Midlife Strategies for Badass Women

What if questioning your relationship with alcohol doesn’t mean you have a problem — it just means you’re paying attention?

In this honest and eye-opening episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with alcohol relationship coach and host of the Sober and Lit podcast, Susan Larkin, for a compassionate, no-shame conversation about gray area drinking — the space where many successful midlife women quietly wonder, “Is this still serving me?”

Susan shares her personal journey of questioning her own drinking, the shame and self-blame that kept her stuck for years, and why the all-or-nothing narrative around alcohol stops so many women from getting the support they actually need. Together, Sue and Susan unpack how alcohol often becomes a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, loneliness, and life transitions — and why curiosity, not labels, is the most powerful place to start.

This episode is not about telling you to quit drinking. It’s about giving you information, perspective, and permission to explore your relationship with alcohol in a way that feels empowering and self-directed.

🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What gray area drinking really is — and why so many midlife women fall into it

• Why shame keeps women stuck in negative habit loops

• How alcohol quietly affects anxiety, depression, sleep, and intuition

• The difference between “high functioning” and truly thriving

• Why alcohol-free doesn’t have to mean isolation or deprivation

• How to get curious about the jobs you’ve given alcohol in your life

• Why taking a break can be the most revealing experiment of all

If you’ve ever Googled “Do I drink too much?”, felt a quiet heaviness after drinking, or wondered why something that once felt fun no longer does — this conversation will resonate deeply.

Connect with Susan Larkin
Website: https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/1drinklesswithsusan1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanlarkincoaching/

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

Book(s): https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/the-freedom-formula-rewire-regulate-and-rise

Podcast: Sober and Lit https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sober-lit-podcast/id1723773456

Free Gift: https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/afsociallife

Chapters

[00:00:00] Welcome and guest introduction
[00:02:35] Susan’s story and philosophy
[00:06:13] Family impact and hidden baggage
[00:15:16] Connection, desire, and sobriety framing
[00:26:36] Navigating social life without alcohol
[00:35:53] Midlife trends, risks, and accelerators
[00:41:24] Culture, marketing, and coping patterns
[00:48:18] Closing advice, resources, and outro

 

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 #podcastcoach 

🔥 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, send a 5🌟 rating, review, and share with a friend so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife together.

What if your exhaustion isn’t a failure but a message? And what if your next chapter doesn’t require burning your life down, just listening more closely to your body?

In this powerful episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with Speaking and Visibility Coach Emily Schickli to unpack burnout, nervous system regulation, passion projects, and why midlife is the perfect time to stop pushing and start aligning.

Emily shares her journey from tech burnout and chronic stress to creating a life and business rooted in clarity, capacity, and confidence.

Together, Sue and Emily explore how women can reconnect with their bodies, follow the breadcrumbs of curiosity, and experiment their way into purpose without overwhelming pressure.

This is not about quitting your job overnight or reinventing yourself through hustle. It’s about learning to regulate your nervous system, reclaim your energy, and create space for what genuinely lights you up.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
☑️Why burnout is often a nervous system issue, not a motivation problem
☑️How to recognize the “feather, brick, and Mack truck” signals from your body
☑️What nervous system regulation actually looks like in real life
☑️Why passion projects increase energy instead of draining it
☑️How small, low-pressure experiments lead to lasting clarity in midlife

If you’re a woman in midlife feeling tired, disconnected, or unsure what’s next, this conversation offers relief, permission, and a grounded path forward.

Chapters
[00:00:00] Opening, show intro, and guest introduction
[00:03:47] Emily’s journey from tech burnout to coaching
[00:11:00] Modalities blend and Human Design discussion
[00:15:28] Three-phase method: clarity, capacity, confidence
[00:20:00] Who Emily helps and regulation-first approach
[00:23:50] Nervous system regulation demo, havening, and somatics
[00:37:22] The Compass Club: structure and community
[00:41:26] Passion projects: definition, examples, and integration
[00:52:13] Closing takeaways, free kit, links, and promo

Connect with Emily Schickli
🔗Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Stress Relief Ritual Kit: https://www.emilyschickli.com/offers/KxLTnVz6/
🔗The 7 Passion Projects for More Purpose, Energy & Time Freedom Guide & Training: https://emilyschickli.com/7-passion-projects
🔗Explore The Compass Club and other ways to work with Emily: https://emilyschickli.com
🔗YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MindBodyDharma 
🔗Instagram: https://instagram.com/emilyschickli

 

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 #podcastcoach 

🔥 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, send a 5🌟 rating, review, and share with a friend so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife together.

