Forties Stories

This the last episode and the final show in my 4-part finale. My last episode on The Five Things I l Learned This Year, after I'd done the show for a year proved to be quite popular, so I'm closing out with what I learned in this past decade. I learned so much and enjoyed reflecting on it. Let me know if any of it resonates with you here!  It's hard to believe this is it for Forties Stories. But this is evergreen content, so whenever you are listening I hope that it leaves you feeling comforted, inspired, and/or connected.  Please stay subscribed for any future updates.I'm planning another podcast for later this year that will continue to be focused on midlife women, so please connect with me on social media, or sign up for my newsletter at www.christymaguire.com to get further updates.   

Michelle Wright and I talk about how you can dive into your 40s, which is exactly what she did. We discuss the fit by 40s program she created for herself (and it's not what you think it is!), about how to be more than a mother, how depression caused her to learn what she needed, and why laughter is so important to our well-being.    This is the third in a 4-part finale for the show, and I'm so grateful to Michelle for letting me share it with you since we recorded it right after the Covid lockdowns began. It is the perfect final interview, and I know you will love our conversation as much as I did! Next week I'll share the 10 things I learned in my 40s.     Michelle Wright is a wife and a mother of two--a native Californian who now resides in Nevada. She is passionate about homemaking, homeschooling, and the power of self-care. Recently, she created a "she space" for herself--which is a space just for her that brings her joy, calm, and inspiration because she believes that with all that she is and that she does that she is worthy of being her #1 priority. A believer and follower of Jesus, Michelle believes we are here to live like we're alive so she created a community around the concept of Life-Giving Joy.    Michelle will be reviving her YouTube channel and starting a podcast later this year focused on emotional intelligence wellness, self-care, generational cycle breaking and motherhood. To connect with Michelle and get future updates, she asked that you email her at: michellenorelle7 AT gmail.com.    Please stay subscribed for any future updates.I'm planning another podcast for later this year that will continue to be focused on midlife women, so please connect with me on social media, or sign up for my newsletter at www.christymaguire.com to get further updates. 

Would you confront the friend who had publicly hurt you in middle school decades later? That's just what my guest Skye Pillsbury did on an episode of the Heavyweight podcast. I had questions. This is the second in a 4-part finale for the show, and I'm so grateful to Skye for letting me share it with you since we recorded it right before the pandemic. I know you'll love this episode!   Skye and I talk about the impetus for exploring this experience in a very public way, the importance of friendships in midlife, how your kids often reflect back to you, and how our 50s are still a vital time in our lives.    My guest today is Skye Pillsbury. Skye writes The Squeeze, a free, weekly newsletter for podcasters and audio professionals. It features a mix of investigative reporting, interviews, and industry gossip. Prior to her work at The Squeeze, Skye was the original writer of the Inside Podcasting newsletter; and creator, producer, and host of the award-nominated show Inside Podcasting. She's also served as a contributing writer at Hot Pod.   Find the Heavyweight episode we discuss here. Stay tuned over the next two weeks for the last 2 episodes in the finale. I am planning another podcast for later this year that will continue to be focused on midlife women, so please connect with me on social media, or sign up for my newsletter at www.christymaguire.com to get further updates.

I'm popping in for an update about where I've been these last few years, and for a mini-episode on the art of quitting. I recently turned 50 and have created the show's finale. Tune in tomorrow for a new interview with Skye Pillsbury and next week with Michelle Wright. After that I'll do a final episode on what I learned in my 40s.   So often we reach our 40s and have the desire to quit things, but Annie Duke, the author of the book “Quit” says because quitting isn't celebrated we don't have role models for it. I've been thinking about this a lot, since I stopped posting episodes after the pandemic started. I hope it gives you something to think about in your own life.   I'm really excited to be doing this, but I'd be lying if I didn't add that I'm also feeling a bit wistful. I am planning another podcast for later this year that will continue to be focused on midlife women, so please connect with me on social media, or sign up for my newsletter at www.christymaguire.com to get further updates. Instagram Thank you for tuning in and all your support!  

Today I’ve changed up my content calendar to bring you an episode that speaks more to where we all find ourselves today – dealing with the uncertainty of a global pandemic. I had this conversation last week with Kathleen McKitty Harris and feel this is an especially timely episode because she challenges us to see the wonder all around us, every day. That means even now while our autopilot has effectively been ground to a halt.   I want to give you content that you want, so I’m asking you help me do that by answering a survey that won’t take more than 5 minutes of your time. You can even pause right now to do it - you’ll find the direct link here: https://www.fortiesstories.com/anniversary   Kathleen McKitty Harris and I talk about how she gained confidence in her 40s to really embrace her calling, the quest for identity, and how she’s feeling about the coming empty nest. We also talk about how we can weather life with confidence because of our experience and how we, as GenXers, have an opportunity to be a bridge to other generations.   I personally love how Kathleen captures both the beauty and absurdity of life, with a dash of humor, on her Instagram posts. In the episode she talks about how all we have are our stories -- and that every day we start a new one when we rise. We have more opportunity than ever to witness the ordinary now as we social distance, which I think gives us back a sense of control.   Kathleen McKitty Harris is a fifth-generation native New Yorker whose work has been published in Longreads, Creative Nonfiction, Sonora Review, McSweeney's, and The Rumpus, among others. Her essay, “A Timeline of Human Female Development,” appears in My Body, My Words, an anthology centered on body image and positivity, and named by BUSTLE Magazine as one of “11 New Feminist Books That Could Totally Change Your Year.”   Kathleen also performs as a storyteller at such venues as The Moth in New York City, and co-hosts the “What’s Your Story?” reading series in her backyard in northern New Jersey, where she lives with her husband, two children, and an irredeemable dog.    Be sure to connect with me on social media to stay abreast of everything. I love hearing from you, so send me an email or leave a comment on any the episode on the website, which you can find at www.fortiesstories.com. I’ll also tell you how to connect with Kathleen in the show notes - I hope you’ll give her a follow her on Instagram.   Thanks for listening!    

