say YES to yourself! | Midlife Reinvention: Real Stories, Bold Moves

Wendy Harrop

Say YES to Yourself! is a top midlife podcast for women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who are reinventing their lives and navigating major life transitions.  This podcast is for you if you're asking: 1. Why do I feel lost as a woman in midlife? 2. Who am I now that my kids are grown and I have an empty nest? 3. Is it too late to reinvent myself in my 40s or 50s? 4. How do I rebuild after a divorce or a major life change? 5. Why do I feel guilty for wanting more for myself in midlife? 6. How do I stop people-pleasing and start putting myself first? 7. How do women reinvent themselves after caregiving or burnout? 8. How do I rebuild confidence and trust myself again in midlife? 9. How do I navigate a midlife transition without losing myself? 10. How do I make a career pivot in midlife that actually feels aligned? Each week, host Wendy Harrop interviews inspiring women who are reinventing their lives in midlife. From career changes and creative pursuits to empty nest transitions and personal breakthroughs, you'll hear real stories of midlife transformation, courage, and joy. Topics include: midlife reinvention, starting over after 40, second chapter living, empty nest syndrome, midlife career change, women's empowerment, personal growth for women over 50, midlife transitions, rebuilding after divorce, and finding yourself again in midlife. Say YES to Yourself! is for midlife women ready to shed outdated expectations, rewrite their stories, and put themselves first—without guilt or apology. Your best chapter starts now.

  1. 3d ago

    When Coaching Tools Aren't Enough: A Working Mom's Breakthrough | Rebecca Olson

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Join Wendy for her dreamy Summer Solstice White Party on Saturday June 20, 2026 —an al fresco evening of delicious food, intention-setting, and celebration at the Phineas Wright House. Wear white, gather at the long table in the field, and toast to the season ahead.  Save you seat here: phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/summer-solstice-white-party In this episode, Wendy sits down with Rebecca Olson, a working mom coach who spent 2025 in a deep dark hole. Despite having all the coaching tools and personal development strategies she knew worked, depression had her stuck. She eventually got professional help—a therapist, her doctor, and a low-dose antidepressant—and the difference has been life-changing. They explore: Why your coaching tools and personal development practices might not be enough (and why that's okay)How clarity emerges when you stop trying to figure it out aloneThe magic of following the breadcrumbs when you can't see the whole pictureRebecca talks about asking for help, receiving support in unexpected ways, and the moment the fog lifted. She's speaking openly about the stigma around antidepressants and mental health, and saying yes to herself by getting the professional help she needed. Now she's following aligned action and trusting the next logical step without needing to see the entire plan. This is a conversation about getting honest about what you need and being willing to ask for it. Connect with Rebecca: RebeccaOlsonCoaching.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rebolson Instagram: instagram.com/rebeccaolsoncoach Ambitious and Balanced Working Moms Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ambitious-and-balanced-working-moms/id1557563892 Referenced in this Episode: Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood: amazon.com/Untangled-Guiding-Teenage-Transitions-Adulthood/dp/0553393073?tag=syty-20 ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    53 min
  2. 5d ago

    How Reverse Mortgages Can Fund Your Best Years (Not Just Protect Your Home) | Laura Phillips

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Join Wendy for her dreamy Summer Solstice White Party on Saturday June 20, 2026 —an al fresco evening of delicious food, intention-setting, and celebration at the Phineas Wright House. Wear white, gather at the long table in the field, and toast to the season ahead.  Save you seat here: phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/summer-solstice-white-party In this episode, Wendy sits down with Laura Phillips, a reverse mortgage lender. Laura challenges the generational belief that home equity is only a safety net, and explores how reverse mortgages can actually help seniors say yes to themselves and fund the life they want to live. They explore: What reverse mortgages actually are (and why the name confuses people)How non-recourse loans protect your heirs from debtWhy shifting your mindset about equity changes everythingLaura shares real stories of how reverse mortgages have helped seniors stay in their homes longer, fund in-home care, and maintain independence without burdening their children. She talks about breaking generational patterns around debt and home ownership, and why this financial tool deserves a second look. This is a conversation about reframing what your home equity can do for you in your later years. Connect with Laura: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurawphillips Website: lauraphillips.com Phone: (303) 817-4611 ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    56 min
  3. May 29

