What if wisdom doesn’t come from age alone, but from what you’ve survived, questioned, and chosen to heal?

In this deeply moving episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with Lexi Benitez, a 23-year-old podcaster whose life experience, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness rival that of women decades older.

Lexi shares her story of being raised by her great-grandparents, navigating parental incarceration and deportation, losing the woman who raised her just before graduating high school, and becoming a surrogate caretaker for her younger siblings at an age when most people are still figuring themselves out.

She opens up about depression, suicidal ideation, leaving the Mormon church, and the moment she realized that her parents’ pain was not hers to carry. That realization came during an unexpected and isolating season working on an oil rig in North Dakota, where distance, silence, and support from the right people helped her reconnect with herself and begin healing.

This conversation explores forgiveness without obligation, identity beyond trauma, self-esteem that does not depend on external validation, and why choosing to live for yourself can be the most radical act of all.

Whether you are 23 or 63, this episode is a reminder that healing has no timeline and your past does not get to decide your future.

In this episode, we cover:

Chapters

[00:00:00] Lexi's First Podcast Guest Appearance

Connect with Lexi Benitez:

Lexi Benitez: https://open.spotify.com/show/6VHVXzEgJxsqDmQ8Eml4No

Website: https://sincerelyselfpodcast.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Sincerelyself

FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue

I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

Burning desire to start your own podcast? I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and making your passion a reality. https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

What if midlife is not the time to play it safe, but the moment you finally step into visibility, leadership, and bigger goals?

In this inspiring episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with entrepreneur and co-founder of the Million Dollar Mom Society to talk about mindset shifts, visibility, and what it really takes to move from employee thinking to CEO thinking in midlife.

Anisa shares her journey from a six-figure corporate career in a male-dominated industry to building a seven-figure business in just one year. She opens up about scarcity mindset, grief, personal development, and the courage it takes to give yourself permission to want more.

This conversation dives deep into why visibility is not about fame or followers, but about positioning, consistency, and planting seeds long before you see results. Anisa breaks down how women can grow audiences, leverage collaboration, and stop waiting for confidence before taking action.

If you are a midlife woman feeling the pull toward something bigger, but fear, self-doubt, or comfort has been keeping you stuck, this episode will stretch you in the best way.

[00:00:00] Opening and episode framing

[00:07:20] COVID pivot and mindset roots

[00:14:43] Rapid group growth and list building

[00:17:17] Visibility ecosystem and tactics

[00:23:33] Compounding growth and long game

[00:28:41] Fear, courage, and bigger rooms

[00:34:51] Network like a CEO; wrap-up

Website: https://www.milliondollarmom.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anisacrespo 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecrespos/ 

Book: https://a.co/d/dTOwpk4 

Free Gift: https://www.milliondollarmom.org/milliondollarminimind 

FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue

I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out. I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion. https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

What if the reason you feel exhausted, scattered, or behind has nothing to do with motivation and everything to do with how you are wired?

In this insightful and energizing episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby welcomes Human Design practitioner Mel McSherry back to the show to unpack why January pressure, hustle culture, and one-size-fits-all goal setting leave so many midlife women burned out.

Mel explains how Human Design offers a practical framework for understanding your energy, decision-making style, and natural pace. Together, Sue and Mel explore why forcing yourself into systems that are not aligned with your design leads to exhaustion, self-doubt, and constant comparison.

From generators and projectors to manifestors and reflectors, this episode breaks down the five Human Design types in a way that is clear, relatable, and immediately useful. You will learn why waiting, resting, responding, or informing are not weaknesses, but strategic strengths when used correctly.

This conversation is especially powerful for midlife women who feel pressure to have everything figured out by January 1st and are tired of setting goals that never quite stick.

Why January goal pressure does not work for most people

The difference between knowing your why and understanding your how

How Human Design explains burnout, decision fatigue, and overextension

The five Human Design types and their core strategies

Why projectors burn out when they try to keep up with generators

How waiting, resting, and responding can be powerful strategies

Why comparison on social media is misleading and harmful

How Human Design supports sustainable business and life decisions

Why trusting yourself is the most important skill to develop in midlife

Chapters:

[00:00:00] Introduction and episode setup

Resources and Links - Connect with Mel:

Website: https://www.melmcsherry.com/

FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue

I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out. I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion. https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

What if the reason your goals keep falling apart has nothing to do with discipline, motivation, or willpower?

In this powerful and practical episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby welcomes somatic practitioner and intuitive Liz Potter back to the show to talk about why most New Year’s goals fail and what actually works instead.

