Fearless & Forty

Fearless & Forty

By Susan NorgrenEducationSelf-Improvement
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Fearless & Forty episodes

  • Happy Thanksgiving
    A heartfelt Thanksgiving devotional centered on gratitude, family, and the beauty of the people gathered around our table. Inspired by our Divine Detours & Who’s Around Your Table podcast episodes this short reflection reminds us that every seat is filled with purpose—each person representing a story, a blessing, and a piece of God’s grace in our lives.
    We’ll also draw from Jamie MacDonald’s touching song “My Family,” celebrating the idea that home isn’t just a place—it’s the people who show up, hold us up, and walk with us through every season.
    This devotional invites us to pause, breathe, and truly see the gift of the faces around us today. It’s a moment to honor our connections, remember God’s goodness, and enter Thanksgiving with full hearts and grateful spirits.
    3 min
  • Episode 34: Who's Around Your Table

    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.

    As we move through midlife, we’re realizing our “table” looks different: fewer seats for chaos, more room for peace, and an intentional place for the people who truly see us. We also talk about the open seats — new friendships arriving at the right time — and the courage to gently move someone to the “side table” when a season shifts.
    It’s all about gratitude, growth, and choosing who you want to sit beside in this chapter of life.

    #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 

    48 min
  • Episode 33: The Bucket List

    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

    35 min
  • Episode 32: The Holiday Edition: Our Favs, Traditions & Heartfelt Moments

    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! 

    49 min
  • Episode 31: The Evolution of the Modern Mom: From Type A to Type C

    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

    37 min
  • Episode 30: Divine Detours

    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

     

    30 min
  • Episode 29: Eras, Evolving & Coloring Outside the Lines

    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

    37 min
  • Episode 28: Midlife, But Make It an Era

    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 

     

    39 min
  • Episode 27: Our Friendship: Part Martha, Part Mary, 100% Real

    In this episode, we take a closer look at the story of Mary and Martha — and how their personalities show up in our own lives. Katie always thought of herself as a Martha, the one busy doing all the things, until Susan pointed out the “Mary” side of her — the gift of being present and making people feel seen. Sometimes it takes a friend to show you your strengths and remind you who you really are.

    Susan shares how she can be a mix of both, but leans more Martha, and together we unpack what it means to balance the doing with the being. Whether you find yourself running around like Martha or sitting still like Mary, this conversation is about friendship, perspective, and the beauty of owning all sides of who we are.

    #fearlessand40 #midlife #marthaormary #gifts #friendshipinmidlife

    For Reference:

    Luke 10:38–42

    The Girlfriend 

    Yellowjackets 

    Call the Midwife 

    The Morning Show 

    The Summer I Turned Pretty 

    aka Charlie Sheen

    43 min
  • Episode 26: Beer Therapy & The Real Struggles of 40

    Susan’s away on a much-needed vacation, so Katie is flying solo this week — but not really, because she’s joined by our very first guest! 🎉

    I sit down with our dear friend Tricia Collins — a Leadership Coach, Eagle Certified Facilitator, and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist at Eagle Center for Leadership. To us, she’s our “beer therapist,” but professionally she’s guiding women (and men) through the messy, beautiful, complicated seasons of life.

    We dive into the real struggles of midlife, from:

    ✨ Identity shifts that sneak up on us
    ✨ The juggling act of relationships and family
    ✨ Stress, overload & burnout
    ✨ Protecting our mental health & emotional well-being

    This one is honest, encouraging, and packed with wisdom (plus a few laughs along the way). Whether you’re in the thick of it or just need to know you’re not alone, this episode is for you.

    🎙️ Tune in now — and maybe grab a drink, because sometimes therapy looks a lot like a chat with friends.

    #fearlessand40 #midlife #beertherapy #counseling 

    For You Reference:

    Tricia Collins 

     

    1 hr 1 min

About Fearless & Forty

From the publisher's feed

Fearless & Forty is a podcast hosted by two best friends embracing the challenges and triumphs of midlife. From the ups and downs of motherhood, marriage, and friendship to navigating career…