Sometimes life hands you a moment where everything shifts.

In this episode of The Next ChaptHER, Andrea Hecht sits down with Amy Schwartz, founder of Fuck It Inc., to talk about what “fuck it” really means — not giving up or being reckless, but choosing yourself when life feels out of control.

Most women in their 40s and 50s don’t think about long-term care—until they’re suddenly forced to.

In this episode of The Next ChaptHER Podcast, Andrea Hecht sits down with Suzanne Scheer, J.D., CLTC®, to unpack what long-term care actually is, why it matters, and why waiting until a crisis hits can leave families overwhelmed—emotionally, logistically, and financially.

Before we step into the rush of December — the events, expectations, emotions, and everything extra — this episode invites you to slow down and take a breath.

There are moments in life that stop you cold — the ones you didn’t schedule, didn’t plan for, and definitely didn’t see coming. The kinds of moments that crack you open and force you to see yourself, your life, and your inner voice through an entirely different lens.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by USA Today bestselling author Cara Lockwood, whose newest book, There’s No Good Book for This (But I Wrote One Anyway), brings humor and raw honesty to the chapter of her life that changed everything: her breast cancer journey.

But our conversation goes far beyond illness.

The past few weeks have been full of “full-circle” moments for me — from hosting my very first Next ChaptHER Connect event, Courage & Caramels, to speaking at a Pink Babka Bake in front of the most incredible group of women. Both experiences reminded me what this community is truly about: connection, conversation, and choosing happiness even when life feels sticky.

It’s been a season of slowing down and healing after my reconstruction surgery on October 6th, and at my recent follow-up, my doctors said the words “you’re healing beautifully.” Those words instantly lifted my spirits and reminded me how much happiness comes from choosing to notice the good, even in the messy middle.

So this week, I’m replaying one of my very first and most joyful conversations — my chat with Samantha Kestin, the creative heart behind Sweet Samantha. Samantha lives by her grandfather’s advice: “When you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.” In this episode, we talk about what it really means to find happiness, create sweetness, and keep following the road back to joy.

It feels extra special to revisit this one because Samantha is joining me today for my first live Next ChaptHER Connect event — Courage & Caramels: Finding Happiness Even When Life Feels Sticky.