Midlife Strategies for Badass Women

Welcome back to another fun episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women! Today’s guest is Monica Rodgers, a true badass, seasoned coach, podcaster, and intentional creativity™ facilitator. Monica specializes in investigating and transforming the underlying conditions that keep women from being seen, heard, and fulfilled.

In this conversation, we explore the often-silenced, heavily burdened reality of taking care of aging parents. Monica sheds light on the profound cultural void around elder care , and how it forces many of us to face our childhood traumas all over again.

We also unpack the "trance of unworthiness" - the societal conditioning that teaches women to stay small, voiceless, and disconnected from their own bodies. Monica reveals how we can break free from the "four P's" (pretty, pleasing, polite, and performative) and why she decided to go back to art school at age 53 to reconnect with her 19-year-old creative self

If you are ready to stop building comfortable cages and start leaning into true sisterhood, this episode is your permission slip!

 

In this episode, we cover:

• How elder care remains a deeply taboo subject in our society, leaving many midlife women to shoulder the burden and suffer in silence.

• The "Trance of Unworthiness" and how childhood programming causes women to disassociate and abandon their true selves.

• How to recognize if you are caught in the "four P's": being pretty, pleasing, polite, and performative.

• The healing power of "medicine painting" and why giving yourself permission to express rage on a canvas can be profoundly life-giving.

• The importance of true sisterhood, which requires women to stop competing and start celebrating and lifting each other up.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Learn more about Monica Rodgers and her work to interrupt the trance of unworthiness by visiting her website.

• Website: http://jointherevelation.com   
• Podcast: http://podcast.jointherevelation.com   
• Facebook: @revelationwoman
• Instagram: @revelationwoman
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lifeisarevelation/

Die Better by Abigail DiGostino—a recommended read on navigating end-of-life conversations gracefully.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/death-isnt-a-dirty-word-what-every-midlife/id1753943662?i=1000730537082

 

Welcome back to another episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women! In this powerful conversation, host Sue Willoughby sits down with Lisa Skeffington, an expert who brings nearly 30 years of experience from across the pond.

We dive deep into a reality that so many high-performing midlife women face: masking anxiety and deep-seated fears behind a facade of ambition and outward success.

Lisa shares her profound insights on how midlife hormonal shifts serve as a "tipping point." This period isn't a breakdown but rather a "truth-teller moment" that forces buried wounds to the surface because old coping strategies are failing.

We also explore the beautiful parallels between Lisa's psychodynamic work and Sue's practice using horses as intuitive facilitators. Horses have a massive capacity for connection and can see straight through our emotional masks, reminding us of the power of genuine honesty

If you are exhausted from keeping all the plates spinning and feel like you are abandoning yourself quietly while succeeding loudly, this episode is exactly what you need to hear.

In this episode, we cover:

• High-performing women often mask their deep-seated anxiety and fear of rejection. They disguise these complex feelings as ambition and drive.

• Emotional resilience does not mean you have to be calm all the time. Instead, true resilience is about feeling your emotions without being hijacked by them.

• A common and dangerous trap for successful women is abandoning themselves quietly. This tragic disconnect happens while they are succeeding loudly on the outside.

• You can actively build internal safety through practical strategies rather than chasing external control. One highly effective tool Lisa recommends is the four-two-eight breathing technique.

• Lisa shares a powerful three-step reset. These three simple questions create a profound sense of emotional grounding.

Chapters
[00:00:00] Episode theme and guest intro
[00:02:38] Welcome and conversation setup
[00:07:53] Horses, masks, and authenticity
[00:11:44] Why women wear the mask
[00:16:24] Midlife shifts and getting support
[00:22:46] Emotional resilience redefined
[00:29:05] Tools for steadiness and self-worth

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Connect with Lisa Skeffington and access her free resources for listeners at: https://welcome.empoweredmomentum.com/

• Self-worth Audit: https://selfworth-assessment.scoreapp.com/
• Website: https://www.empoweredmomentum.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisaskeffingtonanxiety
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowered.momentum
• From Anxious to Empowered Book:  https://www.empoweredmomentum.com/from-anxious-to-empowered-book

Share this episode with a badass friend who might need a reminder to come home to themselves!

