The House of Middlescence with Barbara Brooks

Barbara Brooks
  • 3.7 (3)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The House of Middlescence is a weekly conversation about life, business, culture, and relevance in the second half. Hosted by keynote speaker and SecondActWomen founder Barbara Brooks, the show explores how experienced women continue to grow, adapt, and stay visible. From career pivots and entrepreneurship to generational collaboration and cultural headlines, each episode translates lived experience into real world leverage. Experience is not a liability. It is leverage. Find Barbara at Barbara@BloomCoPresents.com and at barbarabrooks.com or secondactwomen.com.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    GLP1 Truth & Body Health: Women Over 40 Need to Know This with Kimberly Cunningham, NP

    By age 40, women lose up to 8% of their muscle mass per decade, and hormonal shifts start changing how our bodies respond to food, stress, and sleep. So why are we still blaming ourselves?Thie latest episode of my show, The House of Middlscences, we talk Health Over 40: What Actually Changes, What’s Hype, and What Works.On the LIVE tab on YouTube or listen anywhere you get your podcasts.https://www.youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks

    33 min

  2. FEB 13

    Business Owner Voice Practices to Live By. The Business of Being an Owner

    We don't talk enough about actually being the owner of a company. Revenue and strategy are queen but visibility, community, leadership, and the weight of a big voice all come with responsibility of being an owner too and where your voice shows up and how needs to be taken into account EVERYWHERE.I give 5 Owner Voice Practices to help how you show up - as reminders while I reflect on real, recent moments that sparked hard lessons about leadership, personal expression, and what it really means to show up when people are watching. If you lead a community, run a brand, or have built a platform, this conversation is for you.Grab a cup of Joe and watch on The House of Middlescence on YouTube or listen anywhere you get your podcasts.==========================Barbara Brooks, speaker and founder of SecondActWomen, shares conversations on midlife, career, culture, and age advantage.Subscribe for new episodes of The House of Middlescence and weekly shorts from Barbara Brooks.The House of Middlescence is for women 40+ who know life doesn’t come with an expiration date. Around here, we’re flipping the script on aging, career pivots, and what it means to live fully in your prime. It's like a good 80s mixed tape! We're mixing life in the middle with a little fun, a little grit, and a whole lot of real talk to get you excited, moving, and ready for more.We’re Living Agefully, and the best chapters are still ahead.Get in touch with me at barbara@bloomcopresents.com or learn how you can book me to speak at https://www.barbarabrooks.com.📧 Get on my Aging Out Loud monthly newsletter here lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/0VxszrI/getonthelist📢 Find me on socials:https:/.linkedin.com/in/barbaralbrooks/https://instagram.com/heybarbarabrookshttps:/youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks/ 👉🏽 Find My Community for Women 40+ SecondAct|Women on socialshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/secondactwomenhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/secondactwomen/https://www.instagram.com/secondactwomen

    17 min

  3. FEB 5

    Super Bowl Ads, Age and the Quiet Shift Happening Today

    Everyone loves Super Bowl ads, but what do they actually tell us about culture - and AGING? Barbara Brooks breaks down what this year’s ads reveal about age, visibility, and who gets trusted to lead. It’s a thoughtful, down-to-earth look at progress, power, and how what we see on screen connects to real life at work and in business. Listen, watch closely, and notice what you can’t unsee. Here is a link to your BINGO Card.

    19 min

  4. JAN 22

    LinkedIn Secrets! STOP Applying: Recruiter Hacks You Need to Master LinkedIn

    Getting seen on LinkedIn is harder than ever, especially if you are over 40 and competing in a world of algorithms, AI, and applicant tracking systems while trying to find A JOB! Barbara Brooks sits down with Megan Jo Specht, Senior Recruiter at Samsara, to pull back the curtain on how recruiters really use LinkedIn. Megan shares what matters, what gets ignored, and how small changes can dramatically increase your chances of being seen and landing interviews. We cover • How recruiters actually find candidates• Why engagement matters more than you think• What recruiters see on the backend of LinkedIn• How to position yourself for interviews without chasing the algorithm If you are job hunting, career pivoting, or just tired of shouting into the void, this episode is required listening. ====================== The House of Middlescence is your 80s mix tape for BoomingGenXMillennial women rewriting the rules and doing life their way. One track is career pivots. Another is life at 40 plus. The next is age bias, identity or culture. It's talk show meets real life, built for women in their real prime. Get in touch with me at barbara@bloomcopresents.com or learn how you can book Barbara Brooks to speak at barbarabrooks.com. 📧 Get on my Living Agefully monthly newsletter at secondactwomen.com 📢 Find me on socials: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks⁠ https:/.linkedin.com/in/barbaralbrooks/ https://instagram.com/barbarabrooksspeakshttps://www.facebook.com/barbarabrooksspeaks/https:/youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks/ 👉🏽 Find our community of women 40+ on socialshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/secondactwomenhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/secondactwomen/https://www.instagram.com/secondactwomen

    59 min

  5. JAN 9

    Getting off Social. Stop the Doom Scrolling

    Barbara Brooks and Debbie Scheer talk about why more women in midlife are choosing to step back from social media and how taking a break can be a powerful, intentional move for mental health, focus, and real-world connection. They also share the behind-the-scenes tools that make it easier to stay visible without being glued to your phone, including how they use Metricool and Buffer to plan and schedule content in advance. Because sometimes the smartest way to show up is by stepping away. If you have been craving quieter mornings, fewer algorithms, and more space to think, this conversation is for you. TOOLS MENTIONEDMetricool for planning and scheduling contenthttps://metricool.com Buffer for scheduling posts across platformshttps://buffer.com

    41 min

  6. JAN 5

    5 Generations Working Today. Having an Issue?

    You can work among the others. Who are the others? The generational divide! Here's a few tips on how to work across the gens. =================================== The House of Middlescence is your 80s mix tape for BoomingGenXMillennial women rewriting the rules and doing life their way. One track is career pivots. Another is life at 40+. The next is age bias, identity, or culture. It is a talk show meets real life, built for women in their real prime. =================================== Get in touch with me at barbara@bloomcopresents.com or learn how you can book me to speak at www.barbarabrooks.com. 📧 Get on my Living Agefully monthly newsletter at secondactwomen.com 📢 Find me on socials: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks⁠ https:/.linkedin.com/in/barbaralbrooks/ https://instagram.com/barbarabrooksspeakshttps://www.facebook.com/barbarabrooksspeaks/https:/youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks/ 👉🏽 Find our community of women 40+ on socialshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/secondactwomenhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/secondactwomen/https://www.instagram.com/secondactwomen

    10 min

  7. JAN 3

    You Think You Know but You Don't. Caregiving Crisis with Sara Shueneman and Nadine Cornish

    Nearly 42% of caregivers in the U.S. are women over the age of 50. Most provide twenty or more hours of care each week, on top of their jobs and families, and most do so unpaid. Today, we bring together two women who understand both sides of the story. AARP Colorado State Director Sara Shueneman brings the policy and statewide lens. Author and caregiver coach Nadine Roberts Cornish brings the lived experience, the truth, and the tools. Together, we break down the reality of caregiving today and what needs to change to support families across Colorado. =================================== The House of Middlescence is your 80s mix tape for BoomingGenXMillennial women rewriting the rules and doing life their way. One track is career pivots. Another is life at 40+. The next is age bias, identity, or culture. It is a talk show meets real life, built for women in their real prime. =================================== Get in touch with me at barbara@bloomcopresents.com or learn how you can book me to speak at www.barbarabrooks.com. 📧 Get on my Living Agefully monthly newsletter at secondactwomen.com 📢 Find me on socials: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks⁠ https:/.linkedin.com/in/barbaralbrooks/ https://instagram.com/barbarabrooksspeakshttps://www.facebook.com/barbarabrooksspeaks/https:/youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks/ 👉🏽 Find our community of women 40+ on socialshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/secondactwomenhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/secondactwomen/https://www.instagram.com/secondactwomen

