The Charleston Chicks

"The ick" started as a dating term, but at our age it shows up everywhere: at networking events, in group texts, at the bar, in the car. And no, it doesn't go away after 45. If anything, we have more of them.
We trade our biggest icks, from a business card that turned into a pickup line to men who send selfies (and worse), cheap mentalities, road rage, fishing for compliments and men who disregard the woman they're with. Somewhere in there we decide who pays on a date (spoiler: not us), and why our instincts only get sharper with age.
In this episode:
A business card, a "business" connection, and a married man
Why icks don't go away with age, they evolve
Texting icks: selfies, unsolicited pics and the one-text wonder
Cheap is a mentality, not a budget
Drivers who won't let you in, and group texts that won't stay on topic
Other people's small children
Rude people, liars and the indecisive
Fishing for compliments: "I'm not your girl"
When a friend pulls you into an affair
Men who disregard their partner (and women who talk down to theirs)
Road rage, and who pays on a date: "I am the prize"
Less estrogen, less patience for nonsense
What gives you the ick? Tell us in the comments, and send this to the friend who already knows yours.
Subscribe and follow along for more real talk from the Charleston Chicks.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:21 A new ick: the business card
02:49 Icks don't go away with age
03:28 Texting icks: selfies and unsolicited pics
07:44 Cheap people, rude drivers and group texts
12:16 Other people's small children
14:16 Rude people, liars and the indecisive
17:20 Fishing for compliments
19:25 When a friend pulls you into an affair
20:48 Men who disregard their partner
25:38 Road rage
27:25 Who pays? I am the prize
30:33 Talking down to your partner
31:59 Quick to anger, and the texting trap
35:51 Our icks evolve
#theick #ick #datingadvice #womenover40 #midlifewomen #womenspodcast #podcast #relationshipadvice #redflags #thecharlestonchicks

You know that moment with your best friend when you say, "I probably shouldn't say this, but..."? This whole episode is that moment.
We worked our way through a list of things women think but aren't supposed to say out loud, and we said every single one of them. Some made us laugh, some made us think, and a few we're still a little surprised we said on camera.
In this episode:
"I love my kids, but I didn't love every part of motherhood"
Why we're done taking care of everyone
Sometimes we don't like our friends (or our family)
"I want money, a lot of it," and what we'd do with it
We like the attention, but don't ask for pics
Aging gracefully, on our own terms, and women tearing each other down online
Loving being single, and still wanting to be pursued
We don't want to fix anyone, and we don't want a man living in our house
Wanting to be taken care of, and judging other women
Why we don't miss having little kids
The last thing women aren't supposed to admit: we want sex too
What's the thing you think but would never say out loud? Tell us in the comments. And send this to the friend you say everything to.
Subscribe and follow along for more real talk from the Charleston Chicks.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:21 Things we're not supposed to say
00:56 I love my kids, but not every part of motherhood
03:52 I don't want to take care of everyone anymore
05:57 Sometimes I don't like my friends
07:12 I want money, a lot of it
08:52 I like the attention (but don't ask for pics)
10:57 Aging gracefully, our way
12:46 Women tearing women down
13:53 Single, and still want to be pursued
15:58 I don't want to fix anyone
16:50 I like being taken care of
17:31 I judge other women sometimes
18:27 I don't miss having little kids
19:36 Women want s*x too

