Own Your Midlife Podcast: Hormones, Perimenopause & Reinvention for Women 40+

Епизоде

• 
  You're Not Starting Over. How to Use Your Skills to Build Something New After 40 | Shannon Russell 15.09.2026 27мин

  Thinking about making a career change in midlife, starting a business, or finally exploring an idea that keeps coming back to you? In this episode, I'm talking with Shannon Russell about what it really looks like to create a second act without feeling like you have to start from scratch. Shannon is a Business Coach, Corporate Team Building Facilitator, TEDx Speaker, and the author of Start Your Second Act. She's also the host of the Second Act Success Podcast, where she shares inspiring stories and actionable strategies to help professionals make career changes and start businesses. After spending more than 16 years as a television producer, Shannon took her experience in the entertainment industry and began "producing" her own life by starting several businesses, including Second Act Success®, where she supports women as they embrace change, discover new opportunities, and design careers that bring them joy and purpose. In our conversation, Shannon shares how she left a successful career as a television producer and started building a new path that gave her more flexibility and fit the life she wanted. We also talk about why the skills and experience you already have can become some of your biggest advantages when you're making a career pivot or starting something new. We get into how to recognize your skills, narrow down multiple business ideas, research before you leap, and build a bridge between the job you have now and the life or business you want next. Shannon also shares why taking the time to reflect on what you actually want can help you make clearer decisions about your next chapter. We also talk about the discomfort of becoming a beginner again, why your non-negotiables matter when you're building something new, and how to create a business around the life you want instead of allowing the business to take over your life. If you're a woman in your 40s, 50s, or beyond who keeps wondering, "What could I do next?" this conversation will help you think about that question in a practical way without feeling like you have to blow up your entire life to figure it out. In this episode, we talk about: • Making a career change in midlife without starting over • Recognizing the skills and experience you already have • Choosing between multiple career or business ideas • Why research matters before making a big move • Starting a business while keeping your current job • Creating non-negotiables around the life you want • Working through the discomfort of feeling like a beginner again • Taking small, practical steps toward your second act Connect with Shannon: Website: https://secondactsuccess.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondactsuccess/ Book: https://secondactsuccess.co/book Podcast: https://secondactsuccess.co/podcast Connect with Susie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo  Website: www.susiemclean.com
• 
  The Friendship Conversation You've Been Avoiding: Grief, Growth, and Boundaries in Midlife 08.09.2026 13мин

  Have you ever noticed that as you start changing, some of your friendships start to feel different too? As we grow, set better boundaries, speak up more, stop overgiving, or stop making ourselves smaller to keep the peace, the dynamics in our friendships can change. And sometimes that can leave us wondering whether the relationship can actually grow with us. In this episode of Own Your Midlife, I'm talking about what happens when your growth starts affecting your friendships, the grief that can come with that, and the honest conversations we sometimes avoid when something no longer feels right. I'm also sharing a personal story about a close friendship, people-pleasing, unspoken hurt, and the resentment that can build when we expect someone to know what we're feeling without actually telling them. Because as much as we need to recognize when a friendship is no longer healthy, we also have to be willing to look at our own part and ask whether we've been honest about what we need, what hurt us, and what has changed. In this episode, I talk about how to: Recognize when a friendship has become one-sided, emotionally draining, or difficult to navigate. Understand the connection between people-pleasing, silence, resentment, and friendship problems. Set healthy boundaries with friends without immediately assuming the relationship has to end. Have an honest conversation with a friend who has hurt you. Consider whether you have clearly communicated what you need before walking away. Understand why grief and relief can exist at the same time after a friendship changes or ends. Recognize that we can miss someone and still know the relationship is no longer healthy for us. Build adult friendships where we can be honest, disagree, grow, and be fully ourselves. Before deciding that a friendship is over, I encourage us to ask: Have I actually told this person what hurt me, or how I felt I was being treated? Sometimes a friendship can grow with us. Sometimes the dynamic needs to change. Sometimes there's a boundary or an honest conversation that needs to happen. And sometimes, after we've communicated clearly, we realize the relationship no longer has room for who we're becoming. If you're navigating changing friendships, friendship grief, difficult conversations, or setting boundaries after 40, this episode will help you look at those relationships more honestly and get clearer on what deserves more of your energy moving forward. Connect with Susie: Send me a message here: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo Website: www.susiemclean.com
• 
  Waiting Isn't a Plan: How to Make a Career Decision You Trust (with Paula Randler) 01.09.2026 32мин

