The Sharon Francisco Show

What if midlife isn’t the slowdown everyone talks about — but the decade where your power truly expands?

In this solo episode, we explore The 100-Year Life by Professor Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott — a powerful reframe on ageing, wisdom, and work in a world where we’re living longer than ever before.

This conversation is for every woman who’s ever whispered, “Am I still relevant?” — and for anyone who’s ready to turn that question into a declaration: Absolutely YES.

I share the personal story of how, during my divorce, I reprogrammed my thinking and rebuilt my energy by telling myself a new truth — that I could “keep up,” stay curious, and design a life that keeps expanding.

Because longevity isn’t about time — it’s about depth.

It’s about evolving into the wisest, boldest version of yourself — and realising that the middle isn’t the mess, it’s the metamorphosis.

This episode is both a pep talk and a perspective shift — a reminder that menopause isn’t the end of fertility, it’s the birth of influence… and that legacy isn’t what you leave behind, it’s what you continue to create.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Why midlife is the power decade of reinvention and contribution
• The mindset shift that helps you stay relevant, vibrant, and curious
• How I “tricked” my brain to rebuild confidence and energy after divorce
• What The 100-Year Life teaches us about redefining purpose
• Why wisdom — not youth — is the new currency
• Menopause as the Mentor Era and the “CEO chapter” of life
• How to build a legacy that keeps expanding

---
👉  Also: The Entrepreneurial Bookkeeper — grow your business without sacrificing your health: sharonfrancisco.com/program

Connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook.

Have a question for the podcast? Email [email protected]

What if the best parts of your life are sitting quietly on the other side of fear?
In this solo episode, we dive into what it really means to stay sassy and stay curious — to challenge the predictable path, to question “is this it?”, and to rediscover the spark that makes life feel expansive again.

From 92-year-old marathon runner Mathea Allansmith and 102-year-old social media star Ivy Bean, to the women on the land who battle droughts and fires with grit and grace — this episode celebrates the spirit of those who defy the odds and choose adventure over comfort.

I share stories from my own life — leaving our small country town for a new start, and Pierre’s leap of faith moving to Australia without speaking a word of English — both reminders that the unknown is where life truly begins.

This conversation is a love letter to courage, curiosity, and the women who quietly lead by example.
Because staying curious isn’t a personality type — it’s a decision. Every. Single. Day.

Mentioned in this episode:
• The quiet strength of women who keep showing up, no matter what
• Why comfort is often harder than courage
• My story of leaving everything familiar to create a new life
• Pierre’s journey to Australia and how it shaped our shared values
• The truth about fear — and why what scares you most often reveals your purpose
• How to reignite your curiosity when life feels flat

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

---
👉  Also: The Entrepreneurial Bookkeeper — grow your business without sacrificing your health: sharonfrancisco.com/program

Connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook.

Have a question for the podcast? Email [email protected]

What keeps bookkeepers grounded when life and lodgements pile up? In this uplifting conversation with Rob Marshall— professional bookkeeper, General Manager at ICB, and a proud advocate for small business communities — we unpack the habits, boundaries, and mindset that help us build businesses we actually want to live in.

In this episode we cover:

• Lessons from the community: how genuine connection builds trust, clients, and longevity.
• The wake-up call: Rob’s 2017 “widow-maker” heart attack — and how it changed everything.
• No more martyrdom: breaking the habit of being a slave to clients.
• Confidence without arrogance: standing tall without losing your softness.
• Person before success: why protecting your health, hobbies, and family must come first.
• Values that matter: kindness, diplomacy, and authenticity as quiet forms of strength.
• Tiny rituals that anchor big weeks: simple resets that keep our heads and hearts steady.

Mentioned in this episode:

• How to build a sustainable business without becoming a slave to clients
• Lessons from community — connection, trust, and finding your tribe
• The 2017 heart attack that became a turning point
• Confidence vs arrogance — standing tall without losing your softness
• Why “being nice” is actually a quiet superpower in leadership
• Faith, health, and family — remembering the person before the business

---
👉  Also: The Entrepreneurial Bookkeeper — grow your business without sacrificing your health: sharonfrancisco.com/program

Connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook.

Have a question for the podcast? Email [email protected]

What if the moment you stopped hiding was the moment everything changed?

In this uplifting conversation with Personal Brand expert and 14x author Jane Anderson, we explore how personal brand, integrity, and courage can open doors — not just in business, but in life.

Jane was one of the first mentors who helped me see that being myself wasn’t too much — it was my greatest advantage. We talk about confidence, connection, and how to build a business that feels as good as it looks.

Mentioned in this episode:
• The one line that changed my life
• What real confidence looks like (and how to build it)
• The truth about social media and client loyalty
• Why who you surround yourself with matters most
• How integrity becomes your biggest influence

---
👉  Also: The Entrepreneurial Bookkeeper — grow your business without sacrificing your health: sharonfrancisco.com/program

Connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook.

Have a question for the podcast? Email [email protected]

Tired, foggy, cranky — and told it’s “just menopause”? In this episode, I share how brain fog nearly derailed me, the turning point I found in functional medicine, and why you should never settle for “this is just how it is.”

Mentioned in this episode:

• Why it’s not always menopause
• Coping strategies that keep us stuck
• My eight-month transformation with functional medicine
• The lesson: never stop searching for answers
• An invitation to send your health questions for my upcoming guest doctor

---
👉  Also: The Entrepreneurial Bookkeeper — grow your business without sacrificing your health: sharonfrancisco.com/program

Connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook.

