Magnificent Midlife

Iffat Shahnaz is a lifelong campaigner committed to social justice and equality. She works with organisations committed to social change and tackling social exclusion and discrimination. She specialises in gender-based violence, community education, facilitation, service development and change management.

We talk about:

• How Iffat became so passionate about social justice
• The legacy of her parents and their story as children of partition
• Being the child of immigrants from the former commonwealth
• The family trauma that lead to Iffat wanting to make the world a better place for everyone
• Going back to her parents' village in India
• The lack of safe passage when people are facing displacement, at the time of partition and now
• Why her father was so keen that she should learn to swim
• How the family managed to get to England from Pakistan
• Racial abuse growing up in the West Midlands in school and on the street
• Feeling hopeful despite systemic discrimination
• The impact of Covid and the Black Lives Matter movement on global awareness of discrimination
• Getting more aware of what is going on and the importance of speaking up
• Confronting racism wherever we find it
• The importance of being anti-racist instead of just not racist
• Acknowledging that we are different and that being colour-blind just doesn't work
• Understanding racism in the UK and how it differs to the US
• 'Good' and 'bad' immigrants
• The more insidious nature of racism in the UK today
• How Covid has highlighted so many social justice-related and inequality issues
• The disproportionate impact of Covid on BAME (Black and minority ethnic) communities
• How Iffat feels about turning 50 this year
• Growing our own wisdom as we age and having more of an impact on society as we get older

And more!

Find out more about Iffat:

Linkedin and Twitter

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you're listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview

You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That's also where you'll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There's a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?

An interview with Dr Joanna Martin founder of One of Many, a women's leadership community which started in the UK and is now global through its online community and trainings. She was a medical doctor and an actor before finding her mission as a coach helping women lead.

We talk about:

• Why Jo is so passionate about helping women step into leadership roles
• The importance of grassroots women's leadership
• Why women tend to burn out so easily
• The importance of setting boundaries so we can thrive better
• Why women are generally more unhappy now than at the time of the Women's Liberation Movement
• Why women need to find a new kind of power to be consistently effective
• How midlife women are often drawn to take more of a leadership role but need to find a way to do that without burning out
• Reframing feminine power as soft power – it does not mean weak
• We can bring more femininity to our lives without that being a mark against us
• How Covid has brought out wonderful examples of soft power leadership from women
• The five women's power types and why they're so powerful
• How we can access these power types to help us face challenges and access our strength
• The shared vision of women wanting to make a difference in the world
• The power of women coming together to effect positive change such as in the NHS during Covid, detention centres and environmental initiatives
• How Jo's medical, family and drama background impacted her work today
• The importance of seeing issues from multiple perspectives
• The power of the habit of morning writing (Artist's Way morning pages) and how that impacted Jo's life
• How women can become better leaders
• Getting clear on our strengths and what we each can do

And more!

You can find out more about Dr Joanna:

Dr. Joanna's website

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and Linkedin

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you're listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview

You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That's also where you'll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There's a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?

Meet the co-hosts of the Hot Flashes and Cool Topics podcast, Colleen Rosenblum and Bridgett Biagi Garratt.

We talk about:

• Why they decided to start a podcast and how they came up with the name
• How we are set on a path of life and when we get to midlife, it gets a bit confused!
• How we need more of a sense of fulfilment in midlife.
• The benefits of having a supportive partner despite them not listening to their podcast!
• The importance of spreading the word about menopause and making it less taboo.
• Raising awareness of menopause in the workplace and in doctors' offices.
• Differences in menopause awareness between the UK and the US.
• Getting menopause on the school curriculum in the UK.
• Trying to get a more positive perspective on menopause.
• Understanding that women's sexual desire starts in the brain.
• Getting curious about what happens to women in midlife and through menopause.
• Reframing the conversation about midlife to the future rather than the past.
• The importance of looking forward rather than just backwards.
• Moving beyond the overwhelming impression of loss as we go through menopause.
• The huge benefits of being post menopause.
• The lessons they've learnt from doing their podcast.

And more!

You can find out more about Hot Flashes and Cool Topics:

Website and Podcast

Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you're listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview

You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That's also where you'll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There's a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?

Dr Sonia Wright is a medical doctor, radiologist, life coach and most importantly for us, a midlife sexual counsellor for women. She's also tremendous fun. This is a brilliant interview all about midlife sex. If you have any issues at all, even tiny ones, in this department, or just want to make your sex life even better, this interview will get you feeling inspired and empowered to take excellent care of yourself and your partner. Let's all have more fun!