This week marks the one-year anniversary of Forties Stories! So, I wanted to jump in here with a mini-episode about what I’ve learned this year. This project has been a real journey for me and I know many of you have been there every step of the way, for which I’m truly grateful. If you are new to the show, welcome. It’s great to have you here and I look forward to hearing what’s important to you at this stage in your life. I want to keep sharing stories with you. I’ve made it a goal to do 40 interviews. I think I’ll keep going after that, but I want to hear from you. Please take this 5-minute survey so I will know what kind of engagement and content you prefer going forward. You can find it here: https://www.fortiesstories.com/anniversary Do you want more resources on the website – such as articles, resources, and more personal stories? I’ve got a lot of listeners in the Washington, DC area, which is where I live. If that is you, I’d love to know if you would be interested in small-group workshops around midlife issues, finding your voice, job transitions, and/or a non-fiction book group? Speaking of content, I have a new feature on the blog, which is like a book group but doesn’t take as much time. I will be posting relevant articles for us to read and discuss on the website. The first one is up today and is an article from Psychology Today about a number of topics including the idea of a midlife crisis, identifying with chronological age, the harm that even benevolent ageism causes, and using age-based stereotypes to define yourself and your behavior. It’s a bit provocative, which is why I chose it. Once you read it, I have posted some questions to get a discussion started. Find it here: https://www.fortiesstories.com/journal/2020/3/10/discussion-series-busting-midlife-stereotypes I will do a bigger celebration when I hit the 40 interviews mark, so I hope you’ll stay with me on this journey. I would love it if you would forward the show to a friend who might need it right now. It also helps more people find the show when you rate or review it – which takes less than one minute. I read every one and it really keeps me going. I’ll have an interview for you next week – which I know you’ll love. Thanks for listening!  

Today we’re talking about what a midlife crisis might teach us. I had a great, and uplifting, conversation with Jacqueline Kerr. We talk about conscious parenting, why the question “what do I want?” is so difficult, and how her relationships improved after a midlife crisis. We also talk about why it’s important that our kids see us struggle and the prevalence of gender bias, especially in academia. Jacqueline has some interesting advice for anyone dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s that left me a bit teary. Jacqueline Kerr has lived all over the world and attended boarding school from the age of 10. She started her career in advertising, but wanted to use her persuasion skills for something with more purpose, so she got a PhD in physical activity promotion. She came to the US in 2004 for a postdoc, with no intention to stay, but ended up meeting her husband. She got her first professor job after writing a successful grant while on maternity leave. Jacqueline became a full professor in 2017 and got a $10 million grant, but it felt meaningless at the age of 45 and she left it all a just over a year later. Jacqueline is currently running a grant writing consultancy, hosting a midlife podcast, looking after her two kids who are 6 & 11, and taking improv classes – she’s still on the journey, but is not tethered to a life that was no longer working for her. For similar episodes, check out: #27 - My friend Jo felt like she wasn’t where she expected to be at 40. #30 - Catherine Schweikert said the traumas in her life caught up with her body in midlife. #21 – Barb Dvoracek realized that she was no longer having “firsts” and talks about the U-Curve. Be sure to connect with me on social media to stay abreast of everything coming in 2020. I’d love to know how I can support you on your journey, so send me an email or leave a comment on any the episode on the website, which you can find at www.fortiesstories.com. I’ll also tell you how to connect with Jacqueline and find her podcast in the show notes. If you are enjoying the show, please share it with a friend and get a conversation started. Thanks for listening and your support!    

I had an interesting and insightful conversation with Catherine Schwikert. We talk about how your triumphs and traumas affect your health and body, the power of using your intuition, and how she felt a deeper calling in her 40s. She discusses her idea of pragmatic compassion and how we can practice it in our lives to heal our bodies and souls. Catherine also shares some wisdom about how to better work in partnership with medical professionals. Catherine Schweikert was born in Texas and raised on military bases until the age of 10. Her family settled in California when her parents divorced. She was abused by an older family member, and at that time she discovered that her older sister was actually her mother.  She struggled with her identity and her place in the world for many years and eventually found her solace in books, education, and her insatiable quest for healing.  Catherine has been practicing medicine as a physician assistant for the last 20 years in both emergency departments and urgent care. She is currently working on her PhD in applied psychophysiology to better understand trauma and the human body response to it and how it relates to physiological illness.  She blogs at pragmaticcompassion.org and is currently in the final editing processes of her first nonfiction book. The book describes her personal experiences and how she rose from the confusion of a traumatic childhood to heal and share her compassionate pragmatic methods to help others heal.  Catherine does not discuss any abuse in this episode. If you have suffered any kind of trauma, including generational trauma, I hope that you will find some hope in this episode, even if just the tiniest glimmer. I know that often resources feel scarce, but I encourage you to check out Catherine’s blog for some additional support. If you are enjoying the show, please leave a rating or review and share it with a friend. Thanks for listening!  

What better way to ring in the new year (and decade!) then to discover your strengths and use them to create meaningful work and a fulfilling life. I wanted this conversation to go live on the last day of 2019 because it is more practical and action-oriented than my usual episodes. There’s a lot of excitement – and hype! – around 2020 and many of us are planning our year and even thinking more long term, so my guest, Hallely Azulay, offers some valuable insight and tools. Halelly and I talk about the formula for determining your strengths and how those strengths should guide you more than an elusive search for your “passion,” and how to be more positive about networking. Hallely busts the myth that women, especially those in midlife, aren’t strong – physically, emotionally, and psychologically. She shares how a number of childhood moves made her determined and what she’s most excited about now. Halelly Azulay is CEO & leadership development strategist at TalentGrow LLC. An expert in leadership, communication skills, emotional intelligence, and authentic networking, she develops leaders that people *want* to follow. She is the author of two books, Employee Development on a Shoestring and Strength to Strength. Halelly offers actionable leadership insights and advice as a sought-after speaker and workshop leader as well as on her blog and her leadership podcast, the TalentGrow Show. You can find the show notes, and how to connect with Halelly, here: https://www.fortiesstories.com/episodes/celebrate-and-share-your-strengths-halelly-azulay-49 I’ll share my other 4 top strengths in the comments section on this episode, and invite you to do the same. Were there any surprises? I’d also love to know if you generally pick a word of the year? It’s not something that I’ve ever done before, so I’m looking to all of you to see if this is something you find helpful. I’ve narrowed in on one, but I can find myself getting a bit twitchy narrowing it to just one. Let me know what you’ve picked or if you are word-curious and we can figure it out together. I would be remiss if I ended the year without letting you know how truly grateful I am that you have tuned in and supported me and the show – since I first hit publish in March. Thank you to everyone who has rated or reviewed the show – I know you get so many requests to review podcasts, books, small businesses, and everything else. I read every review and love hearing from you! I’d love to know how I can support you on your journey. You can find me on all the social media platforms or shoot me an email. I look forward to sharing more stories with you as we navigate midlife together -  and hope that 2020 is a year for discovery and growth. Happy New Year!    

I hope that today’s conversation and past episodes on this show will leave you inspired to live out loud. By sharing our stories, we feel connected. We feel seen. We feel less alone. And that’s my mission.   Allison Hare and I talk about being multipassionate, how women too often suffer in silence, and how she regained her voice and power on the birth of her second child. Allison shares a very personal and poignant story about how she became obsessed with her post-baby body and how one simple question brought her back to reality. You’ll also hear about her 2020 goal and a great productivity hack that’s helped her to be more creative.   Allison Hare is high tech sales professional, speaker, and activist. She is the host and producer of the Little Left of Center podcast, where she interviews culture changers and the most fascinating people who veer off the path of convention and change the way we live. She is launching a new podcast course called Press Play Podcasts in January.   Please head over to www.fortiesstories.com for the show notes and to connect with Allison. Every episode has a comments section, so please check it out and share your thoughts. You can also email me or find me on social media.   Finally, I am always looking for news on what 40-something women are doing and achieving, so please send me any stories, news pieces, or leads. If you are enjoying the show, I hope you will forward it to a friend and get a conversation started.   Thanks for listening!

A special thanks to my friend Johanna Selth for joining me for an interview this week! Johanna and I talk about her career twists, how her mom’s death made her feel about aging, and why we should ask other women for help. We also talk about sacrifice and the myth of having it all. Johanna is an Australian human rights lawyer who has lived and worked in Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, Afghanistan, China, and now the US. Her career has spanned private practice, government, and both local and large international NGOs. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and two children and loves to read, travel, do Pilates, and walk her golden retriever. She also told me that something she didn’t mention in the interview is that she is a spiritual person and has a strong faith, which is a big part of her self-care. I truly admire Johanna for sharing her story at a time when she doesn’t feel that all the stars are aligned in her life – as you’ll hear her describe. So often we are only willing to share the good stuff – it’s harder to admit that we’re not where we want to be. I hope she, and the other women without a platform who come on the show, feel empowered for sharing their voice and truth. I know those of you listening will feel comforted because you relate (I can!) and then be inspired to keep going – knowing you aren’t alone. I love to hear from you! Go to www.fortiesstories.com to comment on this episode, send me an email, or find me on social media. I’d be grateful if you would share the show with a friend and leave a review. Thanks for listening!

Today we are talking about the insidious business of people pleasing. It’s something that so many of us do without even thinking. It’s become a habit that my guest Helen Snape gently reminds us that we can change. She’s been there herself.   Helen became a transformational relationship coach after 19 years in Human Resources and Development. She works with women on breaking free from people-pleasing, codependency, and bad relationships to build a life they love. Helen loves walking in the woods, meditating daily, and dancing to YouTube videos. She lives with her partner in Surrey, England.   Helen and I talk about the roots of people pleasing in her life, how a scarcity mindset limits us, and how to reparent our inner child. She opens up about how a childhood of bullying made her “dial down” her true self and what served as her wake-up call. She also busts the idea that women should be nice.   After the interview, Helen confessed off the air that she’s only recently begun to tell her story. I admire this so much. We as humans are bound by stories. We see our pain, our joy, our idiosyncrasies in others. I asked her if I could share that with you. She agreed. I think you’ll understand after hearing her powerful story, which she so eloquently tells.   Get a copy of Helen’s new book, “Building Healthy Boundaries - An Over-Givers Guide to When to Say Yes and How to Say No in Relationships.” Head over to www.fortiesstories.com to find out how do that and connect with Helen.   I’d love to hear what you think about the episode. Is people pleasing something you struggle with or have overcome? Every episode has a comments section on the website, so please check it out and share your thoughts. We’re all in this together. You can also email me and find me on social media. Finally, if you are enjoying the show, I hope you will forward it to a friend and get a conversation started.   Thanks for listening!    

What do you want? Manuela Powell asked herself that very question and then totally disrupted her life. We talk about how her life changed at 39 when her mom came to visit, a recent solo adventure she challenged herself to do, and how awareness is the first step toward shifting a spiraling mindset. She also shares what happened when she finally started making time for conscious decisions.   Manuela is a life coach who helps people change their minds in order to change their lives. For over 17 years, she was a cancer surgeon, in Brazil and in the US, at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. After becoming a mother at 42, she craved more flexibility, freedom, and time with her family. So she put away her scalpel to start operating deeper in the psyche, beyond the physical body. Manuela is obnoxiously happy with her new life, and thrives on guiding others in their own reinvention.   Do you want to see more women in media? I sure do. Be sure to listen to find out how you can support and elevate women in the industry.   A special thanks to Coach Christine of the Your Empty Nest podcast!   Thanks for listening! If you are enjoying the show, share it with a friend and rate or review it. I’d love to hear from you. Find me at www.fortiesstories.com or on social media.  