 

Are you Pod Curious? Check out my new audio course - "Podcast Authority Blueprint" and get off the marketing hamster wheel! 
👉🏻https://stan.store/sue_willoughby/p/the-podcast-authority-blueprint-audio-course👈🏻

FOLLOW and CONNECT
Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

If you want to start your own podcast, feel free to reach out to me. I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:
✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations
✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity
✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention
✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

What if the reason you feel stuck, hesitant, or off lately is not laziness or lack of discipline, but scarcity quietly running the show?

In this honest solo episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby unpacks the subtle ways a scarcity mindset can creep into your thoughts, choices, energy, and ability to move forward. From overthinking simple decisions to hesitating to invest in yourself, Sue explores how fear and uncertainty can disguise themselves as being practical, responsible, or careful.

If you are a woman over 40 navigating uncertainty, emotional overwhelm, or self-doubt, this episode is a reminder that scarcity is not a personal failure. It is information. And when you learn to notice it without letting it take over, you can come back to your center and make clearer, stronger decisions.

In this episode:
 - How scarcity mindset quietly affects your choices
 - Why fear often disguises itself as practicality
 - How to tell whether you are acting from clarity or contraction
 - Why equanimity matters when life feels uncertain
 - How to stop playing small and start moving forward again

If this episode resonated, share it with another badass woman who needs the reminder that she is not broken, and she is definitely not alone.

🎙️Are you Pod Curious! Check out my new audio course -  "Podcast Authority Blueprint" and get off the marketing hamster wheel! https://stan.store/sue_willoughby/p/the-podcast-authority-blueprint-audio-course👈🏻

FOLLOW and CONNECT
Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to me. I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:
✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations
✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity
✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention
✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

When life feels noisy, uncertain, and emotionally heavy, it is easy to lose your footing. In this honest solo episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby shares what happened when she realized she had drifted away from the daily rituals that kept her grounded and how she began finding her way back.

If you have been feeling off, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself, this episode is a reminder that you are not broken. You may just need to come back home to yourself through grace, grounding, and the practices that help you find calm in the chaos.

In this episode:

• Why feeling off does not mean you are failing
• How journaling, meditation, and reflection can help you reconnect
• What equanimity really means in everyday life
• How to focus on what you can control when the world feels overwhelming
• Why grace matters more than perfection sometimes

If this episode resonated, share it with another badass woman who needs the reminder that she is doing better than she thinks.

🎙️I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call - https://calendly.com/willoughbycoaching/podcast-success-call

FOLLOW and CONNECT
Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

Thanks to my amazing Producer and Editor Jess Grace Garcia (they/them) of Springwood Productions. https://www.springwoodproductions.com/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to us. Jess and I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:
✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations
✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity
✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention
✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

Why is your podcast not growing… even though your content is amazing?

If you’ve ever felt like your show is a hidden gem that no one can find, this episode will hit home.

In this live coaching session, Sue Willoughby sits down with clarity coach and Pivot Season host Ambar Paloma to break down what’s really holding her podcast back and what to fix right now.

This is not about posting more or trying harder.

It’s about getting clear, becoming searchable, and finally speaking to the right person.

Inside this episode, we discuss:
 - Why “clever” podcast titles don’t get clicks
 - The real reason your content isn’t being discovered
 - How to stop talking to everyone and start attracting the right audience
 - Simple SEO shifts that increase visibility fast
 - How to turn your podcast into a client attraction tool
 - Why storytelling builds trust faster than strategy alone
 - How to promote your coaching without sounding salesy

If you’re a coach, creator, or service-based business owner who feels like your content is being overlooked, this episode will give you clarity, direction, and a smarter way to grow.

The Podcast Growth Reality Check

This episode is a live (recorded) coaching breakdown of what actually moves the needle in podcast growth.

Episode Takeaways
 - Why vague branding like “The Lighthouse Within” slows discovery
 - How “Pivot Season” improves clarity but still needs stronger targeting
 - The fear of narrowing your audience and why it’s costing you growth
 - How to build a keyword bank based on what your audience is searching
 - Why removing filler words from titles improves SEO
 - How to naturally integrate coaching offers into your episodes
 - Using testimonials to build trust and authority
 - Why guesting on other podcasts accelerates audience growth
 - How to turn one episode into multiple pieces of content
 - Leveraging Threads for fast audience growth

Connect with Ambar:
Web: https://ambarpaloma.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsambarpaloma/

