The Doula Johanna Podcast: How to Be Your Own Life

Are you in your forties or fifties wondering what comes next in life, love, and purpose? In this episode, I help you reframe midlife not as an ending but as an awakening and reset. You’ll learn how your inner compass can guide you toward more intentional living, richer relationships, meaningful work, and a grounded sense of joy even amid transition. This video explores: 0:00 Introduction 1:04 What Is the Inner Compass? 2:37 No Regrets Women Circle Community 3:34 Becoming Braver, Not Selfish 4:44 Relationships in Midlife 7:26 Work, Purpose & Meaning 8:44 Trust & Interdependence 9:44 Following Your Inner Compass 10:24 Closing & Next Steps Whether you’re juggling family life, careers, identity shifts, or long-held dreams, this talk helps you embrace midlife with intention and depth rather than fear and regret. Welcome to my channel. I’m Johanna, a former molecular biologist turned birth doula and hospice volunteer in training. I create weekly videos to help women in midlife live with more intention, softness, and depth by noticing the beauty of our ordinary days. 🌙 Birth Doula Support in Munich: https://doulajohanna.com/birth-doula-support/ Customized Childbirth Preparation (English-speaking): https://doulajohanna.com/contact/ 💛 Explore end of life reflections & living more fully: https://doulajohanna.com/death-doula-support/ ✨ New community coming soon for mothers in midlife: https://doulajohanna.com/community/ 📬 Subscribe to Newsletter (reflections + tools): https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/777532/153375709920757750/share 📌 Find me here Instagram: https://instagram.com/doulajohanna Website: https://www.doulajohanna.com Etsy resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoulaJohanna Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7KcnWjJieuLm5aYJfFSoqT Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-doula-johanna-podcast-how-to-be-your-own-life-doula/id1786126722 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe — let me know how you’re living with intention today! Keywords: doula johanna podcast, living with intention, purpose after 40, midlife transformation, midlife personal growth, midlife women empowerment, midlife motherhood, midlife reflection, legacy & meaning, intentional living, life after 40, inner peace, women in midlife, self improvement, life advice, life coach for women, intentional motherhood #intentionalmidlife #midlifereset #livewithintention #midlifepurpose #noregretswomen #midlifewellbeing #meaningfulliving #midlifemoms #relationshipsafter40

Mothers in Midlife: 5 Hidden Energy Leaks That Steal Your Strength & How to Stop Them If you’re a mother in midlife and you feel tired in a way that sleep alone doesn’t fix, this episode is for you. ✨ This is not a “let’s complain about life” video. Midlife can be a powerful phase. But it’s also a season where so much depends on us, and we simply can’t afford to leak energy everywhere without paying a price. When we keep giving and giving, we eventually crash — and that helps no one. 💡 In this video, I’m naming five common energy leaks that make everything feel harder in this season of life — including how to recognize them and protect your energy, mood, and health. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 02:43 – Energy Leak #1 04:20 – Energy Leak #2 05:44 – Energy Leak #3 07:05 – Energy Leak #4 08:11 – Energy Leak #5 👇 Tell me in the comments: Which energy leak feels most true for you right now? 🌿 Join the No Regrets Women’s Circle If you want to do this with other women in the same season of life, you are warmly invited to join: https://the-no-regrets-womens-circle.mn.co/plans/1933001?bundle_token=1cee55e20107367a6559180066f54af4&utm_source=manual 📌 Subscribe so you don’t miss the next video in this series — where we’ll talk about planning your week to protect your energy: #perimenopause #midlife #midlifemoms #motherhood #womenshealth #burnoutprevention #intentionaliving #noregretswomenscircle #bodyandhealth #livingmorefully 📣 About the channel Welcome to my channel. I am Johanna, a former molecular biologist turned birth doula and hospice volunteer in training. I create weekly videos to help women in midlife live with more intention, softness and depth by noticing the beauty of ordinary days. 👇 Essential Services/Resources (Keep These Links) If you are an expat preparing to give birth in Germany: Birth Doula Support in Munich — https://doulajohanna.com/birth-doula-support/ Customized Childbirth Preparation (English-speaking) — https://doulajohanna.com/contact/ 🌙 Exploring end of life reflections & intentional living: End of Life Doula Support (Munich) — https://doulajohanna.com/death-doula-support/ New community coming soon: https://doulajohanna.com/community/ 📬 Stay connected Newsletter: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/777532/153375709920757750/share Instagram: https://instagram.com/doulajohanna Website: https://www.doulajohanna.com Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoulaJohanna Listen On: Spotify Podcast — https://open.spotify.com/show/7KcnWjJieuLm5aYJfFSoqT Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-doula-johanna-podcast-how-to-be-your-own-life-doula/id1786126722 #midlifemoms #intentionalliving #energytipsforwomen #noregretsliving #midlifereset #burnoutprevention #midlifewellbeing #motherhoodafter35 #mindfulliving #midlifejourney

