Forties Stories

Transitions are often a good time to pause and see if you are on a course that is fulfilling and important to you. And, as my guest Alice Agnello says, the possibility exists to thrive with change, to embrace and enjoy it. Alice and I became friends when we started junior high school together. We talk about the importance of being independent from your kids, how the older women in her family are her role models, and why our friendships can take more effort in our 40s. Alice shares how dealt with her kids leaving home and the reason behind her career pivot. You’ll also hear about some changes I’ve recently made in my life, after thinking about my own looming empty nest. Alice Agnello is a lifestyle and success coach who helps women figure out who they are now that their kids are grown and may not need them as much. She was raised in California and now lives in Virginia, so she's been known to say “dude” and “y'all” in the same sentence. Alice is an educator, speaker, podcaster, and ravenous reader. She also lo

This week I’m talking with Heather Thorkelson, a spirited explorer. In this episode you’ll hear how Heather took months of deep work to discover what she wanted her future to look like. She also shares how her difficult childhood shaped her and her interesting career path that has taken her all over the world. We talk about why now is the best time to become an entrepreneur, how she has struggled with the decision whether or not to become a mother, and why women in midlife still need mentors.  You’ll also hear about her No Plan B philosophy for entrepreneurs, which she is turning into a book by the same title.   Heather Thorkelson is a Canadian dual business owner living in rural Sweden. She runs a business consulting practice that helps small-to-medium business owners grow their bottom line without adding busy-work. She also runs a bespoke polar expedition company that takes discerning travelers on once-in-a-lifetime expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. But more than anything, Heather is an incurable ent

Whether you already lead an active life or want to begin, Lyn Lindbergh says that if we listen to our body with honor to see what it can do today, and have compassion for its limitations today, then that is success. In this episode, Lyn shares how she was able to find her voice and how she stays active with her chronic illnesses. We talk about busting stereotypes about who does what kind of exercise, why you should be kind to yourself first, and about her new podcast with her husband Erik, who is the grandson of Charles Lindbergh. Lyn Lindbergh’s mission is to help people create an active lifestyle they love. She is the author of the award-winning book, “Couch to Active: The Missing Link that Takes You from Sedentary to Active,” and the host of the Couch to Active podcast. She is a blogger and fitness influencer, who is also certified as a personal trainer, Pilates instructor, and group fitness instructor. Lyn has three chronic health issues, but still gets out every day to exercise. Even with her physical ch

Getting outdoors without distraction, even for a few minutes a day, is rejuvenating and good for the soul. Its benefits are similar to meditation. This week, Robin Kleisler and I talk about the growing trend of wilderness therapy, the benefits of EMDR, and how you don’t have to worry about offending or shocking your therapist. Robin also discusses turning 40 and how she’s finally in a place where her kids are more self-sufficient, allowing her to rethink her priorities. Also, find out why I had a bit of trouble deciding on the title of this episode. Robin Kleisler earned a graduate degree in counseling psychology, after being inspired by her early career in the outdoor guiding industry. She has a private therapy practice in Longmont, Colorado, where she lives with her family. Her specialty is working with trauma, depression and anxiety, self-esteem, and parent coaching. She also works with individuals and families impacted by substance or technology addiction. Robin is passionate about creating more awareness

Being joyful is a thoughtful practice, although it’s not something we’re typically focused on. However, my conversation with Phoebe Farag Mikhail left me thinking about joy, and I hope it will do the same for you. Phoebe and I talk about how joy differs from pleasure and happiness, why hospitality is important, and how her friendships have changed in the last few years. Phoebe is a wife and mother of three young children. She serves at St. Antonious & St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church in East Rutherford, NJ with her husband Father Bishoy Lamie Mikhail. She is the author of “Putting Joy into Practice: Seven Ways to Lift Your Spirit from the Early Church,” published by Paraclete Press and released in April 2019. She edited the second revised edition of His Holiness Pope Shenouda's book, “The Life of Repentance and Purity.” She also blogs at “Being in Community,” while working as an independent consultant in international development and teaching. Phoebe has lived in New York City, Washington, DC, Cairo, and t

This week, Julie Zuckerman talks about the goal she made shortly after turning 40. We also talk about a major life decision she made after graduating college, a typical day in her life, and how she deals with rejection.   Though an avid reader from an early age, it wasn't until 2008 that Julie Zuckerman discovered her passion for writing fiction. She has since published over two dozen stories, in a variety of publications. “The Book of Jeremiah,” her first novel, debuted this spring. ​Julie lives in Israel, with her husband and four children. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, running, biking, birdwatching, baking or trying to grow things in her garden I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what I hope the takeaway is from this show. Listen in to hear more, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can find the show notes at www.fortiesstories.com. If you are enjoying the show, I would be grateful if you would rate or review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend. Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who has followed along with our #onekindsummer campaign. I am excited to start up our interviews again! With the spirit of self-compassion in mind, today we’re focused on the art of nurturing ourselves. Doña Bumgarner and I talk about her unusual childhood, her winding path to motherhood, and how she recreated her life after nine months of cancer treatment. It was a joy to talk with her. Doña is a coach who works with women who know that there is much more to life than their kids - but they’ve lost themselves in the role of motherhood. She helps them make sense of their lives and learn to stand up for themselves and the lives they want to create. You can find her at Nurtured Mama, where she blogs and has a podcast called The Nurturing Habit. You can find the show notes at www.fortiesstories.com. This project is a labor of love for me, so if you are enjoying it, I would be grateful if you would not only rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, but also share it with a friend. I love hearing

Why should we be kinder to the world at large? That’s a question we’re exploring on today’s episode, which is the continuation of the #onekindsummer campaign on the pod. I’m on a 4-week break from posting interviews, but in the meantime I want to take a few minutes each week to think about how we can spread kindness this summer and beyond. Interviews will resume on Tuesday, July 9th. It’s been great to see so many of you following along with this compassion series. This is the third and final week of the series. Today’s episode is inspired by Jamil Zaki’s book called “The War for Kindness.” Zaki notes that, “Plato saw mental life as a war between reason and passion – one that we often lose.” So, this war is in our minds. If you are interested in neuroscience and the research behind empathy, then you will want to get your hands on a copy of this book. I’d love to hear if you have any other tips or practices that help you. Be sure to use the hashtag #onekindsummer to show how you are spreading kindness and to r

It’s been great to see so many of you following along with the #onekindsummer campaign on the pod. Last week we started the campaign with self-compassion. Let me know how you did with that. Today we are focusing on kindness toward those around you, which you may find easier, or even harder. A lot of what I’m referencing today is from Angela Santomero’s book called, “Radical Kindness: The Life-Changing Power of Giving and Receiving.” Deepak Chopra says in his foreword that the book “offers the practical means for experiencing what can be called kindness consciousness.” I love that! I’m on a 4-week break from posting interviews, but in the meantime I want to take a few minutes each week to think about how we can spread kindness this summer and beyond. I think we can all do with a bit more kindness in the world. This isn’t something more for your to-do list, and this isn’t something you need to do it perfectly. It’s just about showing up and being open if we choose to. So stay tuned if you’re interested. Intervi

The Dalai Lama once said, “If you don’t love yourself, you cannot love others. You will not be able to love others. If you have no compassion for yourself, then you are not able of developing compassion for others.” Today is the launch of the #onekindsummer campaign on the pod, and we start by focusing on self-compassion. A lot of what I’m referencing today is from Dr. Kristin Neff’s book called, “Self-Compassion – The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself.” Brené Brown called it “a transformative read.” It’s a book every human should read. I’m on a 4-week break from posting interviews, but in the meantime I want to take a few minutes each week to think about how we can spread kindness this summer and beyond. I think we can all do with a bit more kindness in the world. This isn’t something more for your to-do list, and this isn’t something you need to do it perfectly. It’s just about showing up and being open if we choose to. So stay tuned if you’re interested. Interviews will resume on Tuesday, July 9th. He

Sharing my gratitude and announcing our #onekindsummer campaign. This summer let’s spread kindness. This starts with kindness to ourselves first. It spreads to those around us – our family and friends. From there, it spreads to those beyond us – the bigger world. We’re taking a 4-week break from interviews, so each week we’ll have a mini episode to share some thoughts and research on the power of kindness, as well as some practical tips that you can use. Our minds love it when we ask big, expansive questions, so ask yourself at some point every day this week, “How can I spread kindness?” See what answers you get back. Interviews will return on July 9. Subscribe to be notified. Let me know what you’re doing this summer. How are you feeling? Are you celebrating something? Are you struggling? Do you have any summer goals or rituals? Go to www.fortiestories.com to let me know. If you are enjoying this show, please leave a review and share with a friend.

After taking her own journey to sexual freedom at age 42, Leah Carey is now passionate about breaking the silence, fear, and shame around women’s sexuality and pleasure. She’s also redefining what it means to be a “good girl.” Leah and I talk about body neutrality, how we live in a sex negative society, and why it’s important to examine the messaging we received about sex in childhood. Leah Carey is a sexual communication coach who helps women learn to communicate about sex so they can get what they really want in the bedroom. She is the creator and host of the podcast “Good Girls Talk About Sex” and can also be found on YouTube. Head over to www.fortiestories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. If you are enjoying this show, I’d be grateful if you would take a moment to leave a rating or a review and share with your friends.  

Lindsey Mead is a woman, a daughter, a mother, a sister, a wife, a friend, and a writer. She is also a runner, a sometime yogi, and a disillusioned MBA. She has a blog called “A Design So Vast” where she tries to find a coherent sense of self in all of these splintered identities. More recently, she is the editor of the book “On Being 40ish,” which came out earlier this year. It is a compilation of personal stories about midlife by some of the very best writers. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you will want to get your hands on a copy. Lindsey and I talk about how her childhood formed the life she’s made for herself, her friendships, and how she feels about time. Please head over to www.fortiesstories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. I would be grateful if you would rate or review the show – thanks for your support!

