School of Midlife

174. Who Am I Now? The Silent Identity Crisis of Midlife Women During Graduation Season

The guilt that so many midlife women feel during graduation season It is officially graduation season! Across the country, high-achieving women are hosting big open houses, packing up dorm rooms, and celebrating incredible milestones. But beneath the festive surface and the proud smiles, many mothers are quietly navigating a profound, silent struggle: the bittersweet realization that their kids are moving on, and they are being left behind. In this deeply empathetic episode, Laurie Reynoldson shines a light on the hidden identity shift that graduation season triggers. When your primary job for the last 18 to 25 years has been mothering on a 24/7 basis, what happens to your sense of self-worth when those small humans no longer depend on you for their daily survival? This episode is a gentle permission slip to stop suffering in silence, acknowledge the grief of an ending chapter, and start looking at midlife not as a crisis, but as a beautiful, much-needed reset. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The Motherhood Paradox: The ultimate goal of parenting is to raise a human who doesn’t need you anymore—but actually reaching that milestone can leave you feeling completely untethered. * The "Grown and Flown" Reality Check: Why it’s normal to feel an overwhelming mix of intense excitement for your child and deep anxiety about the blank canvas of your own future. * The Pancake Marriage Concept: A candid look at the transitions of midlife relationships, why we settle, and why your tastes in partnerships change as you mature. * Redefining Midlife as a Season: Why midlife isn't a chronological number; it is a psychological phase that can trigger in your 30s when the choices of your 18-year-old self no longer fit the woman you are today. * Stepping Into Phase Two: How to transition into the next phase of motherhood without guilt, putting your own wild and precious dreams front and center. The Big Takeaway: You’ve spent decades doing the heavy lifting of keeping small humans alive. They are successfully launched. Now, it’s your turn to figure out who you are when you aren't first and foremost someone's mother. This second half of your life matters just as much. Special Announcement: The BEST LIFE™ Mastermind If you are standing on the precipice of this massive identity shift and wondering "What's next for me?", you do not have to figure it out alone. This September, Laurie is launching the BEST LIFE Mastermind, a nine-month personal leadership experience for high-achieving women ready to launch their own next chapter. * Intimate Community: Capped at just 10 women to serve as your personal board of directors. * Two In-Person Luxury Retreats: Immersive, soul-searching getaways in Sun Valley (September) and Arizona (February) to cast your vision and anchor your goals. * Continuous Structural Support: Monthly group hot-seat coaching sessions to keep you on the course you set for yourself when daily life tries to pull you back into old routines. * Applications Open June 1st: The waitlist is active now and waitlist members receive first-priority access. Get on the waitlist! [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/mastermind-list] 📩 JOIN MY MAILING LIST [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/the-weekly-best-life-list-sign-u] https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/newsletter [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/newsletter] 👉 CONNECT WITH LAURIE: 📩  Email Laurie [ laurie@schoolofmidlife.com] 💻 Website [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com] On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/schoolofmidlife/] On LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-reynoldson-b28b921a/] Work with Laurie [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/enroll]

173. The Vacation Guilt Trap: Why High-Achieving Women Are Afraid to Pause

Have you ever noticed how we almost work twice as hard to get ready to leave for vacation? We pack our schedules with an endless to-do list, run ourselves ragged, and then carry the office right along with us in our pockets. In this rejuvenating episode, Laurie Reynoldson shares her reflections after returning from a completely offline, computer-closed "ass-sitting vacation" on a tropical beach. She explores the immense pressure high-achieving women place on themselves to remain constantly available, and why sacrificing our personal time to make others comfortable is a losing game. This episode is a masterclass in learning how to set boundaries, separate "trips" from true "vacations," and protect your life's most valuable asset: you. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The Pre-Vacation Trap: A look into Parkinson's Law and why we create massive 45-item to-do lists just to earn a few days away. * The Power in the Pause: The mental and creative breakthroughs that only happen when you step entirely away from technology and the daily hustle. * The Broken Client Boundary: Laurie shares a cautionary tale from her law firm days about the ridiculous extremes professionals go to hide the fact that they are taking time off. * Trips vs. Vacations: Why dynamic European itineraries are wonderful, but why you still need an absolute "do-nothing" reset on the calendar. * The Living Legacy: How prioritizing your own rest and dreams sets a critical behavioral example for your daughters and your sons. The Big Takeaway: You cannot run yourself ragged and expect to have sustainable energy for your life's work. If you don’t protect the asset, the asset won't be able to do the big things you are dreaming about. LINKS + MENTIONS: * The Best Life Planner [https://schoolofmidlife.com/planner]: Implement the daily "Morning 5-10-5" system Laurie used on the beach to ground her day in gratitude and vision. * Essentialism by Greg McKeown [https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137404/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KXJD01M9TERC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FWn-i6EEIxOCcEFv1Z3O8muStzfchnyIq6iHV1_wVlwva91OxIlDAQuhD_EpSzt4KRUuWdOoeVtheQkj12xsip-pbh6eJK3XHOj7HFgzuhBuCKf3-3Njebqh0bX_IT8ssueSXIZpwtIoPOHDr_nBlCe066WuNbHpCAQC9hv1Qqv3HxER98R8Jt0MDqW72ScBld1NCn2FAcgNfW4Gp-ZmXR8DOeZlPfCTARt5g4-Z57Y.huHyuzkYj0PlcD3SjRXsV0hsLj7eZghqJuUhMG2f8zU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Essentialism&qid=1779147525&sprefix=essentialism%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1]: The book behind the philosophy of "protecting the asset". * The Best Life Mastermind [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/mastermind-list]: Ready to get out of your everyday environment so you can focus on your life? Join the waitlist for the exclusive 9-month cohort starting this September. * Support the Show: If you enjoyed this reminder to rest, please follow the show, leave a five-star rating, and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! 📩 JOIN MY MAILING LIST [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/the-weekly-best-life-list-sign-u] https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/newsletter [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/newsletter] 👉 CONNECT WITH LAURIE: 📩  Email Laurie [ laurie@schoolofmidlife.com] 💻 Website [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com] On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/schoolofmidlife/] On LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-reynoldson-b28b921a/] Work with Laurie [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/enroll]

172. Bravery in the Pivot: An Honest Conversation with Annie Tevelin About Next Chapters, Personal Sovereignty, and Choosing Purpose over Pressure

What happens when a successful business owner makes a bold decision to change, but the community she serves isn't ready to let go? In this raw and deeply cathartic conversation, Laurie Reynoldson welcomes back Annie Tevelin, founder of Skin Owl, Daybreak Colour, and Gem Jolie. Annie recently announced the closure of her brick-and-mortar Skin Owl store in Boise, Idaho—a decision made from a place of vision and growth. However, the public reaction was a shock: ranging from invasive harassment to wild speculations about her health and finances. This episode explores the "underbelly" of being a public-facing entrepreneur and the incredible bravery required to stay sovereign in your choices when others project their fears onto your progress. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The "Entrepreneur Marathon": Why building a business is less about the product and more about the personal development journey that builds the founder. * The "Mean Girl" Underbelly of Success: How a lack of certainty in the public can lead to harmful speculation and why women must allow other women to be malleable in their lives. * The Concept of Sovereignty: Annie shares why her new focus is on "complete authority and independence" over her choices, even if those choices aren't understood by the majority. * Skin Owl 2.0: A sneak peek into why the next iteration of the brand will be better for both the founder and the community. * Living a Fluid Life: From gaining UK citizenship to dreaming of summers in London, Annie and Laurie discuss why staying open to new "chapters" is the ultimate privilege of midlife. "It is not my job to live at the length of your ceiling." — Annie Tevelin  Episode Resources & Links * Skin Owl [https://www.skinowl.com/]: Follow the journey into the new space. * Gem Jolie [https://gemjolie.com/]: Salad delivery sourced from Idaho farms. * Daybreak Colour [https://www.theboisecolourlab.com/]: Boise's premiere color analysis experience * Sable International [https://www.sableinternational.com/]: The firm Annie used for her UK citizenship process.  * The BEST LIFE Mastermind [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/mastermind-list]: Join the waitlist for this nine-month personal leadership experience.  📩 JOIN MY MAILING LIST [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/the-weekly-best-life-list-sign-u] https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/newsletter [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/newsletter] 👉 CONNECT WITH LAURIE: 📩  Email Laurie [ laurie@schoolofmidlife.com] 💻 Website [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com] On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/schoolofmidlife/] On LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-reynoldson-b28b921a/] Work with Laurie [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/enroll]

