What if the secret to a richer life isn't mastering anything—but dabbling in everything? Author Karen Walrond (In Defense of Dabbling) returns to champion the lost art of amateurism—doing what you love without needing to excel. In a culture that turns hobbies into hustles, we can easily forget how to be interesting to ourselves. From swim class struggles to wonky candle holders, Karen shares why intentional dabbling as we age sparks joy, powers self-compassion, and stretches our comfort zones. Midlife is made for getting unstuck. What will you try just for the joy of it, beauties? FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Midlife straight talk alert! Hitting midlife means health scares become reality—for you or someone you love. Rebecca Bloom, lawyer and 26-year patient advocate, wrote "When Women Get Sick" after navigating her mother's breast cancer journey and helping thousands of other cancer patients do the same in a healthcare system that wasn't built for women. Look, no one wants to think about illness and disease. But when the sh*t hits the fan, you want to know how to get, afford, and keep the health care, insurance and workplace benefits needed to help you survive. We cover must-know info like—How do you choose insurance that protects what matters? What's your script when bills are wrong? How do you turn your doctor into an ally? What creative solutions exist beyond insurance? How do you appeal denied coverage successfully? Why should you "assume partnership" with HR? Listen in for a conversation on being a smarter patient—knowledge is power and peace of mind! FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sudden loss reveals how much we never knew about someone's inner life—and midlife brings the urgency to ask deeper questions while we still can. Photographer Stacy Bass faced this reality twice: losing her father in a 1995 seaplane crash, then watching her mother battle pancreatic cancer 25 years later. Her memoir "Lightkeeper" reveals how she transformed devastating grief into active remembrance through photography and storytelling. We explore: Why are photographs "powerful portals" to forgotten stories? How do we actively keep someone's "light" alive instead of passively grieving? What does it mean to become your family's "lightkeeper"? Stacy shares why slowing down to truly see our photographs and excavate memory and family stories can transmute grief, plus practical ways to preserve the voices and stories that matter most before time runs out. FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What are you willing to sacrifice for security? Author Cleyvis Natera invites readers to explore this question and more on a breathless seven-day trip to The Grand Paloma Resort, a Dominican Republic luxury resort where White Lotus-esque thriller meets sharp social commentary. As two local girls go missing and a hurricane approaches, sisters Laura and Elena live and work amidst stark class distinctions. The resort siphons water for lush gardens while local communities face drought, tourists operate under systems of private justice, and staff navigate knotty power dynamics for survival. Join host Katie Fogarty and Natera as they wander The Grand Paloma and explore the complexities of midlife: are we obligated to take responsibility for others, what is the moral cost of compromises for security, and how to thread the delicate balance between protecting those we love and allowing them autonomy. Bonus! We also crack open Natera's critically acclaimed debut Neruda on the Park, uncover how aspiring authors can get the most out of writing workshops, and discover why Natera credits "getting lost" as essential to building a creative, values-driven midlife. FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anyone else have a summer of rosé and disrupted routines? Time to (re)enroll in the school of sustainable fitness and create habits that stick. Fitness trainer Megan Dahlman returns to teach her proven syllabus for women over 40—no cramming or gym all-nighters required. Discover the difference between "regress," "progress," and "maintenance" exercise modes and how to avoid falling into the "all-or-nothing" exercise trap. Longevity alert: Megan schools us in three balance exercises that protect future you from life-changing falls, plus how to build a happy back in just 5 minutes daily. Plus, what's the "magic number" of weekly exercise hours that truly works? We cover simple, doable fundamentals that keep you strong, steady, and unstoppable for decades. Class is in session, beauties! FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feel like your midlife body has betrayed you? Stiffer joints, mysterious aches, less energy—these aren't just inconveniences, they're warning signals about your future independence. Dr. Vonda Wright, orthopedic surgeon, and author of "Unbreakable," returns to the show with a science-backed blueprint to prevent the broken hips, osteoporosis, and frailty plaguing too many women. As the country's leading voice on menopause's musculoskeletal impacts, she reveals why 70% of women experience debilitating joint pain and muscle loss. Plus, what are the six "time bombs" of aging you can control? How does your "unbreakable score" predict independence at 90? Why is muscle your literal longevity factory? Get the tools to stay strong, mobile, and unbreakable for decades ahead, beauties! FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Five years of aging out loud—let's celebrate! Katie hands the mic to special co-host Liz Plosser, former Women's Health Editor-in-Chief, for our biggest birthday bash yet. We're diving deep into how the menopause conversation has exploded (finally!), why reinvention is the ultimate midlife superpower, and what it really means to "age exuberantly." Plus, how Katie's preparing for empty nest life with a big move back to NYC. Stick around for Liz’s summer and travel tips: confidence-boosting swimsuits, smart travel gear, and why she's doing the downward dog in boarding areas (and doesn't care who's watching). It's a party packed with wisdom, amazing giveaways, and real talk. Thank you for making A Certain Age part of your weekly routine, for tuning in from around the world—cheers to aging boldly together! FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ever feel like you're living someone else's timeline? At midlife, many of us realize we've been following imaginary rules that keep us stuck in "fine." Author, poet, and "beauty hunter" Jennifer Pastiloff blew up her "fine" life at 50, leaving her marriage and discovering she'd expanded, not destroyed, her life. Now, Jen opens the pages of her latest bestseller "Proof of Life" to explore how to let go of perfectionism and shame, why curiosity is a lifeline, and how embracing the "school of whatever works" can power you forward. We also investigate biggies like: How do you silence your "inner asshole"? What does it mean to stop abandoning yourself for approval? Why are you already proof of your own worthiness? Honest, open, and full of warmth, Jen will inspire you to stop waiting for permission and start living before you “run out of light.” Listen in for a conversation that feels like a late-night chat with a beloved, old friend. FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Every parent dreams of an easy, predictable path, but life rarely cooperates with our expectations. Meet Eileen Flood O'Connor, debut author and mother of four, who chronicles a 20+ year journey with her daughter Erin's autism in a gorgeous, joy-drenched essay collection "Eating Pizza Backwards." The book toggles between diagnosis day grief and celebrating grocery store dance parties, revealing waves of gratitude for the many helpers and moments of wonder uncovered day by day, year by year. We explore big questions—How do you parent a child who experiences the world differently? Can unexpected challenges strengthen rather than break relationships? What if slowing down actually speeds up your happiness? Listen in for a frank, honest conversation on navigating life's unexpected turns and learning how to hold grief in one hand and joy in the other. FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Midlife often brings a reckoning with ambition—are we crushing goals or just burning out? If you feel squeezed between chasing your dreams and protecting your wellbeing, you're not alone. For executive coach Amina AlTai, author of The Ambition Trap, relentless overwork led to a devastating health crisis. Now, Amina guides high achievers toward a revolutionary approach to success. We explore the difference between"painful" and "purposeful" ambition and how to recognize when you're operating below your "resentment line." Amina's framework helps you identify the five core wounds driving unhealthy ambition and offers practical tools for honoring your needs while still achieving your goals—without sacrificing your health or relationships. We also explore her concept of "zones of genius," why the healthiest people welcome emotional diversity, and ambition as a force for collective flourishing. Get ready to rewire your relationship to success! FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stop letting society tell you your best years are behind you. Author, activist, podcaster, and polymath Reshma Saujani (founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First) is turning up the volume as she approaches 50. Reshma calls BS on what she calls the "midlife penalty"—the price we pay in status, health, and earning power as we age. We get into the biggies like: How do you rebel against a culture that wants you invisible? What does the "midlife penalty" cost women over 50? How can we evolve to become "broken open" versus burning out? In a world that calls on women to shrink (and then disappear at a certain age), this convo is a call to keep expanding, beauties! SPONSORED BY KION: Save 20% at getkion.com/age FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Many millennial women are sleepwalking toward menopause—unprepared for what's coming during this critical life stage. At 39, reproductive mental health expert Lauren Tetenbaum had a shocking realization—she knew nothing about menopause despite her expertise in women’s health. Now at 40, after interviewing hundreds of menopause experts and everyday women, she sounds a “get ready” clarion call and offers a science-backed playbook for thriving in peri/menopause and beyond with her new book "Millennial Menopause.” Lauren uncovers treatment options for symptoms you thought were "just life now," how to advocate for yourself when healthcare providers dismiss you, and why men need to be part of this conversation. This show is for anyone—no matter your generation—who has wandered the thickets of menopause “dazed and confused.” FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We get roughly 4,000 Mondays in a lifetime—are you making the most of your days? Jodi Wellman, author of "You Only Die Once," discovered the power of no-regret living after finding her late mother's apartment filled with unrealized dreams. The former corporate executive turned motivational speaker now helps people stop squandering their precious Mondays. We explore: How to get to the end of your life with next to no regrets, crunch the numbers on "Monday Math"—a guesstimate on how many Mondays you have left, and investigate useful prompts from Jodi's book. What would make your "in/out circle" if you redesigned your life today? How can you identify your "pre-grets" before they become real regrets? Stop letting Mondays, weeks, and years slip by unnoticed. Listen in for ideas on living what Jodi calls an "astonishingly alive" life. FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Midlifers are saying the quiet parts out loud—and we have stories that will make you laugh, cry, and feel like you've found your tribe. This week, writers, reinventors, and editors Dina Alvarez and Dina Aronson join host Katie Fogarty to explore their new essay collection "Midlife Private Parts"—a series of revealing essays that will change the way you think about age. Dina and Dina spent two years gathering 27 contributors (including many ACA podcast favorites like Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Sarah Milken, and Laura Belgray) to capture snapshots of midlife in all its magnificent, messy, comical glory. From hormone chaos to happiness breakthroughs, to sex and dating, recalibrating midlife friendships and marriages, to dabbling in cosmetic procedures, to the mixed bag of