The Courtney Novak Podcast

Courtney Novak
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The Courtney Novak Podcast is a curiosity-led exploration of books, culture, aging well, creativity, and the ideas that shape a thoughtful life. Hosted by writer Courtney Novak, the show blends literary reflections, personal explorations, and ongoing projects—like reading around the world—with broader ruminations on health, meaning, change, and growth. Episodes are guided by curiosity, loose outlines, and a healthy dose of chaos, allowing ideas to unfold naturally and conversationally. For curious minds and readers who like their podcasts reflective, expansive, and human.

  1. 12/11/2025

    Ep. 59: How My 25 in ’25 Became A Survival Manual for the Hardest Year of My Life

    This episode of Adventures with My Forties takes you inside my annual “25 in ’25” project — not as a checklist, but as a narrative of what kept me afloat during a year marked by fires, grief, medical emergencies, and profound change. I walk listeners through the goals I set last December, before life cracked open beneath my feet, and how revisiting those projects helped me regain momentum when the fog of tragedy began to lift. From evolving out of hot yoga and falling in love with strength training, to reinventing my home with gardening and decluttering, to reading 100+ books and diving deeper into my Brazilian side quest, I share the small anchors that helped me rediscovered myr joy and curiosity. I reflect on the goals that didn’t happen, the ones that shifted into something new, and the surprising ways creativity resurfaced on its own. I'm so grateful I created my 25 in '25 list last December, because I was able to use the trail of breadcrumbs left by December 2024 Courtney to find my way out of the most profound grief I've ever experienced. And next week: I"ll share my 26 in ’26 list! 💌 Email: CourtneyHenningNovak@gmail.com 🌍 Show notes + newsletter: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

    37 min

  2. 11/19/2025

    Ep. 58: How I Make My Brain Sparkle Like A Disco Ball

    In this week’s episode, I’m diving into a topic that’s become a quiet but powerful obsession for me lately: what my brain actually needs in midlife, especially as I navigate my forties with big goals, shifting hormones, and real-life stress. I’m not quite ready to share the personal experiences that pushed this curiosity to the forefront, but I can say this: life has handed me a few moments that made me pause and ask, “What does my future brain need from me today?” That question is shaping everything — my fitness, my sleep, my routines, my learning, even the way I think about the decades ahead. In this episode, I break down my personal ten pillars that support my long-term brain health (movement, sleep, stress regulation, nutrition, cognitive challenge, Zoloft, nature, creativity, fun and play, and meaningful connection), and how I’m applying them in my own Fit AF journey.  If you’re also in a season of big questions, quiet shifts, or new curiosity about longevity and mental clarity, this episode is for you.   💌 Email: CourtneyHenningNovak@gmail.com 🌍 Show notes + newsletter: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

    30 min

  3. 11/14/2025

    Ep. 57: It’s Time For Your 2025 Holiday Season Reality Check!

    It’s that time again — twinkle lights, to-do lists, and a thousand ways to forget what the holidays are actually about. In this episode, I’m giving myself (and you) a Holiday Pep Talk. In Part One, I share my favorite reminders for staying sane this season — why peace matters more than perfection, how to resist consumer pressure, and why your December self is still your regular self (just with a more festive To Do list). In Part Two, I’m setting my personal intentions for the holidays — slowing down, keeping movement and sleep sacred, saying no to extra obligations, and savoring time with my family instead of sprinting through it. Think of this as your cozy, practical, slightly unhinged guide to staying grounded through the holiday chaos. Grab your coffee (or cocoa!) and let’s make this season feel good again. 💌 Email: CourtneyHenningNovak@gmail.com 🌍 Show notes + newsletter: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

    25 min

  4. 11/06/2025

    Ep. 56: Nazaré: An Unexpected Masterclass in Human Behavior

    What can a Brazilian telenovela villain teach us about boundaries and emotional freedom? Courtney explores Senhora do Destino and discovers that Nazaré Tedesco is an unexpected masterclass in human behavior. 💌 Email: CourtneyHenningNovak@gmail.com 🌍 Show notes + newsletter: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

    33 min

  5. 10/30/2025

    Ep. 55: Episode 55: Emerging from the Ashes & Honoring My Muse

    I didn’t plan to record today — but my Muse had other ideas. In this gentle return to Adventures with My Forties, I share what the past ten months have looked like: the fires, the losses, the slow reawakening, and the quiet joy of finally wanting to create again. Show notes: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

    26 min

  6. 02/20/2025

    Ep. 54: The Los Angeles Fires: Hello, Therapy, My Old Friend

    Hello! I meant to record my first episode of the year in January, but life went sideways with the epic fires in Los Angeles. To get back into podcasting, I'm sharing my experiences with the Palisades and Eaton Fires. And yes, I have returned to therapy because wow, I have a lot to process.    Show notes will be available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thank you for listening and it feels so good to be back.

    47 min

  7. 12/20/2024

    Ep. 53: 24 in '24: The Good! The Bad! The Brazilian Magic!

    This week, I took a moment to step away from the holiday madness and reflect on my 24 in '24 project. What were my successes? What were my flops? And where did I make space for a little magic? Show notes will be available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thank you for listening and I'll see you in 2025!

    34 min

  8. 12/13/2024

    Ep. 52: The Reasons Behind My Epic Burnout

    Part 3 of my three part miniseries on burnout. In this episode, I discuss the reasons behind the epic burnout I experienced after volunteering too much for my kids' activities. In a nutshell, my pride and ego got hooked on the myth of the supermom and as a result, I lost touch with my authentic self. Show notes will be available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thanks for listening!

    38 min
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About

The Courtney Novak Podcast is a curiosity-led exploration of books, culture, aging well, creativity, and the ideas that shape a thoughtful life. Hosted by writer Courtney Novak, the show blends literary reflections, personal explorations, and ongoing projects—like reading around the world—with broader ruminations on health, meaning, change, and growth. Episodes are guided by curiosity, loose outlines, and a healthy dose of chaos, allowing ideas to unfold naturally and conversationally. For curious minds and readers who like their podcasts reflective, expansive, and human.

Information

  • Creator
    Courtney Novak
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Courtney Novak Podcast