100 episodes

Midlife isn’t the end of meaningful life, just the end of the first half rehearsal. Listen, laugh and be inspired as Rachel Lankester, author, mentor and founder of Magnificent Midlife, interviews women in midlife and beyond living authentic, empowered lives, not disappearing into obscurity. From round the world yachtswomen to 60 year old pole dancers, from palliative care doctors to sustainable food evangelists, this podcast explores the myriad things older women get up to and the issues we face. We challenge the status quo and bash those negative stereotypes about being an older woman. Need some inspiration about what’s possible for you when you're over 40, over 50 or beyond? These women will show you anything is. Need help overcoming your own limiting beliefs about getting older or struggles with menopause? Learn from women who’ve experienced the same but found ways to thrive and become who they were always meant to be. Learn their life-hacks and how they do what they do. This podcast is all about celebrating women in midlife and beyond. We’re not over the hill or on a downward slope. We get better with age not worse. We talk all things midlife, about issues that matter, and share fabulous stories of magnificent women doing very cool stuff. Now's our time! Find out more at magnificentmidlife.com.

Magnificent Midlife Rachel Lankester

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 46 Ratings

Midlife isn’t the end of meaningful life, just the end of the first half rehearsal. Listen, laugh and be inspired as Rachel Lankester, author, mentor and founder of Magnificent Midlife, interviews women in midlife and beyond living authentic, empowered lives, not disappearing into obscurity. From round the world yachtswomen to 60 year old pole dancers, from palliative care doctors to sustainable food evangelists, this podcast explores the myriad things older women get up to and the issues we face. We challenge the status quo and bash those negative stereotypes about being an older woman. Need some inspiration about what’s possible for you when you're over 40, over 50 or beyond? These women will show you anything is. Need help overcoming your own limiting beliefs about getting older or struggles with menopause? Learn from women who’ve experienced the same but found ways to thrive and become who they were always meant to be. Learn their life-hacks and how they do what they do. This podcast is all about celebrating women in midlife and beyond. We’re not over the hill or on a downward slope. We get better with age not worse. We talk all things midlife, about issues that matter, and share fabulous stories of magnificent women doing very cool stuff. Now's our time! Find out more at magnificentmidlife.com.

    Menopause in Africa with Sue Mbaya

    Menopause in Africa with Sue Mbaya

    Sue Mbaya is the founder and director of Menopause Solutions Africa and host of the Pause for Menopause podcast. She’s leading menopause awareness in Africa and seeking to normalize the change while empowering women. She has over 20 years of policy advocacy, advisory and development experience at national, regional and global levels with a focus on African States and the African Union. Sue’s work and influence in the area of menopause have been recognized globally and I was delighted to be able to entice her onto the podcast!
    We talk about:
    - How Sue became so involved and passionate about menopause
    - The impact of stress and other life events on menopause symptoms
    - The psychological impact of menopause and the decision to use HRT
    - The challenges of getting access to healthcare in Africa
    - How menopause is not prioritized in Africa
    - The differences in terms of appreciation, knowledge, sentiment towards menopause as well as women getting older in general
    - Gendered ageism
    - The disparity in access to help and healthcare across the continent
    - 1 gynecologist for every 100,000 women in Kenya
    - Progress and initiatives in menopause awareness in Africa
    - Changing narratives so women don’t have to just power through menopause
    And more!
    If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening.
    Order the ebook or audiobook (narrated by Rachel) versions of Rachel’s book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond at magnificentmidlife.com/book
    The paperback can be purchased on Amazon or other online retailers:
    UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    US & Canada: https://www.amazon.com/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    You can listen to all the other episodes and get the show notes at magnificentmidlife.com/podcast.
    Recommended by the Sunday Times.
    Feedspot #3 in best midlife podcasts and #14 in best women over 50 podcasts worldwide.
    You'll find lots of strategies, support, and resources to help make your midlife magnificent at magnificentmidlife.com.
    Check out Rachel's online Revitalize Experience, a 6-week intensive small group mentoring experience or 1-1 Midlife Mentoring.