Podcast: The Pivot Season - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pivot-season-reinvention-strategies-for-millennial-women/id1771307613

 

Chapters:
[00:00:00] Episode intro and context
[00:00:41] Coaching session begins
[00:04:20] Growth challenge and rebrand
[00:09:48] SEO and keyword strategy
[00:11:51] Testimonials and offer positioning
[00:17:24] Newsletter and Threads growth
[00:20:05] Consistency and guest formats
[00:25:18] Amber’s takeaways and sign-off
[00:27:07] Sue’s coaching invitation

 

I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://calendly.com/willoughbycoaching/podcast-success-call

FOLLOW and CONNECT
Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out; I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:
✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations
✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity
✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention
✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

Who says your best years are behind you? What if midlife is actually where everything begins?

In this inspiring and refreshingly honest episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with actor, speaker, and pro-aging advocate Kim Selby, who is redefining what it means to grow older.

At nearly 70, Kim is auditioning, performing, creating, and unapologetically taking up space in a world that often tries to make midlife women invisible.

Together, Sue and Kim dive into the outdated beliefs that keep women playing small, the truth about aging in today’s culture, and why curiosity, creativity, and community are the keys to staying vibrant at any age.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that you are not too old, too late, or too anything.

You are just getting started.

If you have ever felt stuck, invisible, or unsure of what comes next, this episode will challenge you to rethink everything you believe about aging and possibility.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why “you’re too old” is an outdated belief that needs to go
• The reality of aging in media and the stereotypes women still face
• Reinventing yourself in midlife and pursuing long-held dreams
• Why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools for growth
• The fear of being a beginner and how it keeps women stuck
• How creativity and play unlock confidence and possibility
• The importance of stepping outside your comfort zone
• Why community and connection matter more than ever in midlife
• The hidden impact of the pandemic on midlife women
• How small acts of courage can reignite purpose and passion
• The role of gratitude in shifting your mindset and energy

Key Takeaways

• You are not too old. You are operating on outdated beliefs
• Creativity is not about being good. It is about being alive
• Confidence comes from action, not waiting
• Community is essential for growth, especially in midlife
• Small steps outside your comfort zone create massive change
   

Powerful Quote from the Episode
“If you think you’re too old, then you are. But if you decide you’re not… everything changes.”

Connect with Kim Selby - Actor, Speaker, Pro-Aging Advocate, Creator of Ignite Your Spark
Website: https://www.kimduffselby.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimduffselby
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimduffselby/
Podcast: Ignite Your Spark - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ignite-your-spark/id1533019628

Chapters:

[00:00:00] Kim Selby introduction
[00:01:26] Welcome and podcast connection
[00:03:15] Acting comeback at nearly seventy
[00:11:10] Motivation through performance and joy
[00:24:56] Pandemic disconnection and lost community
[00:30:18] Fashion shows for incarcerated women
[00:36:41] Feeling seen and human value
[00:43:24] Closing reflections and gratitude
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue
Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

Thanks to my amazing Producer and Editor Jess Grace Garcia (they/them) of Springwood Productions. https://www.springwoodproductions.com/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to us. Jess and I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:
✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations
✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity
✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention
✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

What if the most “normal” thing in your life is actually the one thing quietly holding you back?

In this honest, eye-opening episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with sobriety coach and co-host of Sober & Lit, Ruby Williams, to talk about alcohol, identity, and what it really looks like to question your drinking in midlife.

Ruby shares her journey from working in the wine industry, where drinking was not just normalized but expected, to becoming alcohol-free after years of feeling stuck in a cycle of stress, self-doubt, and “I’ll start tomorrow.”

Together, Sue and Ruby unpack the truth about alcohol in our culture, why so many high-functioning women struggle silently, and how curiosity, not shame, is the real starting point for change.

This is not a conversation about labels or extremes. It is about awareness, choice, and what becomes possible when you stop numbing and start living fully.

If you have ever wondered:
“Am I drinking more than I used to?”
“Why can’t I stick to just one?”
“What would my life look like without alcohol?”

This episode will meet you exactly where you are.

In This Episode, We Discuss:
 - Growing up and working in a culture where alcohol is everywhere
 - How “normal” drinking can slowly become problematic over time
 - The concept of alcohol use disorder as a spectrum, not a label
 - Transfer addiction and the link between food and alcohol
 - Why high-functioning women often struggle in silence
 - The cycle of “I’ll stop tomorrow” and why it keeps repeating
 - How alcohol impacts sleep, energy, health, and decision-making
 - Why awareness is the first step to change
 - The shift from shame to curiosity in changing habits
 - Why being alcohol-free is becoming the new “badass”
 - Identity shifts and what happens when you say “I don’t drink”
 - How removing alcohol can unlock clarity, confidence, and potential

Key Takeaways:

• You are not broken and it is not your fault
• Alcohol is designed to be addictive and widely normalized
• Change starts with awareness, not willpower
• Small experiments create powerful shifts
• Living alcohol-free can unlock energy, clarity, and confidence

Resources & Links
Ruby’s Podcast: Sober & Lit: https://feellitalcoholfree.buzzsprout.com/2287460
Website: http://rubywilliamscoaching.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubywilliamscoaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubywilliamscoaching/
Free Private Podcast: 5 Steps to Say Yes to an Alcohol-Free Life
Coaching: Ruby Williams Coaching / Freedom Renegade Coaching

Chapters:

[00:00:00] Introduction and guest background
[00:04:40] From wine industry to sobriety
[00:10:35] Host’s alcohol history and signs
[00:15:01] Culture shift and AF options
[00:17:26] Ruby’s turning point and steps
[00:21:33] Building awareness and presence
[00:25:24] Modern change approach and support
[00:34:40] Women, health, AF market, resources

FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue

I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

Website—https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

Thanks to my amazing Producer and Editor Jess Grace Garcia (they/them) of Springwood Productions. https://www.springwoodproductions.com/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to us. Jess and I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:
✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations
✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity
✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention
✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together

Worried about osteoporosis, bone loss, or fractures in midlife? This episode may completely change how you think about bone health.

In this informative and empowering episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with Dr. John Neustadt to talk about osteoporosis, bone density, fracture risk, and what women really need to know as they age.
Dr. Neustadt explains why a bone density scan is only one piece of the puzzle, why many women are not getting the right information after a diagnosis, and how bone health is influenced by much more than one test result. He also breaks down the difference between improving a number on a scan and actually reducing fracture risk.
This conversation covers the role of nutrition, exercise, sleep, medications, and lifestyle in building stronger bones and reducing the risk of fractures. It is a practical, research-based look at what women can do now to support healthy aging from the inside out.
If you have ever been told you have osteopenia or osteoporosis, or you are simply starting to think more seriously about bone health in midlife, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode, Sue and Dr. John Neustadt discuss the following:
 * Why osteoporosis is often a silent condition until a fracture happens
 * Why bone density scans do not tell the whole story
 * The difference between bone density and actual fracture risk
 * Why many women are undertreated or mistreated after diagnosis
 * The limitations of common osteoporosis medications
 * Questions women should ask their doctors after a bone health diagnosis
 * The role of sleep, muscle mass, exercise, and protein in bone health
 * How ultra-processed foods may affect bones and long-term health
 *  Why a holistic, long-term approach matters more than panic and quick fixes

Key takeaway:
A diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia is not the end of the road. There are meaningful, practical steps women can take to support stronger bones and healthier aging.

Chapters:
[00:00:00] Introduction and episode setup
[00:02:31] Mission: educate women on options
[00:05:09] Screening gaps and predictive limits
[00:09:03] Lab numbers vs outcomes; medications
[00:15:51] Prepare questions; reduce fear and stress
[00:26:23] Can it be reversed? Activity and protein
[00:33:30] Lifespan prevention and diet shift
[00:44:27] Closing, resources and sponsor segment

Connect with Dr Neustadt:
Book: Fracture Proof Your Bones by Dr. John Neustadt - https://a.co/d/0itOWloE
NBI Health Website: https://www.nbihealth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbihealth/

I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue
Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

Thanks to my amazing Producer and Editor Jess Grace Garcia (they/them) of Springwood Productions. https://www.springwoodproductions.com/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to us. Jess and I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:
✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations
✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity
✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention
✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

What happens when the horses teach you to stop hiding and live fully as yourself?

In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with filmmakers Dana Croschere and Krisanna Sexton, creators of the transformational documentary Rescued Hearts.

Their story is not just about making a film. It is about courage, authenticity, healing, and the unexpected ways horses can guide us back to ourselves.

