Talk with Tara | Divorce, Dating & Women’s Midlife Reinvention

The job market in 2025 looks very different from just a few years ago—fewer roles, more competition, and an entirely new set of expectations. In this episode of Talk with Tara, I sit down with Shandy Dunn, a seasoned recruiter and talent leader with over 15 years of experience connecting top-tier talent with opportunities at some of the most respected companies in tech.
Shandy brings both realism and compassion to the conversation as we dive into:
Why the current job market feels three times harder than it used to be
How AI and hiring systems are reshaping opportunities—and what you can do to stay competitive
Practical do’s and don’ts for resumes and LinkedIn profiles
Why confidence, creativity, and networking are more important than ever
Tips for mid-career professionals re-entering the workforce or navigating career transitions
 
Whether you’re a parent stepping back into full-time work, a professional navigating layoffs, or simply curious about how to stand out in today’s market, this episode offers strategies, support, and inspiration to help you move forward with confidence.
Connect with Shandy: LinkedIn: Shandy Dunn(You can also reach out to Shandy if you’d like to learn more about her Connecting support group.)
Connect with me:Instagram: @talkwithtarapodcastEmail me at talk talkwithtarapodcast@gmail.com, I love hearing from you!

If you’ve ever considered explant surgery, breast lifts, mommy makeovers, or just wondered what really happens behind the scenes in plastic surgery, this is the episode for you.
Tara sits down with Dr. Rajaie Hazboun, a fellowship-trained plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon at the prestigious MAAS Clinic in Pacific Heights, San Francisco. Known for his personalized approach and natural-looking results, Dr. Hazboun dives into everything from breast implant removal to internal bras, tummy tucks, liposuction, Ozempic-related weight loss, fat grafting, scar healing, and how to actually find the right surgeon for you.
Whether you're feeling curious, cautious, or ready to book a consult, this conversation is loaded with the honest answers you won’t get on social media.
Book a consultation or learn more about Dr. Hazboun:www.maasclinic.comMAAS Clinic | Pacific Heights, San Francisco(415) 625-3230
Tara’s note: “This episode is not medical advice—please consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon for any procedures.”
Follow @talkwithtarapodcast on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content, expert clips, and upcoming guest teasers.

Dating can be hard and isolating. In this episode, I sit down with certified life and love coach Julianne McGowan from Kelleher International Matchmaking. We talk about what it really takes to attract meaningful love and why it all starts with how we treat ourselves. We get real about confidence, connection, and the myths that keep so many women stuck. From the fear of being alone to dating after divorce and the idea that men only want younger women, we unpack it all.
If you’re tired of settling, feeling stuck, or wondering if there’s more out there, this episode is for you. Let’s stop playing small and start choosing love from a place of power.
 
Guest: Julianne McGowan
Certified Life & Love Coach, Matchmaker at Kelleher International, Co-author of Ignite Love
Contact Julianne:julianne@kelleher-international.comjulianne@pathtopurposelovecoach.com
Follow me on Instagram: @talkwithtarapodcastFor interviews or collaborations: DM or reach out via Instagram 
Check out my Website at WWW.TalkWithTara.Com

In this episode of Talk with Tara, I sit down with Bobbi Parker-Hall, a fierce fitness trainer and wellness coach who proves that age is just a number. At nearly 67, she’s stronger and leaner than ever. We get real about everything most women aren’t told about fitness after 40, from the myths of cardio and the overlooked power of protein, to the surprising truth about macros, microdosing GLP-1 peptides, and how to finally shed stubborn belly fat.
Bobbi shares her personal fitness journey, how she built a body she loves without spending hours in the gym, and why mindset, sleep, and resistance training matter more than anything else.  If you’ve been feeling stuck, this conversation will inspire you to take small, doable steps toward real, lasting change.
Follow Bobbi on Instagram at @modernbodiesfitness and visit her website at www.bobbiparkerhall.com. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram at @talkwithtarapodcast. 
 