How many decisions have you made based on what would keep everyone else happy.. not what you actually wanted?
In this episode of Charleston Chicks, Melanie and Lisa unpack the “good girl” conditioning that teaches women to be agreeable, avoid conflict, overperform, and make life easier for everyone around them.
They get honest about people-pleasing in marriage, motherhood, friendship, and the workplace, and how years of accommodating everyone else can slowly turn into self-abandonment. They also discuss the guilt women feel when doing something purely for themselves, the pressure to be constantly available, and why overworking is sometimes tied to worth, security, or the need to feel needed.
From buying the dress and protecting your gym time to saying no at work and ignoring that 11:30 p.m. text, this conversation is your official permission slip to stop giving quite so many f*cks.
Because choosing yourself isn’t selfish. And doing less doesn’t mean you care less.
In this episode:
How “good girl” conditioning shapes women’s decisions
People-pleasing as a response to childhood chaos
Religious and cultural expectations placed on women
The difference between compromise and self-abandonment
How safe friendships help us become more fully ourselves
Why choosing yourself can improve your relationships
The guilt women feel when spending time or money on themselves
Setting boundaries with clients, employers, and technology
Why women frequently overperform in the workplace
Connecting productivity to self-worth and security
Recognizing resentment as a warning sign
Learning to say no, do less, and protect your energy
Giving yourself permission to change at any age
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Charleston Chicks00:22 How many decisions come from agreeableness?01:19 The pressure to be the “good girl”01:57 People-pleasing and keeping the peace02:47 Messages women receive from church and culture03:25 Realizing your life should also be about you04:40 Compromise, marriage, and self-abandonment05:44 The power of a safe friendship06:43 Why women are discouraged from being fully themselves07:49 What happens when you choose yourself08:24 Decisions made entirely for yourself09:53 When was the last time you chose what you wanted?10:09 Buying the car you actually want11:22 Leaving a marriage and redefining what’s best for the children12:18 Fashion, shopping, and doing something purely for joy14:07 Protecting gym time and personal rituals14:35 You don’t need an excuse to do something for yourself15:31 Conflict, relationships, and transferable boundary skills16:45 Blocking off time that belongs to you17:31 You don’t have to answer clients immediately19:17 Boundaries, resentment, and burnout19:48 The “good girl hangover” at work20:10 Why women overaccommodate and overperform21:51 Giving women permission to say no22:12 Do less—but do it well22:32 Working twice as hard to earn equal footing24:02 When overgiving becomes part of your self-worth25:03 Your value isn’t determined by what you do for others26:00 Overworking for security and stability27:04 The moment overperforming became a wake-up call28:36 “I’m doing this to myself”29:02 How do we break the pattern?29:38 It’s never too late to change30:12 Your official permission slip30:53 Give another woman permission to choose herself
What’s one thing you’ve been doing out of obligation rather than genuine desire? Tell us in the comments, and consider this your permission slip to say no, choose yourself, or simply do less.
Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about reinvention, relationships, real life, and everything women are usually expected to keep to themselves.
#CharlestonChicks #GoodGirlSyndrome #PeoplePleasing #Boundaries #WomenOver45 #Burnout #SelfWorth #ChooseYourself #WomenSupportingWomen #PersonalGrowth

What if employer-sponsored healthcare helped people address the root causes of illness, not just manage symptoms?
In this episode of The Charleston Chicks, we sit down with David Thedinga, founder of Tikvah Health, to discuss his vision for connecting employees with functional, complementary, and whole-person care through the workplace.
Drawing on two decades of experience in insurance, and his family’s personal healthcare journey. David explains why navigating functional medicine can be confusing, expensive, and inaccessible. He shares how Tikvah Health is working with employers, healthcare providers, benefits professionals, and other partners to create a more connected and affordable path to care.
We explore provider vetting, employee education, telehealth, reimbursement options, employer dashboards, early pilot programs, and the business case for investing in healthier employees. David also explains why HR leaders and forward-thinking employers may play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare.
In this episode:
Why David founded Tikvah Health
The gaps between conventional and complementary care
Making functional and root-cause care more accessible
How Tikvah Health works through employers
Educating employees and improving health literacy
How providers are selected and vetted
Telehealth, referrals, and nationwide accessibility
Reimbursement and employer-funded care pathways
The potential business benefits of healthier employees
Why functional medicine can feel like a luxury
Building and testing a new healthcare model
The role of HR leaders and benefits professionals
David’s definition of whole-person wellness
How pioneering employers can help move healthcare forward
Timestamps
00:00 Opening00:21 Meet Tikvah Health founder David Thedinga00:43 The story behind Tikvah Health02:05 The disconnect in today’s healthcare system03:18 How the Tikvah Health platform works05:02 The cost and accessibility of functional medicine05:33 David’s connection to HR and employee benefits07:42 How providers are selected and vetted09:03 Early pilots and employee interest11:20 Reimbursement and employer-funded care12:11 Telehealth, referrals, and nationwide access13:21 Educating employers and benefits professionals13:50 Employer dashboards, claims, and utilization data14:25 The business case for root-cause care15:00 Employee demand and direct primary care16:24 Building a whole-person provider network18:15 Creating evidence through data and pilot programs19:58 Bringing a fragmented wellness industry together21:04 Subscription models and the challenge of scalability22:56 Making wellness accessible - not a luxury23:58 David’s personal motivation for affordability25:08 Healthier employees and stronger businesses25:31 Tikvah Health’s current stage and ideal partners26:34 Strategic partners, investors, and family offices28:21 Building the platform with early adopters29:22 A generational shift in healthcare30:00 What makes an employer a good fit31:47 What does wellness really mean?32:27 The dimensions of whole-person health33:21 Understanding symptoms and root causes35:06 The courage to challenge the status quo36:13 How listeners can support Tikvah Health36:46 Tikvah Health’s October 13 event38:41 From the original idea to today39:20 The company’s next inflection point40:04 Closing thoughts
Learn more about Tikvah Health and connect with David to explore employer partnerships, pilot opportunities, and the October 13 event at the Harbor Entrepreneur Center in Mount Pleasant: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/functional-health-and-the-workplace 
What would you change about employer-sponsored healthcare? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more honest conversations about wellness, business, and life in Charleston.
This episode is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs.
#CharlestonChicks #TikvahHealth #FunctionalMedicine #RootCauseMedicine #EmployeeWellness #HealthcareInnovation #WorkplaceWellness #HumanResources #EmployeeBenefits #HealthLiteracy

