It’s cozy reading season, and Meagan and Sarah are swapping notes on the titles that have been making them laugh, cry, and think lately, from whodunits and magical realism to small-town cozies and at least one jaw-dropping expose. This episode - the last of 2025! - is the perfect inspiration as you plan your 2026 to-read list or choose a title or two to delve into over the holiday.

Find an expanded episode story with photos and links at http://www.midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com. 

Thank you to our exclusive podcast sponsor, Vionic! Check out our favorite styles at https://midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com/p/vionic.

Listeners of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits can use code MIDLIFE at vionicshoes.com to save 15% when you log into your account. One time use only.

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Is there a difference between a grain salad and a grain bowl? And if so, who cares? In this episode, Meagan and Sarah dive into the ultra-satisfying world of these nourishing, versatile, and delicious dishes defined by warm grains, with the ultra-necessary addition of sweet, savory, chewy and crunchy. We talk about our midlife discovery (or rediscovery) of these flexible, flavorful meals as weeknight staples and the ultimate in satisfying leftovers; and the ingredients, grains, flavor profiles, and quirky habits that make our bowls uniquely ours. From chewy farro and salty-sweet combos to roasted root vegetables and creamy drizzles, this episode will leave you inspired to build your own warm bowls all winter long.

Find an expanded episode story with photos and links at http://www.midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com. 

Thank you to our exclusive podcast sponsor, Vionic! Check out our favorite styles at https://midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com/p/vionic.

Listeners of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits can use code MIDLIFE at vionicshoes.com to save 15% when you log into your account. One time use only.

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When it comes to making holiday gifts by hand, our spirits are willing, but time is short - and sometimes, our skills are weak. In this cozy early-December chat, Meagan and Sarah share our thoughts about handmade and DIY gifts - what we've made and given in the past, what we're hoping to make and give this year, and how we plan to keep it all organized. From edible treats to embroidered tea towels, personalized notecards to knitted washcloths, we're getting real about our own over-ambitious tendencies and how we hope to overcome hurdles so we can give more thoughtful, personalized gifts that align with our midlife goals of less waste and consumerism.

Find an expanded episode story with photos and links at http://www.midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com. 

Thank you to our exclusive podcast sponsor, Vionic! Check out our favorite styles at https://midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com/p/vionic.

Listeners of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits can use code MIDLIFE at vionicshoes.com to save 15% when you log into your account. One time use only.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Who says napping isn't a legitimate leisure pursuit? In this episode Sarah and Meagan share why they love naps, discuss their favorite napping circumstances, and the challenges to sneaking in those daytime Zzzzz's, ponder "caffeine naps" and nap attacks, and mine the data surrounding ideal nap length.

Find an expanded episode story with photos and links at http://www.midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com. 

Thank you to our exclusive podcast sponsor, Vionic! Check out our favorite styles at https://midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com/p/vionic.

Listeners of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits can use code MIDLIFE at vionicshoes.com to save 15% when you log into your account. One time use only.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

While Meagan’s loved drinking tea for a long time, lately she’s gotten really, really - we mean, really into it. In this episode we uncover some surprising things you may not know about tea (what’s the actual difference between white, green, oolong, and black tea? How did it become such a popular drink in the Western world? Are herbal “teas” really tea?) while Meagan encourages people who think they don’t like tea to try again - with better tea this time. Meagan also shares more about the process she’s going through to become a Certified Tea Sommelier, as well as what’s coming up for her tea company Bevy and her new tea-adjacent YouTube channel.

Find an expanded episode story with photos and links at http://www.midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com. 

Thank you to our exclusive podcast sponsor, Vionic! Check out our favorite styles at https://midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com/p/vionic.

Listeners of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits can use code MIDLIFE at vionicshoes.com to save 15% when you log into your account. One time use only.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sarah takes a methodical approach to TV-watching and clocks an impressive number of series each year, while Meagan enjoys random docu-series and the occasional BBC binge - but, we both love television! In this episode we each unpack our watching habits, share some shows we’ve loved (and some we could have lived without), and discuss our television goals for 2026.

Find an expanded episode story with photos and links at http://www.midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com. 

Thank you to our exclusive podcast sponsor, Vionic! Check out our favorite styles at https://midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com/p/vionic.

Listeners of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits can use code MIDLIFE at vionicshoes.com to save 15% when you log into your account. One time use only.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you don't read every historic plaque you pass, are you even in midlife? (Related: have we both become our own mothers in this regard?) In this episode Sarah and Meagan share our penchant for a good, old-fashioned plaque perusal, and discuss visiting historical sites, monuments and museums more generally.

Find an expanded episode story with photos and links at http://www.midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com. 

Thank you to our exclusive podcast sponsor, Vionic! Check out our favorite styles at https://midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com/p/vionic.

Listeners of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits can use code MIDLIFE at vionicshoes.com to save 15% when you log into your account. One time use only.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

For fun, for fitness, and just for getting around, we're big fans of getting places on our own two feet. In this episode Meagan and Sarah discuss the role of walking in our midlife leisure pursuits: where we walk, why we walk - and of course, how we feel about weighted vests.

Find an expanded episode story with photos and links at http://www.midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com. 

Thank you to our exclusive podcast sponsor, Vionic! Check out our favorite styles at https://midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com/p/vionic.

Listeners of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits can use code MIDLIFE at vionicshoes.com to save 15% when you log into your account. One time use only.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

From our go-to granola to Sarah's super-healthy grain bowl to Meagan's historic cooking deep-dives, recipes are an important source of information and inspiration in our midlife kitchens. In this episode we share where we look for recipes, how we use them, and what's cooking next.

Find an expanded episode story with photos and links at http://www.midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com. 

Thank you to our exclusive podcast sponsor, Vionic! Check out our favorite styles at https://midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com/p/vionic.

Listeners of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits can use code MIDLIFE at vionicshoes.com to save 15% when you log into your account. One time use only.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Is there any hobby that's more midlife-coded than birdwatching? In this episode Meagan and Sarah share how this pandemic pastime turned into what we hope will be a lifelong leisure pursuit, and share some of the books and products we use to identify and enjoy our feathered friends.

Find an expanded episode story with photos and links at http://www.midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com. 

Thank you to our exclusive podcast sponsor, Vionic! Check out our favorite styles at https://midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com/p/vionic.

Listeners of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits can use code MIDLIFE at vionicshoes.com to save 15% when you log into your account. One time use only.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy