How Play Is Helping Me Feel Alive Again

Do you ever feel like all the fun got squeezed out of adulthood? Like the to-do lists and responsibilities have taken over and there’s no energy left for joy?

In this short solo episode, I’m sharing my Midlife Joy Experiment — my personal journey of bringing more play back into my life in my fifties. From learning to dance on roller skates (yes, I broke my elbow and yes, I’ll be back on them!) to discovering new ways to feel free and creative while I heal, this exploration has been surprising, healing, and downright fun.

I’m not a play expert — this is a real-life experiment in what helps us feel alive again. And I hope it inspires you to reconnect with your own joy, curiosity, and sense of playfulness… even in small ways.

✨ Want to go deeper? Join the waitlist for the Unlocking Playfulness PLAYshop:

If this episode resonates, share it with a friend who could use a spark of joy today.

Let me know…. What’s one thing that makes you feel alive again?

What would happen if you finally said yes to the thing you’ve been dreaming about for years?

In this episode, Yvonne talks with award-winning novelist and creativity coach Beth Barany, who is stepping into a bold new creative chapter. At 50+, Beth is becoming a first-time filmmaker as she turns her fantasy adventure novel, Henrietta the Dragon Slayer, into a proof-of-concept short film — the first step toward a potential TV series.

Beth shares the true behind-the-scenes story of a dream nearly two decades in the making:

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “too old” to start something new — this conversation is your reminder that you are right on time. You don’t need permission. You get to greenlight yourself.

🔗 Learn more about Beth’s project: https://author.bethbarany.com/henrietta-short-film/

Join the PLAYshop waitlist: https://www.latebloomerliving.com/play 

Gratitude Feeling Forced? Try This Instead.

This Thanksgiving, I’m trying a little experiment. Instead of forcing gratitude, I’m approaching the holiday like a game—using appreciation to see people as they really are, not as I wish they’d be.

In this episode, I share the simple appreciation practices I’m playing with, why I think they’ll make the day feel lighter, and how you can try them too.

I also invite you to check out last week’s episode about the difference between gratitude and appreciation, and to join the PLAYshop waitlist if you want more curiosity, creativity, and ease in your everyday life. Sign up at https://www.latebloomerliving.com/play

If Your Gratitude List Feels Stale, You’re Not Alone

We’re often told that gratitude is the answer to everything — write a list, feel better, repeat.

In this solo episode, I share a personal moment that cracked open a new understanding for me about gratitude, appreciation, and the way our minds work when we’re overwhelmed. Instead of trying to force myself into feeling grateful, I stumbled into a different approach that helped me reconnect with the present moment in a much more honest, grounded way.

This isn’t an episode about toxic positivity or pretending everything’s fine.

You’ll hear:

Whether you’re navigating holiday stress, feeling overwhelmed, or just craving a gentler way to support your own well-being, this episode offers a compassionate invitation to slow down and reconnect with what’s right in front of you.

Tune in, try the experiment, and see what opens.

🌼 Bloom like you mean it.

What if the key to more joy, creativity, and confidence in midlife isn’t mastery — it’s dabbling?

Author and speaker Karen Walrond (Radiant Rebellion, The Lightmaker’s Manifesto) joins Yvonne Marchese to talk about her newest book, In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur.

Together, they explore how curiosity, play, and self-compassion can help us reconnect with wonder — and why embracing our inner beginner might be the most radical act of joy we can choose.

Tune in for a refreshing conversation about letting go of perfectionism, rediscovering creativity, and learning to love the process again.

🌻 If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love for you to share your thoughts about this episode on social media and tag me @latebloomerliving.

🌻Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! 

🌻 Need a little more FUN in your life? Come to The PLAYshop!  Sign up for the waitlist and get in on the fun! 🛼 💥

What happens when you say yes to fun?

This week, I’m joined by my good friend Adam Rothenberg, creator of the entertainment platform Call Me Adam, for a joyful conversation about curiosity, courage, and play. When Adam found himself at a children’s birthday party, he and one other adult decided to join the kids rock climbing and ziplining—and it turned into a reminder of what we lose when we forget how to play.

