Wholey Schmidt (Sarah Schmidt)

TRIGGER WARNING: A conversation around sexual abuse with a minor is discussed during these time stamps 6:45 - 9:15 and 33:30 - 35:20.  Please feel free to skip if that is too triggering to listen to.

 

 

Katie Wee

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Work with Katie and learn more about her offerings here.

 

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Sarah has been a mother in so many capacities – but wasn’t a biological mom until the age of 44! Living in a culture that puts a timebox on women’s fertility window, this is deeply expansive episode shares the story of someone who conceived later in life against the odds. Though Sarah did not expect to bring another child into the world, she shares what it feels like to fall in love and open her heart to expanding her family once again. We cover IVF, fertility treatments, family expansion, partnership, embodiment, and regulating your emotions during your pregnancy journey.  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

When you look back on your life, there are some moments that will make you stop and say… Wholey. Schmidt. Over my half-a-centrury on this planet, I’ve learned a thing or two about finding the silver lining in some of life’s most challenging experiences…and if we can’t reflect back and make meaning out of the hard things… what was it all for anyways? As a psychologist– I always learned that telling your own story is a major no-no. But I’ve found so much healing in my vulnerability, that I hope in sharing my story, you feel less alone in yours. Hi, I’m Sarah Schmidt… and welcome to Wholey Schmidt Podcast. Together we will find resilience in whatever life throws our way.  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

When Sarah first recorded this episode, late last year, she thought she had really found her purpose. But looking back now, she realizes the best is yet to come. Sarah shares how she found her way back to herself—throughout this podcast and through the many changes she’s experienced in the last few months. She shares how she’s made magic out of the hard moments and encourages you to go inward and see how you can do the same. It’s never too late to find your purpose—to find yourself. You can always start anew, no matter what age or life stage you are in. As Season 1 comes to a close, we ask you to reflect on your life—what is asking for your attention, and what is ready for transformation? Sarah is on this journey with you, and together we can find a deeper sense of presence and meaning.  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

The "perfect moment" doesn't exist... stop waiting for it and face your fears. This week, we have a very special round table episode with Sarah and two team members, Jessica Gill & Grace Abbott. They had a front-row seat to recording last week’s episode and listened live as Sarah & her mom had a meaningful and vulnerable conversation… If you haven’t listened to that one yet, listen first! Jessica and Grace reflect on the recording and share some of their experience of having hard conversations with family members and some insight around how to have healthy communication and getting rid of the notion that there is a “perfect” moment to do anything. Sarah shares how she felt pre/post-recording with her mom, and what it brought up in her – including encouraging a friend to have a bold conversation with her father, which she thought she’d never have! If there is someone you need to have a vulnerable conversation with, we encourage you to drop your projection and assumption of what the outcome will be and boldly go forward to embrace healing. Can’t wait to hear what you think of this episode!  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

I’m so excited to welcome you back for Season 2! A lot has changed since I launched Episode 1 of this podcast early last year – I’ve transformed into someone I feel really proud of, and at 52, I’ve never felt better. Last season, I shared some of my Wholey Schmidt moments from the past – and this season, I’m sharing who I am today.

 

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Did you have to parent your parents? When I reflect on my own childhood, perfectionism and early parentification appear to be central themes that have shaped my identity. While these traits have undoubtedly brought about many positive things in my life– and a deep sense of independence… they have also initiated a lifelong sense of pressure, which I’m just starting to soften out of. So, what exactly are perfectionism and parentification? On this week's episode, we dive into these themes along with a piece of my story that illustrates how they played out in my life.   ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

In this episode, I delve into the multifaceted journey of motherhood and what it means to me. With five incredible children who have entered my life in unique ways, I've had the privilege of experiencing motherhood from various perspectives. From becoming a legal guardian to navigating the complexities of adoption, to embracing the role of a stepmother, and finally, giving birth to my biological child at 44, each experience has enriched my understanding of what it means to mother and be mothered. Join me as I invite you to reflect on the different mothering roles in your life and the boundless possibilities within the realm of motherhood.  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

We can’t always control the world around us, but we can control how we respond to it. Whether we’re facing a challenge, a trigger, or just the everyday stresses of life, learning to pause before reacting can be one of the most powerful tools for transforming any situation. But in that moment of pause—what do you turn to?

Links from the Episode

• Huberman Podcast Episode on Hard Work
• Dr. Gabrielle Lyon
• Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
• The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer

 

⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt
📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt

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❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

I didn't expect to fall in love when I did… and my path to getting there was in no way conventional. In this episode, I share the journey of my first marriage– from falling in love with Julie unexpectedly to navigating my new sense of identity… all the way to divorce. I’m not someone who identifies with labels – I’ve always just loved who I loved and have been fortunate to have the support of my family along the way. I know this isn't the case for everyone… There is no right or wrong way to be in a relationship with someone – and we continue to bust through societal norms about how relationships should work – the traditional path looking like courtship, engagement, marriage, and staying with that one partner until we die. As it turns out, this cookie-cutter view of relationships isn't very realistic for most people, and it certainly wasn’t realistic for me. Today we’re going to explore the nuance and grey space within relationships, beyond the bounds of tradition. I hope you enjoy this episode!  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

I don’t like to label myself and wasn't someone who thought much about my sexual orientation– throughout my life, I have just loved who I loved. But when I fell in love with a woman, and it was clear that she was my life partner– I, like all gay people, was faced with the challenge of coming out and sharing that news with my family. To set the stage, it was 1996 in the Midwest, and if you’ve listened to previous episodes, you know that my mom was a former nun. Gay marriage wasn’t legal yet, and to put things into perspective, Ellen hadn’t even come out publicly yet! Today I sit down with my mom, Barbara (again! Welcome back, Mom!), and we talk about how she felt when I came out. The way she responded and treated me and my wife was beyond any response I could have imagined. Today we discuss how to embrace and support your loved ones, even if they make different choices than you would. Coming out looks different for everyone. It can be really hard, scary, and confronting for you and the person you’re sharing with, but please know that you are not alone. I hope that you feel embraced by me and my mom through this episode. If you or someone you know is in the process of coming out, please share this episode with them. Enjoy!  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

We can’t believe we’re at the close of Season 1! Wholey Schmidt… what an amazing journey it’s been – from conception to launch and now here. It’s incredible to look back and reflect on what we thought this podcast was and could be, and compare it to the reality of what unfolded and the responses we received. And that’s a lesson for all areas of life… have an intention, go for it, but don’t be too married to the outcome… we promise something better than you could ever imagine is probably unfolding. Team members Jessica Gill and Grace Abbott join Sarah to reflect on this journey, from the standpoint of creation and marketing to the personal transformation they experienced as well. They talk about what it means to find your voice, your presence, your confidence – and letting go of any limitations that are keeping you from experiencing the fullness of what the universe wants to give you. And don’t worry, we’ll be back for another season! We are just getting started.  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

Relationships are one of the most powerful catalysts for personal growth—sometimes, that means outgrowing what once brought you together. In today’s episode, I open up about my second divorce, reframing “failure” as growth and transformation, and trusting that what blesses one blesses all. Today I am joined by Grace Abbott and Jessica Gill, as we break down the meaning behind my divorce on the day it was finalized. 

 

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❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

Adoption is a path that many take to create their family, but where does one begin the process? In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friends Robert and Brian, whom I connected with when I adopted my first child 18 years ago. We bonded over our first adoptions and have supported each other as we navigated the complex landscape of parenting together. We discuss how we decided to adopt, what the process was like, the emotions of meeting our children for the first time, growing as parents, navigating birth-parent dynamics, and much more. If you or someone you know is considering adoption or going through this process, this episode is a must-listen.  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

Welcome to Wholey Schmidt! A new kind of podcast where we use storytelling as a vehicle for self-actualization and reflection. This season, our host, Sarah Schmidt, walks us through the lessons and resilience found during her first 52 years on this planet.

 

We cover some of the most difficult and complex parts of the human experience… dealing with a diagnosis, marrying a woman, adopting children, navigating divorce, co-parenting, marrying a man, having a biological child later in life, grieving a parent... Moments that will stop and make you say, Wholey Schmidt.

 

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❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

“Regardless of what comes of this podcast, it will all be worth it just for this episode.” – Sarah We're thrilled to share this week's episode with you. This week, Sarah sits down with her mother, Barbara, to have a transformative and healing conversation about their relationship. Together, the two reflect on previous episodes and chapters of their mother/daughter relationship and achieve real-time resolution around themes from the past. Get a glimpse into the growth and depth of Sarah’s relationship with her mother, and how it has evolved over the years. Learn how they've overcome challenges together to forge a stronger relationship today. If there's someone you need to have a difficult or healing conversation with, this episode is for you!  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

Do you have the courage, strength, and humility to ask for help when you need it?

Throughout this season, we will discuss many challenging topics such as death, divorce, and illness. Reflecting on my own difficult moments, I often felt unable to ask for help when I needed support the most, which left me feeling lonely, isolated, and yearning for understanding and assistance from others.

My greatest hope for this podcast, especially this episode, is that you find the courage to ask for help during your hardest times and offer support to those around you who are experiencing their own struggles. Ignoring uncomfortable emotions that call for attention is one of the most unloving things we can do to ourselves. The more we neglect these feelings, the louder their cries for help become. This can manifest as reactivity, depression, resentment, or, in my experience, physical health issues—I faced cancer at just 20 years old.

Hear about my cancer experience, and the lessons I gleaned – in today’s episodes. If you are someone you know is dealing with illness, this one is a must-listen.

 

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Today, we’re diving into the second pillar of Sarah’s Stress Kit—SLEEP!

Quality sleep is at the core of a healthy lifestyle and is essential for managing everyday stress. More often than not, when you’re feeling off, lack of sleep could be the culprit. But how can you improve your sleep? It all comes down to intentionality, mindfulness, and routine.

Sarah has crafted a detailed sleep routine that helps her rest soundly no matter where she is—and she fiercely protects it. She encourages you to find a routine that works for you so you can prioritize and safeguard your rest.

Joining Sarah in this discussion are her team members, Grace and Jessica. Together, they share their insights, recommendations, and personal sleep rituals. With each woman at a different stage of life and relationships, there’s something for everyone in this conversation!

Sarah's Sleep Essentials

Andrew Huberman's episode on Sleep

Consistent sleep time & circadian rhythm - Diary of a CEO Kristen Holmes

 

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What does freedom mean? Today we’re diving in with renowned coach and thought leader, Peter Crone. Peter specializes in revealing the limiting beliefs and subconscious narratives that dictate and shape behavior, health, relationships, and performance. In true Wholey Schmidt fashion, Peter cracks open a door to his inner world and lets us peek inside. He shares how he found his own path to freedom, and how we might find ours. Are you really controlling? Or do you just lack trust? That is the first thing Peter asked me – and these are the kind of reframes Peter provides to completely unlock the mind. Join his freedom community here: www.petercrone.com  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

Today, Jasmine Nnenna and I sit down to discuss all things spirituality. We dive into our belief systems, exploring our connection with God and the universe, and how that shapes our relationships with the world and the people around us. We reflect on how these beliefs influence us as parents and partners. We also explore the idea that we are spiritual beings, touching on our religious upbringings and our connection to something greater.

@JasmineNenna

@Erahsociety

 

⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt
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Didn’t have perfect parents? Join the club. Listen to this week’s episode to find more empathy, forgiveness, and love for your parents. Can we give them the benefit of the doubt– maybe they were doing the best they could… Nobody will ever be, or has ever been, a perfect parent. In pursuit of understanding our hurts, traumas, and wounds, we tend to blame our parents without considering why they couldn’t show up the way we needed them to. In this episode, you are going to hear a bit about my mom’s story and the challenges she faced. Taking care of her many siblings, joining the convent at 14, leaving at 25 and starting her own life for the first time, and processing a miscarriage. As you might recall from the last episode, my mom’s inability to support me during my cancer experience was one of the most painful times of my life. Yet, in learning more about her life experience it has allowed me a deeper understanding of why she may have shown up in the way she did. And now years later, I have developed a close, supportive, and beautiful relationship with her -- in fact, she will be on the podcast soon! We’re often quick to vilify our parents, especially when reflecting on painful childhood memories that still affect us today. Nonetheless, we must remember that our parents are just humans too, doing the best they could with the tools and self-knowledge they had at the time. Even though it can be challenging to put resentments aside, I can attest from firsthand experience that giving my mom permission to grow and transform, instead of continuing to blame her for her shortcomings, has become one of the greatest gifts to me and my family.  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

Today, we chat with Dr. Amy Shah, MD – a leading expert in women's health, wellness, and nutrition. She shares invaluable insights on improving health literacy and offers practical guidance for thriving in the modern world—all from the comfort of her walking pad.

Sarah opens up about her mind-body-soul transformation and the tools she used to reshape her life. Together, they discuss how to stand firm in a healthy lifestyle, even when family members aren’t on the same page, and how to inspire change in others by leading by example. Enjoy!

Follow Dr. Amy Shah here and explore her website here.

 

⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt
📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt

💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com

❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

Body image is a common struggle for most people, especially women. And although it’s been a challenging journey for me, I feel like I’m finally starting to love and accept myself. Being a cancer survivor and dealing with such significant physical trauma made it really hard for me to feel safe and comfortable in my own skin. But over the last few years, I’ve focused on the mind-body connection, and for the first time, I feel truly embodied and present in my life. This has allowed me to start feeling my feelings, show up better for people, and find more joy and pleasure every day. So many of us think that when we finally reach a certain weight or change something about our physical selves, we’ll finally be happy, but happiness is an inside job. In today’s episode, I share how I’ve shifted out of self-judgment and into self-love. Taking care of yourself and your health is a privilege, not a punishment. You deserve it because you are worthy of love, not because you need to change. If you or someone you know struggles with body image, please listen to and share today’s episode.  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

2025 has been a wild ride so far, and we’re in for even more surprises. If we remember that every experience is inherently neutral and regulate our emotional response to it, we can reap the blessings and lessons the universe has for us. In this episode of Wholey Schmidt, we’ll explore the astrological landscape of culture and society right now, taking the energetic temperature so we can be prepared for what’s to come. You’ll also learn a little bit about Sarah’s chart too! 

Connect with Asya on her Website or Instagram.

 

⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt
📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt

💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com

❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

How do you reclaim your body, your identity, and your destiny after a major health complication? Today, we are joined by Wholey Schmidt team member, Cheyenne, to share one of her “Wholey Schmidt” moments. Learn how she found resilience in the wake of a major life challenge. Have your own Wholey Schmidt moment you’d like to share? Submit it here for a chance to be featured on the podcast.   ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

This week, Sarah opens up about her father's life, death, and their evolving relationship since his passing seven years ago. Raised in a small town within a devout Catholic family, her father wrestled with feelings of inadequacy despite outward successes and a wide circle of friends, keeping his deepest emotions hidden. Sarah found a deep connection with him in her 30s through collaborative projects, transitioning their relationship from parent-child to a more equal footing. While she admired his talents, she also witnessed his harsh self-criticism, which was difficult to reconcile with his outward achievements. In the months before his passing, Sarah observed her father weighed down by feelings of shame rooted in his upbringing and environment. This episode of Wholey Schmidt is a poignant exploration of familial bonds, vulnerability, and the healing power of shared experiences, inviting listeners to reflect on their own relationships and the complexities that shape them.  ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast! 

We’re joined again by Sarah’s mom, Barbara– and today the two reflect on the passing of Sarah’s dad and what it’s like to reclaim identity again after losing a loved one. The two discuss how to cope with losing a loved one, and how the relationship with him has continued to bloom, even in his passing. Barbara shares her sense of spirituality and her perspective on death, now that she’s in her 80s. We encourage you to connect with your loved ones for a meaningful conversation after listening to this episode. We get so caught up in the achievement of everyday, we forget what pearls of wisdom might be sitting right in front of us – in the hearts of a parent or grandparent.   ⭐ Follow us on Instagram: @wholeyschmidt 📺 Watch on YouTube: @WholeySchmidt 💻 Visit our website: www.wholeyschmidt.com ❤️ Share your Wholey Schmidt Moment for a chance to be featured on the Podcast!