In this episode of Fearless & 40, we’re easing back in after the holiday break and taking a moment to reflect on the past season before stepping into what’s next. We talk about the transition from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse — a shift from reflection and shedding to movement, momentum, and freedom.

We share what the last month has looked like for us, how our goals and priorities continue to evolve in midlife, and why forward motion doesn’t have to mean perfection. We also revisit one of our favorite traditions from early on in the podcast — choosing a word of the year — and how it’s guiding us into this new chapter.

If you’re craving clarity, alignment, and a gentle push toward what feels right, this episode is for you. Here’s to moving forward with heart. #fearlessand40 #reflection #theyearofthehorse 

For Reference:

Emily in Paris

The Mountain House

Mini Reni

DOC

Stranger Things

Good Hang

Wiser Than Me

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we’re talking about more than just the table you’ll be sitting at next week — we’re talking about the people at your life’s table. In this episode, we unpack the friends, family, and unexpected connections who shape our days, hold space for us, challenge us, and bring gratitude into our lives in ways we don’t always notice.

#fearlessand40 #midlife #yourtable 

For Reference:

Jen Hatmaker 

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025

Nobody Wants This

Only Murders in the Building

Palm Royale

Good Hang with Amy Poehler 

When you hear the term bucket list, what comes to mind? Big adventures? Once-in-a-lifetime moments? This week, we dive into how the idea of a bucket list has evolved for us in midlife.

Sure — Katie still has a few extreme items on hers (yes, skydiving made the cut), but as we talk it through, we realize it’s less about checking off wild experiences and more about living fully in the ways that matter most. Whether it’s picking up a new hobby, revisiting an old passion, or simply finding more joy in the everyday — this episode is all about redefining what a “bucket list” really means.

Because maybe the real goal isn’t doing everything before time runs out... it’s doing what fills you up while you’re here. #fearlessand40 #midlife #bucketlist #whatfillsyouup #livinglife

For Reference:

Nobody Wants This 

Dawson's Creek

Theo of Golden

The holidays are here, and we’re feeling all the festive vibes! In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite Thanksgiving dishes, the traditions that make the season special, and how we’re both refreshing our spaces for Christmas while holding onto the moments that matter most. We also get real about how gift giving looks a little different in midlife — and how to keep the season focused on gratitude, connection, and joy. #fearlessand40 #midlife #holidayseason

For Reference:

Sanditon

Dawson's Creek

The Morning Show

Bryan Adams Get Your Tickets! 

This week we’re diving into the idea of the “Type C Mom” — the mom (or woman) who doesn’t totally fit the Type A or Type B mold, and who’s probably been doing a lot of the quiet heavy lifting.

In midlife, the balancing act is real: structure meets spontaneity, career meets presence, doing meets being. We unpack what being Type C looks like, why it matters right now, and how you can use your unique blend as a strength instead of a side note.

If you’ve ever thought “I’m not quite one type…” then this one’s for you. Listen in for stories, tools, and a little reassurance that your version of “normal” might just be exactly what freedom looks like.

#fearlessand40 #midlife #typecmom 

For Reference:

The Everymom Type C Article 

Sanditon

Theo of Golden 

The Morning Show

Dawson's Creek

Armchair Expert

Good Hang

The Bright Side

Golden Hour

Ever had one of those days where your plans completely fell apart — only to realize later it all worked out better than you could’ve imagined?

This week on Fearless & 40, we’re talking about Divine Detours — those unexpected shifts, chance encounters, and perfectly-timed moments that remind us the universe always knows what it’s doing.

From missed plans to conversations that hit right when we needed them most, Susan and Katie share stories about learning to let go, trust timing, and find meaning in the moments that don’t go according to plan.

Because sometimes the universe’s reroute ends up being exactly the path you needed. #fearlessand40 #midlife #divinedetours

For Reference:

Dawson's Creek

Beverly Hills, 90210

The Kelly Clarkson Show

Friends

Golden Hour Playlist 

Olivia Dean

The Life of a Showgirl

Wild Rivers

Sarah McLachlan

Midlife isn’t about slowing down — it’s about stepping into who we really are. In this episode, we talk about what it means to evolve, to change directions, and to embrace new versions of ourselves even when the world wants us to stay the same.

From Taylor Swift’s newest “era” to women like Reese Witherspoon and Diane Keaton who’ve reinvented themselves time and again, we explore why society often resists women evolving — and why we’re finally saying no thanks to staying inside the lines.

Join us as we get real about growth, identity, and what it means to live boldly in whatever season you’re in.

#fearlessand40 #midlife #reinvention #growthera #evolving

For Reference:

The Life of a Show Girl 

The Woman in Cabin 10

The Everygirl Article

Reese Witherspoon article

The Morning Show

Olivia Dean

Couch

The Golden Hour Playlist

In this episode, we’re talking growth — the kind that sneaks up on you in your 30s and 40s when you finally start seeing who you’ve always been becoming. From friendships and motherhood to careers and self-worth, we’re unpacking how midlife might just be our best era yet.

Katie and Susan reflect on what it means to grow up and care less, and how that shift brings more freedom than fear. We even tie in a little Taylor Swift — because her new album The Life of a Showgirl hits different when you’re in a season of confidence, clarity, and a whole lot of self-acceptance.

It’s about letting go, showing up, and realizing… maybe midlife isn’t a crisis at all — it’s an era.

#fearlessand40 #midlife #growthera 

For Reference:

The Life of a Showgirl 

The Five-Star Weekend

The Summer Pact 

The Studio 

The Morning Show

Call the Midwife