In this episode, Jo explores what it really means to live with intention in midlife, and why simply wanting change isn't enough. If you've been feeling like something's off or you're ready for your next chapter to feel different, this conversation offers practical ways to move from autopilot to intentional design. You'll discover why this stage of life is your greatest opportunity yet.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why most of us live on autopilot—and how to interrupt that pattern

• The difference between wishing for change and actually creating it

• Simple daily tools to design your life more intentionally

• How to check which areas of your life need more attention

• Why energy is information—and how to start listening to it

If you're ready to stop repeating the same year over and over, this episode will give you gentle, actionable ideas to begin shaping your next chapter with more clarity and intention.

Your Free Resource 2025 Reflection Guide: joclarkcoaching.com/reflect 

Connect with Jo

Book a 20-minute connection call: https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07

Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me

Resources and programmes: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources

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

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

In this episode, Jo sits down with psychotherapist Niki Grennell to explore what happens when the connection in a long-term relationship starts to fade beneath the weight of responsibility and everyday life. If you've ever felt more like flatmates than partners, this conversation will help you understand why—and what you can do about it.

In this episode, we explore:

• The difference between sex and intimacy—and why intimacy often disappears first

• Why personal growth can either strengthen or create friction in midlife relationships

• The three layers of connection: with yourself, your partner as they are now, and your shared future

• How to know whether to stay and work on things—or when it's time to leave

• Simple, compassionate ways to begin shifting a relationship from one side

If this topic has been quietly weighing on you, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate place to start thinking it through.

Connect with Niki

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584104932896

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

Web: http://taoby.life

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Jo
Book a 20-minute connection call: https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07

Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me

Resources and programmes: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources

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

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

Tired of living the same year on repeat? In this episode, I share a simple yet transformative practice that has shaped my last six years. Choosing one focus word to guide your entire year. It's free, takes minutes to implement, and turns intention into action.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why our brains love familiarity (and how it keeps us stuck)

• The neuroscience behind why change feels so hard

• How one word can interrupt autopilot living

• My focus words from 2020–2026 and what they taught her

• Practical ways to make your word stick (beyond just choosing it)

If you're ready to stop sleepwalking through your days and start living with more intention, this episode provides a gentle yet powerful starting point.

Your Free Resource

2025 Reflection Guide: joclarkcoaching.com/reflect 

Connect with Jo

Book a 20-minute connection call: https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07

Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me

Resources and programmes: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources

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

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

As we wrap up 2025, Jo shares the reflection practice that transformed her life five years ago. She explores how to move beyond surface-level goal-setting to the deeper awareness that breaks repeating patterns and creates lasting change in midlife.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why awareness is the first step to breaking old patterns

• The tough questions that reveal what's keeping you stuck

• How reflection turns experience into wisdom

• Moving from "Groundhog Day" living to intentional choices

• Jo's free reflection guide to support your year-end review

If you're ready to stop living life on repeat and start living on purpose, this episode offers a powerful place to begin.

Top 5 Listener Favourites from 2025:

1. Episode 125. Hormones & Midlife Health: A Conversation with Professor Susan Davis https://open.spotify.com/episode/1LIfwP5aSsUTZrfGSRpoxu?si=7FOxYd9hR9-UCgRnZPUKnw
2. Episode 158. What Really Changes When Women Become Grandmothers with Deedee Moore https://open.spotify.com/episode/0elxuUMVgsGPGrZRYwVtYj?si=NnYer3nLTKe7XsgW6-U2yQ
3. Episode 156. What Women Need to Know Before and After Retirement with Bec Wilson https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Xk2RAZfTRzFICMnlqOXEN?si=Bj0S5irBR-eqQe4vPHCspg
4. Episode 130. Let's Talk About Sex and Midlife with Dr Sian Heon https://open.spotify.com/episode/45aIHfXI5MLp5ZDZ39oHK3?si=ZNZpFlG3TWOSt2Si1O7aXA
5. Episode 143. How to Stop Overthinking and Start Taking Action https://open.spotify.com/episode/4T0X8qtxZrBoj8qQGZNjnA?si=iB9PG6BDTYSVeq-9HnkKdg 

Free Resource

2025 Reflection Guide: joclarkcoaching.com/reflect 

Connect with Jo Book a 20-minute connection call: https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07

Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me

Resources and programmes: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources

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

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

As school finishes for another year, many mums are facing their final school drop-off, last exam, or watching their children pack for university. In this heartfelt solo episode, Jo shares her own empty nest journey – including facing her first Christmas without either of her children at home. Whether your kids are leaving now or left years ago, this transition brings waves of emotion that deserve gentle attention.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why you can miss your kids desperately and still enjoy the quiet

• How the empty nest unfolds slowly, not as one big moment

• Simple ways to reconnect with yourself as your role shifts

• Why this transition feels bigger when it lands alongside menopause

• Practical ideas for those early, emotional weeks

If you're standing at the edge of this new chapter or already navigating life without kids at home, this conversation offers comfort, understanding, and hope for what comes next.

Connect with Jo

Book a 20-minute connection call: https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07

Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me

Rediscover You: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources/p/rediscover-you

The festive season brings endless celebrations, but what if you could actually remember them all? In this candid conversation, sober curious mentor Keelie Louise shares her transformation from heavy drinking since age 13 to discovering a life in full colour without alcohol. After losing her grandfather during COVID and realising at 38 that passing out drunk wasn't where she wanted to be, Keelie made the decision that changed everything. Her story reveals why so many midlife women are questioning their relationship with alcohol and discovering that life without it isn't just possible—it's actually better.

Key Takeaways

Alcohol masks deeper issues

For many women, that evening glass of wine isn't about relaxation—it's about avoiding something uncomfortable. Whether it's stress, unfulfilled expectations, or loss of identity after years of caring for others, alcohol becomes a band-aid that actually reduces your capacity to cope. Getting curious about why you reach for that drink reveals what really needs attention.

Your body is trying to tell you something

When hangovers last days, sleep becomes elusive, and one glass affects you like three used to, that's your body signalling it can't process alcohol like before. Perimenopause and menopause amplify these effects. Keelie notes that alcohol stops fat burning for up to 36 hours and halts collagen production for 30 days after heavy drinking.

Social pressure is real but manageable

Set expectations before events by messaging friends about your choice not to drink. At work functions, carry sparkling water in a wine glass if needed. Find one ally who supports your decision. Remember that "no" is a complete sentence—you don't owe anyone an explanation for your choices.

Replace FOMO with a better version

Instead of fearing you'll miss out on fun, develop FOMO for waking up energised, remembering conversations, and attacking your day with clarity. Change your language from "I can't drink" to "I choose not to drink"—it's empowering rather than restrictive.

Small changes create big transformations

You don't need to quit forever to start exploring. Begin with curiosity: How do you feel after one drink? What are you using alcohol to avoid? Who do you want to be? Understanding your values becomes your compass for making choices aligned with the life you actually want.

Moving Forward

The sober curious movement isn't about deprivation, it's about discovering who you are without the mask alcohol provides. As Keelie discovered, removing alcohol revealed a life of energy, genuine connection, and the contentment she'd been seeking at the bottom of a glass. Whether you're questioning your relationship with alcohol or simply wanting to feel better through the festive season, start with curiosity rather than rules. Notice how you feel, question why you reach for that drink, and remember that every small choice toward health is a victory. The magic is in what you gain: clarity, energy, authentic connections, and the person you always knew you could be.

Connect with Keelie

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

Website: https://keelielouise.com.au/home

Connect with me

• Book your 20-minute connection call https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07 

• RE-IMAGINE: A personalised 1:1 six-week mentoring programme https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me 

• Rediscover You https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources/p/rediscover-you

• Share your journey with me by sending me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ 

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/⁠

• Email me your success story at [email protected]. 

Remember, there's so much untapped brilliance in midlife women. You are wise, strong, and talented. You just need the space to hear yourself and the courage to act on what you know.