During the making of the film, Dana and Krisanna faced a deeply personal fear: being open about their relationship as a couple in a community where they worried they might not be accepted. Instead of rejection, they were met with something far more powerful. Love, support, and encouragement.

Together, Sue, Dana, and Krisanna explore what horses teach us about authenticity, trust, vulnerability, and living without apology. They also share how stepping fully into who you are can transform not only your life, but the impact of the work you bring into the world.

This conversation is about following the lead of the horses, trusting your truth, and remembering that authenticity is not something to hide. It is the very thing that makes your work meaningful.

SHOW NOTES
Guests: Dana Croschere and Krisanna Sexton
Filmmakers and creators of the documentary Rescued Hearts

In this episode we explore:
 - The story behind the documentary Rescued Hearts
 - How horses help humans reconnect with authenticity
 - The courage required to live openly and honestly
 - Fear of rejection versus the reality of acceptance
 - What horses teach us about presence and truth
 - Why authenticity strengthens relationships and leadership
 - How vulnerability can deepen both personal and creative work
 - The ripple effect of living as your true self
 
Key takeaway from this conversation:
The horses do not ask us to perform or pretend. They ask us to be real. And when we allow ourselves to live that way, everything begins to shift.

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS

🎙️Previous Episode with Dana Croschere - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rescued-hearts-the-healing-power-of-horses-film/id1753943662?i=1000697589252
🎬 Watch Rescued Hearts (Virtual Screening April 1–8): https://www.rescuedheartsfilm.com/aprilvirtual
🎟️ Buy tickets / Host a Screening: https://www.rescuedheartsfilm.com/
📖 Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown — mentioned by Dana
📖 The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown — mentioned by Dana
🌀 HeartMath Institute (Heart Coherence Science): heartmath.org
🐴 Learn about Equine-Assisted Learning: PATH International

Chapters
[00:00:00] Opening reflection; show intro and setup
[00:04:18] South Africa trip: intuition, screenings, healing
[00:13:24] Christina’s journey from fear to horse healing
[00:19:03] Partners in life and film; authenticity and pride
[00:34:16] Sobriety journeys and choosing clarity
[00:45:36] Soul essence, horses, and nature’s harmony
[00:50:08] Moose, Reiki, and energy work discussion
[00:55:04] Film plans, community screenings, and impact
[01:04:12] Closing, support, and final reminders

I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue
Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

Thanks to my amazing Producer and Editor Jess Grace Garcia (they/them) of Springwood Productions. https://www.springwoodproductions.com/

If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to us. Jess and I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 

🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:
✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations
✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity
✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention
✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

In this powerful and deeply grounding episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with joy mentor and author Kate Furnish to explore what surrender really means in midlife, and why it might be the key to freedom, flow, and lasting joy.

If you are tired of striving, over-achieving, people-pleasing, and carrying the emotional weight of everyone else, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.

Together, Sue and Kate unpack:

• Why surrender is not giving up, but letting go of ego and control
• How high-achieving midlife women forget how to receive
• The difference between uphill striving and downhill flow
• Why joy is a resilience practice, not a personality trait
• How to reconnect with your body and nervous system
• Simple breathwork tools to reset your energy in minutes
• The truth about midlife awakening versus midlife crisis

This episode is a masterclass in choosing joy now, not someday. If you have ever wondered what it would feel like to stop fighting life and start flowing with it, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.

Chapters
[00:00:00] Opening welcome and why joy and surrender matter now
[00:01:32] Midlife awakenings not midlife crises
[00:03:49] Surrender as an anchor during crisis and change
[00:11:30] Receiving and turning your strengths toward yourself
[00:21:43] Joy Mastery Method book overview and three steps
[00:46:52] Closing gems choosing joy even in challenge

Key Quote:
"It is your time. It is your turn to enjoy your life."

Connect with Kate:
Website: https://mysanctuarysource.com/joy-mastery-method/
Free 31-Day Joy Expanding Email Series available on her site
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kate.furnish/
Book: Joy Mastery Method: Three Steps to Let Go of Struggle and Enjoy Your Life Now https://a.co/d/0gBewVy4

 

FOLLOW and CONNECT With Sue
Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/

🎙️If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out; I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.

I'm Pod Curious! Book a Podcast Success Call -  https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcast-success-call

#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies