Fearless & Forty

Episode 25: Trips We Love & Trips We Dream Of

We’re talking all things travel — from our favorite getaways that left us full of memories to the bucket-list trips that keep us daydreaming. Susan is gearing up for Disney, Katie is scheming a year-end escape, and together we dive into why travel matters so much at midlife — whether it’s a family trip, a couples getaway, or a solo recharge.

And here’s the twist: we need YOUR help deciding between two possible trips — 🌴 Key West or ⛰️ Out West. Both sound amazing, but which adventure would you choose?

Along the way, we laugh through travel mishaps, swap tips, and remind ourselves that getting away (even for a weekend) is less about the destination and more about saying yes to the reset.

🎧 Tune in for stories, laughs, and a little wanderlust. Then come weigh in — help us pick our next adventure!

#fearlessand40 #midlife #travel

For Reference:

The Summer I turned Pretty

The Map that Leads to You

The Runarounds

Daisy Jones & The Six

This week, we’re getting real about something that doesn’t get talked about enough: panic attacks in midlife. We’ve both felt them, we’ve both wondered why now?, and we’ve learned that sometimes they’re not about one specific cause at all — they’re the side effect of stress, exhaustion, and trying to do it all.

Sometimes your body just says: nope.

In this episode, we open up about personal experiences with panic attacks, what the symptoms can look and feel like, and the little red flags to pay attention to. We also talk about how much easier it is to face the hard stuff when you’ve got friends who will stand by you in those “panic” times.

It’s a heavy topic, but we’re approaching it the only way we know how: honestly, openly, and with a little humor along the way. Because saying yes to life — even if it means bringing a Xanax — is something we’re learning to navigate together.

#fearlessand40 #midlife #panicattacks #survivingnotthriving #friendship 

For Reference:

Tucci in Italy

The Summer I Turned Pretty

The Map that Leads to You

The Waterfront 

Episode 23: Saying Yes, Our Way

School is back in full swing, kids’ schedules are packed, and the pace of life is running fast. In this episode, we’re checking in with each other and realizing that sometimes, saying yes to everything just isn’t possible.

It’s the little conversations of “are you okay?” and “how are you holding up?” that keep us grounded when we’re stretched thin. We talk about giving ourselves permission to say no, finding flexibility with our time, and celebrating the small wins along the way.

This is a reminder that it’s okay to be present in the season you’re in—even when it feels a little chaotic—and to define “yes” on your own terms.

For Reference:

The Summer I turned Pretty 

Defending Jacob 

And Just Like That

The Gilded Age

The Life List

The Mel Robbins Podcast 

Proverbs 31

Typology

Midlife Moves 

Fearless & Forty – Episode 22: The Terrible 12’s & 75 Days Trying

Parenting a 12-year-old is not for the faint of heart — and neither is committing to a 75-day challenge in midlife. This week, we’re diving into both.

We share the highs, lows, and epic eye-rolls of life with a preteen, from unpredictable moods to those rare moments of pure connection that make it all worth it. We talk about saying “yes” to the 75 Hotter Challenge — and how commitment looks when your schedule changes every week thanks to kids, work, and, well, life.

We also break down the differences between the 75 Hard and the 75 Hotter challenges — from strict rules and mental toughness to a more sustainable, self-care-focused approach that fits real life.

We unpack why consistency feels so elusive in midlife, the myth that it “should” be easier by now, and how we can give ourselves grace while still pushing forward.

Whether you’re navigating tween parenting, a personal challenge, or both at the same time, this episode is a reminder that progress > perfection — and showing up messy still counts.

🎧 Listen now and laugh with us through the chaos.

#FearlessAndForty #TerribleTwelves #75Hotter #75Hard #MidlifeCommitment #ConsistencyInChaos #ShowUpMessy #MidlifeMoms #theeverygirl

For Your Reference:

The Every Girl "The 75 Hotter Challenge"

75 Hard 

Mel Robbins "What I Wish I Knew in my 20s"

The Summer I Turned Pretty 

The Gilded Age

And Just Like That

Leanne 

Untamed

The Life List

Defending Jacob 

Gilmore Girls

The Wedding People

What In the World 

🎙️ Episode 21: The Gilded Grind: Parenting through Eras & Early Alarms

But we’re also zooming out to reflect—on our own school days, how the world shaped us back then, and how much (or how little?) things have changed. Watching The Gilded Age lately has stirred up some thoughts: the obsession with appearance, status, and titles—how deeply rooted that all is in our culture. Is it really so different now? Maybe the corsets have been replaced with Botox and serums, but the pressure to be polished and perfect is still very real.