    50 min

  8. JAN 3

    We're Going Invisible. But We Have the Power

    Just a little bit about the value of us fifty-plussers to get you through the week. =================================== The House of Middlescence is your 80s mix tape for BoomingGenXMillennial women rewriting the rules and doing life their way. One track is career pivots. Another is life at 40+. The next is age bias, identity, or culture. It is a talk show meets real life, built for women in their real prime. =================================== Get in touch with me at barbara@bloomcopresents.com or learn how you can book me to speak at www.barbarabrooks.com. 📧 Get on my Living Agefully monthly newsletter at secondactwomen.com 📢 Find me on socials: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks⁠ https:/.linkedin.com/in/barbaralbrooks/ https://instagram.com/barbarabrooksspeakshttps://www.facebook.com/barbarabrooksspeaks/https:/youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks/ 👉🏽 Find our community of women 40+ on socialshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/secondactwomenhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/secondactwomen/https://www.instagram.com/secondactwomen

    15 min

  9. 12/31/2025

    ADHD Diagnosis at 50 & Things We Wish We Knew with Sarah Blake

    We're going there. Like many of us, ADHD didn't sneak up on me, but the diagnosis did. ADHD coach Sarah Blake and I are talking about i,t and she's giving us more than a few truth bombs AND things we wish we knew that could help. Diagnosed in her late 20s, her story is a good one. =================================== The House of Middlescence is your 80s mix tape for BoomingGenXMillennial women rewriting the rules and doing life their way. One track is career pivots. Another is life at 40+. The next is age bias, identity, or culture. It is a talk show meets real life, built for women in their real prime. =================================== Get in touch with me at barbara@bloomcopresents.com or learn how you can book me to speak at www.barbarabrooks.com. 📧 Get on my Living Agefully monthly newsletter at secondactwomen.com 📢 Find me on socials: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks⁠ https:/.linkedin.com/in/barbaralbrooks/ https://instagram.com/barbarabrooksspeakshttps://www.facebook.com/barbarabrooksspeaks/https:/youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks/ 👉🏽 Find our community of women 40+ on socialshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/secondactwomenhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/secondactwomen/https://www.instagram.com/secondactwomen

    53 min
  10. The State of Jobs After 40, What’s Working, What’s Changing with Andrew Hudson

    12/15/2025

    The State of Jobs After 40, What’s Working, What’s Changing with Andrew Hudson

    Getting hired after 40 is hard. Career expert and founder of the Andrew Hudson Jobs List and I get real about how the job market has changed for people over 40, what employers are looking for now, and the myths job seekers need to toss out once and for all to land the interview -- and the job. We talk about the rise of midlife job seekers, age bias theystill face, what companies are doing right, and why networking and visibility matter more than ever. Andrew also shares the story behind the list, how it blew up, and what he sees coming next in the hiring world. If you are on the hunt for a new opportunity or simply wantto understand the landscape we are all navigating, this conversation will help you see the market through a smarter lens. =================================== The House of Middlescence is your 80s mix tape for BoomingGenXMillennial women rewriting the rules and doing life their way. One track is career pivots. Another is life at 40+. The next is age bias, identity, or culture. It is a talk show meets real life, built for women in their real prime. =================================== Get in touch with me at barbara@bloomcopresents.com or learn how you can book me to speak at www.barbarabrooks.com. 📧 Get on my Living Agefully monthly newsletter at secondactwomen.com 📢 Find me on socials: https://www.youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks https:/.linkedin.com/in/barbaralbrooks/ https://instagram.com/barbarabrooksspeakshttps://www.facebook.com/barbarabrooksspeaks/https:/youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks/ 👉🏽 Find our community of women 40+ on socialshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/secondactwomenhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/secondactwomen/https://www.instagram.com/secondactwomen

    43 min
  11. Managing Holiday Stress Solo After 40: Your Ultimate Guide with Sarah Senst

    12/10/2025

    Managing Holiday Stress Solo After 40: Your Ultimate Guide with Sarah Senst

    The holidays hit differently when you live solo after 40. Some women feel relief. Others feel pressure from family, traditions, or the world’s obsession with “coupling.” And for many, there is a mix of loneliness, stress, and “I should feel happier than this, it’s the holidays.” In this fireside, I sit down with licensed therapist Sarah Senst to unpack the mental and emotional load of the season. We get into why the holidays can be a trigger, why single women (especially if you’re over 40) feel judged, how family expectations create pressure, and what to do when your mood drops instead of lifting, no matter how many Hallmark movies you watch. Find Sarah Senst at sarahsenst.com TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Holiday pressure and being single during Hallmark season 02:16 Welcome to the House of Middlelescence and why this topic matters 03:58 Prime example Christmas morning brunch with yourself 06:11 The bigger picture kinless grief and holiday stress stats 11:29 Meet Sarah Sense solo ager therapist and her reinvention story 13:36 Why the holidays trigger emotions and how joy and sadness can coexist 17:00 Boundaries with family micro boundaries and estrangement talk 20:36 The myth that being partnered fixes the holidays 23:39 Therapist toolkit boundaries mindset shifts and holiday minimums 26:53 When it is more than the holiday blues and where to get help 34:37 Powerful practices new traditions and the letter from your older self 36:43 Holiday hot seat spending it alone and handling why are you still single 39:30 Closing return on experience tip and final remix sendoff Get on my Living Agefully monthly newsletter at secondactwomen.com 📢 Find me on socials: https://www.youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks https:/.linkedin.com/in/barbaralbrooks https://instagram.com/barbarabrooksspeakshttps://www.facebook.com/barbarabrooksspeakshttps:/youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks 👉🏽 Find My Community of Women 40+ on socialshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/secondactwomenhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/secondactwomen/https://www.instagram.com/secondactwomen

    41 min

  12. 12/07/2025

    Solopreneur Loneliness with Tasha Jones. It's a Big Deal

    This isn’t a talk about business strategy, it’s about what happens between the strategy calls. Barbara Brooks and Tasha Jones get candid about the hidden side of entrepreneurship: the loneliness, self-doubt, and moments when the grind feels heavier than the purpose. When Barbara texted to cancel coffee because she was “busy,” but really in a funk Tasha didn’t text back. She called. And that one simple act sparked this conversation about honesty, leadership, and why even the most capable women sometimes need someone to just listen. Tasha isn’t a life coach. She’s a builder of a public-private partnership collaborator, an inclusive brand strategist, a marketing consultant, and an executive leadership coach who knows what it’s like to go from corporate to self-made. Together, we’re unpacking the emotional cost of entrepreneurship, the shifting landscape, and the power of showing up for each other — regardless of how long you’ve known one another. (They officially met last year, and here they are. Standing by each other today) =================================== The House of Middlescence is your 80s mix tape for BoomingGenXMillennial women rewriting the rules and doing life their way. One track is career pivots. Another is life at 40+. The next is age bias, identity, or culture. It is a talk show meets real life, built for women in their real prime. =================================== Get in touch with me at barbara@bloomcopresents.com or learn how you can book me to speak at www.barbarabrooks.com. 📧 Get on my Living Agefully monthly newsletter at secondactwomen.com 📢 Find me on socials: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks⁠ https:/.linkedin.com/in/barbaralbrooks/ https://instagram.com/barbarabrooksspeakshttps://www.facebook.com/barbarabrooksspeaks/https:/youtube.com/@BarbaraBrooks/ 👉🏽 Find our community of women 40+ on socialshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/secondactwomenhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/secondactwomen/https://www.instagram.com/secondactwomen

    43 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The House of Middlescence is a weekly conversation about life, business, culture, and relevance in the second half. Hosted by keynote speaker and SecondActWomen founder Barbara Brooks, the show explores how experienced women continue to grow, adapt, and stay visible. From career pivots and entrepreneurship to generational collaboration and cultural headlines, each episode translates lived experience into real world leverage. Experience is not a liability. It is leverage. Find Barbara at Barbara@BloomCoPresents.com and at barbarabrooks.com or secondactwomen.com.

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