Are we telling ourselves the truth? Today we dive into the topic of honesty, which is the subject of Judi Ketteler’s forthcoming book, “Would I Lie To You? The Amazing Power of Being Honest in World That Lies.” Judi and I talk about the roots of lying in her own life, how honesty isn’t as simple as you might believe, and why in this fractured time in our history we should all question our decisions around telling the truth. We talk a lot about friendship on this show, and Judi tells us why she feels making and keeping friends in your 40s is hard. This book is about relationships, and Judi makes the case that honesty improves them. The most important relationship is the one that you have with yourself.  Judi Ketteler has written for dozens of publications such as The New York Times, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, and many more. She’s also an award-winning columnist for Cincinnati Magazine, where she writes pieces about the weirdness of midlife. She is the author of two non-fiction books on sewing. When she’s not writing, Judi loves running, yoga, and flea markets. She lives with her husband and two young children in Cincinnati, Ohio. The book will be released on December 31, so if you preorder you will have it in hand on January 1 - which is a perfect way to dive into 2020. That’s right, we’re headed into a new decade, which seems a perfect time to make some changes. If you like to wrestle with big topics, are just curious, or want to feel more powerful than you need to check out this book. Yup, the most important piece to remember is its subtitle “The amazing power of being honest in a world that lies.” Doesn’t that sound nice.  I will let you know how to connect with Judi in the show notes, which you can find at www.fortiestories.com. If you are enjoying the show, I hope you’ll spread the word by sharing it with a friend. Let me know what you think of the episode. On the website there is a comments section for every episode, or you can reach me by email or on social media. Thanks for listening!      

Jackie MacDougall, fellow midlife podcaster, and I had a really honest conversation. We talk about the mixed messaging women hear, how she feels about aging, and about our shared passion in elevating women’s voices in midlife. We also talk about why it’s important to open your heart and mind to others, and what is the hardest question we need to ask ourselves. Finally, Jackie answers what it means to thrive in your 40s – which might not mean what you think it does. The conversation turns to podcasting and Jackie not only pushes me, which I truly appreciate, but opens up about how her own insecurities bubble up to the surface. She even gets me to admit how I worry about my voice and presence, which is not easy for me to do. Jackie MacDougall worked for over two decades in TV and digital marketing, creating content for women with some of the most recognizable and innovative names in entertainment like Queen Latifah, Harry Connick Jr., Tyra Banks, Chrissy Teigen, and Sharon Osbourne. Jackie combines her personal and professional experience in finding her purpose, helping women over 40 find their voice and build their tribe through podcast coaching, live events, and online programs. She is the founder of Forty Thrive and host of the Forty Thrive podcast and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and three kids.  I will let you know how to connect with Jackie in the show notes, which you can find at www.fortiesstories.com. I hope you’ll check out her podcast Forty Thrive. I’ve enjoyed it and think you will too. If you would like to share your story or know someone else who might be interested, please let me know. On the website, you will find my email address and links to social media. I’d love to hear from you. Thanks for tuning in!

I’ve been on the air for six months now and it’s been an incredible journey. However, find out why I’m moving the show to a biweekly one. I have a great episode for you next week with Jackie MacDougall of Forty Thrive, whose announcement on her show got me thinking of mine.    I am looking for 6 women to provide some information on their listening habits, preferences, and feedback related to Forties Stories. If you have listened to 7 or more episodes AND are between the ages of 35 - 55, you are eligible to participate. I will take 1 listener outside of the US. For more information, go to https://www.fortiesstories.com/feedback or email me at hello@fortiesstories.com. This is ONLY for my personal use and will never be shared. Even if you can’t participate, please drop me a note anytime to share your thoughts, questions, and feedback. Thank you, as always, for listening, and your support. It means the world to me. I’ll see you next Tuesday!    

Life is a journey. What a cliché, right? But as Jack Kerouac said, “all clichés are truisms, and truisms are true.” If we think of our lives in those terms though, we start to appreciate that where we are today, doesn’t mean that we’ll be in the same place tomorrow. I love what my guest Lizbeth Ericka has to say about journeys. Lizbeth and I talk about her path to entrepreneurship, what she’s learned from her teens, and her spirt animals. She also reveals why she agreed to say yes to this interview. One of my favorite parts of these interviews is at the end where I ask my guests if there is anything else they’d like to mention before we close. It’s always fascinating, and usually profound. Lizbeth pleasantly surprised me with a new approach to this question, so you’ll definitely want to listen till the end.   Lizbeth Ericka worked in Research and Evaluation for many years directing health promotion projects for federal and local agencies. She is a trained mental health counselor and has worked with adolescents and adults in different community settings. In 2015, she made the courageous move to leave her corporate job to forge a path to educate, empower, and shift the way that individuals view health and wellness. She is certified in various fitness modalities, and is an avid cyclist and runner. In August 2019, Lizbeth launched a yoga space in East Harlem, NY where she teaches yoga, conducts workshops, and does one-one-coaching at CB Health and Wellness Center. I hope that this episode makes you think about your own journey. I will let you know how to connect with Lizbeth in the show notes, which you can find at www.fortiesstories.com. I’d love to hear from you. On the website, you will find my email address and links to social media. I know many of you have shared the show with a friend, and for that I’m really grateful. If you are new to the show, or have tuned in before, thanks for listening!           