As promised Beva Creatine Gummies is what she uses and recommends to her clients for endurance and strength without bloating.
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In this deeply personal solo episode, Tara launches her first-ever Dear Tara segment, answering anonymous questions from women navigating midlife with messy grace. From reigniting sexuality after years of feeling numb, to the realities of dating post-divorce, Tara shares unfiltered advice and personal experience. She talks vision boards, what men really want, and how to reconnect with your body and confidence when you feel like a stranger to yourself. This is the episode every woman in her 40s, 50s, or 60s didn’t know she needed.
Send me your questions, I'll be sure to answer them anonymously. 
@talkwithtarapodcast or talkwithtarapodcast@gmail.com
Let's talk!
 
 

Join me, Tara, on Talk with Tara, as I welcome the incredible Dr. Lizellen La Follette—a globally recognized, board-certified OB/GYN who’s transforming women’s health from every angle. In this episode, we dive deep into:
Dr. La Follette’s candid insights on perimenopause and menopause—how symptoms like anxiety, dryness, and pain extend far beyond hot flashes, and why it’s critical to ask, “Could this be hormonal?” She breaks down safe and effective hormone options (like body-identical estradiol and vaginal estrogen) and shares when and why to consider HRT.
We also explore the often-overlooked role of testosterone, compounded vs. non‑compounded bioidentical hormones, and the best strategies for maintaining sexual health, libido, and vaginal comfort—including modern techniques like the Mona Lisa Touch CO₂ laser and targeted vaginal estrogen.
Dr. La Follette walks us through managing common issues like UTIs, urinary incontinence, and labial laxity with aesthetic—and often minimally invasive—solutions such as radiofrequency tightening. Plus, we talk proactive health measures: bone density testing before age 50, vaccination for HPV up to age 50 to reduce cervical and throat cancer risk, and cutting-edge early cancer detection with tests like GALLERI.
Every segment reflects her compassionate, patient-first approach—encouraging women to prepare beforehand, ask smart questions, and advocate for their health across midlife and beyond.
This episode is a must-listen for women navigating hormonal shifts, sexual wellness, preventive care, and the full spectrum of midlife health. Hit follow on Talk with Tara and tune in—you won’t want to miss this inspiring and empowering discussion!
In this episode, we cover:
The lesser-known symptoms women face in midlife, plus anxiety, mood and the rippling effects of hormonal changes
Bio-identical hormone therapy, vaginal estrogen, progesterone, testosterone 
Solutions for painful sex, dryness, libido loss, UTIs and vaginal/vulva changes—from vaginal laser to RF treatments
Tips for bone health, heart disease prevention, and addressing “healthspan” versus lifespan
What Dr. La Follette recommends for cancer screening—falling under the radar: HPV vaccine, Galleri testing, calcium heart scan and carotid ultrasound
Why sleep, cognition, community—and even sparkling female entrepreneurship—factor into long-term well-being
Dr. La Follette says:
“If you are really having a tough time, you should have that conversation…women deserve to be given the risks and benefits and then to make their own decisions.”
That’s the heart of this episode: giving you the knowledge and confidence to become your own biggest health advocate—especially in midlife.
Want to connect directly with Dr. La Follette?Office: Marin County (open 6 days/week; Saturday mornings available)Website: www.drlafollette.com
If you loved today’s episode, follow the show and share it with a friend. And if you have questions or wince-free sex tips of your own, DM me—there’s so much more to talk about. Talk soon.

What if everything you thought you knew about menopause, hormones, and aging was outdated—or just plain wrong?
In this packed episode of Talk with Tara, we go all in with Dr. Heidi Queen, one of just three menopause-certified doctors in Marin County, and a nationally respected functional medicine expert who treats both women and men. Dr. Queen brings 25+ years of global clinical experience—plus faculty roles at Stanford and UCSF—into her practice at Energize Health and Hormones in Mill Valley, CA.
We get real about:
What your GYN isn’t telling you about hormones
Estrogen, progesterone, and the big mystery around testosterone
Libido, vaginal health, body composition, and bone loss
How to tell if it’s hormones or something deeper
Why men’s health is part of the story too—and how Dr. Queen treats couples
The role of adrenal stress, mood, and even Hashimoto’s in midlife vitality
Whether you’re in perimenopause, confused about your labs, or just ready for a doctor who listens—you’ll walk away from this conversation informed, empowered, and ready to ask better questions.
🥂 Mimosas, Muscles & Midlife: A Women’s Health Celebration🗓️ Saturday, May 31st🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM📍 Energize Health and Hormones655 Redwood Hwy, Suite 200, Mill Valley, CA✨ Featuring:
Free body composition scans
Book signing by Christine Mason (The Nine Lives of Women)
Product samples from Rosebud Women
Connect with Dr. Heidi Queen:
Website: www.energizehealthandhormones.comPhone: (415) 548-7901Office: 655 Redwood Hwy, Suite 200, Mill Valley, CA
 
Follow me on instagram @talkwithtarapodcast
 

If you've ever held back from speaking up—on a stage, in a meeting, or in a moment that mattered—this episode will change how you show up.
In this bold and practical conversation, I sit down with Dr. Maegan Stephens, executive communication coach at Duarte, Inc.—Silicon Valley’s premier communication firm trusted by Fortune 500 CEOs, TEDx speakers, and high-impact executives across the globe.
With a PhD in performance studies and a background as a professional speechwriter, Dr. Stephens is known for helping leaders develop the confidence, clarity, and presence to deliver messages that truly move people.
Whether you're pitching a vision, presenting to a boardroom, or preparing for your own “big stage” moment, this episode delivers real tools for showing up with intention and impact.
We dig into:
Why even the most talented professionals hesitate—and how to change that
What executive presence actually means (and how to build it authentically)
How to speak when your voice shakes
Why storytelling—is your greatest superpower
The power of “preparation over perfection” in high-stakes communication
If you're ready to stop playing small and start speaking with conviction, this episode is your playbook.
LinkedIn: Dr. Maegan Stephens

Hi Friends, I'm posting this one before my posting schedule because so many of you have been asking for this...
Are you in career transition or just wondering if your LinkedIn is working for you or against you?
In this episode, I sit down with Greg Coe, LinkedIn strategist and career coach, who’s helped countless professionals—from job seekers to sales leaders—stand out, get noticed, and get hired.
With 20+ years of experience at companies like VMware, Oracle, and Sun Microsystems, Greg now runs GetLinked.Pro, where he teaches people how to turn their LinkedIn into an opportunity engine.
What you’ll learn:
The biggest mistakes people make on LinkedIn
What recruiters really look for
How to optimize your profile to land interviews
And how to take back control of your career story
Connect with Greg Coe:Website: www.getlinked.proLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gregcoeEmail: greg@getlinked.pro
Follow me on Instagram @talkwithtarapodcast 

Ever wonder why love feels like a rollercoaster — or why some connections fade while others deepen? In this fascinating episode of Talk with Tara, TEDx speaker, biologist, and author Dawn Maslar-Biggie shares the science behind attraction, commitment, and long-term connection. Whether you're single, dating, or in a relationship, this one’s for men, women, and couples alike.
We unpack the chemistry of falling in love, what triggers desire (hello, dopamine and vasopressin), and why waiting to have sex could actually strengthen the bond. From post-divorce dating to younger men pursuing older women, and the truth about “love at first sight,” this episode brings science, sass, and soul to your love life.
 
Connect with Dawn:Books: From Heartbreak to Heart’s Desire and Men Chase, Women Choose — both available on AmazonArtwork: Visit her sea turtle conservation-inspired gallery at dbiggieart.com
Follow Tara:For more real, raw, and empowering conversations on dating, divorce, beauty, sex, and midlife reinvention, follow Tara on any podcast platform and Instagram at @talkwithtarapodcast