Flourish After Fifty

16. Starting Stand‑Up After Fifty: Mandy Scotney Goes All In

Earlier this year, I sat in the audience at a women’s comedy line‑up and realised something confronting: I didn’t see myself anywhere on that stage, and I left wondering, “Where are all the comedians over 50?” So I went searching and came across new comedian, academic and “hobby hard” enthusiast Mandy Scotney. In this episode, I talk with Mandy about how she found her way into stand‑up in her mid‑50s, reclaimed her childhood dream of being on stage, and began turning stories she once felt ashamed of into material that lands powerfully with audiences. She shares her journey to being selected for the Sydney Comedy Festival’s Fresh program with her debut show “Married For Six Weeks”, all while juggling a PhD and work in mental health and business. Underneath the laughs, this is a conversation about visibility, ageism and refusing to shrink as you grow older. It’s about deciding that you’re not “too old,” that your voice matters, and that joy, curiosity and self‑expression are valid reasons to try something bold, whether or not it ever becomes a career. Also covered: * What it really takes to start something completely new in your mid‑50s—and why joy is a good enough reason to begin * How Mandy thinks about “hard hobbies” and why doing things for love, not outcomes, can change how we approach this stage of life * The realities of late‑night open mics, tough crowds and learning to fail in public without letting perfectionism take over * Turning a six‑week marriage and other painful stories into comedy that connects deeply with audiences and helps others feel less alone * Why visibility for women over fifty matters, how ageism shows up, and what it means to refuse to shrink as you grow older Keywords Women over 50, comedy, life transitions, storytelling, representation, curiosity, resilience, personal growth, mental health, new adventures Guest: Mandy Scotney Web - www.mandyscotney.com [http://www.mandyscotney.com/] Instagram - @mandy_scotney Email - mandy@mandyscotney.com [mandy@mandyscotney.com] A message from me: I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us [https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us] Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter [http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter]

15. Bambi Price - "From Self-Doubt to Success When Starting a Business After 50"

80% of women over 50 who dream of starting their own business never take the first step. Money worries. Fear of failure. Lack of confidence. Sound familiar? In my latest podcast episode, I sit down with Bambi Price, co-founder of Seniorpreneurs and War on Wasted Talent, who started her first business at 55 and has since helped thousands of mature-age entrepreneurs make the leap. This conversation explores what it really takes to start a business later in life and offers practical insights, honest reflections, and actionable strategies for women considering their own move into solo business. Key Topics * How to overcome self-doubt and validate your business idea before investing time and money * The critical difference between younger and older entrepreneurs—and why being over 50 is actually an advantage * Essential first steps to take before quitting your job * Why diversity in teams and perspectives leads to faster, more sustainable business success * How AI tools can accelerate your startup phase when used strategically and thoughtfully Keywords Women over 50, Entrepreneurship, Business start-up, Self-doubt, Validation, Diversity, AI in business, Success stories, Mature entrepreneurs, Work-life balance Guest: Bambi Price On LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bambiprice/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bambiprice/] War on Wasted Talent - https://waronwastedtalent.com.au [https://waronwastedtalent.com.au/] Resources Simon Sinek on Leadership and Failure - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4] Harvard Business Review Article - https://hbr.org/tip/2026/03/keep-self-doubt-at-bay-when-starting-a-business [https://hbr.org/tip/2026/03/keep-self-doubt-at-bay-when-starting-a-business] A Message From Me: I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms,‍ ‍get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us [https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us] Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter [http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter]

14. Kathy Wood - "Living Into Later: Purpose and Possibility Beyond Work"

In this episode, I talk with Kathy Wood, a former Relationships Australia leader who resigned just before she turned 70 and is now consciously “living into later” on her own terms. Kathy shares how a long-planned trip to the UK, becoming a hands-on grandmother, and her love of structure helped her navigate the profound identity shift of leaving a 15–year role without “retiring” from purpose, growth or contribution. She describes experimenting with new roles and interests – from learning the cello again to volunteering on an ethics helpline and writing her Substack, Purposeful Transitions: Living into Later – while also making room for unstructured days, deeper self‑reflection and an ever‑present awareness of time feeling more finite. Along the way, Kathy challenges ageist assumptions about women over 50 and over 70, and offers a hopeful, grounded picture of this phase as one of opportunity, adventure and preciousness rather than winding down. Key topics * Finishing well: planning her exit after 15 years at Relationships Australia, including part‑time leadership, succession planning and leaving with strong relationships intact. * Why she says she “resigned, not retired” and how language shapes our expectations and assumptions about life after full‑time work. * Creating a meaningful “next phase” through grandparenting, volunteering, mentoring and taking up the cello again as a stretch and a joy. * Learning to live with less structure, noticing discomfort on “empty” days and experimenting with new rhythms rather than recreating work‑style busyness. * The growing awareness of time as finite in her 70s, and how that fuels both urgency and gratitude for everyday opportunities and relationships. * Starting her Substack Purposeful Transitions: Living into Later as a space to reflect on inner transitions, purpose, contribution and being a role model for women coming behind her. Keywords: retirement, life after work, purpose, aging, personal growth, transition, women over 50, life stages, self-knowledge Guest: Kathy Wood. Kathy on Substack: https://substack.com/@kathywood185085 [https://substack.com/@kathywood185085] Kathy’s Blog: https://kathywood185085.substack.com/p/purposefult-transitions-living-into [https://kathywood185085.substack.com/p/purposefult-transitions-living-into] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-wood-a7a684326/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-wood-a7a684326/] A message from Sue: This episode, alongside Episode 13, is the topic for the Flourish After Fifty Circle in July 2026. Join a group of curious who are exploring what life after fifty can be for them. Find out more here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourish-after-fifty-circle [https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourish-after-fifty-circle] Get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us [https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us] Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter [http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter] ️

13. Jane Moffett - "Redefining Retirement: On Your Terms"

In this episode, Sue talks with coach and author Jane Moffett about her book What Next? The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Redefining Retirement, exploring how professional women can design life beyond traditional work on their own terms—blending purpose, identity, money realities, and joy. They discuss why the word “retirement” feels so wrong for many women today, what Jane’s research with women in their 50s–70s reveals about timing and choice, and how real-life stories can help you see what’s possible for your own “what next.” If you’re anywhere between “I’m never retiring” and “I have no idea what comes after this job,” this conversation will help you replace anxiety with curiosity, courage, and practical inspiration. Key topics: * Redefining retirement for women over 50 * The six-step process for designing your future * The importance of identity, purpose, and connection * Challenging traditional retirement stereotypes * The role of mindset and community in transition * Intergenerational relationships Sue's guest in this episode is Jane Moffett, author and coach. Website: http://www.kangaroocoaching.net [http://www.kangaroocoaching.net] Jane’s book and book club notes are available here: https://kangaroocoaching.net/from-retired-to-redefined [https://kangaroocoaching.net/from-retired-to-redefined] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jane-moffett-11295826 [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-moffett-11295826] A message from Sue: This month, the Life On Your Terms program is starting on 21st April, 2026. It’s a six-week program for women who know it’s time for something to shift. Guided conversations help you define what matters to you and map out an actionable ‘Navigation Plan’ for your next chapter. Find out more here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/life-on-your-terms-program [https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/life-on-your-terms-program] Get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us [https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us] Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter [http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter] ️

12. Kim Payne - "Having The Courage To Turn Your 'Someday' into Today"

Most of us have a someday list. A version of ourselves we keep putting off until we feel more ready, more confident, or just a little less afraid. Kim Payne has spent years listening to women’s stories of change and learning what happens when women stop waiting for someday — and choose to act with courage instead. In this special crossover episode — published on both the Flourish After Fifty and Courageous ME podcast feeds — I turn the microphone around. After more than 140 episodes of being the interviewer, Kim steps into the guest chair and shares her own story with raw honesty and warmth. This is a conversation that sits right at the very intersection of courage, midlife, and what it means to write your next chapter on your terms. Grab your metaphorical pink ‘pom pom’.  This one's worth celebrating.   My guest in this episode was: Kim Payne, keynote speaker, business mentor, podcast host and author: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimpayne9rok/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimpayne9rok/] Website: https://kimpayne.com.au/ [https://kimpayne.com.au/] Courageous Me podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/courageous-me/id1689742406 [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/courageous-me/id1689742406] The Courageous ME podcast episode featuring me, Sue West: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/54-the-power-of-reinvention-to-flourish-in-mid-life/id1689742406?i=1000657153376 [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/54-the-power-of-reinvention-to-flourish-in-mid-life/id1689742406?i=1000657153376] Book: Courageous Me: The Courage to Turn Someday into Today: https://kimpayne.com.au/book [https://kimpayne.com.au/book] A message from Sue I support women over fifty who feel stuck and ready for what’s next to rediscover who they are, clarify their next chapter, and create a life that truly feels like their own. If you’re looking for support, you can work with me through: Coaching: for women who want one‑on‑one support to go deep on a specific crossroads and move from feeling stuck to taking clear, confident action. Life On Your Terms: a six‑week small‑group program for women who know something needs to change and are ready to map out what comes next. The Flourish After Fifty Circle: a monthly online discussion group for women who love big ideas and want thoughtful, nourishing conversations as they navigate this stage of life. Find out more here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/ [https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/] Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter [https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter]