Flourish After Fifty

Sometimes flourishing after 50 begins with understanding yourself differently. For some women, that may mean recognising that long-held struggles with organisation, time, getting started, emotional regulation or keeping all the balls in the air could be connected to ADHD. In this episode, I speak with clinical and counselling psychologist Janelle Booker about why ADHD has so often been missed in women, what it can look like in midlife, and why perimenopause and menopause can bring long-standing challenges into sharper focus. We explore masking and shame, the possibility of late diagnosis, and what becomes possible when we stop asking, “What’s wrong with me?” and start asking, “What do I need to thrive with the brain I have?” This conversation is for women wondering whether ADHD may be part of their story, and for partners, friends, family members and colleagues who want to better understand the people they love and work with. Also covered: Why ADHD can look very different in women from the stereotypical image of the “naughty boy” The role of dopamine, motivation, novelty and urgency in getting things done Why perimenopause and menopause can be a turning point for women with previously unrecognised ADHD The ‘grielief’ (grief and relief) that can come with understanding your life through a new lens How self-compassion, supportive relationships and the right strategies can help women flourish with a different kind of brain Keywords: ADHD, ADHD in women, late diagnosis ADHD, ADHD and menopause, ADHD and shame, neurodivergence, autism and ADHD, AuDHD, supporting someone with ADHD, midlife women, midlife, flourishing after 50, Guest: Janelle Booker Website: https://www.janellebooker.com/ Janelle’s book, written with Matthew Johnstone: https://www.adelightfulhumandifference.com/ Resources: Two podcast episodes, recommended by Janelle, relating to menopause, hormones and ADHD from a podcast called ADHD Chatter: How Hormones and Menopause Impact ADHD Women | Dr. Louise Newson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISPw9IGhWeU How Hormones and Menopause Impact on Women with ADHD - Adele Wimsett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNRfYtQu__s Janelle’s standout episodes about ADHD on the Imperfects Podcast: Living with ADHD. A Psychologist’s Explanation, Nov 4, 2024 https://youtu.be/uYF5WFO35IA?si=FWFwMMcsp2N_C2wp Fast and Loose Brains Need Different Parenting , June 29, 2026 https://youtu.be/WwEBTIMohwg?si=cZ1CuTNjzNyhOmSI A Message from Sue: Feeling like you're somewhere between the life you've lived and what's next? Flourishing in the Messy Middle is a three month group program starting September 22nd, yo help you make sense of where you are, reconnect with what matters and take your next steps with greater clarity and confidence. Find out more at: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourishing-in-the-messy-middle Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this deeply moving conversation, I talk with Janine Hayes OAM, business leader, long-time skydiver and one of Australia’s most accomplished members of the skydiving community, about caregiving, grief and the uncertain work of rebuilding life after loss. After caring for her husband Ken through frontotemporal dementia and motor neurone disease, Janine reflects on advocacy, resilience and the need to care for herself while caring for someone else. She shares how skydiving, nature, family and friendship helped sustain her and what she is discovering about purpose and possibility in her mid-sixties. Janine ends by reading a poignant original poem about moving through grief towards a “beckoning shore.” Also covered Skydiving as a lifelong source of joy, focus, community and respite during difficult times Navigating the healthcare system, advocating for a loved one and the often-invisible workload of caregiving The importance of self-care, professional support and boundaries for carers How friends can offer genuinely useful support by suggesting specific practical help Finding purpose, connection and hope after loss through family, friendship, community and new possibilities Keywords skydiving, caregiving, grief, resilience, personal growth, life transitions, mental health, adventure, community, support serendipity, caregiving, community, skydiving, self-care, women empowerment, resilience, leadership, support, mental health. Guest: Janine Hayes LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/janine-hayes222 Special Announcements FREE WORKSHOP: Introducing The Messy Middle Method Come along to this one hour full of lessons from my five years of coaching, conversations and community with women over fifty as I introduce the Messy Middle Method. 7th September 12.00 noon AEST or 8th September 6.30 PM AEST Learn More Here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/the-messy-middle-method-workshop NEW PROGRAM: Flourishing in the Messy Middle Flourishing in the Messy Middle is a three-month live online group journey for women over 50 who know something is changing and are ready to explore what comes next. Starts 22 September . Learn More Here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourishing-in-the-messy-middle I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/the-messy-middle-method-workshop

In this episode, Kate Hansen joins me to talk about what it really takes to walk away from a “safe” job and make room for a career as a creative. She shares her journey from nursing to interior photography, the years of quiet dissatisfaction and pretending to be someone she wasn’t, and the surprising origin story of her blog The Room Illuminated . We explore the power of inherited “success scripts,” the emotional weight of job security, and the extraordinary letter from Kate’s younger self that finally gave her the permission she needed to leap. This conversation is for anyone who feels caught between a sensible role and a life that feels more true. Also covered Wrestling with job security and creative longing in midlife The moment Kate realised she was “pretending to be a nurse” How a dusk-time habit of peeking into warm rooms became The Room Illuminated The forgotten letter from her 22-year-old self that changed everything Inherited family beliefs about work, risk, and responsibility Seeking permission from others versus backing yourself to make a change Guest: Kate Hansen Freelance website: https://www.khansenphotography.com/ The Room Illuminated (Blog): https://theroomilluminated.