Over 50 Shades of Great ~ Podcast

Deborah Read
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Over 50 Shades of Great is a community for women navigating reinvention, relationships, purpose, and wellbeing in midlife and beyond. Hosted by longtime television producer and first-time mom at 53, Deborah Read, the show features honest conversations about aging, dating later in life, career pivots, motherhood on a different timeline, beauty, and vitality. Each episode explores how to thrive after 50 offering inspiration, perspective, and real-life stories of transformation. Because life isn’t black and white — there are a million shades of GREAT in between.

Episodes

  1. The Truth About Perimenopause: Hormones, Skin & Feeling Like Yourself Again

    1d ago

    The Truth About Perimenopause: Hormones, Skin & Feeling Like Yourself Again

    Dr. Trevor Cates joins Deborah for an eye-opening conversation about hormones, skin, perimenopause, menopause, and the real meaning of beauty after 50. Author of Natural Beauty Reset, Dr. Cates explains why skin can be an outer reflection of what’s happening inside the body — from thyroid and hormones to sugar, inflammation, gut health, and stress. Deborah and Dr. Cates also talk about bioidentical hormones, the importance of testing, foods that support glowing skin, why omega-3s matter, and the biggest beauty mistakes women make as they age. This episode is for every woman who has been told her labs are “normal” but still doesn’t feel like herself. Free Hormonal Harmony Guide https://drtrevorcates.com/hormonal-harmony-guide/ Books Natural Beauty Reset https://www.amazon.com/s?k=natural+beauty+reset+trevor+cates Clean Skin From Within https://www.amazon.com/s?k=clean+skin+from+within+trevor+cates https://drtrevorcates.com/

    53 min
  2. Human Design Explained: Discover Your Purpose, Personality & True Self

    Jun 18

    Human Design Explained: Discover Your Purpose, Personality & True Self

    What if the key to transforming your life isn’t changing who you are—but remembering who you’ve always been? In this eye-opening episode of Over 50 Shades of Great, Deborah welcomes world-renowned Human Design experts Carola Eastwood and Chetan Parkyn for a conversation that challenges conventional ideas about identity, purpose, and personal growth. Together, they explore how Human Design can help you understand your unique energetic blueprint, make better decisions, improve relationships, and navigate life’s biggest transitions with greater confidence and clarity. They also discuss the five Human Design types, how this system differs from astrology, and why learning to trust your own design can be especially powerful during midlife and beyond. Deborah shares her own journey of discovering she’s an Emotional Generator, the profound impact it had on her career and relationships, and how she’s using Human Design to parent her daughter in a way that honors her individuality from day one. You’ll also hear fascinating insights on: Living in alignment with your authentic selfMidlife reinvention and finding your purposeHuman Design and parentingSoulmates, relationships, and emotional decision-makingAncestral patterns, karma clearing, and generational healingWhy your greatest gift is embracing who you were born to beIf you’re curious about Human Design, seeking deeper self-awareness, or navigating a new chapter after 50, this conversation will leave you inspired to trust yourself and step into your fullest potential. Because your purpose isn’t to become someone else—it’s to become more fully you. https://evolutionaryhumandesign.com/ https://evolutionaryhumandesign.com/human-design-books/ https://evolutionaryhumandesign.com/karma-clearing-by-design/ https://evolutionaryhumandesign.com/hdts/

    51 min
  3. From Grief to Gratitude: Kathy Swarts from The Golden Bachelor

    Jun 10

    From Grief to Gratitude: Kathy Swarts from The Golden Bachelor

    What happens when life completely falls apart—and you choose to build something beautiful anyway? In this episode of Over 50 Shades of Great, Deborah Read sits down with fan favorite Kathy Swarts from The Golden Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise for a candid conversation about grief, resilience, dating after loss, aging with confidence, and embracing life’s next chapter. Kathy shares the story behind her journey to The Golden Bachelor, what she learned from stepping into the spotlight in her 70s, and why she believes life is far from over after 50. She opens up about losing her husband of 46 years to suicide, the healing process that followed, and how she transformed heartbreak into hope for herself and others. You’ll also hear Kathy’s refreshing take on dating after 50, strength training, menopause, self-confidence, women supporting women, and why gratitude has become her secret to living a joyful life. This episode is filled with wisdom, laughter, honesty, and powerful reminders that some of life’s greatest chapters begin after our hardest seasons. Topics discussed: • The Golden Bachelor • Bachelor in Paradise • Dating after 50 • Dating after widowhood • Grief and healing • Suicide loss survivor • Reinvention after 50 • Strength training for women • Aging with confidence • Mental health awareness • Finding purpose after loss Resources & Links: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Connect with Kathy Swarts: Instagram

    58 min
  4. What If God Is Waiting for You to Call? Brandy Mussman on Prayer, Motherhood & Faith

    Jun 3

    What If God Is Waiting for You to Call? Brandy Mussman on Prayer, Motherhood & Faith