Today is the final part in our special 3-part sisters’ series. The series includes episode 20 with Sandi Reinardy and episode 21 with her older sister Barb Dvoracek. Sandi and Barb talk about their relationship, how they consider spending time with their sisters as self-care, and what they’re both working on in terms of self-development. They also talk about Sandi’s decision not to have children – the first time they really opened up about it. It’s a fun, heart-warming conversation, that is a tribute to sisters.   Sandi Reinardy, 41, is in the midst of making a career change from database consultant to social worker, with a focus on criminal justice efforts. She is also a writer and recently launched a blog called Grumble Wonder Grow, where she wrestles with the beautiful, messy challenges of being a human. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband. Barb Dvoracek, 47, worked for 17 years at a global consumer products company in management and clinical research. She has bachelor’s degrees in psychology and human biology, and a master of science in microbiology. Barb also recently completed another master’s in social work in order to make a career change. She lives in Wisconsin and has been married to her husband Bill for 17 years. Barb has taken a year off work to spend more time with her four children, ranging in age from 10 - 24, and to help care for her parents. I know that many of you don’t have sister or have a sister, but you aren’t close. Whether that’s you or if you, too, have a tight bond with your sister – I hope it leaves you inspired to have those important conversations that you need or want. The sound quality is not the best in this episode, and I worked quite a bit to get it to where it is now. I hope that you can overlook it, because you won’t want to miss it. As you heard in both of those episodes, Sandi reached out to me at the beginning of summer and proposed this series, which has been really wonderful. I am grateful to both Sandi and Barb for their voices and support! Let me know what you think about this series. I’d love to hear your thoughts, your questions, your ideas. Please head over to www.fortiesstories.com. From there, you can email me or find me on social media. If you are enjoying the show, I would be grateful if you would take a minute to leave a rating or review to help other women find it. Thank you for listening!        

Today’s episode is part 2 of 3 of a special sisters’ series. Part 3 is a bonus episode that will air this Thursday, September 5th. My guest Barb Dvoracek and I talk about how she is balancing priorities as part of the sandwich generation, why we should get better at forgiving ourselves, and how she maintains her connection to family and to friends – old and new. We also talk about the happiness curve and how mid- to late-40s is a time when many women, and men, feel a level of discontent that is not necessarily dependent on circumstances. Finally, Barb busts the tired stereotypes around gray hair. Barb Dvoracek worked for 17 years at a global consumer products company in management and clinical research. She has bachelor’s degrees in psychology and human biology, and a master of science in microbiology. Barb also recently completed another master’s in social work in order to make a career change. She lives in Wisconsin and has been married to her husband Bill for 17 years. Barb has taken a year off work to spend more time with her four children, ranging in age from 10 - 24, and to help care for her parents. If you are tuning in for the first time, you’ll want to check out last week's episode with Sandi, which is part one. On Thursday Barb and Sandi are in conversation together. One that was very moving for all of us. You won’t want to miss it. I’d like to thank Sandi for proposing this series and Barb for being so enthusiastic! I’m grateful to them for their support and for sharing their voice with us. If you would like to join in the conversation, please let me know. I’d also love to hear your thoughts, your questions, your ideas. Please head over to www.fortiesstories.com. From there, you can email me or find me on social media. I’d like to thank everyone who has left a rating or review for the show! It is a labor of love for me and so I very much appreciate the gesture as it helps more women find the show. I know that so many of you have also shared the show with friends – and I am grateful.      

Today’s episode is part 1 of a special sisters series. It will continue through next week and will include a bonus episode on Thursday, September 5th. My guest Sandi Reinardy and I talk about her decision to not have children, about how she is using her voice, and how giving oneself a bit of space opens up the possibility of having genuine connection with others. Sandi shares why she prefers to use the term childless over childfree, and about her decision to return to school. Sandi Reinardy is in the midst of making a career change from database consultant to social worker, with a focus on criminal justice efforts. She is also a writer and recently launched a blog called Grumble Wonder Grow, where she wrestles with the beautiful, messy challenges of being a human. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband. Next Tuesday I’ll air my talk with Sandi’s older sister, Barb Dvoracek, and then on Thursday they're in conversation together. One that was very moving for all of us. You won’t want to miss it. I’d like to thank Sandi for proposing this series and her sister Barb for being so enthusiastic. I’m grateful to them for their support and for sharing their stories with us. I will let you know how to connect with Sandi in the show notes, which you can find at www.fortiesstories.com. If you are enjoying the show, I’d be grateful if you would take a minute to share it with a friend and leave a review. Use this episode as a conversation starter. I’d love to hear your thoughts, your questions, your ideas. You can email me or find me on social media. I’m on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening!      

Transitions are often a good time to pause and see if you are on a course that is fulfilling and important to you. And, as my guest Alice Agnello says, the possibility exists to thrive with change, to embrace and enjoy it. Alice and I became friends when we started junior high school together. We talk about the importance of being independent from your kids, how the older women in her family are her role models, and why our friendships can take more effort in our 40s. Alice shares how dealt with her kids leaving home and the reason behind her career pivot. You’ll also hear about some changes I’ve recently made in my life, after thinking about my own looming empty nest. Alice Agnello is a lifestyle and success coach who helps women figure out who they are now that their kids are grown and may not need them as much. She was raised in California and now lives in Virginia, so she's been known to say “dude” and “y'all” in the same sentence. Alice is an educator, speaker, podcaster, and ravenous reader. She also loves show tunes, chai tea, and all things British. Alice’s mission is to help women see the true value in themselves and to not allow fear to dictate their lives. You can find the show notes and how to connect with Alice at www.fortiesstories.com. If you are enjoying the show, I’d be eternally grateful if you would take a minute to share it with a friend and leave a review. I’d love to hear about how you are dealing with the empty nest, if you are going back to school, or anything else that is important to you right now. You can email me or find me on social media. I’m on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening!  

This week I’m talking with Heather Thorkelson, a spirited explorer. In this episode you’ll hear how Heather took months of deep work to discover what she wanted her future to look like. She also shares how her difficult childhood shaped her and her interesting career path that has taken her all over the world. We talk about why now is the best time to become an entrepreneur, how she has struggled with the decision whether or not to become a mother, and why women in midlife still need mentors.  You’ll also hear about her No Plan B philosophy for entrepreneurs, which she is turning into a book by the same title.   Heather Thorkelson is a Canadian dual business owner living in rural Sweden. She runs a business consulting practice that helps small-to-medium business owners grow their bottom line without adding busy-work. She also runs a bespoke polar expedition company that takes discerning travelers on once-in-a-lifetime expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. But more than anything, Heather is an incurable entrepreneur.  If you are enjoying the show, I’d love it if you would share it with a friend. I am always looking for guests, so if you would like to be on the show, or if you’d like to nominate a friend, please let me know. The only requirements are that you are a woman or identify as one, are in your 40s, and would like to join in the conversation. Also, I if you have a book or article that resonates with you on compassion, friendship, aging, or women please send it my way. I’m also always looking for stories of women in their 40s and beyond doing hard things, pushing themselves, and celebrating achievements. You can email me at hello@fortiesstories.com and you can also find me on social media. I’m on Twitter and Instagram at _christymaguire. Thanks for tuning in!

