This week I sit down with my friend Donna Halliday for a real, gentle conversation about mental health, motherhood, and midlife. Donna traces her story from a first depressive episode as a teen exchange student to postpartum darkness after baby #6—and the moment she realized she needed more help. We talk CBT and self-talk, the relief (and limits) of SSRIs, how she later integrated natural supports and adaptogens, and why there’s no shame in using every safe tool—including GLP-1s and **bioidentical hormones—**to get healthy.

We also cover perimenopause, vitamin D, sleep, protein, strength training, and releasing the “shoulds” to set kind, realistic limits. Donna opens up about parenting adult children with different paths, holding values and love together, and finding joy that isn’t dependent on a checklist.

You’ll learn:

• ​How to spot situational vs. persistent depression
• ​A simple reframe for self-talk that actually helps
• ​Why tracking, labs, and layered support (therapy + meds + supplements + lifestyle) can be lifesaving
• ​Practical rhythms: sleep, movement, protein, fiber, boundaries

Save this for a hard day—and share it with a friend who needs permission to get help.

Check out the supplements Donna talks about at sollenaturals.com and be sure to use code KRISTEN for $10 off.