In this vibrant and deeply insightful episode, I sit down with best-selling author and "happiness expert" Karen Salmansohn. Karen shares her fascinating journey from a high-powered career as an award-winning creative director in advertising to becoming a leading voice in personal development and behavioral change.

We dive into her latest book, Your To Die for Life, which explores how embracing our mortality can actually help us live more fully and joyfully. Karen opens up about the pivotal moment of her father's passing and how writing his eulogy inspired her to reverse-engineer her own life to minimize regrets. She introduces powerful concepts like "emotional diversity", the idea that a full life requires a range of emotions, not just happiness, and her unique "mortality marble jar" ritual for visualizing time and prioritizing what truly matters.

Our conversation also touches on the power of identity-based habits, the importance of "best mode" over "beast mode," and Karen's experience as a later-in-life mother. She shares practical tools, humorous anecdotes (including a bagel-chewing call with Marisa Tomei!), and her refreshing perspective on rewriting the rules of life and motherhood.

You'll also hear about:

1. (06:54) Karen's bold decision to leave a successful advertising career to pursue her dream of writing books .
2. (12:32) The incredible story of how she bypassed her agent to get her manuscript directly to Marisa Tomei .
3. (19:30) How her father's death and writing his eulogy sparked a realization about living intentionally to avoid regrets .
4. (22:06) The research-backed concept that embracing death leads to living more boldly and authentically .
5. (28:33) "Emotional diversity" (emodiversity) and why a life of pure bliss without challenges wouldn't be meaningful .
6. (33:00) The "To-Die List" vs. the To-Do List: focusing on core values and identity-based habits .
7. (35:12) The 7 core values to avoid the top regrets of the dying: Authentic, Brave, Curious, Discerning, Empathic Love, Fun, and Grateful .
8. (51:23) The "Mortality Marble Jar" visual tool for tracking time left and ensuring monthly highlights .
9. (01:03:22) Karen's personal take on "Rewrite the Mother Code": proving that energetic, vibrant motherhood is possible later in life .

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Learn more about Karen Salmansohn

1. Visit Karen's main website: notsalmon.com
2. Learn about her new book...

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Courtney Boylan, the founder of LeiLolo, a brand dedicated to revolutionizing the postpartum market by turning sterile, clinical accessories into beautiful, empowering essentials. Courtney shares her personal journey from corporate life at Target and Amazon to becoming an entrepreneur, driven by her own postpartum struggles and the desire to feel like herself again after childbirth.

We discuss the genesis of LeiLolo, which started with a simple frustration over losing clear nipple shields and evolved into a mission to honor new mothers. Courtney opens up about the vulnerability of launching a business while raising young children, the invaluable support of her husband, and the parallels between birthing a baby and birthing a brand.

Our conversation delves into the importance of self-mothering, establishing rituals like journaling and early morning connection, and the cultural shift needed to prioritize the mother's well-being alongside the baby's. Courtney passionately advocates for normalizing all aspects of the female body and postpartum experience, reminding us that "there's no one who deserves pretty accessories more than a new mom."

You'll also hear about:

• (03:37) The "nipple shield epiphany": how losing clear shields led Courtney to design beautiful, colored alternatives .
• (04:25) Why postpartum products are often "stale and sterile" and make moms feel like patients rather than creators of life .
• (09:08) The pivotal role Courtney's husband played in pushing her to follow her dream and the emotional journey of taking that leap .
• (14:05) Breaking the stigma around female bodily functions and products, like hiding tampons or nursing pads .
• (19:34) Courtney's philosophy that LeiLolo is a "company for moms," regardless of how they choose to feed their babies .
• (29:48) The power of journaling as a release and self-connection tool during early motherhood .
• (31:44) Establishing a morning routine with her husband at 5 AM to connect before the chaos of the day begins .
• (40:08) Letting go of rigid visions for the future and learning to be present in the messy, beautiful "now" of motherhood and business .
• (45:03) The funny story behind the name "LeiLolo" and its accidental perfect meaning .
• (46:15) Courtney's definition of "Rewrite the Mother Code": living authentically, following your dreams, and believing in your power as a woman .

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Learn more about Courtney Boylan & LeiLolo

• Visit LeiLolo Website
• Follow LeiLolo on Instagram

Follow Dr. Gertrude:

• Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website
• Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
• Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s Substack
• Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with my friend Susie Transou, founder of Hearth and Soul, a unique retail concept that feels more like a home than a store. Susie shares her fascinating journey from growing up in the beer industry and running a large beverage distributorship with her husband to launching a completely new venture at age 50.

We discuss the pivotal moment at a birthday party where a life coach's vision sparked the idea for Hearth and Soul, and how Susie turned that spark into a reality within 48 hours. Susie opens up about the transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of community, hospitality, and the courage to ask for help, both professionally and personally.

Our conversation delves into the challenges of self-care for high achievers. Susie shares the concept of "the goose and the golden egg," emphasizing that to continue producing, one must take care of oneself. We also touch on the power of vulnerability, sharing our struggles, and the profound impact of her mother's openness about addiction on Susie's own comfort with sharing her story.

You'll also hear about:

1. (03:40) The birthday party retreat and life coaching session that planted the seed for Hearth and Soul .
2. (05:27) How Hearth and Soul was born in 48 hours with a vision of a "kitchen" gathering place for community .
3. (10:00) Susie's realization that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, and crucial for success in work and motherhood .
4. (17:00) The three core pillars of Hearth and Soul: Home, Friend, and Family, and how they shape the customer experience .
5. (29:51) The "goose and the golden egg" analogy for self-care: why taking care of yourself is essential for sustaining achievement .
6. (36:59) A therapist's assignment for Susie to sit still with her daughter for 15 minutes a day, and the challenge of simply "being" .
7. (43:08) Susie's definition of "Rewrite the Mother Code": being open to new and different ways to mother beyond traditional roles .

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Learn more about Susie Transou & Hearth and Soul

1. Shop online at hearthandsoul.com
2. Follow Hearth and Soul on Instagram

Follow Dr. Gertrude:

1. Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website