Épisodes

  • Reinventing Your Second Act: From Army Veteran to Author, Midlife Is Your Launchpad

    Reinventing Your Second Act: From Army Veteran to Author, Midlife Is Your Launchpad
    Feb 1 2026
    This is your Women Over 40 podcast.

    Imagine this: you're over 40, staring at the mirror, wondering if the best chapters of your life are behind you. Spoiler alert, listeners—they're not. Welcome to Women Over 40, where we celebrate the fire that reignites after the storm. Today, we're diving into reinventing yourself by chasing those long-buried passions. Because midlife? It's not a crisis; it's your launchpad.

    Take Margaret Williams, who after nearly 40 years in the U.S. Army, walked away from a steady paycheck because the stress was stealing her health and joy. She chose herself, and now mentors young engineers, reclaiming her spark. Or Neera Mahajan, who shifted from biochemist to IT project manager to author of eight books, retiring early to write full-time after her boss dismissed her dreams. These women prove you have multiple lives inside you—it's time to live them all.

    Fear screams loudest before the breakthrough, as Lisa Marie Cabrelli knows. She ditched corporate life for a doll-clothing business, then became a novelist and pursued a PhD at 52. "I am an expert at change," she declares. Jo Barnes sold her company past 40, became a digital nomad, moving across the world to write about life abroad after 50. She urges us: start on Substack—the internet built you new doors.

    Look at icons like Toni Morrison, who penned her first novel at 40, or Vera Wang, who became a fashion legend later. Ariana Huffington launched The Huffington Post at 55. Angela Vassallo built and sold a seven-figure restaurant brand in her 40s, then hit global stages, calling menopause a metamorphosis into your freedom phase. In India, Shinde rebooted at 40 by reviving Ashokvatika Nursery, experimenting with houseplants in coconut shells after a Malaysia horticulture exhibit ignited her curiosity. Now she crafts sensory gardens, guided by YouTube Japanese instructors, fiercely nurturing herself like her plants.

    Rochelle Potkar embraced her 40s as a journeywoman, pivoting from poet to screenwriter, pitching scripts without 30s-era anxiety. Kelley Norcia leaped from teaching to full-time photography at 53, planning her exit with grit. These stories echo a truth from psychologist Edward Higgins: in your 40s, you live your actual self, not some ideal shadow. Validation starts within, as Laura Le Fhae learned—stop waiting to be chosen; choose you.

    Listeners, joy is your birthright. You don't need to feel ready; just start. One tiny yes, like Kristi Keller's first paid writing gig amid grief, snowballs into a life on your terms. Rage can fuel it too, like Patricia Brooks turning workplace fury into coaching. Your story is your superpower—write it, live it.

    So, what passion calls to you? Dance classes in Mumbai? A blog from Portugal like Natalie Wester's retirement dream? Grab that notebook, tune into your whisper, and step boldly. You're not too old; you're perfectly timed.

    Thank you for tuning in to Women Over 40. Subscribe now for more empowerment. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

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    3 min
  • Bloom Where You're Replanted: Starting Your Next Chapter After 40

    Bloom Where You're Replanted: Starting Your Next Chapter After 40
    Jan 31 2026
    This is your Women Over 40 podcast.

    Imagine this: you're over 40, staring at the mirror, wondering if the best chapters of your life are behind you. But what if I told you they're just beginning? Welcome to Women Over 40, where we celebrate the fire that reignites after the storm. I'm your host, and today, we're diving into reinventing yourself by chasing those passions you've shelved for too long. Listeners, this is your permission slip to dream big, start messy, and bloom late.

    Take Margaret Williams, who after nearly 40 years in the U.S. Army, walked away from a toxic job that was draining her health. The steady paycheck? She traded it for joy, now mentoring young engineers and reclaiming her life. "I had to choose me," she said. Her story screams that leaving isn't failure—it's your bravest success.

