(#32) “When Grief Becomes Part of Life: One Mom’s Honest Journey” - with Ashley McLin
Now What
Grief isn’t a dirty word. It’s part of life — and it deserves to be talked about. In this deeply moving episode, Melis sits down with her close friend Ashley — a wife, mom, and interior designer — who shares her story of losing her son, Alex, to cancer seven years ago. With honesty, heart, and strength, Ashley opens up about what grief really looks like, and why she’s on a mission to bring these conversations into the light. Whether you’ve experienced loss or want to better support someone who has, this episode is a powerful reminder that you’re not alone — and you don’t...
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(#31) - 🎓 SPECIAL GRADUATION EDITION - “We’re All Graduating... From Snack Duty and Sanity” - with Melis
Now What
Hey Hoops & Glossers, Grab your tissues and your tassels — we’re going there. This solo episode is for all the parents hiding their ugly cries behind sunglasses and wondering why the end of the school year feels like an identity crisis wrapped in a slideshow. In this graduation-season rollercoaster, Melis gets real (and weepy) about: Why you might actually be the one graduating — from carpool duty, form-signing, and snack-pack life The bittersweet shift from parenting chaos to “Wait… who am I now?” How her own “Now What?!” moment started the day her son walked across...
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(#30) - Motherhood, Real Estate, and Me Time with Tina Frechman
Now What
Hey hey, Hoops & Gloss crew! Today’s episode is serving up real estate with a side of real life — think heart, humor, and just a sprinkle of tough love (glossed up, of course). 💄 We’re hanging out with the amazing Tina Frechman — realtor, investor, and all-around boss and trust us, this chat goes way beyond open houses and “sold” signs. If you’ve ever felt torn between your memory-filled home and that dream of something new? This one hits home. Here’s what’s on the table: ・Home = memories – Every corner tells a story, and yeah, it’s emotional. ・...
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(#29) - “Be a Rad Woman, Not Just a Rad Mom: Friendship, Lexapro & Midlife Plot Twists” - with Kelly Huber
Now What
Hoops & Glossers… if you’re feeling meh, moody, or just mildly ragey, this episode is the warm hug (and possibly the estrogen patch) you didn’t know you needed. Meet Kelly Brooks Huber: mom of four (two human, two furry), businesswoman, college roommate, and—fun fact—bikini wax spirit guide. We go way back, and this convo? It’s real, ridiculous, and ridiculously relatable. We cover: That time both of us broke up with Lexapro (and how we knew it was time) Why the estrogen patch might deserve its own holiday Parenting adult daughters (and teenage ones who suddenly don’t...
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(#28) - “Squats, Sweat & Sanity: Skyler's Midlife Reboot” - with Skyler Burton
Now What
What do you get when two midlife moms trade stories about protein shakes, pelvic floors, and fighting for their identity one workout at a time? THIS episode. Melis sits down with Skyler Burton — fellow mom, awesome human, and accountability buddy on the same fitness and mindset journey — to talk about what it really looks like to try and reclaim your energy, your confidence, and maybe even your abs (no promises) while raising kids and holding onto your sanity. In this episode: 🏋️♀️ Why starting a fitness routine in midlife is about so much more than the scale 🤪 How being...
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(#27) - "Rest is Not a Four Letter Word" - with Melis
Now What
Welcome to this week’s from-the-bed episode, where your host Melis, wrapped in cozy PJs and channeling her inner Sara Foster, shares the wild tale of what happens when you don’t listen to your body… until it shouts “STREP AND BRONCHITIS” through a megaphone. Midlife women, it’s time to ditch the guilt and reclaim rest—not as a luxury, but as a necessity (and yes, even a performance strategy if you’re chasing that 53-year-old booty gain like Melis). ✨ In this episode: The true story of how ignoring a cough turned into an urgent care wake-up call What a bodybuilding butt...
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(#26) - “You’d Never Flake on a Doctor’s Appointment—So Why Bail on Yourself?” - with Melis
Now What
Why is it that we’ll move mountains to show up for everyone else... but ghost our own goals like a bad Tinder date? In this solo pep talk, Melis gets real about the sneaky ways we slide off our own to-do lists (and what to do about it). From gym daycare confessions to the “start small” mantra, she’s calling us all in—with love, laughter, and a little tough truth. You’ll hear: Why your calendar needs your name on it The real reason you keep saying “yes” to everyone but you And how not to sign up for a marathon when you haven’t taken a walk in weeks (guilty!) 💪...
