In this episode I’m chatting with Angelina Mastrippolito, a second-generation Italian immigrant about her new book ‘Le Seconde’. The book details her life growing up in the cane fields of North Queensland in an Italian family. The expectations on women, the strength of her mother and what you can achieve if you are brave enough to take the step.

This book is resonated with me, as my husband was born in Italy and migrated in 1952 from Italy to Australia with his parents and baby sister at the age of 4.

What I loved about our conversation was learning about Angelina’s journey and all she has achieved from those early days. It reminded me again of the courage and strength of women and what we can achieve.

Meet Angelina

Angelina Mastrippolito grew up amongst the sugarcane fields of Far North Queensland. Her family lived in the small town of Ingham alongside other Italian migrants – it was in fact known as ‘Little Italy.’

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After university, she qualified as an actuary. She was the first actuary from Far North Queensland and when she qualified in 1988, she was one of only around 30 female actuaries in Australia. She worked in the finance Industry while looking after her two children and an accommodation business in the Snowy Mountains.

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In a career that spanned over 40 years, she was a trusted advisor to large Australian and multinational companies as well holding senior executive positions, including CEO and COO, in a number of superannuation funds. She is currently a director of the Brave Foundation and on the committee of the Sydney and Inner West U3A and Inner West Speakers.

She is also a director of ASEAN, an organisation that aims to build a culturally diverse community in Australia in order to promote cross cultural relations and interfaith tolerance.

Angelina’s love of writing started in her late fifties, though she has been an avid reader all her life. Le Seconde is her first book.

Angelina lives in Sydney’s Inner West and is the proud mother of two adult children and two very furry but beloved golden retriever dogs. She took up ballroom dancing in her sixties and in her spare time, you will find her perfecting her Argentine Tango.

Le Seconde - Inheriting the Unspoken

Available in paperback or ebook - HERE

You can also watch the interview on Youtube

Thanks for reading Women Living Well After 50 with Sue Loncaric! Subscribe for free to receive new posts, podcast episodes and Your Weekly Boost free newsletter.

'Joyspan' – the longest, most pleasurable healthspan possible.

Brodee Myers-Cook is on a mission to help women find their roadmap to vibrant ageing through her Road to Younger Magazine on Substack. After a shock result from her ostoeporosis test Brodee shares her ‘wake up’ call and what she is doing to maintain strength and vitality in life.

This week on the Women Living Well After 50 podcast, I’m joined by the insightful and inspiring Brodee, where we dive into a powerful conversation around what it truly means to age well. From embracing the Roadtrip to Younger mindset to facing the realities of osteoporosis with strength and knowledge, we cover it all. And at the heart of it? Joyspan—the idea that it’s not just about how long we live, but how much joy we infuse into every moment. If you're ready for an honest, uplifting chat about health, vitality, and blooming after 50, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Meet Brodee

I was an award-winning journalist, and magazine editor for almost 30 years, working across leading lifestyle titles including Editorial Director on Australia’s leading food brand, taste.com.au for 10 years. A career highlight was the award for Journalist of the Year at the Women in Media Awards.

Now, my "beat" as you might say, is healthy ageing. I launched Road Trip to Younger magazine as a free digital magazine in late 2024 with a vision to cut through the hype, decode the science. To lay out the road map for growing younger as we grow older. I always say the destination is Joyspan—the longest, most pleasurable lifespan possible.

I’m also on a mission to change the way we all THINK about ageing. There’s a revolution in women’s ageing happening out there that no one's talking about. I'm passionate about sharing stories from women over 50 who are doing ageing their way through The Postcard Project.

I’ve enjoyed being an advocate for osteoporosis awareness, including with osteoporosis ambassador, Ita Buttrose.

LINKS

Road Trip to Younger magazine:

The Postcard Project -- launch issue (featuring Sue Loncaric)

My latest series launch issue Boss Your Bones After 50

Watch the Video of the Interview

Thanks for reading Women Living Well After 50 with Sue Loncaric! Subscribe for free to receive new posts, podcast episodes and Your Weekly Boost, my free newsletter.

Are you ready to write your story?

