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What does single motherhood at 40 really look like? In this raw, hilarious, and deeply real conversation, Michelle Shipley shares the unfiltered truth about becoming a solo parent overnight — with little backup, few breaks, and a whole lot of grit. From rebuilding her identity after divorce to navigating dating as a single mom, she reveals how she learned to survive, then thrive, while raising a child completely on her own.
If you've ever wondered what life looks like when you're the primary parent in the picture — emotionally, financially, and logistically — this episode is full of real-life wisdom, resilience, and laugh-through-the-chaos moments. No toxic positivity. No Pinterest parenting. Just the honest reality of single motherhood at 40 and finding yourself again in midlife.
(01:00) — Becoming a Solo Parent After Divorce 💔👩👦
How divorce led to full-time single motherhood with little co-parenting support
(04:00) — When Co-Parenting Plans Change: Starting Over Alone 📦✈️
The move that never happened — and being forced into solo parenting
(07:00) — Survival Mode: Carrying the Parenting Alone 🔥
The emotional and logistical load of being the only parent involved
(09:30) — “I’m Not the CEO — I’m the Janitor”: The Reality of Solo Parenting 🧹
Why the “supermom / CEO mom” narrative doesn't match real single mom life
(12:00) — The Mental Load of Motherhood (When You Have No Support) 🧠
Managing every appointment, emergency, meal, and meltdown alone
(17:00) — Independence vs. Freedom in Single Motherhood 🔓
Being capable… without the luxury of choice or spontaneity
(22:00) — Motherhood in Seasons: No Free Time, No Flexibility ⏳
Accepting the “no spontaneity” season of solo parenting young kids
(27:00) — Reclaiming Identity & Confidence After Divorce at 40 💃
How single moms rediscover independence and womanhood in midlife
(28:00) — Dating as a Single Mom in Midlife 📅❤️
Boundaries, childcare logistics, and dating without sacrificing parenting
(32:00) — Choosing Your Child First: Ending a Relationship that Didn’t Fit 👦💔
Why great guys still may not be right for single moms
(43:30) — Realistic Self-Care for Single Moms ☕🥡
DoorDash, therapy, grocery delivery, and survival systems — not spa days
(52:30) — What She Found at 40: Confidence, Strength & Self-Worth 🌈
How single motherhood shaped her identity, resilience, and joy
✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review
📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40
Keywords: single motherhood at 40, solo parenting, dating as a single mom, midlife divorce, rebuilding after divorce, single mom struggles, single mom dating, identity after motherhood, motherhood in your 40s, real single mom life, single mom over 40, dating after divorce at 40, solo parenting with no support, life after divorce as a mom, real single mom struggles, motherhood identity crisis, mental load for single moms, how to rebuild life after divorce, strong independent mother stories, midlife reinvention for moms
Parenting teens in midlife is a contact sport—with hormones, homework, and a whole lot of Wi-Fi. In this conversation with recreational therapist and boy-mom Katie Meek, we pull back the curtain on boundaries, boredom, and the black market of old iPhones. We wrestle with the question every modern parent faces: are we raising connected kids or disconnected humans? And yes—we make the case for bringing back a little 1990s childhood: more bikes, fewer likes.
(0:00) Parenting Teenagers in a World That Doesn’t Exist Anymore 🌍
How raising kids in 2025 feels nothing like the childhood we remember — and why that matters for today’s parents.
(2:00) Midlife Motherhood Meets Teenage Chaos 💞
Balancing hormones, emotions, and high school drama while trying to raise kind, capable humans.
(6:00) Setting Boundaries Without Breaking Connection ⚖️
How midlife parents can hold firm limits, keep love at the center, and survive the eye rolls.
(10:00) Teen Tech Addiction & the Myth of “Staying Connected” 📱
What happens when social media replaces real connection — and why every family ends up in the same digital tug-of-war.
(14:00) Raising Independent Thinkers (Not Rule Followers) 🧭
The difference between control and guidance — and how to help teens make good choices when no one’s watching.
(17:00) Real-World Lessons That Don’t Come From a Screen 🏫
From small mistakes to big learning moments — what actually teaches teens responsibility in the age of instant gratification.
(23:00) Make Kids Bored Again: The 90’s Childhood Revival 💤
Why midlife parents are craving the slow, screen-free simplicity we grew up with — and what our teens might gain from it.
