Are you feeling anxious or uncertain as you approach a milestone birthday or major life transition? You’re not alone. This episode of "Live & Be Great" offers an honest exploration of turning 40—confronting old expectations, managing birthday anxiety, and redefining success in a changing world. Join Latonya McDonald, spiritual and psychological life coach, as she shares her personal journey and expert insights to help you break free from the pressure of societal standards. If you’re struggling with loneliness, self-worth, or building community in adulthood, this episode provides a compassionate roadmap for healing, self-love, and authentic living. Walk away inspired to embrace your new decade with courage, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Timestamped Overview:**

- 00:00:00 – Birthday reflections and the significance of turning 40

- 00:01:15 – Understanding birthday anxiety and formative experiences

- 00:03:13 – Near-death experiences and shifting mindsets in adulthood

- 00:07:04 – Societal change, technology, and relationship dynamics

- 00:10:52 – Recognizing self-sabotage and the struggle for support

- 00:14:01 – Opening up about anxiety to loved ones

- 00:16:25 – Redefining success and happiness for modern adulthood

- 00:20:07 – The evolving role of dance, career pivots, and identity shifts

- 00:26:28 – Therapy to life coaching: Embracing new professional paths

- 00:29:13 – Letting go of the past and living authentically

- 00:34:26 – Making supportive community a requirement in midlife

- 00:36:17 – Season finale wrap-up and resources for growth

Discover how to overcome birthday anxiety, let go of societal expectations, and redefine success at any age in this transformative episode of the Live & Be Great podcast. Host Latonya McDonald shares her journey through milestone transitions, offering practical insights for self-love, emotional healing, and building authentic support networks. Whether you’re navigating adulthood or seeking deeper connection and clarity, this episode empowers you to live and be great.

Explore our full range of services to support your growth:

- Experience deep emotional release and clarity with the [Digital Soul Cleanse](https://liveandbegreat.com/digital-soul-cleanse), your pathway to spiritual renewal.

- Gain personalized insight into your life's purpose with a [Rising Ascendant Astrology Reading](https://liveandbegreat.com/risingascendant-sign-astrology-reading-store).

- Discover your emotional landscape and inner needs through the [Moon Sign Astrology Reading](https://liveandbegreat.com/moon-sign-astrology-reading-store).

- Illuminate your identity and core strengths with the [Sun Sign Astrology Reading](https://liveandbegreat.com/sun-sign-astrology-reading-store).

- Enhance your relationships and find ideal compatibility with a [Relationship Compatibility Astrology Reading](https://liveandbegreat.com/relationship-compatibility-astrology-reading-store).

- Uncover and heal inherited patterns through the transformative [Generational Trauma Insight Session](https://liveandbegreat.com/generational-trauma-insight-session-store).

- Receive personalized answers and support with an [Ask Me Anything Guided Support Call](https://liveandbegreat.com/ask-me-anything-guided-support-call-store).

- Explore the layers of your personality and destiny with a [Big Three Astrology Reading](https://liveandbegreat.com/big-three-astrology-reading-store).

- Accelerate your healing journey and release past trauma in a [Trauma Healing Session](https://liveandbegreat.com/trauma-healing-session-store).

- Find new direction and inspiration for your professional life in a [Career Exploration Session](https://liveandbegreat.com/career-exploration-session-store).

- Book a [Free Consultation for Individual, Couple, Family, and Co-parent Sessions](https://outlook.office.com/book/LiveBeGreatLLC1@liveandbegreat.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled) to start your personalized growth plan today.

How Racism and Systemic Oppression Mirror Domestic Violence Dynamics (and Why ‘Just Leave’ Doesn’t Work)

If you’ve ever thought “why don’t they just leave?”—this episode is a reframe. In a rant-style but emotionally safe way, I break down why leaving toxic environments (relationships, jobs, communities, and systems) often isn’t about willpower—it’s about coercive control, trauma bonds, isolation, shame, and resource barriers.

I’m using a framework/parallel (not claiming every experience is identical): if we can understand why someone stays in an abusive relationship, we can understand why groups stay in abusive systems—and why shaming them is part of the control.