I loved talking with my guest today about the science behind compassion. Dr. Amy Heard Davison is a licensed clinical psychologist in Northern Virginia. She has extensive experience and training in working with individuals facing medical, emotional, and relationship problems. Her work in medical settings has taught her the intricate link between our biological, emotional, and social health. She seeks to help patients connect mind and body in order to build a meaningful life.   We also talked about how Amy was part of the sandwich generation in her early 40s and how she’s excited to help launch her teens. She also has a birthday tradition, which makes me want to start some of my own! In fact, Amy had her 50th birthday since we recorded. Happy birthday Amy! I truly hope that your 50s is even better than your 40s!   If you are enjoying the show, please scroll down and tap to rate it. If you have 30 seconds, please leave a review – I'd be grateful since this is a labor of love! Head over to my website www.forties

This week Daree Allen Nieves talks about her year since losing her husband - while they were practically newlyweds – and her grief process. We also talk about the benefits of journal writing to find your voice, how personal development is truly personal, and how Daree is finally taking a solo trip to Hawaii – something she’s put off for many years. We recorded the interview on what would have been their 3rd anniversary – so this episode is a tribute to George Nieves.   Daree Allen Nieves is an authorpreneur and goal-getter. As a speaker and certified life coach, she is a presenter at workshops, conferences, and universities across the country. Daree is also a voice actor and the award-winning author of three self-help books. Finally, don’t miss her podcast, "Kickin' it with Daree," which talks about the things in life that matter most.    If you are enjoying the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts which helps more people find the show, and share with a friend. Head over to www.fortiestories.com to s

My guest today is rocking her voice. Motrya Hanas Calafiura is the Special Assistant to the Provost at Georgetown University. She is also a wife, a mother to a 2-year-old son, and an all-around hustler.  Motrya serves on the Board of Directors and is the Assistant Treasurer of the non-profit, Georgetown Village.  She lives in Washington, DC.   Motrya and I talk about how she created a life she loves after a difficult childhood, about having an infant in your 40s when you have a demanding career, and also how much work it takes to bring good things to your life – including strong relationships.   Enter to win a copy of “On Being 40ish” by May 15th at midnight. Thanks to Lindsey Mead for donating a copy and her support! You can leave a review on iTunes or head over to www.fortiestories.com to subscribe to my newsletter or leave a comment on any episode that resonates with you. If you leave a review AND subscribe, you will be entered twice. A winner will be chosen at random. If you are enjoying the show, please

On the show today is Erin Prather Stafford who is acutely aware that fixing gender imbalances in the media is key to changing gender disparity everywhere. Erin recently launched Girls That Create, which provides information and resources for developing creative thinking, boosting confidence, and growing skill sets. She is also the Executive Producer of WONDER WOMEN! The Untold Story of American Superheroines. Erin lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and two young girls.   Erin and I talked about how all of us can - and should be - creators, how women do support one another, and how the role of women in the media has shifted - ever so slightly. She references some stuff from the 80s too - so I think you’ll get a kick out of that. Listen for details on how to win a copy of the book “On Being 40-ish.” This fantastic compilation was edited by Lindsey Mead who has graciously donated a copy. Contest ends May 15. Please show your love by leaving a review on iTunes or sending us an email. Find us at www.fortiesto

Nina Badzin says she was “almost relieved to turn 40” a couple of years ago. Nina is a freelance writer who has written a popular friendship advice column for years, so we dove into the topic: we talk about why Nina takes the time to make acquaintances, how to give your friends the benefit of the doubt, and why you may have to repeatedly reach out. I loved hearing about the fantastic ritual she does each year on her birthday (and am going to steal it), so you don’t want to miss that. Nina lives with her husband and 4 kids in Minneapolis where she also leads a writing group for a co-working space and gets in her daily 10,000 steps. Be sure to stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter at www.fortiesstories.com. Please support our show by hitting that subscribe button and sharing with friends. Thanks for listening!  

This week Rachel Pieh Jones, a writer living in Djibouti with her family, shares her story. Rachel is active in helping out in the international school she and her husband founded there and makes time to run in what is the hottest country in the world. She has a well-known blog, Djibouti Jones, and has a book coming out this fall, “Stronger Than Death: How Annalena Tonelli Defied Terror and Tuberculosis in the Horn of Africa.” We talk about third culture kids and the challenge in sending them to college in a country they hardly know, her thyroid cancer diagnosis, and how her friendships have deepened. I’m grateful to Rachel for taking a leap of faith and signing on to the interview before the show launched. I will be doing some promos in May and have some exciting stuff on the horizon. Be sure to stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter at www.fortiesstories.com. Please support our show by subscribing and sharing with friends. Thanks for listening!

My guest today is Dr. Sarah Sarkis is a psychologist, writer, and performance consultant with a private practice in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her integrated approach is big on science, and low on BS, which empowers her clients to achieve long term change and growth through an eclectic blend of psychology, neurobiology, and functional medicine. Her blog is called The Padded Room, so you’ll see she has a wicked sense of humor.   We talked about why it's so important to embrace the struggle, is happiness ever a goal for your kids, and how Sarah is prioritizing self-care in her own life. Please support our new show by subscribing and sharing with friends. Go to www.fortiesstories.com to say hello and subscribe to our monthly newsletter. Thanks for listening.