The Right-Sized Life with Amy Schmidt

What if one of the most meaningful things you do in this season of life is something you never expected? For Vicki Walker, that unexpected adventure is Gramma Camp, a family tradition that brings her children and grandchildren together in the most joyful ways. When a glimpse of her creativity took off on Instagram, she found herself connecting with people far beyond her own family, all while staying grounded in what matters most to her. Vicki shares why you don’t need elaborate plans or picture-perfect traditions to create lasting memories, and how bringing your own talents to the table can strengthen the connections that matter. It’s a reminder to keep trying new things, follow what brings you joy, and never assume your most interesting chapters are behind you.

You'll Learn:

• How to start small: Use the talents and interests you already have to create meaningful experiences with the people you love.
• Why your version of joy doesn't have to look like anyone else's: Let go of comparison and focus on what feels fun and natural to you.
• Ways to build stronger family connections: Create opportunities for different generations to spend time together, feel loved, and build lasting memories.
• How to rediscover your creativity: Find new ways to use the gifts you may have set aside during earlier seasons of life.
• What it means to show up authentically: Share your experiences with others without letting outside expectations take away from what makes them meaningful.
• Why it's never too late to try something new: Be willing to put yourself out there, take a chance, and learn as you go, even when you don't know where it will lead.

Links:

Follow Vicki’s Gramma Camp journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gramma.vicki.camp/

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Sometimes life takes a turn you never would have chosen, and you find yourself trying to figure out how to move forward when nothing feels the same. For Cheryl Colleluori, that moment came when her 19-year-old son, Nick, was diagnosed with cancer. During his 14 months of treatment, Nick saw how much families were struggling with the emotional and financial toll of cancer, and he created the HEADstrong Foundation to help them. Before he passed away at just 21, he asked his mom to keep the foundation going, giving Cheryl a promise to carry forward and a purpose she never expected. In this conversation, we talk about the realities of caregiving, learning to live with what you can't control, and how small acts of kindness can make a difference when someone is going through the unthinkable. Cheryl also reflects on how losing Nick changed her perspective on life, reminding us that even when we can't choose our circumstances, we can still find meaning in how we show up for ourselves and others.

You'll Learn:

• How to show up for someone facing cancer without waiting for them to tell you what they need
• Why caregivers need to give themselves grace and make space for their own well-being, even when someone they love needs so much from them
• What it means to let go of control when you can't fix what's happening, no matter how much you wish you could
• How one promise became a lasting purpose and helped Cheryl find a way forward after losing Nick
• Ways small acts of kindness can make a real difference for families navigating the emotional and financial strain of cancer
• How the HEADstrong Foundation supports families through Nick's House, providing free accommodations near specialized cancer care
• How life's hardest experiences can change your perspective and help you focus on what matters most

Links:

For more information about the HEADstrong Foundation and how you can contribute, visit their website: https://www.headstrong.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HEADstrongFND

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headstrongfnd/

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Karen Sandone joins me today to share the deeply personal story of caring for her husband Anthony after his younger onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and what it has meant for their marriage, their family, and her own identity. This conversation is for anyone navigating dementia caregiving, grieving a partner who is still physically present, or trying to understand how to support someone living this reality.We discuss Anthony’s early symptoms, the long road to diagnosis, the emotional and practical weight of caregiving, and the community Karen has built through Surviving the Now. Karen also offers concrete advice for caregivers and for friends who want to show up in meaningful ways.

You’ll Learn:

• Karen introduces Anthony as the funny, athletic, talkative person she has known since grade school and later reunited with in adulthood.
• The first warning signs appeared during COVID in 2020, including word-finding issues, unfinished sentences, memory lapses, getting lost, and trouble interpreting GPS.
• Karen explains how the diagnosis changed their marriage from husband and wife into a caregiver-patient relationship, with many daily “lasts” along the way.
• She describes the emotional toll of caregiving as a form of grief, including selling their home to help cover care costs and watching Anthony’s abilities decline.
• Karen talks about shifting from “why me” to “watch me,” and using her voice to advocate for caregivers and for Anthony.
• Their six children and grandchildren have become part of the support system, with Anthony’s children helping with care, logistics, and emotional support.