What if your chiropractor, functional medicine provider, massage therapist, acupuncturist and primary-care team actually worked together?
This week, Melanie and Lisa sit down with their longtime friend, Dr. Stephen Khouri of Khouri Chiropractic, to discuss his vision for more connected, compassionate and accessible healthcare.
Stephen explains how his expanding integrative model brings multiple disciplines together to treat the whole person - not just one symptom at a time. They discuss functional medicine, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage, pain management, whole-body imaging, hormones and the importance of putting the patient before the profit.
But this conversation goes far beyond healthcare. Stephen shares how a childhood chiropractic experience shaped his career, why he chose chiropractic school over professional soccer and how growing up between two sisters helped make him a strong ally for women. The conversation also explores Charleston’s small-business community, the challenges facing young men, building resilience, modern parenting and the freedom children once had to fail, learn and grow.
Melanie and Lisa also share their personal experiences with perimenopause, surgical menopause, hormone support and the struggle to find providers who truly listen.
What would you change about the way healthcare is delivered? Let us know in the comments.
Disclaimer: This episode shares personal experiences and general information for discussion and entertainment. It is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning or changing medications, supplements or treatments.
Timestamps
0:00 Welcome to the Charleston Chicks
0:22 Meet Dr. Stephen Khouri and his integrative health vision
0:53 25 years in chiropractic, building a true integrative model
1:56 What holistic, patient-centered care actually looks like
2:19 How pricing and insurance will actually work
3:08 Saving time and money with an integrated approach
3:23 GLPs, functional medicine and real patient results
4:04 The full lineup: acupuncture, massage, pain management, MRI Wellness
4:25 What MRI Wellness actually does
5:07 Locations and the Ember Wellness integration
6:00 Making healthcare affordable without sacrificing quality
8:08 Is the wellness industry becoming an inaccessible luxury?
9:06 Finding the right fit instead of a one size fits all package
13:20 Why being fully present with patients changes everything
15:31 A lifetime of chiropractic, starting at age 6
16:01 What Stephen says to chiropractic skeptics
19:59 The childhood moment that set his path
20:43 Choosing chiropractic school over a shot at pro soccer
22:03 His MLS opportunity and the road not taken
24:37 The hidden sacrifices of a pro athlete's life
26:22 His dad's soccer coaching legacy
29:13 How marketing preys on women and moms
32:32 Founding the Danny Allen Soccer Academy
33:26 Why Charleston feels like home
36:47 Building a business and a life in Charleston
38:35 The pressures facing young men today
39:14 Raising resilient kids without babying them
42:04 When parents see their kids as a reflection of themselves
45:14 Resilience, anxiety and letting kids struggle
45:44 Ebikes, screen time and how differently we grew up
49:49 Growing up in Jamaica vs. life in America
52:59 Why Charleston is the ultimate lifestyle value
53:41 Getting real about hormones and menopause
56:19 Lisa's menopause journey and finding an advocate
58:01 Empowering women to stop fearing supplements
1:00:02 Wrap up and thank you
#CharlestonChicks #StephenKhouri #KhouriChiropractic #IntegrativeHealth #FunctionalMedicine #ChiropracticCare #WomensHealth #Menopause #HormoneHealth #HealthyAging #CharlestonPodcast #PodcastForWomen