    Or Neera Mahajan, who reinvented from biochemist to IT project manager to full-time writer and author of eight books. When her boss dismissed her leadership dreams because of her writing, she retired early to prove him wrong. You have multiple lives inside you, ladies—don't pick just one.

    Fear tried to stop Lisa Marie Cabrelli from pursuing her PhD at 52 after leaving corporate life for a doll-clothing business and novels. But she declared, "I am an expert at change." That inner voice doubting you? It's lying. Push through, and breakthroughs follow.

    Jo Barnes sold her company past 40, moved across the world, and became a digital nomad writing about life abroad after 50. "The internet built you a new door," she says. You're not too old to build from scratch.

    In India, Shinde rediscovered curiosity at 40 by reviving her family's Ashokvatika Nursery. Amid pressure to settle down, she experimented with houseplants in coconut shells, studied Japanese techniques on YouTube, and now networks boldly, nurturing her business like her plants—with patience and compassion.

    Rochelle Potkar embraced her 40s as a journeywoman, shifting from poet to screenwriter, pitching scripts without 30s-era anxieties. "My life is a patchwork quilt now," she shares, living her actual self, not some ideal.

    Icons like Vera Wang launched bridal couture at 40, Julia Child mastered French cooking in her 40s and debuted The French Chef at 50, and Toni Morrison penned her first novel at 40. These women remind us: assess your strengths, learn new skills on Coursera or Udemy, network fiercely, start small with freelancing. Validation starts with you, as Laura Le Fae learned—stop waiting to be chosen; choose yourself.

    Your story is your superpower, like Iva Ursano's blogging turning retirement into rebirth. Joy is your birthright, not a luxury. Listeners, tune into that quiet pull toward painting, writing, gardening, whatever lights you up. Rage, grief, curiosity—they're fuel. You don't need to feel ready; just start.

    Thank you for tuning in to Women Over 40. Subscribe now for more empowerment on your journey. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

    For more http://www.quietplease.ai


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    3 min
  • Rewriting Your Second Act: When Life After 40 Becomes Your Best Chapter Yet

    Rewriting Your Second Act: When Life After 40 Becomes Your Best Chapter Yet
    Jan 30 2026
    This is your Women Over 40 podcast.

    Imagine this: you're over 40, staring down a life that feels more like a script someone else wrote than the adventure you crave. But what if I told you that's exactly when the real story begins? Welcome to Women Over 40, where we celebrate the fire reigniting in your soul. I'm your host, and today, we're diving into reinventing yourself by chasing those passions you've shelved for too long. Listeners, this is your permission slip to bloom again.

    Take Margaret Williams, who after nearly 40 years in the U.S. Army, walked away from a steady paycheck because the stress was stealing her health. She chose herself, and now mentors young engineers, reclaiming her joy. Or Neera Mahajan, who pivoted from biochemist to IT manager to authoring eight books, retiring early to write full-time after her boss dismissed her dreams. These women prove you have multiple lives inside you—it's time to live them all.

    Picture Lisa Marie Cabrelli ditching corporate success for a doll-clothing business, then becoming a novelist and earning her PhD at 52. That nagging fear? It's just the gatekeeper before your breakthrough. Jo Barnes sold her company past 40, became a digital nomad, and now urges women from her Substack: start today, the internet's your open door. And don't forget Laura Le Fhae, who stopped waiting for validation and claimed her own worth, transforming her unseen life into one of bold choice.

    Inspiring, right? Across the globe, Shinde from India rebooted at 40 by reviving her family's Ashokvatika Nursery. Stumbling upon a horticulture exhibit in Malaysia sparked it—she now crafts decorative plants in coconut shells, studying Japanese techniques on YouTube, her curiosity her compass. Rochelle Potkar embraced her 40s as a journeywoman, shifting from poet to screenwriter, pitching scripts without the anxiety of her 30s. Her life? A patchwork quilt, not a frantic puzzle.

    Toni Morrison penned her first novel at 40, Vera Wang became a fashion icon later, Ariana Huffington launched The Huffington Post at 55. Angela Vassallo built and sold a seven-figure restaurant brand in her 40s, calling midlife your greatest advantage—a metamorphosis into freedom. Kelley Norcia leaped from teaching to full-time photography at 53, and Natalie Wester retired to Portugal at 62, dream by dream.

    Listeners, joy isn't a luxury; it's your birthright. You don't need to feel ready—just start. Write like Iva Ursano, turning blogs into community. Rage like Patricia Brooks, fueling a coaching empire. Your story is your superpower. Over 40 isn't the end; it's your launchpad. Pursue that passion—dance classes in Barcelona, painting in your garage, volunteering abroad. The world needs your light.

    Thank you for tuning in to Women Over 40. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode igniting your fire. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

    For more http://www.quietplease.ai


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    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    3 min
  • Women Over 40: Unleashed Not Done - Midlife Reinvention Stories That Prove Your Best Chapters Are Just Beginning

    Women Over 40: Unleashed Not Done - Midlife Reinvention Stories That Prove Your Best Chapters Are Just Beginning
    Jan 28 2026
    This is your Women Over 40 podcast.

    Welcome back to Women Over 40, the podcast where we celebrate the fierce power of midlife reinvention. I'm your host, and today we're diving straight into pursuing new passions after 40—because sister, your best chapters are just beginning.

    Imagine this: You're over 40, life's thrown its curveballs, but inside you, a spark ignites. That's exactly what happened to Margaret Williams. After nearly 40 years in the U.S. Army, the stress and toxicity drained her health. She chose herself, walked away from that steady paycheck, and now mentors young engineers, reclaiming her joy. Leaving wasn't failure—it was her bravest success.

    Or take Neera Mahajan, who shapeshifted from biochemist to IT project manager to bestselling author. When her boss dismissed her writing dreams, she fired back by publishing eight books and retiring early to write full-time. You don't pick one identity—you bloom into all of them.

    Fear screams loudest before the breakthrough, as Lisa Marie Cabrelli knows. She ditched corporate life for a doll-clothing business, then became a novelist, and at 52, chased a PhD despite self-doubt. She's an expert at change, proving that inner voice is just a liar.

    Across the world, Jo Barnes sold her company past 40, became a digital nomad, and now writes about thriving abroad after 50. She urges us: Start on Substack—the internet built you new doors, not closed ones.

    In India, meet the woman behind Ashokvatika Nursery. At 40, curiosity reignited during a Malaysia horticulture exhibit. Ignoring naysayers demanding she settle down, she revived her cousin's nursery, experimenting with plants in coconut shells, inspired by Japanese YouTube masters. Now she networks boldly, crafting sensory gardens and embracing AI for plant care. Her 40s? Pure exploration of creativity and self-compassion, nurturing herself like her thriving plants.

    Rochelle Potkar, award-winning poet and now screenwriter, calls her 40s a macro-journey. No more short-term frenzy—she pitches movie scripts with gusto, her life a patchwork quilt, not a puzzle. As psychologist Edward Higgins notes, we finally live as our actual selves, shedding shame for what truly matters.

    Angela Vassallo built and sold a seven-figure restaurant brand in her 40s, then pivoted to global stages and her book The Second Wives’ Guide. Menopause? Her metamorphosis into the freedom phase. Midlife isn't crisis—it's your greatest advantage.

    These women—Kelley Norcia photographing full-time at 53, Natalie Wester retiring to Portugal at 62—show persistence pays. Toni Morrison penned her first novel at 40; Vera Wang became a fashion icon later. Joy is your birthright. Start small, like Kristi Keller did with one writing gig that snowballed. Validation starts with you. Rage into action. Write your story—it's your superpower.

    Listeners, after 40, you're not done—you're unleashed. Chase that passion. Your reinvention awaits.