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katehansenphotography/ Generation Women Australia Website: https://www.generationwomenaus.com/ Special Announcement Just Launched: FLOURISHING IN THE MESSY MIDDLE PROGRAM A three-month live online group journey of reflection, exploration and growth. For women who know something is changing and are ready to explore and connect as they find their way forward. Starts September 22nd. Full details available here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourishing-in-the-messy-middle I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this special crossover episode, I share the unfiltered story of my own midlife transition, from a decades-long academic career to building a coaching practice for women over 50. Originally recorded for the podcast Primetime with Bec Wilson, I talk openly about single parenting through menopause, caring for aging parents, losing my passion for my career mid-COVID, and the messy, uncertain middle I navigated before finding my new beginning. Also covered: I share how I left a long career to build my coaching practice after 50 and completely redefined what success meant to me I talk through the major transitions I navigated: single parenting, caring for ageing parents, menopause, and a mid-COVID career pivot, and why the internal change matters more than the external one I explain how looking back at old passions helped me find breadcrumbs toward a new path I open up about building new friendships and community later in life, and what worked and didn't for me I share my messages of hope: it's never too late to flourish, and your best years are never behind you Keywords midlife transformation, career change, success after 50, transitions, personal growth, coaching, life balance, self-discovery Special thanks to Bec Wilson for generously allowing me to share this episode. Bec’s newsletter sign-up is available at primetimers.net Epic Retirement Flagship Course: https://epicretirement.net/course-au/ Prime Time with Bec Wilson Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/prime-time-with-bec-wilson/id1710995058 Bec’s books are available from all Australian book sellers: Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife, 2025 How to Have an Epic Retirement, 2025. A message from Sue: I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this episode, I sit down with governance geek, community builder, and founder of Take On Board , Helga Svendsen , to demystify what board work is really like for women in the second half of their careers. If you’ve ever imagined a board role as the “natural next step”, a meaningful way to contribute, shape strategy, and maybe create more flexible work, this episode will help you decide whether it’s genuinely a fit for you. Helga shares how her governance journey began and eventually led to multiple board roles and a career devoted to supporting women in governance. Also covered: What “governance” actually means in practice, beyond buzzwords. The opportunities and hard truths of serving on a board, including time, responsibility, and emotional load. How to tell which board is the right one for you. The role boards can play in making women over 50 more visible, valued, and influential in their communities and organisations. Guest: Helga Svendsen Website - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/ Take on Board KickStarter program (spring 2026 intake) - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/kickstarter-2026/ Take on Board podcast - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/take-on-board-podcast/ A message from Sue: I support women over fifty to navigate career and life changes. Coaching: for women who want one-on-one support as you navigate change. Life On Your Terms : a six-week program for women who know it’s time for something to shift. Guided conversations help you define what matters to you and map out an actionable ‘Navigation Plan’ for your next chapter. The Flourish After Fifty Circle : a monthly online discussion group that blends the best of a podcast club and a book club. It’s for women who want to explore big ideas, meaningful stories and real‑life transitions together. Find out more here . What If You Could... ✔ Feel clear about what matters most to you in this next stage of life? ✔ Discover a renewed sense of purpose that excites you every day? ✔ Build meaningful connections and a community that supports your growth? ✔ Confidently take action toward creating a life that feels authentic and fulfilling? It’s all possible - and I’m here to help you make it happen. Get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite size advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this very special episode, I’m joined by 57‑year‑old Kerry Pietrobon, a fashion consultant, plus‑size model and storyteller, as she reads a powerful letter to her younger self about growing up in a bigger body, discovering plus‑size fashion, and learning she was never the problem. In the conversation that follows, Kerry shares how she’s navigating hard endings and exciting beginnings in her late fifties, and reclaiming visibility by taking up space and being unapologetically herself. Also covered Growing up in a world that wanted Kerry to be smaller. How her fashion business became a way of accepting herself, and why clothes should celebrate you, not hide you. The emotional journey of closing her label, Harlow, and separating “ending a business” from “being a failure.” Midlife change and perimenopause as catalysts for choosing self-worth, visibility and taking up space in new ways. Why it’s never too late to try something new and say yes to long-held desires. ‌ Guest: Kerry Pietrobon Kerry's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qr And https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qr Website: https://www.kerrypietrobonconsulting.