Time Blocking for Mothers Over 40 (How to Plan Your Ideal Week Without Burnout) If your calendar feels like a list of obligations instead of a life you actually want, this video is for you. We all have the same 168 hours in a week, but in midlife, especially as mothers over 40, we can’t plan the way we did at 25. In this episode, I walk you through my time-blocking method for mothers over 40 and show you how I build an ideal week that protects what matters most: sleep, marriage, kids, friendships, meaningful work, movement, and personal time, without burnout. This video is part of my Perimenopause Reframe Series. Not because the schedule is only for perimenopause, but because it’s designed to honor midlife energy, nervous system needs, and real-life responsibilities. In this video, you’ll learn: • The 2 questions that make weekly planning simpler (and less overwhelming) • How I build my week visually using categories and color blocks • Why life-first scheduling creates more joy and less resentment • My best midlife productivity rules (shared at the end) If you want support, structure, and a community of women building intentional lives in midlife, join us here: No Regrets Women’s Circle https://the-no-regrets-womens-circle.mn.co/plans/1933001?bundle_token=1cee55e20107367a6559180066f54af4&utm_source=manual Music used via Async: Track: Last Straw of Summer License / Code: NWR02VV2EGMRLMRT 💢 Your turn: What is the one thing you want your calendar to protect first, sleep, connection, movement, or personal time? Tell me in the comments. Welcome to my channel. I’m Johanna, a former molecular biologist turned birth doula and hospice volunteer in training. I create weekly videos for women in midlife who want to live with more intention, softness, and depth by keeping the end in mind and noticing the beauty of ordinary days. If you are an expat preparing to give birth in Germany: Birth Doula Support in Munich https://doulajohanna.com/birth-doula-support/ Customized Childbirth Preparation (English-speaking): https://doulajohanna.com/contact/ 🌙 Exploring end-of-life reflections, legacy, and living more fully: End of Life Doula Support (Munich area) https://doulajohanna.com/death-doula-support/ 💛 A new community is coming soon For mothers in midlife who want to live with presence, meaning, and as few regrets as possible https://doulajohanna.com/community/ 📬 Stay connected Newsletter with reflections, tools, and updates https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/777532/153375709920757750/share Find me here Instagram: https://instagram.com/doulajohanna Website: https://www.doulajohanna.com Etsy resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoulaJohanna 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7KcnWjJieuLm5aYJfFSoqT Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-doula-johanna-podcast-how-to-be-your-own-life-doula/id1786126722 ► See More: • https://youtu.be/AqYT5BLSpos?si=wUfNW2GWmk4QedvW • https://youtu.be/AEEVYaHrjpE?si=b440KmYLKBeKv4t5 ►Best Playlist: • https://youtu.be/35xZhDfkY6A?si=nDZT1OEbhbt2XEfn ►Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@doulajohannapodcast #timeblocking #midlifemother #intentionalliving #weeklyplanning #motherhoodafter40 #midlifeproductivity #noregretsliving #idealweek #burnoutrecovery

ntentional Living for Midlife Women | Create Systems, Not Goals It’s a new year, and most goals are already in danger, not because you are lazy, but because a goal is only an outcome. If you want real change in 2026, you need a system. A small set of habits that still works when life is messy. In this short episode, I’ll show you how to: Choose one meaningful goal for 2026 that is upstream of everything else Use the Five Whys to find the deeper reason you actually want it Build a habit system inspired by James Clear’s Atomic Habits framework: make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying Design it to work on your worst days, not only your best days I’m Dr. Johanna Canady, birth doula and hospice volunteer. On this channel we keep death close, so we can live more fully. If you are a woman in midlife and you want a year that feels alive, intentional, and regret reducing, you are in the right place. Watch the Intention Setting Party replay here: https://the-no-regrets-womens-circle.mn.co/plans/1928186?bundle_token=ab5ebfe45ca38338b2c6e9aeca054192&utm_source=manual Join the No Regrets Women’s Circle here: https://the-no-regrets-womens-circle.mn.co/plans/1933001?bundle_token=1cee55e20107367a6559180066f54af4&utm_source=manual Want to try it today? Write one goal for 2026. Do the Five Whys until it feels true. Then choose one daily habit and run it through the four laws. Keywords: systems not goals, Atomic Habits, James Clear habits, Five Whys exercise, goal setting 2026, habit system, intentional living, midlife women, no regrets life, motivation vs discipline, behavior change, habit formation Hashtags: #AtomicHabits #JamesClear #Habits #SystemsOverGoals #GoalSetting #IntentionalLiving #MidlifeWomen #NoRegrets #FiveWhys #LivingMoreFully 💫 Welcome to my channel I am Johanna, a former molecular biologist turned birth doula and hospice volunteer in training. I create weekly videos for women in midlife who want to live with more intention, softness, and depth by keeping the end in mind and noticing the beauty of ordinary family life. 👶 If you are an expat preparing to give birth in Germany Birth Doula Support in Munich https://doulajohanna.com/birth-doula-support/ Customized Childbirth Preparation (English-speaking) https://doulajohanna.com/contact/ 🌙 Exploring end of life reflections, legacy, and living more fully End of Life Doula Support (Munich area) https://doulajohanna.com/death-doula-support/ 💛 A new community is coming soon A space for mothers in midlife who want to live with presence, meaning, and fewer regrets https://doulajohanna.com/community/ 📬 Stay connected Newsletter with reflections, tools, and updates https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/777532/153375709920757750/share Find me here Instagram: https://instagram.com/doulajohanna Website: https://www.doulajohanna.com Etsy resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoulaJohanna Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7KcnWjJieuLm5aYJfFSoqT Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-doula-johanna-podcast-how-to-be-your-own-life-doula/id1786126722 Music licensed via Podcastle.ai Track 1 1T35HZJCR22QZH43 Track 2 FMFQVZRJ7JIULBLA Track 3 SZ6POJF1QMWCG3PN Track 4 I9MW9CDHASPFHQLD #christmasoverwhelm #midlifemothers #intentionalchristmas #intentionalliving #motherhoodafter40 #mentalload #noregretsliving #midlifereset

Midlife & Perimenopause: Calm, Courageous, Intentional (A Reframe Without Panic) Perimenopause is everywhere right now, but the way it’s talked about often feels heavy, negative, and honestly a little hopeless. This video is for the mother in midlife who is done with that story and ready to shift perspective. If you’re in your late 30s, 40s, or early 50s and you feel like something is shifting, not just in your body but in your priorities, patience, standards, and courage, you’re not alone. This season can feel intense, but it can also be incredibly powerful. In this episode, I share a different lens, one that doesn’t reduce you to symptoms or treat midlife like the beginning of the end. For many of us, this is a rare and precious chapter: most of the people we love are still around us, we’ve already done hard things, and we’re finally ready to live with more truth and less pressure to please. If you’re craving a calmer, stronger way to move through this season, you’re in the right place. 👉 Join the No Regrets Women’s Circle Body & Health Season (January) Weekly intentions, honest conversations, and small steps that actually fit into motherhood and real life. No perfection. No shame. Just support. https://the-no-regrets-womens-circle.mn.co/plans/1933001?bundle_token=1cee55e20107367a6559180066f54af4&utm_source=manual 💬 Tell me in the comments Does the word “midlife” feel empowering or still feel loaded? #perimenopause #midlife #midlifemoms #womeninmidlife #intentionalliving #noregrets #bodyandhealth #motherhood #hormonehealth #livingmorefully 🎶 Music licensed via Podcastle Track 1 License code Q62VHZET8XU3ZR6S Track 2 License code ABC123XYZ456 🔔 Subscribe for weekly videos about intentional living, midlife meaning and living more fully 💛 About Johanna & This Channel Welcome! I’m Johanna, a former molecular biologist turned birth doula and hospice volunteer in training. I create weekly videos for women in midlife who want more intention, softness and depth in everyday life. If you are an expat preparing to give birth in Germany: Birth Doula Support in Munich https://doulajohanna.com/birth-doula-support/ Customized Childbirth Preparation (English-speaking) https://doulajohanna.com/contact/ 🌙 Exploring end of life reflections, legacy and living fully End of Life Doula Support (Munich area) https://doulajohanna.com/death-doula-support/ 💛 A new community is coming soon https://doulajohanna.com/community/ 📬 Newsletter https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/777532/153375709920757750/share Find me here Instagram https://instagram.com/doulajohanna Website https://www.doulajohanna.com Etsy resources https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoulaJohanna Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7KcnWjJieuLm5aYJfFSoqT Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-doula-johanna-podcast-how-to-be-your-own-life-doula/id1786126722 #perimenopause #midlife #midlifemoms #womeninmidlife #intentionalliving #noregrets #bodyandhealth #hormonehealth #motherhood #livingmorefully

There are losses no one ever knew about. The pregnancy that ended before you could tell anyone. The abortion you chose in an impossible situation and still think about years later. If you are quietly grieving a miscarriage or abortion while everyone around you is oblivious, this conversation is for you. In this video I share my own experience of early loss and what I have learned as a birth doula and hospice trainee about the invisible grief so many mothers carry. This is not a debate about right or wrong. It is a gentle space to put words to what happened, to normalise your feelings and to remind you that you do not have to carry this alone, especially during the holidays when the pain can feel even sharper. You will hear about: how early miscarriages and abortions can feel very similar in a mother’s heart. why your mix of grief, relief, guilt, anger or numbness is a very human response how common hidden pregnancy loss and abortion really are why you owe no one your story, and why telling one safe person might hurt less than you think This channel, Keeping Death Close, Living More Fully, exists to honour the hard, hidden parts of life so that we can live with more honesty, tenderness and courage. If this video speaks to you, you are so welcome here. 1:1 doula support Supporting mothers through miscarriage, abortion and other forms of pregnancy loss is also part of doula work. If you would like someone to listen without judgement and with an open heart to your story, you are very welcome to reach out to your local doula or to me personally. You can contact me here: 📩 Email: info@doulajohanna.com 📸 Instagram: @doulajohanna Online sessions are possible, and if you are near Munich we can explore in-person support. Join the No Regrets Women’s Circle If you are looking for a non-judgemental online community of women who want to live as intentionally as they can, you are invited into the No Regrets Women’s Circle. We talk about body and health, money and work, relationships, fun, and also about grief, legacy and all the tender in-between spaces. Learn more and join here: 🌿 No Regrets Women’s Circle: https://the-no-regrets-womens-circle.mn.co/users/onboarding/plans?auto_join=true&from=https%3A%2F%2Fthe-no-regrets-womens-circle.mn.co%2F%3Fautojoin%3D1&space_id=21977603 If you feel comfortable, you can share in the comments by simply writing “I am remembering someone” or leaving a heart. You do not have to tell your whole story for your grief to be real. Thank you for being here. Hashtags #invisiblegrief #pregnancyloss #miscarriage #miscarriagegrief #babyloss #abortion #abortiongrief #earlypregnancyloss #griefsupport #doulasupport #birthdoula #deathpositive #intentionalliving #womenscircle #noregretswomenscircle Welcome to my channel. I am Johanna, a former molecular biologist turned birth doula and hospice volunteer in training. I create weekly videos to help women in midlife live with more intention, softness and depth by keeping the end in mind and noticing the beauty of our ordinary days. If you are an expat preparing to give birth in Germany: Birth Doula Support in Munich https://doulajohanna.com/birth-doula-support/ Customized Childbirth Preparation (English-speaking) https://doulajohanna.com/contact/ 🌙 If you are exploring end of life reflections, legacy and living more fully: End of Life Doula Support (Munich area) https://doulajohanna.com/death-doula-support/ 💛 A new community is coming soon A space for mothers in midlife who want to live with presence, meaning and as few regrets as possible. https://doulajohanna.com/community/ 📬 Stay connected Newsletter with reflections, tools and updates https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/777532/153375709920757750/share Find me here Instagram: https://instagram.com/doulajohanna Website: https://www.doulajohanna.com Etsy resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoulaJohanna Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7KcnWjJieuLm5aYJfFSoqT Apple Podca

5 Life Lessons I Learned From Death & Dying | Gentle Reflections for Women in Midlife SAVE YOUR SPOT FOR THE INTENTION SETTING PARTY: https://shorturl.at/h9oqY Isn’t it depressing to think about death and dying? If part of you is curious about the end of life, but another part is afraid it will make everything feel heavier or darker, this conversation is for you. In this episode, I share 5 surprising truths about life that only became clear to me while studying death and dying during my hospice volunteer training. My intention is not to offer theory or overwhelm you, but to gently invite reflection—through questions and tiny actions you can carry into your own week. You will walk away with: -- A new way to think about your body as your only home, not a never-ending project -- A simple filter to see which worries will never matter at the end of life -- Gentle prompts to invest in the relationships you would regret neglecting -- A practice for noticing the ordinary moments that already make up your “good life” -- The nudge to stop waiting until you feel ready and take one small step toward what you really want This episode is especially for you if you are a thoughtful, slightly overwhelmed woman in midlife who is tired of rushing through her days and wants to live more intentionally—without burning everything down. If something in this video resonates, I would love to hear which of the five truths speaks to you most right now and what tiny experiment you are willing to try this week. Share it in the comments so we can learn from each other. Welcome to my channel. I am Johanna, a former molecular biologist turned birth doula and hospice volunteer in training. I create weekly videos to help women in midlife live with more intention, softness, and depth—by keeping the end in mind and noticing the beauty of our ordinary days. If you are an expat preparing to give birth in Germany: Birth Doula Support in Munich https://doulajohanna.com/birth-doula-... Customized Childbirth Preparation (English-speaking) https://doulajohanna.com/contact/ 🌙 Exploring end-of-life reflections, legacy, and living more fully: End of Life Doula Support (Munich area) https://doulajohanna.com/death-doula-... 💛 A new community is coming soon https://doulajohanna.com/community/ 📬 Stay connected https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/form... Instagram: / doulajohanna Website: https://www.doulajohanna.com Etsy resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoulaJohanna 🎧 Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7KcnWjJ... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast... #deathawareness #intentionalmidlife #livingmorefully #mementomori #midlifewomen #lifelessons #noregretsliving #meaningfullife

SAVE YOUR SPOT FOR THE INTENTION SETTING PARTY: https://the-no-regrets-womens-circle.mn.co/share/FViQ_HWLSGM4wCcd?utm_source=manual JOIN THE NO REGRETS WOMEN’S CIRCLE 2026: https://the-no-regrets-womens-circle.mn.co/share/FViQ_HWLSGM4wCcd?utm_source=manual If you are a mother in midlife and you feel that life is too precious to sleepwalk through another year, this episode is for you. In our forties, we are often told that midlife is a crisis. At the same time we are juggling kids, work, the household and often aging parents. It is easy to put our own body, dreams and joy at the very bottom of the list. I believe the opposite is true. These can be our most powerful years, if we start living with intention. We do not have endless time to keep postponing our own life. The time is now and we are stronger together than on our own. In this video I share a simple 3 step framework to make 2026 your most intentional year yet as a mom in midlife. You will learn how to review your year honestly, choose a few no regrets priorities and stop trying to do it all alone. I also invite you to my live online Intention Setting Party on 28 December, and introduce the No Regrets Women’s Circle, a yearlong community for mothers in midlife who want to live 2026 with intention instead of autopilot. Whether you join the party, become a member of the circle, or simply take the framework and run with it, my hope is that you step into 2026 feeling clear, grounded and supported. We may not know how many years like this we have ahead of us, but we can choose to make this one count, together. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why midlife mothers cannot afford to live on autopilot 01:00 My own journey toward intentional living 03:35 The 3 step framework for an intentional 2026 06:18 Invitation to the Intention Setting Party 09:15 Inside the No Regrets Women’s Circle 2026 15:10 What happens if nothing changes