    Thank you for tuning in to Women Over 40. Subscribe now for more empowerment. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

    For more http://www.quietplease.ai


    Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    3 min
  • Bloom Where You're Replanted: Real Women Rewriting Their Second Acts After 40

    Bloom Where You're Replanted: Real Women Rewriting Their Second Acts After 40
    Jan 26 2026
    This is your Women Over 40 podcast.

    Imagine this: you're over 40, staring down a life that feels more like a script someone else wrote than the adventure you crave. But what if I told you that's exactly when the real magic begins? Welcome to Women Over 40, where we celebrate the fire reigniting in your soul. I'm your host, and today, we're diving into reinventing yourself by chasing those long-buried passions. Listeners, this is your permission slip to bloom again.

    Take Margaret Williams, who after nearly 40 years in the U.S. Army, walked away from a steady paycheck because the stress was stealing her health and joy. She chose herself, and now mentors young engineers, reclaiming her spark. Or Neera Mahajan, who shifted from biochemist to IT project manager to prolific writer, publishing eight books and retiring early to live her words full-time. These women prove you don't pick one path—you evolve through many.

    Fear screams loudest just before the leap, as Lisa Marie Cabrelli discovered. She ditched corporate life for a doll-clothing business, then became a novelist and pursued a PhD at 52. That inner critic? It's a liar. Jo Barnes sold her company past 40, became a digital nomad, and now writes about thriving abroad after 50. She says the internet flung open new doors—Substack alone is a goldmine for starting fresh.

    In India, meet the woman behind Ashokvatika Nursery. At 40, curiosity reignited during a Malaysia horticulture exhibit. Ignoring naysayers pressuring her to settle, she revived her cousin's nursery, experimenting with houseplants in coconut shells, inspired by Japanese YouTube masters. Now she networks boldly, dreaming up sensory gardens and AI plant care. Her mantra? Nurture yourself like your plants—no rush, just dedicated growth.

    Rochelle Potkar embraced her 40s as a journeywoman, pivoting from award-winning poet to screenwriter, pitching scripts with fearless gusto. Rejections don't deflate her anymore; life's a patchwork quilt, not a puzzle. Angela Vassallo built and sold a seven-figure restaurant brand in her 40s, then hit global stages with her TEDx talk on the midlife advantage. Menopause? She calls it metamorphosis, your freedom phase.

    Kelley Norcia quit teaching at 53 for full-time photography, planning meticulously through setbacks. These stories echo one truth: you don't need to feel ready—just start. Joy isn't a luxury; it's your birthright, as Gail Keyes-Allen found, tuning into her true self after decades of proving worth.

    Listeners, your passion calls because you're not done. Rage, grief, doubt—they're fuel. Claim your worth like Laura Le Fhae, turn stories into superpowers like Iva Ursano's blogging empire. Over 40 isn't decline; it's your launchpad.

    Thank you for tuning in to Women Over 40. Subscribe now for more empowerment. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

    For more http://www.quietplease.ai


    Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    3 min
  • Women Over 40: Your Midlife Plot Twist Starts Now

    Women Over 40: Your Midlife Plot Twist Starts Now
    Jan 25 2026
    This is your Women Over 40 podcast.

    Imagine this: you're 48, staring down decades of finance meetings that drained your soul, wondering if passion is just a young woman's game. That's where Sarah found herself, until she said enough. She pivoted to a four-day consultancy gig, carved out space to teach yoga—something she'd always loved—and got her life back, energy surging through her weekends like never before. Sarah's story, shared by career coach Patricia Ezechie, proves midlife isn't a dead end; it's your launchpad.

    Listeners, welcome to Women Over 40, where we ignite that fire inside you to chase what lights you up. Today, we're diving into reinventing yourself after 40 by pursuing new passions. Because sister, your wisdom is your superpower, and it's time to wield it.

    Take Aisha at 52, hit with redundancy from her corporate role. Panic set in—am I too old? Instead of scrambling, she paused, joined a coaching program, rediscovered her heart for non-profits, and launched a consultancy supporting charities. "Losing my job felt like the end," she said. "Now I see it was the beginning." Or Helen, 25 years in the NHS, feeling like a cog until she set boundaries, tapped her creativity, and explored health innovation. "I thought reinvention was for younger women," she reflected. "Now I realize it's for anyone brave enough to listen."

