Smiling Gives You Wrinkles

What does a world-class dermatologist actually do before 9:00 AM? In this episode, Dr. Sam Bunting shares her personal morning habits. From the "Othership" breathwork routine she uses to manage stress, to her streamlined 4-step skincare regime, Dr. Sam explains why efficiency is the ultimate beauty secret. PLUS! We discuss the "dopamine crash" of early morning phone use, why she avoids TikTok trends like skin cycling, and her "patchwork" approach to makeup for women in their 40s and 50s.Resources Mentioned:Othership BreathworkSkincare: Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser, Vitamin C, and Azelaic Serum.Makeup: Merit Beauty, Ilia Beauty, and tips from Lisa Eldridge/Caroline Barnes.Supplements: Nordic Naturals Omega 3, Simprove Probiotics.I really hope you enjoy it! And don’t forget to follow Sam on Instagram, and also follow me @thebeautyed and this podcast on there too. See you next week, Donnax

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful break and managed to get some much needed rest. For my first episode of 2026 I wanted to share a story that was not about new year, new you, but more about new year, and how to be more you! And my friend Nina, also known as @wonderfullysober on Instagram was the perfect guest to do just that. This time last year, Nina decided to try Dry January as she recognized how alcohol wasn’t serving her anymore. And in this chat, she tells us how she got on, and why, now, one year later, she is 1 year sober. This is as much a chat about self-love and confidence as it is about alcohol. It is not preachy at all - it’s just a really lovely, genuine and inspiring chat that whether you are doing Dry Jan or not, will hopefully help you feel inspired to recognise what is and what isn’t working in your life, and to do something about it. I really hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to follow Nina on Instagram, and also follow me and this podcast there too. If you are interested in hearing more about my sobriety, and would like to watch this episode in full video format, then also consider subscribing to My Skin Type Is Sober substack. See you next week, Donna x

A heartfelt Merry Christmas to you all.As I sat down to record this mini holiday episode, I couldn't help but reflect on how truly grateful I am for you, my guests, and all of the support I have received for the Smiling Gives You Wrinkles podcast so far.For me, Smiling Gives You Wrinkles isn’t just a tagline - it really is a mindset that I’m leaning into as I approach my milestone 50th year. And in this episode, I touch on my realities of turning 50 and share a genuine wish for us all to keep inspiring each other and for us all to keep smiling as we age.See you next week, in 2026!Donna x

In this enlightening (excuse the pun!) conversation, Dr. Kelli Ritter, known as the 'anxiety lady', discusses with Donna the profound impact of light therapy on mental health. She explains the significance of circadian rhythms, the necessity of natural light exposure, and offers practical daily habits to optimize mood and energy. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Light Therapy and Mental Health03:11 Understanding Circadian Rhythms06:09 The Impact of Seasonal Changes on Mood08:50 The Importance of Natural Light Exposure11:56 Optimizing Daily Light Intake15:01 Practical Tips for Light Management17:57 The Role of Darkness in Mental Health20:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts24:27 Understanding Blue Light and Its Effects27:06 The Importance of Light for Sleep and Mood30:03 Creating Healthy Morning Routines34:23 The Role of Sunlight in Hormonal Health38:24 Simple Actions for Better Well-beingConnect with Dr. Kelli Ritter:InstagramWebsitePodcast Links for products discussed:Blue Light Blocking GlassesUse Discount Code: NOURISHED10 VivaRaysThe BEST sleep mask that actually blocks all light! Discount Code: NourishedFollow me:Instagram Substack🧡 If You Enjoyed This Episode:Share it with a friend Leave a rating or review for the showScreenshot the episode and tag us on Instagram - we love hearing your storiesSee you next week!

Poet and bestselling author Donna Ashworth joins me, your host, Donna Francis, for an honest, powerful conversation about sobriety, sober curiosity, alcohol and anxiety, and why so many midlife women are quietly rethinking their relationship with drinking.Donna shares what led her to stop drinking, how alcohol was affecting her anxiety, the mental load of grey-area drinking, and the surprising clarity, creativity and energy she found on the other side. This warm, relatable chat dives deep into the emotional and physical impact of alcohol, how to navigate social events sober, and why sobriety can feel like getting your life back in technicolour.Perfect for: sober-curious listeners, midlife women questioning alcohol, anyone exploring sobriety or struggling with alcohol-related anxiety.Want more?Join host Donna on her Substack - My Skin Type Is Sober - for deeper reflections - and watch the full video episode exclusively as a paid subscriber:💛 Watch the Full Video Episode on my Substack: My Skin Type Is Sober🔗 Donna Ashworth's Links & ResourcesFollow Donna Ashworth on Instagram and buy her gorgeous books hereAnd don’t forget to follow me on Instagram too. 🧡 If You Enjoyed This Episode:Share it with a friend who’s sober curiousLeave a review for the showScreenshot the episode and tag us on Instagram - I love hearing your storiesSee you next week! Donna x Chapters00:00 The Journey to Sobriety07:21 Understanding the Impact of Alcohol16:17 Navigating Social Situations Without Alcohol20:23 The Impact of Alcohol on Well-being23:19 Embracing Sobriety: A Journey of Self-Discovery27:55 Mindfulness and Alternative Coping Mechanisms31:52 The Gift of Sobriety: A New Perspective on Life36:53 Navigating Social Situations Without Alcohol39:42 Outro - With Music.wav