Your 2nd Act

Michelle Parsonage
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Welcome to Your 2nd Act podcast - where we celebrate the power and beauty of women in their middle years. Join me each fortnight as I chat to inspiring women from all walks of life, sharing their stories, insights, and hard-earned wisdom. Together, we'll explore the limitless possibilities of your next chapter and trust me, the curtain has just risen on your most exciting act yet.

  1. MIDLIFE DIVORCE: MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS.

    9H AGO

    MIDLIFE DIVORCE: MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS.

    Send us Fan Mail MIDLIFE DIVORCE: MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS. Separation in midlife is something many women don’t see coming… until they’re in it. Julie knows that feeling all too well. After going through a difficult divorce, Julie found herself navigating not only the emotional side of separation but also the financial decisions that come with it, at a time when everything already feels overwhelming. Even with a background in accounting, it wasn’t as straightforward as she expected. How many midlife women find themselves in that position, trying to process what’s happening, while also being expected to make clear, confident decisions that will impact the rest of their lives? In this episode, Julie shares her experience of midlife divorce, what she learnt through that time, and how it ultimately led her to her 2nd Act, supporting women through the financial side of separation, helping them feel more informed, more confident, and less alone when making important decisions. In this episode: Trying to make financial decisions while you’re emotionally overwhelmedWhy even women who are “good with money” can struggle during separationThe pressure to hold everything together when inside you feel anything butWhy having the right support around you can change everythingThe shift that starts to happen when you begin to find your footing againWhat life can look like on the other side of separation One small step to try today: If you’re going through a difficult time, remember, you don’t have to do it on your own. There are people like Julie who can support you through it, even when it feels overwhelming to reach out. Resources & Links: Connect with Julie Garis: Simple Split Financials If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Reach out anytime at michelle@your2ndact.com. If you enjoyed this chat, please consider leaving a 5 ⭐ rating or a short review. Your words might be exactly what another woman needs to hear today. Stay connected: •📺 Watch on  YouTube • 📲 Follow on Instagram • 💬 Join the private Facebook group Until next time, take care of you… Michelle ❤️

    34 min
  2. My Women’s Event Sold Out! What This Month Taught Me About Growth & Showing Up!

    MAR 31

    My Women’s Event Sold Out! What This Month Taught Me About Growth & Showing Up!

    Send us Fan Mail My Women’s Event Sold Out! What This Month Taught Me About Growth & Showing Up! In this solo episode, Michelle reflects on a month that made her stop and take it all in. Three years ago, this was just an idea. Now she has hosted a sold out women’s event, something she never imagined would be possible, and it has shifted how she sees herself and what she is capable of. She shares how saying yes to opportunities, even when they feel uncomfortable, is helping her grow in ways she did not expect. She also opens up about giving herself the space to pause at a women’s wellness retreat, and how taking that time out left her feeling recharged, grounded and ready to keep going. In this episode: • Why putting yourself in the right rooms can quietly change how you see your life • The power of stepping away and giving yourself permission to pause • How small decisions can start to build real confidence and momentum One small step to try today: Keep backing yourself, even if it feels uncomfortable. Choose one small thing you have been putting off and take the first step today. You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin. Resources and Links: If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Reach out anytime at michelle@your2ndact.com. If you enjoyed this chat, please consider leaving a 5 ⭐ rating or a short review. Your words might be exactly what another woman needs to hear today. Stay connected: •📺 Watch on  YouTube • 📲 Follow on Instagram • 💬 Join the private Facebook group Until next time, take care of you… Michelle ❤️

    17 min
  3. STARTING OVER AT 55: THE CAMINO, SOLO TRAVEL AND FINDING LOVE

    MAR 16

    STARTING OVER AT 55: THE CAMINO, SOLO TRAVEL AND FINDING LOVE

    Send us Fan Mail STARTING OVER AT 55: THE CAMINO, SOLO TRAVEL AND FINDING LOVE At 55, Jennifer decided to start over by travelling solo and walking the Camino de Santiago, a decision that would eventually lead her to fall in love and build a completely new life in Spain. How many of us daydream about what life might look like if we took a chance on ourselves? With her children grown and life feeling settled from the outside, Jennifer felt a quiet nudge that something more was waiting for her. Instead of ignoring it, she packed up her life in Australia and set off to travel on her own. What began as a journey to walk the Camino soon turned into something far bigger than she ever imagined. In this episode:  The moment Jennifer realised something in her life needed to change What gave her the courage to travel solo at 55 Why walking the Camino de Santiago became such a powerful turning point What solo travel teaches you about confidence and trusting yourself The unexpected moments that changed the direction of her life How Jennifer ended up building a new life in Spain and guiding other women on the Camino One small step to try today: If there’s something you keep daydreaming about, write it down. Then ask yourself: What would one small step towards that look like today? Resources & Links: Learn more about Jennifer’s Camino journeys through Crossroads Travel. If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Reach out anytime at michelle@your2ndact.com. If you enjoyed this chat, please consider leaving a 5 ⭐ rating or a short review. Your words might be exactly what another woman needs to hear today. Stay connected: •📺 Watch on  YouTube • 📲 Follow on Instagram • 💬 Join the private Facebook group Until next time, take care of you… Michelle ❤️