We get honest about what it's like parenting in a world where perfection is packaged and sold, and how we’re trying to raise kids who look inward—not outward—for validation. We talk about how even in midlife, we’re not immune to the lure of "fixing" things—fine lines, under-eye circles, lives that look a little too lived-in. But guess what? We’re also learning to love the lived-in look.

We’re tired of the pressure. We want easy. We want real. Are we wrong for not wanting to chase perfection anymore? Are we normal for being OK with the small wrinkles and the easy mornings and the imperfect moments?

This episode is a breath of fresh air if you’re feeling worn out by the grind—gilded or not. Let’s get honest, let’s get a little nostalgic, and let’s talk about showing up as we are, not as we “should” be.

#fearlessand40 #parenting #midlife #thegildedage

For your Reference:

The Gilded Age 

The Summer I Turned Pretty

The Hunting Wives

Smartless

The Best People 

The Wedding People 

🎙️ Episode 20: Protecting Your Peace One Affirmation at a Time

In this powerful midlife check-in, we explore how affirmations can be your daily armor and healing balm. We dive into why they matter even more in your 40s and how they help you redefine your self-worth, reframe your inner voice, and reclaim your peace.

But we don't stop there—this episode also weaves in the 5 Love Languages, helping you see how understanding how you give and receive love can enhance not only your relationships, but also how you affirm yourself.

We close with a heart-centered conversation on protecting your peace: what it looks like, how to recognize when it's under threat, and simple tools to keep your inner calm intact—even when life gets loud.

✨ Whether you’re walking through a transition or just trying to silence your inner critic, this episode is your reminder that you deserve peace, joy, and a voice that speaks love back to you.

#fearlessand40 #midlife #affirmations #5lovelanguages #peace

For Reference:

The Wedding People 

We Are Liars 

The Summer I Turned Pretty 

A Complete Unknown 

Stick

Watch Billy Joel

Hotel Nantucket 

🎙️ Fearless and Forty – Episode 19: Mid-Summer Funk (and a Side of 45)

Coming in hot (and a little groggy) after a long holiday weekend, we're back with real talk about the post-4th of July crash — you know the one. We reminisce about fun times with friends and family, what we cooked (and overcooked), and the mountain of leftovers that followed us home. Katie shares how she’s been turning those leftovers into creative concoctions to survive the week.

We also get a little personal — Susan turns 45 and opens up about the weird in-between feelings that come with it. She's not quite sure how to feel, but an upcoming trip home might be just what she needs to shake the funk.

We're also reflecting on a milestone: 6 months of podcasting! It's been a wild, fun, and sometimes creatively challenging ride. Is this a slump, or is it just that midlife + mid-summer vibe hitting all at once?

As always, we wrap things up with what we've been watching and reading — your favorite segment returns with fresh recs and honest takes.

🎧 Tune in, commiserate, and catch some laughs. We're all in this summer slowdown together.

#fearlessand40 #midlife #midlifefunk #newepisode #midlife45

For Reference: 

The Wedding People 

We are liars 

The Gilded Age 

And Just Like That

The Poop Cruise 

Episode 18: "Red, White, and Repeating Ourselves"

Happy 4th of July! In this festive-yet-thoughtful episode, we kick things off by chatting about our favorite Independence Day traditions — from fireworks to family barbecues. Then we test our U.S. history knowledge with a fun pop quiz. 

But we don’t stop at sparklers and trivia. We take a deeper dive into what we’re calling the “Groundhog Day Syndrome” — that feeling of being stuck in a monotonous routine where every day feels the same. It’s a real struggle, especially in your 40s. We open up about our own experiences with the mundane and explore practical, uplifting ways to break free from the loop and add some sparkle (pun intended) back into daily life.

Whether you're lighting up the grill or just looking for ways to light up your week, this episode brings celebration and soul in equal measure.

🎧 Tune in, laugh with us, and maybe even learn something new.

#fearlessand40 #midlife #4thofjuly #groundhounddaysyndrome #glimmers 

For Reference:

Donna Ashworth 

The Wedding People

We are Liars

Ginny & Georgia