Connect with Karen:

Follow Karen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksandone/

Follow Surviving the Now on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575290213823

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ksandone

Surviving the Now: https://survivingthenow.com/

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Parenting adult kids asks us to trade control for connection and learn how to love in a way that fits who they are now. I share the mindset shifts that help me move from managing my kids’ lives to being invited into the lives they are building.
• noticing when the parenting “job description” changes
• shifting from manager to mentor with trust and restraint
• asking questions that connect rather than create pressure
• avoiding comparison and becoming a safe place without measurement
• treating boundaries as growth rather than rejection
• entering our adult kids’ worlds as guests with curiosity
• supporting without fixing and letting struggle build capability
• reflecting on being needed versus being chosen
If this conversation resonated with you, I'd love for you to listen to my recent episode that we'll be dropping with Olivia Burnett, host of 20 Something. I'd love to hear from you too. What's been the biggest adjustment for you in parenting adult children? Or if you're a 20-something, what's one thing you wish your parents understood?

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

What if moving forward after loss doesn’t mean moving on? When you’re grieving, it can be hard to know how to take the next step, especially when the world seems to expect you to eventually return to “normal.” In this conversation, Kate Doerge shares how losing her daughter, Penny, along with the earlier losses of her parents, changed the way she thinks about grief, healing, and what it means to carry someone’s legacy forward. Her experience navigating grief led her to write her book, Reimagining Grief and launch Penny’s Flight Foundation, creating ways to honor Penny’s life while helping others navigate loss. Throughout this conversation, she shares five actions that have helped her move through grief while still making room for connection, joy, purpose, and the signs she feels from loved ones who have passed.

You'll Learn:

• How to reimagine grief: Shift from the idea of “moving on” to choosing how you carry grief forward.
• Ways to stay connected: Use stories, shared memories, and simple conversations to keep loved ones present and help others feel less alone.
• How to celebrate a loved one: Find meaningful, personal ways to honor who they were instead of feeling limited by traditional expectations around grief.
• How to turn pain into purpose: Channel grief into helping others, sharing your story, or creating something meaningful in your loved one's honor.
• How grief and joy can coexist: Give yourself permission to experience moments of joy without feeling like they diminish your loss.
• Practical ways to take the next step: Create a simple daily routine, move your body, and name three things you're grateful for when getting through the day feels difficult.

Links:

Connect with Kate:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doergek

Website: https://www.katedoerge.com/

Penny’s Flight Foundation: https://pennysflight.org/

Join a Penny’s Flight chapter near you: https://pennysflight.org/pages/student-chapters

Get a copy of Kate’s book: Reimagining Grief: A New Path to Finding Healing, Strength, and Joy after Loss: https://www.amazon.com/Reimagining-Grief-Finding-Healing-Strength/dp/B0G3KN3SKN/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

This weeks Right-Sized Reflection solocast is going deep. We discuss how to stop treating wellness like a race back to our younger selves, and start building the strength, energy, and resilience to live the life ahead. I share a simple question that right-sizes everything, from beauty and skincare to relationships, home, and the space we give our future selves.

• asking “Does this still fit?” as a midlife wellness filter
• shifting from appearance goals to capacity goals like strength, balance, sleep, and resilience
• redefining beauty as care rather than criticism
• reflecting on skincare rituals, collagen curiosity, and an inside-out approach
• naming relationships as a core wellness factor that affects energy and health
• right-sizing relationships with nuance instead of quick labels
• using the two-room rule to care for who you are and who you’re becoming
• doing one small thing today that your future self will be glad you did

If this episode made you think about wellness differently, send it to a friend you want beside you in this next chapter. And then ask her the question I'm leaving you with today. Who are you becoming? And are you making enough room for her?

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

It’s easy to feel like you’re constantly getting new rules about what to eat, how much to eat, and what your body should look like, especially as you move through midlife and your body begins to change. But what if the answer isn’t another diet or set of restrictions, but learning to listen to and nourish your body instead? That’s exactly what I wanted to explore with registered dietitian and women’s wellness expert Lee Cotton as we talk about how our relationship with food evolves, how our nutritional needs change in midlife, and what it looks like to nourish ourselves without all the rules and restrictions.Together, we unpack the noise around protein, carbohydrates, gut health, and supplements while exploring what a non-diet approach can actually look like in everyday life. You’ll walk away with practical ways to advocate for your health, bring more variety and enjoyment to your plate, and let go of some of the food rules you may have been carrying for years.

