Found at 40

Chrissi Harris
  • 4.7 (43)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Turns out, life doesn’t come with a manual—but it does come with a podcast. Found at 40 is a podcast for women in midlife having honest conversations about relationships, work, parenting, and figuring out who we are in this season. Each week, guests over 40 share their best lessons, hilarious moments, and wisdom that only comes from surviving the ultimate group projects of marriage, motherhood, and careers. Together, we talk through the chaotic season of shifting identities, evolving marriages, growing kids, perimenopause knocking at the door, and the quiet panic of reinvention. It’s what we’ve learned now that we’re finally old enough to know better—and still occasionally do it anyway. Because midlife isn’t a crisis… it’s just incredibly well-researched content. Welcome to the group chat you didn’t know you needed. Instagram: @foundat40podcast

  1. 4D AGO

    When Your Life Plan Falls Apart: A Midlife Reinvention Story

    What happens when the life you carefully planned unravels — and you realize that it’s time to rebuild a completely new life? In this episode, Chrissi sits down with lifelong friend Melissa Griffiths (who is also the creator of the food blog Bless This Mess) to unpack a bold midlife pivot, from leaving a dream life behind to starting fresh across the country. Their conversation explores reinvention, resilience, family, community, and the messy magic of choosing change on purpose.  (0:00) 🎙️ Why chosen life pivots can feel scarier than unexpected ones (2:00) ❄️ From Southern Utah sunshine to snowy Northern Vermont (5:00) 🏡 Building a dream life with full confidence it would last forever (8:00) ⚠️ When comfort turns complicated — early signs of change (11:00) 💔 A major family business shift that changes everything (15:00) 🧠 Navigating betrayal, grief, stress, and emotional overwhelm (19:00) 🚚 Searching the country for a new future — and landing on Vermont (23:00) 🏫 Moving kids, switching schools, and adjusting as a family (28:00) 🌱 Grieving the old life while building a new one (33:00) 🧘‍♀️ Nervous system healing, health shifts, and slowing down (39:00) 🔄 Midlife reinvention, identity changes, and redefining success (46:00) 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Friendship, community, marriage, and intentional living (52:00) ✨ Advice for anyone at a crossroads — courage, connection, and what’s next Follow Melissa (and her new Vermont life!) at @blessthismessblog or discover your favorite new recipe at her blog Bless This Mess ✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review 📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40 Keywords: midlife reinvention, major life pivot, starting over at 40, life plan falling apart, midlife career change, family relocation story, moving across the country with kids, redefining success in midlife, healing after major life change, building a new life after loss, resilience in midlife, intentional living at 40, personal growth through change, navigating identity shifts, finding community after a fresh start

    56 min

  2. JAN 27

    Feeling Behind in Life? The Social Clock Lie (and How to Stop Believing It)

    Feeling behind in life can feel personal — but spoiler alert: it’s probably not just you. In this episode of Found at 40, Chrissi sits down with Kaley Esselborn to unpack why so many of us feel “off track,” how the psychology of the social clock messes with our confidence, and why outdated life timelines still have way too much influence. Together, they dive into comparison culture, shifting expectations across decades, resilience through life curveballs, and how to finally trust your own pace — without sprinting to keep up with someone else’s timeline. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “behind,” “late,” or somehow doing life wrong, this episode will leave you feeling seen, validated, and a whole lot more confident in your own timeline. (0:00) 🎙️ Why feeling behind in life is more common than we admit(4:45) 💭 Where timeline pressure begins and how it takes root(7:15) ⏳ The psychology of the social clock and why it impacts self-worth(12:15) 👀 How culture, community, and upbringing shape life expectations(16:45) 🧩 Reflecting on growing up with a “life script”(21:15) 📱 Comparison culture, highlight reels, and the illusion of falling behind(26:15) 🎬 A surprising pop-culture metaphor for reclaiming personal power(31:50) 💡 Listener submissions: When did you feel life you were behind?(38:45) ⏰ A look at your 20’s: Breaking down the social clock by decade(44:30) 🛠️ A look at your 30’s: Breaking down the social clock by decade(48:40)  🧠A look at your 30’s: Breaking down the social clock by decade(52:40) 🌱 A closing mindset shift to stop feeling behind and trust your timing✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review 📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40 Keywords: This episode explores themes around feeling behind in life, the psychology of the social clock, and the pressure of following a traditional life timeline. It dives into comparison culture, what it means to feel off track in life, and how to embrace a late bloomer mindset while rethinking life milestones. The conversation touches on overcoming societal expectations, understanding that you’re not actually behind in life, and building confidence in your own timeline. Listeners will hear insights on navigating a nonlinear life path, managing life progress anxiety, redefining success, learning how to stop comparing yourself, and finding empowerment through personal growth after 40.

    1 hr

  3. JAN 20

    The In-Between Season of Midlife: Belonging, Identity, and Reassessing What Fits

    Today is a first for the Found at 40 podcast: it’s just Chrissi for a solo mini episode But not to worry, next week we’ll be back to normally scheduled programming with guests! This week I’m sharing what’s been on my mind lately—the funny little midlife moments, the honest reflections, and the deeper themes I’m seeing emerge from the first stretch of this podcast. I talk about what listeners are telling me they want more of, a perspective shift I can’t stop thinking about, and a look back at where I was in 2016 compared to now. If you’re in a season of reassessing, feeling “in between,” or quietly craving more clarity and belonging, you’ll feel seen here. (0:00) 💔 The lingering question of adulthood: “Why can’t I find my people?” and why it hits differently in midlife (0:45) 🎙️ Why this is a solo mini episode and what’s been surfacing for me behind the scenes (1:30) 🪞 A midlife mirror moment: “Is this just my face now?” and the humor + honesty of noticing change (2:30) 🔋 The reality of doing this work solo and what sustainability actually looks like right now (3:20) 📈 What’s surprised me most from listeners so far and the themes people are craving (4:10) 🧩 Friendship, inclusion, and belonging — and why midlife changes how these experiences land (6:45) ⚡ A perspective shift I can’t stop thinking about: why forced inclusion doesn’t create real belonging (10:00) 🎭 The importance of messy, human stories — the ones that make us laugh because they’re true (12:30) 📸 Looking back at 2016 vs now: what that season taught me, what’s changed, and what no longer fits (18:00) 🤍 Closing reflections on midlife as a reassessment — not a crisis — and letting this season unfold without rushing clarity Here is the link to the Dear Nina episode I mentioned: Listen more here ✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review 📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40 Keywords: midlife transition, midlife reassessment, women over 40, identity shifts in midlife, feeling in between seasons, belonging vs inclusion, loneliness in midlife, adult friendship changes, personal growth after 40, midlife reflection, life reassessment, motherhood and identity, navigating change in midlife, emotional shifts after 40, finding clarity in midlife

    22 min

  4. JAN 13

    Midlife Marriage: How to Reconnect and Thrive Amid the Chaos of Life

    Midlife marriage isn’t broken—it’s being asked to evolve. In this honest, funny, and deeply relatable conversation, Chrissi and her guest Heather Adams talk about what happens when long-term love collides with kids, aging parents, health scares, and the quiet realization that marriage can’t run on autopilot anymore. They explore why the middle years can actually become the richest season of a relationship, and how intentional habits, better communication, and shared vision can transform even the busiest, messiest stage of life. If you’re navigating marriage in your 40s or 50s and craving deeper connection, this episode will leave you feeling hopeful, seen, and inspired. (0:00) 💬 Why midlife marriage feels different—and why that shift can be a gift, not a problem (4:00) 🏖️ A chance meeting, a big move, and the unexpected beginnings of a long-term love story (8:00) 🧠 The unspoken stories couples carry—and how assumptions quietly create distance (11:00) ❤️ Why emotional and physical intimacy can actually get better with time (14:00) 🔄 What it means to grow into yourself—and how that changes your marriage (16:00) 🫀 A health crisis that redefined priorities, presence, and partnership (19:00) 📅 The weekly ritual that protects connection when life is full and chaotic (23:00) 🏡 Why so many couples drift into roommate mode after kids—and how to avoid it (27:00) 🌅 Turning the empty-nest transition into an opportunity instead of a crisis (31:00) 🎯 Dreaming about the next 20 years and creating a shared vision for your marriage (35:00) 🤝 How surrounding yourself with strong marriages shapes your own relationship (41:00) 🧓 Navigating aging parents, caregiving, and the emotional weight of midlife together (45:00) 🫶 Brené Brown’s powerful reminder about unequal seasons and why marriage is never 50/50 (48:00) 📺 What This Is Us teaches about supporting your partner instead of trying to fix them (51:00) 🗣️ The four simple questions that help couples stay connected and avoid resentment (55:00) 🌿 Breaking old family patterns and choosing a healthier, more intentional future together (57:00) ✨ Why long-term love isn’t about perfection—but about grace, effort, and choosing each other ✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review 📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40 Keywords: midlife marriage, long-term marriage advice, marriage after kids, reconnecting with your spouse, how to strengthen your marriage, marriage in your 40s and 50s, emotional intimacy in marriage, staying connected in a busy life, intentional marriage, communication in long-term relationships, marriage during midlife transitions, how to avoid growing apart, rebuilding connection with your partner, balancing family and marriage, thriving in midlife relationships

    58 min

  5. JAN 6

    Life After Ambition: Redefining Success in Midlife with Amil Niazi

    Have you ever looked at your life and thought, I did everything I was supposed to do… so why doesn’t this feel better? In this episode, I’m joined by writer and cultural voice Amil Niazi for a candid, relatable conversation about her new memoir “Life Beyond Ambition” (out January 6!) and dive into not just ambition, but burnout and the moment you realize that chasing “success” doesn’t always deliver the fulfillment it promised. We dig into what happens when the timelines, expectations, and definitions of achievement we grew up with start to crack — and how freeing it can be when they do. ✨ (0:00) — Why feeling “behind in life” is so common (and so rarely talked about) 📖 (4:30) — A look at Amil’s early life and how ambition became a survival strategy 🏃‍♀️ (8:30) — Hustle culture, scrappy early jobs, and saying yes to everything just to get ahead 🧠 (13:00) — The myth of meritocracy and why “working harder” doesn’t level the playing field ⏳ (17:00) — The millennial career crisis and realizing the playbook we were sold no longer works 🔥 (21:30) — Burnout, box-checking, and why success doesn’t feel the way we expected it to 🧩 (25:30) — Letting go of exceptionalism and questioning why “average” feels like a failure 👩‍👧 (29:30) — Motherhood, ambition, and the impossible standard of doing everything perfectly 🌍 (33:30) — Pandemic life, shrinking worlds, and the unexpected freedom of “only enough” 💭 (36:30) — Redefining ambition, identity, and self-worth beyond productivity 🛋️ (38:30) — What rest really looks like in midlife (and why modeling it matters) 🌱 (41:00) — Life after ambition: choosing contentment, presence, and a different definition of success ___________________________ 🪩 Find Amil on Instagram at @amilniazi and order your own copy of Life After Ambition here  🥽 Dive into the Millennial Career Crisis discussion on Instagram: @janelabrahami  ✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review 📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40 _____________________ keywords: midlife reinvention, millennial burnout, life after ambition, redefining success, hustle culture recovery, burnout and motherhood, working mom identity, letting go of exceptionalism, the millennial career crisis, ambition vs fulfillment, productivity and self-worth, midlife identity shift, redefining ambition in midlife, choosing “good enough,” contentment over achievement

    42 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    Perimenopause: Why You Don’t Feel Like Yourself (And What Actually Helps)

    Perimenopause is the season we were warned about—but no one really prepared us for what it actually feels like to live in it. In this episode of Found at 40, I start with my friend Carrie Youell, talking honestly about what it’s like to be in the thick of perimenopause—brain fog, mood swings, sleep issues, and that unsettling feeling of not quite recognizing yourself anymore. Then, we bring in expert insight with Dr. Jackie Piasta, a Doctor of Nursing Practice and board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner, for a listener Q&A that breaks down what’s happening hormonally, what’s normal, and what actually helps. This episode is about validation, clarity, and realizing you’re not crazy—you’re just in your 40s. Episode Timeline (0:00) 🎢 The perimenopause plot twist we were warned about—and didn’t fully understand(4:00) 🧠 Brain fog, chin hair, and the early signs something feels “off”(8:00) 😵‍💫 Emotional whiplash, rage moments, and not feeling like yourself(13:00) 😴 Sleep issues, night sweats, and why exhaustion hits differently in your 40s(18:00) 🎭 Identity, marriage, motherhood, and how perimenopause affects relationships(23:00) 🔥 Hot flashes vs. internal overheating—and how symptoms really show up(27:00) 🧬 Hormones, bloodwork, testosterone, and navigating confusing lab results(31:00) 💬 Feeling dismissed by doctors and learning to advocate for yourself Expert Q&A with Dr. Jackie Piasta (35:00) 🎙️ Introducing Dr. Jackie Piasta + why perimenopause is having a cultural moment(38:00) 🩺 How do you actually know if you’re in perimenopause—and not dealing with something else?(42:00) 🧪 Why isn’t there a clear test for perimenopause?(46:00) 🩻 Which doctors should women have in their healthcare lineup after 40?(50:00) 🧍‍♀️ What’s causing hair loss in perimenopause—and what actually helps?(55:00) 💊 When is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) the right next step?(1:00:00) 💡 What women in their 40s should know now to make this season easier laterFind Dr. Jackie Piasta on Instagram at @jackiep_gynnp or at https://www.mymonarchhealthco.com/ ✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review 📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40 Keywords: Perimenopause, perimenopause symptoms, signs of perimenopause, perimenopause in your 40s, hormone imbalance in women, brain fog in perimenopause, mood swings in midlife, anxiety and perimenopause, sleep problems in perimenopause, hot flashes and night sweats, hair loss in perimenopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), when to start HRT, women’s health after 40, feeling like yourself again in midlife, Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Leanne Morgan, We Do Not Care Club

    1h 5m

  7. 12/23/2025

    Midlife Pivots & Real Life: Friendship, Family, and What Actually Changed This Year