If this Christmas was the last one you had with all the grandparents at the table, or the last one with your kids exactly as they are right now, what would actually change for you? If December usually feels stressful, heavy or chaotic, you are not alone. Mothers usually juggle an insane amount of tasks during the holiday season. In this episode I share how my work as a birth doula and hospice volunteer has gently changed the way I look at Christmas. Not to make it sad, but to help you enjoy it more and let go of what does not really matter. This conversation is for you if you want: + more ease in December instead of pressure + more clarity about what Christmas is really about for your family + more intentional moments that feel lived, not performed + more joy in the middle of a very imperfect, real life I will guide you through three simple shifts I am making this year so your Christmas feels lighter and more meaningful at the same time. Stay with me until the end for one extra tip that you can integrate this year to enjoy the holidays more, especially as a mother in midlife! If this episode gives you a bit more peace and perspective, share it with a friend who is already overwhelmed by Christmas and subscribe for more reflections on keeping death close and living more fully in ordinary family life. Welcome to my channel. I am Johanna, a former molecular biologist turned birth doula and hospice volunteer in training. I create weekly videos to help women in midlife live with more intention, softness and depth by keeping the end in mind and noticing the beauty of our ordinary days. If you are an expat preparing to give birth in Germany: Birth Doula Support in Munich https://doulajohanna.com/birth-doula-support/ Customized Childbirth Preparation (English-speaking) https://doulajohanna.com/contact/ 🌙 If you are exploring end of life reflections, legacy and living more fully: End of Life Doula Support (Munich area) https://doulajohanna.com/death-doula-support/ 💛 A new community is coming soon A space for mothers in midlife who want to live with presence, meaning and as few regrets as possible. https://doulajohanna.com/community/ 📬 Stay connected Newsletter with reflections, tools and updates https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/777532/153375709920757750/share Find me here Instagram: https://instagram.com/doulajohanna Website: https://www.doulajohanna.com Etsy resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoulaJohanna Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7KcnWjJieuLm5aYJfFSoqT Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-doula-johanna-podcast-how-to-be-your-own-life-doula/id1786126722 #birthdoulamunich #englishspeakingdoula #expatpregnancy #intentionalmidlife #keepingdeathclose #livingmorefully #midlifemagic #motherhoodafter40 #endoflifedoula #childbirthpreparationgermany #expatmoms #workingmoms #lifedoula #selfcareforwomen #momburnout #coachingformoms #momlifeafter40 #intimacyafterkids #motherhoodandmore

Have you ever thought about your funeral preferences? Most expats in Germany discover very quickly that the funeral system here feels completely different from what they grew up with. SInce losing several beloved people in my life, I was deeply aware of the emotional load families carry at the end of life made me understand how much easier everything becomes when we prepare a few things in advance. The hopsice volunteer training I am conducting right now only deepened that awareness. In this episode of my End of Life Essentials series, I walk you through the main funeral options in Germany, the realistic costs , and the pros and cons of each choice. We talk about earth burials, cremation, forest burials, sea burials, and even some unusual options that many people do not know exist. More importantly, I guide you through the questions that help you discover what feels right for you. Your ceremony preferences, the atmosphere you imagine for your goodbye, the stories you want people to remember, and the values you want to leave behind. This is not about being morbid. It is about living more fully today with clarity, peace of mind, and a sense that your loved ones will be supported when the time comes. What we cover in this episode: • Why thinking about your funeral preferences matters • Earth burial, cremation, forest burial, sea burial • Costs in the Munich area • Pros and cons for each option • Ceremony choices like music, flowers, readings, dress code • Questions to help you write your own eulogy • How to communicate your wishes to your loved ones • Two beautiful free resources to support you Free downloads: You can get the funeral checklist here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/777532/172211252979827988/share And you will receive the Eulogy Workbook through this link: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/777532/172217621505116051/share Join the Intention Setting Party for 2026 If you want to start the next year with clarity and purpose, I would love for you to join my Intention Setting Party. It is a warm, safe space to reflect, plan, and set meaningful intentions for the year ahead. You can join here: https://the-no-regrets-womens-circle.mn.co/plans/1928186

This is the third episode in my End of Life Essentials series, and today we are talking about something almost no one prepares for even though it can spare your loved ones weeks of stress and confusion. If the unthinkable were to happen, would your partner, your children or your closest friends know where to begin? Would they know where your important documents are, who to call, what accounts exist, or what you would want? Most of us assume our family will simply figure things out, but that is rarely the case. The truth is that creating one simple folder or binder can turn chaos into clarity at a time when your loved ones will already be grieving. This episode walks you through the essential documents every family needs and why preparing them now is one of the deepest acts of love you can offer. I also created a downloadable Plan Ahead Checklist so you can gather everything step by step without feeling overwhelmed. It is free, and it is designed to give you and your family more peace of mind: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/777532/171662106735675376/share If you want to live more intentionally and begin shaping a life with fewer regrets, I invite you to join my Intention Setting Party on December 28. It is a gentle space to reflect on the past year, connect with what matters and set your direction for the year ahead: https://the-no-regrets-womens-circle.mn.co/plans/1928186?bundle_token=ab5ebfe45ca38338b2c6e9aeca054192&utm_source=manual Thank you for being the kind of person who is courageous enough to look at these topics. Keeping death close helps us live more fully. I am so glad you are here. 🌟Welcome to The Doula Johanna Podcast 🌟 I’m Dr. Johanna Canady — your life doula for birth, death, and everything in between. Weekly reflections & conversations to help you: Live with more intention, gratitude, and courage Keep death close — and use it as a compass for a fuller, more meaningful life Reconnect with your body, joy, and purpose in motherhood and midlife ✨ Topics: motherhood, mortality, mindfulness, midlife, meaning, grief, legacy, abundance, and intentional living. 🌼 Join the Community I’m creating a home for English-speaking mothers who want to live more intentionally, keep death close, and grow together. It’s a space for connection, reflection, and real conversations about what matters most. 👉 Learn more & join us → https://doulajohanna.com/community/ 🤍 Other ways to work with me: Birth Doula Support (Munich area) → https://doulajohanna.com/birth-doula-... Death Doula Support → https://doulajohanna.com/death-doula-... 📲 Follow & connect: Instagram → @doulajohanna Website → www.doulajohanna.com Etsy Resources → Doula Johanna Shop