  If you're in midlife and starting to wonder whether the career you've built still fits who you are now, this episode will help you think through what comes next, whether that means staying, making changes where you are, or stepping into something completely new. In this episode, I'm joined by career coach Paula Randler. Paula spent seventeen years in one organization before eventually leaving and starting her own coaching practice, so she understands both the fear of walking away from something familiar and the possibility of creating a completely different next chapter. We talk about why "Should I stay or should I go?" may actually be the wrong first question, how to tell the difference between a rough season and a deeper misalignment, and why staying can sometimes be the right decision when you're choosing it on purpose. We also get into the fear and grief that can come with changing careers in midlife, how overworking and emotionally carrying other people can keep women stuck, and how to get clearer when you know something needs to change but you honestly don't know what you want instead. Paula shares how your values, your current season of life, and small "micro experiments" can help you figure out what actually fits now without feeling like you have to blow up your whole life. In this episode, we talk about: Career change in midlife How to know when your career no longer fits Feeling stuck or restless at work Whether to stay, leave, or make changes where you are The fear of starting over in midlife Burnout, overworking, and carrying too much at work  How to get clear on what you actually want next Making career decisions you can trust Using your values to guide your next move If you've been thinking, I don't know if I want to keep doing this for the next ten years, this conversation will help you look at your career more honestly and get clearer about what you want this next season to look like. Connect with Paula: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paularandler/ Website: https://paularandler.com/ Connect with Susie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo Website: www.susiemclean.com Email: [email protected]
• 
  It's Not Too Late: Find Yourself Again in Midlife 25.08.2026 8мин

  What if finding yourself again in midlife starts with remembering the moments when you already proved something to yourself? In this solo episode, I'm talking about the stories we carry with us. The moments that remind us we've been brave before, taken risks before, trusted ourselves before, and figured things out when we had no idea how they were going to work out. I share one of those moments from my own life, and why I still think about it years later whenever I need a reminder not to let someone else's opinion become the limit I place on myself. From there, we get into what it really means to own your midlife. Deciding what you want next, rebuilding self-trust, taking action even when you don't have a guarantee, and remembering that you are not starting from zero. If you've been questioning what's next, thinking about starting over, or trying to reconnect with the version of yourself who wasn't afraid to take a chance, this episode will help you look at your own story differently and start moving toward the life you want now. CONNECT WITH ME :)  I would love to here from you and what you've been enjoying. Send me a message at: [email protected] Connect with me on Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo  Website: susiemclean.com
• 
  Truth Over Approval: The Midlife Shift Back to Yourself with Diane Sorensen 18.08.2026 27мин

  Have you ever wondered how much of who you are is really you, and how much may have been shaped by years of wanting to feel accepted, loved, or safe? For many women, approval-driven patterns can become so familiar that they start to feel like part of your personality. Being accommodating, keeping others happy, avoiding disappointment, or automatically going along with what everyone else wants can become something you do without even realizing it. In this episode, I'm joined by Diane Sorensen, speaker, Boundary & Empowerment Coach, and host of the Chaos to Connection podcast. We talk about where these patterns can come from, why the need for approval can stay with us long after childhood, and why midlife can bring us face-to-face with ways of living we may have never questioned before. We also talk about resentment and what it may be telling you, why setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable even when you know they're healthy, why other people may struggle when you begin changing, and simple ways to start noticing your own preferences instead of automatically going along with what everyone else wants. In this episode, we talk about: • Why approval-seeking can become a deeply ingrained pattern • How some behaviors we think are our personality may have been learned years ago • Why setting boundaries can bring up guilt and discomfort • How resentment can be a sign that you've been putting your own needs and feelings aside • Why changing old patterns can be difficult for the people around you too • How to start paying attention to what you actually want and need • Why midlife can be an opportunity to question old patterns and live more honestly If you've spent years looking outside yourself for approval, this conversation may help you understand where some of those patterns came from and begin paying attention to what's actually true for you. Connect with Susie: If you enjoyed this episode reach out! I'd love to hear from you:) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo/ Email: [email protected] Website: www.susiemclean.com Connect with Diane: Podcast Spotify - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diane-sorensen1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianesorensen.bb/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diane.sorensen.589 Website: https://www.dianesorensen.net/ Free gift – Drama to Empowerment workbook: https://www.dianesorensen.net/drama-to-empowerment
• 
  Why You Feel Lonely in Midlife Even When You're Not Alone 11.08.2026 9мин

