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Welcome to Your 2nd Act podcast - where we celebrate the power and beauty of women in their middle years. Join me each week as I chat to inspiring women from all walks of life, sharing their stories, insights, and hard-earned wisdom. Together, we'll explore the limitless possibilities of your next chapter and trust me, the curtain has just risen on your most exciting act yet.
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Send us a text I Gave Away All My Money…and Instantly Regretted It! Let’s be real, money talk isn’t exactly sexy. But ignoring it can lead to stress, missed opportunities, and even financial struggles, especially in midlife. Many women feel lost or overwhelmed with finances and some rely on partners to manage the complicated stuff, but that doesn’t have to be the case. In this episode, Michelle chats with financial educator Mel Browne about how women can take control of their finances, break ...
Send us a text My Midlife Job Reset: Finding the Courage to Try Something New! What do you do when you get tired of doing what you’ve always done and start feeling that quiet nudge to try something new? In this week’s solo episode, Michelle shares her story of stepping away from the family business after years of familiarity, comfort, and routine and deciding to start again in a completely different industry. It’s been both terrifying and exciting. From dusting off her old C...
Send us a text We’re Starting a Women’s Circle and You’re Invited! As we move through midlife, many of us start to crave deeper connection - real, honest conversations with women who truly understand what we’re going through. In this heartfelt episode, Michelle is joined by her long-time friend Jo to talk about the power of female connection and why they’ve come together to create a new Women’s Circle. They explore how, throughout history, women have gathered in circles to share stories, wisd...
Send us a text Welcome back to Season 4 of Your 2nd Act! Michelle kicks things off with a personal solo episode, sharing the big changes she is navigating right now. From her daughter moving overseas to the decision to sell the family home, Michelle opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of letting go, embracing the unknown, and finding strength in the small daily joys that keep her grounded. This season, she is also choosing to show up more on her own, creating space for honest, heart-to...
Send us a text Why are so many women being diagnosed with ADHD in midlife? and what does menopause have to do with it? In this episode, Michelle chats with Women’s Psychologist Leanne Mulheron about the rising awareness of ADHD in midlife women, and how it often overlaps with menopause. As more women begin to wonder if their symptoms are more than just hormonal changes, there’s a growing understanding that ADHD may be part of the picture. Leanne shares why so many women are only being diagnos...
Send us a text Imagine reaching midlife and deciding to take a gap year, on your own, without your family, and without all the usual responsibilities. How many times have you thought, "I wish I could just do that," but for some reason, you don’t because you’re scared of change and the unknown? Well, today’s guest is anything but scared of having a go. Monique van Tulder took the leap. She stepped away from her busy life, not to escape, but to reconnect with herself, recharge, and rediscover w...
Send us a text So many women in midlife find themselves thinking, “What happened to my sex drive?” Whether it feels like it’s gone on a long holiday or disappeared completely, it’s something that’s often joked about, but rarely talked about honestly. In this episode, I chat with Amy Campbell, a clinical psychologist, sex therapist, and author of The Mindful Sex Guide, about the very real challenges women face around sex, desire, and intimacy during midlife. We explore everything from the impa...
Send us a text Instead of the kids moving out, you pack up and leave, giving them the family home while you and your partner start fresh somewhere new. That’s exactly what Sara and her husband did, and in this conversation, Sara shares how this bold move transformed her life, relationships, and business. She opens up about the unexpected benefits, from watching her son’s step into independence, to discovering the joy of a slower pace and finding a welcoming new community. Most importantly, th...
Send us a text As we move through midlife, we often focus on the changes we’re experiencing, but what about the men in our lives? Our husbands, partners, brothers, and friends are navigating their own challenges, often in silence. In this deeply relatable conversation, Michelle speaks with Tim Hewson, founder of Mongrels Men, a groundbreaking charity supporting men’s mental health. Tim shares his personal journey of hiding his struggles for 20 years and how hitting rock bottom after divorce l...
Send us a text Feeling stuck in a style rut? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by Courtney a fashion stylist, content creator, and someone who’s completely reinvented herself in midlife. After 30 years in corporate, Courtney found herself questioning what was next (sound familiar?). She made the bold decision to walk away from the safe path and discovered a whole new beginning through styling. Her second act didn’t just change her career, it reignited her purpose. In this chat, we...
Send us a text We know how important female friendships are in midlife - hey, imagine life without them… scary, right? These relationships are our lifelines, our sounding boards, and our greatest cheerleaders, but what happens when a friendship no longer aligns with who you are? When it quietly starts to feel more draining than uplifting, and you’re faced with the uncomfortable truth that it might be time to walk away? In this solo episode, Michelle dives into the emotional rollercoaster of m...
Send us a text Midlife is often seen as a time of reflection, but for many women, it’s also a time of bold reinvention. In this episode, I speak with Ren, co-founder of ReLove, about how she embraced her 2nd Act by starting a much needed charity, one that not only changed her life, but is transforming the lives of others. ReLove provides furniture and household essentials to people in crisis, particularly women escaping domestic violence, homelessness, and other hardships. Through this work, ...
Send us a text Guys how many of you describe yourself as people-pleasers, perfectionists, or the one who’s always protecting others? Bloody exhausting… isn’t it! If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and today’s guest knows exactly how you feel. Dr. Michelle McQuaid, or Chelle as she’s known, is a globally recognized researcher, bestselling author, and positive psychology expert who combines cutting-edge science with her own deeply personal journey to help women let go of society’s ‘good ...
Send us a text In this episode of Your 2nd Act, I sit down with Kath Elliott, an alcohol coach, to explore the complexities of alcohol consumption, particularly among midlife women. Many of us have grown up with alcohol as a central part of socialising, celebrating, and even unwinding, but at this stage of life, is it really serving us? Kath shares her personal journey from binge drinking to embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle, highlighting the transformative experiences that led her to becom...
Send us a text This week, I chat with Hema Prakash, founder of Ponti Health, about the gaps in women’s healthcare, especially in midlife. So many of us feel unsupported and unheard when it comes to perimenopause, menopause, and our overall well-being. Hema saw these challenges firsthand and decided to do something about it. That’s how Ponti Health was born, a place designed to empower women with knowledge, care, and a real sense of control over their health. In our conversation, we dive into ...
Send us a text In midlife, many of us start questioning who we really are beyond the roles we have played, whether as a mother, daughter, partner, or professional. But what happens when family secrets come to light and shake the very foundation of our identity? In this episode, Michelle Scheibner shares her deeply personal journey of uncovering hidden truths within her family and how they shaped her sense of self. Through therapy, introspection, and an ongoing commitment to healing, she has l...
Send us a text Ten years ago, I reluctantly walked into a gym, thinking, "Here we go again, another gym I’ll quit in a few months." But a decade later, I’m still training at the same gym with the same trainer, Dan, an exercise sports scientist who has completely changed my approach to fitness. In this episode, Dan and I discuss why midlife is the perfect time to focus on strengthening our bodies. We explore the benefits of resistance training for women, including preventing osteoporosis, impr...
Send us a text In this episode, Sophie Scott, award-winning medical journalist, mental health educator, and former ABC presenter, shares her powerful journey through burnout and high-functioning anxiety, offering invaluable insights into reclaiming balance and well-being. Despite her high-profile career and professional success, Sophie opens up about the personal toll of burnout, reminding us that it doesn’t discriminate, it can happen to anyone, no matter how accomplished or put-together the...
Send us a text Late last year, I sat down with my good friend Jane, who had just taken a bold leap into a new stage of life. After a long and successful corporate career, Jane decided it was time to shake things up. With her daughter away at university, she and her husband Rob packed their bags and set off on an adventure to travel around Australia. In this engaging conversation, Jane shares what it’s like to step away from the familiar and embrace the unknown. From leaving her career behind ...
Send us a text Have you ever felt like midlife is less of a crisis and more of a calling? In this episode, I sit down with Megan Dalla-Camina, an award-winning women’s leadership and empowerment expert and bestselling author of Women Rising, to talk about navigating this transformative stage of life. We explore empowerment, dealing with our inner critic, and how patriarchy has shaped the way we see ourselves and our potential. Megan breaks down the idea of archetypes that represent the voices...
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