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(#25) - Suddenly We’re the Grown-Ups: Midlife, Moms & Medical Crises - with long term bestie Nicole Johnson
Now What
One minute you're texting your mom to ask how long chicken lasts in the fridge, and the next you're coordinating her hospital discharge and Googling “signs of sepsis.” Welcome to the midlife plot twist they forgot to warn us about: parenting our parents. In this raw, real, and yes—still hilarious—episode, Melis is joined by her longtime bestie and nurse extraordinaire Nicole Jolicoeur Johnson. Together, they unpack what it’s like to be full-time caregivers, full-time moms, and part-time guilt-ridden humans trying to hold it all together. 💥 Spoiler alert: there's a penis sighting...
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(#24) - “I’m Not Done Yet, Dammit!” with your host, Melis
Now What
What if this chapter isn’t the beginning of the end—but the part where we finally stop playing small? Welcome back to Now What?!, the podcast that’s part pep talk, part group therapy, and all about embracing midlife with grit, grace, and a heavy pour of humor. In this solo episode, Melis is serving up a much-needed reminder: this season of life is not your fade-to-black moment—it’s your plot twist. 🎬 From side-eyes at the Nordstrom racks to dreaming big and doing scary things (hello, bodybuilding competition 👀), Melis dishes on what it really means to show up, stand tall, and...
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(#23) - “Are Your Friendships Built for the Good Times, Too?”(...because popping champagne should be a group sport)
Now What
Hey Hoops & Glossers, We always talk about who shows up when life hits the fan—but what about when life rocks? In today’s solo episode, I’m spilling all the tea on friendship: the kind that cheers you on when you’re winning, not just when you’re wounded. After a whirlwind weekend where my college besties pulled off an epic surprise trip to celebrate one of us landing a dream promotion (spoiler alert: there were tears, joy, and probably champagne), I started asking myself this question: 👉 How am I showing up for my friends… really? We get into: Why we wait for funerals to...
info_outlineHey, hey, Now What? fam! It's Melis here, and oh boy, do I have an episode lined up for you today! We’re getting into all the highs, lows, and hilarious moments of midlife—you know, the stuff no one warned us about!
We’re talking about everything from binge-worthy TV shows (any other hopeless fangirls out there?), to the wild rollercoaster that is perimenopause (seriously, can we get a user manual for this?), and yes, I’m catching you up on all the latest Lady Gaga tea because I KNOW I’m not the only one who wants to know what she’s up to!
So whether you’re out for a walk, tackling that mountain of laundry, or just need a break and a friendly voice in your ear, I’m here for you. Grab those headphones and let’s dive into some midlife realness—because, girl, we’re just getting started!
Here’s what’s coming at ya:
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Goal Setting and Pivoting: Melis shares insights on how to approach goals when things don’t go as planned. The key takeaway? It's okay to adapt and try new strategies without abandoning your goals entirely.
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TV & Pop Culture Chat: A review of Nobody Wants This with Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. Melis is a fan of its charm, wit, and the behind-the-scenes connection to writers Aaron and Sarah Foster. Throwbacks to The O.C. and Gossip Girl nostalgia—Blair and Seth being married in real life? A dream come true for ‘00s TV fans
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Perimenopause Journey: Melis opens up about her recent perimenopause diagnosis, the struggles with hot flashes, and plans to tackle it with natural remedies. Look out for future guests discussing menopause topics.
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Midlife Lifestyle Choices: From putting competitions on hold to staying on a healthy eating path, Melis shares her journey of feeling her best and staying mindful about what fuels her energy.
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Lady Gaga, Serena Williams, and Strong Female Icons: Inspiration drawn from icons who redefine themselves—Lady Gaga’s boldness and Serena Williams' trailblazing fashion influence in tennis.
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Upcoming Interviews and Fun Segments: Teaser for interviews with friends and experts on fascinating midlife topics, including a stay-at-home mom turned nutritionist and sex coach! Melis is ready to ask all the questions, including the ones you send in.
Catch every new episode by subscribing, and be sure to leave a review—it helps others find the show! Connect with Melis and join the Hoops and Gloss community. Let’s keep the laughs, stories, and inspiration going!
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