    58 min
  4. Choosing Yourself: Trusting Your Intuition in Midlife

    MAR 2

    Choosing Yourself: Trusting Your Intuition in Midlife

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when life forces you to stop, listen, and truly trust yourself? In this episode, Michelle chats with Sophie Bretag, whose life took a dramatic turn after a cancer diagnosis and lifesaving surgery. Sophie shares how learning to trust her intuition became central to her healing, her decision-making, and how she now lives her life. From turning 40 and questioning old expectations, to setting boundaries and choosing herself during one of the hardest seasons of her life, this conversation is a powerful reminder that midlife can be a turning point, not an ending. This episode explores what it really means to listen to your inner knowing, especially for women who have spent years putting everyone else first. You’ll hear: Why turning 40 was a pivotal moment for SophieHow intuition played a vital role in her health journeyWhy choosing yourself can feel uncomfortable and even lonelyThe importance of boundaries for midlife womenHow to reconnect with what lights you upWhy it’s never too late to realign your lifeIf you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or quietly questioning what’s next, this conversation will gently encourage you to pause, listen inward, and trust yourself. Resources & Links: If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Reach out anytime at michelle@your2ndact.com. If you enjoyed this chat, please consider leaving a 5 ⭐ rating or a short review. Your words might be exactly what another woman needs to hear today. Stay connected: •📺 Watch on  YouTube • 📲 Follow on Instagram • 💬 Join the private Facebook group Until next time, take care of you… Michelle ❤️

    41 min
  5. THE YEAR I CHOSE ME: WHY SELFISH IS THE NEW FREEDOM

    FEB 16

    THE YEAR I CHOSE ME: WHY SELFISH IS THE NEW FREEDOM

    Send us Fan Mail THE YEAR I CHOSE ME: WHY SELFISH IS THE NEW FREEDOM If you're a woman over 50 feeling stuck, invisible, or exhausted from putting everyone else first, this episode is for you.  Today we explore midlife reinvention, starting over at 50, and why choosing yourself isn’t selfish,  it’s freedom. In this episode of Your 2nd Act, Valerie shares how a bold “Selfish Year” at 51 transformed her identity, relationships, and confidence from the inside out. What happens when you finally ask, “What about me?” At 51, Valerie set a daring experiment: a year of being “selfish.” The result? A life rebuilt from the inside out. In this episode, we discuss:  • The “sofa moment” that flipped the switch from stuck to start  • Red flags we ignore, and why we do it  • The fears women whisper (money, age, starting over) and how Valerie moved through them  • What a Selfish Year actually looks like day-to-day (boundaries, micro-steps, radical self-honesty)  • Journaling as a truth tool: how to spot your own patterns and stop gaslighting yourself  • De-centering men, re-centering you, and why many women feel freer single  • The transformation: identity, body, work, friendships, what changed and what stayed One small step to try today:  Grab a journal. Write for 5 minutes on: “If I chose me today, what would I do?” Then do one tiny thing from the page. Resources & Links Connect with Valerie: The Selfish Year: The Power of Putting Yourself First (new book), plus her podcast The Selfish Woman. If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Reach out anytime at michelle@your2ndact.com. If you enjoyed this chat, please consider leaving a 5 ⭐ rating or a short review. Your words might be exactly what another woman needs to hear today. Stay connected: •📺 Watch on  YouTube • 📲 Follow on Instagram • 💬 Join the private Facebook group Until next time, take care of you… Michelle ❤️ midlife women, women over 50, female empowerment, starting over at 50, self worth

    42 min
  6. Perimenopause, Menopause, HRT… why does it all still feel so confusing? Even when you’re living it.

    FEB 2

    Perimenopause, Menopause, HRT… why does it all still feel so confusing? Even when you’re living it.

