20. Is a Board Role Really for You? Helga Svendsen Answers All Your Questions

20. Is a Board Role Really for You? Helga Svendsen Answers All Your Questions

In this episode, I sit down with governance geek, community builder, and founder of Take On Board, Helga Svendsen, to demystify what board work is really like for women in the second half of their careers. If you’ve ever imagined a board role as the “natural next step”, a meaningful way to contribute, shape strategy, and maybe create more flexible work, this episode will help you decide whether it’s genuinely a fit for you. Helga shares how her governance journey began and eventually led to multiple board roles and a career devoted to supporting women in governance. Also covered: * What “governance” actually means in practice, beyond buzzwords. * The opportunities and hard truths of serving on a board, including time, responsibility, and emotional load. * How to tell which board is the right one for you. * The role boards can play in making women over 50 more visible, valued, and influential in their communities and organisations. Guest: Helga Svendsen Website - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/ [https://helgasvendsen.com.au/] Take on Board KickStarter program (spring 2026 intake) - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/kickstarter-2026/ [https://helgasvendsen.com.au/kickstarter-2026/] Take on Board podcast - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/take-on-board-podcast/ [https://helgasvendsen.com.au/take-on-board-podcast/] A message from Sue: I support women over fifty to navigate career and life changes. * Coaching: for women who want one-on-one support as you navigate change. * Life On Your Terms: 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. * The Flourish After Fifty Circle: a monthly online discussion group that blends the best of a podcast club and a book club. It’s for women who want to explore big ideas, meaningful stories and real‑life transitions together. Find out more here [https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/]. What If You Could... ✔ Feel clear about what matters most to you in this next stage of life? ✔ Discover a renewed sense of purpose that excites you every day? ✔ Build meaningful connections and a community that supports your growth? ✔ Confidently take action toward creating a life that feels authentic and fulfilling? It’s all possible - and I’m here to help you make it happen. Get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us [https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us] Sign up for weekly insights and bite size advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter [http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter]

19. Kerry Pietrobon’s Letter to Her Younger Self on Living Unapologetically

In this very special episode, I’m joined by 57‑year‑old Kerry Pietrobon, a fashion consultant, plus‑size model and storyteller, as she reads a powerful letter to her younger self about growing up in a bigger body, discovering plus‑size fashion, and learning she was never the problem. In the conversation that follows, Kerry shares how she’s navigating hard endings and exciting beginnings in her late fifties, and reclaiming visibility by taking up space and being unapologetically herself. Also covered * Growing up in a world that wanted Kerry to be smaller. * How her fashion business became a way of accepting herself, and why clothes should celebrate you, not hide you. * The emotional journey of closing her label, Harlow, and separating “ending a business” from “being a failure.” * Midlife change and perimenopause as catalysts for choosing self-worth, visibility and taking up space in new ways. * Why it’s never too late to try something new and say yes to long-held desires. ‌ Guest: Kerry Pietrobon Kerry's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qr] And  https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qr] Website: https://www.kerrypietrobonconsulting.com.au/ [https://www.kerrypietrobonconsulting.com.au/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrypietrobon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrypietrobon/] Harlow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harlow_au?igsh=bjFqOHJkNWJrbmhh [https://www.instagram.com/harlow_au?igsh=bjFqOHJkNWJrbmhh] Generation Women Australia Website: https://www.generationwomenaus.com/ [https://www.generationwomenaus.com/] A message from Sue: 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]

18. Robyn Greaves: How to Work as Long as You Choose in Your Third Chapter

In this episode, I talk with career change specialist and author Robyn Greaves about how to design your “third chapter” of work and life so you can work as long as you choose, on your own terms. We explore the rise of portfolio, interim and fractional roles, and Robyn’s 5D framework for imagining and building a more energising next chapter. You’ll hear practical ideas for experimenting while you’re still in a job, protecting your energy, and recognising your “ageing superpowers” so you can widen your contribution rather than wind down. Also covered * Common assumptions women over 50 hold about work and how to challenge them, * New ways of working, including portfolio careers, interim roles and fractional leadership, * The emotional and identity shifts of leaving long‑held roles and titles behind, * Simple experiments to try if you’re stuck in a job but not ready to retire, * How to widen your contribution in your third chapter. Guest: Robyn Greaves Website: https://robyngreaves.com/ [https://robyngreaves.com/] Robyn’s Book: https://robyngreaves.com/thirdchapter/ [https://robyngreaves.com/thirdchapter/] A message from Sue: 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]

17. After the Dream Job Ends: Susan Metcalf on Creating a Purpose‑Filled Life Beyond Work

In this episode, I sit down with Susan Metcalf to explore what happens when the CEO role of your dreams comes to an end, and there’s no tidy roadmap for what comes next. In the aftermath of COVID, Susan faced a difficult but necessary transition, stepping away without another role lined up and no clear sense of who she would be without the inbox, the calendar and the title. Susan shares how the demands of leading through COVID left her “well beyond burnout” and ultimately led her to leave corporate life, reframing the experience as an opportunity to escape its constraints. From there, she reflects on the intentional choices that helped her create a purpose-filled portfolio of art, sailing, community, friendship and family. She also speaks about discovering new qualities within herself, softness, patience, and the courage to truly centre her own needs and values. Also covered * What it felt like to lead a women‑focused organisation through COVID and end up “well beyond burnout” * The messy middle after stepping away: rest, recovery and resisting the pull of another big job, * Reframing “on sabbatical” as “escaping the constraints of corporate life” and why that language shift mattered, * Returning to long‑deferred passions, saying yes to new adventures, and the steadying power of awe and wonder, * Bringing corporate skills into community and creative projects, and what it means in midlife to finally be centering her own needs and values in how she lives and works. Guest: Susan Metcalf Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557018285194 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557018285194] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/travelsampler.world/ [https://www.instagram.com/travelsampler.world/] Website: https://travelsampler.world/ [https://travelsampler.world/] A message from Sue: 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]

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]