Marriage hits different after 40 — the emotional labor, the shifting desire, the overwhelm, and yes… the moments when your partner’s breathing feels like a personal attack. In this raw, honest, and laugh-til-you-snort episode, Irene and Theresa break down what really happens when YOU evolve in midlife… but your relationship hasn’t caught up yet.

From the mental load to the “smack moment,” to the intimacy drought that no one warned you about, the hosts unpack the messy truth of long-term love — and how to reconnect with your partner and yourself without burning everything down.

💛 In This Episode, We Cover: • Why midlife triggers major relationship shifts • Emotional labor, mental load & feeling unseen • What “I’m about to smack him” actually means • Desire changes after 40 (and how to navigate the distance) • How humor, honesty & boundaries reconnect your marriage • Why conflict can bring you closer — not break you • The relief of knowing you're not the only one losing your patience

🎧 You’ll love this episode if you’re: • A woman over 40 navigating marriage, menopause, or identity shifts • Feeling overstimulated, overworked, or emotionally touched-out • Wondering why your partner suddenly irritates the hell out of you • Craving real-talk about love, connection & growth in midlife

Because marriage in midlife isn’t about perfection — it’s about learning to grow (and laugh) through the chaos. If this episode hits home, share it with a girlfriend… or your husband if he’s brave enough.

You’re not late. You’re just on your own timeline. 💛

In this episode of The Messy Middle Unfiltered, a midlife podcast for women over 40, hosts Irene & Theresa dive into what it really means to slow down, stop comparing, and find peace in your own pace.

From chasing “shoulds” in their 30s to redefining success in their 40s, they share funny, real, and relatable stories about unlearning hustle culture and embracing life as it comes — mismatched Tupperware, back pain, and all.

🎙️ In this episode:
✨ Why you’re not behind — you’re just getting good
✨ How comparison steals your joy (and how to stop it)
✨ Small habits that actually build peace, not pressure
✨ Why slowing down isn’t lazy — it’s healing

Because midlife isn’t a deadline — it’s a detour. And sometimes, the detours are where all the best stories happen.

Follow The Messy Middle Unfiltered for weekly conversations on balance, burnout, boundaries, and becoming.

💫 Want to Learn More?

If this episode on Rushing Woman Syndrome resonated, grab our free resource guide with expert articles and simple ways to slow down.

Click here to download: https://tinyurl.com/MMRWS

You’re not behind — you’re just ready to breathe again. 💛

💛 Show Links

🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6TXK5Qnek4ZA6b1GbIWn27?si=0fad5045fc444c30 🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/messy-middle-unfiltered/id1845596354 📸 Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/messy_middle_unfiltered/ 🎥 Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@MessyMiddleUnfiltered 📩 Email: [email protected] 

Hot flashes. Brain fog. Random bursts of rage. Welcome to your 40s — where your hormones go rogue and your body feels like it’s glitching. In this unfiltered episode, Theresa and Irene get real about the wild ride of perimenopause and menopause, what’s helped (and what definitely hasn’t), and how to find support when you feel like you’re falling apart inside.

They’re breaking the silence around women’s health after 40 — from mood swings and mental fog to sleep struggles and body changes no one warns you about. Expect laughter, honesty, and a few “OMG same!” moments as they share what it’s really like when your body starts rewriting the rules.

In this episode:

• The truth about hormone changes starting as early as 35

• Why rage and brain fog are totally normal (and not your fault)

• Real talk about perimenopause, menopause, and midlife sanity

• What actually helps — and what’s a waste of time

Because you’re not broken — you’re transforming.

🎙️ Listen, laugh, and join the conversation.