    These aren't outliers. Desiree Adaway interviewed 13 women over 50 who rewrote their rules: Margaret Williams ditched 40 years in the U.S. Army for mentoring and joy. Neera Mahajan, from biochemist to IT manager to authoring eight books, retired early to write full-time. Magdalena Pronuskova survived Chernobyl's shadow, immigrated with no English, and healed through daily writing—now teaching Future Scripting to become the woman you envision.

    Literature icon Toni Morrison penned her first novel at 40; Vera Wang became a fashion legend later; Ariana Huffington launched The Huffington Post at 55. Kelley Norcia swapped teaching for full-time photography at 53, planning every step. Natalie Wester retired to Portugal at 62, dreaming big with savings and grit. Angel Cornelius built a national beauty brand at 56, shattering stereotypes.

    The blueprint? First, awareness—that whisper saying, "I can't keep living like this." Give yourself permission to pause and reflect. Build strategy: weekly resets, strategic yeses aligned with your goals. Start small—write your way forward like Iva Ursano, turning blogs into community and income. Fear screams loudest before breakthroughs, as Lisa Marie Cabrelli learned pursuing her PhD at 52. Grief or fury? Channel it, like Neera after losing her father or Patricia Brooks building a coaching empire from being silenced.

    You're not too late; you're right on time. Claim your joy—paint, dance, launch that passion project. These women listened to their quiet voice: there's more for me. Now, listen to yours.

    Thank you for tuning in, beautiful listeners. Subscribe now so you never miss a spark. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

    For more http://www.quietplease.ai


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    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    3 min
  • Women Over 40: The Freedom Phase - Why Your Second Act Might Be Your Best One Yet

    Women Over 40: The Freedom Phase - Why Your Second Act Might Be Your Best One Yet
    Jan 24 2026
    This is your Women Over 40 podcast.

    Welcome to Women Over 40, the podcast where we celebrate the second acts that change everything. I'm your host, and today we're talking about reinvention, that beautiful, terrifying, absolutely necessary journey that happens when you decide it's time to become who you've always wanted to be.

    Let me start with something that might surprise you. Between 2019 and 2022, nearly 1.8 million women aged 45 and older made career changes in the United States alone. That's not a trend, listeners. That's a movement. And the reasons are as varied as we are: burnout, newfound passion, or simply the realization that life's too short to spend it doing something that doesn't feed your soul.

    Think about Vera Wang. Before she became synonymous with luxurious bridal couture, she was a figure skater and then a fashion editor at Vogue for 15 years. When she was passed over for the editor-in-chief position in her early 40s, something shifted. Instead of accepting that setback as her final chapter, she launched her first bridal collection at age 40. Today, her name is practically interchangeable with high-end bridal fashion, and she continues to thrive in her 70s.

    Or consider Julia Child, who didn't fall in love with cooking until her 40s. She began studying at Le Cordon Bleu and didn't publish her first cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, until she was 49. When The French Chef premiered in 1963, she was already in her 50s. She proved that we're never too old to start from scratch.

    What these women understood, and what listeners like you are discovering every single day, is that your 40s aren't the beginning of the end. They're the beginning of something entirely new. According to research on midlife reinvention, women in their 40s and beyond often experience what psychologists call the freedom phase. After years of chasing who we thought we should be, we finally start living as who we actually are.

    One woman shared her journey beautifully: after working as a costume design assistant in Mumbai, she felt her curiosity extinguished by people questioning why she hadn't settled down by 40. But instead of accepting that narrative, she decided to rebuild her family's nearly abandoned nursery business, called Ashokvatika Nursery. She started small, experimenting with decorative houseplants in coconut shells, watching YouTube tutorials on plant care, and eventually joined a business networking collective where she found her tribe. Today, she's educating herself on everything from sensory gardens to using AI to improve plant care.