This episode is part of the End of Life Essentials series, created to help you make life easier for the people you love most. If you have ever thought that your partner or your closest family member could simply step in and make decisions for you if something happened, this episode will give you the clarity you deserve. A Power of Attorney, or Vorsorgevollmacht, is not just paperwork. It is an act of love and protection, and it takes real courage to look at this topic honestly. Facing this now will spare your loved ones confusion, conflict and unnecessary pain later. It will give you peace, because you will know that if life ever surprises you, the right person will speak for you. Not a stranger. Not the court. Not chance. In this episode you will learn: • What a Power of Attorney really is and how it differs from a Living Will • What happens when you do not have one • How to choose the right person to speak for you • Why this is one of the kindest gifts you can give your family If you feel drawn to a more intentional life and want to end this year with clarity, I invite you to join my Intention Setting Party on December 28. We will reflect on the year that has passed, set grounded intentions for the next chapter and do it in a way that honours life, time and the people we care about: www.doulajohanna.com/community Here are the official sources for creating a Power of Attorney in your country: Germany: Vorsorgevollmacht on the Federal Ministry of Justice website https://www.malteser.de/fileadmin/Files_sites/malteser_de_Relaunch/Angebote_und_Leistungen/Patientenverfuegung/Vorsorgevollmacht.pdf United Kingdom: Lasting Power of Attorney through GOV UK https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney United States: Overview of Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy through USA.gov https://www.usa.gov/power-of-attorney (Each US state provides its own form. Search “[your state] durable power of attorney form.”) Thank you for being brave enough to think about this today. Preparing now is not morbid. It is mature, loving and deeply life affirming. If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs this conversation too. 🌟Welcome to The Doula Johanna Podcast 🌟 I’m Dr. Johanna Canady — your life doula for birth, death, and everything in between. 🎧 Weekly reflections & conversations to help you: Live with more intention, gratitude, and courage Keep death close — and use it as a compass for a fuller, more meaningful life Reconnect with your body, joy, and purpose in motherhood and midlife ✨ Topics: motherhood, mortality, mindfulness, midlife, meaning, grief, legacy, abundance, and intentional living. 🌼 Join the Community I’m creating a home for English-speaking mothers who want to live more intentionally, keep death close, and grow together. It’s a space for connection, reflection, and real conversations about what matters most. 👉 Learn more & join us → https://doulajohanna.com/community/ 🤍 Other ways to work with me: Birth Doula Support (Munich area) → https://doulajohanna.com/birth-doula-support/ Death Doula Support → https://doulajohanna.com/death-doula-support/ 📲 Follow & connect: Instagram → @doulajohanna Website → www.doulajohanna.com Etsy Resources → Doula Johanna Shop

Have you ever avoided thinking about what would happen if you couldn’t make decisions for yourself? Most people do. We push the thought away because it feels too heavy, too final, too uncomfortable. Yet somewhere deep down we know that avoiding it doesn’t protect us or our loved ones — it only leaves them uncertain when they’ll need clarity the most. In this first episode of End-of-Life Essentials I invite you to see the Living Will, or Patientenverfügung, in a completely different light. Instead of a sad document about dying, it’s a declaration about how you want to live and what truly matters to you. It ensures that the people you love never have to make impossible choices in the dark. Creating one isn’t about expecting tragedy; it’s about choosing peace, responsibility, and love while you still can. When you know that your wishes are clear and your affairs are in order, something beautiful happens: your mind quiets, your heart opens, and you start living more fully. You stop postponing joy because you’re no longer haunted by unfinished business. This episode will help you understand how to make those decisions calmly and how to turn what feels scary into a powerful act of tenderness. And if you’re one of the rare, brave souls who knows that keeping death close is a way to stay awake to life, I’d love to invite you to join my Intention-Setting Party on December 28. It’s a live online gathering for women who want to step into the new year with courage, clarity, and connection. We’ll reflect on what truly matters, honour the fragility of life, and set intentions that feel alive and real. You can join us through my website at https://doulajohanna.com/community/ Take action today! You can download the official Living Will or Advance Directive forms directly from trusted national sources: • Germany (Patientenverfügung) : https://www.malteser.de/fileadmin/Files_sites/malteser_de_Relaunch/Angebote_und_Leistungen/Patientenverfuegung/Patientenverfuegung.pdf • United States (Advance Directive) – National Institute on Aging – overview & state links: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning/preparing-living-will • United Kingdom (Advance Decision / Living Will) – NHS guidance and forms: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/end-of-life-care/planning-ahead/advance-decision-to-refuse-treatment/ Time stamps: 0:00 Why plan ahead? 0:54 What a Living Will is 1:28 My personal story 2:37 The big misconception 3:53 Questions that matter 6:07 What is a good death 7:53 How to actually make one 🌟Welcome to The Doula Johanna Podcast 🌟 I’m Dr. Johanna Canady — your life doula for birth, death, and everything in between. 🎧 Weekly reflections & conversations to help you: Live with more intention, gratitude, and courage Keep death close — and use it as a compass for a fuller, more meaningful life Reconnect with your body, joy, and purpose in motherhood and midlife ✨ Topics: motherhood, mortality, mindfulness, midlife, meaning, grief, legacy, abundance, and intentional living. 🌼 Join the Community I’m creating a home for English-speaking mothers who want to live more intentionally, keep death close, and grow together. It’s a space for connection, reflection, and real conversations about what matters most. 👉 Learn more & join us → https://doulajohanna.com/community/ 🤍 Other ways to work with me: Birth Doula Support (Munich area) → https://doulajohanna.com/birth-doula-support/ Death Doula Support → https://doulajohanna.com/death-doula-support/ 📲 Follow & connect: Instagram → @doulajohanna Website → www.doulajohanna.com Etsy Resources → Doula Johanna Shop