The second half of your life can be even better than the first.

Freedom in midlife doesn't arrive the way you imagined. After decades of longing for more time, more space, more breathing room, it finally shows up and feels unfamiliar, even uncomfortable. In this honest conversation, I explore why the freedom we've craved for so long can feel both exciting and confusing when it arrives. We unpack the five distinct forms of freedom that matter most in this season, from physical capability to emotional release, and tackle the real barriers that keep us stuck even when space finally opens up. This isn't about having it all figured out. It's about recognising that your version of freedom is uniquely yours and permitting yourself to discover what it looks like now.

Key Takeaways

Freedom Evolves Through Every Season

In your twenties, freedom meant adventure and saying yes to everything. In your thirties, it became elusive as you juggled careers and family. Now, in your forties, fifties and beyond, freedom shifts from doing to being. It becomes about alignment and authenticity, creating a life that reflects who you are now, not who you were decades ago.

Empty Nesting and Work Transitions Create Unfamiliar Space

When the house is quiet or structured work ends, that new freedom doesn't always feel liberating at first. It feels strange, emotional, almost disorienting. You've spent so long being needed, being in motion, that stillness requires practice. This transition takes time, and it's completely normal to wonder who you are without everyone else's needs dictating your days.

The Five Forms of Freedom Shape Your Midlife Experience

Physical freedom means feeling capable in your body as it is now. Time freedom is the courage to use your hours for yourself. Emotional freedom releases the weight of guilt, perfectionism and old stories. Relationship freedom lets you choose nourishing connections and let go of draining ones. Freedom of self-expression invites you to rediscover who you are and what lights you up. Each form shows up differently for every woman.

The Biggest Barriers Are Often Internal

More often than circumstances, it's our self-talk, fears and old patterns that block freedom. The guilt about putting yourself first. The uncertainty about what you want after decades of meeting everyone else's needs. The painful thought that maybe it's too late. These aren't weaknesses. They're simply part of navigating a new season, and awareness is the first step toward change.

Freedom Begins With Small, Intentional Choices

You don't need everything figured out to start. Choose one small decision each day that honours you. Create one hour a week that's just yours. Ask yourself what freedom could look like in this season. Dream big, start small, but most importantly, just start. Knowledge without action creates no transformation.

Moving Forward

Midlife holds so much possibility, not because everything suddenly becomes easy, but because you finally have the chance to come back to yourself. Freedom doesn't arrive in one big moment. It's something you ease into, practice and grow into as you become clearer about who you are and what you need. The beautiful thing is it's never too late to create a life that feels true to you.

Connect with me

• Book your 20-minute connection call https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07 

• RE-IMAGINE: A personalised 1:1 six-week mentoring programme https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me 

• Rediscover You https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources/p/rediscover-you

• Share your journey with me by sending me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ 

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/⁠

• Email me your success story at [email protected]. 

Remember, there's so much untapped brilliance in midlife women. You are wise, strong, and talented. You just need the space to hear yourself and the courage to act on what you know.

The second half of your life can be even better than the first.

What if the most courageous thing you could do is face your own suffering with kindness? Dr Hayley Quinn, former clinical psychologist and wellbeing expert, joins me as we explore why self-compassion isn't self-indulgent but essential for survival. Hayley shares her raw journey from severe burnout that left her unable to get off the couch, through solo parenting and domestic violence, to building a thriving life. While self-neglect has a cost, the transformative power of learning to treat yourself like someone you love is powerful in midlife.

Key Takeaways

Burnout Prevention Beats Recovery

The signs show up early: exhaustion that rest doesn't fix, rising self-criticism, declining resilience. Hayley ignored hers until she was crying after client sessions. Prevention takes less time and money than recovery, and symptoms can linger for years. Don't wait until you're forced to walk away from your life.

Self-Compassion Is Courage, Not Weakness

True compassion means facing your suffering, not bypassing it with toxic positivity. Hayley's inner critic told her, "You're a psychologist, you should know how to deal with this." Changing that relationship made all the difference. Start with morning check-ins: How did I sleep? How am I feeling? What do I need today?