    What actually changes when you stop letting life happen to you? Chrissi and Sarah break down the midlife pivots that reshaped their year—two highs, one low, and what they’re intentionally carrying forward. From friendship shifts and family dynamics to career moves, travel tradeoffs, and very realistic intentions for what’s next, this episode is a look at 2025 and some plans for next year. If you’re navigating your 40s and realizing growth doesn’t always look Instagram-worthy, you’ll feel seen. 🧳 (0:00) Holiday survival mode, travel boundaries, and choosing rest over chaos 🎭 (2:00) A public parenting moment that sparks a bigger conversation about partnership and mental load 🔥 (5:00) Being “nice” vs. being honest—and why resentment loves silence 🎤 (7:00) A low-effort microphone drop-off becomes an unexpectedly perfect metaphor 🎓 (10:00) Going back to school in your 40s and proving you can still do hard things 🧠 (13:00) Growth without answers: why finding language for your feelings matters 🚚 (15:00) Big midlife moves and choosing intention over autopilot ✈️ (18:00) Travel wins, financial tradeoffs, and what meaningful experiences actually cost ⚖️ (23:00) Parenting through change and the emotional weight of doing the right thing 🏋️ (25:00) Aging, health, and rebuilding routines when old systems fall apart 🧺 (27:00) Intentions, not resolutions: laundry, birthdays, and realistic habits 💬 (32:00) Listener questions on friendship fallouts, co-parenting after divorce, sibling dynamics, and when to stop chasing one-sided relationships ✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review 📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40 Keywords: midlife pivots, navigating your 40s, personal growth after 40, life changes in your 40s, friendship changes in midlife, family dynamics after divorce, going back to school in your 40s, career change later in life, co-parenting after divorce, adult friendship boundaries, midlife self reflection, intentional living in your 40s, realistic goals after 40, redefining success in midlife, personal growth podcast for women

    43 min

  8. 12/16/2025

    Are We the Grown-Ups Now? Creating Family Traditions That Actually Matter

    One day you realize no one else is making the magic anymore — it’s you. No one handed you a manual, but suddenly you’re in charge of the traditions, the holidays, and the emotional tone of your home. In this episode, we dig into family rituals, midlife motherhood, and why the moments that matter most rarely look impressive. This is about connection over performance — and how small, ordinary choices quietly shape the culture of a family. 🎬 (0:00) — Realizing we’re officially older than the moms in Christmas movies — and questioning when that happened 🕯️ (2:00) — Becoming the grown-ups: holiday pressure, emotional labor, and making the magic happen 🎄 (4:00) — Christmas chaos, decorating expectations, and the lengths moms go to for “the magic” 😂 (7:00) — Holiday mishaps, family disasters, and why the messiest moments become the memories 🧠 (11:00) — Why family traditions and rituals matter more than we think (and what research actually shows) 🏠 (15:00) — Small rituals that create a welcoming home — without perfection or Pinterest 🎶 (18:00) — Music, lighting, scent, and the sensory details that make a house feel like home 👩‍👧 (21:00) — Greeting kids (and their friends) in a way that builds belonging and emotional safety 📦 (23:00) — The hidden mental load of holidays, school themes, Amazon culture, and modern parenting 🍕 (35:00) — The one weekly family ritual linked to 40% lower anxiety and depression in teenagers 🍽️ (38:00) — Family dinners, no phones, and how everyday conversations build emotional intelligence ❤️ (42:00) — Traditions that strengthen sibling bonds, gratitude, and self-worth ✨ (44:00) — What we hope our kids remember about the homes we’re creating — and why it’s simpler than we think ✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review 📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40 family traditions, family rituals, midlife motherhood, parenting in your 40s, holiday stress for parents, emotional labor of motherhood, creating family culture, weekly family rituals, family dinner benefits, teen mental health and family connection, parenting teenagers, connection over perfection, building a welcoming home, family bonding activities, raising emotionally healthy kids

    48 min
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Trailer

4.7
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

Turns out, life doesn’t come with a manual—but it does come with a podcast. Found at 40 is a podcast for women in midlife having honest conversations about relationships, work, parenting, and figuring out who we are in this season. Each week, guests over 40 share their best lessons, hilarious moments, and wisdom that only comes from surviving the ultimate group projects of marriage, motherhood, and careers. Together, we talk through the chaotic season of shifting identities, evolving marriages, growing kids, perimenopause knocking at the door, and the quiet panic of reinvention. It’s what we’ve learned now that we’re finally old enough to know better—and still occasionally do it anyway. Because midlife isn’t a crisis… it’s just incredibly well-researched content. Welcome to the group chat you didn’t know you needed. Instagram: @foundat40podcast

Information

  • Creator
    Chrissi Harris
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Found at 40
  • Show Website
    Found at 40

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