The Right-Sized Life with Amy Schmidt

That pile on the shelf isn’t just clutter, it’s a backlog of decisions. We share a simple tool we call the Fearless Edit, built for real life when you’re busy, overwhelmed, or in the middle of change. It starts with a timer, one small space, and one honest question that cuts through guilt and “someday” thinking: does this support the life I’m living right now? 

We tell a personal story about sorting through years of a chil...

Something shifts after the big midlife leap. You make the brave move, you do the hard thing, you prove you still have it and then you come up for air and realize the real question is quieter: does this still fit? That question is why Fearlessly Facing Fifty and Beyond is evolving into The Right Size Life. The show is not ending. The mission is not changing. I’m still authentically Amy. But the conversation is going deeper, into wha...

You can do everything “right” and still wake up exhausted, headachy, and foggy and it might not be menopause at all. We’re pulling back the curtain on obstructive sleep apnea in women over 50, a condition that’s massively underdiagnosed because many women don’t fit the stereotype of loud snoring and obvious pauses in breathing.

I’m joined by my personal physician, Dr. Cannon, a dentist with deep training in dental sleep me...

Dive into the refreshing world of midlife fiction with bestselling UK novelist Jane Costello as she reveals the creative journey behind her latest romantic comedy, "It's Getting Hot in Here." With candor and humor, Jane shares how she's boldly reimagining the rom-com genre with a 47-year-old protagonist navigating perimenopause, teenage children, and unexpected romantic stirrings.

After selling over a m...

Michele Cuffe's powerful insights on extending not just lifespan but healthspan will transform how you think about aging. Drawing from evolutionary biology and modern research, she reveals why Europeans can indulge in bread and wine without weight gain while Americans struggle despite "healthy" habits - it's not just what we eat, but how we live.

Stress represents the silent epidemic undermining America...

Sharon Macey's journey from stay-at-home mom to podcast host and competitive dancer offers a refreshing roadmap for life's second act. The question that guided her wasn't "What do I want to do when I grow up?" but rather "What do I want to do when my kids grow up?"—a subtle distinction that resonates deeply with women navigating the transition from active motherhood to their next chapter.

Have you ever felt like you're doing everything "right" according to everyone else's checklist, yet something feels profoundly missing? Margaret White knows that feeling all too well. As a self-proclaimed recovering perfectionist and former overachiever, she found herself waking up one morning with the stark realization that despite her successful career, marriage, and all the external markers of achievement, sh...

What happens when we wake up in midlife and realize we've become someone we never intended to be? Award-winning playwright and filmmaker Brooke Berman joins us to explore this profound question through the lens of her debut feature film, "Ramona at Midlife," which recently premiered at Geena Davis' Bentonville Film Festival.

Brooke shares her remarkable journey from acclaimed playwright to first-time fi...

Fearlessly Facing Fifty and beyond - What does it mean to see yourself through a lens of beauty rather than criticism? This question forms the heart of my conversation with former Ford model turned photographer Kristen Jensen, who has mastered the art of capturing authentic beauty in everyone she photographs.

Kristen's journey began in front of the camera, traveling to 34 countries during her 20-year modeling career. ...

Fearlessly Facing......starting something new and outside of your comfort zone.

My guest today is Lisa Loyet-Schmitz. Lisa shares her journey of contributing to the anthology "Living Well with Grit," discovering that every woman's story is special precisely because it is uniquely hers. Through vulnerability and authenticity, Lisa found writing about her life experiences to be surprisingly therapeutic, helping her reco...

Beauty icon Claudia Fabian discusses her journey from coloring her first gray hair at 30 to embracing her natural silver locks and building a second career as a pro-aging influencer.

• Getting first gray hair at 30 and initially covering it for years
• How the pandemic lockdowns sparked a gray hair revolution
• Reframing aging as a privilege rather than something to fear
• Changing "I have to" stateme...

The silences that follow our "no" speak volumes. As women, we've mastered saying the word itself, but it's what happens after—that uncomfortable pause—where we often surrender our power.

In this eye-opening conversation, author Amy Wilson discusses her new book "Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser," revealing how deeply ingrained the people-pleasing tendency becomes in women's ...

And the F WORD IS: FATIGUE

Fearlessly Facing our sleep as we age. Sleep is a fundamental component of our health that dramatically impacts longevity, cognitive function and disease risk.

As the "Sleep Goddess," Dr. Matsumura brings her double-board certification and deep expertise to explain why sleep is particularly challenging for women navigating perimenopause and menopause. The hormonal roller coaster of this life stage...

Fearlessly Facing FACING our FUTURE FACES!

What happens when a Broadway makeup artist discovers her true passion lies in making everyday women feel beautiful? Laura Geller's remarkable journey from theater makeup to beauty mogul reveals the power of authenticity and the magic that unfolds when passion meets purpose.

Laura shares the pivotal moment that changed everything - working one-on-one with real women at a makeup...

Fearlessly Facing FUNDRAISING! I love sharing incredible stories of amazing people - and at this stage of life we often find ourselves with a bit more bandwidth. And maybe this story and this incredible organization will ignite something in you. Meet Casey Baynes, Founder of The Casey Cares Foundation.

Casey Baynes founded Casey Cares Foundation at age 21 after hearing a child say "I wish I had cancer" while volunteering a...

Jim Burns returns to discuss how couples can reinvent their marriage after children leave home, exploring the unexpected challenges and opportunities of the empty nest phase.

• Empty nest can be challenging as couples suddenly have more time together after years of child-focused living
• The "gray divorce" phenomenon is increasing among those over 50, often due to neglected marriages during child-raising year...

And the F WORD IS: FASHION

Fearlessly Facing Fashion as we age with Fashion designer, Karla Murguia, Founder of the Montsera Collective. Karla's story is a masterclass in following your soul's calling, no matter how daunting the journey might seem. From her comfortable position as a digital editor at Elle magazine in Mexico to the bold decision to start over in New York City, Karla demonstrates what happens when we choose ...

And the F WORD is: Fearlessly Facing our FACES as we age. Today my guest is Joshua Hardinger, an incredible makeup artist specializing in mature skin who transforms women's confidence through his artistic approach to makeup. He shares his philosophy of enhancing natural beauty rather than changing it, helping women rediscover themselves.

• Joshua's background as an artist from Ringling College of Art and Design i...

And the "F WORD" is: FRIENDSHIP. Fearlessly Facing our friendships as we age.

Friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson unpacks the science of women's platonic relationships and offers practical strategies for navigating friendship challenges after 50. Research shows that loneliness increases cognitive decline, dementia, and heart disease by 32% in women over 50, making our friendship connections crucial for health an...