(29:00) The Five Red Flags Every Parent Should Watch For 🖐️
Screens, sleep, spending, substances, and sex — the subtle warning signs you might be missing.
(34:00) The Truth About Teen FOMO and Feeling Left Out 🚪
Why “being left out” might actually be the best thing that ever happens to your kid.
(42:00) Growing Up Too Fast in a Digital World 🧠
How technology and overexposure are reshaping childhood — and what parents can still do about it.
(49:00) Schools, Screens & the Balance Between Learning and Overload 🖥️
The hidden cost of classroom tech and what it’s doing to kids’ focus, creativity, and connection.
(51:00) Finding Real Connection in a Screen-Obsessed World ⚡
How midlife parents can model what matters most — presence, patience, and the courage to unplug.
✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review
📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40
Keywords:
parenting teenagers, parenting in midlife, raising teens in a digital world, screen time and teenagers, technology and parenting, modern motherhood, parenting boundaries, raising resilient kids, parenting and social media, digital parenting tips, midlife motherhood podcast, family connection in the digital age, raising independent teens, parenting struggles, teenage mental health, parenting advice for moms, 90s childhood nostalgia, mom life podcast, parenting teens today, how to connect with your teenager.
Is it just us, or have friendships gotten harder in your 40s? In this episode, Chrissi and Sarah unpack the highs and heartbreaks of midlife friendship — from the women who never outgrew mean-girl behavior to the quiet ache of friendships that fade.
Joining the conversation is Dr. Noëlle Santorelli, clinical psychologist and Emory School of Medicine faculty member, who weighs in on the ultimate adult mean girl conundrum — why some friend groups still mirror middle school dynamics and how to spot the red flags early.
💬 It’s a raw, funny, and deeply relatable look at how attachment styles, emotional boundaries, and self-worth shape our adult connections.
Find Dr. Noëlle Santorelli on Instagram at @drnoellesantorelli or on her website at drnoellesantorelli.com
✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review
📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40
💫 Keywords: midlife friendship, adult mean girls, fading friendships, attachment styles, friendship problems after 40, women’s relationships, friendship ghosting, emotional boundaries, toxic friendships, Dr. Noëlle Santorelli, adult friendship drama, friendship anxiety, midlife self-growth, rebuilding connections, modern friendship challenges, friendship breakups, female friendship dynamics, women’s emotional health, friendship psychology, adult female relationships
If you’ve ever felt like you’re too busy, too tired, or too late to chase something big — this episode is for you. Ultra runner, coach, and mom of five Rhandi Orme shares honest lessons on resilience, failure, and finding joy in the pursuit. Whether you’re a runner or just running from your to-do list, this conversation will remind you that it’s never too late to dream really freaking big.
(0:00) 🎙️ Welcome & Introduction — Why Rhandi’s message about dreaming big hits home for anyone in midlife.
(4:15) 🧱 Building a Strong Foundation — How running reveals universal truths about burnout, balance, and building from the ground up.
(7:00) 🚫 You Can’t Cheat the System — The importance of patience, process, and embracing the hard work behind every goal.
(9:00) 🎯 Doing Less to Do More — How overcommitment holds us back — and why focusing on what matters most creates real progress.
(10:00) 💡 The Seasons of Growth — Recognizing when to push and when to pause — and why rest can be just as powerful as hustle.
(14:00) ❤️ Grace Over Grit — Why self-compassion keeps you consistent and how to balance discipline with grace in the long game.
(18:00) 🔁 Rebuilding After Setbacks — How to find your footing after injuries or detours — and the mindset that turns setbacks into comebacks.
(19:00) 📖 Berenstein Bears Comedy Moment- One content creator’s hysterical take on a popular Berestein Bears book “Mama’s New Job”
(22:30) ⚖️ The Importance of Not Shrinking- Why strong > skinny always
(27:45) 🔎 Signs that something needs some attention — Whether it’s repeated injuries or signs of emotional burnout, there are always signs that things are not 100% ok
(31:45) 🏔️ The Grand Slam Dream — Chasing one of ultrarunning’s toughest challenges — and the setback that changed her perspective.
(35:00) 💔 When the Dream Breaks You Down — A raw reflection on failure, ego, and rediscovering your “why.”