  Have you ever wondered why you feel lonely even when you have people around you? Loneliness in midlife can be confusing. You may be married, have children, friends, coworkers, and people you talk to regularly, yet still feel disconnected or like something is missing. In this episode, I'm talking about why loneliness can show up in midlife, what that feeling may be telling you, and three practical things you can do to create more meaningful connection in your life. I also share what recent research says about loneliness after 45 and why social connection matters more than we may realize. We'll dive into: • Why you can feel lonely even when you are not physically alone • How to figure out what kind of connection you are actually missing • Why feeling known and understood matters • How to reach out when you are tired of always being the one who initiates • Simple ways to create more connection, belonging, and meaningful relationships in midlife If you have been feeling lonely, disconnected, or like your relationships are missing something, I hope this episode helps you understand what you may need and gives you one small step you can take today. CONNECT! I'd love to hear from you! Send me a message at: [email protected] Connect on: Instagram Website: www.susiemclean.com
• 
  How to Find Clarity When You Feel Lost in Midlife 04.08.2026 9мин

  What do you do when you're feeling lost in midlife and know you want something different for your life, but you can't quite figure out what that something is? In this solo episode, I'm sharing three things that helped me find clarity when I felt uncertain about what was next. We'll talk about what happens when the life you're living no longer feels like it fits, how other people's opinions can quietly influence your decisions, and why waiting until you feel completely certain may be keeping you stuck. You'll also learn how paying attention to what feels out of alignment can help you understand yourself more clearly, why choosing impact over approval can reconnect you with what truly matters, and how taking one imperfect step can give you information that thinking alone cannot. In this episode, we talk about: • Recognizing when an area of your life feels out of alignment • How fear of judgment can make it harder to know what you truly want • The subtle ways other people's opinions can influence your decisions • Choosing impact over approval • How perfectionism can keep you waiting for certainty • Why taking action can help you find clarity • Three questions to ask when you feel lost in midlife Sometimes you only need enough clarity to take the next step. If this episode encourages you, share it with someone in your life who may need to hear it. Connect with Susie: Instagram - susiemclean.xo Email: [email protected]
• 
  Normal Labs, Brain Fog & Fatigue? Why You Still Don't Feel Like Yourself | Dr. Alicia Newsome 28.07.2026 36мин

  Have you ever gone to the doctor because you knew something felt off, only to be told that all your lab work looked normal? Maybe you're dealing with brain fog, low energy, mood changes, poor sleep, or that hard to explain feeling that you simply don't feel like yourself anymore. Being told everything looks fine can leave you wondering whether you're imagining it or whether there may be more to explore. In this episode, I'm joined by functional medicine practitioner Dr. Alicia Newsome for a conversation about hormones in midlife and why routine testing may not always answer every question a woman has about how she feels. Alicia shares her functional medicine approach to looking at the body more broadly. We talk about hormone testing, cortisol, chronic stress, blood sugar, nutrition, gut health, sleep, and some of the other areas she considers when working with women who are struggling with symptoms but have been told their results are normal. We also talk about what it means to pay attention to your body, why asking questions matters, and how to advocate for yourself when you know you do not feel right. Before we wrap up, Alicia shares three practical steps women can consider this week, including starting the day with a more balanced breakfast, doing a brain dump before bed, and seeking appropriate testing and support when symptoms continue. You know your body. When something feels off, you deserve to be heard, ask questions, and find the support you need. Connect with Alicia Newsom Instagram: @dr.alicianewsome Facebook: Dr. Alicia Newsome                                                                                                                                                      Linkedin: Dr. Alicia Newsome                                                                                                                                                        Youtube: Dr. Alicia Newsome  Connect with Susie  Website: susiemclean.com Instagram: susiemclean.xo
• 
  Feeling Disconnected in Your Marriage? 4 Ways to Reconnect 21.07.2026 10мин