🎙️ Top 10 Episodes of 2025 🥳

Midlife Strategies for Badass Women

As we close out 2025, this special countdown episode highlights the conversations that resonated most deeply with our community of bold, midlife women.

These are the stories that sparked courage, challenged comfort zones, and reminded us what’s possible when we stop playing small and start listening to ourselves.

This is not about perfection.
It’s about truth, resilience, and choosing yourself.

Let’s count them down.

🔟 #10 – Kristen Chimack

The Cost of Staying: Why Playing It Safe Is Riskier Than You Think

Kristen Chimack joins the show to unpack the hidden risks of staying comfortable. This conversation is a powerful reminder that safety can quietly turn into stagnation and that growth often requires courage before confidence.

🎧 Listen to the episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cost-of-staying-why-playing-it-safe-is-riskier-than-you-think/id1753943662?i=1000703563228

🔗 Connect with Kristen:
Website: https://kristenschimack.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenschimack/

 

9️⃣ #9 – Betsy Pepine

Breaking Free: Overcoming Life’s Boxes

Betsy Pepine explores the invisible boxes we inherit, accept, and enforce in our own lives. This episode challenges listeners to question expectations and redefine success on their own terms.

🎧 Listen to the episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-free-overcoming-lifes-boxes-with-betsy-pepine/id1753943662?i=1000695780954

🔗 Connect with Betsy:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betsypepine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsypepine?igsh=Zm1sMWRhdDk3djB2

YouTube:  @BetsyPepine 

 

8️⃣ #8 – Ruth E. Wilson

Conquering Clouds: Wisdom, Adventure, and Spirit-Led Living

Ruth E. Wilson brings a grounded and soulful perspective on adventure, intuition, and living in alignment. This conversation is for anyone feeling the pull toward something more meaningful.

🎧 Listen to the episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conquering-clouds-wisdom-adventure-and-spirit-led/id1753943662?i=1000708288683

🔗 Connect with Ruth:
Web: https://ruthewilson.com 
Order her book Conquering Clouds - https://a.co/d/7Fe7Wlx

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruth.wilson.54379

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthwilson6087/

 

7️⃣ #7 – Jen Aks

The Body Knows: Reclaiming Confidence and Connection

Jen Aks reminds us that healing is not just mental; it is physical. This episode explores somatic awareness and how reconnecting with the body can restore confidence, safety, and trust.

🎧 Listen to the episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-body-knows-reclaiming-confidence-connection/id1753943662?i=1000731759988

🔗 Connect with Jen:

Free Gifts: The Power of Gesture®, my signature bodyset practice https://bonus.jenaks.com/into-to-the-power-video-page

Complimentary Live Gesture Workshop - Every Tuesday at 11:00EST - https://book.jenaks.com/free-live-gesture-workshop-page

🔗 Website: https://jenaks.com/

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennferaks 

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen_aks 

 📚 Grab her book Your Body is Speaking - Book page: https://yourbodyisspeaking.org/ 🎥 Watch her TEDx Talk: The Body’s Hidden Intelligence – From Mindset to Bodyset - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfZGY1mAbWs

 

6️⃣ #6 – Liz Potter

Rewire Your Nervous System: Intuition and Energy Healing

Liz Potter dives into nervous system regulation, intuition, and what it really takes to feel safe enough to expand. A favorite for listeners navigating stress, burnout, and growth.

🎧 Listen to the episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rewire-your-nervous-system-how-intuition-energy-healing/id1753943662?i=1000728004667

🔗 Connect with Liz:

✨ Bonus: Learn how Liz uses intuitive frequency reading to detect imbalances in the body—and why the “woo” and the science aren’t as far apart as you think.

🎧 If you’re a woman over 40 who feels stuck, scattered, or soul-tired… This episode is your wake-up call to regulate, reclaim, and rise.

📲 Work with Liz or learn more at https://lizpotterspiritmedium.com/

 

5️⃣ #5 – Becky Livingston

If Not Now, When: Reclaiming Life Through Slow Living

Becky Livingston shares a refreshing perspective on slowing down in a world that glorifies hustle. This episode invites listeners to reclaim their time, energy, and presence.

