What happens when a successful business owner makes a bold decision to change, but the community she serves isn't ready to let go?

In this raw and deeply cathartic conversation, Laurie Reynoldson welcomes back Annie Tevelin, founder of Skin Owl, Daybreak Colour, and Gem Jolie.

Annie recently announced the closure of her brick-and-mortar Skin Owl store in Boise, Idaho—a decision made from a place of vision and growth. However, the public reaction was a shock: ranging from invasive harassment to wild speculations about her health and finances.

This episode explores the "underbelly" of being a public-facing entrepreneur and the incredible bravery required to stay sovereign in your choices when others project their fears onto your progress.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The "Entrepreneur Marathon": Why building a business is less about the product and more about the personal development journey that builds the founder.
• The "Mean Girl" Underbelly of Success: How a lack of certainty in the public can lead to harmful speculation and why women must allow other women to be malleable in their lives.
• The Concept of Sovereignty: Annie shares why her new focus is on "complete authority and independence" over her choices, even if those choices aren't understood by the majority.
• Skin Owl 2.0: A sneak peek into why the next iteration of the brand will be better for both the founder and the community.
• Living a Fluid Life: From gaining UK citizenship to dreaming of summers in London, Annie and Laurie discuss why staying open to new "chapters" is the ultimate privilege of midlife.

"It is not my job to live at the length of your ceiling." — Annie Tevelin 

Episode Resources & Links

• Skin Owl: Follow the journey into the new space.
• Gem Jolie: Salad delivery sourced from Idaho farms.
• Daybreak Colour: Boise's premiere color analysis experience
• Sable International: The firm Annie used for her UK citizenship process. 
• The BEST LIFE Mastermind: Join the waitlist for this nine-month personal leadership experience. 

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The coaching industry has failed high-achieving women. It's time to change that.

Have you ever felt like you’re living a double life? Like the "badass" CEO or high-performer at the office has to shape-shift into a completely different person the moment she pulls into her garage?

In this breakthrough episode, Laurie Reynoldson reveals why the coaching industry has done high-achieving women a massive disservice by forcing them to choose between "Executive Coaching" and "Life Coaching". Laurie shares how she finally "cracked the code" on why so many successful women still feel burned out and disconnected: you cannot separate the leader from the life she is living.

This week is all about the launch of a new umbrella of growth: Personal Leadership Development. It’s time to stop compartmentalizing your soul and start leading yourself with the same clarity and conviction you bring to everyone else.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The "One Identity" Truth: Why trying to be two different people at home and at work is the primary driver of midlife burnout.
• The Myers-Briggs Fallacy: Why up to 75% of personality test results may be skewed by your "conditioned" work mind rather than your authentic self.
• Masculine vs. Feminine Energy: How to marry the logical, "fix-it" masculine energy required for business with the intuitive, creative feminine energy your soul is yearning for.
• The Midlife "Crisis" Reframe: Why this season isn't a crisis, but a natural point of friction when your 20-year-old self’s decisions no longer fit the woman you are today.
• The Founding of the Mastermind: How Laurie’s new 9-month leadership experience bridges the gap between professional excellence and personal fulfillment.

Special Announcement: The Best Life Mastermind

Laurie is officially inviting founding members to the Best Life Mastermind, a nine-month personal leadership experience for women who are done waiting and ready to lead their whole life.

• Limited to 10 Women: An intimate "personal board of directors".
• Two Luxury Retreats: Sun Valley in September and Arizona in February.
• Ongoing Support: Monthly coaching calls and a private community away from the noise of social media.
• Join the Waitlist: Get first access before applications open to the public on June 1st.
• Link: schoolofmidlife.com/mastermind-link

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Cracking the Code on Post-Retreat Momentum

Have you ever returned from an incredible vacation or a work conference feeling completely inspired, only to have that "glow" evaporate the moment you hit the reality of traffic, laundry, and a jam-packed calendar? In this episode, Laurie Reynoldson gets raw about a "bananas" week that served as a major wake-up call. 

Laurie explores the common trap of the "retreat high" and why three and a half days—no matter how magical—isn't enough to rewire decades of habits when life starts "lifeing" the moment you get home. She reveals her newly "cracked code" for maintaining profound change: a framework that marries the deep work of a retreat with ongoing, high-level support. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Post-Retreat Reality Check: Why your new dreams can’t mature in a single weekend without a bridge back to your everyday life. 
• The "Personal Board of Directors": How a small, trusted cohort of peers acts as a safety net when you’re tempted to slide back into your old "reaction mode." 
• Retreat 1.0 vs. 2.0: The difference between "Vision Casting" (who am I now?) and "Shore-Up Tools" (boundaries, limiting beliefs, and human design). 
• The Nine-Month "Birth": Why a school-term-length container is the secret to "birthing" a completely new version of yourself. 
• Personal Leadership Development: Moving beyond just "work skills" to a global umbrella that integrates your career success with your life’s fulfillment. 

Special Announcement: The Best Life Mastermind

Laurie is officially introducing a nine-month, intimate leadership experience launching this September.  Limited to just 10 women, this "personal board of directors" includes:

• Two In-Person Retreats: Kicking off in Sun Valley and regrouping at the Civana Wellness Resort in Arizona. 
• Monthly Support & Coaching: Consistent touchpoints to solve real-time issues and celebrate breakthroughs. 
• No-Asshole Policy: A curated, safe space where every woman is seen and supported. 

Get on the Waitlist: Waitlist members get first access to apply and a private preview call before applications open to the public on June 1st. 

• Link: schoolofmidlife.com/mastermind-list 

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You're not the only feeling this way.

Host Laurie Reynoldson returns from the latest Best Life Retreat at the Civana Wellness Resort and Spa in Carefree, Arizona, still "basking in that post-retreat glow". In this episode, she pulls back the curtain on why getting away from your everyday life is the only way to truly focus on living it. From the vulnerability of a shared circle to the profound transformation that happens in just a few days, Laurie explores why midlife women are often starving for deep community and the space to be their authentic selves.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The "Out of Life" Requirement: Why listening to podcasts or reading books isn't enough; you must physically remove yourself from daily distractions to gain true clarity.
• The Magic of the Circle: How one woman speaking her truth can validate and heal an entire group of strangers who are facing similar struggles.
• The Changing Face of Midlife: Why "midlife" is no longer just your 40s and 50s, but a broader season of seeking fulfillment that can start in your 30s and last well into your 60s.
• Authenticity Over Applause: Breaking the habit of only showing the "successful" parts of yourself and finally owning the parts that feel lost or restless.
• The Difference Between "Girls' Weekends" and Strategic Retreats: Why curated, fully supported experiences allow for a depth of sharing that even life-long friendships sometimes lack.

Special Announcement: The Midlife Mastermind

Laurie is officially launching a nine-month personal leadership experience this September. Designed for high-achieving women ready for profound change, this intimate cohort features two in-person retreats (Sun Valley and Arizona) and monthly coaching to help you build your "personal board of directors".

LINKS + MENTIONS:

• The Midlife Mastermind Waitlist: Get first access to one of the 10 exclusive spots for the 2026 cohort. 
• Best Life Retreats in Paris: Learn more about the transformational coaching experiences coming to the City of Light this fall.

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Claiming what you want in midlife

Have you ever felt like you’re an "Olympic level performer" at checking boxes and meeting everyone else’s expectations, yet still feel deeply restless? In this episode, Laurie Reynoldson explores a powerful "intuitive nudge" that changed the trajectory of her week: the necessity of claiming what you want in midlife. 

Laurie unpacks why high-achieving women often feel guilty or "selfish" for wanting more than the successful lives they’ve already built. She argues that midlife isn't the time to burn your life to the ground, but rather the time to stop outsourcing your happiness to other people's expectations and start making micro-moves toward a life that actually feels like you. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Claiming vs. Wanting: Why "wanting" is passive, while "claiming" is an intentional act of ownership that plants a flag for your future. 
• The Permission Slip: Why you are allowed to change your mind and desire different things in your 40s, 50s, or 60s than you did in your 20s. 
• The Power of the "Morning 5-10-5": How writing down your dreams as if they’ve already happened can trigger your subconscious to start creating a new reality. 
• Three Steps to Build Your "Claim It" Muscle: Practical strategies for getting still, speaking your desires out loud, and stopping the endless wait for external validation.

LINKS + MENTIONS:

📘 Best Life Planner

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Q2 can be your most important quarter in life + business!

Most people treat the second quarter of the year as a time to simply "sail through," coasting on the fumes of their January resolutions. But according to Laurie Reynoldson, Q2 is your secret weapon for finishing the year strong. 

In this episode, Laurie breaks down the seasonal psychology of the year—from the "shot out of the gate" energy of Q1 to the "balls to the wall" panic of Q4—and explains why January is actually a terrible time to start new habits. She introduces a more agile way to live: using the first 13 weeks of the year as a data-gathering phase, then using Q2 to make the tactical pivots necessary to actually achieve your "Best Life." 

Key Takeaways:

• The Winter Trap: Why starting big goals in the dark, cold days of January often leads to disappointment and how to use Q1 as a "toe dip" instead. 
• The Data-Driven Life: How to move beyond "checking boxes" to using habit tracking as a tool for personal information and better decision-making. 
• The Best Life Planner: Laurie shares the science-backed framework of her custom planner, including the "Morning 5, 10, 5" routine to prime your brain for success. 
• The Quarterly Review: Five critical questions to ask yourself right now to assess what is serving you and what needs to be left behind. 
• Sneaky Success: Why making "big moves" in Q2 is easier because nobody else expects them. 

