Magnificent Midlife

Rachel Lankester

Midlife isn't the end of meaningful life, just the end of the first half rehearsal. Listen, laugh, learn 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.

  1. 4D AGO

    Fearless pivots with Susan Dabbar

    Susan Dabbar is the founder and editor-in-chief of PROVOKEDmagazine – a bold, unapologetic digital magazine for women 50+, challenging and redefining how older women are seen, heard and represented. Susan's career has been shaped by fearless pivots. She began as a naval architect designing nuclear submarines, went on to shape brand strategy at companies including Disney and Nestlé, played professional poker, worked as an international education consultant – and then, in her 60s, launched a media platform because she couldn't find content that truly respected women's intelligence and lived experience. We talk about: -Why Susan launched Provoked after retiring – and why she wasn't finished yet The cultural gap in media for women over 50 (and why "Good Housekeeping" still exists) -Designing nuclear submarines – and knowing when it's time to walk away -What poker taught Susan about patience, power and underestimation -The myth of "passion" and why it can hold women back -How women learn to stop performing and start making space for themselves -The rise of the "I don't give a f***" woman – and why it matters -Female friendship as an underestimated source of power -The coming wealth transfer – and what it could mean when money lands in women's hands -Why AI risks reinforcing ageism and sexism if women don't shape it -Building something meaningful in your 60s – and aiming high without apology And more. f you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening.   Order Rachel's book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond, recommended in The New York Times as one of seven top books about menopause at magnificentmidlife.com/book   The paperback can also 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.   Podcast recommended by the Sunday Times.   FeedSpot #5 in 40 Best Midlife Podcasts  FeedSpot #7 in 100 Best Midlife Women Podcasts FeedSpot #2 in 10 Best UK Life Hacks Podcasts   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.

    51 min
  2. FEB 3

    Navigating child loss with Lisa Boehm

    I was deeply moved by my guest Lisa Boehm. Lisa's life changed forever when her daughter, Katie, was killed in a car accident – an experience no parent should ever have to endure. In the years since, she's found remarkable strength and purpose, transforming her grief into a force for healing and connection. This is probably the most difficult interview I've ever done. I hope you find it as powerful as I did. Lisa is a certified grief educator, author of Journey to Healing: A Mother's Guide to Navigating Child Loss, and founder of the Angel Moms Community, where she supports other parents walking this most difficult path. We talk about: -Navigating grief as a parent -Understanding grief and its complexities -Misconceptions about grief -Communicating with grievers and what to say -The healing process as an active journey -Honoring loved ones -The impact of grief on identity and relationships -The transformative power of gratitude -Grief and family dynamics -Navigating grief in relationships -The role of therapy and medication -Honoring a loved one's legacy -Coping with guilt and reminders of loss And more. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening.   Order Rachel's book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond, recommended in The New York Times as one of seven top books about menopause at magnificentmidlife.com/book   The paperback can also 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.   Podcast recommended by the Sunday Times.   FeedSpot #5 in 40 Best Midlife Podcasts  FeedSpot #7 in 100 Best Midlife Women Podcasts FeedSpot #2 in 10 Best UK Life Hacks Podcasts   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.

    1 hr
  3. JAN 13

    How women's heart attacks differ from men's with Caron Grossman #194

    Caron Grossman is a registered nurse, breathwork facilitator, author and heart attack survivor. Her memoir, Listen to Your Heart Song: Navigating the Unexpected, weaves together her experiences of adolescent grief, addiction, recovery and a near-fatal heart attack, offering hope, honesty and practical insight for anyone navigating their own unexpected life events. We talk about: -How Caron's heart attack actually began  -Why the classic male symptoms of heart attack still dominate emergency call scripts and training -How many women are told they're having an anxiety attack or indigestion when they're actually having a cardiac event -The legacy of her mother's early death from a misdiagnosed heart attack, and how that shaped Caron's life and choices -The emotional impact of "doing everything right" and still having a heart attack  -Practical tools for women worried about heart disease risk -The importance of tuning into unusual symptoms in women  -How grief in adolescence led Caron into addiction, binge eating and numbing -The role of 12-step recovery, spiritual connection and community in her healing  -Conscious connected breathwork as a powerful modality for regulating the nervous system -How writing – including daily journaling and "two-way prayer" – helped Caron process grief, shame and fear -Why women need to advocate for themselves in medical settings And more! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening.   Order Rachel's book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond, recommended in The New York Times as one of seven top books about menopause at magnificentmidlife.com/book   The paperback can also 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.   Podcast recommended by the Sunday Times.   FeedSpot #5 in 40 Best Midlife Podcasts  FeedSpot #7 in 100 Best Midlife Women Podcasts FeedSpot #2 in 10 Best UK Life Hacks Podcasts   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.

    47 min
  4. 12/02/2025

    Navigating fibromyalgia at midlife with Tami Stackelhouse #193

    Tami Stackelhouse is an award-winning author, founder of the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute and executive producer of the documentary Invisible. She's dedicated to helping people with fibromyalgia reclaim control of their bodies and their lives, so they no longer feel trapped by pain, exhaustion or uncertainty. Fibromyalgia is so often misunderstood, minimised or brushed aside – and yet it affects many women in midlife. I've been wanting to explore this topic for ages and I'm delighted to finally do so with someone who brings both deep expertise and lived experience. If you're navigating unexplained pain, relentless fatigue, brain fog or simply want to understand this condition better, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. We also talk about: -The impact of age and gender on fibromyalgia -Common misconceptions and stigmas -Daily life and management strategies -Tami's personal journey in overcoming fibromyalgia -The need for more research and awareness -The historical context of fibromyalgia research -The gender bias in fibromyalgia treatment -The complexity of fibromyalgia diagnosis -Holistic approaches to treatment -Recent advancements in fibromyalgia research -Understanding flare-ups and management strategies And more! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening. You can read a blog about this podcast episode here.  Order Rachel's book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond, recommended in The New York Times as one of seven top books about menopause at magnificentmidlife.com/book The paperback can also 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. Podcast recommended by the Sunday Times. Feedspot #9 in 40 Best Midlife Podcasts and #7 in 60 Best Women Over 50 Podcasts 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.

    44 min
  5. 11/18/2025

    How technology can revolutionise ageing with Keren Etkin #192

    I'm delighted to welcome back Keren Etkin to the podcast! Keren is a gerontologist, entrepreneur, and author of The AgeTech Revolution – a fascinating book about the intersection of technology and ageing. I love that she describes herself as an AgeTech evangelist – it captures her passion perfectly. Keren is also the founder of The Gerontechnologist and The AgeTech Academy, both dedicated to helping us understand and shape the future of ageing through innovation. We talk about how technology is reshaping the way we age, the opportunities and challenges ahead, and what it all means for those of us in midlife and beyond. We also talk about: -Tech adoption by older adults -Motivation and digital literacy -Challenges in healthcare technology -Making technology accessible -Addressing scams and digital literacy -Robotics and caregiving -Age-inclusive societies and technologies -The future of technology and personal reflections And more! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening. You can read a blog about this podcast episode here.  Order Rachel's book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond, recommended in The New York Times as one of seven top books about menopause at magnificentmidlife.com/book The paperback can also 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. Podcast recommended by the Sunday Times. Feedspot #9 in 40 Best Midlife Podcasts and #7 in 60 Best Women Over 50 Podcasts 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.

    47 min
  6. 11/04/2025

    Finding joy after grief with Alison Larkin #191

    Alison Larkin is a bestselling author, comedian, producer, and narrator of over 250 audiobooks. Her acclaimed autobiographical novel The English American tells the story of an adopted English woman who finds her birth parents in America. She's also the creator of the hit one-woman show Grief… a Comedy and author of the book of the same name. Rachel first saw Alison perform at London's Soho Theatre and knew she'd be a perfect podcast guest. This conversation is funny, heartfelt, and full of insight about identity, creativity, and finding humour in life's toughest moments. We talk about: -The journey of love and loss -Finding joy after grief -Exploring love beyond death -Embracing clarity in midlife -The power of storytelling -The life of a comedian -Alison's journey of comedy and fundraising -Multiple voices and identities -Fiction vs. memoir -The craft of writing -Grief and connection -Intuition and spirituality in life's journey And more! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening. You can read a blog about this podcast episode here.  Order Rachel's book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond, recommended in The New York Times as one of seven top books about menopause at magnificentmidlife.com/book The paperback can also 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. Podcast recommended by the Sunday Times. Feedspot #9 in 40 Best Midlife Podcasts and #7 in 60 Best Women Over 50 Podcasts 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.