(40:00) 🌍 Race to Survive: New Zealand — Behind the scenes of Rhandi’s reality TV adventure and what it taught her about courage and teamwork.
(42:00) 💪 Representation & Resilience — The power of showing up for women, moms, and anyone chasing something that scares them.
(50:00) ✨ Final Takeaway — The reminder that your biggest dreams deserve your energy, your faith, and your focus — no matter your pace.
Follow Rhandi at @run_rhandi_run on Instagram
✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review
📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40
dream big, midlife motivation, midlife reinvention, mindset for women, resilience in midlife, personal growth, chasing dreams, women over 40, midlife transformation, motivation for moms, redefining strength, comeback stories, overcoming setbacks, purpose in midlife, running motivation, ultra running mindset, female athletes, Rhandi Orme, Chrissi Harris, women who inspire, midlife goals, how to dream big, motivation podcast, self improvement podcast, personal development for women, female empowerment, dream really freaking big
Alison Faulkner radiates creative joy—but behind the sparkle is a story of recalibration, resilience, and radical self-worth. In this conversation, we unpack what it means to be seen after building a life online, how to find peace that isn’t tied to validation, and why the world needs you... yes, YOU! It’s raw, funny, and deeply human—the kind of talk that lingers long after you’ve pressed pause.
✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review
📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40
Keywords: Alison Faulkner, creative self-worth, authenticity podcast, midlife reinvention, healing from burnout, nervous system regulation, vulnerability and creativity, personal growth podcast, over 40 inspiration, finding purpose in your 40s, midlife women podcast, bossbabe culture, women over 40, midlife reinvention
Ever joined an MLM? Almost joined one? Or bought overpriced mascara from your high school friend’s Facebook Live? In this painfully honest episode, Chrissi and Sarah spill the tea on their multi-level misadventures — from pink Cadillacs to LuLaRoe leggings — and how the #Girlboss era convinced a generation of women that burnout was a business model.
Equal parts confession and cultural commentary, this one’s about chasing purpose, ditching hustle culture, and rediscovering who you are when the glitter fades.
(1:20) Franklin, TN & The Search for a Patron of the Podcast Arts – Champagne tastes, midlife budgets, and a town where everyone seems suspiciously successful. 🏡
(4:45) The Podcast That Made Our Jaws Drop: Unicorn Girl – A bizarre rabbit hole that sparks a bigger conversation about hustle, ambition, and delusion. 🦄
(6:00) Our MLM Résumés (a.k.a. FTC Cautionary Tales) – The millennial pressure to “be your own boss” and the glittering mirage of #BossBabe culture. 💼
(12:30) Sarah’s Secret MLM – Too embarrassing to tell Chrissi… until Dad got involved. 🫣
(15:00) All You Have to Do Is Follow the Simple Tips and Tricks! – A Schitt’s Creek–inspired moment of self-awareness. 💅
(16:00) Sarah’s Mary Kay Era – Dreams of pink Cadillacs and a lesson in sales psychology. 🚗
(17:40) Chrissi’s Mary Kay Adventure – The trauma of door-to-door hustle meets midwestern politeness. 😬
(21:00) Chrissi’s Younique Years – Fiber lashes, online parties, and why timing really is everything. 👁️
(22:00) The Joint Venture: LuLaRoe – Matching prints, stretchy pants, and the Kool-Aid everyone was drinking. 🧃
(24:30) QVC Energy – Sisters with ring lights and retail dreams. 📺
(25:45) Where the Money Went (Spoiler: Not to Us) – The financial math that never quite math’d. 💸
(28:45) The Downfall of LuLaRoe – From cult-like community to chaos… but also, some of the best sister memories. 💔
(31:10) How to Move Hideous Inventory & Who Actually Wins in MLMs – A surprising look at storytelling, timing, and the few who make it work. 📊
(36:00) MLMs & #Girlboss Culture Collide – When hustle became identity and empowerment became marketing. 💋
(40:00) Are Gen Z’s “Lazy Girl Jobs” Really a Thing? – A generational shift in ambition and what we can learn from it. 🧃
(42:40) Did #BossBabe Culture Walk So Influencer Marketing Could Run? – The direct sales evolution nobody saw coming. 📱
(46:15) Do We Even Want to Be Girlbosses Anymore? – The truth about slowing down, growing up, and redefining success after 40. 🌿
(50:00) Closing Reflections – Sisterhood, laughter, and the midlife freedom of doing less — and meaning more. 🪞
✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review
📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40
midlife women podcast, MLM stories, bossbabe culture, girlboss burnout, women over 40, midlife reinvention, anti-hustle culture, multilevel marketing, LuLaRoe documentary, Mary Kay, Younique, LuLaRoe, working moms, women entrepreneurship, pyramid schemes, female empowerment, leaving MLM, identity after motherhood, reinventing yourself at 40, LulaRich
If you are a woman with a pulse, this episode is a must listen! I'm chatting with Elle Rowley — entrepreneur, podcaster, and mother — for an honest conversation about womanhood, motherhood, and midlife transformation. We talk about the main female archetypes of Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch, identity shifts, and the messy but beautiful process of becoming — and why midlife is such a powerful time to make sense of it all.