Wardrobe stylist and creative director Andrea Serrano has spent 30 years dressing photo shoots, TV shows, and ad campaigns - from an MTV Latino internship in Miami to styling luxury hospitality brands like The Ritz-Carlton and Saint Regis. On this episode of Charleston Chicks, she walks us through her wildest career pivots: opening one of Charleston's first streetwear and sneaker boutiques in 2004, surviving the 2008 crash, landing a costume-shopping gig on "Army Wives," and eventually building a full-service styling career that takes her from the Caribbean to New Orleans.
We also get into manifestation, the abundance mindset, Human Design, fashion advice for every age, and why she believes your 50s might be the best decade of your life.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:- Andrea's 30-year journey from MTV Latino intern to celebrity-level wardrobe stylist- Opening one of Charleston's first streetwear & sneaker boutiques- The 2008 financial crash and her pivot into costume shopping for "Army Wives"- Styling campaigns for The Ritz-Carlton and Saint Regis across the Caribbean- Manifestation, Human Design, and being a "manifesting generator"- Why your 50s might be your best decade yet- Charleston style vs. other cities and why "overdressed" beats "underdressed"- Shoutouts to local Charleston designers worth knowing- The upcoming Hearth Summit, a new women-in-leadership event in Charleston
[00:47] What wardrobe styling actually involves[01:43] Miami → New York → Charleston: how she landed here[05:15] Opening Charleston's first streetwear & sneaker boutique (2004)[08:31] The 2008 crash and closing the store[09:51] The pivot: costume shopping for "Army Wives"[13:18] Styling The Ritz-Carlton & Saint Regis + her psychic's wild predictions[18:10] Fashion advice for dressing in your 50s[19:07] What "Charleston style" really means[24:18] Shoutout to her favorite local designers[27:17] Human Design & manifesting generators[31:01] "Storytelling through style" + advice for aspiring stylists[35:01] The Hearth Summit: Charleston's new women-in-leadership event[37:50] Why your 50s might be the best decade of your life[44:56] What's next: New Orleans, family time & a trip to Croatia[47:17] Manifestation, abundance mindset & who you surround yourself with
CONNECT WITH ANDREA SERRANO:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreaserranocurates/Website: https://andreaserrano.com/
CONNECT WITH CHARLESTON CHICKS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecharlestonchicks/
New episodes of Charleston Chicks drop regularly - subscribe and leave us a rating and review to help more women find our show!

Men's mental health, modern dating, and the male loneliness epidemic: are men lonely because the world changed, or because they refused to change with it? On this episode of The Charleston Chicks, hosts Lisa and Melanie break down what's really behind the rise in male loneliness, and they don't sugarcoat it.
They trace the term back to its source (a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General declaration on loneliness and isolation), unpack the data, including rising numbers of men reporting zero close friends, declining male workforce participation, and stagnant wages, and ask the question most people avoid: is male loneliness something that happened to men, or the result of choices men have made?
The conversation covers the "comfort trap" of phones, gaming, and streaming replacing real connection, why so many men struggle to build close friendships with other men, the difference between needing a partner and wanting one, and why women are no longer willing to carry the emotional labor in relationships by default.
It's a candid, unfiltered take on masculinity, emotional growth, accountability, and what it actually takes to break the cycle, for this generation of men and the next.
The Charleston Chicks is a weekly podcast where Lisa and Melanie talk relationships, personal growth, and modern womanhood with zero filter and a lot of honesty.
If this episode resonated with you, leave us a rating and review, it helps more people find the show. Follow us on social media to keep the conversation going.

Protein. Steps. Sleep scores. Supplements. Hormones. Creatine. Red-light therapy. Cold plunges. Gut health. Morning sunlight. Are we healthier yet, or just completely overwhelmed?
In this episode, Melanie and Lisa unpack the increasingly complicated world of wellness. They’re both believers in taking care of themselves, natural health and functional medicine.. but when every expert offers a different rule, even “self-care” can start feeling like another full-time job.
They discuss supplement confusion, expensive wellness trends, health influencers, red-light therapy, functional versus traditional medicine and the pressure to perfectly optimize every part of our lives. They also ask an important question: When does pursuing wellness actually become unhealthy?
The takeaway? You don’t need the perfect routine. Doing something positive for yourself, even imperfectly, is still better than doing nothing. Start with what feels sustainable, take it one step at a time and give yourself permission to be a human being, not a walking wellness spreadsheet.
What part of the wellness world overwhelms you most? Tell us in the comments.
Disclaimer: This episode shares personal experiences and opinions for general discussion and entertainment. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning or changing supplements, medications or health treatments.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Welcome to the Charleston Chicks00:22 When wellness becomes overwhelming00:49 Protein, steps, sleep, hormones and all the things01:22 The confusing rules around supplements02:28 Red-light therapy, saunas and LED masks03:13 Wellness routines versus having an actual life04:07 How the wellness industry exploded04:50 Experiences with Function Health and online experts05:38 When does wellness become unhealthy?05:50 The unrealistic world of wellness influencers06:17 The growing cost of staying “healthy”07:22 Are we obsessively monitoring ourselves?08:01 Using wellness to regain a sense of control09:14 Helpful information—or information overload?09:30 Is wellness becoming a luxury?10:04 Making functional medicine more accessible10:36 Charleston wellness and functional-care options11:28 Knowing when to tune out the noise12:08 Why red-light therapy became a favorite13:58 Chiropractic care and whole-body health15:06 Natural wellness enters the mainstream16:09 From pharmaceutical sales to natural health17:33 Why conventional and natural medicine can coexist18:00 Wellness culture in Colorado and the South19:23 “Just tell me what to do”19:40 Why there’s no universal wellness recipe20:11 Sleep advice that doesn’t work for everyone21:04 When wellness trends go too far21:51 Doing the best you can22:34 A “bad workout” is still a workout23:00 Progress matters more than perfection23:33 The real takeaway: Do what you can23:46 Stop letting the algorithm overwhelm you24:00 Take one thing at a time24:22 An LED mask may still be in the future
#CharlestonChicks #WellnessOverload #WomenOver45 #MidlifeWellness #FunctionalMedicine #NaturalHealth #HealthyAging #SelfCare #PodcastForWomen #CharlestonPodcast

Can we still be friends—or remain close as family—when our beliefs don’t align?
This week, Melanie and Lisa examine how politics, religion and social media have made relationships across different viewpoints increasingly difficult. They discuss family boundaries, social media assumptions, outrage-driven algorithms, cancel culture and the value of choosing respectful conversation over immediate rejection.
But tolerance has limits. When does a difference of opinion deserve grace, and when does a belief become genuinely harmful or dehumanizing?
At the heart of the conversation is one question: Can we put relationships first without compromising who we are?
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Welcome00:22 Have politics, religion and social media divided us?01:52 Unfriending and unfollowing03:17 Family conflict and ignored boundaries04:46 Relationships versus beliefs06:03 Growing and changing our perspectives08:25 Assumptions created by social media10:53 Responding to divisive posts respectfully13:41 Algorithms, outrage and rage bait15:16 Searching for balanced information16:57 Navigating different beliefs within families20:01 When a belief dehumanizes others22:03 Understanding people who are different26:00 Boundaries versus intolerance28:18 Why different viewpoints matter29:39 Listening and finding common ground31:00 Choosing relationships first32:25 Cancel culture and keyboard warriors36:27 Can we find our way back to balance?

At this age, we’re officially retiring the phrase “guilty pleasure.” 🥂
In today’s episode, Melanie and Lisa are talking about the things women are made to feel guilty for enjoying - from Poshmark deals, Botox and DoorDash to canceled plans, late nights, reality TV, dessert first and staying in pajamas all day.
Because why should we apologize for the things that make life easier, more peaceful or simply more fun?
Plus, the Chicks weigh in on checking an ex’s Instagram, Googling someone before a date, traveling without your partner and the freedom of simply saying, “I’m unavailable.” No explanation required.
What’s one “guilty pleasure” you’re officially refusing to feel guilty about? Tell us in the comments!
Subscribe for honest conversations about reinvention, relationships, real life and everything women over 45 are usually expected to filter out.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the Charleston Chicks00:21 It’s time to retire “guilty pleasures”01:15 Are guilty pleasures mostly a women’s thing?03:24 Poshmark finds and TJ Maxx deals04:47 Staying up late without apologizing06:46 Protecting your peace with Sleep Focus08:42 The joy of canceled plans09:33 Reality TV and the Housewives11:22 Red wine, dark chocolate and tub soaks12:19 The shows we secretly love16:15 Vanity, skincare and Botox18:19 Saying no—and choosing dessert first19:18 The freedom of living alone22:14 House cleaners, DoorDash and convenience25:13 Needing a peaceful home26:40 The great “unmade bed” debate30:34 Guilty or not: rapid-fire round32:41 Checking your ex’s Instagram33:40 Googling someone before a date35:16 Canceling plans and protecting your energy35:34 Traveling without your partner36:06 Not answering your phone36:48 Celebrity gossip vs. local gossip38:51 “I’m unavailable.” Period.
#CharlestonChicks #GuiltyPleasures #WomenOver45 #WomenOver40 #MidlifeWomen #GirlTalk #CharlestonPodcast #NoMoreGuilt #SelfCare #PodcastForWomen