    The common thread in every reinvention story is this: they all started with curiosity. They all embraced their actual selves instead of their imagined ones. They all gave themselves permission to explore without the pressure of immediate success.

    If you're listening and thinking about your own reinvention, start by assessing your genuine strengths and passions. Network intentionally with people who inspire you. Invest in learning new skills through platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning. And remember, you don't have to leap headfirst. Start small, test the waters, and let your experiences and wisdom guide you toward what's calling you.

    Your greatest success might be waiting on the other side of 40. Listeners, thank you so much for tuning in to Women Over 40. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of real stories from real women reinventing their lives. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.

    For more http://www.quietplease.ai


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    4 min
  • Women Over 40: From Mumbai Nurseries to Melbourne Stages - Global Stories of Midlife Fire

    Women Over 40: From Mumbai Nurseries to Melbourne Stages - Global Stories of Midlife Fire
    Jan 23 2026
    This is your Women Over 40 podcast.

    Welcome to Women Over 40, where we celebrate the fierce fire that ignites in our souls after forty. I'm your host, and today we're diving into reinventing yourself by chasing those passions you've shelved for too long. Listeners, if you've ever felt that whisper saying it's time for more, this episode is your rallying cry.

    Picture this: you're in your forties, life's demands have piled up—kids, careers, expectations—and suddenly, a spark reignites. That's exactly what happened to Priya Shinde from India. After years hustling as a costume design assistant in Mumbai, facing family pressure to settle down, Priya hit forty feeling her curiosity dim. But she rebooted on her terms. Inspired by a horticulture exhibit in Malaysia, she revived her cousin's neglected nursery, Ashokvatika Nursery. She experimented with houseplants in coconut shells, devoured YouTube tutorials from Japanese experts, and now crafts sensory gardens using AI for plant care. At networking meetups, she's presenting boldly, her tribe of like-minded women fueling her. Priya says her forties are for creativity and compassion, nurturing herself like her plants—no rush, just dedicated blooming.

    Then there's Angela Vassallo, the Australian powerhouse behind a seven-figure restaurant brand. In her TEDx talk, The Midlife Advantage, she shares pivoting at fifty, selling her business to chase soul work—writing her bestseller The Second Wives’ Guide, launching The Resourceful Leader, and hitting global stages. Harvard Business Review backs her up: women over forty are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs worldwide. Angela calls menopause a metamorphosis, turning midlife into your freedom phase. She traded safety for that inner roar, proving you're not done—you're just getting started.

    Or take Rochelle Potkar, award-winning author and poet from India. In her forties, she shed short-term anxieties to become a journeywoman of words, pitching screenplays with wild abandon. No more fear of judgment; rejections don't deflate her. She's unfurling playfully, aligning with purpose over proof.

    These stories echo research from psychologist Edward Higgins: in our forties, we bridge the gap between our ideal and actual selves, shedding shame for authentic power. Like the college professor in Heyday Coaching who, restless in her mid-forties, drew from women's archives—diaries and letters of midlife pioneers—to launch a coaching career mentoring dream-chasers. Or Kelley Norcia from Reinvention Rebels, who at fifty-three ditched teaching for full-time photography, planning her exit with grit. Natalie Wester retired to Portugal at sixty-two, downsizing relentlessly. Angel Cornelius launched a national beauty brand at fifty-six, shattering stereotypes.

    Listeners, your forties aren't a crisis—they're your catalyst. Ditch the jigsaw puzzle of shoulds for a patchwork quilt of wants. Sit with your notebook amid the chaos, let curiosity lead. Join a tribe, plan boldly, pivot without apology. You're resourceful, resilient, unstoppable. What's your passion calling you to? Start today—small steps bloom into legacies.

    Thank you for tuning in to Women Over 40. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode empowering your next chapter. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

    For more http://www.quietplease.ai


    Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    3 min