We talk about:

• How Sonia went from being a radiologist to becoming a sex coach.
• Understanding the pleasure gap between men and women
• Moving beyond penis in vagina (PIV) sex
• The importance of clitoral stimulation
• How our libido changes as we age
• Thinking about the many factors that may impact our libido
• Our biggest sexual organ is the brain
• Staying curious and exploring different ways to be sexual
• Self-pleasure to maintain the blood supply to the vulval area
• Feeling comfortable using lubricants
• Your best sexual partner is yourself
• The wonders of the clitoris and how much of is not visible
• Why Sonia worked in a sex toy shop
• The fun and pleasure you can get with sex toys
• Sonia's toy recommendations
• Taking the pressure off men by bringing toys into the bedroom
• Bringing sexual intimacy back when it's completely slipped off the agenda
• You can't have great sex if there are relationship issues
• A man can still have good sex and an orgasm without an erection
• How society's narratives impact our own concept of what is sexy
• The importance of body image as we age

And more!

You can find out more about Dr Sonia:

Dr Sonia's websites: www.themidlifesexcoach.com and www.soniawrightmd.com

Instagram, and Linkedin

Resources:

Clitoris diagram here.

Dr Sonia's Free Intimacy Guide

Book your FREE Consultation with Dr Sonia here.

Smitten Kitten – Use the discount code "drsonia" to get 20% discount

Sh! Emporium

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you're listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview

You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That's also where you'll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There's a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?

Angela Raspass is my mentor and she works with women to find, create and grow their next chapter in business and life. She's as determined as I am to help women find passion, purpose and fulfilment in midlife and beyond. She also knows just how powerful we can be if we just believe in ourselves!

We talk about: • How Angela moved from corporate to setting up a marketing business and finally becoming a business and life mentor • Unpicking her sense of self-worth from running her business • How she learnt that just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should • Your business needs to serve you as much as your customers • How women's ability to contribute just expands as we age • Self-doubt is the biggest issue for women and we need to dismantle our old stories • Getting stuck in the conditioning and messages society gives us • Learning to listen to our intuition and Angela's next chapter model of change • Moving through discontent and trying to work out what we want next • What would you rant about on your soap box and who inspires you • The inspiration Angela gets from Brené Brown • Moving towards your desire and taking decisions • Silencing your inner critic and finding belief buddies – don't go it alone • Acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) – actions first, confidence later • Starting a business isn't an easy path but can be incredibly rewarding • Moving from face to face contact to online because of Covid • Not being scared of technology or using lack of knowledge as an excuse • No harm in getting help with the stuff that is difficult • Applying self-compassion and being willing to pivot if we don't get it right • GOSCOP – Get off self, get on purpose – a good way to get back on track • Feel Deal Heal – take time to feel the emotions, deal with them and heal ourselves • Finding ways to fill the empty nest • Building next chapters on skinned knees – learning from life experiences

And lots more!

You can find out more about Angela:

Your Next Chapter with Angela Raspass

Angela's free Journey Board program

Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you're listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview

You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That's also where you'll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There's a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?

Meet Sam Walker, host of the fabulous Sam Walker's Desert Diaries podcast, which she started to document her move from Manchester, UK to Phoenix, Arizona. Sam is a master storyteller, an award-winning radio and TV broadcaster, a multiple podcast producer and presenter, a writer with a book being published next year and a woman who's encountered coyotes, snakes and scorpions in the desert. Since we recorded this she won three (yes three) awards at the British Podcast awards!

We talk about:

• Why Sam decided to up sticks and move from Manchester to the desert
• How she pushed through the fear both before making the move and after, given all the issues she has faced
• Having support when making a big life change
• Trusting the universe when there are signs along the way
• The importance of trying to live our dreams no matter how big or small those might be
• The difficulties and highlights of her life in Arizona
• The many quirky things about adapting to US life
• Trying to function in the US without a credit history
• The delights of the US medical system
• The beauty and history of US landscapes
• Whatever brings you joy is what is right for you
• The importance of following your dreams whatever they are
• Getting rid of the word should
• How Sam stays upbeat despite the many setbacks she's encountered
• How it's been coping with Covid as a Brit in the US
• Coping with being away from sick loved ones
• Coming to terms with gun culture
• Realising her white privilege when things got really tough
• Being grateful the basics
• What Sam has learnt by making this huge change in her life

And lots more!

You can find out more about Sam:

Sam Walker's Desert Diaries

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you're listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview

You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That's also where you'll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There's a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?

An interview with Lisa Weldon, a writer who's created a fascinating life for herself in her next chapter, by walking cities! This was recorded pre lockdown when travel was still normal but seems super relevant now that walking is a much more comfortable option than public transport!