Have a question for the podcast? Email [email protected]

If you’re not getting the response you want — from clients, team, or even loved ones — it’s not them, it’s how you’re communicating.

In this episode, I unpack one of my favourite NLP principles: communication is the response you get. You’ll hear why “they should just know” is a myth, how silence often gives permission, and why tricky conversations are where growth happens.

With stories from business and life (including our “Love Account”), you’ll leave with simple, practical ways to speak with clarity and kindness — and get better results everywhere.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The NLP principle: communication is the response you get
• Why “they should just know” keeps us stuck
• How silence sends the wrong signal
• Business and personal stories — from onboarding to a “Love Account”
• One action step to improve your communication this week

---
👉  Also: The Entrepreneurial Bookkeeper — grow your business without sacrificing your health: sharonfrancisco.com/program

Connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook.

Have a question for the podcast? Email [email protected]

Scaling isn’t just about numbers — it’s about balancing growth, systems, and self-care. For bookkeepers, accountants, and business owners, that often means pricing struggles, letting go of control, and creating boundaries that stick.

In this episode, I share how Dr Carol Dweck’s research on fixed vs growth mindset applies directly to business. A fixed mindset keeps us stuck in fear, while a growth mindset opens the door to confident pricing, effective delegation, and space to lead strategically.

You’ll walk away with practical tools to recognise where mindset may be holding you back — and how to shift it so you can scale with confidence while protecting your energy.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Dr Carol Dweck’s research on Fixed vs Growth Mindset
• Why pricing is more about belief than numbers
• The outsourcing dilemma — reframing control
• Shifting from doer to strategist
• Why boundaries fuel sustainable growth
• One action step to shift your mindset this week

---
👉  Also: The Entrepreneurial Bookkeeper — grow your business without sacrificing your health: sharonfrancisco.com/program

Connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook.

Have a question for the podcast? Email [email protected]

Most of us didn’t start our businesses thinking about marketing and sales. Our client base often grew organically — through referrals, word of mouth, or just showing up. But here’s the truth: relying solely on referrals can be risky. If they dry up, or the wrong types of clients come through, we’re left building a business by default rather than design.

In this episode, I share why marketing and sales aren’t dirty words, but essential tools for attracting the right clients — the ones who align with your goals and value your expertise. From clarifying your message using frameworks like StoryBrand, to showing up in the right networking rooms, to learning how to position yourself with intent — it’s about becoming strategic rather than leaving growth to chance.

And yes, you’ll also hear the story of how I ended up kissing Bruce Springsteen — and why that experience is the perfect metaphor for the power of clarity, courage, and putting yourself in the right place at the right time.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Why relying on referrals alone can put your business at risk
• How StoryBrand by Donald Miller helps you clarify your marketing message
• The difference between random networking and strategic networking
• A real-life story of bold belief (and a Bruce Springsteen kiss)
• One action step to help you attract the right clients with intent

---
👉  Also: The Entrepreneurial Bookkeeper — grow your business without sacrificing your health: sharonfrancisco.com/program

Connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook.

Have a question for the podcast? Email [email protected]

Sometimes the thing that keeps us going isn’t stamina, skills, or even sheer grit — it’s belief.

In this episode, I share a story about rats (yes, real ones) that completely changed how I think about endurance, business, and why so many of us keep “swimming” even when we’re exhausted. You’ll hear how a 1950s experiment revealed the hidden power of belief, and how it shows up in the way we run our businesses and live our lives.

We’ll explore why some bookkeepers and accountants never feel like they can take a break, what happens when we finally shift our beliefs about rest and freedom, and why balance isn’t a luxury — it’s essential for long-term success.

Most importantly, you’ll walk away with a practical challenge: spotting where you’re still caught in “sink or swim” mode, and creating space for new beliefs that give you strength, balance, and freedom.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Curt Richter rat experiment and its surprising lessons
• Why belief, not energy, determines endurance
• The dangers of “sink or swim” thinking in business
• A story of a bookkeeper who transformed her life by shifting beliefs
• One action step to help you reclaim balance and stop over-swimming

---
👉  Also: The Entrepreneurial Bookkeeper — grow your business without sacrificing your health: sharonfrancisco.com/program

Connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook.

Have a question for the podcast? Email [email protected]

Even the smartest, most capable bookkeepers and accountants sometimes avoid their own numbers. Not because they’re lazy or bad with money — but because it feels uncomfortable to face the truth.

In this episode, we uncover the hidden habits that sabotage profit, from not tracking client profitability to skipping superannuation for ourselves. We’ll explore the money beliefs that keep us stuck, why our best clients often end up funding the worst ones, and how Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money sheds light on why we do it.

Most importantly, we’ll dive into simple, practical steps to rebuild safety with numbers — so you can finally stop avoiding and start taking back control.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Common money habits that quietly drain profit
• Why A-class clients shouldn’t be subsidising D-class ones
• The belief systems behind not paying ourselves super
• Insights from The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
• One small action you can take this week to shift your money fog

---
👉  Also: The Entrepreneurial Bookkeeper — grow your business without sacrificing your health: sharonfrancisco.com/program

Connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook.

Have a question for the podcast? Email [email protected]