These are the lessons that shaped me — from perfectionism and purpose to love, health, and what really matters when we remember that life is finite. If you’ve ever wondered what it means to live with intention, to stay grateful in the chaos of midlife, or to create a life you’ll be proud to look back on, this episode is for you. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:34 Being Human with Kindness 03:54 Love and Relationships 07:14 Work and Purpose 09:06 Body and Health 11:25 Gratitude and Freedom 13:47 The One Big Truth In this episode I share: 🌿 What I’ve learned about being human with kindness and honesty 💗 How to build real connection in love and relationships 💰 Why meaningful work and financial awareness bring peace 💪 How to care for your body like the sacred home it is 🕊️ And the one truth that connects them all: keeping death close helps us live more fully. 🎉 Join me for No Regrets: An Intention-Setting Party for 2026 A live 3-hour online gathering on December 28, 2025 (2 PM Munich time) Together, we’ll reflect on the past year, set meaningful goals, and make space for what truly matters. Early bird price: €9.99 (The price will go up to €16.99 by December 10, 2025) 👉 To join, simply send your contribution via PayPal: paypal.me/doulajohanna Please include a current email address in the message so I can send your Zoom link and event details within 24 hours. 🎧 About The Doula Johanna Podcast This is a space for reflection on life, death, and everything in between. I’m Johanna, a birth doula, mother of three, and hospice volunteer in training, exploring how keeping death close helps us live with more gratitude, clarity, and joy right now. If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to: ✨ Subscribe to the channel ✨ Leave a comment and share your favorite lesson ✨ Sprinkle a little magic dust on the world around you Thank you for being here. 💛 #DoulaJohanna #TheDoulaJohannaPodcast #LiveMoreFully #IntentionalLiving #MidlifeReflections #NoRegretsLife #KeepingDeathClose #GratitudePractice #MeaningfulLife #PurposeDrivenLiving #MidlifeAwakening #WomenWhoReflect #LifeAndDeathWisdom #SoulfulLiving #PresenceOverPerfection

Recorded under the Tuscan sun, this heartfelt conversation invites you to look back with compassion, honesty, and a little courage. In this episode, I explore the legacy of our parents: the patterns we inherited, the beliefs that shaped us, and the power we have now to choose what continues and what ends with us. As parents ourselves, we know how easy it is to mess up and how healing it can be to repair. That perspective can open a new kind of compassion for our own mothers and fathers, especially when we start seeing their story as part of our own. This episode includes a “pattern audit” exercise, a gentle but powerful practice to notice what we’ve carried from our parents and what we’re ready to lovingly let go of. Because healing isn’t just about breaking cycles; it’s about honoring where we came from while creating something new for the next generation. ✨ In this episode: Why midlife offers a unique chance to reframe our parents’ legacy How compassion deepens when we see our parents through a parent’s eyes The “pattern audit” that helps you release what no longer serves you A simple gratitude practice to share with your parents if you can Recorded in Tuscany as part of The Legacy Series: a reflections on motherhood, memory, and what truly matters in the middle chapters of life.

What will you remember when it’s all said and done? In this second episode of the Legacy Series, recorded under the warm Tuscan sun, I share something very vulnerable: how even on a beautiful family vacation, I found myself exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering why joy still felt out of reach. As a mother in midlife, I often feel like I’m supposed to have it all figured out, but the truth is, sometimes I still hit my limits. I still needed my husband to hold me and ask, What do you need to make tomorrow a better day? That question changed everything. It reminded me that what truly matters isn’t the hustle or the future we keep waiting for: it’s this moment. The love we give and receive. The faces we hope to see before our inner eye when it is our time to leave this world. Reflection prompt: If you were looking back on your life today, what would you want to remember most? Who are your forever people? We’ll talk about: Feeling burned out, even in beautiful places The healing power of being seen and supported Why your life is happening now, not in some distant future How to become your own great love story by caring for yourself and those you love intentionally This episode is for every mother who’s ever felt like she cannot do anything right. You are not alone. Let this be your invitation to slow down, breathe, and remember what’s real. Think of this podcast as your little life doula, holding space for your heart and gently reminding you that love, rest, and connection are the truest forms of success. 🌟 Welcome to The Doula Johanna Podcast 🌟 I’m Dr. Johanna Canady — your life doula for birth, death, and everything in between. 🎧 Weekly episodes to help you: Reclaim your body, joy & purpose Navigate big transitions with courage and curiosity Embrace desire, rest, money, and meaning — unapologetically ✨ Topics: motherhood, sex, money, health, grief, career change & more. 🧭 Need support right now? Book a 1:1 coaching session: https://www.doulajohanna.com/coaching We can explore anything from pregnancy, intimacy, and parenting to purpose, identity, and big life decisions. It’s all welcome. 📬 Want more support, sneak peeks & soulful tools? Join my email list: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/777532/153375709920757750/share 📲 Stay connected: Instagram → https://instagram.com/doulajohanna Website → https://www.doulajohanna.com 🛒 Resources & downloads: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoulaJohanna 🎙️ Listen on: Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7KcnWjJieuLm5aYJfFSoqT Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-doula-johanna-podcast-how-to-be-your-own-life-doula/id1786126722 #workingmoms #lifedoula #selfcareforwomen #momburnout #coachingformoms #momlifeafter40 #intimacyafterkids #motherhoodandmore

