Jasmine Denham: Touring with Nelly Furtado, Navigating Midlife in the Music Industry

How Workplaces Are Failing Peri and Menopausal Women with Karen Schulman Dupuis

Midlife Women: Invisability, Ageism, Menopause, and Corporate Gaslighting What happens when corporate spaces look at 30+ years of unmatched wisdom, killer instincts, and unshakeable experience and say, “Yikes, that looks expensive... can we trade it in for an entry-level budget?” In this episode, we are diving deep into the bizarre corporate paradox that expects women of a certain age to just... evaporate. Joining the conversation is Karen Schulman Dupuis, an unstoppable business designer, technologist, and researcher whose recent master’s research, Women Disrupted, delivers the hard, undeniable data on what actually happens to women’s careers after 40. Damn - and we’re the FxCK you 50s - we need to power up our sisters 10 years our junior!! Karen’s qualitative study on women aged 40–64 blows the lid off the conventional corporate and support ecosystems. Her findings are crystal clear and entirely unfiltered: not a single woman in the study was better off financially after a career disruption, and 100% of those who turned to self-employment refused to call themselves "entrepreneurs." We are stripping away the fluffy "awareness" campaigns and exposing how systemic barriers like ageism and gender bias derail women's financial security, housing stability, and mental health—all hitting at the exact same moment as perimenopause and menopause. But we aren't just acknowledging the problem. We explore how to use the adaptive cycle as a model to recognize disruption as a repeatable pattern, allowing us to build resilience, navigate the chaos, and prepare for what's next. * The "Invisible" Shift: Channeling icons like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey to call out the exact moment society and the 9-to-5 grind try to ghost us. * The 1% Absurdity: Why Don in accounting gets an ergonomic standing desk because his back hurts from golf, while less than 1% of organizations actually accommodate menopause. * The Entrepreneurship Myth: Why forcing disrupted women into self-employment isn't an "empowering lifestyle choice" but an act of survival—and why standard "entrepreneurship programs" are failing by not being short, focused, and designed to validate immediate needs. * The Power of Systemic Change: How building fierce community support can help women actively challenge the workplace systems that are gaslighting them. The bottom line? We aren't going anywhere, and we sure as hell aren't turning down the volume. It’s time for workplaces to start paying attention to the women who actually keep the wheels turning. Connect with The FxCK YOU 50s here: Podcast Website [https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/the-fxck-you-50s/] IG @TheFxCKYOU50s [https://www.instagram.com/thefxckyou50s] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaclaire/] YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUAIue7oNNKCazL-4QEOUUi9ELUiWwYJQ&si=R1zJKLu60TcwKEJS] Connect with Karen Schulman Dupuis here: Karen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karensd/] Karen on Threads [https://www.threads.com/@karensd] Karen on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@karensd.ca] Fuck. That. Shit.  [https://www.teepublic.com/user/theksd] WomenDisrupted official website [http://www.womendisrupted.com/] Karen Schulman Dupuis (MA in Leadership, Royal Roads University) is a Hamilton-based business designer, technologist, and researcher. With over two decades of experience navigating the public sector, regulated industries, and innovation ecosystems, she is the force behind Women Disrupted, bringing original qualitative data to the forefront of the fight for midlife economic equity. Learn more at WomenDisrupted.ca. 1. Disruption is a Pattern: Career disruption is a repeatable cycle. Once women over 40 recognize the pattern, they can actively prepare for and navigate the recovery. 2. Accidental Entrepreneurs: Most midlife women turn to self-employment out of sheer necessity, not desire, completely redefining what it means to "start a business." 3. The System is the Problem: Ageism and gender bias are not individual performance issues; they are systemic barriers directly targeting women's economic equity. 4. Community is the Weapon: Navigating and breaking down these systemic barriers requires shifting away from solo isolation and moving toward collective community power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Rebuilding Life After a Stroke with Emmy Winner Melissa Street

From diva egos to FBI training videos, the entertainment industry is a recipe for stress—but Melissa Street navigated it with 8 Emmy Awards and absolute grace. This week on The FxCK YOU 50s, we are joined by retired Film and Television Makeup Artist Melissa Street. With over 35 years of experience, Melissa shares the highs and lows of her incredible career—including the intense stress of the job, the unique world of special FX, and the emotional toll of losing an A-list client who became a close friend. As a stroke survivor, Melissa also opens up about her personal health journey, touching on menopause, high blood pressure, and the crucial importance of self-care for women over 50. Plus, she breaks down how the industry has changed, tackles ageism head-on, and explains why we need to throw out the TikTok trend rulebook. Connect with The FxCK YOU 50s here: Podcast Website [https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/the-fxck-you-50s/] IG @TheFxCKYOU50s [https://www.instagram.com/thefxckyou50s/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaclaire/] YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUAIue7oNNKCazL-4QEOUUi9ELUiWwYJQ&si=_zOny_aN69a_KRqn] Connect with Melissa Street  here: TikTok - Mel Street/EpicMakeUp  [https://www.tiktok.com/@epicmakeup] Other mentions: DaVinci Resolve  [https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve] Current Body RF Too [https://www.currentbody.com/products/currentbody-skin-radio-frequency-device]l  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The Truth About Plastic Surgery in Your 50s with Mary Regan

Inside The Regan Method: Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon in Midlife:  In a world saturated with filtered selfies, homogenized beauty standards, and predatory marketing that specifically targets women in midlife, finding the truth about cosmetic procedures feels nearly impossible. Enter Mary Regan, founder of The Regan Method, an educational framework designed to dismantle misconceptions, expose red flags, and put the power back into the hands of patients. In this episode, Mary strips away the glossy marketing of the aesthetic industry to deliver a masterclass on patient advocacy, the psychology behind our choices, and the unspoken physical and emotional realities of surgery. From the precise timing of facelifts to the profound impact of hormonal changes on healing, Mary shares why real beauty cannot be found in a trend—and why a successful surgical journey begins with radical self-reflection and a fiercely vetted surgeon. ⚡ Sound Bites That Cut Through the Noise * "I won't recommend a doctor by zip code or budget." * "Predatory marketing targets women in midlife." * "You can't fix that with a thread or a needle." * The Emotional & Hormonal Reality: Surgery doesn't stop when you leave the operating room. The episode dives deep into the post-care recovery phase, including the complex emotional drops and hormonal shifts that impact healing. * Ditch the "Homogenized" Face: A candid look at how social media algorithms have created a copy-paste standard of beauty, and how women can reclaim and protect their unique features as they age. * Skin Integrity vs. The Quick Fix: Why long-term maintenance, foundational skin health, and realistic expectations always outperform the false promises of over-promoted, non-surgical "quick fixes." * The Vetting Revolution: Why you must look past social media hype to spot the structural red flags of predatory medical practices. Mary breaks down how to establish true accountability and communication with a surgeon. Connect with The FxCK YOU 50s here: Podcast Website [https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/the-fxck-you-50s/] IG @TheFxCKYOU50s [https://www.instagram.com/thefxckyou50s/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaclaire/] YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUAIue7oNNKCazL-4QEOUUi9ELUiWwYJQ&si=63OmNOQApn0qEBhW] Connect with Mary Regan here: The Regan Method by Mary Regan [https://www.thereganmethod.com/] The Regan House [https://www.thereganmethod.com/the-regan-house.html] Mary Regan on IG [https://www.instagram.com/thereganmethod/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Katrina Anne Willis: Coming Out In Midlife

Andrea Claire sits down with award-winning author Katrina Anne Willis for an unapologetic conversation about burning down societal expectations and coming out LGBTQ+ after 50. Katrina, author of the 2026 memoir Hurricane Lessons, opens up about the massive tectonic shifts of navigating identity, family dynamics, and the heavy emotional labor women carry into their fifties. From the nuances of midlife LGBTQ+ self-discovery to confronting workplace ageism, menopause, and the sudden feeling of societal invisibility, this episode is one to stream now!. It’s a beautiful, unfiltered masterclass in why it is never too late to make a change, claim your respect, and choose authenticity over conformity. Because life is too damn short to live anyone else’s version of it. Connect with The FxCK YOU 50s here: Podcast Website [https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/the-fxck-you-50s/] IG @TheFxCKYOU50s [https://www.instagram.com/thefxckyou50s] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaclaire/] YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUAIue7oNNKCazL-4QEOUUi9ELUiWwYJQ&si=PLvhsQwmpj6GTLGl] Connect with Katrina Anne Willis here: Katrina Writes [https://katrinawrites.com/] Substack [https://substack.com/@surrenderingtosappho]  Katrina on IG [https://www.instagram.com/katrina.anne.willis] Buy Hurricane Lessons on Amazon [https://amzn.to/42L3H2w] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Jasmine Denham: Touring with Nelly Furtado, Navigating Midlife in the Music Industry

I sit down with Jasmine Denham, a phenomenal musician whose career is a masterclass in evolution. With a resume that spans decades and continents, Jasmine has navigated every facet of the music industry—from performing on world stages with Sisterella - an MJJ /  Michael Jackson production and as a  touring backup vocalist for Nelly Furtado to shared "sparkling moments" with icons like Prince and Pharrell. Beyond the spotlight, Jasmine is a seasoned songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur. She has penned hits for Juno-nominated artists, earned a SOCAN No. 1, and served as a musical director for The Next Star. Today, she balances her work as a music curator, a juror for the Polaris Music Prize with her role as the founder of The Stop, her own studio and music school where she mentors the next generation of talent. In this conversation, we explore: * The Power of the Pivot: Moving from international backup vocalist to an influential industry artist and entrepreneur. * Industry Realities: The truth of being a woman of colour in a male-dominated field and why kindness is the ultimate career currency. * Health & Resurgence: Navigating the creative and physical challenges of chronic migraines and perimenopause while reclaiming her voice. * Legacy and Education: How her school is empowering artists to own their craft, just as she has. Your voice only gets stronger with time. Connect with The FxCK YOU 50s here: Podcast Website [https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/the-fxck-you-50s/] IG @TheFxCKYOU50s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaclaire/] YouTube Connect with Jasmine Denham here: Website  [http://jasminedenham.ca/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jasminedenham] - https://www.instagram.com/jasminedenham [https://www.instagram.com/jasminedenham] The Stop [https://www.thestop.online/] Jasmine Denham's Music School  The Stop [https://www.instagram.com/thestoptoronto/]on Instagram Discogs [https://www.discogs.com/artist/706536-Jasmine-Baird?srsltid=AfmBOopTU9rVg3QUTfhHGqymhL1Mm1_M2e2O-8vPpuwKVgwtPOpR0sYJ] as Jasmine nee Baird YouTube [https://youtu.be/21XLtUQb2LE?si=RDk7NzVx4mMtznk-]  Other notables:  Seth Riggs Vocal Studio [https://www.riggsvocalstudio.com/artists]  Advance Music [https://www.advancemusic.org/] Canada’s Black Music Collective Lush demo [https://youtu.be/tDjjJs29oE8?si=VBCjXpCsXqkY-N6X] for Kylie Minogue Together We Are One [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SksUegnZU5I] making of the Pan-Am games theme song  Together We Are One [https://youtu.be/GjUeBpQnGQ0?si=xsoMM9JEnzacPsFd] in French Together We Are One [https://youtu.be/21XLtUQb2LE?si=RDk7NzVx4mMtznk-] sung by Serena Ryder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]