Midlife Strategies for Badass Women is the go-to podcast for bold, brilliant women over 40 who are done playing small and ready to reinvent their lives—without guilt, filters, or apologies.
Hosted by Badass Midlife Strategist - Sue Willoughby, each weekly episode delivers unfiltered conversations, real stories of reinvention, and practical strategies to help you break free from the crap that’s holding you back and finally live life on your damn terms.
Whether you’re navigating a midlife reset, rediscovering your passions, building confidence, or launching your next chapter—this podcast gives you the mindset shifts, clarity, and community to make it happen.
🔥 Expect:
No-BS life advice and midlife strategies that actually work
Inspiring interviews with women who’ve transformed their lives
Soul-stirring solo episodes packed with truth and action
Coaching-style episodes to help you reclaim your purpose, power, and passion
This isn’t a podcast about “getting through” midlife.
It’s about owning it—louder, wiser, bolder, and unapologetically YOU.
Subscribe now and start rewriting the rules of what’s possible in your 40s, 50s, and beyond.
Episodes
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
What happens when you follow the whispers of your soul—across oceans, over mountaintops, and into the unknown?
In this awe-inspiring episode of A Life Worth Being, host Sue Willoughby speaks with 82-year-old author, aviator, and adventure pioneer Ruth E. Wilson—whose story defies gravity, fear, and convention.
From escaping a troubled home in rural Australia to becoming a world-renowned hot air and gas balloon pilot, Ruth’s journey spans decades, continents, and near-death experiences. She’s flown over the Swiss Alps, survived a shipwreck in shark-infested waters, and been saved by dolphins—and that’s just the beginning.
In this conversation, Ruth shares:
-
How a red swimsuit and a secret pageant started it all
-
What it feels like to hear your inner voice say “You were born to fly”
-
Why fear dissolves when you're living your purpose
-
Her spiritual encounters with dolphins, dream-guided balloon designs, and past life memories
-
Why positive thought—literally—saved her life in the ocean
-
How she honors her intuition and follows her stepping stones through life’s chaos
Ruth also talks about her award-winning memoir Conquering Clouds, how she self-published her second edition at age 82, and why it’s never too late to live a bold, soul-led life.
💫 If you’ve ever doubted your next move or felt afraid to follow your dreams—this episode will lift you up, quite literally.
🔗 Connect with Ruth at https://ruthewilson.comhttps://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/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
03:36 Early Life and Stepping Stones
06:56 The Journey into Ballooning
12:33 Experiences in the Sky: Close Calls and Adventures
23:28 Life Lessons from Extreme Challenges
32:05 Inspiration and Legacy
35:57 The Journey of Writing a Book
38:46 Personal Reflections and Emotional Depth
40:11 Recognition and Awards: The OAM
42:00 Career Transitions and New Beginnings
45:42 Embracing Change and Trusting Instincts
47:32 The Power of Choice: Love vs. Fear
48:57 Survival and the Strength of Positive Thinking
52:44 The Ripple Effect of Positivity
55:56 Finding Joy and Sharing Experiences
58:47 Stories of Transformation and Connection
🔗 Connect with Sue Willoughby:
My Upcoming Retreats: https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/events
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
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
What happens when you stop performing and start telling the truth—especially to yourself?
In this bold and laugh-out-loud episode of A Life Worth Being, host Sue Willoughby sits down with transformation coach, speaker, and Chief Disruptor Jen Vertanen for a no-filter conversation about the messy middle of healing, identity, and finally living life on your terms.
From decades of self-loathing and people-pleasing to becoming a 55-year-old woman who swears more, cares less, and lives fully, Jen shares:
-
Why your 80-year-old self should guide your decisions now (martini optional)
-
The connection between childhood wounds, CPTSD, and self-worth
-
Why healing takes time—and why it's 100% worth it
-
The B.E. DARE. CREATE. framework to stop waiting and start being unapologetically YOU
-
What horses, heart work, and holding space really have in common
Sound Bites
"I love being challenged."
"Don't diminish those turtle steps."
"It's about personal responsibility."
This is a story about taking radical responsibility, making turtle-step progress, and giving zero f*cks about what anyone else thinks. And yes, we talk about trauma, identity, healing, menopause, and even itchy ears. You’re welcome.
💥 If you’re done with checkbox living and ready to rewrite your story, this episode is your permission slip to go ALL IN.
Connect with Jen Vertanen
🔗 Learn more about Jen at
🔗 Facebook: http://facebook.com/jennifervertanen
🔗 Instagram: http://instagram.com/jenvertanen
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jen Vertanen and Her Mission
04:41 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Empowerment
07:45 Societal Expectations and Identity Crisis
10:47 Navigating Mental Health and Emotional Wellness
13:44 Reflections on Family Dynamics and Relationships
16:43 The Importance of Hope and Resilience
19:41 The Process of Transformation and Coaching
22:37 Celebrating Small Wins in Personal Growth
26:17 Incremental Growth and Intentionality
27:59 Life's Pivot Points and Personal Evolution
29:42 The Role of Horses in Healing
31:59 Transformative Experiences with Horses
34:51 Facing Major Life Changes
38:31 The Impact of Childhood Trauma
41:02 Taking Personal Responsibility for Healing
43:57 Connecting with Jen and Final Thoughts
🔗 Connect with Sue Willoughby:
My Upcoming Retreats: https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/events
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
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Break free from self-sabotage and step into the power of hypnotherapy, energy healing, and inner trust.
In this transformative episode of A Life Worth Being, Sue Willoughby welcomes clinical hypnotherapist, empowerment coach, and Reiki master Christina L. Woods to reveal how childhood beliefs, burnout, and hidden trauma often drive our self-sabotage—and how we can finally break free.
Drawing from her own journey of corporate success, personal collapse, and soulful reinvention, Christina shares:
-
How subconscious beliefs silently run (and sometimes ruin) our lives
-
Why hypnotherapy is a powerful tool for rewiring old patterns quickly
-
The surprising link between self-sabotage and our primal need for connection
-
How energy work like Reiki clears emotional blocks and amplifies healing
-
Why true freedom starts with radical self-trust and curiosity
🌱 If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or trapped in cycles you can’t explain, this conversation will open your heart—and give you hope.
🎧 Tune in and learn how to step beyond fear, heal at the root, and finally reclaim your most authentic self.
🔗 Connect with Christina: christinalwoods.com
Follow on Instagram: @christina.lwoods
🔗 Connect with Sue Willoughby:
My Upcoming Retreats: https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/events
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
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Christina L. Woods
03:54 Christina's Journey from Corporate to Healing
08:12 The Wake-Up Call: Finding Authenticity
12:14 Understanding Self-Sabotage and Hypnotherapy
16:18 The Power of Hypnotherapy: Rewiring Beliefs
20:23 The Connection Between Emotions and Physical Health
22:31 Energy Work: The Role of Reiki in Healing
27:19 The Importance of Reconnecting with Self
32:20 Transformative Client Stories
36:17 Quick Healing: The Power of Rapid Transformational Therapy
38:31 Conclusion and Resources
hypnotherapy, self-discovery, self-sabotage, energy healing, emotional health, transformation, empowerment, coaching, wellness, personal growth
#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #Midlifestrategies
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
What if success didn’t mean checking the boxes—but checking in with your soul?
In this powerful episode of A Life Worth Being, Sue Willoughby is joined by spiritual mentor, bestselling author, and intuitive channel Jennifer Spor, who walked away from a high-level corporate role to follow her soul’s calling—and now helps others do the same.
Together, they explore:
-
What a “dark night of the soul” actually feels like—and why it often leads to awakening
-
Why living authentically requires letting go of who you think you should be
-
How to tune into your intuition and discern it from your ego
-
What the Akashic Records are—and how they can shift your timeline (yes, really)
-
The power of feminine leadership, embodiment, and trusting the unknown
Jennifer shares her personal transformation journey and the soul-stirring moment she chose presence over pressure—and freedom over fear. Plus, she introduces her signature Akashic Records teachings and how she helps others access their future selves.
✨ If you’ve ever asked, “Is this all there is?” this episode is your sacred yes to something more.
🎧 Tune in now and reconnect with the truth that’s always been inside you.
🔗 Learn more at jenniferspor.com and follow her podcast Path of the Awakened Heart.
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
What’s the real cost of staying in something that no longer fits—your job, your identity, or your idea of success?
In this episode of A Life Worth Being, host Sue Willoughby sits down with author, coach, and former Fortune 50 exec Kristen Chimack, who walked away from a 30-year corporate career to reclaim her energy, purpose, and self.
Together, they unpack:
-
The hidden toll of staying “stuck” (even in a 6-figure job)
-
How to listen to the whispers that tell you it’s time to move on
-
Why it’s so hard to let go of identities, benefits, and other safety nets
-
The power of core values and alignment in your career + life
-
How to take small, practical steps toward something more meaningful
Kristen also shares insights from her brand-new book, The Cost of Staying, and introduces her 4-phase framework for growth: Whispers, Letting Go, Possibilities, and Integration.
If you’re questioning your path or wondering, is this all there is?, this episode is your permission slip to ask for more—and go find it.
Chapters
00:00 The Journey of Leaving Corporate America
16:35 Embracing New Beginnings and Authenticity
31:17 The Cost of Staying vs. The Cost of Leaving
🔗 Connect with Kristen at https://kristenschimack.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenschimack/
📘 Get her new book The Cost of Staying + free downloadable workbook on her site.
🔗 Connect with Sue Willoughby:
My Upcoming Retreats: https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/events
Web: https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Feeling overwhelmed by AI? You’re not alone—and you’re not too late.
In this must-listen episode of A Life Worth Being, host Sue Willoughby sits down with Nicole Hilgenkamp, founder of AIboration and fractional Chief AI Officer, to deliver a no-fluff, human-centered AI survival guide for real life.
With over 20 years in digital innovation, Nicole breaks down what you actually need to know about artificial intelligence - whether you’re a total beginner, a creative entrepreneur, or just trying to keep up with your kids.
You’ll learn:
-
What AI is—and isn’t
-
Simple tools to start using AI safely and smartly today
-
How to use AI to save time, reduce stress, and amplify your strengths
-
Common mistakes to avoid (so you don’t accidentally feed the machine your whole customer database 😬)
-
Why human connection, trust, and emotional intelligence matter more than ever
🔐 Plus: How to protect yourself from scams, what “hallucination” means in AI speak, and why your new digital assistant might just become your brutally honest best friend.
This is your practical, non-techy guide to surviving—and thriving—in the AI era.
💡 Get Curious, Get Safe, Get Started
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.
🔗 Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehilgenkamp/
🌐 Learn more about AIboration: https://www.aiboration.com (if applicable—feel free to replace)
🙌 Don’t forget to share this with a friend who needs a crash course in AI—or maybe a reality check from their new digital bestie.
Join me to explore, grow, & connect with like-minded women on the journey to creating a life worth living. Subscribe now and let’s awaken your limitless potential together!
Connect with Sue
Upcoming Equus Retreats: https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/events
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/
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
In this deeply honest and empowering episode of A Life Worth Being, host Sue Willoughby welcomes authenticity coach, author, and podcast host Lisa Kirkman for a raw conversation about identity, courage, and rewriting your life story—literally.
Lisa came out as a lesbian at 46 after decades of living behind roles, expectations, and a perfectly curated life. She shares her journey from feeling "dead inside" to stepping into her most unapologetic, vibrant self. Together, Sue and Lisa explore what it really means to burn the script—to stop living by someone else’s rules and start creating a life that aligns with your truth.
Whether you're navigating midlife, facing a major life transition, or simply tired of living inauthentically, this episode will light a fire under you. Expect powerful takeaways on self-awareness, boundaries, emotional healing, and the art of letting go.
✨ Topics we cover:
-
Why people-pleasing keeps us stuck
-
What happens when we ignore our truth for too long
-
The mind-body connection of living out of alignment
-
How horses and Reiki help us return to our bodies
-
Steps to reclaim your identity and build a life you actually want
👣 Tiny steps. Big shifts. Radical self-trust.
Let this be your permission slip to start again—your way.
🔗 Connect with Lisa Kirkman:
Web: http://www.lisakirkman.com.au
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569042251689
IG: http://www.instagram.com/lisakirkmancoaching
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@biggayoverallspodcast
Books on Amazon:
Burn the Script - https://a.co/d/60uYf83
Dying Inside - https://a.co/d/9DcEZoM
🔗 Connect with Sue Willoughby:
Get my Free Midlife Makeover - https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/5daychallenge
StanStore: https://stan.store/sue_willoughby
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
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
In this uplifting episode of A Life Worth Being, host Sue Willoughby chats with Molly Lee, the founder of Optimistic Soap. What started as a creative side hustle has transformed into a purpose-driven business that merges artistry, activism, and community impact. Molly shares her journey of turning soap-making into a force for change—supporting causes, embracing advocacy, and building a brand that stands for more than just skincare.
Join the conversation as they discuss:
✅ The power of purpose-driven entrepreneurship
✅ Balancing activism and business in today's world
✅ Staying optimistic and making an impact, one step at a time
✅ The importance of self-care and community support
Connect with Molly:
Instagram: optimisticsoap
Facebook: OptimisticSoap
Website: optimisticsoap.com
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
In this powerful episode of A Life Worth Being, host Sue sits down with Amber Lyn—an award-winning singer-songwriter, author, and speaker. Amber shares her deeply personal journey of resilience, self-discovery, and healing through music. From growing up without a father to finding her voice through songwriting, she recounts how a life-changing dream led her to write A Girl’s First Love, a song that earned her recognition and inspired countless listeners. The conversation also delves into personal growth, overcoming fears, and the power of embracing one’s worth. Tune in for an inspiring discussion about transformation, authenticity, and the courage to follow your calling.
Connect with Amber:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amberlyn.life?mibextid=LQQJ4d Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberlynspeaker/ Youtube: @amberlyn-speaker
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
In this inspiring episode of A Life Worth Being, host Sue Willoughby sits down with midlife transformation coach Kari Boatner to discuss the power of embracing change. They explore the challenges of midlife transitions, the importance of authenticity, and how to navigate personal growth with humor, empathy, and fearless accountability. Whether you're facing career shifts, personal reinvention, or seeking a deeper sense of fulfillment, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered to take bold steps toward the life you truly want. Tune in for laughter, wisdom, and encouragement to live unapologetically!
Connect with Kari Boatner:
🌐 Website: www.kariboatnercoaching.com
📷 Instagram: @kariboatnercoaching
📘 Facebook: Kari Boatner Coaching
🔗 LinkedIn: Kari Boatner
Sue Willoughby
Sue Willoughby is the Founder of Willoughby Coaching, where women over 40 confront their obstacles and change the trajectory of their lives through the power of Equus Coaching. Equus Coaching emphasizes the profound impact of non-verbal communication and self-awareness as clients engage with horses, gaining insights into their leadership, communication style, and personal growth. Sue took great comfort in working with horses during some of the darkest, most difficult periods of her life, and she now finds fulfillment in being the kind of mentor she wished she had in the past.