The Stage

Torild Boe & Rita Hausken
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The Stage is a podcast for curious humans who refuse to sleepwalk through midlife. Hosted by Rita Hausken and Torild Boe – two global thinkers shaped by real-life upheaval and reinvention – these conversations span the whole spectrum of being human: health, relationships, loss, leadership, purpose, ageing, identity, travel, reinvention, and the stories we rarely say out loud. Rita lived through the unimaginable as she walked alongside her son Benjamin through a life doctors said would be short and later through the heartbreak of losing him, finding her way into a new reality. Torild redefined herself through perimenopause whilst navigating divorce with young children. Together, we bring honesty, depth, humour, and a refusal to accept outdated rulebooks about how life “should” look after 40. Some episodes will make you think. Some will make you laugh. Some might hit a nerve. All of them offer real, unfiltered conversations for people who want more clarity, courage, and meaning in the second half of life. This isn’t just talk. It’s insight, lived experience, global perspective and the kind of dialogue most people wish they had in their everyday world. Welcome to The Stage. It’s your time.

Episodes

  1. Welcome to the Stage

    Feb 23

    Welcome to the Stage

    Rita and Torild are back, and back for good. The conversation explores the stage of life between 40 and 60, focusing on the experiences, challenges, and opportunities of this phase. It delves into the themes of self-discovery, wisdom, and embracing change with curiosity and compassion. Takeaways Self-discoveryEmbracing change

    19 min
  2. Sleep, sisterhood & finding joy in midlife chaos

    02/05/2025

    Sleep, sisterhood & finding joy in midlife chaos

    What’s in It for Me? – Season 2, Episode 3 A fireside chat between friends Life happens, and somehow, despite our best intentions, we find ourselves in February when we were sure we’d have more regular conversations! So, what can we do apart from laugh, enjoy the moment, and embrace the reality of being mid- life? That’s exactly what we’re doing in this episode. This isn’t just any conversation - it’s a joyful, lighthearted chat between two friends who also happen to work with menopause and leadership. We bring our personal experiences, knowledge, and practical tools to the table, mixing in the serious bits with plenty of warmth and humor. In this episode, we dive into: ✨ Sleep - why it can feel impossible and what helps ✨ The weight of world news and how it impacts us ✨ Practical ways to regulate emotions and reduce overwhelm Whether you’re navigating perimenopause yourself or leading teams where menopause support matters, we hope you take something valuable from our conversation - and maybe even have some fun along the way. Tune in and let us know what resonated with you!

    23 min
  3. From “Weakness” to Power

    07/27/2024

    From “Weakness” to Power

    Welcome back to "What's In It For Me!" In this episode, we invite you to join us as we explore the journey of transforming perceived weaknesses into strengths. Torild and Rita open up about their own vulnerabilities, sharing personal stories that highlight the challenges many women face during life's transitions, both in their 50s, very aware that this journey of unfolding is a curious and continuous one, and one they’re delighted to share with you the listener. We delve into how our insecurities can often mask our greatest strengths and how embracing these aspects can lead to radical self-power and acceptance. Our hope is that through our candid reflections, you’ll feel inspired to explore your own journey and discover the power that lies within you. So, grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s embark on this transformative conversation together!

    15 min
  4. Midlife moments with us

    07/04/2024

    Midlife moments with us

    Welcome to Season 2 of "What's In It For Me"!  As the seasons change and the leaves turn, Rita and Torild are back, another year wiser and ready to dive into all things 40+! In our first season, we tackled the impact of menopause on our personal and work lives. Now, in Season 2, we're here to inspire and evoke curiosity by sharing experiences and life lessons on navigating midlife. Expect honest, unfiltered conversations, insightful topics, and inspirational guests. Whether you're dealing with the challenges of perimenopause or simply exploring your midlife journey, we've got you covered. Join us for a season of continuous growth, and let's collectively support each other's journeys.  Are you interested in supporting us by being a sponsor? Do you want to contribute by being a guest? Or perhaps you have ideas for specific topics, please contact us - we love to hear from you! Let's celebrate the wisdom that comes with each passing year.

    20 min
  5. E.5 "Menopause Matters: Redefining workplaces with empathy and inclusion"

    05/21/2023

    E.5 "Menopause Matters: Redefining workplaces with empathy and inclusion"

    Our guest in this episode is Lawrence Webb, Group SHE Strategy Director at Costain Group, a wellbeing advocate and the President of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Lawrence is passionate about creating safe and supportive work environments.  He emphasizes the importance of education to understand symptoms of the stages of menopause to  prevent misunderstandings. Leaders can foster conversation and empathy to help their teams thrive and avoid performance issues. He also highlights the importance of implementing  menopause in workplace diversity and inclusion efforts. Lawrence encourages leaders to educate themselves and create an inclusive environment and acknowledges that some companies may hesitate to implement support due to concerns of making mistakes. However, he encourages organizations, particularly in industries like construction and other industries where we want to attract and retain more female employees  to take some action.  Join us as we delve deeper into the importance of wellbeing advocacy and creating inclusive work environments with Lawrence Webb.

    31 min
  6. E.4 " Menopause and Divorce."

    04/30/2023

    E.4 " Menopause and Divorce."

    How can menopause affect Divorce? According to the survey by the Family Law Menopause Project and Newson Health Research and Education, eight out of 10 women experiencing marriage difficulties said the symptoms of the perimenopause or menopause put a strain on their family life. This makes sense when you think that some of the common symptoms (peri)menopause experienced can include hot flushes, difficulty sleeping and night sweats, low mood and anxiety, low libido, and difficulty concentrating. Needless to say these will impact not just the person going through (peri) menopause - but also their partner …so the statistics make sense. Our guest in episode 4 of the podcast What’s in it for me Farhana Shahzady shares her work and insights on this important topic. Farhana is Divorce & Family Lawyer, Mediator & Collaborative Practitioner & Director at Family Law Partners, and is the founder of The Family Law Menopause Project. The aim of the project is to raise awareness amongst the family law community of the impact of menopause so that family lawyers can ensure that their advice leads to the fairest financial outcome for female clients as they approach retirement. Enjoy this incredibly interesting conversation with Farhana!

    37 min
  7. E.3 "Thriving Through Menopause: Creating Supportive and Inclusive Workplaces for Women" Interviewee: Tom Stenner Evans, Partner at Thrive Law

    03/28/2023

    E.3 "Thriving Through Menopause: Creating Supportive and Inclusive Workplaces for Women" Interviewee: Tom Stenner Evans, Partner at Thrive Law

    The Podcast «Whats in it or me” proudly announce its first sponsor! Brought to you by “SOAR” "SOAR" - the Magical Adventure for women We are excited to announce our upcoming event in Stavanger on 1-2 June, where we will create a space for women to come together to SOAR.  Our guest, Tom Stenner Evans, partner at Thrive Law, shares his insights on how organizations can tap into the talent of women around menopausal age, who have shown incredible resilience in overcoming obstacles to get where they are. Everyone should be enabled to thrive in the workplace. However, for women experiencing menopause, this can be a challenging time that is often overlooked by organizations.  He encourages everyone to do some research and get educated on the topic of menopause in the workplace, as it is crucial to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all employees. Did you know that 1 in 10 women have left their jobs because of menopausal symptoms and 1 in 4 are considering leaving their job in the UK? If companies are serious about the inclusion of women, menopause support can’t be ignored anymore. Women who are supported  are more likely to stay at work.

    40 min
  8. E.2 “Menopause - a barrier or an opportunity for women at work”?

    03/05/2023

    E.2 “Menopause - a barrier or an opportunity for women at work”?

    Welcome to our latest podcast episode where we dive into the impact of menopause on women in the workplace. Menopause can be a challenging and complex experience, marked by a range of physical and emotional symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances to name a few. Given that many women continue to balance work and personal life during this time, it is essential to have access to tools and resources that can help alleviate the symptoms and support overall health and wellbeing. Stages of menopause can be an overwhelming time, when it’s particularly important to understand that this is a natural process that will pass - and when taking the time to make informed decisions is vital. Instead of seeing it as a burden, women can choose to reframe the ageing process as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. During this episode, we will discuss various topics, such as the symptoms of menopause, the challenges women face in the workplace, and the resources available to help navigate this transition. We hope to provide valuable insights that empower women to embrace menopause as a unique opportunity for self-growth and self-care.

    20 min
  9. Isn’t menopause a private thing?

    02/17/2023

    Isn’t menopause a private thing?

    Why is the conversation happening now? “It was never an issue before”!? Menopausal women are the fastest growing workforce demographic and working longer too. Menopause is a natural transition of life, but if one in ten women leave work in the UK due to troublesome symptoms, and one in 4 consider doing so, this is a workplace issue as part of the S in ESG, and I in DEI. Hormone fluctuations are not left behind as you enter the workplace, and there are ways of supporting those impacted, so that the working day can be made more manageable during this transition - and we have a greater chance of retaining and attracting talent across all age groups. Menopause friendly organisations are going to surprise and attract women.

    25 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

The Stage is a podcast for curious humans who refuse to sleepwalk through midlife. Hosted by Rita Hausken and Torild Boe – two global thinkers shaped by real-life upheaval and reinvention – these conversations span the whole spectrum of being human: health, relationships, loss, leadership, purpose, ageing, identity, travel, reinvention, and the stories we rarely say out loud. Rita lived through the unimaginable as she walked alongside her son Benjamin through a life doctors said would be short and later through the heartbreak of losing him, finding her way into a new reality. Torild redefined herself through perimenopause whilst navigating divorce with young children. Together, we bring honesty, depth, humour, and a refusal to accept outdated rulebooks about how life “should” look after 40. Some episodes will make you think. Some will make you laugh. Some might hit a nerve. All of them offer real, unfiltered conversations for people who want more clarity, courage, and meaning in the second half of life. This isn’t just talk. It’s insight, lived experience, global perspective and the kind of dialogue most people wish they had in their everyday world. Welcome to The Stage. It’s your time.

Information

  • Creator
    Torild Boe & Rita Hausken
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Torild Boe & Rita Hausken
  • Show Website
    The Stage