Left of Midlife

leftofmidlife
  • 4.3 (12)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Left of Midlife is where three small-town, liberal women take on the chaos of politics, leadership, and life with sharp insight and plenty of laughs. From staring down the beginning of midlife to wondering what’s left of it, we’ve got stories and opinions worth sharing — and we’re all leaning left. From the quirks of Indiana politics to the national dumpster fire we’re all living in, nothing is off-limits. We’ll rant, we’ll laugh, and we’ll remind you that if we can’t find the humor in all this, we might just lose our minds.

  1. 5D AGO

    It's Not Just Ballots, Babe

    What actually makes an election work?   This week on Left of Midlife, we're pulling back the curtain on the part of democracy no one talks about, the people and processes that keep it all running.    From poll workers and county election boards and volunteers, we're diving into the real infrastructure behind every ballot cast. The part that doesn't make headlines. The part that isn't flashy. The part that depends on everyday people showing up, doing the work, and holding the system together.   We talk about what elections actually look like behind the scenes, why counties struggle to staff polling locations, and how much of this process still relies on human hands, not machines. Plus, we break down everything Hoosiers need to know about early voting and absentee voting in 2026, because understanding how to vote is just as important as deciding who to vote for.   Because democracy isn't magic, it's maintenance.   Key Dates: - Voter Registration Deadline: April 6th, 2026 - Early Voting Begins: April 7th, 2026 - Early Voting Ends: May 4th, 2026 - Primary Election Day: May 5th, 2026    Register or Check Your Status: - Indiana Voter Portal: https://indianavoters.in.gov   Want to Get Involved? - Contact your county clerk's office to become a poll worker - Volunteer with local voter registration efforts - Help a friend make a plan to vote

    1h 30m

  2. MAR 23

    A Night With Robert Arnold

    How does a poet stop half a million people mid-scroll?   Robert Arnold joins Left of Midlife to talk about writing, and building real connection in a digital world. From Helena, Arkansas to TikTok, his words have struck a nerve - not because they're loud, but because they're honest.   Bonus for our local listeners - you can hear from Rober in person! He will be in Vincennes speaking on Saturday, March 28th.    This episode is a reminder that even in the noise, something real can still break through.

    31 min

  3. MAR 17

    Put A PIN In It

    Indiana politics is heating up, and this week we're breaking it all down. Marsha and Tiffanie sit down with Progressive Indiana Network leader Scott Aaron Rogers to talk about the 2026 legislative sessions, rising affordability concerns, energy policy, and what the upcoming primary elections could mean for the state. It's a candid conversation about grassroots organizing, the political moment Indiana is in and why staying engaged matters now more than ever.   Learn more about the Progressive Indiana Network: http://progressiveindiana.net HoosLeft Podcast http://hoosleft.us

    48 min

  4. MAR 9

    So You Want to Run for Office...

    Support Tiffanie's Campaign at www.tiffaniearthur.com   This week your girls went to candidate training...and yes, there were PowerPoints.   On this episode of Left of Midlife, Marsha and Tiffanie take you behind the curtain of the Indiana House Democratic Caucus candidate training and break down what they learned from the real nuts and bolts of running for office.   We're talking:  - fundraising (aka the thing every candidate fears) - building volunteer armies - knocking doors in rural districts - and campaign finance laws so your girls stay out of jail   But it's not just campaign mechanics, it's also about why preparing strong candidates matters for Indiana's future.    Because if we want better politics, we need more real people stepping up to run.   And yes...sometimes that starts with sitting through campaign training on a Saturday.   Support Tiffanie's Campaign at www.tiffaniearthur.com

    1h 4m

  5. MAR 2

    Kamala Harris in Indy - Reflections from the Audience

    This week on Left of Midlife, we left the group chat and entered the group experience.   Marsha and Tiffanie were in the room for Vice President Kamala Harris's Indianapolis stop on her 107 Days book tour, and it wasn't just a political event. It was something bigger. Midlife-big.    We're unpacking the energy of the sold-out crowd, the multigenerational sea of women (and men), the themes of resilience woven through Harris's remarks, and the moments that made the room go quiet. We talk leadership under pressure, personal evolution, and what it means to witness a woman navigating power in real time.    If you were there, we want to hear from you. If you weren't, come process it with us.    Because when we fight, we win...even if it takes a while.

    30 min

  6. FEB 23

    Tough Guys Don't Cry (And Other Lies)

    What if 'man up' is one of the most damaging phrases we tell boys?   This week on Left of Midlife, we unpack how patriarchy doesn't just limit women - it cages men too. From emotional suppression and suicide rates to loneliness, economic pressure, fatherhood, and the rise of 'alpha male' culture, we explore how rigid masculinity harms everyone.   This isn't about blaming men. It's about questioning a system that tells them to dominate, provide, and never break - and redefining what real strength looks like.    Because strength without empathy is just fear in disguise.   Resources:    988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988 Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741   HeadsUpGuys - Evidence-based resources on depression in men. https://headsupguys.org   Movember Foundation - Focus of men's mental health, suicide prevention, and connection https://us.movember.com   The Fatherhood Project - Emotionally engaged fathering https://www.fatherhoodproject.org   Zero to Three - Early childhood emotional development  https://www.zerotothree.org   Next Gen Men - Workshops and resources on masculinity and emotional intelligence https://www.nextgenmen.ca

    1h 50m

  7. FEB 16

    Running Toward Change: Tiffanie's Campaign for Indiana State House District 63

    What happens when you tell people to use their voice, get involved, and demand representation....and then you finally take your own advice?   Apparently, you end up running for office.   This week, the tables turn as Marsha takes the wheel and puts Tiffanie in the hot seat, leading an honest and personal conversation about her decision to run for Indiana State House District 63. She shares the roots that shaped her - and the growing realization that waiting for someone else to fix things was no longer an option.    Marsha digs into the moments frustration became action, realities of running a grassroots campaign, and some of the issues affecting District 63. They also talk candidly about what it means to step forward - when you're no longer interested in being agreeable, quiet, or patient for change that never seems to come.    This episode is about courage, community, and the uncomfortable moment when you realize that person you've been waiting for...might be you.   Sometimes taking your own advice changes everything.   Find Tiffanie on social media: Tiffanie Arthur for State House 63 tiffaniearthurIN63@gmail.com Donate at: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tiffaniearthurin63

    45 min

  8. FEB 10

    Have You Tried Smiling More?

    Women in politics aren't just fighting bad policy - they're fighting perception, double standards, and a system that still isn't entirely convinced they belong.    In this episode, Marsha and Tiffanie dig into the reality of misogyny in leadership: the tone policing, the appearance critiques, the assumptions of incompetence, and the impossible double bind women are expected to navigate just to be take seriously. From 'calm down' to 'you're too much,' the rules seem designed so women can never quite get it right.    Joining the conversation is special guest Thomasina Marsili, who brings her own firsthand experiences and a real life, unfiltered take on what it actually looks like to navigate power as a woman in today's political climate.    This episode is honest. It's validating. It's occasionally furious. And it's a reminder that women aren't asking for permission anymore.

    1h 11m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Left of Midlife is where three small-town, liberal women take on the chaos of politics, leadership, and life with sharp insight and plenty of laughs. From staring down the beginning of midlife to wondering what’s left of it, we’ve got stories and opinions worth sharing — and we’re all leaning left. From the quirks of Indiana politics to the national dumpster fire we’re all living in, nothing is off-limits. We’ll rant, we’ll laugh, and we’ll remind you that if we can’t find the humor in all this, we might just lose our minds.

Information

  • Creator
    leftofmidlife
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Left of Midlife