We talk about facing fears, staying curious, and how a playful mindset keeps us creative, confident, and young at heart.

💛 Tune in and discover the surprising power of saying yes to fun.

🌻 If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love for you to share your thoughts about this episode on social media and tag me @latebloomerliving.

🌻Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! 

🌻 Need a little more FUN in your life? Come to The PLAYshop!  Sign up for the waitlist and get in on the fun! 🛼 💥

Have you ever caught yourself asking questions like, “Why can’t I get ahead?” or “Why do I always mess things up?” I sure have — and those questions kept me stuck for years.

In this short solo episode, I’m sharing how I discovered the power of asking better questions — and how that simple shift changed my life. From giving up complaining for Lent (spoiler: it was way harder than chocolate!) to learning how my thoughts were shaping my reality, I found a way to train my brain to look for solutions instead of problems.

We’ll talk about:

Whether you’re in midlife, over 50, or just ready for a fresh start, this episode is all about reclaiming your curiosity, reframing your thinking, and blooming again — right where you are.

If this message resonates, share it with a friend who might need a reminder that it’s never too late to ask a better question.

What if finding your voice didn’t happen in your 20s — but in your 50s?

This week, I’m talking with Molly Lee, founder of Optimistic Soap, who discovered activism — and her own courage to speak up — later in life. What began as a creative hobby making soap to unwind after work became something much bigger: a way to fundraise, build community, and take action for the causes she believes in.

Molly’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to step into your power. She shares how the 2016 Women’s March sparked her inner activist, what it means to live with optimism in hard times, and why hope is anything but naïve.

We talk about:

Finding your voice and purpose later in life

Turning creativity into a tool for change

How optimism can be a radical act

Staying engaged without losing heart

If you’ve ever felt like it’s “too late” to make a difference — this conversation will change your mind.

🌻 If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love for you to share your thoughts about this episode on social media and tag me @latebloomerliving.

🌻Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! 

🌻 Need a little more FUN in your life? Come to The PLAYshop!  Sign up for the waitlist and get in on the fun! 🛼 💥

Growth rarely feels graceful in the moment.

Have you ever jumped into something new and realized halfway through that you were completely figuring it out as you went? That was me at the Empowered Podcasting Conference — my first podcasting event, my first time speaking live, and my first attempt at creating video content for both YouTube and the podcast.

Things didn’t go exactly as planned (spoiler: there were bloopers), but what came out of it was a weekend full of laughter, learning, and connection.

This episode isn’t really about podcasting — it’s about what happens when you let yourself try anyway. It’s about showing up before you feel ready, letting curiosity lead, and discovering that community makes all the difference.

If you’ve been hesitating to take that next step — to start something new, share your story, or push past your comfort zone — consider this your nudge.

🌻 If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love for you to share your thoughts about this episode on social media and tag me @latebloomerliving.

🌻Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! 

🌻 Need a little more FUN in your life? Come to The PLAYshop!  Sign up for the waitlist and get in on the fun! 🛼 💥

What if midlife isn’t the beginning of the end, but the spark of something extraordinary?

This week, I’m joined by Lisa Murphy, a certified Life & Wellness Coach and founder of the @50ForwardClub. After more than 20 years in magazines and digital media, Lisa made a bold pivot to help midlife women create intentional, fulfilling, and joyful lives.

In this conversation, we dive into the stories we tell ourselves about aging — and how to rewrite them. Lisa shares how she got sober, learned to understand (not just “feel”) her fears, and started building a vibrant community that celebrates what’s possible after 50. From challenging internalized ageism to finding joy on the dance floor, Lisa reminds us that it’s never too late to change your story.

Website: https://coachlisamurphy.com/

🌻 If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love for you to share your thoughts about this episode on social media and tag me @latebloomerliving.

🌻Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! 

🌻 Need a little more FUN in your life? Come to The PLAYshop!  Sign up for the waitlist and get in on the fun! 🛼 💥