When your children grow up and look back, what will they actually remember about you? Not the to-do lists or the rushing, but the feeling of being with you. In this first episode of the Legacy Series, recorded during my summer stay in Tuscany, I invite you to pause and reflect on the emotional traces we leave behind for our kids. Surrounded by olive groves and slow Italian afternoons, I share some of my own stories and fears about what my daughters might remember if I keep living life on fast-forward — and what I hope they carry with them instead. 💭 Reflection prompt for you: What do you want your children to remember about how it felt to be with you? ✨ We’ll talk about: The power of sensory memory in shaping childhood The difference between how we were parented and what we choose now Real examples of small, ordinary moments that create lasting memories This is not about perfection. It is about presence, connection, and legacy. Think of this podcast as your little life doula, holding space and reminding you of what matters most.

In this final episode, I invite you to slow down, close your eyes, and sink into a deeply nurturing guided meditation created just for mothers who are ready to welcome more abundance, joy, and prosperity into their lives. This practice weaves together everything we’ve explored so far: reconnecting with your body, honoring your dreams, letting go of what no longer serves you, and planting the seeds of powerful, sustainable habits. It’s a gentle yet potent reminder that you are worthy of receiving, not just giving. You can save this meditation to return to whenever you need a reset or a moment of reconnection. If you’d prefer to listen to the pure audio version, you’ll find it on Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/doulajohanna/guided-meditations/sleep-meditation-for-mothers-to-manifest-abundance or available for download via my Etsy shop. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. If this series resonated with you, please subscribe so we can keep growing together as mothers, as women, and as creators of our best possible lives. Let this be just the beginning. 🌟 Welcome to The Doula Johanna Podcast 🌟 I’m Dr. Johanna Canady — your life doula for birth, death, and everything in between. 🎧 Weekly episodes to help you: Reclaim your body, joy & purpose Navigate big transitions with courage and curiosity Embrace desire, rest, money, and meaning — unapologetically ✨ Topics: motherhood, sex, money, health, grief, career change & more.

How deeply are you aware of the financial impact of motherhood on your life? Like so many women, I chose to step back from my career when my children were little. I knew I was trading income for time and presence, and I don't regret that. But I never fully understood just how big that trade-off would be in the long run, especially when it comes to retirement savings, pension contributions, and financial security in later life. This isn’t about blaming anyone. It’s about taking a clear-eyed look at the numbers and making sure we, as mothers, don’t keep paying the price for our care work in silence. We'll talk about the "motherhood penalty," how to calculate your personal retirement gap, and why it's never too late to make small, powerful shifts that support your financial well-being. If you're a mother in midlife who wants to feel more abundant, more informed, and more in control of your financial future, this episode is for you. Whether you’ve been working part time, took a long career break, or are just starting to think about your long-term finances, I hope this conversation helps you feel seen and motivated to take your next right step. This is episode 7 of my 8-part Abundance Series for Mothers in Midlife. This series is all about helping you reconnect with your power, your voice, and your vision of a truly abundant life — and financial security is a big part of that You can watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/9B9ykIj8Fqg 🌟 Welcome to The Doula Johanna Podcast 🌟 I’m Dr. Johanna Canady — your life doula for birth, death, and everything in between. 🎧 Weekly episodes to help you: Reclaim your body, joy & purpose Navigate big transitions with courage and curiosity Embrace desire, rest, money, and meaning — unapologetically ✨ Topics: motherhood, sex, money, health, grief, career change & more.

Feeling stretched thin or stuck in survival mode? In this episode — part 6 of my 8-part Abundance Series — we explore 7 simple yet powerful habits that can gently shift you into a more abundant state, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. These habits are designed with mothers in midlife in mind and honor your capacity, your rhythms, and your dreams. Whether you're navigating burnout, reinvention, or a desire for deeper fulfillment, this is your invitation to show up for yourself in small daily ways that make a big difference. 🌟 Welcome to The Doula Johanna Podcast 🌟 I’m Dr. Johanna Canady — your life doula for birth, death, and everything in between. 🎧 Weekly episodes to help you: Reclaim your body, joy & purpose Navigate big transitions with courage and curiosity Embrace desire, rest, money, and meaning — unapologetically ✨ Topics: motherhood, sex, money, health, grief, career change & more.