Unravelling: The Diary of a Midlife Mess

Sharon Wilkes-Burt
  • 5.0 (1)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Unravelling: The Diary of a Midlife Mess is the podcast for women who’ve hit midlife and are wondering, What the hell happened? Certified Life coach Sharon Wilkes-Burt takes you through the identity crises, the confidence wobbles, and the downright weirdness of the messy middle—with journal prompts, real talk, and a generous splash of radical kindness. If midlife feels like an unfinished book, let’s scribble in the margins together.

  1. The Art of being Unf**kwithable with Donna Williams

    5 DAYS AGO

    The Art of being Unf**kwithable with Donna Williams

    In this engaging conversation, Sharon Wilkes-Burt and Donnaprana explore the journey of self-discovery and resilience through various life stages. From teenage years filled with angst to the pressures of adulthood, they discuss how societal expectations shape our understanding of success. The conversation delves into the impact of trauma, the importance of self-compassion, and the liberating experience of embracing one's true self in midlife. Donnaprana shares her insights on the significance of meditation, healthy living, and the power of community support in navigating life's challenges. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the beauty of personal growth and the freedom that comes with self-acceptance. Discover more about Donna, and her beautiful Swiss mountain life, her retreats and practices at https://emergencyoga.org/ Or over at https://www.instagram.com/emergencyoga/ Takeaways Meditation is a crucial practice for self-awareness. Self-compassion can transform your internal narrative. Your identity can evolve; you can redefine yourself. Healthy eating significantly impacts mental health. Surround yourself with supportive people. Embrace the freedom that comes with aging. Trauma can lead to profound personal growth. It's okay to let go of relationships that no longer serve you. Life experiences shape our resilience and character. You can have anything you want in life if you believe it.  Titles Unraveling the Journey of Midlife From Teen Angst to Midlife Wisdom Sound bites "I think this is the making of us." "I rarely felt I wasn't going to survive." "This is a total life hack." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:53 Teenage Years and Early Influences 06:01 Defining Success in the 20s 08:46 Career Focus in the 30s 11:47 Turning 40: Reflections and Changes 14:34 Trauma and Growth in the 40s 17:38 Embracing Freedom in the 50s 20:37 The Thread of Nature and Independence 23:23 Unraveling and Identity 26:26 Lessons from Unraveling 29:22 Advice for Women in Transition Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Unravelling: The Diary of a Midlife Mess. If something resonated with you today, I’d love to hear your thoughts, come join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @themessymiddlelife or visit sharonwilkesburt.com for more resources and support. 💌 Freebie: Grab Mirror Mirror : A simple self-reflection tool to shift how you see the woman in the mirror, observing her with kindness (instead of criticism) ✨ Unravelling: A journalling course for midlife women A self-paced course to help you get clear, feel more like you again, and find solid ground in the messy bits of midlife. 🌱 New Beginnings Session Curious about coaching but not sure if it’s for you? This one-off 90-minute coaching conversation is designed to give you a taste of what’s possible, with an easy introductory offer to help you begin. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you’re enjoying the journey so far! Let’s Begin | You’re not too late, too much, or too lost. This is just the middle ... and there’s gold in here.

    56 min
  2. Caring for Mum ... Caring for Yourself: Midlife lessons with Eliza Ludwig

    5 OCT

    Caring for Mum ... Caring for Yourself: Midlife lessons with Eliza Ludwig

    Eliza has lived through seasons of not fitting in, building a career she never planned, raising kids while feeling quietly alone, and now caring for her mum through Alzheimer’s.  Along the way, she’s carried questions about what she deserves, what really matters, and how to live with both grief and gratitude. In this heartfelt conversation, she shares her unravelling, the shifts, the sadness, and the slow rediscovery of joy.  At its heart, this is a story about kindness, connection, and the messy middle moments that shape us. You can discover more about Eliza's work offering financial education and strategy to small businesses at https://www.instagram.com/the_flow_society/ Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Unravelling: The Diary of a Midlife Mess. If something resonated with you today, I’d love to hear your thoughts, come join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @themessymiddlelife or visit sharonwilkesburt.com for more resources and support. 💌 Freebie: Grab Mirror Mirror : A simple self-reflection tool to shift how you see the woman in the mirror, observing her with kindness (instead of criticism) ✨ Unravelling: A journalling course for midlife women A self-paced course to help you get clear, feel more like you again, and find solid ground in the messy bits of midlife. 🌱 New Beginnings Session Curious about coaching but not sure if it’s for you? This one-off 90-minute coaching conversation is designed to give you a taste of what’s possible, with an easy introductory offer to help you begin. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you’re enjoying the journey so far! Let’s Begin | You’re not too late, too much, or too lost. This is just the middle ... and there’s gold in here.

    57 min
  3. Dressing Your Confidence: Cath’s Journey from Self-Doubt to Styling

    28 SEPT

    Dressing Your Confidence: Cath’s Journey from Self-Doubt to Styling

    Cath, founder of Edit & Style by Caterina, knows firsthand how confidence and style are deeply connected. From a teenage girl struggling with self-doubt to a woman navigating career changes, motherhood, infertility, and perimenopause, Cath has learned to embrace her evolving self—and help other women do the same. In this episode, we talk about the emotional side of style, the power of wardrobe choices to boost confidence, and practical ways to love the body you’re in right now. We also share how her story connects beautifully with my Mirror Mirror freebie, designed to help you shift the way you see yourself—one small step at a time. Connect with Cath @editandstyle.perth on instagram  www.editandstyle.com.au Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Unravelling: The Diary of a Midlife Mess. If something resonated with you today, I’d love to hear your thoughts, come join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @themessymiddlelife or visit sharonwilkesburt.com for more resources and support. 💌 Freebie: Grab Mirror Mirror : A simple self-reflection tool to shift how you see the woman in the mirror, observing her with kindness (instead of criticism) ✨ Unravelling: A journalling course for midlife women A self-paced course to help you get clear, feel more like you again, and find solid ground in the messy bits of midlife. 🌱 New Beginnings Session Curious about coaching but not sure if it’s for you? This one-off 90-minute coaching conversation is designed to give you a taste of what’s possible, with an easy introductory offer to help you begin. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you’re enjoying the journey so far! Let’s Begin | You’re not too late, too much, or too lost. This is just the middle ... and there’s gold in here.

    1h 13m
  4. Pork Pies and the Perfect Purpose with Linda Davey

    21 SEPT

    Pork Pies and the Perfect Purpose with Linda Davey

    Linda describes herself as a British expat recreating home comforts one pork pie at a time. Tea, nostalgia a bit of cheek, baker turned writer From teenage motorbike rides and early marriage, to award-winning bridal dressmaking and walking barefoot out of hospital during one of her darkest moments, Linda’s life has been anything but ordinary. In this episode of The Unravelling, Linda shares her journey through motherhood, divorce, sobriety, ADHD-fuelled creativity, and the discovery that perfectionism and mess can coexist. Now 60, she’s writing a cookbook, Pork Pies and the Perfect Pickle, celebrating over 200 days sober, and learning to love her own company, proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. This conversation is raw, funny, and deeply human ... as indeed is Linda  Trigger advisory: this episode includes discussion of alcoholism, addiction, and mental health struggles. Please take care while listening. Check out Linda's website and her brilliant blogs  Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Unravelling the Diary of a Midlife Mess. If something resonated with you today, I’d love to hear your thoughts, come join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @themessymiddlelife or visit https://sharonwilkesburt.com/ for more resources and support. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you’re enjoying the journey so far! If you're ready to dig a little deeper into your own midlife transformation, check out my Journal through the Messy Middle course , it’s the perfect way to start untangling what’s next. Join me inside Journal Through the Messy Middle — a self-paced course to help you get clear, feel more like you again, and find solid ground in the wobbly bits of midlife. 👉 Journal Through The Messy Middle Curious about coaching but not sure if it's for you? The New Beginning session is a one-off 90-minute coaching conversation designed to give you a taste of what’s possible, with an introductory offer to make it easy to start. 🌱 New Beginnings Let's Begin | You’re not too late, too much, or too lost. This is just the middle ...and there’s gold in here.

    1h 1m
  5. Coming home to your heart with Karen Kelly

    14 SEPT

    Coming home to your heart with Karen Kelly

    Karen’s life has taken her from Liverpool to the Australian outback, from running a bustling bridal business to hosting soulful Rainbow Frequency gatherings.  In this episode of The Unravelling, she shares her midlife rebirth, the spiritual awakening that began in her 40s, and why life now feels like a homecoming to self. We explore her belief that when someone criticises you, triggers you, or annoys you, it’s actually a gift. A mirror showing you something about yourself.  We also dive into her unforgettable analogy: “You’ve got the engine on the boat, but you’ve lost the boat,” and what it really means when your head is steering but your heart’s been left behind. Along the way, Karen talks about the importance of tuning in to yourself, manifestation, the lessons hidden in life’s challenges, and the joy of living simply.  And for our UK listeners, yes, we clear up exactly what she means when she says she’s mooching around the farm in her thongs and socks. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Unravelling the Diary of a Midlife Mess. If something resonated with you today, I’d love to hear your thoughts, come join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @themessymiddlelife or visit https://sharonwilkesburt.com/ for more resources and support. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you’re enjoying the journey so far! If you're ready to dig a little deeper into your own midlife transformation, check out my Journal through the Messy Middle course , it’s the perfect way to start untangling what’s next. Join me inside Journal Through the Messy Middle — a self-paced course to help you get clear, feel more like you again, and find solid ground in the wobbly bits of midlife. 👉 Journal Through The Messy Middle Curious about coaching but not sure if it's for you? The New Beginning session is a one-off 90-minute coaching conversation designed to give you a taste of what’s possible, with an introductory offer to make it easy to start. 🌱 New Beginnings Let's Begin | You’re not too late, too much, or too lost. This is just the middle ...and there’s gold in here.

    1h 1m
  6. From Grief to Growth. Chris Gaskell on life after loss.

    8 SEPT

    From Grief to Growth. Chris Gaskell on life after loss.

    ⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions about suicide and suicide grief, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care of yourself, and if you need support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK, or visit findahelpline.com to locate support in your area. Please note: There are moments in this episode where my mic dips in and out — I’m still learning and improving my podcast setup, but these stories are too important to hold back. In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Gaskell — founder of MopTops Haircare and Nex Gen Organics by MTs. After losing her husband to suicide, Chris channelled her grief into building a brand that supports both kids and women through every stage of life — from tangles to thinning — while helping them feel confident, cared for, and seen. Chris shares her journey from childhood invisibility to hairdressing, life in Australia, and the shock menopause, injuries, and business setbacks that came after her loss. We talk about why suicide grief is different, the language we use when talking about it, and how she’s finding lightness and strength in creating something new for herself in midlife. This is a conversation about resilience, self-kindness, and giving yourself permission to live fully — even when life hasn’t gone to plan. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Unravelling the Diary of a Midlife Mess. If something resonated with you today, I’d love to hear your thoughts, come join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @themessymiddlelife or visit https://sharonwilkesburt.com/ for more resources and support. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you’re enjoying the journey so far! If you're ready to dig a little deeper into your own midlife transformation, check out my Journal through the Messy Middle course , it’s the perfect way to start untangling what’s next. Join me inside Journal Through the Messy Middle — a self-paced course to help you get clear, feel more like you again, and find solid ground in the wobbly bits of midlife. 👉 Journal Through The Messy Middle Curious about coaching but not sure if it's for you? The New Beginning session is a one-off 90-minute coaching conversation designed to give you a taste of what’s possible, with an introductory offer to make it easy to start. 🌱 New Beginnings Let's Begin | You’re not too late, too much, or too lost. This is just the middle ...and there’s gold in here.