We talk about:

• How and why Lisa started walking cities
• How she decides where she's going to walk
• Why she chose to go to Shanghai
• What she does when she first arrives at a destination
• What it's like travelling alone
• What she loves about walking cities
• Being more confident and outgoing when we're abroad
• The most interesting things she's discovered about a city that only walking could make happen
• Lisa's favourite city to walk and why
• Getting used to eating alone
• Lisa's narrow escapes. Fortunately, not too many!
• Lisa's favourite walking footwear
• What this experience has taught her about herself
• Lisa's advice for a woman in midlife who's stuck and in need of an adventure

And lots more!

You can find out more about Lisa:

Lisa's Website

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you're listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview

You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That's also where you'll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There's a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?

An interview with Laurie Mucha, the charming founder of the Feminista Film Festival. This interview was recorded as coronavirus was kicking off in the UK, but before lockdown. My, how things changed quickly after that! Laurie shares all about how she came to set up her own film festival and the lessons she has learnt.

We talk about:

• The need to learn on the job
• Creating a vehicle to share great stories about women
• Setting up something from scratch
• Coping with pandemic anxiety (at the beginning)
• Learning on the job how to set up a film festival
• Imposter syndrome and working beyond that
• The value of not knowing what you're doing because it brings a new perspective
• Not allowing imposter syndrome to be an excuse
• Vocal ticks that we use to put ourselves down
• Stopping the self-sabotage
• How we are all able to do hard things
• Being open to learning new things
• Accepting that it's OK to not know everything when starting a business
• Feedback is an opportunity to learn
• Being prepared for not everyone to like what you do – otherwise it would be vanilla
• How to prevent overwhelm as a business owner
• Focusing on the things that will have the biggest impact
• Balancing creativity and being emotional
• Coping with popcorn/monkey brain
• The joy of a garden office
• The challenge of working from home especially with other people around
• Don't wait until you're ready before getting started on your venture
• Don't make decisions out of fear

And lots more!

You can find out more about Laurie:

Website: Feminista Film Festival

Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you're listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview

You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That's also where you'll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There's a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?

An intimate chat with Canadian singer songwriter Linda McLean, opening up about life, music, writing and what makes her tick as an older woman. This interview includes a reading from Linda's forthcoming book all about making yourself the most important person in your life.

We talk about:

• Learning to prioritize ourselves and speak our truth
• The emotional power of music and words
• Going on new creative journeys as we progress through life
• Thinking about what really matters in life
• Taking up space in our own lives
• Fighting the cultural imperative for women to put others first
• How our life anchors can shift in midlife
• Learning to share our stories and acknowledge the impact those can have on others
• Moving on from a maternal role when children leave home
• Finding the spark in inter-generational sharing
• Rationalizing our many varied roles as women
• Thinking about what we'd do if we were to die tomorrow
• Learning to live in the moment and do what we most want to do
• Finding answers inside ourselves and taking responsibility for our lives
• Moving beyond victim-hood and acknowledging our power
• The importance of yoga and meditation in Linda's life
• What it's like being a touring musician
• The impact of Alexander Technique and getting more aware of posture
• How the body wants to fix itself and get us into balance

And lots more!

Be sure to check out Linda's three beautiful albums on Spotify

Find out more about Linda:

Linda's Website

Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you're listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview

You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That's also where you'll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There's a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?

A solo catchup episode with Rachel.

I talk about:

• Adapting to a Covid world
• Visiting my mum
• Staying as healthy as possible
• Some of the recent podcast highlights
• The impact of the Black Lives Matter movement
• My BLM podcasts
• What I have learnt about being anti-racist
• Understanding what white privilege is
• Tone policing and white fragility
• How white silence is racism
• Layers of prejudice and how the focus on BLM may also help fight ageism
• Making the most of our heart beats
• Expanding our mental and emotional world despite the restrictions on our physical world
• 2020 – the year to reassess everything
• Looking inside for our inner sense of strength and knowledge
• Morning pages and how powerful that can be
• Taking time to think about what you want going forward
• Making the most of our power and making our voices heard
• Stepping into our feminine power to make a better world

And more!

Resources

Books mentioned in this episode:

Me And White Supremacy

Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race (Race in the UK)

Listen to the podcasts mentioned in this episode:

Putting on a sell-out show about menopause with Claire Hodgson

Menopause, hormones and immune systems with Angela Counsel

Making the most of your heart beats with Julie Owen Moylan

Confronting anti-Black racism with Kimberly McCormick

Why Black lives matter with Kwavi Agbeyegbe

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and maybe leave a review on iTunes or wherever you're listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview

You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That's also where you'll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There's a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?