Unfiltered and Unbound

Kate B

Most content about women over 50 is selling anti-ageing cream or telling you to embrace your wisdom. Unfiltered & Unbound is neither. Hosted by Kate Baxter, a Perth, Western Australia based project manager, running coach and recovering people-pleaser, this is the podcast for women who are done shrinking themselves and ready for the conversations that actually matter. Grey divorce. Money and financial independence. Dating after 50. Identity after the labels stop fitting. Perimenopause. Career pivots. Visibility. The friendships that survive and the ones that don't. Real conversations with experts and honest field reports from the inside of midlife. Unfiltered, unpolished, and completely unbound. Season 2 now streaming.

  1. 2d ago

    S2:E13 Midlife Anxiety: When You No Longer Feel Like Yourself

    Midlife Anxiety: When You No Longer Feel Like YourselfGuest: Kirstin Bouse, clinical and forensic psychologist and founder of All About Her, the Centre for Menopause What happens when a woman who has always managed to cope suddenly feels as though she no longer can? In this episode of Unfiltered & Unbound, Kate speaks with Kirstin Bouse about the complicated overlap between anxiety, perimenopause, burnout, identity and the invisible load many women carry through midlife. Kirstin explains why anxiety can appear for the first time during perimenopause, or return in a form that feels very different from anything a woman has experienced before. They discuss panic-like symptoms, disrupted sleep, overwhelm, brain fog, reduced confidence and the frightening sense of no longer recognising yourself. Kirstin also shares one of the simplest and most memorable ideas from the episode: chase joy. Supporting mental health is not only about reducing difficult symptoms. It is also about actively making room for the people, experiences and moments that help life feel more like your own. In this episodeKate and Kirstin discuss: why anxiety can emerge or intensify during perimenopausewhat midlife anxiety can look like in women who have never considered themselves anxiousthe overlap between perimenopause, burnout and chronic overwhelmsleep disruption, panic symptoms, brain fog and reduced confidencewhy hormonal changes can affect mental healthpreparing for a conversation with your GP or psychologistthe importance of self-compassion and becoming more discerning with your energywhy feeling better does not have to mean returning to overfunctioningthe role joy can play in supporting wellbeing through midlifeAbout Kirstin BouseKirstin Bouse is a clinical and forensic psychologist with nearly 30 years of experience. She is the founder of All About Her, the Centre for Menopause, and works primarily with women navigating perimenopause, menopause, burnout and late-diagnosed neurodivergence. Kirstin brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work, helping women understand what is happening, access appropriate support and move through midlife with greater clarity and self-compassion. Connect with KirstinAll About Her, the Centre for Menopause https://www.allabouthercentre.com.au/ Instagram — The Midlife Psychologist https://www.instagram.com/the_midlife_psychologist/ Follow Unfiltered & UnboundInstagram https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredandunbound/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/unfilteredandunbound/ Subscribe to Unfiltered & Unbound wherever you listen to podcasts so you do not miss future conversations about the realities, decisions and possibilities of midlife. Important noteThis episode provides general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical or psychological advice. Do not stop or change medication without speaking with a qualified health professional. If anything discussed in this episode feels familiar or concerning, please speak with your GP, psychologist or another appropriately qualified practitioner.

  2. Jul 28 ·  Bonus

    S2:E12 The Rules That No Longer Serve Us.

    Solo episode The Unfiltered and Unbound campaign explores the impact of societal rules on women's lives, particularly during midlife. It encourages women to identify and challenge rules that no longer serve them, promoting agency and empowerment. Takeaways Midlife as a time of reinventionChallenging societal rules Subscribe to our newsletter https://the-unfiltered-edit-7183b4.beehiiv.com/ Have an idea for a story? What to share what rule you are breaking with us? Email: unfiltered@podcastsbykate.com

  3. Jul 21

    S2:E11 One Day at a Time: Brendan’s Story of Addiction, Recovery and Rebuilding.