  Have you ever wondered how two people who love each other can slowly start to feel disconnected? Most of the time, it does not happen because of one major moment. It happens through small things that go unnoticed, unspoken, or pushed aside during the busyness of life. In this episode, my husband Anthony joins me to talk about how to stay connected in a relationship through the different seasons of life. After more than two decades together, we've learned that reconnecting with your partner often begins with simple choices you can make in everyday moments. We talk about why acknowledgement matters, especially when someone's effort has become so familiar that it becomes easy to stop noticing. We also share why comparing your relationship to another couple's highlight reel can make you lose sight of the season you are currently experiencing together. In this episode, you'll hear: Why your partner's priorities should matter to you How acknowledgement helps your partner feel seen Why reliable partners are often taken for granted How comparison can create dissatisfaction in your relationship Why saying "I'm fine" can slowly lead to resentment and disconnection If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected] You can also connect with me on Instagram at @susiemclean.xo
• 
  Why You Keep Putting Yourself Last (and How to Trust Your Voice) 14.07.2026 10мин

  For many women, putting yourself last can look a lot like kindness. You become the easygoing one, the flexible one, the woman who always makes it work. But after years of people-pleasing, saying yes to everyone, and ignoring your own needs, many women over 40 reach midlife realizing they can hear everyone else's voice more clearly than their own. In this episode of Own Your Midlife, I share the moment that helped me recognize the difference between being kind and quietly abandoning myself. You'll learn why self-abandonment is often rewarded, how your body may recognize a boundary before you can say it out loud, and why rebuilding self-trust begins in small, everyday decisions. You'll also be given one simple question to ask before automatically saying yes and truthful language you can use when something doesn't work for you. Because every time you honor what you need, you remind yourself that your voice matters. In this episode, you'll hear: The subtle phrases that may sound like kindness but can actually be signs of people-pleasing and self-abandonment Why you may say yes before giving yourself time to recognize your own needs and boundaries One simple question to ask before saying, "It's fine," so you can begin trusting your voice and responding more honestly Know a woman who needs to hear this? Send it her way. And make sure you're following Own Your Midlife so you don't miss future episodes. I love hearing from you! Leave a review or send me an email at: [email protected] Tell me what you're enjoying!  Connect with Susie: Instagram  
• 
  Outgrowing Friendships in Midlife? Let Go Without the Guilt 07.07.2026 9мин

  Friendships in midlife can change in ways we never expected. If you've been wondering whether you've outgrown a friendship, why a friendship feels different than it used to, or why someone who was once so close no longer plays the same role in your life, this episode is for you. In this episode of Own Your Midlife, we're talking about outgrowing friendships, the guilt that often comes with it, and three questions to help you better understand where a friendship is today. I'm also sharing one of the biggest takeaways I learned from friendship expert Anna Goldfarb during a previous episode of the podcast, along with the findings from a well known study out of the Netherlands on how our friend circles naturally change over time. Together, they completely changed how I think about adult friendships and why they evolve the way they do. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why friendship changes are a normal part of adulthood and midlife • Three questions to help you understand where a friendship is today • Why history alone isn't always a reason to stay • How to recognize when a friendship may no longer fit this season of your life • A healthier way to think about friendships that have changed If this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend or another woman who might need this conversation today. Be sure to check out my conversation with friendship expert Anna Goldfarb in Episode 10: Why Friendships Feel Harder After 40 (and What Actually Works). Connect with me on Instagram: @susiekmclean.xo Email: [email protected]
• 
  Midlife Imposter Syndrome: Stop Letting Self-Doubt Make Your Decisions 30.06.2026 6мин

