 years of marriage
This one is packed with relatable moments, vulnerable truths, and a behind-the-scenes look at our marriage, parenting journey, and everything in between.
So grab your favorite drink and join us for a laugh, a few tears, and a whole lot of real talk.
👇 Come hang with us:
🔗 Instagram: @girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
🔗 My personal IG: @dearcathy719
🔗 My personal IG: @ouremptynestinglife
👭 Join the Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
If this episode hits home, please share it with a friend and leave a rating or review. It helps more amazing women like you find this podcast—and reminds me why these conversations matter. 💕
Until next time, keep showing the world how fabulous midlife can be. You’ve got this.
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28. Dear Cathy, Skincare, Style & Sisterhood with Stephanie Richard
This week, I sat down in person with one of my best friends, Stephanie Richard, for a super fun, totally real, and refreshingly unfiltered edition of our Dear Cathy series. And this time? We filmed it in the studio!
Stephanie isn’t a beauty influencer—she’s a girlfriend you want in your corner. Together, we tackled your questions around aging, skincare, fashion confidence, and navigating the ups and downs of midlife.
From saggy skin and skinny jeans to friendship, hormones, and the messy magic of growing older, this episode feels like a girls’ night in with your ride-or-die. So pour a glass of something fun and cozy up—you’re gonna love this one.
👭 Meet Stephanie Richard:
Co-owner of Sparkles & Lace Boutique in Colorado Springs
Mom of two boys (and newly navigating the empty nest!)
Girlfriend, confidante, and skincare guinea pig 😄
Age 53 and aging with laughter, style, and unapologetic truth
✨ What We Talk About:
Do face creams actually work—or is it all genetics?
The real truth about Botox, TikTok skincare, and finding what works
How friendship fuels beauty from the inside out
The saggy neck struggle and how Gua Sha + oils can actually help
Skinny jeans vs wide-leg jeans—how to dress for you
Why midlife is the perfect time to try everything
Advice to our younger selves (and why you need to stop apologizing)
A peek into our beauty routines (yes, tinted moisturizer counts!)
💬 Favorite Moments:
“Try everything. What works for her may not work for you—and that’s okay.”
“Your skin reflects your joy. So find your people, hydrate your soul, and let the beauty radiate.”
📲 Come Join the Girlfriend Party:
👯♀️ Facebook Group: Girlfriend’s Guide to Midlife
📸 Follow the Podcast: @girlfriendsguidepodcast
💁♀️ Connect with Cathy: @dearcathy719
📲 Connect With Stephanie:
📸 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sparklesnlaceboutique/
📸 TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparklesandlaceboutique
🔗 https://sparklesandlaceboutique.com/
🫶 Did this episode make you laugh, cry, or say “YESSS!” out loud?
Share it with your girlfriends, leave a quick review, and hit follow so you never miss an episode. This midlife community is growing—and it’s better with you in it.
Welcome to Girlfriend’s Guide to Midlife—your go-to podcast for real talk, real stories, and real inspiration. Think of this as a heart-to-heart with your best girlfriends, where we dive into everything midlife throws our way—from weight struggles and hormone rollercoasters to navigating divorce, rediscovering purpose, and even getting back into the dating scene. Who better to learn from than our girlfriends? Each week, we bring you heartfelt conversations with real women who’ve faced adversity, shown resilience, and found the strength to thrive. Whether you’re approaching midlife, knee-deep in it, or coming out on the other side, this podcast is for you.
I’m your host, Cathy Matthynssens, wife of 22 years to Marcus, mom to Logan and Colin, dog mom, a full time realtor in my hometown of Colorado Springs, a counselor, friend to many, sister, daughter, and the list goes on. I am 47 years young and in the thick of navigating all the changes that come with midlife.
Together, we’ll tackle topics like:
💼 Reinventing yourself at any age
💡 Finding purpose and passion
💰 Financial advice
👩❤️👩 Parenting adult children (and surviving empty nests!)
💄 Aging gracefully with beauty tips and self-care hacks
🌀 Managing midlife changes like hormone imbalances and health challenges
Through inspiring stories and actionable insights, you’ll gain the wisdom, confidence, and tools to navigate this transformative stage with vitality. Whether you’re chasing big dreams, seeking balance, or just figuring out “what’s next,” we’ve got you covered!
👭 Let’s talk about it! Join our supportive community at www.facebook.com/groups/girlfriendsmidlifepodcast and follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @girlfriendsmidlifepodcast.
✨ Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave us a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps more women just like you find us—and ensures we bring you the conversations you crave.
Ready to embrace midlife with confidence, purpose, and a whole lot of fun? Press play and let’s talk about! 🎙️💕
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