The Three Flows of Compassion All Matter

Women excel at giving compassion to others but struggle with self-compassion and receiving help. You might not even notice when support is offered because you're shut off to receiving it. Practice all three: giving to others, accepting support, and treating yourself with the care you'd give someone you love.

Wellbeing Changes as You Change

What worked in one season won't work in another. This isn't set-and-forget. Hayley checks in multiple times daily. Build flexibility to adjust your approach as life evolves.

Moving Forward

Self-neglect happens in small moments when you put everyone else in the picture but forget to include yourself. It compounds over time until you find yourself exhausted, resentful, or burned out. The antidote isn't adding more, it's building a compassionate relationship with yourself.

Start today with one simple practice: slow down your breathing, take equal in and out breaths, and ask yourself, "How am I feeling? What do I need?" Then see if you can give yourself that. If you can't today, try again tomorrow.

Dr. Hayley Quinn's book "From Self-Neglect to Self-Compassion: A Compassionate Guide to Creating a Thriving Life" releases just before Valentine's Day 2026, with pre-orders opening 18 November 2025.

Join the book waitlist at drhayleydquinn.myflowdesk.com/bookwaitlist for exclusive bonuses. Connect with Hayley via her website, email, on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn via links below,.

Website https://drhayleydquinn.com

Podcast https://drhayleydquinn.com/podcast/

From Self-Neglect to Self-Compassion Book https://drhayleydquinn.myflodesk.com/bookwaitlist

Free Resource  https://drhayleydquinn.com/resources/

Welcome to Self®: Time to Thrive Group Coaching https://drhayleydquinn.myflodesk.com/timetothrivewaitlist

Instagram https://instagram.com/drhayleydquinn/

LinkedIn Linkedin.com/in/dr-hayley-d-quinn-43386533

Facebook https://facebook.com/drhayleydquinnbrisbane

Connect with me

• Book your 20-minute connection call https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07 

• RE-IMAGINE: A personalised 1:1 six-week mentoring programme https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me 

• Rediscover You https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources/p/rediscover-you

• Share your journey with me by sending me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ 

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/⁠

• Email me your success story at [email protected]. 

Remember, there's so much untapped brilliance in midlife women. You are wise, strong, and talented. You just need the space to hear yourself and the courage to act on what you know.

The second half of your life can be even better than the first.

What if the quiet weight you've been carrying isn't proof that you failed, but evidence that you've grown? In this episode, I share why regret doesn't have to be your burden. It can be your teacher. Drawing from my own mother's unfulfilled dreams and the wisdom of palliative care nurse Bronnie Ware's work with dying patients, we explore how to transform those "if only" moments into a roadmap for creating a life that truly reflects who you are now. This conversation is for every woman who's ever whispered, "I wish I'd done that differently" and wondered if it's too late to rewrite the story.

Key Takeaways

Regret is feedback, not failure

That gap between who you once were and who you've become shows you've learned something important about yourself. When you say "I wish I'd done that differently," you're actually recognising growth. It stings sometimes, but that's where healing and change begin.

The most common deathbed regret reveals what matters most

"I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me" topped Bronnie Ware's list. How often have you put your dreams on hold to be who everyone else needs you to be? Somewhere in being the good mum, reliable partner, or dependable colleague, you may have lost sight of yourself.

You can't rewrite the past, but you can change what it means to you

Turn regret into wisdom through three steps: acknowledge it out loud or in writing, find the lesson by asking what it teaches you about your values, and apply it forwards with one small action today. These small steps lead to big changes in your life.

Regret can be sneaky and keep you stuck in "if only" thinking

It whispers that it's too late or that you should have known better, keeping you focused on what can't be changed instead of what can. But regret isn't about the past at all. It's often revealing a belief you're ready to challenge, like thinking your voice doesn't matter or that your dreams aren't worth pursuing.