Whether you already lead an active life or want to begin, Lyn Lindbergh says that if we listen to our body with honor to see what it can do today, and have compassion for its limitations today, then that is success. In this episode, Lyn shares how she was able to find her voice and how she stays active with her chronic illnesses. We talk about busting stereotypes about who does what kind of exercise, why you should be kind to yourself first, and about her new podcast with her husband Erik, who is the grandson of Charles Lindbergh. Lyn Lindbergh’s mission is to help people create an active lifestyle they love. She is the author of the award-winning book, “Couch to Active: The Missing Link that Takes You from Sedentary to Active,” and the host of the Couch to Active podcast. She is a blogger and fitness influencer, who is also certified as a personal trainer, Pilates instructor, and group fitness instructor. Lyn has three chronic health issues, but still gets out every day to exercise. Even with her physical challenges, she has completed the Seattle to Portland 200-mile ride six times, and has also completed multiple half-marathons, 10 triathlons, and countless 5K runs. You can find the show notes at www.fortiesstories.com. This project is a labor of love for me, so if you are enjoying it, I would be grateful if you would not only rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, but also share it with a friend. I love hearing from people I know say they’ve listened to the podcast and how they’ve connected with an episode. It gets us into a conversation about how life is really going that wasn’t always happening before. I treasure that, so send an episode that resonated with you to a friend with a note. You might just spark something.   Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next Tuesday!

Getting outdoors without distraction, even for a few minutes a day, is rejuvenating and good for the soul. Its benefits are similar to meditation. This week, Robin Kleisler and I talk about the growing trend of wilderness therapy, the benefits of EMDR, and how you don’t have to worry about offending or shocking your therapist. Robin also discusses turning 40 and how she’s finally in a place where her kids are more self-sufficient, allowing her to rethink her priorities. Also, find out why I had a bit of trouble deciding on the title of this episode. Robin Kleisler earned a graduate degree in counseling psychology, after being inspired by her early career in the outdoor guiding industry. She has a private therapy practice in Longmont, Colorado, where she lives with her family. Her specialty is working with trauma, depression and anxiety, self-esteem, and parent coaching. She also works with individuals and families impacted by substance or technology addiction. Robin is passionate about creating more awareness around mental health and addiction, and regularly presents on various topics at regional, national, and international conferences. If you are enjoying the show, please share with a friend. I’d also be grateful if you would rate or review the show. I’d love to hear from you. Head over to www.fortiestories.com to say hello and get the show notes. Thanks!

Being joyful is a thoughtful practice, although it’s not something we’re typically focused on. However, my conversation with Phoebe Farag Mikhail left me thinking about joy, and I hope it will do the same for you. Phoebe and I talk about how joy differs from pleasure and happiness, why hospitality is important, and how her friendships have changed in the last few years. Phoebe is a wife and mother of three young children. She serves at St. Antonious & St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church in East Rutherford, NJ with her husband Father Bishoy Lamie Mikhail. She is the author of “Putting Joy into Practice: Seven Ways to Lift Your Spirit from the Early Church,” published by Paraclete Press and released in April 2019. She edited the second revised edition of His Holiness Pope Shenouda's book, “The Life of Repentance and Purity.” She also blogs at “Being in Community,” while working as an independent consultant in international development and teaching. Phoebe has lived in New York City, Washington, DC, Cairo, and the UK.  You can find the show notes at www.fortiesstories.com. If you are enjoying the show, I would be grateful if you would rate or review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend.  

This week, Julie Zuckerman talks about the goal she made shortly after turning 40. We also talk about a major life decision she made after graduating college, a typical day in her life, and how she deals with rejection.   Though an avid reader from an early age, it wasn't until 2008 that Julie Zuckerman discovered her passion for writing fiction. She has since published over two dozen stories, in a variety of publications. “The Book of Jeremiah,” her first novel, debuted this spring. ​Julie lives in Israel, with her husband and four children. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, running, biking, birdwatching, baking or trying to grow things in her garden I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what I hope the takeaway is from this show. Listen in to hear more, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can find the show notes at www.fortiesstories.com. If you are enjoying the show, I would be grateful if you would rate or review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend. Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who has followed along with our #onekindsummer campaign. I am excited to start up our interviews again! With the spirit of self-compassion in mind, today we’re focused on the art of nurturing ourselves. Doña Bumgarner and I talk about her unusual childhood, her winding path to motherhood, and how she recreated her life after nine months of cancer treatment. It was a joy to talk with her. Doña is a coach who works with women who know that there is much more to life than their kids - but they’ve lost themselves in the role of motherhood. She helps them make sense of their lives and learn to stand up for themselves and the lives they want to create. You can find her at Nurtured Mama, where she blogs and has a podcast called The Nurturing Habit. You can find the show notes at www.fortiesstories.com. This project is a labor of love for me, so if you are enjoying it, I would be grateful if you would not only rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, but also share it with a friend. I love hearing from people I know say they’ve listened to the podcast and how they’ve connected with an episode. It gets us into a conversation about how life is really going that wasn’t always happening before. I treasure that, so send an episode that resonated with you to a friend with a note. You might just spark something.   Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next Tuesday!

Why should we be kinder to the world at large? That’s a question we’re exploring on today’s episode, which is the continuation of the #onekindsummer campaign on the pod. I’m on a 4-week break from posting interviews, but in the meantime I want to take a few minutes each week to think about how we can spread kindness this summer and beyond. Interviews will resume on Tuesday, July 9th. It’s been great to see so many of you following along with this compassion series. This is the third and final week of the series. Today’s episode is inspired by Jamil Zaki’s book called “The War for Kindness.” Zaki notes that, “Plato saw mental life as a war between reason and passion – one that we often lose.” So, this war is in our minds. If you are interested in neuroscience and the research behind empathy, then you will want to get your hands on a copy of this book. I’d love to hear if you have any other tips or practices that help you. Be sure to use the hashtag #onekindsummer to show how you are spreading kindness and to recognize those who have made your life a little bit easier or brighter. If you are enjoying the show, I would be grateful if you would take a moment to rate or review it. Visit www.fortiesstories.com for a full transcript of this and all the mini episodes. Thanks for listening!      

It’s been great to see so many of you following along with the #onekindsummer campaign on the pod. Last week we started the campaign with self-compassion. Let me know how you did with that. Today we are focusing on kindness toward those around you, which you may find easier, or even harder. A lot of what I’m referencing today is from Angela Santomero’s book called, “Radical Kindness: The Life-Changing Power of Giving and Receiving.” Deepak Chopra says in his foreword that the book “offers the practical means for experiencing what can be called kindness consciousness.” I love that! I’m on a 4-week break from posting interviews, but in the meantime I want to take a few minutes each week to think about how we can spread kindness this summer and beyond. I think we can all do with a bit more kindness in the world. This isn’t something more for your to-do list, and this isn’t something you need to do it perfectly. It’s just about showing up and being open if we choose to. So stay tuned if you’re interested. Interviews will resume on Tuesday, July 9th. See the full transcript HERE. This show is a labor of love for me, so I’d be grateful if you would rate or review it. Thank you!

The Dalai Lama once said, “If you don’t love yourself, you cannot love others. You will not be able to love others. If you have no compassion for yourself, then you are not able of developing compassion for others.” Today is the launch of the #onekindsummer campaign on the pod, and we start by focusing on self-compassion. A lot of what I’m referencing today is from Dr. Kristin Neff’s book called, “Self-Compassion – The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself.” Brené Brown called it “a transformative read.” It’s a book every human should read. I’m on a 4-week break from posting interviews, but in the meantime I want to take a few minutes each week to think about how we can spread kindness this summer and beyond. I think we can all do with a bit more kindness in the world. This isn’t something more for your to-do list, and this isn’t something you need to do it perfectly. It’s just about showing up and being open if we choose to. So stay tuned if you’re interested. Interviews will resume on Tuesday, July 9th. Head to www.fortiesstories.com for a full transcript. This show is a labor of love for me, so I’d be grateful if you would rate or review it. Thank you!

Sharing my gratitude and announcing our #onekindsummer campaign. This summer let’s spread kindness. This starts with kindness to ourselves first. It spreads to those around us – our family and friends. From there, it spreads to those beyond us – the bigger world. We’re taking a 4-week break from interviews, so each week we’ll have a mini episode to share some thoughts and research on the power of kindness, as well as some practical tips that you can use. Our minds love it when we ask big, expansive questions, so ask yourself at some point every day this week, “How can I spread kindness?” See what answers you get back. Interviews will return on July 9. Subscribe to be notified. Let me know what you’re doing this summer. How are you feeling? Are you celebrating something? Are you struggling? Do you have any summer goals or rituals? Go to www.fortiestories.com to let me know. If you are enjoying this show, please leave a review and share with a friend.

After taking her own journey to sexual freedom at age 42, Leah Carey is now passionate about breaking the silence, fear, and shame around women’s sexuality and pleasure. She’s also redefining what it means to be a “good girl.” Leah and I talk about body neutrality, how we live in a sex negative society, and why it’s important to examine the messaging we received about sex in childhood. Leah Carey is a sexual communication coach who helps women learn to communicate about sex so they can get what they really want in the bedroom. She is the creator and host of the podcast “Good Girls Talk About Sex” and can also be found on YouTube. Head over to www.fortiestories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. If you are enjoying this show, I’d be grateful if you would take a moment to leave a rating or a review and share with your friends.  

Lindsey Mead is a woman, a daughter, a mother, a sister, a wife, a friend, and a writer. She is also a runner, a sometime yogi, and a disillusioned MBA. She has a blog called “A Design So Vast” where she tries to find a coherent sense of self in all of these splintered identities. More recently, she is the editor of the book “On Being 40ish,” which came out earlier this year. It is a compilation of personal stories about midlife by some of the very best writers. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you will want to get your hands on a copy. Lindsey and I talk about how her childhood formed the life she’s made for herself, her friendships, and how she feels about time. Please head over to www.fortiesstories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. I would be grateful if you would rate or review the show – thanks for your support!

I loved talking with my guest today about the science behind compassion. Dr. Amy Heard Davison is a licensed clinical psychologist in Northern Virginia. She has extensive experience and training in working with individuals facing medical, emotional, and relationship problems. Her work in medical settings has taught her the intricate link between our biological, emotional, and social health. She seeks to help patients connect mind and body in order to build a meaningful life.   We also talked about how Amy was part of the sandwich generation in her early 40s and how she’s excited to help launch her teens. She also has a birthday tradition, which makes me want to start some of my own! In fact, Amy had her 50th birthday since we recorded. Happy birthday Amy! I truly hope that your 50s is even better than your 40s!   If you are enjoying the show, please scroll down and tap to rate it. If you have 30 seconds, please leave a review – I'd be grateful since this is a labor of love! Head over to my website www.fortiestories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. I’d love to hear what you think about compassion.  

This week Daree Allen Nieves talks about her year since losing her husband - while they were practically newlyweds – and her grief process. We also talk about the benefits of journal writing to find your voice, how personal development is truly personal, and how Daree is finally taking a solo trip to Hawaii – something she’s put off for many years. We recorded the interview on what would have been their 3rd anniversary – so this episode is a tribute to George Nieves.   Daree Allen Nieves is an authorpreneur and goal-getter. As a speaker and certified life coach, she is a presenter at workshops, conferences, and universities across the country. Daree is also a voice actor and the award-winning author of three self-help books. Finally, don’t miss her podcast, "Kickin' it with Daree," which talks about the things in life that matter most.    If you are enjoying the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts which helps more people find the show, and share with a friend. Head over to www.fortiestories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. Thanks for listening!