🎧 Listen to the episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-not-now-when-reclaiming-life-healing-through-slow/id1753943662?i=1000736232726

🔗 Connect with Becky:

🌍 Learn more at http://www.beckylivingston.com

📚 Read The Suitcase and the Jar: Travels with a Daughter’s Ashes - https://a.co/d/7q5iLbX

📱 Follow Becky on Socials
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckylivingston23/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vitaltraveljourneysforwomen

🌟 Special Offer (10% discount on a 1-hour consult) Journey Clarity Consult Link: https://buy.stripe.com/14k6qW4m13Zd7VCcMM Use Code: BADASS10

 

4️⃣ #4 – Jennifer Spor

Burnout to Breakthrough: A Spiritual Awakening at Midlife

Jennifer Spor delves into how burnout can transform into a pivotal moment instead of a stalemate. This conversation speaks to the woman who knows something has to change.

🎧 Listen to the episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/burnout-to-breakthrough-a-spiritual-awakening-at-midlife/id1753943662?i=1000704419024

🔗 Connect with Jennifer:
Website Link: https://www.jenniferspor.com/

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferSporCoaching

Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_spor/

 

3️⃣ #3 – Dana & Krisanna

Rescued Hearts: How Horses’ Healing Love Changed Everything

Dana and Krisanna share the deeply moving story behind Rescued Hearts. This episode explores grief, healing, and the extraordinary power of the horse-human connection.

🎧 Listen to the episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rescued-hearts-how-horses-healing-love-changed-everything/id1753943662?i=1000714622239

🔗 Connect with Rescued Hearts:

🌐 Website: https://www.rescuedheartsfilm.com 

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rescuedheartsfilm

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rescuedheartsfilm

🎥 YouTube: Live Wild Films 

 

2️⃣ #2 – Erin Washington

From Perfectionist to Purpose

Erin Washington shares her journey from striving for perfection to living with intention. This episode resonated strongly with women ready to release control and trust themselves.

🎧 Listen to the episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-perfectionist-to-purpose-how-erin-washington-found/id1753943662?i=1000737211499

🔗 Connect with Erin:

Podcast: thERINpy with Erin Washington https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/therinpy-with-erin-washington/id1530232466 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therinpy_with_erin_washington

The Blue Butterfly Foundation Inc.: https://thebluebutterflies.org/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thERINpypodcast 

Books: From Pain to Purpose: Finding Meaning in the Mess https://a.co/d/8Uj6xUc

Squats and Margaritas: A Journey to Finding Balance https://a.co/d/ivcVhnd

 

🥇 #1 – Dianette Wells

Another Step Up the Mountain: Adventure, Loss, and Living

The most listened-to episode of 2025. Dianette Wells shares a powerful story of resilience, loss, and choosing to keep moving forward even when the path is uncertain.

🎧 Listen to the episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/another-step-up-the-mountain-adventure-loss-living/id1753943662?i=1000727011658

🔗 Connect with Dianette:
Website: https://dianettewells.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianetteWellsEnduranceAthlete 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianettewells/ 
📖Get her Book: Another Step Up the Mountain - https://a.co/d/cK9Ovl6

✨ Closing Note

If this episode inspired you, share it with a woman who needs a reminder that it is not too late to choose herself.

And if you are ready for more honest conversations, grounded wisdom, and bold midlife strategy, be sure to follow Midlife Strategies for Badass Women wherever you listen to podcasts.

 

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/

 

What if this holiday season didn’t require perfection, pressure, or pushing at all?

In this special solo holiday episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby invites you to slow down, exhale, and remember what actually matters as the year comes to a close.

Reflecting on a year of experimentation, unmet expectations, and powerful personal growth, Sue shares what happens when we stop forcing outcomes and start trusting ourselves. From lessons learned through Human Design, to letting go of hustle and control, to tender memories of childhood Christmas traditions, this episode is a gentle reminder that presence beats perfection every time.

Sue also speaks candidly about holiday stress, family dynamics, and the pressure to overdo and overgive, offering permission to simplify, choose connection over obligation, and honor your own nervous system during a busy season.

This episode is not about productivity or reinvention. It’s about love, light, memory, and easing into the new year with grace.

Perfect for anyone who feels overstimulated, sentimental, reflective, or quietly hopeful this time of year.

 

"Unlocking Your True Potential with Human Design" with Mel McSherry

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-your-true-potential-with-human-design-with/id1753943662?i=1000688811681

 

Connect with Sue
Web: ⁠https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/⁠⁠
Insta: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/⁠⁠
FB: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/⁠⁠
LI: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@SueWilloughby
Podcast: https://www.midlifebadasswomen.com/

 

What if the path to healing trauma isn’t just psychological—but soulful, relational, and deeply human?

In this profound episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with trauma psychologist, author, and Soulwise Solutions founder Dr. Kirsten Viola-Harrison for a conversation that bridges science, spirituality, trauma, and compassion in a way few are brave enough to explore.

With over 35 years of experience working with complex PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, schizophrenia, and near-death experiencers, Dr. Harrison shares how her personal life—including profound loss, caregiving, and an unexpected relationship with an unhoused, intersex woman named Sean/a—reshaped everything she thought she knew about healing, resilience, and consciousness.

Together, Sue and Dr. Harrison explore how trauma fragments the human experience, why healing must involve dignity and relationship, and what happens when we take a chance on people society has written off. From near-death experiences to equine-assisted healing, from homelessness to authorship, this episode is a masterclass in compassion-led transformation

This conversation is for women in midlife who sense there is more—more meaning, more nuance, more possibility—and are ready to expand how they understand trauma, identity, and the human spirit.

Connect with Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison

Website: https://soulwisesolutions.com/

Book: I, Sean/a: The Story of A Homeless Intersex Woman Who Inspired A Community https://a.co/d/fy0nH9g

Chapters
[00:00:00] January pod-curious Q&A; launch 2026
[00:00:48] Midlife Strategies intro; Sue’s mission
[00:01:27] Guest bio: trauma meets spirituality
[00:03:01] Why trauma? Personal path and losses
[00:09:04] Energy, horses, and Soulwise approach
[00:14:01] Meeting Shauna; identity, community, care
[00:21:32] Travel, book idea, intersex advocacy
[00:30:09] Belonging, etiquette, and perspective-taking
[00:35:05] Current focus, spirituality, research, resources

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.

 

When was the last time you felt fully aligned, body, mind, and heart?

In this soul-stirring episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, host Sue Willoughby sits down with author, producer, and creative visionary Deborah Weed, the powerhouse behind Paisley’s Last Quill, a children’s book-turned-Broadway-bound musical about reclaiming self-worth and personal power.

Deborah’s story takes us from the corporate world to the depths of a mysterious illness, misdiagnosis, and loss, all of which forced her to rebuild from the inside out. Through that journey, she discovered the difference between self-esteem and self-worth and how true power begins when we stop proving and start aligning.

Together, Sue and Deborah dive deep into what it means to lose your voice, give away your “quills,” and finally find your way back to yourself.

✨ In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The life-changing difference between self-esteem and self-worth
• How corporate success can disconnect us from our hearts and how to come home again
• Why women give away their “quills” to belong (and how to get them back)
• How Deborah turned her pain into a musical that empowers others to reclaim their voices
• The truth about failure, creativity, and why alignment, not achievement, is the key to wholeness

This is more than a conversation; it’s a creative call to rise, reclaim your worth, and live from your heart, quills up.

Chapters

[00:00:00] Opening: self-worth teaser and intro
[00:02:22] From empath to corporate identity
[00:05:57] Health crisis and self-worth revealed
[00:08:26] Misdiagnoses, invalidation, vow to act
[00:11:49] From pain to purpose: Paisley conceived
[00:14:40] Paisley’s world, themes, and reception
[00:18:00] Strategy to stage: budget and album
[00:22:22] Practical empowerment and alignment
[00:28:28] People-pleasing roots, badass redefined
[00:32:48] Alignment metaphors: horses and eye test
[00:37:25] Wrap-up: website, talent call, final advice

Connect with Deborah Weed
Website: http://www.paisleysfashionforest.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.weed.1 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborah.weed/ 

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.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, silenced, or suffocated by old beliefs and expectations, this episode will feel like oxygen.

In this powerful conversation on Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue sits down with bestselling author, transformational coach, and BS-buster Drenda Thomas to unpack what she calls “the real BS”,  the Beliefs and Stories that shape our decisions, sabotage our confidence, and keep us playing small.

Growing up in a rigid, high-control religious environment, Drenda was taught to stay quiet, obey, and never question authority. Later, as a woman in law enforcement and corporate leadership, she learned to overperform, overcompensate, and ignore her intuition until she finally hit a breaking point.

In this conversation, Drenda shares how subconscious programming, fear-based narratives, and inherited limitations quietly run our lives and how we can reclaim our power through awareness, pattern interruption, and building new beliefs that actually support who we’re becoming.