    • 48 min
    Writing about Jewish culture with Lynne Golodner

    Writing about Jewish culture with Lynne Golodner

    Lynne Golodner is a novelist writing about strong Jewish women and Jewish culture. She shares her background and journey as a writer, her focus on writing about Orthodox Jewish life, and the challenges and research involved. Lynne recently set up her own independent publishing house for women over 40 with strong voices that need to be heard. Her first novel, Woman of Valor, joins two poetry collections and six nonfiction books, including Hide and Seek: Jewish Women and Hair Covering and The Flavors of Faith: Holy Breads. This is a fascinating dive into an often hidden culture.

    We talk about:
    - How Lynne became a writer
    - Writing about compelling Jewish characters
    - Educating others about Jewish culture
    - The role of food in Jewish culture
    - The significance of hair covering in Jewish culture
    - Becoming religious and then leaving Orthodoxy
    - Career pivots and founding a publishing house
    - Differences in perceptions of older women across cultures
    - Benefits of self-publishing and challenges in the publishing industry
    - Lessons learned in midlife
    And more!

     
    If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening.
    Order the ebook or audiobook (narrated by Rachel) versions of Rachel’s book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond at magnificentmidlife.com/book
    The paperback can be purchased on Amazon or other online retailers:
    UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    US & Canada: https://www.amazon.com/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    You can listen to all the other episodes and get the show notes at magnificentmidlife.com/podcast.
    Recommended by the Sunday Times.
    Feedspot #3 in best midlife podcasts and #14 in best women over 50 podcasts worldwide.
    You'll find lots of strategies, support, and resources to help make your midlife magnificent at magnificentmidlife.com.
    Check out Rachel's online Revitalize Experience, a 6-week intensive small group mentoring experience or 1-1 Midlife Mentoring.

    • 36 min
    Midlife update, solo with Rachel

    Midlife update, solo with Rachel

    A midlife update from Rachel on what’s been happening lately and what’s coming up for her as we move towards summer. 
    She talks about:
    - Cherishing loved ones and coping with grief
    - Recent podcast episodes
    Being a veteran Black menopause and staying curious Staying strong and healing Embodied experience of postmenopause Discovering the joy of volunteering Finding what works in midlife The power of herbs - Questioning big claims about hormone therapy and future health
    - The Mind Body Spirit Festival (London) and Everywoman Festival (Cardiff)
    - Poverty in later life being a gendered issue
    - The growing concern of digital exclusion
    And more!
     
    If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening.
    Order the ebook or audiobook (narrated by Rachel) versions of Rachel’s book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond at magnificentmidlife.com/book
    The paperback can be purchased on Amazon or other online retailers:
    UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    US & Canada: https://www.amazon.com/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    You can listen to all the other episodes and get the show notes at magnificentmidlife.com/podcast.
    Recommended by the Sunday Times.
    Feedspot #3 in best midlife podcasts and #14 in best women over 50 podcasts worldwide.
    You'll find lots of strategies, support, and resources to help make your midlife magnificent at magnificentmidlife.com.
    Check out Rachel's online Revitalize Experience, a 6-week intensive small group mentoring experience or 1-1 Midlife Mentoring.

    • 33 min
    The power of herbs for menopause with Hannah Charman

    The power of herbs for menopause with Hannah Charman

    Hannah Charman  has been a medical herbalist since 1999, having first become interested in alternative medicine when she used it to recover from chronic fatigue syndrome in her early teens. She specialises now in helping women who prefer or need a natural route through menopause, combining herbal medicine with health coaching.
    We talk about:
    - What a medical herbalist is
    - Hannah’s journey to becoming a medical herbalist
    - Holistic approaches to menopause and health in general
    - The gifts of menopause
    - The role of trauma in menopause
    - How herbal medicines work and especially for menopause
    - The misconceptions and benefits of herbal medicine
    - Embracing the discomfort of menopause
    - Empowering menopausal women
    - The environmental impact of hormones
    - Navigating menopause based on individual experience
    - The power of herbs and Hannah’s passion for herbal medicine
    And more!
     
    If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening.
    Order the ebook or audiobook (narrated by Rachel) versions of Rachel’s book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond at magnificentmidlife.com/book
    The paperback can be purchased on Amazon or other online retailers:
    UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    US & Canada: https://www.amazon.com/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    You can listen to all the other episodes and get the show notes at magnificentmidlife.com/podcast.
    Recommended by the Sunday Times.
    Feedspot #3 in best midlife podcasts and #14 in best women over 50 podcasts worldwide.
    You'll find lots of strategies, support, and resources to help make your midlife magnificent at magnificentmidlife.com.
    Check out Rachel's online Revitalize Experience, a 6-week intensive small group mentoring experience or 1-1 Midlife Mentoring.