empty nesting, this collection serves up the midlife realness we all crave. We also explore what it took to bring this project to life, and why midlife is exactly the right time to become wildly visible, creative, and collaborative. Ready for a book that'll make you text your girlfriends immediately? Get "Midlife Private Parts" wherever books are sold. FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tired of living on autopilot while your dreams sit on the back burner? Shannon Watts knows that restlessness. Before founding Moms Demand Action and earning accolades including Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential, Shannon was an overwhelmed mom who broke down in a doctor's office, covered in stress-induced eczema from living a life that no longer worked. In her new book "Fired Up," Shannon shares her transformation from breakdown to fired-up founder of a grassroots movement against gun violence and champion of "summoning the audacity of women." You'll discover how to identify what's truly calling you, push through the fear of being "too late," and give yourself permission to live audaciously at any age. Your midlife restlessness isn't something to fix—it's a fire waiting to ignite. Ready to light that spark, beauties? SPONSORED BY KION: Save 20% at getkion.com/age FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Let's be honest—walking down the skincare aisle in midlife is overwhelming. So many products, so much BS. If you're tired of "anti-aging" products that promise miracles, this show will help you cut through marketing hype, make you a shrewder shopper, and give your skincare smarts a science-backed glow up. Today's show is a crash course in the science of skin aging with Dr. Alessandra Zonari, who holds a PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering and is the co-founder of cult-favorite OneSkin, a line of skin, suncare and scalp products. Alessandra and her team spent five years screening 900+ peptides to discover the first molecule that targets "zombie cells"—damaged cells that accelerate skin aging after 30. We cover what makes skin age, why some people’s skin ages faster than others, why lifestyle beats genetics in aging—and which choices matter most. Plus, a primer on spotting science-backed products versus lotions and potions hyped only by clever marketing. Understanding the real science behind skin aging isn't about skin-deep vanity—it's about making informed choices that protect your health and confidence as you age. Learn to love (and protect) the skin you're in, beauties! SPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off your first order with code ACA at www.oneskin.co. FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bestselling author Karen Dukess returns to the show to pour out a piping hot cup of mystery, murder, and Anglophile fun as we explore the pages of her genre-bending new book "Welcome to Murder Week"—a delightful mystery romp through the English countryside. Plus, we spill the tea on creative setbacks, midlife resilience, and the power of leaning into fun to unlock our best work. Karen was the first author to ever appear on A Certain Age. She returns to share a BTS of book publishing, “second novel syndrome,” and how writing a novel that didn’t sell taught her she truly is a writer. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, family dramas, and lovers of a good comeback. FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Can midlife be a portal to our most powerful selves? What if menopause came with superpowers? In this A Certain Age bonus episode, listen in as host Katie Fogarty and author Kirsten Miller explore "The Change," a razor-sharp feminist revenge fantasy about three women who navigate the thickets of menopause and small-town murder with superpowers unlocked by midlife. Miller crafts a tale that's equal parts thriller, feminist manifesto, and pacy, page-turning magical realism—a recipe that landed "The Change" as a GMA Book Club pick. We explore how righteous anger can be alchemized into creativity and action, why women in their forties and fifties represent "the most powerful generation of women in the history of the world," and how midlife gives us a clearer vision of our gifts. Forget invisible—in "The Change," the women are powerful and completely out of f*cks to give. That is to say, they are unstoppable. This bonus episode aired on our sister show The Midlife Book Club. Find our midlife book content 24/7 on social @themidlifebookclub and on our website: www.themidlifebookclub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is your birthday something to celebrate or avoid? This week, Katie explores this question with author Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming, author of “How to Have a Happy Birthday,” who reveals how to transform annual milestones from sources of dread into opportunities for joy. "A birthday is the most powerful day of our year," says Tamar, who offers ideas for birthday rituals and reflections, to meaningful gift exchanges and epic parties. Birthdays can be more than candles on a cake—birthdays are portals for reflection, intention-setting, and celebrating how beautifully we've grown into ourselves. Embrace your next trip around the sun, beauties! FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We all know that midlife is more fun with friends. But friendship is more than a nice-to-have—female friendships are a balm and a salve, tethering us when the roller coaster of (mid)life threatens to catapult us off the tracks. This week, Katie explores the uplifting power of friendship with Vanessa Cornell, founder of the women's community NUSHU. After experiencing her own breaking point at 35, this Harvard graduate and mother of five built what she needed—a community that lets women unmask and connect deeply. Want friendships that help you squeeze all the juice out of life? Craving relationships that accept even your "darkest, ugliest self?" Listen in for practical wisdom on friend-making, cultivating vulnerability, and why midlife is the perfect time to begin "no-regret living." Start now, beauties! Today is the day! FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter AGE BOLDLY We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices