Gen X at Midlife

Courtney Daniels

People from all walks of life report being their unhappiest around 46 years old, on average. The good news is, many people’s happiness trends upward after that, with those in their 60s, 70s and 80s often enjoying life more fully than ever. Curious to hear how my Gen X peers are faring in the messy middle, I’ll be talking to people who’ve made it through the low point, are in it now, or who are just now experiencing it.

Episodes

  1. 12/31/2025

    “Your AA sponsor is not your friend"

    In this episode, I talk to my longtime close friend, Juli Huss. Juli lived in Manhattan during the best era, was a talented and hilarious writer, and experienced 911 before moving back to Southern California to help take care of her parents before they died. We discuss how she knew her mom’s cancer was gone, how she got sober, how she quit smoking, and what she’s up to now. Show music by Daniel DiPrima.

    35 min

  2. 12/04/2025

    An NYC mom who’s in the early part of the midlife journey

    At 46 years old, NYC copywriter Phoebe Assenza is in the tough early part of the midlife passage. We talk about what that’s like, what her bucket-list goal is, and whether or not it’s actually her dream or her dad's. She shares how AI is chipping away at her career, her surprising reaction to it, and why she enjoys writing on Substack.  Awesome show music by Daniel DiPrima.

    32 min

  3. 11/15/2025

    "Approach others with curiosity, not suspicion"

    In this episode I talk to high school classmate Victor Komlos, who lives in LA and works in the adult beverage industry. We reflect on a well-liked classmate, Jimmy Jongebloed, who passed away this summer. Victors shares a surprise plot twist in his career, why he won’t be retiring early like some of his friends, being on a different page than his spouse at the empty-nest stage, and how he shared his love of music with his daughter. Show theme music by Daniel DiPrima.

    38 min

  4. 11/02/2025

    Her mom had Alzheimer’s, so she hired comedians

    Dani Klein Modisett couldn’t make her mom laugh, so she hired comedians. This led to her starting a business, Laughter on Call, that helps companies improve their culture and retain employees. In this episode we also talk about Don Rickles, vulnerability, Nic Cage in The Family Man, a phone scam Dani experienced, and what she most wants to do at this point in her life. Also, I share a few thoughts on Jimmy’s 40th high school reunion. Show music by Daniel DiPrima.

    40 min

  5. 09/29/2025

    “Take stock of what you need”

    A lot of people I’ve talked to who are over 50 have a talent or skill they didn’t pursue to the fullest when they were younger. And now they regret it. In this episode, my friend Norm Schrager and I talk about this, as well as what dating is like on the apps, why middle-aged people should be in bands, plus Norm’s best advice for anyone this age or approaching it. Awesome music by Daniel DiPrima.

    26 min

  6. 09/06/2025

    “You can have hurricane hair all of the time"

    ​In this episode I talk to another high school classmate, Kari Kolflat Harris. We discuss the passion she has for her job, the activities she'd like to do more of in the future, and her views on midlife crisis. I learned a couple of new expressions and really enjoyed her Texas accent.  Awesome music by Daniel Di Prima.

    38 min

  7. 08/13/2025

    Comparison is the thief of happiness

    In Hollywood, it’s particularly hard not to compare your career to others’. Jay Kogen, a longtime, very successful TV comedy writer, shares thoughts on how to avoid making yourself miserable. I needed his wisdom and will want to re-listen to this episode occasionally to stay in the right headspace. We also cover how much advance planning Jay and I need for social engagements, how comedian Neal Brennan solved his stubborn depression, my number one tip for developing good habits, and Jay’s business idea for making them stick. Awesome original music by composer Daniel DiPrima.

    27 min

  8. 07/23/2025

    "Do I need more than this? Do I need less?"

    My friend Natalia Fabrizio recently had a brush with death. We discuss what she took away from it, how she's handling stress now, and the big questions she's asking herself in midlife. Music by awesome Daniel DiPrima.

    31 min

  9. 07/01/2025

    “My life fell apart at 46"

    Artist Ray Beldner knows what it feels like to have "zero mojo." Find out how he got it back after his “flameout years” ! Intro and end music by awesome Daniel DiPrima.

    22 min

  10. 06/14/2025

    If ambition is making you unhappy

    In this episode I talk to my longtime friend Tess Hawes about her experience of midlife crisis, my self-rejecting ambition, her divorce and career pivot, and how to get out of depression. We touch on the book "Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life" by James Hollis, "Mind Your Body" by Nicole Sachs, and my therapist, Lisa Chen, whom I highly recommend (you can find her at lisachentherapy.com).

    33 min

  11. 06/01/2025

    The gnarly midlife passage

    In this first episode I talk to popular Substack writer Cintra Wilson. Cintra grew up in the Bay Area, was producing plays in the San Francisco theater scene by 19, wrote a million articles for every great magazine and newspaper when journalism was still a viable profession, and is now garnering a ton of fans with her Substack audio recordings of brilliant commentary on pop culture at Cintra Wilson Feels Your Pain.

    25 min
  • 11 Episodes

5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

People from all walks of life report being their unhappiest around 46 years old, on average. The good news is, many people’s happiness trends upward after that, with those in their 60s, 70s and 80s often enjoying life more fully than ever. Curious to hear how my Gen X peers are faring in the messy middle, I’ll be talking to people who’ve made it through the low point, are in it now, or who are just now experiencing it.

Information

  • Creator
    Courtney Daniels
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Courtney Daniels
  • Show Website
    Gen X at Midlife