Liz breaks down the nervous system science behind resolutions, burnout, and what she calls functional freeze. Together, Sue and Liz explore why setting goals from overwhelm, pressure, or social conditioning almost guarantees self-sabotage and how learning to listen to your body changes everything.

This conversation introduces Liz’s SAFE framework for goal setting, which prioritizes safety, alignment, felt sense, and embodied receiving. It is a radically kinder approach that helps women move forward without forcing, collapsing, or burning out.

If you are a midlife woman who feels stuck, exhausted, or frustrated by goals that never seem to stick, this episode offers relief, clarity, and a grounded way forward.

Why resolutions fail when they are driven by pressure or culture

The difference between goals and intentions and why language matters

What functional freeze looks like and why so many women live in it

How overwhelm disconnects the brain from the body

Why your nervous system must consent to your goals

Liz’s SAFE framework for sustainable goal setting

Why accountability partners often backfire

When sharing goals can actually drain momentum

How rest, timing, and seasonal energy support real change

Why safety can never be the collateral damage of growth

Connect with Liz

Previous Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rewire-your-nervous-system-how-intuition-energy-healing/id1753943662?i=1000728004667

Chapters

[00:00:00] Introduction and guest re-introduction

FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue

I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

Thanks to my amazing Producer and Editor Jess Grace Garcia (they/them) of Springwood Productions. https://www.springwoodproductions.com/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to us. Jess and I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies #podcastcoach 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe, send a 5🌟 rating, review, and share with a friend so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife together.

What if questioning your relationship with alcohol doesn’t mean you have a problem — it just means you’re paying attention?

In this honest and eye-opening episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with alcohol relationship coach and host of the Sober and Lit podcast, Susan Larkin, for a compassionate, no-shame conversation about gray area drinking — the space where many successful midlife women quietly wonder, “Is this still serving me?”

Susan shares her personal journey of questioning her own drinking, the shame and self-blame that kept her stuck for years, and why the all-or-nothing narrative around alcohol stops so many women from getting the support they actually need. Together, Sue and Susan unpack how alcohol often becomes a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, loneliness, and life transitions — and why curiosity, not labels, is the most powerful place to start.

This episode is not about telling you to quit drinking. It’s about giving you information, perspective, and permission to explore your relationship with alcohol in a way that feels empowering and self-directed.

What gray area drinking really is — and why so many midlife women fall into it

Why shame keeps women stuck in negative habit loops

How alcohol quietly affects anxiety, depression, sleep, and intuition

The difference between “high functioning” and truly thriving

Why alcohol-free doesn’t have to mean isolation or deprivation

How to get curious about the jobs you’ve given alcohol in your life

Why taking a break can be the most revealing experiment of all

If you’ve ever Googled “Do I drink too much?”, felt a quiet heaviness after drinking, or wondered why something that once felt fun no longer does — this conversation will resonate deeply.

Connect with Susan Larkin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanlarkincoaching/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinklesswithsusan

Book(s): https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/the-freedom-formula-rewire-regulate-and-rise

Podcast: Sober and Lit https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sober-lit-podcast/id1723773456

Free Gift: https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/afsociallife

Chapters

[00:00:00] Welcome and guest introduction

FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue

I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

Thanks to my amazing Producer and Editor Jess Grace Garcia (they/them) of Springwood Productions. https://www.springwoodproductions.com/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to us. Jess and I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies #podcastcoach 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe, send a 5🌟 rating, review, and share with a friend so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife together.

What if your exhaustion isn’t a failure but a message? And what if your next chapter doesn’t require burning your life down, just listening more closely to your body?

In this powerful episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with Speaking and Visibility Coach Emily Schickli to unpack burnout, nervous system regulation, passion projects, and why midlife is the perfect time to stop pushing and start aligning.

Emily shares her journey from tech burnout and chronic stress to creating a life and business rooted in clarity, capacity, and confidence.

Together, Sue and Emily explore how women can reconnect with their bodies, follow the breadcrumbs of curiosity, and experiment their way into purpose without overwhelming pressure.

This is not about quitting your job overnight or reinventing yourself through hustle. It’s about learning to regulate your nervous system, reclaim your energy, and create space for what genuinely lights you up.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

If you’re a woman in midlife feeling tired, disconnected, or unsure what’s next, this conversation offers relief, permission, and a grounded path forward.

Chapters

Connect with Emily Schickli

I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue

Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/

Thanks to my amazing Producer and Editor Jess Grace Garcia (they/them) of Springwood Productions. https://www.springwoodproductions.com/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to us. Jess and I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies #podcastcoach 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe, send a 5🌟 rating, review, and share with a friend so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife together.