‘Writing isn't just about words. It's a way to define and clarify who you are, what you think, what you want to say, and where you stand in this ever-evolving world. Unlocking your creativity isn't indulgent - it's essential.

Claiming and defining your voice will be the key to unlocking your next chapter!’

My guest today is Bonnie Garvin founder of Storytelling Lab who shares her work in helping others find their voice and share their story.

We discuss how we can unleash our creativity and overcome limiting beliefs, where we can find inspiration and rediscovering the ‘creative natural child’.

Watch the Video

Meet Bonnie Garvin

Bonnie Garvin is an award-winning writer, producer, and USC screenwriting professor. Her passion is the Storytelling Lab, a six-person, six-week international Zoom class she created to unleash the creative spirit buried beneath the layers of insecurity.

She has written and produced movies for television and film in the United States in Europe. In addition to writing for the three major American broadcast networks, she’s worked for Showtime, Lifetime and USA, as well. Her first feature, The Killing Yard, was optioned by Warner Brothers, and later made as film for Showtime. It garnered several award nominations including an Edgar for Best Written Television/Miniseries. Bonnie received a special Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association, the largest professional legal organization in the world, for her “accurate portrayal of the criminal justice system.” She’s a produced playwright and her personal essays appear in three book anthologies.

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Bonnie's Storytelling Lab is unlike any other writing class or workshop. Her goal isn’t to teach you how to write but rather to help unlock your own unique voice. The course embodies her philosophy that we’re born writers. She specializes in getting you out of your own way.

Bonnie’s enabled and empowered hundreds of writers around the globe. In addition to creating her international online Storytelling Lab, she’s a professor at the University of Southern California in the School of Cinema Arts where she’s taught screenwriting for two decades.

www.storytellinglab.online

Are you embracing Ageing or pushing back against the inevitable? My guest today is Jane Duncan Rogers who feels that aging should be viewed in a ‘whacky’ way and with positivity, gratitude and acceptance. Jane shares her thoughts on her Substack account which you can subscribe to below.

Jane is warm and encouraging and I could have chatted to her for hours. I’m definitely having Jane back in future episodes.

In this episode we discuss:

* Jane’s story, a widow at 54 which led to writing books and finding unexpected love again

* Mindset is the key - The 4 pillars of ageing

* End of life planning - an important task but which many of us put off because it is a confronting issue

Watch the Video

Meet Jane

Jane Duncan Rogers, an award-winning author, coach, and thought leader, was trained personally by Louise L. Hay in 1990. Jane was the first to bring Louise’s transformative work to the UK and Europe, and wrote her first book in 1997. From running 6 small businesses in the wellbeing field since 1992, she is now a champion for conscious ageing.

Through writing Embracing Ageing on Substack, she encourages everyone to welcome the last third of their lives wackily and well. She sees ageing not as a decline, but as a time for deeper wisdom, intentional living and a dollop of quirkiness, and she supports others to do the same.

Jane says:

“The journey of ageing well is much richer when it is walked alongside joy, juiciness and gratitude for simply being alive, no matter what”.

Jane’s books: https://www.janeduncanrogers.com/booksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jane.duncanrogers/

Would you like to try something new? Share your story

I’m always looking for guests for my Women Living Well After 50 Podcast. Not celebrities, but women who have a story to tell. Women who may not be in the spotlight but have something of interest to share with my audience. Women who are passionate about helping other women to bloom after 50.

If this sounds like you, and you want to step out of your comfort zone I’d love t hear from you. Just send me a quick email to [email protected] with your details and the topic you would like to discuss during an interview and let’s book a date and time. Could you also include your time zone. I live in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia so my time is AEST.I can’t wait to hear from you.

Thanks for reading Women Living Well After 50 with Sue Loncaric! Subscribe for free to receive new posts, podcast episodes and Your Weekly Boots Newsletter.

How often do you step out of your comfort zone and try something new? What holds you back?

This is a fascinating episode discussing equine therapy.

In this episode, my guest is Sue Willoughby, a truth teller, boundary-breaker, and certified Equus Coach® who helps women over 40 stop playing small and start living like they mean it.