(2:00) Meet Elle Rowley 🙋♀️
Get to know Elle — entrepreneur, podcaster, and mother — and why her voice matters in this conversation about womanhood.
(5:45) Buckle in: The Woman’s Journey 🚀
We kick off with a candid look at society’s fear of aging and what that means for women.
(10:15) The Maiden Archetype 👧
Elle explains the beginning stage of womanhood and the energy it carries.
(14:50) The Maiden in Culture & Entertainment 🎬
From movies to music, we see how Maidenhood is celebrated — and sometimes distorted.
(15:45) Staying in The Maiden Too Long ⏳
What happens when someone clings to this stage instead of growing into the next?
(18:45) The Mother Archetype 🤱
We explore the richness and challenges of motherhood as a transformative identity.
(21:30) Down the Well 💧
Elle shares the metaphor behind her podcast and how it frames motherhood as a descent and rebirth.
(23:30) The Mother’s Hero’s Journey 🛤️
How this journey differs from the traditional male-centered hero’s arc.
(26:31) Why 47% of Young Adults Say No to Kids ❌👶
A deeper look at the surprising reasons behind this growing trend.
(32:07) Mothers in Media 📺
From Maria in The Sound of Music to Joyce Byers in Stranger Things, how mothers are portrayed on screen matters.
(35:00) The Wild Woman 🐺
What comes after the Mother stage — and how freedom and untamed energy emerge.
(42:15) The Matriarch Archetype 👑
Stepping into authority, wisdom, and leadership in midlife and beyond.
(47:00) The Grandmother Hypothesis 🧬
Why science suggests grandmothers are crucial to the survival of our species.
(50:15) Honoring the Stage We’re In 🌸
A reminder to value each phase of womanhood instead of rushing to the next.
(51:00) Final Four Questions ❓
Elle answers the closing questions that wrap every Found at 40 conversation.
Follow Elle at @ellerowley on Instagram and her amazing podcast Down The Well on YouTube and anywhere you listen to podcasts
✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review
📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40
women over 40 podcast, life begins at 40 podcast, midlife transformation stories, female empowerment after 40, thriving in your 40s, rediscovering purpose after 40, Elle Rowley interview, Solly Baby founder, Down the Well podcast, motherhood archetype, maiden mother matriarch, wild woman archetype, cultural fear of aging, women’s journey podcast, embracing aging women, women and midlife transformation
Join me for an fantastic conversation with Shannon Willardson—mom of five, family & lifestyle content creator, and first-time CEO—about motherhood, resilience, and building a life you didn’t expect but wouldn’t trade.
Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll hear:
Follow Shannon at @shannonwillardson on Instagram and TikTok and The Willardson Family on Youtube.
✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review
📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40
SEO keywords:
Found at 40 podcast, parenting special needs children, raising medically complex kids, life after a special needs diagnosis, parenting in your 40s, balancing caregiving and career, midlife reinvention with family challenges, resilience and parenting, lifestyle influencer stories, content creation and family life, inspiring midlife parenting journeys, family dynamics, motherhood challenges
In this episode, Aly Maughan takes us on a rollercoaster through the wild world of dating after 40—where Utah’s focus on youth and appearance collides with Nashville’s guitar-toting dreamers. From ghosting and catfishing to a millionaire straight out of a true-crime special, her stories are equal parts jaw-dropping and laugh-out-loud. And yes, she once kept an entire dinner afloat with nothing but Harry Potter trivia. Buckle up—it’s messy, it’s hilarious, and it’s very, very real.
(00:00) 🚨 A high-profile CEO date so bizarre it could’ve been a Dateline pilot.
(02:00) 💍 Some backstory on Aly’s divorce
(04:00) 📱 Back on the apps: swipes, surprises, and profiles that don’t quite match reality.
(07:00) 🕵️♀️ When the local dating scene gets messy—very messy.
(10:00) 📚 Some men skipped Dating Etiquette 101, and it shows.
(13:00) ⚡ A first date that went dangerously sideways—thankfully Aly came prepared.
(16:00) ✨ From survival mode to thriving: the “Year of Yes” that changed everything.
(22:00) 🎤 Salt Lake vs. Nashville—two cities, two very different dating pools.
(27:00) 🚌 The kind of “you won’t believe this” date story you’ll be telling your friends about.
(30:00) 🧙 A dinner so awkward Aly had to conjure some magic to keep it moving.
(32:00) 🦄 When a date’s “big reveal” turns into something straight out of left field.
(34:00) 🏦 Another date, another jaw-dropping confession.
(35:00) 🌹 But yes—there are good ones out there. One proved it.
(37:00) 🎢 Why more options don’t always mean better outcomes.
(40:00) 🔥 Sparks aren’t everything. Sometimes the slow burn wins.
(43:00) 🧘♀️ Rejection at 40 hits different—and maybe that’s a good thing.
(50:00) 🍝 A self-proclaimed “rich guy” whose dinner plans didn’t quite match the hype.
(52:00) 🌟 Aly’s best advice for dating after divorce—and why the timing matters more than the app.
(54:00) 🎬 Final four: concerts, casting, and what she’s truly found at 40.
Unapologetic midlife wisdom meets Hollywood sparkle. 🌟 In this episode, Roxy Manning—host of The Iconic Midlife and longtime entertainment journalist and red carpet insider—joins Chrissi to talk about rewriting the midlife narrative. From red carpets to real talk, Roxy proves that midlife isn’t decline, it’s the power era. Get ready for inspiration, a little pop-culture gossip, and a reminder that there’s no expiration date on reinvention.
(00:00) 🎙️ Roxy’s origin story: from red carpets to reinvention
(04:00) 🚀 Why she launched The Iconic Midlife
(09:00) 🌟 Hollywood & ageism: J.Lo, Halle, Naomi—and tides that are turning
(11:00) 🥵 The “unsexy” parts of midlife
(20:00) 🤝 Building your midlife community
(24:00) 💬 Likability traps, fear of being seen, and doing it anyway
(29:00) 😌 The parts of our twenties we would never want to go back to + wise words from Taylor Swift
(35:00) 🧠 Guest highlights from Roxy’s show: Tracy Tutor, Dr. Louise Newson, Wendi McLendon-Covey and more
(41:00) 🧗♀️ Building momentum as you go
(44:00) 🏆 The “20-year overnight success” and staying in the game
(53:00) 🎶 Fan girling over Roxy’s red carpet interviews
(58:00) 💖 Purpose, motherhood, marriage, and what’s next
📱Follow Roxy on Instagram at @redcarpetroxy and @theiconicmidlife
🎙️Listen to The Iconic Midlife with Roxy Manning anywhere you listen to your podcasts
✨ Hit follow, send this episode to your group chat, and leave a glowing review
📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40
From the publisher's feed
Turns out, life doesn’t come with a manual—but it does come with a podcast.
Found at 40 is a podcast for women in midlife having honest conversations about relationships,…
Each week, guests over 40 share their best lessons, hilarious moments, and wisdom that only comes from surviving the ultimate group projects of marriage, motherhood, and careers. Together, we talk through the chaotic season of shifting identities, evolving marriages, growing kids, perimenopause knocking at the door, and the quiet panic of reinvention.
It’s what we’ve learned now that we’re finally old enough to know better—and still occasionally do it anyway. Because midlife isn’t a crisis… it’s just incredibly well-researched content.
Welcome to the group chat you didn’t know you needed.
Instagram: @foundat40podcast

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