  Self-doubt has a way of making us question everything. It can make us wonder if we're qualified enough, experienced enough, or even capable of taking the next step. For many women, that's exactly how imposter syndrome (also spelled impostor syndrome) in midlife begins to show up. In this episode of Own Your Midlife, we're talking about the thoughts that fuel self-doubt, what imposter syndrome can sound like in everyday life, and how those beliefs can influence the decisions we make. If you've ever thought, "Who do I think I am?" or "Someone else could do it better," you're not alone. I'll also share the three mindset shifts that have helped me recognize those thoughts, build confidence through action, and stop letting imposter syndrome make my decisions. Whether you're thinking about changing careers, starting a business, writing a book, going back to school, or simply stepping into a new season of life, I hope this episode reminds you that you don't have to wait until you feel confident to move forward. ✨In this episode, you'll learn: • What imposter syndrome is and what it can sound like in everyday life • How to recognize the voice of self-doubt • Why confidence is built by taking action • How to collect evidence instead of excuses • Three practical ways to stop letting self-doubt make your decisions 😊 Connect with Susie  Instagram - @susiemclean.xo 📧 Tell me what episode you enjoyed!Email: [email protected] ⭐️ If this show has made you feel less alone in the middle of it all, a review on Apple Podcasts would mean the world. It helps other women find their way here too ❤️
• 
  Hidden Generational Beliefs Keeping Women Stuck in Midlife with Anthony McLean 23.06.2026 19мин

  Have you ever wondered who decided what age you're supposed to have life figured out? Or why so many of us feel like there's a timeline we're supposed to follow, and if we miss it, we've somehow fallen behind? In this episode, I'm sitting down with my husband, Anthony McLean, and we're getting into something most of us have never stopped to question. The unspoken rules our generations handed us. The beliefs we absorbed without even realizing it about asking for help, following the right path, and what life is supposed to look like by a certain age. One of the things I appreciate most about Anthony's work is his heart for bringing generations together rather than driving them apart. This conversation isn't about blaming one generation or another. It's about understanding where our beliefs came from and getting curious about whether they're still serving us today. We talk about why midlife women often carry the belief that asking for help is weakness, why so many elder Millennials feel like they followed the map and it still didn't work out, and how to recognize the beliefs we've been carrying for years, where they came from, and whether they're still serving us today. Because here's what this conversation kept coming back to. The rules you've been living by were written for a world that doesn't exist anymore. And it is never too late to write new ones. In this episode, we discuss: • The unspoken rules Gen X and elder Millennials were handed growing up • Why asking for help feels like weakness for so many midlife women • The outdated map many elder Millennials feel they've been following • How to recognize which beliefs are still serving you in midlife • Why midlife reinvention is more possible now than ever before • Why those of us between 35 and 55 are in a uniquely powerful position right now If this episode resonated with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend.  Connect with Susie @susiemclean.xo Connect with Anthony Instagram: @anthonymcleantv Anthonys Book: The Four Generations: How Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z Can Finally Work Together  
• 
  Divorce in Midlife: The Emotional Survival Guide for Women Starting Over with Oona Metz 16.06.2026 28мин

  Divorce can feel overwhelming, heartbreaking, and incredibly lonely, especially in midlife when so much of your life feels intertwined with your marriage, family, finances, identity, and future. In this episode we talk about the emotional side of divorce that so many women struggle through quietly. Oona shares the five phases of divorce grief, what to do first when you don't know where to start, how to protect your mental health through the process, and why the emotional rollercoaster you're feeling may be more normal than you think. Today I'm sitting down with Oona Metz, author of Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women. Oona is a therapist with 30 years of clinical experience and has spent the past 15 years helping women navigate divorce. She leads three weekly divorce support groups and trains mental health professionals to support women through divorce. Oona shares what she has seen happen for hundreds of women in midlife who once believed divorce was the worst thing that could happen, only to later find healing, growth, confidence, and even joy again. This conversation is going to give you a roadmap for what to expect, how to move through this emotionally, and hope for what's possible on the other side. ✨ In this episode, we discuss: The 5 phases of divorce grief What to do first when facing separation or divorce How to protect your mental health during divorce Why divorce in midlife feels so overwhelming Financial fears and what women should know Finding support and rebuilding after heartbreak Hope, healing, and life after divorce Connect with Susie McLean Instagram: @susiemclean.xo Email: [email protected] Connect with Oona Metz Website: oonametz.com Instagram: @oonametz Facebook: Women Navigating Divorce LinkedIn: Oona Metz, LICSW, CGP YouTube: Oona Metz Substack: Unhitched: Let's Talk Divorce Get Oona's book: Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women Article Mentioned in Episode: When Someone You Know Gets Divorced. Condolences or congratulations
• 
  Why You Feel Disconnected in Your Relationship (And What It's Costing You) with Colette Jane Fehr 09.06.2026 38мин

