#99: The Menopause Secret No One Talks About
With Dr. Shayna Kaufmann
Join us on March 13th at Brooklyn Brewery for a day of transformation, connection, and celebration. To celebrate our 1st 100 episodes of the podcast, my dream is to assemble as many inspiring women in one room as possible for a one-day retreat to connect, celebrate, and boost our collective courage to do big, bold things, because goodness knows we are gonna need to be brave this year!
Proceeds are going to Emma's Torch (empowering refugees through culinary education + catering our amazing lunch), 826NY (uplifting the voices of diverse young authors), and Lonely Worm Farm (an arts and ecology organization for people of all abilities).
We'll have an incredible Feng Shui master helping us optimize our energy for the year ahead, guided meditations, creative workshops, and intimate conversations over lunch. Early birds get amazing Tarte Cosmetics gift bags, and we're ending with a happy hour because, well, we're in a brewery!
It's going to be an amazing day, and I so hope you can join us.
Today’s Featured Uplifter: Dr. Shayna Kaufmann
Sometimes, wisdom arrives at the most uncomfortable moments. For Dr. Shayna Kaufman, it came during a silent retreat – in sticky San Diego heat, without even the comfort of a ponytail or a fan. A hot flash. And it brought with it an awakening to how our stories about midlife transitions often cause more suffering than the transitions themselves.
Sitting there on her meditation cushion, forced to simply be present with the experience, she discovered something surprising: when she stopped fighting against the sensations and simply observed them, the hot flash transformed from a dreaded enemy into a fascinating dance of sensations. Heat rising, sweat trickling, waves of intensity flowing and ebbing. Without the narrative of "this is terrible," it was just... interesting.
This moment became a metaphor for her entire approach to midlife transitions. What if, instead of bracing against change, we could lean into it with curiosity? What if, rather than viewing midlife as a series of losses, we could see it as an invitation to discover what this moment is perfect for?
Her Courage Practice:
Presence Over Escape - When facing any transition or challenge, Dr. Shayna practices what she describes as "embracing" rather than merely accepting. Instead of seeking immediate comfort or trying to push away difficult experiences, she creates space to be present with whatever arises. This practice transformed her approach to everything from career transitions to grief, teaching her that our capacity for handling change is far greater than we imagine.
Listen to this episode if:
- You're approaching or navigating midlife transitions and seeking a fresh perspective
- You're curious about transforming your relationship with change
- You want to explore the gifts and possibilities that come with aging
- You're ready to challenge cultural narratives about what's possible in your next chapter
- You're seeking wisdom about embracing rather than dreading life's inevitable transitions
About Shayna
Dr. Shayna Kaufmann is a clinical psychologist, certified mindfulness meditation teacher, decades-long Zen practitioner, and Founder of Embrace the Middle—a company dedicated to serving women in midlife. Dr. Kaufmann is also a published researcher, a community leader, a popular speaker, and a former faculty at Alliant International University and National University. Check out her book and more here.
The Uplifters Chain
Shayna was nominated by
.Today’s opening is by
. Hear her wonderful story here.Let’s keep rising higher together.
💓 Aransas
PS: Did you get your Uplifters Live ticket yet?!? I can’t wait to share this day with you!
Uplift With Us!
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