We cover: coercive control, trauma bond patterns, toxic relationships, emotionally unavailable dynamics, boundaries, generational trauma, Black fatigue (and how it gets hijacked), racism and trauma, workplace toxicity, and toxic friendships—plus what to do instead.

• 00:00:00 — Welcome + what I’m finally naming

• 00:01:16 — My personal context + why I’m qualified to say this

• 00:01:51 — The racism ↔ DV parallel (framework, not identical experiences)

• 00:03:13 — Why “just leave” isn’t simple (and why shame is control)

• 00:06:08 — “Just create your own safe spaces” (why that’s historically blocked)

• 00:07:32 — Systemic control + shaming as a tool

• 00:09:10 — Toxic workplaces + hazing + coercive control “lite”

• 00:10:25 — Empathy, resources, and what people ignore about leaving

• 00:16:26 — Definitions: coercive control, isolation, trauma bonds

• 00:20:21 — Leaving is about safety + resources + risk (not morality)

• 00:27:29 — Reputation damage + opportunities lost (control beyond romance)

• 00:31:03 — Black fatigue: misunderstood, hijacked, and weaponized

• 00:37:28 — The Clear Exit Framework (step-by-step roadmap)

• 00:41:05 — Support options + healing resources + how to get help

• 00:43:24 — Closing encouragement + next steps

Work with me:
Generational Trauma Insight Session (Paid): https://liveandbegreat.com/generational-trauma-insight-session-store
Free consult (Coaching): https://outlook.office.com/book/LiveBeGreatLLC1@liveandbegreat.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true

Keywords: racism, domestic violence, coercive control, trauma bonds, systemic oppression, shame, black fatigue, isolation, empathy, generational trauma

Feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or out of sync with your body? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay stuck. In this breakthrough episode, host [Latonya McDonald](/speakers/A) explores the science and soul of hormonal intelligence with wellness expert Alex Cobble-Frakes. Together, they unpack how understanding your menstrual cycle and inner seasons can restore energy, sharpen emotional clarity, and help you break free from outdated narratives around women’s health.

You’ll learn why conventional advice about “powering through” isn’t enough, how to address period pain and hormonal imbalance holistically, and new strategies for setting boundaries and healing generational wounds. Whether you’re navigating birth control, perimenopause, fibroids, or just craving deeper self-trust, this conversation offers practical, uplifting guidance—and reveals how powerful it can be to work with your body, not against it.

Tap into actionable tools like the Agenda app, empowering rituals, and nourishing perspectives that honor your unique journey. If you’re ready to redefine self-care, embrace your inner wisdom, and finally feel great in your skin, this episode delivers the inspiration and insight you need.

Timestamped Overview

- 00:00:00 – Welcome & Host Intro: Meet Latonya McDonald

- 00:00:29 – Guest Introduction: Alex Cobble-Frakes’ Journey from Peace Corps to Hormonal Wellness Leader

- 00:03:36 – Understanding Hormonal Cycles: Alex’s Health Story and Awakening

- 00:08:52 – The Four Phases of the Cycle: Science, Soul, and Strategy

- 00:18:08 – The Power and Misunderstanding of the Feminine Cycle

- 00:22:00 – Moving from Resistance to Rhythm: Productivity and Self-Care

- 00:25:29 – Birth Control, Fibroids, and Medical System Challenges

- 00:40:37 – How the Agenda App Transforms Women’s Lives

- 00:44:01 – Building Self-Trust and Legacy Across Generations

- 00:47:01 – Astrological and Human Design Insights for Healing

- 00:53:03 – Closing Thoughts & Next Steps

**🔗 RESOURCES:**

Generational Trauma Insight Session: https://liveandbegreat.com/generational-trauma-insight-session-store

**Guest Bio:**

Alex Cobble-Frakes is a social entrepreneur, wellness expert, and creator of the Agenda App. She helps women reclaim their power through hormonal intelligence, blending scientific insight with soul-based healing so women can align purpose, productivity, and energy in all areas of life.

For more information visit : https://www.theagendaperiod.com/