Midlife Strategies for Badass Women

As we close out 2025, this special countdown episode highlights the conversations that resonated most deeply with our community of bold, midlife women.

These are the stories that sparked courage, challenged comfort zones, and reminded us what’s possible when we stop playing small and start listening to ourselves.

This is not about perfection.

Let’s count them down.

The Cost of Staying: Why Playing It Safe Is Riskier Than You Think

Kristen Chimack joins the show to unpack the hidden risks of staying comfortable. This conversation is a powerful reminder that safety can quietly turn into stagnation and that growth often requires courage before confidence.

🎧 Listen to the episode:

🔗 Connect with Kristen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenschimack/

Breaking Free: Overcoming Life’s Boxes

Betsy Pepine explores the invisible boxes we inherit, accept, and enforce in our own lives. This episode challenges listeners to question expectations and redefine success on their own terms.

🎧 Listen to the episode:

🔗 Connect with Betsy:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betsypepine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsypepine?igsh=Zm1sMWRhdDk3djB2

YouTube:  @BetsyPepine 

Conquering Clouds: Wisdom, Adventure, and Spirit-Led Living

Ruth E. Wilson brings a grounded and soulful perspective on adventure, intuition, and living in alignment. This conversation is for anyone feeling the pull toward something more meaningful.

🎧 Listen to the episode:

🔗 Connect with Ruth:

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruth.wilson.54379

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthwilson6087/

The Body Knows: Reclaiming Confidence and Connection

Jen Aks reminds us that healing is not just mental; it is physical. This episode explores somatic awareness and how reconnecting with the body can restore confidence, safety, and trust.

🎧 Listen to the episode:

🔗 Connect with Jen:

Free Gifts: The Power of Gesture®, my signature bodyset practice https://bonus.jenaks.com/into-to-the-power-video-page

Complimentary Live Gesture Workshop - Every Tuesday at 11:00EST - https://book.jenaks.com/free-live-gesture-workshop-page

🔗 Website: https://jenaks.com/

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennferaks 

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen_aks 

 📚 Grab her book Your Body is Speaking - Book page: https://yourbodyisspeaking.org/ 🎥 Watch her TEDx Talk: The Body’s Hidden Intelligence – From Mindset to Bodyset - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfZGY1mAbWs

Rewire Your Nervous System: Intuition and Energy Healing

Liz Potter dives into nervous system regulation, intuition, and what it really takes to feel safe enough to expand. A favorite for listeners navigating stress, burnout, and growth.

🎧 Listen to the episode:

🔗 Connect with Liz:

✨ Bonus: Learn how Liz uses intuitive frequency reading to detect imbalances in the body—and why the “woo” and the science aren’t as far apart as you think.

🎧 If you’re a woman over 40 who feels stuck, scattered, or soul-tired… This episode is your wake-up call to regulate, reclaim, and rise.

📲 Work with Liz or learn more at https://lizpotterspiritmedium.com/

If Not Now, When: Reclaiming Life Through Slow Living

Becky Livingston shares a refreshing perspective on slowing down in a world that glorifies hustle. This episode invites listeners to reclaim their time, energy, and presence.

🎧 Listen to the episode:

🔗 Connect with Becky:

🌍 Learn more at http://www.beckylivingston.com

📚 Read The Suitcase and the Jar: Travels with a Daughter’s Ashes - https://a.co/d/7q5iLbX

📱 Follow Becky on Socials

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vitaltraveljourneysforwomen

🌟 Special Offer (10% discount on a 1-hour consult) Journey Clarity Consult Link: https://buy.stripe.com/14k6qW4m13Zd7VCcMM Use Code: BADASS10

Burnout to Breakthrough: A Spiritual Awakening at Midlife

Jennifer Spor delves into how burnout can transform into a pivotal moment instead of a stalemate. This conversation speaks to the woman who knows something has to change.

🎧 Listen to the episode:

🔗 Connect with Jennifer:

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferSporCoaching

Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_spor/

Rescued Hearts: How Horses’ Healing Love Changed Everything

Dana and Krisanna share the deeply moving story behind Rescued Hearts. This episode explores grief, healing, and the extraordinary power of the horse-human connection.

🎧 Listen to the episode:

🔗 Connect with Rescued Hearts:

🌐 Website: https://www.rescuedheartsfilm.com 

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rescuedheartsfilm

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rescuedheartsfilm

🎥 YouTube: Live Wild Films 

From Perfectionist to Purpose

Erin Washington shares her journey from striving for perfection to living with intention. This episode resonated strongly with women ready to release control and trust themselves.

🎧 Listen to the episode:

🔗 Connect with Erin:

Podcast: thERINpy with Erin Washington https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/therinpy-with-erin-washington/id1530232466 

The Blue Butterfly Foundation Inc.: https://thebluebutterflies.org/

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

Books: From Pain to Purpose: Finding Meaning in the Mess https://a.co/d/8Uj6xUc

Squats and Margaritas: A Journey to Finding Balance https://a.co/d/ivcVhnd

Another Step Up the Mountain: Adventure, Loss, and Living

The most listened-to episode of 2025. Dianette Wells shares a powerful story of resilience, loss, and choosing to keep moving forward even when the path is uncertain.

🎧 Listen to the episode:

🔗 Connect with Dianette:

If this episode inspired you, share it with a woman who needs a reminder that it is not too late to choose herself.

And if you are ready for more honest conversations, grounded wisdom, and bold midlife strategy, be sure to follow Midlife Strategies for Badass Women wherever you listen to podcasts.

FOLLOW and CONNECT

Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

What if this holiday season didn’t require perfection, pressure, or pushing at all?

In this special solo holiday episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby invites you to slow down, exhale, and remember what actually matters as the year comes to a close.

Reflecting on a year of experimentation, unmet expectations, and powerful personal growth, Sue shares what happens when we stop forcing outcomes and start trusting ourselves. From lessons learned through Human Design, to letting go of hustle and control, to tender memories of childhood Christmas traditions, this episode is a gentle reminder that presence beats perfection every time.

Sue also speaks candidly about holiday stress, family dynamics, and the pressure to overdo and overgive, offering permission to simplify, choose connection over obligation, and honor your own nervous system during a busy season.

This episode is not about productivity or reinvention. It’s about love, light, memory, and easing into the new year with grace.

Perfect for anyone who feels overstimulated, sentimental, reflective, or quietly hopeful this time of year.

"Unlocking Your True Potential with Human Design" with Mel McSherry

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-your-true-potential-with-human-design-with/id1753943662?i=1000688811681

Connect with Sue

What if the path to healing trauma isn’t just psychological—but soulful, relational, and deeply human?

In this profound episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with trauma psychologist, author, and Soulwise Solutions founder Dr. Kirsten Viola-Harrison for a conversation that bridges science, spirituality, trauma, and compassion in a way few are brave enough to explore.

With over 35 years of experience working with complex PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, schizophrenia, and near-death experiencers, Dr. Harrison shares how her personal life—including profound loss, caregiving, and an unexpected relationship with an unhoused, intersex woman named Sean/a—reshaped everything she thought she knew about healing, resilience, and consciousness.

Together, Sue and Dr. Harrison explore how trauma fragments the human experience, why healing must involve dignity and relationship, and what happens when we take a chance on people society has written off. From near-death experiences to equine-assisted healing, from homelessness to authorship, this episode is a masterclass in compassion-led transformation

This conversation is for women in midlife who sense there is more—more meaning, more nuance, more possibility—and are ready to expand how they understand trauma, identity, and the human spirit.

Connect with Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison

Website: https://soulwisesolutions.com/

Book: I, Sean/a: The Story of A Homeless Intersex Woman Who Inspired A Community https://a.co/d/fy0nH9g

Chapters

FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue

Thanks to my amazing Producer and Editor Jess Grace Garcia (they/them) of Springwood Productions. https://www.springwoodproductions.com/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to us. Jess and I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

When was the last time you felt fully aligned, body, mind, and heart?

In this soul-stirring episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, host Sue Willoughby sits down with author, producer, and creative visionary Deborah Weed, the powerhouse behind Paisley’s Last Quill, a children’s book-turned-Broadway-bound musical about reclaiming self-worth and personal power.

Deborah’s story takes us from the corporate world to the depths of a mysterious illness, misdiagnosis, and loss, all of which forced her to rebuild from the inside out. Through that journey, she discovered the difference between self-esteem and self-worth and how true power begins when we stop proving and start aligning.

Together, Sue and Deborah dive deep into what it means to lose your voice, give away your “quills,” and finally find your way back to yourself.

✨ In this episode, you’ll hear:

This is more than a conversation; it’s a creative call to rise, reclaim your worth, and live from your heart, quills up.

Chapters

[00:00:00] Opening: self-worth teaser and intro

Connect with Deborah Weed

FOLLOW and CONNECT

Thanks to my amazing Producer and Editor Jess Grace Garcia (they/them) of Springwood Productions. https://www.springwoodproductions.com/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to us. Jess and I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

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