    • 45 min
    Finding what works at midlife with Dr Maria Luque

    Finding what works at midlife with Dr Maria Luque

    Dr. Maria Luque is a menopause fitness expert, a health science professor, and an Air Force veteran. She’s passionate about helping menopausal women become healthier, stronger, and happier. Her PhD dissertation was all about enhancing quality of life in menopause.
    We talk about:
    - What quality of life in menopause means to Maria
    - Maria’s research on menopause
    - Misinformation and fear surrounding menopause
    - Embracing menopause and aging
    - Challenging menopause narratives
    - The influence of marketing and misinformation
    - Overcoming analysis paralysis
    - Trusting your own knowledge and instincts
    - The impact of polarizing menopause narratives
    - The need for nuanced conversations women’s health
    - The complexity of hormone therapy
    - The power of polarization in marketing
    - The importance of doing the work
    - Body image issues in menopause
    - Finding balance
    And more!
     
    If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening.
    Order the ebook or audiobook (narrated by Rachel) versions of Rachel’s book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond at magnificentmidlife.com/book
    The paperback can be purchased on Amazon or other online retailers:
    UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    US & Canada: https://www.amazon.com/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    You can listen to all the other episodes and get the show notes at magnificentmidlife.com/podcast.
    Recommended by the Sunday Times.
    Feedspot #3 in best midlife podcasts and #14 in best women over 50 podcasts worldwide.
    You'll find lots of strategies, support, and resources to help make your midlife magnificent at magnificentmidlife.com.
    Check out Rachel's online Revitalize Experience, a 6-week intensive small group mentoring experience or 1-1 Midlife Mentoring.

    • 53 min
    Discovering the joy of volunteering with Ann Marie Jackson

    Discovering the joy of volunteering with Ann Marie Jackson

    Ann Marie Jackson is the co-founder of microlending organization Mano Amiga and works with Casita Linda, which builds homes for families living in poverty in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She’s lived as an expat in Mexico for a decade, is a columnist for Mexico Daily News and recently wrote a novel inspired by her life called the Broken Hummingbird.
    We talk about:
    - Why Ann Marie moved her family to Mexico
    - The joys of living in San Miguel de Allende
    - Ann Marie’s passion for volunteering
    - Her experience working on human rights in China
    - The dangers of white saviourism and how to navigate that
    - The migration of Mexicans and other people to the US
    - Issues at the Mexico-US border
    - Casita Linda and how it helps families in poverty
    - Microlending organisations
    - The Healing Words Project
    - Writing a novel
    - How we can all give back more
    And more!
     
    If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening.
    Order the ebook or audiobook (narrated by Rachel) versions of Rachel’s book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond at magnificentmidlife.com/book
    The paperback can be purchased on Amazon or other online retailers:
    UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    US & Canada: https://www.amazon.com/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
    You can listen to all the other episodes and get the show notes at magnificentmidlife.com/podcast.
    Recommended by the Sunday Times.
    Feedspot #3 in best midlife podcasts and #14 in best women over 50 podcasts worldwide.
    You'll find lots of strategies, support, and resources to help make your midlife magnificent at magnificentmidlife.com.
    Check out Rachel's online Revitalize Experience, a 6-week intensive small group mentoring experience or 1-1 Midlife Mentoring.

    • 42 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
46 Ratings

46 Ratings

Ann Marie abroad ,

Bravo, Rachel!

Thanks for doing what you do with such great energy and style. These are stories that should be heard!

Amanda Haley ,

Informative and Helpful!

Rachel brings on great guests who provide wonderful insight for women as they navigate changes as they age. Listening to her feels like listening to one of your friends and I love that she brings on amazing guest and that she shares her own experiences.

camrinsheil ,

Rachel makes aging enviable!

Rachel’s enthusiasm for aging is contagious! Her podcast topics resonate with my own interest and often personal experiences. Guests are always experts in whichever field she is discussing, and advice and information is useful. Rachel is an excellent interviewer, and has somehow made aging enviable!

I highly recommend her podcast.

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