    Finding God When You Don’t Know Where to Start with Brandy Mussman How do you build a relationship with God when you didn’t grow up with a clear spiritual path? In this heartfelt episode of Over 50 Shades of Great, Deborah sits down with longtime friend, mother, wellness advocate, and spiritual mentor Brandy Mussman for a powerful conversation about faith, prayer, motherhood, emotional healing, and learning to trust the divine. As a new mother, Deborah shares her desire to create a spiritual foundation for her daughter while navigating her own evolving relationship with God. Together, she and Brandy explore how prayer can become a daily practice, why spirituality doesn’t require perfection, and how parents can introduce faith to their children through love, intention, and example. Brandy shares her personal journey of discovering prayer, how she prays over her daughters each day, and why she believes healing is an active pursuit that requires both self-awareness and faith. In this episode, we discuss: • How to start praying when you don’t know what to say• Developing a personal relationship with God• Praying for your children’s protection and guidance• Parenting with faith and intention• Emotional healing and releasing hidden blocks• Why healing is a lifelong journey• Finding peace during life’s uncertainties• The connection between faith, resilience, and personal growth Whether you’re a parent, exploring spirituality for the first time, or simply looking for more connection and meaning in your life, this conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and hope. If you’ve ever wondered, “What if God is waiting for me to call?” this episode is for you.

    56 min
  5. Beyond the Gaze: The Untold Story Behind the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

    May 12

    Beyond the Gaze: The Untold Story Behind the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

    Filmmaker Jill Campbell joins Deborah for a deeply moving conversation about her documentary Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue. Jill shares the story of Jule Campbell, the groundbreaking woman behind the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and how she helped launch the supermodel era while navigating a male-dominated industry. This episode explores female legacy, creativity, documentary filmmaking, beauty, feminism, aging, mortality, and the power of women telling women’s stories. 🎧 New episode out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify & YouTube. #Over50ShadesOfGreat #JillCampbell #BeyondTheGaze #JuleCampbell #SportsIllustratedSwimsuit #WomenInFilm #DocumentaryFilm #FemaleFilmmaker #WomenSupportingWomen #WomenOver50 #FemaleLegacy #Supermodels #Feminism #BeautyAndPower #PodcastEpisode @beyondthegazefilm jillaudreycampbell @si_swimsuit https://linktr.ee/beyondthegaze_julecampbell?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c8569e3e-bf5c-4eac-9142-e0255e2d7a71

    47 min
  6. Best Fitness Over 50: Pilates, Strength Training & Hormones Explained | Viveca Jensen

    May 6

    Best Fitness Over 50: Pilates, Strength Training & Hormones Explained | Viveca Jensen

    What does it really take to feel strong, energized, and confident after 50? In this episode, Deborah is joined by Viveca Jensen to talk about fitness over 50, menopause, strength training, Pilates, and hormone health for women. Viveca shares why building muscle is critical for women in midlife, how Pilates supports strength and flexibility, and what every woman should know about hormones, metabolism, and aging. You’ll learn: Why strength training helps prevent muscle loss after 40 and 50How to start lifting weights safely at home or in the gymThe truth about hormones, HRT, and energy levelsWhy cardio + strength + mobility is the ideal combinationHow to rebuild confidence in your bodyWe also talk about dating, intimacy, and why this stage of life can be more powerful than ever. If you’ve been searching for: “how to feel better during menopause” “best workouts for women over 50” “how to gain strength and energy again” This episode is for you. Find Viveca : https://www.instagram.com/vivecajensen/ Staerk https://staerklife.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnCSMR9PpUgMYJBNMFhxfhQqDK2TfwH7tVp_w0_IfoZZC3MFpU4hVW-vilDYA_aem_byTUzpigO1UeIG75z9hrlQ

    1h 8m
  7. A Real Life Bachelorette?: Julie LaPlaca reveals what really happened

    Apr 29

    A Real Life Bachelorette?: Julie LaPlaca reveals what really happened

    Julie LaPlaca has spent years producing love stories behind the scenes of The Bachelor franchise — but her most powerful story may be her own. In this heartfelt and funny conversation, Julie sits down with Deborah to talk about her new book, The Love Producer, her journey from reality TV producer to author, and what it really means to rewrite your own love story. Julie opens up about life inside the Bachelor bubble, producing some of the franchise’s biggest leads, almost becoming the Bachelorette herself, leaving a dream job to choose herself, and the spiritual awakening that followed. She also shares how heartbreak, hypnotherapy, ADHD, creativity, and deep inner work led her to launch her new path as “The Love Producer,” helping women become the leading ladies of their own lives. This episode is about love, reinvention, trusting your intuition, and realizing it’s never too late to pivot into the life you were meant to live. Follow Julie at https://www.instagram.com/julielaplaca/ Grab a copy of The Love Producer: My Unscripted Journey from a Reality TV Career to My Own Happily Ever After https://www.amazon.com/Love-Producer-Unscripted-Journey-Reality/dp/1637748868/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SUAI01IQP4EI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CkeS6hA-SqqotZ5aGPr67YCH14TskcyFrMO-rwsiNUWaKFM2uQRW1N6wLZ9ylNO27btE08gw6StwOVTLAopCrgjEptOn3-xnSgfp_spNCZ0.EJOL-BHUWqmlS-brzSRrPRkml3ojnzmp9CVGlfPOhEo&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+love+producer+book&qid=1777162608&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=the+love+produ%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1