    1h 4m
  7. Feel the fear, and do it anyway - Robyn Munro on living a tenacious life

    31 AUG

    Feel the fear, and do it anyway - Robyn Munro on living a tenacious life

    From small-town New Zealand to Asia’s luxury hotel circuit, from surviving toxic relationships to building a thriving bridal hair business, Robyn’s life has been anything but ordinary.  In this conversation, we talk about the moments that shaped her,  the shock firings, the love stories, the brave leaps, and the heartbreaking losses,  and how she’s rebuilt herself each time. Robyn shares how she’s navigated her 20s, 30s, 40s and now her 50s, why tenacity has been her greatest asset, and why she’ll never settle for being an ‘old hairdresser.’ It’s an honest, funny, and deeply inspiring story about reinvention, self-belief, and living life entirely on your own terms. You can see more of Robyn’s beautiful bridal and event hair artistry on Instagram at @robynmunrohair. This episode briefly touches on Robyn’s experience living with a partner who struggled with alcohol. If you or someone you know is impacted by alcohol misuse, you’re not alone — in Australia, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Alcohol and Drug Foundation on 1800 250 015 for free, confidential support Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Unravelling: The Diary of a Midlife Mess. If something resonated with you today, I’d love to hear your thoughts, come join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @themessymiddlelife or visit sharonwilkesburt.com for more resources and support. 💌 Freebie: Grab Mirror Mirror : A simple self-reflection tool to shift how you see the woman in the mirror, observing her with kindness (instead of criticism) ✨ Unravelling: A journalling course for midlife women A self-paced course to help you get clear, feel more like you again, and find solid ground in the messy bits of midlife. 🌱 New Beginnings Session Curious about coaching but not sure if it’s for you? This one-off 90-minute coaching conversation is designed to give you a taste of what’s possible, with an easy introductory offer to help you begin. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you’re enjoying the journey so far! Let’s Begin | You’re not too late, too much, or too lost. This is just the middle ... and there’s gold in here.

    1h 2m
  8. The Winding Path to Self Acceptance with Sara Revet

    24 AUG

    The Winding Path to Self Acceptance with Sara Revet

    In this episode of The Unravelling, I’m joined by Sara,  a woman whose path has been anything but straight, and all the richer for it. From shy teen to hairdresser, aviation trainer, wellness centre owner, and now reiki master and human design guide . Sara’s journey is a powerful reminder that transformation doesn’t come from following a script. It comes from listening inward, questioning the rules, and letting go of the stories that once defined us. We talk about judgement and how that plays out in our choices. We explore burnout, self-worth, and how identity shifts after motherhood. And we dive into the world of Reiki, Feng Shui, and Qi Gong,  not as fads, but as tools that helped Sara reconnect with her body, energy, and purpose. This is a story about curiosity, courage, and choosing to begin again, no matter how far down the road you’ve gone. https://www.artensoul.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/art_en_soul_coast/ Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Unravelling: The Diary of a Midlife Mess. If something resonated with you today, I’d love to hear your thoughts, come join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @themessymiddlelife or visit sharonwilkesburt.com for more resources and support. 💌 Freebie: Grab Mirror Mirror : A simple self-reflection tool to shift how you see the woman in the mirror, observing her with kindness (instead of criticism) ✨ Unravelling: A journalling course for midlife women A self-paced course to help you get clear, feel more like you again, and find solid ground in the messy bits of midlife. 🌱 New Beginnings Session Curious about coaching but not sure if it’s for you? This one-off 90-minute coaching conversation is designed to give you a taste of what’s possible, with an easy introductory offer to help you begin. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you’re enjoying the journey so far! Let’s Begin | You’re not too late, too much, or too lost. This is just the middle ... and there’s gold in here.

    1 hr
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About

Unravelling: The Diary of a Midlife Mess is the podcast for women who’ve hit midlife and are wondering, What the hell happened? Certified Life coach Sharon Wilkes-Burt takes you through the identity crises, the confidence wobbles, and the downright weirdness of the messy middle—with journal prompts, real talk, and a generous splash of radical kindness. If midlife feels like an unfinished book, let’s scribble in the margins together.

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