    Align Your Head, Heart, and Gut (When Life Feels Out of Sync) | Kathleen Conner

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! If something in your life or work is asking for space, you can learn more about the Creative in Residence experience at the Phineas Wright House here: phineaswrighthouse.myflodesk.com/cyekpegz8g In this episode, Wendy sits down with Kathleen Conner, coach and host of the Chasing Purpose Podcast. Kathleen spent years presenting a perfect image to the world while feeling deeply out of sync internally, until one moment of disgust became her catalyst for change. They explore: Why your vibrational baseline attracts the people and experiences around youHow to recognize when you're performing instead of being authenticThe "basket" metaphor: why women carry everyone's load and how to put it down with kindnessKathleen talks about moving from perfectionism to alignment, making small daily choices (being 1% better), and raising interdependent children instead of independent ones. She shares how breaking your own patterns is the only way your children will do things differently. This is a conversation about getting honest with yourself when your outside doesn't match your inside, and choosing alignment over image. Connect with Kathleen: Website: chasingpurpose.com Her Podcast, Chasing Purpose: w4wn.com Instagram: instagram.com/chasingpurpose_lifecoaching/ Facebook: facebook.com/share/14H2fWoKfc1/  Wendy's appearance on Chasing Purpose: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/satisfaction-its-time-to-stop-faking-it/id1870973280?i=1000751665394 ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    42 min
  4. May 27

    How to Stop People Pleasing (A Somatic Coach's Approach) | Darshana Avila

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Join Wendy for her dreamy Summer Solstice White Party on Saturday June 20, 2026 —an al fresco evening of delicious food, intention-setting, and celebration at the Phineas Wright House. Wear white, gather at the long table in the field, and toast to the season ahead.  Save you seat here: phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/summer-solstice-white-party In this episode, Wendy sits down with Darshana Avila, somatic experiencing practitioner and body-based trauma healer. Darshana is a recovering people pleaser who's spent years unwinding the cultural scripts we're all handed unknowingly: the ones about gender roles, perfectionism, and who we're supposed to be. They explore: Why people pleasing is rooted in cultural conditioning (and how to recognize the script you've been reading)How trauma lives in your body and healing means changing your present relationship to the pastWhy forgiveness is a beautifully selfish act that frees you from resentmentDarshana talks about softening into embodiment, surrender as a practice, and what happens when we embrace our wholeness. This is a conversation about unwinding the people-pleasing patterns we didn't know we were practicing, and what becomes possible when we soften into our bodies and choose to lay down our armor. Connect with Darshana: Website: darshanaavila.com Instagram: instagram.com/darshana_avila Deeper with Darshana Podcast: darshanaavila.com/podcast ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    52 min
  5. May 22

    How to Be Ambitious and a Great Mom (Without the Guilt) | Laurie Maddalena

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Join Wendy for her dreamy Summer Solstice White Party on Saturday June 20, 2026 —an al fresco evening of delicious food, intention-setting, and celebration at the Phineas Wright House. Wear white, gather at the long table in the field, and toast to the season ahead.  Save you seat here: phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/summer-solstice-white-party In this episode, Wendy sits down with Laurie Maddalena, leadership consultant who started her business nearly two decades ago and has raised three children while building it. Laurie spent years wrestling with the question: Can I be ambitious and a great mom?  They explore: Why asking for support isn't weakness—it's healthy modeling for your childrenHow to confront the narrative that "I'm the mom so I should do it all"Why intentionality matters more than perfection when juggling multiple rolesLaurie struggled to write her book for years until her husband said, "Just go away a few nights a month and work on it." She couldn't believe he was offering. Her internal narrative was screaming: I'm the mom, I'm the person who should be doing these things. But she did it anyway, finished the book, and is still doing the work of believing she doesn't have to do it all alone. This is a conversation about leaning into support and remembering that being ambitious doesn't come at the expense of being a great mom. Connect with Laurie: Website: LaurieMaddalena.com Get her book, The Elevated Leader: https://amzn.to/49HTvLS LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauriemaddalena Instagram: instagram.com/lauriemaddalena ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    54 min
  6. May 20

    The Confidence You Can't Hand Out (And How to Build It Instead) | Randi Crawford

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Say "Yes!" to travel! Just check your calendar, book your flight, and pack your cute outfits: Cognac Jewelry School, France June 27-July 4, 2026 or August 15-22, 2026: phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/cognac-jewellery-school-summer-foundations2027 Foundations: phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/cognac-jewellery-school-summer-foundations-2027SIn this episode, Wendy sits down with Randi Crawford, coach and speaker who works with young adults and their moms. Moms constantly ask Randi: How do I help my daughter build confidence? Her answer: You can't hand it out. She has to build it herself through small wins. They explore: Why confidence comes from doing little things, not big performative momentsWhy moms need their own lives so they're not overly involved in their children's identitiesWhy there's no group of cool girls to fit into—you are the cool girlRandi thought she'd be coaching menopausal women but ended up working with their daughters instead. Now she helps both: teaching girls to find who they are in a world trying to tell them who they should be, and teaching moms to step back and get their own lives. This is a conversation about building real confidence and helping the next generation do the same. Connect with Randi: Website: RandiCrawfordCoaching.com TikTok: tiktok.com/@randicrawfordcoaching Instagram: instagram.com/randicrawfordcoaching Referenced in this Episode:  Jay Shetty: www.jayshetty.me National Charity League: www.nationalcharityleague.org ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    48 min
  7. May 15