    Content note This episode discusses substance dependence, intravenous drug use, homelessness, abusive relationships, trauma and a drug-related medical crisis. Please listen with care. I struggled to find the right place for this episode in the Unfiltered & Unbound release schedule. Brendan’s experience is different from many of the stories we usually share, but the heart of this conversation crosses gender, age and the boundaries we sometimes place around whose stories belong where. It is a story about shame, identity, asking for help and rebuilding a life when change feels impossible. It also reminds us that we rarely know what someone has survived before they arrive in the version of their life we see today. One Day at a Time: Brendan’s Story of Addiction, Recovery and Rebuilding When people meet Brendan today, they see a respected professional, a homeowner and someone who appears confident, capable and successful. What they would not know is that there was once a time when they might have walked past him living on the street without recognising the person he would become. In this deeply honest conversation, Brendan shares his experience of addiction, homelessness, shame and the moment he realised that continuing on the same path could cost him his life. He talks about the experiences that shaped his early years, the gradual loss of control and why asking for help felt almost harder than continuing to struggle. Brendan also takes us inside the early stages of recovery: entering a therapeutic community, walking away from almost everyone he knew, rebuilding family relationships and learning to live with structure and boundaries. This is not only a conversation about addiction. It is about identity, resilience and the repeated decisions involved in building a different life. Brendan’s story reminds us that we rarely know what someone has lived through, shame thrives in silence and people are not defined by their hardest chapter. In this episode: What people misunderstand about addictionThe connection between addiction, shame and self-hatredWhy Brendan struggled to ask for helpThe experience that became his turning pointLife inside a therapeutic communityWhy structure and accountability matteredWalking away from people and environments that threatened his recoveryRebuilding trust with his family and himselfManaging the fear of slipping backwardsHow Brendan’s definition of success changedTaking recovery one day, hour or second at a timeBrendan’s message for anyone who believes it is too late to changeSupport You do not need to manage addiction or concern about someone you love alone. WA Alcohol and Drug Support Line Perth: (08) 9442 5000Regional WA: 1800 198 024Available 24 hours a dayFor immediate crisis support, contact Lifeline: Call 13 11 14Text 0477 13 11 14In an emergency, call 000. A final note from Kate Change is not always dramatic. Sometimes it is quiet, consistent and deeply courageous. It can be a daily decision to keep going, rebuild trust, create structure, walk away from what no longer serves you and believe that another life is possible. Please share this episode with someone who may need to hear Brendan’s story. Unfiltered & Unbound Honest conversations for women navigating midlife on their own terms. Rewrite the rules. Then live them.

  4. Jul 14 ·  Bonus

    S2:E10 What If You Still Don’t Know What You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

    In this coffee break episode, Kate discusses the concept of midlife reinvention, emphasizing the idea of trying something new and making subtle changes in life. She challenges the notion that reinvention only counts if it's big and dramatic, highlighting the value of small experiments and quiet curiosity. Takeaways Midlife reinvention doesn't have to be dramatic; small experiments and quiet curiosity can lead to meaningful change.Reinvention is about making one part of your current life feel more like your own, and it doesn't require a complete plan or a dramatic announcement. Chapters 00:00 The Perspective of Midlife Reinvention03:04 The Reckoning: Standing at the Crossroads of Life04:02 Reinvention as an Experiment05:10 Questioning Identities and Embracing Change

  5. Jul 7

    S2:E9 The Surprising Truth About Redundancy: It's Not Who You Are

    Episode OverviewIn this episode, Jaclyn O'Donnell, founder of Strive Career Consulting, shares insights on managing redundancy, rethinking career resilience, and practical strategies for job seekers in today’s shifting job market. Whether you’ve recently been laid off or want to future-proof your career, Jaclyn offers compassionate advice grounded in her 25 years of HR, coaching, and talent acquisition experience. Timestamps00:00 – Welcome and episode overview on handling redundancy00:31 – Jaclyn discusses the shame often associated with redundancy and the importance of reframing it as a restructure01:29 – How to connect with Jaclyn and the support services available02:24 – The evolving job market: restructures, redeployments, and increasing use of AI03:49 – The significance of maintaining your online presence and professional networks04:47 – Impact of market changes on redundancy patterns and employee feelings of safety07:15 – Initial emotional responses to redundancy and identity shifts09:04 – The three types of clients: shocked, practical, and strategic mindsets11:10 – Actionable advice for practical steps immediately after redundancy12:37 – The importance of clarity, purpose, and aligning your career goals13:38 – Building confidence through résumé refinement, LinkedIn optimisation, and networking15:50 – The concept of ownership and long-term career resilience16:35 – The value of soft skills and experience at midlife18:34 – Avoiding wasted energy like printing résumés and waiting to perfect profiles19:24 – Navigating AI screening tools and keywords optimisation21:48 – Tips for those in niche roles or industries with limited opportunities22:06 – Embracing reskilling and identifying transferable skills25:37 – Addressing ageism and highlighting the value of experience27:31 – The importance of reaching out to your network to create opportunities28:15 – The need to stay adaptable and proactive in job searching30:01 – One immediate action you can take this week after redundancy32:07 – The resilience and empowerment that come from overcoming redundancyFinal Key Message: You are more than your job title, and redundancy does not define you. Resources & LinksConnect with Jaclyn via Email: Jaclyn@strivecareer.com.au This episode touches on job loss, identity, and the emotional weight that comes with both. If any of it brought something up for you, Beyond Blue is there to help — call 1300 22 4636 or visit beyondblue.org.au. Free, confidential, available 24/7.