🔥 In this episode, we dig into:
 - The difference between stories and truth and how to challenge your inner critic
 - How childhood conditioning quietly controls adult behavior
 - Why women overperform and overgive (and how to stop)
 - How fear disguises itself as logic, timing, or “being responsible”
 - What hypnosis taught Drenda about money, self-worth, and freedom
 - Why failure is an “unexpected outcome.”
 - How to break cycles of self-sabotage and build unshakeable confidence

This episode is a must-listen for any woman ready to ditch the BS, rewire her beliefs, and step into a limitless midlife.

Connect with Drenda!
Website: https://www.drendathomasrichards.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drendathomasrichards

Grab her free Sacred Soul Detox Guide: https://www.drendathomasrichards.com/sacred-soul-detox-opt-in

Book: Dare to Remember: Uncover Who You Were Before the BS - https://a.co/d/8GK6R5v

Chapters
[00:00:00] Intro and open
[00:02:21] Background: religion and questioning
[00:06:09] Early career in law enforcement
[00:07:31] From ministry to mindset shift
[00:10:50] Money beliefs and women’s narratives
[00:17:25] Choice, fear, and reframing tools
[00:28:22] Current work and client focus
[00:33:48] Renaming failure, evaluating wisely
[00:37:51] Wrap-up, resources, and advice

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.

What happens when life as you know it ends in an instant — and you have to decide what comes next?

In this powerful and heart-centered episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue sits down with grief coach, author, and speaker Lisa Boehm, whose journey through loss reshaped everything she thought she knew about life, identity, and resilience.

After losing her 17-year-old daughter Katie in a tragic accident, Lisa faced a choice: stay stuck in the grief that consumed her, or find a new way forward. Her path led her to write Journey to Healing: A Mother’s Guide to Navigating Grief, and now her upcoming book Now What? — a guide for anyone facing change, loss, or uncertainty in midlife.

Lisa and Sue talk about the myths of resilience, the healing power of curiosity, and how joy — even in small doses — can be a life-saving force.

✨ In this episode:

• Why “bouncing back” is the wrong idea about resilience
  
  
• How grief transforms every layer of identity — and what to do with that
  
  
• The 1% shifts that move you forward when the mountain feels too big
  
  
• The healing power of service and honoring your loved one through action
  
  
• How joy, curiosity, and small adventures can reignite your spirit
  
  

This isn’t a conversation about loss — it’s about life. And it’s your reminder that no matter what happens, there’s always a next step.

📬 Connect with Lisa directly at lisa@lisakboehm.com
📚 Read Journey to Healing: A Mother’s Guide to Navigating Grief https://a.co/d/ix8EbVC     Join the Waitlist for: Now What? The Courage to Rise after Everything Changes       https://lisakboehm.kartra.com/page/Nowwhat

 🌿 Learn more at https://www.lisakboehm.com 

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

FB: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/griefsupportformoms

[00:00:00] Introducing Lisa and her resilience work  
[00:02:24] Podcast intro: Midlife Strategies for Badass Women  
[00:04:36] Lisa’s story: losing her 17-year-old daughter  
[00:07:44] Writing the first book on grief  
[00:11:48] Midlife identity shifts and grief’s broader relevance  
[00:13:16] New book “Now What?” and life transitions  
[00:15:08] Baby steps, 1% shifts, and manageable change  
[00:19:19] Letting go of “what ifs” and reclaiming agency  
[00:21:27] Introducing resilience discussion  
[00:22:04] Redefining resilience beyond “bouncing back”  
[00:26:03] Non-linear healing and messy growth  
[00:28:09] Ad break: Podcasting for Real Estate Pros  
[00:29:43] Joy and fun as the missing piece  
[00:31:26] Micro-adventures and scheduling fun  
[00:34:20] Curiosity, exploration, and everyday wonder  
[00:37:39] Lisa’s current transition and midlife adventure  
[00:39:21] Loss as catalyst and living for today  
[00:41:01] Advice for those feeling stuck and joyless  
[00:42:19] Choosing joy, curiosity, and small experiments  
[00:43:49] Closing, contact info, and final message  

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.

What happens when the life you built stops fitting the woman you’ve become?

In this candid and powerful episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue sits down with podcaster, author, and speaker Erin Washington — host of ThERINpy with Erin Washington (formerly Squats and Margaritas) — to talk about shedding perfectionism, healing from disordered eating, and finding freedom on the other side of “having it all.”