Resources Mentioned on the podcast: 

Menopause Reset book: https://amzn.to/4hFxzE3

Essential Oils: https://referral.doterra.me/7435078   

menopause podcast, perimenopause symptoms, women over 40 podcast, hormonal changes in 40s, brain fog menopause, menopause rage, midlife women podcast, real talk women, female health after 40, the messy middle podcast
#TheMessyMiddle #Menopause #Perimenopause #LifeAfter40 #WomenOver40 #RealTalkPodcast #MidlifeMagic #HormoneHealth #BrainFog #MenopauseRage #UnfilteredConversations #AuthenticLiving #ThrivingAfter40 #WTFIsHappening #MidlifeReboot

Keywords

aging, motherhood, skincare, self-care, emotional health, social media, wellness, beauty, self-acceptance, personal growth

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Theresa and Irene discuss the complexities of aging, particularly as mothers and professionals. They explore the balance between embracing aging gracefully and the societal pressures that encourage fighting it. The discussion touches on the emotional aspects of aging, the impact of social media on self-perception, and the importance of listening to one's body. They also share their skincare routines and secrets, emphasizing the need for self-care amidst the chaos of life. Ultimately, they encourage listeners to find joy and peace in the aging process, reminding them that it's okay to be tired while still glowing.

Takeaways

Aging is a complex journey that involves both physical and emotional aspects.

It's important to listen to our bodies and recognize our limits as we age.

Social media can distort our self-perception and create unrealistic standards.

Finding joy and peace in aging is essential for emotional well-being.

Self-care routines, including skincare, can help us feel better about ourselves.

It's okay to have days where we don't feel our best; self-acceptance is key.

Embracing aging can lead to a more relaxed and positive outlook on life.

The conversation around aging should shift from fighting it to accepting it gracefully.

Caring for ourselves is a vital part of the aging process.

We can glow through the chaos of life, even when we're tired.

Sound bites

"I feel like I'm aging gracefully."

"Your cells are always listening."

"It's okay not to go to the gym."

Chapters

00:00 The Juggling Act of Motherhood

02:06 Aging Gracefully vs. Fighting It

05:54 The Impact of Social Media on Self-Perception

09:19 Embracing Aging and Self-Acceptance

12:16 Skincare Routines and Self-Care Practices

20:31 Glowing Through the Chaos of Life

💛 Connect + Subscribe

🎧 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6TXK5Qnek4ZA6b1GbIWn27?si=0fad5045fc444c30

🍎 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/messy-middle-unfiltered/id1845596354

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/messy_middle_unfiltered/

🎥 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@MessyMiddleUnfiltered

📩 Email → [email protected]

DoTERRA Business Site: https://referral.doterra.me/7435078

Eye Elixir & Eye Cream: Olive Tree: us.olivetreepeople.com/?referral=irenezajac

Messy Middle Unfiltered — Real Talk for Women Over 40

Welcome to Messy Middle Unfiltered, the podcast redefining what it means to thrive in your 40s and beyond. Hosted by two women who mix expert insights with real-life honesty, this show dives deep into the raw, unfiltered reality of midlife—without the filters, fake smiles, or hustle culture BS.

If you’re balancing family, career, health, and relationships while wondering, “Is this it?”—you’re not alone. Here, we talk about boundaries, burnout, self-care, and finding purpose after 40 with humor, heart, and zero judgment.

💥 In this episode: Why We’re Starting This Podcast (and Why Now)

We’ll unpack who is in your village, what does it mean for you when you use the words “I’m fine” and share real tools you can use to create an authentic, fulfilling midlife.

✨ What you’ll get: • Practical strategies for thriving after 40 • Empowering stories from women who get it • Wellness, mindset, and balance tips for busy women • Permission to be imperfect—and still powerful

Whether you’re chasing a career glow-up, craving more balance, or just trying to figure out who you are beyond the roles you play, this is your space to feel seen, supported, and inspired.

👉 Subscribe to Messy Middle Unfiltered for weekly episodes, and share with your girlfriends who are navigating their own messy middle.

Follow + Connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messy_middle_unfiltered/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Listen on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TXK5Qnek4ZA6b1GbIWn27?si=0fad5045fc444c30 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/messy-middle-unfiltered/id1845596354 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MessyMiddleUnfiltered 

#MessyMiddleUnfiltered #LifeAfter40 #MidlifePodcast #WomenOver40 #Over40AndThriving #AuthenticLiving #BalanceOverBurnout #MidlifeWomen #MidlifeConfidence #PodcastForWomen #SelfCareForWomen #DitchHustleCulture #RealTalkPodcast #MidlifeReinvention #EmpoweredWomen #WomenSupportingWomen

Life after 40 isn’t perfect—and it doesn’t have to be. Real talk for women 40+ who are done faking fine.