You’ll Learn:

• How to recognize the food stories you may have carried from childhood and begin creating a different relationship with food
• Why your nutritional needs change with age and how to approach those changes without automatically turning to restriction
• Ways to move beyond the “protein is everything” mindset and make room for carbohydrates, fiber, fruits, vegetables, and variety
• What gut health and the microbiome have to do with overall well-being and why variety matters
• How to stop using exercise as permission to eat and reconnect movement with enjoyment and self-care
• Practical strategies for becoming your own health advocate, including asking questions, understanding your labs, and seeking qualified nutrition advice
• What a non-diet approach really means and how allowing all foods can create more freedom, awareness, and enjoyment around eating

Links & Resources:

Email me at amy@fearlesslyfacingfifty.com with the subject line LIST to get on the list so you’ll be the first to know when my newest book Creating the Right-Sized Life comes out in the world

Connect with Lee:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leecottonnutrition/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Leecottonnutrition/

Website: https://www.leecottonnutrition.com/

Get Lee’s new book, Nourishing Perspective: Reconnect with Your Inner Voice and Harmonize Your Relationship with Food: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTTTBDTK/

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

We share the story of a turquoise necklace and the moment a mother hands her daughter more than jewelry. We use that moment to walk through a legacy filter that helps us choose what to keep, what to release, and what love asks us to pass on.
• Telling the backstory of the turquoise necklace and why it matters
• Naming legacy as patterns, stories, and unspoken rules
• Facing the overwhelm of sorting possessions without prior conversations
• Shifting from legacy as “after” to legacy as what we hand over daily
• Using three legacy filter questions to cut through guilt and obligation
• Choosing love over pressure when deciding what ends with us
• Creating an annual Christmas gathering tradition to honour connection
• Using inherited items as tools for belonging rather than burdens

This week I want you to pick one thing, an object, a tradition, a phrase you find yourself repeating to your own kids or the people you love, and run it through the filter. Is this mind to keep? Does it tell the truth? What does love actually require here?

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

What if the same approach you use to declutter your home could help you create more space in the rest of your life, too? Shira Gill, a globally recognized organizing expert and bestselling author, has built her career around helping people clear the clutter, but her newest book, LifeStyled, expands that idea far beyond closets and kitchen drawers. We talk about how to take a more intentional look at your relationships, commitments, routines, work, and the ways you spend your time, and how to recognize when you’ve simply taken on too much. Shira offers practical strategies for choosing your priorities, setting boundaries, and letting go of the “just in case” thinking that can keep us holding onto things and commitments we no longer need. It’s a conversation about editing your life with intention rather than trying to fit more into it.

You’ll Learn:

• How to identify your one true priority for this season and create a baseline of “enough” in the other areas of your life
• Ways to practice saying no without guilt or over-explaining, while still being gracious and honoring your own capacity
• What to do when sentimental items feel tied to your identity and how to hold onto the memory without holding onto the stuff
• How to get clearer about boundaries in your relationships by identifying your personal deal breakers before they’re tested
• What “enough” can look like in different seasons of life and how to shift from constantly achieving toward appreciating what you already have

Links:

Listen to EP7: The One Night a Week That Changes Everything–Introducing No Plan Night:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-right-sized-life-with-amy-schmidt/id1484425679?i=1000770811753

And make sure to send me an email with your pictures and stories about your NPNs and some of the rate sizing strategies you're doing: amy@fearlesslyfacingfifty.com

Connect with Shira

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiragill

Website: https://www.shiragill.com/

You can find more about Shira’s books, programs, workshops, and retreats on her website

Join Shira’s newsletter, The Life Edit: https://shiragill.substack.com/

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Self-care has quietly become another job many of us feel like we’re failing at. If you’ve ever turned “take care of yourself” into a punishing checklist, this solo cast is for you. I’m Amy, and I’m talking about self-care for midlife women in a way that’s less about adding more routines and more about creating a right size life that fits the season you’re in right now.

We walk through five shifts that change everything: becoming the CEO of your own health (not obsessing, participating), reframing wellness as preparation and capacity, and noticing how your inner voice may be the most overlooked form of self-care. I share a simple practice I use to interrupt the “I’m too old” and “it’s too late” loop by catching the sentence and changing the sentence, so your self-talk starts supporting you instead of draining you.

From there, we tackle a hard truth: you don’t owe anyone the same version of you forever. Midlife brings real change in body, family, relationships, and priorities, and self-care can mean meeting the woman you’re becoming rather than chasing who you were 10 years ago. We also talk about recovery without guilt and why rest is part of strength, not a reward for exhaustion. Finally, we end with my favorite idea: put something on the horizon. Anticipation and curiosity are self-care, too.

If this resonates, subscribe to The Right Size Life, share the episode with a friend who needs a gentler approach to wellness, and leave a review so more women can find this conversation.

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Have you ever stayed quiet because bringing something up felt harder than just letting it go? Between busy schedules, phones, family responsibilities, and years of falling into familiar patterns, it can be surprisingly easy to become disconnected from the people closest to you without realizing it. I sat down with licensed marriage and family therapist Colette Jane Fehr to talk about why avoiding conflict can quietly create distance, and how approaching difficult conversations with honesty and vulnerability can actually bring you closer. We unpack the difference between sharing what you’re truly feeling and turning your interpretations into facts about the other person. You’ll walk away with practical ways to start hard conversations, recognize when you’re abandoning your own needs to keep the peace, and begin rebuilding connection even if your relationship has been on autopilot for years.

You'll Learn:

• How to start a difficult conversation without blame or defensiveness
• How to separate your feelings from the story you're telling yourself about your partner
• What to do when your partner says, “Nothing’s wrong” or “You’re overreacting”
• How to recognize the “siren song of avoidance”
• Ways to protect your relationship while still getting support from friends
• Why midlife can be an opportunity to reconnect
• How to stop keeping the peace at your own expense

Links:

Connect with Colette:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colettejanefehr

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colettejanefehr

Substack: Secrets from a Therapist https://colettejanefehr.substack.com/

Watch Colette’s TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tSUOB2yEd0

Order a copy of The Cost of Quiet: How to Have the Hard Conversations That Create Secure, Lasting Love: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Your kids grow up and move out, the house gets quieter, and suddenly the question is not “What’s next for them?” It is “What fits me now?” I’m sharing a personal right-sized reflection sparked by a Motown costume party, an unexpectedly tender empty nest summer, and a big realisation: the space that opens up in midlife can either get filled with more obligations or it can become the place where you come back to yourself.

We dig into the core right-sizing question I use for everything: does this still fit the season I’m actually in? I connect the dots between time management and energy management, including my simple daily energy audit: what energized me, what drained me, and what I did for my future self. We also talk about how midlife hormonal changes can shape sleep, stress, mood, and emotional load, and why that makes intentional self-care more important, not more selfish.

You’ll leave with a practical right-sizing check-in and three concrete journal prompts for the week, plus a challenge to stop putting joy on layaway. Fun is not a treat you earn after you finish the list. Joy is part of wellness, part of healing, and part of building a life that actually fits. If this resonated, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more women can find this conversation.

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

It's easy to feel like midlife arrived and your body suddenly started playing by a completely different set of rules. The habits that used to work no longer seem to make a difference, there's endless advice telling you what to do, and it can leave you wondering where to even begin. I sat down with women's health specialist and clinical nutritionist Linda Stephens to cut through the noise and have an honest conversation about what really changes in midlife and how to support your body without chasing perfection. You'll walk away with practical, encouraging reminders that feeling better doesn't have to mean doing everything. Sometimes it starts with understanding what's happening and taking one simple step at a time.

You'll Learn:

• Why discipline matters more than motivation when you're building healthy habits that last
• How to support your changing body with three simple daily habits: food, strength training, and hydration
• How hormonal changes in midlife can affect your energy, sleep, mood, muscle, and overall well-being
• How to advocate for yourself when you're looking for answers about menopause and hormone health
• Why midlife can be an opportunity to prioritize yourself without guilt and embrace this next season with intention
• Practical strategies for building muscle and supporting long-term bone health without spending hours in the gym

Links:

Connect with Linda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindastephensfit

Visit Linda’s website to learn more about her services and Midlife Mastery program: https://www.lindamstephens.com/

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and I would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

Sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Your calendar can look perfectly reasonable and still leave you wiped out by Friday. We dig into the real reason: a planner tracks time, but it does not measure emotional load, mental stress, or the subtle drain of always being “on.” When we start asking “Do I have the energy?” instead of only “Do I have the time?” the whole game changes, especially for anyone navigating midlife, recovery, or a season packed with invisible responsibilities.

We walk through a simple, practical energy audit you can do with nothing more than a notebook and 15 minutes. Using three columns, we sort the last seven days into energy builders, energy drains, and necessary but neutral tasks. Builders are the activities that restore you and help prevent burnout, like quiet mornings, movement, reading, prayer, or meaningful connection. Drains include the sneaky stuff that looks responsible but costs you dearly: meetings that should have been emails, obligations you have outgrown, overcommitting, people-pleasing, and constant availability.

We also share one boundary that consistently creates breathing room: a weekly “no plan night,” protected before anything else hits the schedule. It is simple, it is not glamorous, and it can reset your entire week by reminding you that rest is not something you earn after you finish everything. Listen through to the closing question, choose one thing to let go of this week, and then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations.

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Life can feel full long before it's actually full. We tell ourselves there's no time for the things that matter, wear "busy" like a badge of honor, and assume our schedules are the problem. In this conversation, I'm joined by bestselling author and time management expert Laura Vanderkam to explore a different perspective: what if the story you've been telling yourself about time isn't entirely true? Together, we talk about building a greater sense of time abundance, why complexity doesn't have to mean chaos, and practical ways to become the calm ringmaster of your own life instead of feeling like you're constantly reacting to it.

You'll Learn:

• How tracking your time for one week can reveal opportunities you didn't realize you had
• Practical ways to plan your week around your priorities instead of reacting to your schedule
• How to make the most of your "golden hours" and create more meaningful leisure time
• Why making small "little bets" can help you build habits and create lasting change
• Simple ways to stop telling yourself you're "too busy" and make more time for what matters

Links:

Visit Laura’s website for all of her resources, learn more about her books, check out her podcasts and sign up for her newsletters: https://lauravanderkam.com/

Get Laura’s new book Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance here: https://lauravanderkam.com/books/big-time/

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and I would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

Sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Making Room for Love: How Family Grows When We Expand Our Hearts

Amy shares a heartfelt reflection on how making room in our hearts and homes can lead to deeper connections and new beginnings, inspired by her daughter's wedding weekend.

Making space in our hearts and homes

The significance of family traditions and new beginnings

The role of love and hospitality in building connections

Lessons from a wedding weekend about expanding family

The idea that making room is about trust and hope

Making space isn't about losing something, but about trusting that something beautiful will fill it.

Love and family are about expanding, not dividing.

Children and even little ones remind us what truly matters—connection and love.

Home is where love gathers, and it expands with new family members.

Making room allows for new stories, traditions, and chapters in life.

Amy’s Quotes:

"Underneath every culture and tradition, we all want love"

"Expand. Make room. Welcome people before they've earned it"

"Love quietly teaches us our hearts are capable of more"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and personal reflection on making space

00:29 The importance of making space in our hearts

02:02 Welcoming new family and traditions

03:19 The significance of family differences and shared hopes

06:03 Children's reminder of what truly matters

07:41 Expanding home and making room for love

08:54 Reflecting on who life is inviting us to make room for

09:31 Closing thoughts and invitation to share love

09:53 Upcoming book and final message

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

The fastest way to turn grief into chaos is to ignore the question nobody wants to ask: what happens to all the things we collect over a lifetime? I’m joined by Roger Schrenk, founder of https://dontmakeanestatemistake.com/, who has spent 30+ years helping families navigate downsizing, estate liquidation, inherited belongings, and the overwhelm that hits when a big house needs to be emptied fast.

We dig into why this is so hard, especially for Gen X adults managing Baby Boomer parents. Roger breaks down the generational relationship to objects, why “hoarding” is often the wrong label, and how belongings can represent purpose, identity, and the role of being the family archivist. If you’ve ever looked at a basement full of boxes and felt your brain shut down, you’re not alone and you’re not failing.

