Fearlessly Facing Fifty And Beyond

Dive into the refreshing world of midlife fiction with bestselling UK novelist Jane Costello as she reveals the creative journey behind her latest romantic comedy, "It's Getting Hot in Here." With candor and humor, Jane shares how she's boldly reimagining the rom-com genre with a 47-year-old protagonist navigating perimenopause, teenage children, and unexpected romantic stirrings. After selling over a million copies of her debut novel and publishing 15 books across two decades, Jane offers a fascinating glimpse into her evolution as a writer. Her story begins not with childhood dreams of authorship, but during maternity leave with her first child, when she carved out precious writing time during nap sessions. For anyone who's ever doubted their creative potential, Jane's journey from uncertainty to international success proves that persistence transforms possibility into reality. Whether you're an aspiring writer seeking practical advice or a reader hungry for stories that reflect the richness of midlife experiences, this conversation delivers wisdom and warmth in equal measure. Jane demystifies the writing process with refreshing honesty, sometimes describing it as "like knitting with spaghetti," while celebrating how her latest book flowed with unexpected joy. Her advice to writers—begin with a compelling idea, create a rough plot outline, and treat writing as a marathon rather than a sprint—cuts through creative intimidation with practical clarity. And her message to her younger self? "Relax more and worry less. Things are going to work out okay." Don't miss this inspiring conversation about finding new creative chapters in midlife and beyond. Connect with Jane and purchase her book here: [https://janecostello.com/] Ready to FEARLESSLY FACE [https://www.fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/] all the F WORDS – be inspired and encouraged? Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here [https://fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/the-book/] Fearlessly Facing Fifty and Beyond has over 200 episodes with inspiration and stories to age fearlessly and connect confidently to others thriving at midlife and beyond. Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the Fearlessly Facing Fifty podcast [https://fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/the-podcast/] share it with the world – a review means so much. And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt [http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt] https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ [https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/]

Michele Cuffe's powerful insights on extending not just lifespan but healthspan will transform how you think about aging. Drawing from evolutionary biology and modern research, she reveals why Europeans can indulge in bread and wine without weight gain while Americans struggle despite "healthy" habits - it's not just what we eat, but how we live. Stress represents the silent epidemic undermining American health, with most of us trapped in a chronic stress response for eight hours daily when it was designed to last mere seconds. Michele shares accessible techniques to break this cycle through simple daily practices requiring just 20 minutes. The conversation tackles sleep quality with alarming statistics - insufficient sleep increases accident risk by 70% and cancer risk by 69% while potentially shortening lifespan by nearly five years. When it comes to nutrition, Michele cuts through fad diet confusion with refreshing clarity: "We were given two categories on this planet - plants and animals." Her practical grocery shopping guidance emphasizes perimeter shopping for organic vegetables and high-quality proteins while explaining why some seemingly healthy options like farm-raised salmon should be avoided entirely. For women over 50, she emphasizes the critical importance of strength training over endless cardio for hormonal balance and longevity. Most movingly, Michele shares her personal journey from stay-at-home mom to fitness instructor to author, proving it's never too late to discover new passions and silence the inner critic. Whether you're just beginning your health journey or looking to optimize your wellness practices, this conversation delivers actionable wisdom for creating a vibrant, energetic life that could extend to 100 years and beyond. Don't miss Michele's practical tips for approaching fitness without intimidation - your future self will thank you. Connect with Michele and purchase her book here: [https://www.michelecuffewellness.com/] Ready to FEARLESSLY FACE [https://www.fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/] all the F WORDS – be inspired and encouraged? Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here [https://fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/the-book/] Fearlessly Facing Fifty and Beyond has over 200 episodes with inspiration and stories to age fearlessly and connect confidently to others thriving at midlife and beyond. Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the Fearlessly Facing Fifty podcast [https://fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/the-podcast/] share it with the world – a review means so much. And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt [http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt] https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ [https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/]

Sharon Macey's journey from stay-at-home mom to podcast host and competitive dancer offers a refreshing roadmap for life's second act. The question that guided her wasn't "What do I want to do when I grow up?" but rather "What do I want to do when my kids grow up?"—a subtle distinction that resonates deeply with women navigating the transition from active motherhood to their next chapter. What makes Sharon's approach so accessible is her emphasis on baby steps. "The beauty of taking a baby step is that if it doesn't work, we can pivot," she explains, giving women permission to experiment without the pressure of getting it perfectly right the first time. Her own return to dance after many years away led her to Latin ballroom competitions, complete with spray tans and elaborate costumes—a testament to the joy that comes from reconnecting with forgotten passions. The conversation explores how friendships evolve, family dynamics shift, and faith deepens as we age. Sharon challenges the notion that making friends gets harder with age, noting how her social circle has expanded in her sixties. Both women discuss the intentionality required to maintain connections with adult children while embracing this new phase of life. Most powerfully, Sharon reminds listeners that reinvention is deeply personal: "You do you, and no one does you better than you." Whether that means launching a podcast, playing pickleball, or simply focusing on wellness, the path forward should reflect your unique desires, not external expectations. Ready to take your own baby step toward reinvention? Listen now and discover how the wisdom, resilience, and experience you've gained become your greatest assets in creating life's most meaningful chapters. What will you become when your children grow up? Connect with Sharon and take a listen to her MOM to more podcast here: [https://www.momtomore.com/podcast] Ready to FEARLESSLY FACE [https://www.fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/] all the F WORDS – be inspired and encouraged? Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here [https://fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/the-book/] Fearlessly Facing Fifty and Beyond has over 200 episodes with inspiration and stories to age fearlessly and connect confidently to others thriving at midlife and beyond. Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the Fearlessly Facing Fifty podcast [https://fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/the-podcast/] share it with the world – a review means so much. And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt [http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt] https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ [https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/]

Have you ever felt like you're doing everything "right" according to everyone else's checklist, yet something feels profoundly missing? Margaret White knows that feeling all too well. As a self-proclaimed recovering perfectionist and former overachiever, she found herself waking up one morning with the stark realization that despite her successful career, marriage, and all the external markers of achievement, she was utterly depleted. This powerful conversation takes us through Margaret's transformative journey from living by others' expectations to discovering what she calls "soul alignment." With refreshing candor, she shares the moment that changed everything – when she canceled her husband from their vacation and spent two weeks alone in the Caribbean, reconnecting with herself and hearing the whispers of her intuition for perhaps the first time in years. Margaret challenges conventional wisdom around work-life balance, suggesting we should instead seek harmony – a dynamic dance that ebbs and flows rather than a tightrope walk of tension. "We were never intended or created to work from depletion," she explains. "We were created to be poured into so that we could then give of our gifts, time, and talent to others." The discussion dives deep into what it means to get over "the overs" – overachieving, overstriving, overfunctioning, overcompensating, and overcommitting. For women who find themselves perpetually stuck in these patterns, Margaret offers practical wisdom for breaking free and creating space for what truly matters. She simplifies the often-elusive concept of alignment: "Alignment really comes down to how you're choosing." Whether you're feeling caught in a hamster wheel of busyness, struggling with permission to prioritize your needs, or simply seeking more meaning in your daily life, Margaret's parting wisdom will stay with you: "Don't shrink to fit into spaces you're not meant to be in." This episode is for anyone ready to move beyond external validation and into the powerful place of living authentically, loving abundantly, and thriving unimaginably. Connect with Margaret [https://www.margaretwhitecoaching.com/the-retreat] and come along on the retreat.  Rise. Reset. Reclaim. An Exclusive 6-Day, 5-Night Experience for Women Ready to Step into Your Next Evolution. Click here [https://www.margaretwhitecoaching.com/the-retreat] for more info. Ready to FEARLESSLY FACE [https://www.fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/] all the F WORDS – be inspired and encouraged? Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here [https://fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/the-book/] Fearlessly Facing Fifty and Beyond has over 200 episodes with inspiration and stories to age fearlessly and connect confidently to others thriving at midlife and beyond. Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the Fearlessly Facing Fifty podcast [https://fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/the-podcast/] share it with the world – a review means so much. And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt [http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt] https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ [https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/]

What happens when we wake up in midlife and realize we've become someone we never intended to be? Award-winning playwright and filmmaker Brooke Berman joins us to explore this profound question through the lens of her debut feature film, "Ramona at Midlife," which recently premiered at Geena Davis' Bentonville Film Festival. Brooke shares her remarkable journey from acclaimed playwright to first-time film director at 52—a rare achievement in an industry where first-time directors are typically men under 35. Her candid reflections on creating an authentic female leadership style reveal the delicate balance between collaboration and direction on set, shooting an entire feature in just 15 days. The conversation takes unexpected turns as we discuss the liberation that comes with midlife awakening. When we were 25 and imagined our future selves at 50, most of us pictured someone who had "done the heavy lifting" and was essentially coasting. Reality proves far more dynamic and challenging, but also more rewarding than we ever anticipated. Most powerful is Brooke's insight about self-acceptance: "If I don't love the person I am right now in my imperfect skin, then what are we talking about?" This revelation, alongside her disciplined approach to self-care through morning rituals of meditation, yoga, and gratitude practices, offers a blueprint for thriving in our fifth decade. Whether you're approaching midlife, navigating its complexities, or looking back on it, Brooke's story will inspire you to embrace your authentic self and recognize that evolution doesn't end at 50—it often accelerates in the most beautiful, unexpected ways. Connect with Brooke [https://brookeberman.net/]. Listen now, and then watch "Ramona at Midlife" on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, or Fandango at Home to continue the conversation about reinvention and self-discovery. Ready to FEARLESSLY FACE [https://www.fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/] all the F WORDS – be inspired and encouraged? Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here [https://fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/the-book/] Fearlessly Facing Fifty and Beyond has over 200 episodes with inspiration and stories to age fearlessly and connect confidently to others thriving at midlife and beyond. Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the Fearlessly Facing Fifty podcast [https://fearlesslyfacingfifty.com/the-podcast/] share it with the world – a review means so much. And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials: http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt [http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt] https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/ [https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/]