    Send us Fan Mail Perimenopause, Menopause, HRT… why does it all still feel so confusing? Even when you’re living it. In this episode, Michelle Parsonage admits what so many women are quietly thinking: she’s listened to the experts, read the articles, followed the conversations, and still finds herself wondering what perimenopause, menopause and HRT actually mean for her now. So instead of adding to the noise, this conversation goes BACK TO BASICS! Michelle is joined by Sarah Gray, a health professional in pharmacy and nutrition, and a certified menopause practitioner, who explains perimenopause, menopause and hormone therapy in a practical, make-it-make-sense way. No hype. No overwhelm. Just clear answers to the questions women often feel embarrassed to ask. This episode is for women who want clarity, not confusion. You’ll hear: Perimenopause vs menopause vs post-menopause - what the difference actually is Common perimenopause and menopause symptoms women often miss How early perimenopause can start (and why it looks different for everyone) When to see a doctor - and why waiting it out isn’t helpful Testosterone for women: what it does and why it matters What HRT (hormone replacement therapy) really is - and what it’s used for Bio-identical hormones explained in plain English The pill vs HRT - why some women are prescribed the pill during perimenopause How to find menopause-trained doctors and practitioners in Australia Resources & Links: Sarah Gray’s book: It’s Not You, It’s Perimenopause Follow Sarah on Instagram: Find a menopause-trained practitioner (Australia): Australasian Menopause Society  Menopause info & symptom checklists: Jean Hailes for Women’s Health Mental health support (Australia): ask your GP about a Mental Health Treatment Plan (rebated psychology sessions) 💬 Listener feedback If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Reach out anytime at michelle@your2ndact.com. If you enjoyed this episode, a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating or short review really helps more women find the podcast, and your words might be exactly what someone else needs to hear. Stay connected: •📺 Watch on  YouTube • 📲 Follow on Instagram • 💬 Join the private Facebook group Until next time, take care of you… Michelle ❤️

    50 min
  7. Your 2nd Act & AIO Wellness present - THE REBOOT

    JAN 19

    Your 2nd Act & AIO Wellness present - THE REBOOT

    Send us Fan Mail Your 2nd Act & AIO Wellness present - THE REBOOT This year, Michelle has made ‘collaboration’ a key focus, working alongside like-minded women to create meaningful conversations and experiences. In today’s episode, she’s joined by Rebecca Kaye from AIO Wellness, with whom she’s co-hosting a women’s event called The Reboot in Sydney, Australia. Michelle and Rebecca share why they felt called to create this event and why women’s stories are such a powerful source of inspiration. The Reboot is designed to bring women together through real, relatable stories, meaningful connection and community, and features a lineup of inspiring women who’ll be sharing their journeys on the panel. You’ll hear: What the event is all about and what women can expect on the day The lineup of inspirational women on the panel                       Why collaboration has become such an important focus this yearWhy shared stories can spark inspiration and courage Resources & Links: Come on your own or grab a friend and join us for a lovely afternoon on the harbour. The Reboot 📅 7 March 2026 | Rose Bay, Sydney 🎟 Click HERE for full event details and ticket purchases. Follow Rebecca on INSTAGRAM to learn more about her inspiring work. If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Reach out anytime at michelle@your2ndact.com. If you enjoyed this chat, please consider leaving a 5 ⭐ rating or a short review. Your words might be exactly what another woman needs to hear today. Stay connected: •📺 Watch on  YouTube • 📲 Follow on Instagram • 💬 Join the private Facebook group Until next time, take care of you… Michelle ❤️

    19 min
  8. FROM SCHOOL PICK-UP TO SUPER YACHTS: THE MIDLIFE DJ DUO

    JAN 5

    FROM SCHOOL PICK-UP TO SUPER YACHTS: THE MIDLIFE DJ DUO

    Send us Fan Mail FROM SCHOOL PICK-UP TO SUPER YACHTS: THE MIDLIFE DJ DUO School mums by day, DJ duo by night… In this episode, Michelle chat’s with Bri and Sarah from BSide DJs, two friends who decided midlife was the perfect moment to revive a dream they left behind in their 20s. Between running their marketing agency and raising kids, they’ve carved out a whole new creative chapter, one that now sees them DJing on rooftops, super yachts and even for Steve Jobs’son. We talk about reinvention, courage, friendship, and saying “why not?” when midlife whispers “too late.” You’ll hear:  Why midlife is the perfect time to try something new How a tiny spark turned into a thriving DJ business What DJing taught them about creativity and confidence Why friendship is their secret weapon Their biggest “pinch me” moments Advice for any woman sitting on a dream she’s scared to startIf you’ve ever thought I wish I’d done that, this episode is your sign: midlife is exactly the time to begin! Resources & Links: You can keep up with Bri and Sarah on Instagram, and if you’re hosting a party or event, they’re absolutely the duo you want behind the decks. If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Reach out anytime at michelle@your2ndact.com. If you enjoyed this chat, please consider leaving a 5 ⭐ rating or a short review. Your words might be exactly what another woman needs to hear today. Stay connected: • 📺 Watch on  YouTube • 📲 Follow on Instagram • 💬 Join the private Facebook group Until next time, take care of you… Michelle ❤️

    46 min
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About

Welcome to Your 2nd Act podcast - where we celebrate the power and beauty of women in their middle years. Join me each fortnight as I chat to inspiring women from all walks of life, sharing their stories, insights, and hard-earned wisdom. Together, we'll explore the limitless possibilities of your next chapter and trust me, the curtain has just risen on your most exciting act yet.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Parsonage
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Your 2nd Act
  • Show Website
    Your 2nd Act

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