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Schedule an Annual Planning Session.

Budget besties, 2026 is almost here—but don’t skip the most important step: looking back at your 2025 money moves. 👀💸

In this episode, we’re walking you through a quick + powerful Year-in-Review so you can:

1. Actually see where your money went
2. Celebrate how far you've come (yes, even if it doesn’t feel like it)
3. Spot what needs adjusting before you set 2026 goals

We’re talking debt payoff, savings buckets, spending patterns, life changes—and how to use that info to feel way more confident going into the new year.

✨ Grab your free checklist: budgetbesties.com/yearinreview

✨ Simplified Budget System owners — book your one-time planning session at budgetbesties.com/annualplanning

✨ Bootcamp is coming Dec 29th: budgetbesties.com/bootcamp

Connect With Us:

1️⃣ Facebook Group – Join the community. Our free group is where the real talk happens. Connect with other women who are learning how to budget, save, and finally feel in control, together. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

2️⃣ Automate Your Budget Masterclass – Watch it now, no waiting. This FREE on-demand training shows you how to set up a budget that matches your lifestyle, without tracking every dollar or feeling restricted. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/automate

3️⃣ Budget – Grab our Simplified Budget System! You don’t need another budget, you need a system that does the math, makes the plan, and gives you permission to spend. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/budget

4️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching – Get a plan and a coach. We’ll build your full budget system together, so you always know what to do and feel confident doing it. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

5️⃣ Be on the Podcast – Free coaching, real convo. Come chat with us on the show! Get real-time financial coaching and help other women by sharing your story. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you… ✨ Please take a second to rate & review the show! It helps us reach more people—just like you—who are ready to change their financial future. 🔔 Don’t forget to follow so you never miss an episode! 💌 And if you're feeling extra generous, share this podcast with a friend who needs it. We’d be so honored. 🙌

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Podcast title: Lester PodcastTest Live V2

Podcast author: Lester Joson

Lester Joson

Today, we’re diving into a topic that many parents may face but rarely talk about openly: navigating menopause while raising young kids. If you’ve been wondering how to balance parenting with the changes menopause brings, this episode is for you.

In our first interview on Menstrual Cycle Awareness, we explored how menstruation impacts our lives. Today, we’re thrilled to welcome back our wonderful guests, Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer, for a second interview focusing on menopause. Alexandra Pope, Co-Founder of Red School and Co-Author of Wild Power and Wise Power, is a pioneer in menstruality education and awareness. With over 30 years of experience, Alexandra believes that each stage of the menstrual journey—from the first period to menopause and beyond—holds a unique power. Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer, also Co-Founder of Red School and Co-Author of Wild Power and Wise Power, is a psychotherapist and menstrual cycle educator. She is passionate about helping people understand and honor their natural rhythms, using menstrual cycle awareness as a tool for self-care and empowerment.

In this conversation, they’ll share their insights on embracing menopause as a time of empowerment rather than something to simply endure. They introduce us to their concept of “Wild Power,” a strength that arises from understanding and honoring your body’s natural rhythms through every stage of life.

Why Menopause Matters in Parenting

When we have kids a bit on the ‘later’ side, we may find ourselves dealing with perimenopause – when our body prepares for menopause – as we’re raising young children. This experience can bring challenges, like feeling more tired or dealing with mood changes, but it also offers us new ways to grow and find our inner strength. Alexandra and Sjanie show us how we can be more understanding and open with ourselves and others as we go through this time of change.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What is Menopause? Alexandra and Sjanie explain what menopause and perimenopause are and how these natural changes affect us physically and emotionally;
• The Wild Power Within: Discover how your unique energy can be a guiding force in both your personal life and in parenting;
• Tools to Support Yourself: Simple ways to be kinder to yourself, balance rest with activity, and embrace each phase with a sense of discovery;
• Reconnecting with Yourself: Learn how you can stay grounded and connected to your inner self as you navigate the ups and downs of menopause.

Listen in to this powerful conversation that might just change the way you think about parenting—and about yourself.Alexandra and Sjanie’s books

(Affiliate Links):

• Wild power: Discover the magic of your menstrual cycle and awaken the feminine path to power
• Wise power: Discover the liberating power of menopause to awaken authority, purpose and belonging

Other episodes mentioned:

• 222: How to cultivate Menstrual Cycle Awareness
• 216: Am I in Perimenopause? with Dr. Louise Newson

Jump to highlights:

00:03 Introducing today’s episode and featured guests

00:52 Understanding menopause and it’s stages

03:02 Introduction to menopause terminology: perimenopause, menopause, post-menopause

05:34 Phases compared to seasons, each with unique emotional and psychological developments

06:44 Defining menopause and it’s psychological impact

08:51 Importance of self-care and preparation for menopause

09:59 “Quickening” phase introduces a creative energy shift

17:43 Navigating menopause as a parent

18:15 Challenges for parents in their 40s during menopause

21:00 Importance of self-acceptance, setting boundaries, and receiving partner support

24:44 Symptoms and self-care in menopause

34:29 Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and it’s implications

44:16 The role of the inner critic in menopause

54:18 Final thoughts and resources

Mentioned in this episode:

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Mark Asquith takes listeners on an insightful journey into the world of podcast publishing, providing a step-by-step guide tailored for first-time podcasters. The episode begins with a vital reminder: after absorbing this tutorial, users should delete the demonstration episode to avoid cluttering their podcast feeds. Mark sets the tone by highlighting the simplicity of the Podcast Websites WordPress platform, which allows users to focus on creating engaging content without getting bogged down by complicated technicalities.

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Mark doesn't stop there; he delves into the importance of visual elements, suggesting that podcasters add a featured image to their episodes. This image serves not only as a visual representation on their website but also plays a role in engaging visitors and enticing them to listen. The episode culminates with practical tips on the publishing process, including how to schedule episodes for future dates, enabling podcasters to maintain a consistent release schedule with minimal effort. Overall, this episode is a treasure trove of practical advice, designed to empower aspiring podcasters to navigate their launch with confidence.