  Feeling disconnected in your relationship and not sure why? Wondering if resentment in marriage or emotional distance with your partner is quietly building? In this powerful conversation, licensed psychotherapist, relationship expert, TEDx speaker, and author of The Cost of Quiet, Colette Jane Fehr joins me to talk about the hidden cost of staying quiet in relationships, especially for women who have spent years people pleasing, avoiding conflict, or putting everyone else first. Because sometimes relationship problems don't start with huge fights. Sometimes it looks like biting your tongue. Keeping the peace. Feeling unseen. Feeling emotionally disconnected in marriage or wondering why your relationship feels "off" even when nothing is technically wrong. In this episode, we talk about: ✨ The early signs of resentment in relationships and marriage ✨ Why emotional disconnection happens in long-term relationships ✨ How people pleasing can quietly damage intimacy ✨ Better communication in relationships and how to have hard conversations without blowing everything up ✨ How to rebuild trust after betrayal or infidelity ✨ Practical tools for healthier communication and emotional connection Whether you're navigating resentment in your marriage, struggling with communication in a relationship, dealing with emotional distance, or simply trying to understand yourself better in love and midlife, this episode will leave you feeling seen and give you practical tools you can actually start using today. 👉 Connect with Colette Jane Fehr: 📚 Get Her Book: The Cost of Quiet: How to Have the Hard Conversations That Create Secure, Lasting Love 🎙️ Podcast: Insights from the Couch: Real Talk for Women at Midlife 🎙️ Relationship Podcast/Radio Show: Love Thy Neighbor 📱 Follow Colette on: Instagram 🌐 Visit Colette's: Website If this episode resonates with you, send it to another woman who needs this conversation. Connect with Susie: Instagram Email Susie: [email protected]  
• 
  Why Comparison Hits Differently in Midlife (And What to Do About It) 02.06.2026 8мин

  If you're in midlife and comparison has been making you feel like you're behind, too late, or like everyone else has figured something out that you haven't, this episode is going to hit home. Comparison in midlife feels different than it did in your twenties. Back then it felt like fuel. Now it feels more like a deadline. And that shift is not an accident. It's something a lot of women feeling stuck in midlife are experienced but rarely talk about. In this episode we cover: Why comparison feels so much heavier in midlife than it ever did before How to stop letting someone else's timeline mean something about your own What to do the next time comparison shows up. Because it will Why holding on too tightly to a plan or a timeline could be costing you your clarity How to start trusting your own path again even when it looks nothing like everyone else's You are not behind. You are not too late. And you are not the only woman in this season of life wondering why everyone else seems to have figured it out. If comparison has been quietly convincing you that you missed your window, this episode is your reset. Come say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemclean.xo  
• 
  Playing it Safe in Midlife? It's Time to Bet On You 26.05.2026 7мин

  Betting on yourself in midlife can feel scary, especially when you've spent years putting everyone else first. In this episode, we're talking about what it actually looks like to stop waiting, trust yourself, and finally take a chance on the life you really want. If you've ever found yourself thinking, maybe next year, when life settles down, or when I feel more ready. This conversation is for you. In this solo episode of Own Your Midlife, I'm getting personal about my own journey of waiting for permission to start this podcast, and the moment I finally realized nobody was coming to hand me the green light. We're talking about what it really means to bet on yourself in midlife, why so many women slowly stop choosing themselves, and how easy it is to spend years betting on everyone else while quietly putting yourself on the back burner. We also get into why confidence doesn't always come first, how fear shows up when you're stepping into something new, and why sometimes the bravest bet isn't starting over, it's ending something that no longer fits. In this episode: • Why betting on yourself in midlife often means taking action before you feel ready • The quiet ways women stop choosing themselves over time • Why sometimes the bravest bet is ending something that no longer fits • How fear, self-doubt, and waiting for permission can keep us stuck • The one question I want you to ask yourself before this episode ends If you've been feeling pulled toward something new, questioning what's next, or wondering if it's too late to choose yourself again, I hope this episode reminds you of one thing: You are what you're bringing to the table. Connect with me on Instagram: @susiemclean.xo 
• 
  Nervous System Overload? Small Midlife Resets That Actually Help 19.05.2026 6мин

  If you've been feeling emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, or like life just feels heavier than it used to, this episode is for you. Maybe you're juggling work, kids, aging parents, relationships, your health, and somehow still feeling like you're supposed to hold everything together. Maybe you're waking up already feeling behind, constantly overstimulated, and wondering why everything suddenly feels like so much. And sometimes we think something is wrong with us when really, our nervous system is just overloaded. In this short solo episode, I'm talking about small nervous system resets that actually help when life feels overwhelming. No perfection. No complicated routines. Just real life ways to calm your nervous system, lower stress, and feel more like yourself again. Here's what we're getting into: • Why you don't owe everyone immediate access to you • Nervous system resets that help you feel calmer in midlife • Drained from doing it all? Perfectionism may be exhausting you more than your to-do list • Giving yourself permission to choose the easy version If life feels heavy right now, I hope this episode feels like a deep breath and a reminder that you don't have to do it all. Small shifts really do add up. And if someone came to mind while listening, send this episode their way. Maybe they need a little encouragement too Connect with Susie: Social media: Instagram Email: [email protected] 
• 
  Midlife Reinvention: How to Become Who You're Meant to Be (with Wendy Valentine) 12.05.2026 30мин

  If you're in your 40s or 50s and things feel like they're starting to unravel, this episode is going to remind you that breakdown and breakthrough can often happen at the same time. Today I'm sitting down with Wendy Valentine, internationally published author of Women Waking Up, founder of Midlifology, and host of the Midlife Makeover Show, a podcast ranked in the top 1% globally. After going through divorce, job loss, debt, menopause, chronic illness, and devastating loss all at once, Wendy transformed her life completely and now empowers women to do the same. This conversation is about midlife reinvention, shifting your mindset, quieting your inner critic, and giving yourself permission to become the woman you've always wanted to be. Because so many women in midlife feel stuck, lost, or like it's too late to start over. It is not too late. In this episode we talk about how to change your thinking when everything feels like it's falling apart, why staying stuck can feel safe and how to move through it anyway, the ACE method for managing emotions and getting out of a rut, and why midlife is a catalyst for reinvention rather than a crisis to survive. If you've been feeling lost in midlife, questioning your identity, or wondering if your best years are behind you, this conversation will shift the way you see this season of your life. In this episode we cover: How your thoughts are either working for you or against you and how to change that Why identity is the missing piece most women skip when trying to change their lives How to stop negative thought spirals before they take over Wendy's Believe, Behave, Become method for real, lasting transformation How to start showing up as the woman you want to become before you fully feel like her Why feeling stuck is often just familiarity dressed up as comfort Simple ways to start rewiring your brain and shifting your mindset in midlife Connect with Wendy: Website: The Midlife Makeover Show  Book: Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play Follow on: Instagram Substack: Midlifology  Connect with Susie: Instagram If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who's in this season too and follow Own Your Midlife so you don't miss what's coming next.
• 
  Brain Fog & Low Energy in Midlife: What Actually Worked for Me 05.05.2026 10мин

  If you're in your 40s or 50s and dealing with low energy, fatigue, brain fog, or walking into a room and forgetting why you're there, you are not alone. These are some of the most common symptoms women experience in midlife, and for a long time I thought something was seriously wrong with me. Note: I am not a doctor and nothing here is medical advice. Please talk to your doctor before trying anything new. In this episode, I'm sharing five things that have personally helped my energy and mental clarity in this season. Things I've been using consistently for at least six months, not just quick fixes. One of the first shifts was sleep. My friend Kristen shared a simple nighttime routine with me that changed everything. Kristen's Wind-Down Combination: Chamomile tea L-theanine Reishi mushroom tincture Unflavored collagen This simple routine made a noticeable difference in my sleep and my energy during perimenopause. I also cover how bioidentical HRT helped clear my brain fog in perimenopause, the supplements that supported my mental clarity including Vitamin D, NAC, and creatine, why blood sugar stability matters more than most women realize, and how walking and strength training support energy in midlife in different but equally important ways. If this resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. And make sure you're following Own Your Midlife so you don't miss future episodes. Free Resource: The Midlife Reset Checklist Email [email protected] with "PDF" in the subject line and I'll send it to you! Connect with me on: Instagram Topics covered: brain fog in midlife, low energy in your 40s, fatigue in midlife, perimenopause symptoms, HRT, sleep supplements, L-theanine, creatine for women, midlife wellness.