This next chapter isn't about chasing perfection

It's about living with intention and saying, "I'm proud of who I am now, and I'm choosing to create what comes next." You did the best you could with what you knew then. Now you know more, so you can live differently.

Moving Forward

Your regrets aren't meant to break you. They're meant to guide you towards a life that's truer to who you are now. You can let regret become a wall, or you can let it become a doorway. Take a moment today to reflect: if there's one regret you could release, what would it be? What tiny step could you take to rewrite that story for your future self? You are the author of your story, and you hold the pen to your next chapter. Don't wait until it's too late to create a life that excites you.

Rediscover You

For the woman who wants her next chapter to feel meaningful, joyful, and deeply her own. It’s about reconnecting with yourself and opening the door to new possibilities in midlife.

https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources/p/rediscover-you

Connect with me

• Book your 20-minute connection call https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07 

• RE-IMAGINE: A personalised 1:1 six-week mentoring programme https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me 

• Share your journey with me by sending me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ 

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/⁠

• Email me your success story at [email protected]. 

Remember, there's so much untapped brilliance in midlife women. You are wise, strong, and talented. You just need the space to hear yourself and the courage to act on what you know.

The second half of your life can be even better than the first.

You've made it through perimenopause. The hot flushes have settled, your periods have stopped, and you're breathing a sigh of relief. What many women don't realise is that reaching menopause isn't the finish line. It's actually the starting point for a crucial new phase of health that demands your attention. In this honest conversation with Dr Sian Hebron, our specialist GP in women's health, we explore what happens to your body after that final ovulation and why the years ahead require a different kind of awareness and action.

Key Takeaways

Menopause is forever, not just a phase

Once your final ovulation has happened, you’re in menopause for life. Your body’s needs have changed, even if you don’t feel it day to day. Without oestrogen, your bones lose density faster, your heart needs more care, and your overall health deserves more attention.

Your bones need you

Oestrogen is used to protect your bones, and without it, the risk of fractures increases. Strength training, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, and possibly HRT can all make a big difference. Don’t wait until your seventies to check your bone density. Start in your fifties and stay proactive.

Heart health matters more than ever

With lower oestrogen, your risk of heart disease and stroke goes up. Starting HRT within the first ten years after menopause can offer protection, but the basics still matter most: eat well, move regularly, and know your numbers when it comes to blood pressure and cholesterol.

Be the CEO of your health

Make space for proper women’s health appointments, not quick chats squeezed in at the end of another visit. Ask for the tests you need. If your GP isn’t confident with menopause care, find someone who is. You’re not being difficult—you’re taking charge of your wellbeing.

Start small

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the advice, but small steps lead to big change. Choose one thing to focus on: better sleep, a morning walk, saying no more often, or reconnecting with a friend. It’s never too late to start feeling better. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress.

Links mentioned in this podcast

Episode 130 - Sex in Midlife

https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/AJpTnYzaOXb

Episode 119 - Heart Health, Hormones, and Weight Gain

https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/4kRkr0zaOXb

Episode 105 - Doctor in Your Corner

https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/2Vo5u2zaOXb

Episode 46 - Better Bone Health with Professor Belinda Beck

https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/2pGMtgHaOXb

https://menopause.org.au/

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/

Join us

Join Dr Sian Hebron and me on Saturday, 8 November, for the Shifting Tides event at Noosa Springs Spa Resort.

It's an intimate and supportive gathering where you'll gain valuable medical insights, practical frameworks, and a genuine connection with other women navigating this stage of life.

You can get your tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/shifting-tides-your-guide-to-menopause-midlife-whats-next-tickets-1681453666179?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Connect with me

• Book your 20-minute connection call https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07 

• RE-IMAGINE: A personalised 1:1 six-week mentoring programme https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me 

• Share your journey with me by sending me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ 

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/⁠

• Email me your success story at [email protected]. 

Remember, there's so much untapped brilliance in midlife women. You are wise, strong, and talented. You just need the space to hear yourself and the courage to act on what you know.

The second half of your life can be even better than the first.