    58 min
  8. From Trauma to Transformation ~ Kim Serafini

    Apr 22

    From Trauma to Transformation ~ Kim Serafini

    In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Deborah sits down with her longtime friend Kim Serafini for a moving conversation about resilience, recovery, and what happens when life takes you completely off course. Kim opens up about the shocking health crisis that changed everything — a series of near-death episodes that led to a cardiac pacemaker, years of uncertainty, and a profound rethinking of how we care for our minds and bodies.Together, they explore friendship, loss, nervous system regulation, brain resilience, and the hidden toll of hustle culture. Kim shares how her own recovery inspired the creation of Positive Prime, a neuroscience-based tool designed to help people build emotional strength, regulate stress, and recover more quickly from the pressures of modern life.This episode is a heartfelt reminder that even in the hardest seasons, healing is possible — and sometimes the greatest setbacks can lead us to our deepest purpose.Kim is offering all listeners the chance to explore Positive Prime and experience Deborah's own personal session "Over 50 Shades of Great". 7-Day Free Trial – no credit card needed https://platform.positiveprime.com/register?ref=SHADESOFGREATIf you sign up for a year you get to keep Deborah's session.www.positiveprime.comhttps://www.instagram.com/positiveprimetheofficial/ https://thenautilusretreat.com/

    51 min
  9. No Filter, No Apologies: Eric Stern on Aging & Authenticity

    Apr 22

    No Filter, No Apologies: Eric Stern on Aging & Authenticity

    In this wildly entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt episode, Deborah sits down with legendary Mother agent Eric Stern for a conversation about reinvention, authenticity, aging, and what it really means to own who you are. With his signature humor, sharp honesty, and larger-than-life personality, Eric shares how he made a massive midlife pivot from top fashion stylist to fiercely devoted mother agent, becoming a protector, guide, and champion for the talent he represents.They dive into the truth about confidence, self-acceptance, the pressure to stay relevant as you get older, and why loving the parts of yourself you cannot change is one of the most powerful things you can do. Eric also opens up about coming out, raising his children, navigating a changing industry, embracing technology, and why authenticity is still his greatest asset.Funny, fearless, and full of wisdom, this episode is a reminder that getting older does not mean fading out — it means knowing yourself better, standing taller in your truth, and refusing to be anything less than fully you.Find Eric at https://www.instagram.com/ericsternstyle/

    49 min
  10. Hollywood Producer Pam Williams Shares How To Live A Meaningful Life!

    Apr 22

    Hollywood Producer Pam Williams Shares How To Live A Meaningful Life!

    In this inspiring episode of Over 50 Shades of Great, Deborah sits down with award-nominated producer Pam Williams for a powerful conversation about career, family, friendship, faith, and reinvention after 50. From producing major films like Lee Daniels’ The Butler and The Deliverance to co-founding Stand Up to Cancer, Pam has built an extraordinary career at the highest levels of Hollywood while also navigating marriage, motherhood, health scares, and the evolving question so many women ask in midlife: What do I want next? Pam opens up about the mentor who changed her life, what it was really like producing the Oscars, balancing personal crisis with professional pressure, and why community, purpose, and female friendship matter more than ever in this chapter. She also shares the daily practices helping her stay grounded, calm, and focused as she steps into a new season of independence and intention. This is a warm, honest, wisdom-filled conversation about ambition, resilience, joy, and defining success on your own terms.

    33 min
  11. Trailer ~ Over 50 Shades of GREAT with Deborah Read

    Jan 20

    Trailer ~ Over 50 Shades of GREAT with Deborah Read

    Over 50 Shades of Great is a podcast and community for women over 40 and 50 navigating reinvention, relationships, purpose, and wellbeing in midlife and beyond. Hosted by longtime television producer and first-time mom at 53, Deborah Read, the show features honest conversations about aging, dating later in life, career pivots, motherhood on a different timeline, beauty, and vitality. Each episode explores how to thrive after 50 offering inspiration, perspective, and real-life stories of transformation. Because life isn’t black and white — there are a million shades of great in between.

    2 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Over 50 Shades of Great is a community for women navigating reinvention, relationships, purpose, and wellbeing in midlife and beyond. Hosted by longtime television producer and first-time mom at 53, Deborah Read, the show features honest conversations about aging, dating later in life, career pivots, motherhood on a different timeline, beauty, and vitality. Each episode explores how to thrive after 50 offering inspiration, perspective, and real-life stories of transformation. Because life isn’t black and white — there are a million shades of GREAT in between.

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