My guest today is rocking her voice. Motrya Hanas Calafiura is the Special Assistant to the Provost at Georgetown University. She is also a wife, a mother to a 2-year-old son, and an all-around hustler.  Motrya serves on the Board of Directors and is the Assistant Treasurer of the non-profit, Georgetown Village.  She lives in Washington, DC.   Motrya and I talk about how she created a life she loves after a difficult childhood, about having an infant in your 40s when you have a demanding career, and also how much work it takes to bring good things to your life – including strong relationships.   Enter to win a copy of “On Being 40ish” by May 15th at midnight. Thanks to Lindsey Mead for donating a copy and her support! You can leave a review on iTunes or head over to www.fortiestories.com to subscribe to my newsletter or leave a comment on any episode that resonates with you. If you leave a review AND subscribe, you will be entered twice. A winner will be chosen at random. If you are enjoying the show, please tell a friend and also let me know. Thanks for listening!  

On the show today is Erin Prather Stafford who is acutely aware that fixing gender imbalances in the media is key to changing gender disparity everywhere. Erin recently launched Girls That Create, which provides information and resources for developing creative thinking, boosting confidence, and growing skill sets. She is also the Executive Producer of WONDER WOMEN! The Untold Story of American Superheroines. Erin lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and two young girls.   Erin and I talked about how all of us can - and should be - creators, how women do support one another, and how the role of women in the media has shifted - ever so slightly. She references some stuff from the 80s too - so I think you’ll get a kick out of that. Listen for details on how to win a copy of the book “On Being 40-ish.” This fantastic compilation was edited by Lindsey Mead who has graciously donated a copy. Contest ends May 15. Please show your love by leaving a review on iTunes or sending us an email. Find us at www.fortiestories.com  Thanks for listening!

Nina Badzin says she was “almost relieved to turn 40” a couple of years ago. Nina is a freelance writer who has written a popular friendship advice column for years, so we dove into the topic: we talk about why Nina takes the time to make acquaintances, how to give your friends the benefit of the doubt, and why you may have to repeatedly reach out. I loved hearing about the fantastic ritual she does each year on her birthday (and am going to steal it), so you don’t want to miss that. Nina lives with her husband and 4 kids in Minneapolis where she also leads a writing group for a co-working space and gets in her daily 10,000 steps. Be sure to stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter at www.fortiesstories.com. Please support our show by hitting that subscribe button and sharing with friends. Thanks for listening!  

This week Rachel Pieh Jones, a writer living in Djibouti with her family, shares her story. Rachel is active in helping out in the international school she and her husband founded there and makes time to run in what is the hottest country in the world. She has a well-known blog, Djibouti Jones, and has a book coming out this fall, “Stronger Than Death: How Annalena Tonelli Defied Terror and Tuberculosis in the Horn of Africa.” We talk about third culture kids and the challenge in sending them to college in a country they hardly know, her thyroid cancer diagnosis, and how her friendships have deepened. I’m grateful to Rachel for taking a leap of faith and signing on to the interview before the show launched. I will be doing some promos in May and have some exciting stuff on the horizon. Be sure to stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter at www.fortiesstories.com. Please support our show by subscribing and sharing with friends. Thanks for listening!

My guest today is Dr. Sarah Sarkis is a psychologist, writer, and performance consultant with a private practice in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her integrated approach is big on science, and low on BS, which empowers her clients to achieve long term change and growth through an eclectic blend of psychology, neurobiology, and functional medicine. Her blog is called The Padded Room, so you’ll see she has a wicked sense of humor.   We talked about why it's so important to embrace the struggle, is happiness ever a goal for your kids, and how Sarah is prioritizing self-care in her own life. Please support our new show by subscribing and sharing with friends. Go to www.fortiesstories.com to say hello and subscribe to our monthly newsletter. Thanks for listening.  

Not all women want a traditional life. Dr. Cori McClaughry, a dear high school friend of mine, has shaped her medical career around her desire to travel. Dr. McClaughry does urgent care shift work and primary care at community clinics in the Bay Area in order to travel up to 5 months a year. She has also done extensive international medical work including several tours with Mercy Ships. When she’s not traveling, she lives in California. As this episode airs, she is in the Maldives. She always inspires me! Please support our new show by subscribing and sharing with friends. Go to www.fortiestories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. Thanks for listening!

On this episode I interview my younger sister Debi Maguire. (A shout out to her for all her love and support - whoo hoo!) We talk about how she was feeling fine about turning 40 but then had a running injury that left her in a lot of pain and made her question her age. We also talk about why - all of a sudden - she wants to revert back to her maiden name. I flew out to Colorado where Debi lives with her husband and two young kids. She is the Operations Manager at a pension consulting company. Please support this show by hitting the subscribe button and sharing with friends. Go to www.fortiesstories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. Thanks for listening!

Host Christy Maguire kicks off Forties Stories as the first guest – it seems important for her to do if she is asking other women to share their stories. Her sister Debi Maguire, 40, interviews her in Colorado. They discuss why Christy started the podcast, what she believes about work/life balance, and how she’s preparing for an eventual empty nest. Please support this new show by subscribing and sharing with friends. Go to www.fortiesstories.com to say hello and share your thoughts.    

What are women in their 40s doing, thinking, and feeling? Forties Stories is the place to find out. Each week we will have a 40-something woman on the show to share her experience and wisdom. The thing I love about personal narratives is their power to enlighten and connect. I hope that after listening you will be inspired to reach out to those around you and make time for important conversations. I’d love to hear from you. Head over to my website www.fortiesstories.com to say hello and share your comments and questions. Please subscribe and share the show with a friend. Thanks for your support!