    56 min
  7. 10/13/2025

    MENOPAUSE MATTERS: Dismantling menopause hype | Tania Elfersy #190

    Want to rethink everything you thought you knew about menopause? I'm thrilled to welcome back Tania Elfersy, someone I really admire and a woman with a truly refreshing take on this stage of life. This is a conversation between two women who care deeply about the state of the menoverse today! I first came across Tania while writing my book and was immediately struck by her wisdom and insight. The last time she joined me on the podcast, our conversation about menopause was very feisty – and this one is just as spirited. Tania brings such clarity, compassion and common sense to the menopause conversation. I can't wait for you to hear this episode – it's sure to challenge, inspire and maybe even transform how you think about current menopause narratives. We talk about: -How fear-based menopause marketing took root in the UK and spread globally -Why so much hormone therapy research is being misunderstood, misrepresented, and selectively used -The real impact of celebrity endorsements and influencer-led "menopause awareness" campaigns -How the pharmaceutical and wellness industries are profiting from women's insecurities -What's missing from the current menopause conversation – and why context matters -How women are being encouraged to medicalize a natural transition -The dangers of cherry-picked data and the confusion between relative and absolute risk -The quiet manipulation happening behind so-called "menopause revolutions" -Why women deserve full, unbiased information before making health decisions -How to separate fact from marketing spin in an age of social media misinformation -Why questioning, staying curious, and trusting your intuition are radical acts of self-care And more! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening. You can read a blog about this podcast episode here.  Order Rachel's book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond, recommended in The New York Times as one of seven top books about menopause at magnificentmidlife.com/book The paperback can also 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. Podcast recommended by the Sunday Times. Feedspot #9 in 40 Best Midlife Podcasts and #7 in 60 Best Women Over 50 Podcasts 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.

    56 min
  8. 10/07/2025

    MENOPAUSE MATTERS: Menopause and nutrition | Karen Newby (re-release) #189

    We're bringing back another powerful episode for our special Menopause Matters Season - this time with the fabulous Karen Newby. Karen is a nutritionist who's been practising nutritional therapy for over a decade, specialising in women's hormonal health - particularly menopause. She's the author of The Natural Menopause Method, a brilliant nutritional guide to perimenopause and beyond, and her brand-new book The Natural Menopause Method Cookbook is out now. In her new book, Karen has compiled 60 simple, flavour-packed recipes designed to help combat and minimise the most common menopause symptoms. These are meals made for time-poor menopausal women who still want to eat well — full of nutrition and bursting with taste. From Salmon Traybake with Tarragon Pesto to 'Stop Feeling 100' Joint Rejuvenation Smoothie, these recipes tackle issues like fatigue, hot flushes, brain fog, irritability, and sleeplessness — showing how food can truly be medicine for this stage of life. In our conversation, Karen brings a wealth of knowledge about how nutrition can support our hormones and overall wellbeing through this transition. Here's what we cover: -How we can best prepare ourselves for perimenopause -The first signs of perimenopause and what can be done about them -Good and bad estrogens -What we can learn from other cultures in terms of food and hormones -The importance of phytoestrogens -Food as medicine -How to stop sugar cravings and why they happen -Why modern life can make menopause worse -Why women may get heavier periods as they move into perimenopause -The importance of maintaining blood sugar levels -The role of the adrenal glands -Why we need to get better at managing stress -Why there's no quick fix when it comes to menopause -Six simple nutritional shifts to support perimenopause -Why we need to start putting ourselves first And more! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening. Order Rachel's book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond, recommended in The New York Times as one of seven top books about menopause at magnificentmidlife.com/book The paperback can also 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. Podcast recommended by the Sunday Times. Feedspot #9 in 40 Best Midlife Podcasts and #7 in 60 Best Women Over 50 Podcasts 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.

    52 min
5
out of 5
52 Ratings

About

Midlife isn't the end of meaningful life, just the end of the first half rehearsal. Listen, laugh, learn 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.

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