A former D1 soccer player, NFL wife, and mom of two, Erin opens up about her journey from overachieving and overdrinking to living authentically and helping others do the same. Through vulnerability and humor, she shares how letting go of who she thought she should be led her to her true purpose — empowering women and teen girls to embrace imperfection, self-worth, and balance.

🔥 In this episode:

• How identity and self-worth get tangled in achievement
  
  
• Breaking free from perfectionism and “good girl” programming
  
  
• Sobriety, self-acceptance, and rebuilding from the inside out
  
  
• Why midlife reinvention is messy — and worth it
  
  
• How to model confidence and authenticity for the next generation
  
  

Erin’s story reminds us that balance isn’t a myth — it’s an evolution.
And when we stop hiding the hard stuff, we make space for healing, humor, and genuine joy.

Connect with Erin:

Podcast: thERINpy with Erin Washington https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/therinpy-with-erin-washington/id1530232466 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therinpy_with_erin_washington

The Blue Butterfly Foundation Inc.: https://thebluebutterflies.org/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thERINpypodcast 

Books: From Pain to Purpose: Finding Meaning in the Mess https://a.co/d/8Uj6xUc

Squats and Margaritas: A Journey to Finding Balance https://a.co/d/ivcVhnd

 

Chapters

00:00:00] Authenticity and alignment teaser
[00:03:03] Erin’s journey and origin story
[00:08:23] Balance vs restriction; pandemic habits
[00:14:44] Midlife identity and relationships
[00:28:03] Purpose, signs, and Blue Butterfly
[00:35:19] Stepping from excellent to exceptional
[00:48:02] Intuition, sobriety, and wrap-up

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.

When life breaks you open, what do you do next?

In this emotional and empowering episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue sits down with author, adventurer, and travel coach Becky Livingston, who turned unimaginable grief into a 26-month global journey of healing and rediscovery.

After the loss of her 23-year-old daughter, Becky honored her daughter’s final wish to keep traveling the world—carrying her ashes to nine countries and leaving a piece of her spirit in each place. That pilgrimage became the foundation of her award-winning memoir, The Suitcase and the Jar, and her life’s work: helping women rediscover themselves through slow, intentional travel.

✨ In this episode:

• How travel became a tool for healing after loss
  
  
• Why solo travel in midlife is the ultimate act of courage
  
  
• How slowing down can help you reconnect with yourself
  
  
• The secret to meaningful travel: start with why, not where
  
  
• What it really means to live fully after heartbreak
  
  

Whether you’re navigating loss, longing for freedom, or just ready to step out of your comfort zone, this conversation is a soul-stirring reminder that it’s never too late to begin again.

🌍 Learn more at http://www.beckylivingston.com

📚 Read The Suitcase and the Jar: Travels with a Daughter’s Ashes - https://a.co/d/7q5iLbX

📱 Follow Becky on Socials
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckylivingston23/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vitaltraveljourneysforwomen

🌟 Special Offer (10% discount on a 1-hour consult) Journey Clarity Consult Link: https://buy.stripe.com/14k6qW4m13Zd7VCcMM Use Code: BADASS10

Chapters
[00:00:00] Opening: silence, loneliness and mourning
[00:01:03] Episode Presentation and Theme
[00:02:53] Welcome Becky to the show
[00:03:23] Loss of Rachel and the Book
[00:07:27] Diary and blog during the trip
[00:09:01] Photos and index cards as a guide
[00:10:12] How the Journey Unfolded
[00:12:59] India and the Taj Mahal
[00:14:17] Finding Hardness and Minimalism
[00:16:23] Grief: Silence and Solitude Needed
[00:19:00] India without calm; Tasmania arrives
[00:21:26] Slow Travel Philosophy
[00:23:28] Favorite stay: Tasmania
[00:26:10] Ad break: podcast miniseries
[00:27:43] Book to travel coaching
[00:31:33] How you work with women
[00:35:46] Solo vs. group and meet people
[00:39:23] Local guides and eating alone
[00:42:18] Social Conditioning and Perception
[00:43:19] Security and Hosting Choices
[00:46:09] Immersion vs. hotel; example Vietnam
[00:49:02] It's about them, not us
[00:51:36] Self-awareness and boxing analogy
[00:53:02] Slow Travel, Housesitting and Care
[00:56:10] Intention First: The "Why"
[00:57:24] Holiday Culture: USA vs Europe
[00:58:23] How to contact Becky
[00:59:54] Call to action and partial closure
[01:01:01] Rachel's final message
[01:02:18] Farewell to the episode

 

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 so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.