On this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle dive into a heartfelt conversation about living with purpose — how we discover it, how we drift from it, and how life’s biggest transitions can bring us back to what truly matters.

The episode opens with the two ladies sharing stories about those strange, vivid dreams that often show up during times of stress. These anxiety dreams become a doorway into a deeper conversation about emotional wellness and the way our subconscious tries to guide us when we are feeling overwhelmed or stretched to thin.

From there, the tone softens as Suzanne talks about her mother’s passing and how that profound loss has reshaped her sense of purpose. She reflects on the mindset shifts that happen in grief — how the things that once felt urgent fade into the background, how everyday stressors lose their power, and how navigating grief can make the world feel both too fast and painfully unchanged.

Together, Suzanne and Michelle explore finding your purpose. The tender work of grief and healing, and the invitation life offers us to embrace meaningful living even when we’re still hurting. It’s a conversation rooted in real experiences, personal growth, and the reminder that life is short… which makes the moments of joy, connection, and authenticity all the more precious.

If you’ve ever questioned your purpose, felt stuck in the chaos, or been reshaped by loss, this episode offers comfort, clarity, and a gentle nudge toward choosing what matters most.

We hope you enjoy this episode…and until next week everyone - stay authentic to who you are!

Cheers!!

For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations:

Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram)

www.orangejuiceoptional.com

www.spirituallysituated.com

Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

In this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Michelle and Suzanne dicuss Suzanne’s recent stay at a Marriott property. This experience left a lot to be desired and had Suzanne questioning not only the lackluster customer service, but also all the corners being cut. For Suzanne, it was an underwhelming experience.

But in life, moments of disappointment also make room for moments of appreciation and admiration. With this in mind, our appreciation led us straight back into one of our favorite travel memories: our stay at the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Join us as we revisit:

✨ Being accidentally locked in a stairwell

✨ Being on the lookout for celebrities, and then somehow missing the one sitting at the table next to you.

✨ The Plaza’s rich & glamorous history

✨ Its literary and cultural connection to Truman Capote and his famous Black & White Ball

✨ The charm, magic, and old-world elegance that makes The Plaza feel like a national treasure.

This episode explores travel stories, hotel nostalgia, a little mischief, and a whole lot of champagne-flavored humor.

Whether you’ve stayed at The Plaza Hotel, or simply dreamed of it, you’ll be right at home with us today.

We hope you enjoy this episode…and until next week everyone - stay authentic to who you

Cheers! 🥂🧡

For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations:

Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram)

www.orangejuiceoptional.com

www.spirituallysituated.com

Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

On this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne challenges both of us to dig a little deeper when it comes to “what we are thankful for”. This year, she is unwilling to accept clichés or generic gratitude lists. She wants something real, something relevant, and something that actually reflects the highs and / or lows of the past year.

During this episode, we also chat about Christmasdecorating challenges, why I shouldn’t cook, and weird little quirks that make life a little more interesting.

This is a cozy and candid episode filled with real talk and Thanksgiving gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We are very grateful for our listeners and their continued support.

Cheers! 🥂🧡

For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations:

Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram)

www.orangejuiceoptional.com

www.spirituallysituated.com

Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com

On this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle pick up where they left off last week.

Fresh off the excitement of the U.S. Open, the ladies continue to discuss their recent visit to New York City. This talk in filled with sparkle, laughter, and unforgettable stories.

From Suzanne’s jewelry scare (and the momentary panic that followed) to an indulgent dinner at the iconic Delmonico Steakhouse, this episode captures the blend of friendship, travel, and real-life humor that makes Orange Juice Optional such a relatable women’s travel podcast.

Then before this episode concludes, it’s lights up on Broadway, where the duo lands front-row seats to Mamma Mia! Can you visualize the ladies singing along, laughing out loud, and soaking up every glittering note of the show? It was quite the experience…For everyone!!

Between the thrill of Broadway Nights, Big Apple bites, and heartfelt reflections on friendship, this episode is a love letter to living in the moment, embracing the chaos, and finding joy in every bite, song, and story along the way.

We hope you enjoy this episode…and until next week everyone - stay authentic to who you are!

Cheers!!

For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations:

Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram) www.orangejuiceoptional.com www.spirituallysituated.com Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com

This episode description was created with the help of Chatgpt (open AI, 2025). It has been reviewed and edited for clarity

Who needs mimosas when you’ve got Manhattan?

Join Michelle and Suzanne as Orange Juice Optional takes on New York City — one adventure (and one laugh) at a time.

In this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Michelle shares how she almost didn’t go to New York. But once she arrived, New York unfolded in unexpected ways — from early mornings at the Today Show, to a charming little bookstore where her book Good Night Sweet Bear found encouragement (and maybe a hint of future recognition).

The conversation (and adventure) then shifts to the U.S. Open tennis tournament, where the ladies not only soaked in the sun, but also the energy, history, and tradition of one of America’s most iconic events.

Throughout this episode, they reflect on friendship, travel, and the beauty of saying “yes” — proving that even after fifty, stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to joy, laughter, and surprising moments of connection.

This is Part One of a special New York travel series — full of heart, humor, and the reminder that sometimes the trips we resist the most are the ones that change us the most.

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We hope you enjoy this episode…and until next week everyone - stay authentic to who you are!

Cheers!!

For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations:

Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram) www.orangejuiceoptional.com www.spirituallysituated.com Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com

In this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle get real about the ways we try to fill life’s empty spaces — whether it’s emotional eating, drinking, or spending.

From the lure of slot machines to the shock of not recognizing someone you haven’t seen in years, this episode explores how habits, time, and emotion shape who we become.

With humor, honesty, and heart, the ladies remind us that life’s too short to wait for “someday.” It’s time to let go of old patterns, trust ourselves, and finally say yes to what we really want.

We hope you enjoy this episode…and until next week everyone - stay authentic to who you are!

Cheers!!

For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations:

Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram) www.orangejuiceoptional.com www.spirituallysituated.com Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com

This episode description was created with the help of Chatgpt (open AI, 2025). It has been reviewed and edited for clarity

On this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional:

Suzanne is shaking things up a bit when she introduces this week’s ’Something to Sip On’ at the beginning of the episode. She is inspired by it, and as a result, the ladies will talk about life in general and how important it is to show up for one another. Not only in the good times, but also in the harder times. Life just feels better knowing that you have someone in your corner!!

Until next week everyone stay authentic to who you are! Cheers!!

For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations:

Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram) www.orangejuiceoptional.com www.spirituallysituated.com Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

On this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional:

Michelle is frustrated with an early morning construction project. She vents that this project is waking up the dogs and creating a huge mess. Listening to her concerns, Suzanne reminds her that in situations like this, setting expectations early on is always a conversation worth having - Even if it’s a difficult conversion to have.

Then the discussion shifts to a recent exasperating day that Suzanne experienced while arranging medical care for her mother. It was definitely a lesson that she learned in the pressure of the moment. Knowing that there are other people going through this process, Suzanne shares some valuable pointers that she has learned the hard way.

To close out this episode, Michelle will share this week’s ‘Something to Sip on'. OJO's 'Something to Sip on' is always a featured quote intended to inspire reflection and continued contemplation.

Until next week everyone stay authentic to who you are! Cheers!!

For more information about this podcast, please visit the following locations:

Orange Juice Optional (Facebook & Instagram) www.orangejuiceoptional.com www.spirituallysituated.com Email: orangejuiceoptional@gmail.com

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com