171. Stop Choosing! Why Executive Coaching Is Failing High-Achieving Women

The coaching industry has failed high-achieving women. It's time to change that. Have you ever felt like you’re living a double life? Like the "badass" CEO or high-performer at the office has to shape-shift into a completely different person the moment she pulls into her garage? In this breakthrough episode, Laurie Reynoldson reveals why the coaching industry has done high-achieving women a massive disservice by forcing them to choose between "Executive Coaching" and "Life Coaching". Laurie shares how she finally "cracked the code" on why so many successful women still feel burned out and disconnected: you cannot separate the leader from the life she is living. This week is all about the launch of a new umbrella of growth: Personal Leadership Development. It’s time to stop compartmentalizing your soul and start leading yourself with the same clarity and conviction you bring to everyone else. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The "One Identity" Truth: Why trying to be two different people at home and at work is the primary driver of midlife burnout. * The Myers-Briggs Fallacy: Why up to 75% of personality test results may be skewed by your "conditioned" work mind rather than your authentic self. * Masculine vs. Feminine Energy: How to marry the logical, "fix-it" masculine energy required for business with the intuitive, creative feminine energy your soul is yearning for. * The Midlife "Crisis" Reframe: Why this season isn't a crisis, but a natural point of friction when your 20-year-old self’s decisions no longer fit the woman you are today. * The Founding of the Mastermind: How Laurie’s new 9-month leadership experience bridges the gap between professional excellence and personal fulfillment. Special Announcement: The Best Life Mastermind Laurie is officially inviting founding members to the Best Life Mastermind, a nine-month personal leadership experience for women who are done waiting and ready to lead their whole life. * Limited to 10 Women: An intimate "personal board of directors". * Two Luxury Retreats: Sun Valley in September and Arizona in February. * Ongoing Support: Monthly coaching calls and a private community away from the noise of social media. * Join the Waitlist: Get first access before applications open to the public on June 1st. * Link: schoolofmidlife.com/mastermind-link [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/mastermind-list] 📩 JOIN MY MAILING LIST [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/the-weekly-best-life-list-sign-u] https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/newsletter [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/newsletter] 👉 CONNECT WITH LAURIE: 📩  Email Laurie [ laurie@schoolofmidlife.com] 💻 Website [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com] On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/schoolofmidlife/] On LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-reynoldson-b28b921a/] Work with Laurie [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/enroll]

170. The Post-Retreat Hangover: Why Your New Life Disappears on Monday (and What to Do Instead)

Cracking the Code on Post-Retreat Momentum Have you ever returned from an incredible vacation or a work conference feeling completely inspired, only to have that "glow" evaporate the moment you hit the reality of traffic, laundry, and a jam-packed calendar? In this episode, Laurie Reynoldson gets raw about a "bananas" week that served as a major wake-up call.  Laurie explores the common trap of the "retreat high" and why three and a half days—no matter how magical—isn't enough to rewire decades of habits when life starts "lifeing" the moment you get home. She reveals her newly "cracked code" for maintaining profound change: a framework that marries the deep work of a retreat with ongoing, high-level support.  In this episode, you’ll learn: * The Post-Retreat Reality Check: Why your new dreams can’t mature in a single weekend without a bridge back to your everyday life.  * The "Personal Board of Directors": How a small, trusted cohort of peers acts as a safety net when you’re tempted to slide back into your old "reaction mode."  * Retreat 1.0 vs. 2.0: The difference between "Vision Casting" (who am I now?) and "Shore-Up Tools" (boundaries, limiting beliefs, and human design).  * The Nine-Month "Birth": Why a school-term-length container is the secret to "birthing" a completely new version of yourself.  * Personal Leadership Development: Moving beyond just "work skills" to a global umbrella that integrates your career success with your life’s fulfillment.  Special Announcement: The Best Life Mastermind Laurie is officially introducing a nine-month, intimate leadership experience launching this September.  Limited to just 10 women, this "personal board of directors" includes: * Two In-Person Retreats: Kicking off in Sun Valley and regrouping at the Civana Wellness Resort in Arizona.  * Monthly Support & Coaching: Consistent touchpoints to solve real-time issues and celebrate breakthroughs.  * No-Asshole Policy: A curated, safe space where every woman is seen and supported.  Get on the Waitlist: Waitlist members get first access to apply and a private preview call before applications open to the public on June 1st.  * Link: schoolofmidlife.com/mastermind-list [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/mastermind-list]  📩 JOIN MY MAILING LIST [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/the-weekly-best-life-list-sign-u] https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/newsletter [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/newsletter] 👉 CONNECT WITH LAURIE: 📩  Email Laurie [ laurie@schoolofmidlife.com] 💻 Website [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com] On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/schoolofmidlife/] On LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-reynoldson-b28b921a/] Work with Laurie [https://www.schoolofmidlife.com/enroll]