What’s New at the School of Midlife:

• The Tech Overhaul: A behind-the-scenes look at the new systems, website, and email platform launching to better serve the community. 
• High-Level Leadership Collective: An exclusive announcement about a new small-group initiative for midlife women featuring in-person intensives and virtual support. 
• Upcoming Workshops: Short, tactical virtual sessions focused on midlife clarity and focus

LINKS + MENTIONS:

Best Life Planner

Schedule a discover call with Laurie

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The business of midlife.

In this special three-year anniversary episode, Laurie Reynoldson pulls back the curtain on the "business of podcasting" before diving deep into a concept every high-achieving woman needs to hear: The Business of Midlife. 

If you’ve spent decades advocating for your team at work and your family at home, while leaving your own dreams for "someday," this episode is your wake-up call. Laurie explores why we often treat our careers with more strategy, investment, and clarity than our own lives—and how to flip the script. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The IBM Strategy for Personal Growth: How a three-step success secret from former IBM CEO Tom Watson can be applied to designing your second act. 
• The "Someday" Trap: Why waiting for absolute certainty or the "perfect time" is the quickest way to stay stuck. 
• Investing vs. Indulging: Breaking the conditioning that says spending time and money on your own development is selfish. 
• The Power of Sabbaticals: Why you should "try on" your dream life (like moving to a Tuscan villa) before you sell everything to pursue it. 
• The Ripple Effect: How getting clear on your own needs actually makes you show up better for your family and community. 

Are you ready to treat your life like it’s your career? It’s time to stop waiting for retirement to start living.

LINKS + MENTIONS:

Best Life Retreat - Civana Wellness Resort + Spa

Best Life Retreat - Paris

Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please follow, leave a five-star rating, and share it with a friend!

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First it was Me Too. Then it was Time’s Up. Now it’s time for something new: Me First.

In this episode, Laurie introduces what she calls the Me First Movement—a powerful mindset shift for high-achieving midlife women who have spent decades putting everyone else’s needs ahead of their own.

After years of conditioning to be helpful, accommodating, and endlessly available, many women in midlife find themselves exhausted, resentful, and wondering where they fit in their own lives. The truth? Putting yourself first isn’t selfish—it’s strategic.

Laurie explores why so many women struggle to prioritize themselves, how cultural conditioning and caregiving roles reinforce the habit of self-sacrifice, and why choosing yourself can actually strengthen your relationships, leadership, and legacy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the instinct to put yourself last is deeply conditioned—not natural
• The difference between “Me First” and “Me Only” (they are not the same thing)
• How prioritizing yourself actually improves your relationships and family dynamics
• Why waiting for the “right time” to pursue what you want is a dangerous myth
• Two simple challenges you can try this week to begin shifting into Me First mode

This isn’t about abandoning the people you love. It’s about finally including yourself in the equation.

Because midlife isn’t a holding pattern—it’s your opportunity to launch the second half of your life with intention, clarity, and courage.

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You might be closer to your best life than you think.

In this episode, Laurie shares two powerful moments from a recent retreat with a cohort of high-achieving midlife women—moments that reveal two of the biggest mindset barriers keeping women from fully stepping into their next chapter.

The first came from a woman who realized she was already 75% of the way to living her best life—a reminder that many women don’t need to burn everything down to create change. Often, it’s about small shifts, clearer alignment, and finally prioritizing what matters most.

The second moment came from a question many women quietly carry:
 How can I go after my best life when so many people have it worse than I do?

In this conversation, Laurie unpacks both of these ideas and challenges the conditioning that tells women to stay small, feel guilty for wanting more, or wait until “someday” to pursue the life they truly want.

You’ll hear why midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s a crossroads—and why living your best life doesn’t require a dramatic reinvention. Sometimes it just requires clarity, courage, and the willingness to make intentional shifts toward what matters most.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to pursue more happiness, fulfillment, or alignment in your life, this episode will remind you that the second half of your life might just be the best one yet.

LINKS + MENTIONS:

Upcoming Best Life Retreat

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What if the clarity you’ve been searching for isn’t going to come from thinking harder…but from stepping away?

In this episode, your host Laurie Reynoldson shares a deeply personal invitation into the power of retreats — why getting out of your daily routine isn’t indulgent, it’s transformative. From the Best Life Retreat in Arizona to two intimate Paris experiences this fall, this conversation explores what really happens when midlife women step outside the noise of their everyday lives and into a curated space designed for reflection, expansion, and joy.

This isn’t about sightseeing.
 It’s about seeing yourself differently.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in repetition — same days, same responsibilities, same questions — this episode is your nudge to stop postponing your life. Because clarity doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from movement.

LINKS + MENTIONS:

🌵Best Life Retreat at Civana Wellness Resort + Spa

🇫🇷 Best Life Retreats in Paris

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