Tag Archives | Joy

767: The Longevity Secret We Rarely Talk About: The Healing Power of Friendship, Joy & Being Fully Expressed with Samantha Hollingsworth

August 25, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

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Episode Summary

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I miss me”?

Somewhere between taking care of everyone else, keeping life moving, and getting everything done, it’s easy to lose touch with the parts of yourself that make you feel creative, connected, joyful, and fully alive.

In this deeply personal conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with one of her best friends, artist, jewelry designer, and Fully Expressed co-host Samantha Hollingsworth, to explore female friendship, creativity, and what it means to become fully expressed.

They talk about why women need friendships where they can stop performing and feel completely seen, what makes a relationship feel safe and reciprocal, and why deeper connections become especially meaningful in midlife.

Samantha also shares her unconventional journey through multiple careers and creative pursuits, and why women don’t have to choose one passion or stay on one path forever. Plus, she and Dr. Mariza dive into their shared love of fiction and how books can reconnect us with imagination, possibility, and joy.

If you’re craving deeper friendships, more creativity, or simply want to feel more like you again, this episode is for you.

Listen now for a heartfelt conversation about friendship, creativity, and finding your way back to yourself.

SAMANTHA HOLLINGSWORTH

Samantha Hollingsworth is an artist, creative, jewelry designer, Pilates instructor, and co-host of the Fully Expressed podcast and community. After exploring careers in film, movement, voiceover, and other creative fields, Samantha found her way into jewelry design and now creates custom pieces while preparing to launch her own line, Slater by Samantha.

At the heart of her work is a passion for storytelling, creativity, deep female friendship, and creating spaces where women feel truly seen.

IN THIS EPISODE

What it actually means to live a fully expressed life
Why you don’t have to choose just one passion or path
How safe female friendships help us become more ourselves
What to look for when building deeper friendships in midlife
Why friendship requires vulnerability, discernment, and accountability
How books can provide escape, imagination, and connection
Why creativity belongs to everyone, not just artists
Giving yourself permission to start over and write a new story at any age

QUOTES

“Women need women. Like, that’s how we thrive.”

“Friendship is messy.”

“You can make whatever life you want.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Find inspiration, connection, and meaningful reads. Join the Book Club now!

Use code DRMARIZA and get 10% off on your Womeness Order

The Fully Expressed Website

The Fully Expressed Community

The Fully Expressed Podcast

Samantha Hollingsworth Instagram

Samantha Hollingsworth Website

RELATED EPISODES

766: The Weight You Lose Isn’t Always the Biggest Transformation: The Part of GLP-1s Nobody Talks About with Dr. Alexandra Sowa

765: How Do You Hold It Together When You’re Falling Apart Inside with Amy Morin

764: Why Your Nervous System Feels Dysregulated (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right) with Roseann Capanna-Hodge

761: Finding Your Way Back to Pleasure and Feeling Fully Alive with Gabriella Espinosa

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

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754: How to Find Joy When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan with Amberly Lago

June 11, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

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Episode Summary

What if resilience isn’t about pushing harder, but about learning how to move forward with grace, courage, and joy when life doesn’t go according to plan?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with bestselling author, speaker, coach, and podcast host Amberly Lago to discuss resilience, overcoming adversity, and finding purpose through life’s most difficult challenges.

After surviving a devastating motorcycle accident that nearly took her life, enduring dozens of surgeries, and being diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Amberly faced years of chronic pain, uncertainty, and reinvention. Rather than allowing her circumstances to define her, she chose to build a life rooted in resilience, gratitude, faith, community, and purpose.

Together, they explore the mindset shifts that help women move through difficult seasons, the role of gratitude in healing, why joy is a daily practice rather than a destination, and how small habits can create profound transformation over time.

Whether you’re navigating health challenges, career transitions, relationship struggles, or simply feeling stuck, this conversation offers practical tools and powerful encouragement to help you move forward with greater confidence and hope.

AMBERLY LAGO

Amberly Lago is a bestselling author, resilience coach, TEDx speaker, top-ranked podcast host, and motivational speaker. After surviving a catastrophic motorcycle accident and living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, she transformed her personal challenges into a mission to help others build resilience, find joy, and create meaningful lives despite adversity. She is the author of multiple books, including Joy Through the Journey and True Grit and Grace.

IN THIS EPISODE

How resilience is built through daily decisions and small actions
Amberly’s remarkable recovery journey after a life-changing accident
Why gratitude can shift your mindset during difficult seasons
The importance of acceptance when facing unexpected challenges
How community helps accelerate growth and confidence
Why joy is a strategy, not just an emotion
The role of habits, discipline, and non-negotiables in long-term success
How to move forward when life feels uncertain or overwhelming

QUOTES

“You can’t be grateful and miserable at the same time.”

“Resilience isn’t about bouncing back. It’s about moving forward.”

“When you’ve got grit, there is no quit.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Use code DRMARIZA and get 10% off on your Womeness Order

Joy Through the Journey Book by Amberly Lago

True Grit and Grace Book by Amberly Lago

The Amberly Lago Show

Amberly Lago Website

Amberly Lago Facebook

Amberly Lago Instagram

Amberly Lago Youtube

RELATED EPISODES

753: The Brain’s Hidden Role in Chronic Pain, Migraines & Fatigue with Dr. Howard Schubiner

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel

743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

677: Why High Functioning People Can’t Slow Down (and How to Reclaim Joy) with Dr. Judith Joseph

September 5, 2025 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

You know when you feel like you’re constantly going through the motions between work, family, and endless responsibilities—but inside, everything feels flat? That’s the reality of high-functioning depression.

In this episode, I’m joined by the talented psychiatrist, author, and nationally recognized expert in women’s mental health, Dr. Judith Joseph, to unpack what high-functioning depression really is.

We dive into the secret signs of high-functioning depression, especially in midlife, and why it often goes unnoticed in women who seem to have it all together.

Dr. Joseph shares powerful strategies and practical tools to help you move from surviving to truly thriving. We also discuss how to recognize when a loved one might be struggling behind the mask of success—and how to offer meaningful support.

If you feel emotionally drained despite keeping it all together on the outside, this episode will give you the clarity you need for more happiness in your life.

Dr. Judith Joseph, MD MBA

Dr. Judith Joseph is a psychiatrist, researcher, award-winning content creator, and author of the National Bestselling book “High Functioning, Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy”. Dr. Judith was named as a 2024 Black Health Hero by PopSugar Inc. She was also named a 2024 VeryWell Mind Top 25 Mental Health Thought Leader and a 2024 NAACP Top 6 Mental Health Champion.

IN THIS EPISODE

Warning signs for high-functioning depression in midlife
Understanding the science of happiness
Most common symptoms of high-functioning depression
Why many high-functioning people have trouble slowing down
The difference between happiness and joy
Strategies for navigating high-functioning depression
How to support a loved one with high-functioning depression

QUOTES

“People who go through perimenopause and menopause often mask how they feel just to show up for the job and for others. So they often have this underlying high-functioning depression that is made worse [from] hormonal fluctuations.”

“Gratitude practices are really helpful in staving off high-functioning depression or sustaining your joy. It’s hard to be grateful when you don’t know what brings you joy.”

“Don’t give up. You may feel hopeless, but know that there’s always something you have not tried. There’s always hope. That’s why I like the idea of support groups, because many times you not only help others with your story, but you also learn from other people.”