Sue has a different coaching approach and with horses as her co-facilitators, she cuts through the noise to help clients reconnect with their power, ditch burnout, and trust their instincts

Today we are going to be talking about Living Beyond the comfort zone to build a life that feels as good as it looks.

Watch the Video

Meet Sue Willoughby

Raised tough, lived wild, and rebuilt from the ground up, Sue brings real talk, deep heart, and a no-fluff approach to personal transformation. Based outside Seattle with her horse Moose and two mini Dachshunds, she’s here to help you stop surviving and start showing up for your life.

Connect with Sue

Website: www.willoughbycoaching.com

Podcast: A Life Worth Being

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SueWilloughby

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/

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Thanks for reading Women Living Well After 50 with Sue Loncaric! Subscribe for free to receive new posts, podcast episodes and my free newsletter: Your Weekly Boost.

Feeling stress and overwhelm? You aren’t alone and my guest today, Pam Miller, will share with us one surprising reason why we could be experiencing stress and overwhelm, and how it affects our overall health - physically, mentally, and emotionally. And once we realize this reason, it can CHANGE EVERYTHING!

Watch the Video

Meet Pam Miller

Pam Miller has been coaching, mentoring, and serving women for the past 4 decades in the areas of Higher Education, College Instructor, Youth Ministry, as a co-author of "At the Feet of Ordinary Women" (a book on mentoring), and as a Life and Health Transitional Coach. Pam recently retired from her full-time job in Higher Education after advising and supporting college students in their academic and professional careers for 21 years.

She continues to help women effectively navigate and thrive through transitions in their lives-- health, personal, and professional changes in their lives. Along with working with women 1-1, Pam is a frequent speaker on health and wellness topics in the Peoria, Illinois area, and also writes a weekly newsletter where she shares motivational insights, strategies, and personal stories with her audience to take small steps to improve their overall health. Pam frequently says, "Life is too short to be struggling. There is always hope and a way to make positive changes in your life" and she loves being able to help women experience transformation so they can live their best life!

Links

https://mailchi.mp/pammillercoach/insights-from-pam-newsletter -- sign up for Pam's weekly "Insights From Pam" newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/pammillercoach/one-surprising-reason-why-you-experience-stress - to receive Pam's document about the one surprising reason you experience stress (clutter) and what you can do about it

https://transformyourhealthllc.com/services - to learn more about Pam's coaching services

Perimenopause, Menopause and Post Menopause - whatever stage you are at you can begin your best chapter yet and not let the big ‘M’ take over.

My guest in this episode is Barb Watson from Barb’s Bod Squad. As a body builder, Barb thought she had cracked the code of dealing with Menopause but she was wrong. From her own personal journey through menopause, Barb has developed a program that is progressive. It’s not a meal plan, it’s not a training plan. Barb works with individuals to help them begin their best chapter yet.

During the episode we discussed:

* Food as healing and joy

* Short, effective workouts

* Mindset transformation

* Adaptability and evolution

* Consistency, not perfection

* Embracing emotional realities

This episode is also available to watch on Youtube

Meet Barb Watson

I'm Barbs, the heart and soul behind Barb’s Bod Squad—a qualified personal trainer, ex-bodybuilder, and Kiwi girl at heart, proudly calling Australia home. After years managing corporate business transformations, I left that world to follow my true passion: helping women transform their health and confidence.

Over a decade ago, menopause nearly broke me. I endured 32 unrecognised symptoms—crippling brain fog, relentless hot flushes, anxiety, unexpected weight gain and exhaustion. I was misdiagnosed repeatedly and sent on a frustrating and expensive wild goose chase that drained me emotionally and financially. I felt confused, overwhelmed, and completely alone.

But from that chaos, I found clarity and purpose. I turned my struggle into strength and built a program to support women just like me. My 4-week program is designed to help women lose weight, keep it off, and feel like themselves again—without the fads, fluff, or false promises.

I also created the FREE Menopause Assistant—a smart, AI-powered tool built specifically for Australian women. It’s grounded in science, follows national menopause guidelines, and only includes TGA-approved products. It’s designed to cut through confusion and give women the clarity and confidence they deserve.

At Barb’s Bod Squad, it’s about real women, real solutions, and real results. I’m here to make sure no woman feels as lost as I once did—and to empower you with the tools, knowledge, and support to thrive through menopause and beyond.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaraboowatson/

https://barbsbodsquad.com/4-week-fast-start-menopause-weight-loss.html

Intro to Master Class; The Menopause Reset Masterclass

You’re doing everything right — eating clean, tracking calories, staying active — but the scale won’t budge, and it’s beyond frustrating.

That’s exactly why I created…

🎓 The Menopause Reset Masterclass: How to Lose Weight, Regain Energy & Reclaim You

Here’s what it will cover:

✅ The Real Reason You’re Gaining Weight – and why it’s not your fault✅ The Top 3 Mistakes Most Women Are Unknowingly Making During Menopause✅ 5 Simple, Science-Backed Steps to Reset Your Hormones, Start Losing Weight, Regain Your Energy, and Reclaim Your Life

Live Session Schedule:

Session 1: Wednesday, 2 July 25🕖 7:00 – 8:00 PM (NSW/VIC/QLD/TAS) | 9:00 – 10:00 PM (NZ) | 5:00 – 6:00 PM (WA)

Session 2: Saturday, 5 July 25🕙 10:00 – 11:00 AM (NSW/VIC/QLD/TAS)) | 12:00 – 1:00 PM (NZ) | 8:00 – 9:00 AM (WA)

Session 3: Wednesday, 9 July 25🕖 7:00 – 8:00 PM (NSW/VIC/QLD/TAS) | 9:00 – 10:00 PM (NZ) | 5:00 – 6:00 PM (WA)🔗 Zoom Link (provided after registration)

🎁 Bonus Gift for Attendees:Everyone who attends will receive a free 7-Day Morning Ritual to Reset & Rise

✨ Start each day clear, calm, and energised — in just 5 minutes.Designed specifically for women in menopause to start each day with clarity, fuel their body for fat loss, and feel back in control — mind, body, and hormones.

Conditions apply: Must attend live and stay until the end of the session.

🚨 Spots are limited — don’t wait!👉 Click here to Register and secure your place in The Menopause Reset Masterclass.

MIA – Your Free AI Menopause Assistant

MIA is a free, AI-powered assistant I’ve built to support Australian women navigating menopause. I created it because I know firsthand how confusing and isolating the experience can be — and I don’t want any woman to go through it alone.

Backed by science and aligned with Australian guidelines, MIA offers trustworthy, clear information and only recommends TGA-approved products. It’s designed to empower women to make informed choices with confidence.

You can explore it here:

👉 https://bit.ly/Menopausechat

After taking early retirement, my guest in this episode, Julie Conrad decided to pull out an old manuscript she started over 30 years ago. This one step put her on the path to fulfilling her dream of becoming a published author. She has now written 7 books and her latest, To Everything There is a Season, although fiction, will resonate with many women 50+.

Watch the Video

Meet Julie Conrad

Julie Conrad lives in Cheshire, UK. When she isn't writing novels, she enjoys painting with acrylics and is a member of the Altrincham Society of Artists. A retired social worker and Regulatory Inspector, BA (Hons) Social Science degree and a BA(Regulation and Inspection), Julie was also a Practice Teacher in the training of student Social Workers. Julie has featured in the Manchester Evening news and Wigan Observer, and has been interviewed a number of times on local radio station, Radio Alty. Julie loves nature and supports animal charities, RSPCA, PETA and other grass root charities, and believes in kindness to all.

At the beginning of lockdown 2019, I decided to complete and publish a manuscript I had written in 1990, which I did, entitled High Places. What began as a one off project became so absorbing I have self published six novels whilst my seventh novel, To Everything There is a Season is published by Round fire, Collective Ink.

Website: Home - Julie Conrad Author

Book Link: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/roundfire-books/our-books/to-everything-there-is-season-novel

Thanks for reading Women Living Well After 50 with Sue Loncaric! Subscribe for free to receive new posts, podcast episodes and my free newsletter: Your Weekly Boost

Mastering Real Wellness

A self-mastery framework to create holistic health and optimal living

Perfect skin. Ageless bodies. Radiant energy. No health challenges. No struggles. Always glowing.

It’s easy to believe that real wellness is flawless, effortless, and permanent.

But as the author of Mastering Real Wellness Dr Susannah Ward says, it’s not about being blissed out 24/7—it’s about feeling good in your skin, as you are.

Watch the Video

Meet Dr Susannah Ward

Dr Susannah Ward is a specialist physician in rehabilitation medicine based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

She holds degrees in Medical Science and Medicine with honours from The University of Sydney. In 2018, she was awarded the prestigious Fellowship for Rehabilitation Medicine prize from The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Dr Ward’s professional life spans clinical practice, research, and governance, with numerous publications to her name.

She is also the Chair of the Member Health and Well-being Committee and Well-being Advocates webinars for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and previous board director.

With a keen interest in wellness and holistic health, she has been a dedicated advocate for the wellbeing of health professionals, passionately promoting a nurturing and supportive medical culture, which includes piloting mindfulness and well-ness sessions for staff and junior doctors at hospitals, and research into well-being research for doctors.

Dr Ward lives by the beach with her husband, son and dog. In her leisure time, she enjoys studying self-mastery, writing, yoga, gentle jogs, and connecting with nature. A certified.

About Dr Susannah Ward - Ataraxia Collective

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219274443-mastering-real-wellness

Thanks for reading Women Living Well After 50 with Sue Loncaric! Subscribe for free to receive new posts, podcast episodes & my weekly newsletter: Your Weekly Boost

In this episode, my guest is Christine Mason, author of newly released book - The Nine Lives of Woman which explores how women can optimize energy, hormones, and longevity from puberty through post-menopause, blending science, lived experience, and ancient wisdom.

During the discussion we discussed Christine’s from her new book and dive into:

* The Cycles of Female Vitality – How energy, metabolism, and mental clarity shift through life

* Biohacking for Women – Customizing wellness strategies for female physiology

* Hormonal Intelligence – Natural ways to balance hormones at every stage

* Reframing "Aging" as Evolution – Embracing the strengths and superpowers of each life phase

* Breaking the One-Size-Fits-All Health Model – Creating new frameworks for women's health

Watch the Video

Meet Christine Mason

Christine Marie Mason is the founder of Rosebud Woman, an intimate and body care line devoted to women’s wellness in midlife. Rosebud invites new conversations about holistic self-care, self-love and power. She is also the host of the Rose Woman Podcast, now in the top 5% of all podcasts worldwide, on Love and Embodied Liberation, and an author. Her most recent (and tenth!) book (April 1, 2025) is The Nine Lives of Woman: Sensual, Sexual and Reproductive Stages from Birth to 100.After a career in global consulting, Christine founded and grew multiple software companies, and served as a futurist and innovation advisor for global companies, and an advisor, investor and mentor to many technology startups. Concurrently, in 2000, she began a 25+ year journey into studying and teaching yoga, tantra, collective trauma healing, plant medicine and intentional living, pursuing a Phd is consciousness. She curates and leads salons, gatherings, seminars and events around the world, and teaches classical tantra, yoga, conscious menopause, and awakening in the body at festivals and retreats around the world. She is a mother of four adult children, bonus mom to two, and a grandmother.

Connect with Christine

Christine's Podcast: https://rosewoman.com/blogs/rosewoman-podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/christinemariemason

Website : http://christinemariemason.com

📘 The Nine Lives of Woman (Digital): https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christine-Marie-Mason/author/B01K6TUDFQ?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true📘 The Nine Lives of Woman (Print): https://rosewoman.com/products/the-9-lives-of-woman-sensual-sexual-and-reproductive-stages-from-birth-to-100?variant=46367720210686

Thanks for reading Women Living Well After 50 with Sue Loncaric! Subscribe for free to receive new posts, podcast episodes and Your Weekly Boost: Living Life in Full Bloom Newsletter.