You’ll also hear concrete, usable strategies: conversation starters that plant seeds instead of triggering panic, how to frame sorting as a task your parent can own, and the two biggest mistakes Roger sees families make. One of them is the storage unit trap, the expensive “deal with it later” plan that turns into quicksand. We also talk about value, why eBay listings can mislead you, how pros check sold comps, and why an impartial scan (even via Zoom or FaceTime) can prevent costly estate sale and appraisal errors.

We end with a powerful reframe on guilt and letting go, plus a line you’ll remember the next time you’re tempted to keep everything: keep the sparks, not the logs. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s facing downsizing, and leave a review so more families can find the support they need.

You can reach Roger here

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Your calendar can look totally reasonable and still leave you running on empty. That’s the tension we dig into today: the quiet exhaustion that doesn’t come from “too much to do,” but from giving your energy in the wrong directions, often by habit. I share the moment that forced me to face it, the resistance I felt, and what happened when I finally gave a clear, grounded no instead of another automatic yes.

We build a simple framework you can use immediately: time is fixed, energy is not. Together we walk through an Energy Audit you can do in one sitting by listing everything that filled your week and sorting it into energy drains, energy builders, and neutral or necessary tasks. That quick sort turns vague burnout into real information, so you can see what’s quietly costing you the most and what actually restores you.

Then I introduce my favourite weekly practice for right sizing your energy: the No Plan Night. One evening a week gets a big red X before anything else can land there no dinner plans, no errands, no “quick calls,” no laundry pretending to be restful. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s one unclaimed evening that gives your whole week more patience, presence, and breathing room. Try it this week, then subscribe, share this with a friend who’s depleted, and leave a review telling me what you’re putting under that red X.

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

There’s a moment in caregiving that almost nobody says out loud, yet so many families recognize instantly. That’s where my conversation with filmmaker Anthony Lucero begins and where his movie The Paper Bag Plan goes with honesty, tenderness, and a steady respect for dignity. If you’re caring for aging parents, supporting a loved one with a disability, or quietly wondering what the future holds for your family, this story will feel painfully familiar in the best way.

Anthony shares how the film is inspired by his mother, who cared for his brother with severe physical and cognitive disabilities, and by the loss of his sister, who left behind a daughter with Angelman syndrome. We talk about the emotional weight caregivers carry, the family dynamics that form around long-term care, and the question that keeps people up at night: who takes the next shift when the primary caregiver is gone? Along the way, we dig into purpose and identity, including why work and independence matter so much for people with disabilities.

We also pull back the curtain on independent filmmaking. Anthony explains what a microbudget indie film (under $300,000) really requires, how he navigated casting, why he insisted on authentic disability casting, and how his wife stepped in to help finance and edit the project during the pandemic. You’ll also hear where to rent The Paper Bag Plan, why reviews and word of mouth matter, and a reminder to stay through the credits. If this conversation hits home, subscribe, share it with someone you love, and leave a review so more caregivers can find it.

Watch the trailer here

Get in touch with Anthony here

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

A brave decision can still feel terrifying once the noise stops. If you’ve ever said yes to a big change then found yourself staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., replaying every detail and wondering whether you made a mistake, you’re not alone. I’m Amy Schmidt, and I’m sharing a very real chapter from my own life: we sold our family home, moved to Florida to build a more intentional “right-sized” season, and then almost immediately had to rework everything when my husband took an incredible opportunity that put him back in the Northeast Monday through Thursday.

That shift turned our fresh start into something messier and more honest: four days a week alone in a new city, in a condo that still felt unfamiliar, with silence that sounded like a stranger. I talk about the kind of fear that isn’t a single meltdown, but an accumulation of small moments, and how that fear can start to sound like truth if we don’t slow down and look at it. Then I share the practice that helped me most: getting fear out of my body and onto paper, where it becomes sentences you can question instead of a fog that fills the room.

You’ll learn my simple framework, Signal, Story, and Choice: how to treat fear as a signal, how to spot the story your mind builds to explain it, and how to make a clear choice based on what you actually know. I also give you a 20-minute notebook assignment to separate present facts from future projections, reduce anxiety spirals, and build clarity during life transitions. If this resonates, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more women can find these tools when they need them most.

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/