    When Your 42-Year Marriage Ends at 65 (And You Decide Who You Want to Be) | Debbie Spence

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Join Wendy for her dreamy Summer Solstice White Party on Saturday June 20, 2026 —an al fresco evening of delicious food, intention-setting, and celebration at the Phineas Wright House. Wear white, gather at the long table in the field, and toast to the season ahead.  Save you seat here: phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/summer-solstice-white-party In this episode, Wendy sits down with Debbie Spence, who just turned 65 and is rewiring everything. Her 42-year marriage ended two years ago, and she had to ask herself: Who do I want to be? Not who am I, but who do I want to be for the rest of my life? They explore: Why you get brand new neurons every morning that don't know what you believed yesterdayHow to plant seeds for the future (not just live in the present)The difference between telling your story from a scar vs. from a woundDebbie spent four years writing a book about saying yes to herself through travel and wanderlust, weaving in stories of other people who stepped out in faith. She had almost finished it when her husband left. She could have abandoned it—the story she'd told suddenly felt untrue—but she came back and wrote the last chapter from the vulnerability.  Tune in for a conversation that will inspire you to choose who you'll be for the rest of your life. Connect with Debbie: Get her book, Searching for Home: amzn.to/4u6pvS1 Instagram: instagram.com/debbiespence_author Referenced in this Episode: The Numerology of Endings & Renewal | Dina Berrin: buzzsprout.com/1872382/episodes/18106144 Marie Kondo Method: konmari.com Malcom Gladwell Tipping Point: amzn.to/4uRvE4M Saying YES to French Lifestyle with Beeta Hashempour Founder of Mon Petit Four®: buzzsprout.com/1872382/episodes/11858194 ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    53 min
  8. May 13

    How to Listen to Your Body (A Medical Intuitive's Approach) | Katie Beecher

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Say "Yes!" to travel! Just check your calendar, book your flight, and pack your cute outfits: Cognac Jewelry School, France June 27-July 4, 2026 or August 15-22, 2026: phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/cognac-jewellery-school-summer-foundations2027 Foundations: phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/cognac-jewellery-school-summer-foundations-2027SIn the 300th episode of Say YES to Yourself!, Wendy sits down with Katie Beecher, licensed counselor and medical intuitive who helps people connect to their intuition and listen to what their bodies are trying to tell them. Katie recovered from bulimia at age 16 after reaching out to a Jungian psychologist without her parents' support—a decision that changed the trajectory of her life. They explore: How to challenge your worry and ask: Is this fruitful or just draining?Why treating symptoms as friends changes everythingHow to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start living your life nowThis is a conversation about trusting yourself, setting boundaries, and learning to live now instead of waiting for perfect conditions.  Connect with Katie: Get her book, Heal From Within: https://a.co/d/0bVHH8sw  Website: katiebeecher.com Facebook: facebook.com/beechermedicalintuitive  Instagram: instagram.com/katiebeecher_medical_intuitive Referenced in this Episode: Course in Miracles Links amzn.to/4u1EaOl marianne.com/acim/ apps.apple.com/us/app/acim-remind/id737568020 ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    1 hr
5
out of 5
90 Ratings

About

Say YES to Yourself! is a top midlife podcast for women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who are reinventing their lives and navigating major life transitions.  This podcast is for you if you're asking: 1. Why do I feel lost as a woman in midlife? 2. Who am I now that my kids are grown and I have an empty nest? 3. Is it too late to reinvent myself in my 40s or 50s? 4. How do I rebuild after a divorce or a major life change? 5. Why do I feel guilty for wanting more for myself in midlife? 6. How do I stop people-pleasing and start putting myself first? 7. How do women reinvent themselves after caregiving or burnout? 8. How do I rebuild confidence and trust myself again in midlife? 9. How do I navigate a midlife transition without losing myself? 10. How do I make a career pivot in midlife that actually feels aligned? Each week, host Wendy Harrop interviews inspiring women who are reinventing their lives in midlife. From career changes and creative pursuits to empty nest transitions and personal breakthroughs, you'll hear real stories of midlife transformation, courage, and joy. Topics include: midlife reinvention, starting over after 40, second chapter living, empty nest syndrome, midlife career change, women's empowerment, personal growth for women over 50, midlife transitions, rebuilding after divorce, and finding yourself again in midlife. Say YES to Yourself! is for midlife women ready to shed outdated expectations, rewrite their stories, and put themselves first—without guilt or apology. Your best chapter starts now.

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