  6. Jun 30 ·  Bonus

    S2:E8 The Friendships That Don’t Just Happen Anymore

    The conversation explores the power of accountability, the reality of loneliness, the impact of life changes on friendship, the importance of friendship, and building meaningful connections. It emphasizes the need for genuine connections and the impact of loneliness on individuals. Takeaways Loneliness can affect anyone, regardless of their social activities.Building and maintaining meaningful friendships is essential for overall well-being. Chapters 00:00 The Power of Accountability06:41 Building Meaningful Connections

  7. Jun 23

    S2:E7 Have the Brave Money Conversation

    Money Conversations We Need to Have in Our 50s and Beyond — with Jo Hurley Jo Hurley is back — and if you loved her triathlon episode (still our most-streamed across both seasons), you're going to want to sit with this one too. This time we're not talking sport. We're talking money. Super, wealth, divorce, the conversations so many of us were quietly taught not to have. Jo is a Chartered Accountant and self-managed super fund specialist who's spent her whole career in this space, and she has a gift for making it feel less like a lecture and more like a chat with a clever friend who actually wants you to win. We get into why women still carry shame and silence around money, why the super gap opens up in our thirties and never quite closes, and the policy changes — payday super, super on paid parental leave — that are genuinely shifting things in our favour. But this isn't a doom-and-gloom episode. It's a practical one. We cover where to actually start if you've been avoiding it: logging in and looking at your super, tracking down any lost accounts, understanding your fees, contributions and insurance, and whether salary sacrificing might be worth a conversation. Jo also walks through the harder stuff — why you should never assume a partner will provide for your retirement, the realities of grey divorce, and why having your own financial advice matters. The thread running through all of it: have the brave conversation. With your super fund, with your partner, with yourself in the mirror. It's never too late to start, and you're allowed to ask the questions. A quick note — this is a general conversation, not personal financial advice. If you want guidance specific to your situation, please seek out a qualified Australian adviser. Grab a cuppa. This one's a goodie. — Questions? Got a topic you want covered? Send me an email: unfiltered@podcastsbykate.com Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredunbound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unfilteredandunbound

  8. Jun 16

    S2: E6 Overcoming the Imposter Within

    The podcast episode discusses the phenomenon of imposter syndrome and provides practical strategies for overcoming it. It explores the origins of imposter syndrome, the impact of feelings on competence, the importance of evidence, and the shift from perfectionism to value. Takeaways Imposter syndrome is a common experience for ambitious and capable individuals.Strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome include separating feelings from facts, building a hype folder, and shifting from perfection to value. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Imposter Syndrome06:03 Shifting from Perfection to Value Sources Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women.Young, Valerie (2011). The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women.Hibberd, Jessamy (2019). The Imposter Cure.Harvard Business Review: Articles on the Artifact Method and managing self‑doubt. Questions? Got a topic you want covered? Send me an email unfiltered@podcastsbykate.com https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredunbound https://www.facebook.com/unfilteredandunbound

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About

Most content about women over 50 is selling anti-ageing cream or telling you to embrace your wisdom. Unfiltered & Unbound is neither. Hosted by Kate Baxter, a Perth, Western Australia based project manager, running coach and recovering people-pleaser, this is the podcast for women who are done shrinking themselves and ready for the conversations that actually matter. Grey divorce. Money and financial independence. Dating after 50. Identity after the labels stop fitting. Perimenopause. Career pivots. Visibility. The friendships that survive and the ones that don't. Real conversations with experts and honest field reports from the inside of midlife. Unfiltered, unpolished, and completely unbound. Season 2 now streaming.

Information

  • Creator
    Kate B
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kate B
  • Show Website
    Unfiltered and Unbound

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