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrypietrobon/ Harlow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harlow_au?igsh=bjFqOHJkNWJrbmhh Generation Women Australia Website: https://www.generationwomenaus.com/ A message from Sue: I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this episode, I talk with career change specialist and author Robyn Greaves about how to design your “third chapter” of work and life so you can work as long as you choose, on your own terms. We explore the rise of portfolio, interim and fractional roles, and Robyn’s 5D framework for imagining and building a more energising next chapter. You’ll hear practical ideas for experimenting while you’re still in a job, protecting your energy, and recognising your “ageing superpowers” so you can widen your contribution rather than wind down. Also covered Common assumptions women over 50 hold about work and how to challenge them, New ways of working, including portfolio careers, interim roles and fractional leadership, The emotional and identity shifts of leaving long‑held roles and titles behind, Simple experiments to try if you’re stuck in a job but not ready to retire, How to widen your contribution in your third chapter. Guest: Robyn Greaves Website: https://robyngreaves.com/ Robyn’s Book: https://robyngreaves.com/thirdchapter/ A message from Sue: I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms. Get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this episode, I sit down with Susan Metcalf to explore what happens when the CEO role of your dreams comes to an end, and there’s no tidy roadmap for what comes next. In the aftermath of COVID, Susan faced a difficult but necessary transition, stepping away without another role lined up and no clear sense of who she would be without the inbox, the calendar and the title. Susan shares how the demands of leading through COVID left her “well beyond burnout” and ultimately led her to leave corporate life, reframing the experience as an opportunity to escape its constraints. From there, she reflects on the intentional choices that helped her create a purpose-filled portfolio of art, sailing, community, friendship and family. She also speaks about discovering new qualities within herself, softness, patience, and the courage to truly centre her own needs and values. Also covered What it felt like to lead a women‑focused organisation through COVID and end up “well beyond burnout” The messy middle after stepping away: rest, recovery and resisting the pull of another big job, Reframing “on sabbatical” as “escaping the constraints of corporate life” and why that language shift mattered, Returning to long‑deferred passions, saying yes to new adventures, and the steadying power of awe and wonder, Bringing corporate skills into community and creative projects, and what it means in midlife to finally be centering her own needs and values in how she lives and works. Guest: Susan Metcalf Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557018285194 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/travelsampler.world/ Website: https://travelsampler.world/ A message from Sue: I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

Earlier this year, I sat in the audience at a women’s comedy line‑up and realised something confronting: I didn’t see myself anywhere on that stage, and I left wondering, “Where are all the comedians over 50?” So I went searching and came across new comedian, academic and “hobby hard” enthusiast Mandy Scotney. In this episode, I talk with Mandy about how she found her way into stand‑up in her mid‑50s, reclaimed her childhood dream of being on stage, and began turning stories she once felt ashamed of into material that lands powerfully with audiences. She shares her journey to being selected for the Sydney Comedy Festival’s Fresh program with her debut show “Married For Six Weeks”, all while juggling a PhD and work in mental health and business. Underneath the laughs, this is a conversation about visibility, ageism and refusing to shrink as you grow older. It’s about deciding that you’re not “too old,” that your voice matters, and that joy, curiosity and self‑expression are valid reasons to try something bold, whether or not it ever becomes a career. Also covered: What it really takes to start something completely new in your mid‑50s—and why joy is a good enough reason to begin How Mandy thinks about “hard hobbies” and why doing things for love, not outcomes, can change how we approach this stage of life The realities of late‑night open mics, tough crowds and learning to fail in public without letting perfectionism take over Turning a six‑week marriage and other painful stories into comedy that connects deeply with audiences and helps others feel less alone Why visibility for women over fifty matters, how ageism shows up, and what it means to refuse to shrink as you grow older Keywords Women over 50, comedy, life transitions, storytelling, representation, curiosity, resilience, personal growth, mental health, new adventures Guest: Mandy Scotney Web - www.mandyscotney.com Instagram - @mandy_scotney Email - mandy@mandyscotney.com A message from me: I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

80% of women over 50 who dream of starting their own business never take the first step. Money worries. Fear of failure. Lack of confidence. Sound familiar? In my latest podcast episode, I sit down with Bambi Price, co-founder of Seniorpreneurs and War on Wasted Talent, who started her first business at 55 and has since helped thousands of mature-age entrepreneurs make the leap. This conversation explores what it really takes to start a business later in life and offers practical insights, honest reflections, and actionable strategies for women considering their own move into solo business. Key Topics How to overcome self-doubt and validate your business idea before investing time and money The critical difference between younger and older entrepreneurs—and why being over 50 is actually an advantage Essential first steps to take before quitting your job Why diversity in teams and perspectives leads to faster, more sustainable business success How AI tools can accelerate your startup phase when used strategically and thoughtfully Keywords Women over 50, Entrepreneurship, Business start-up, Self-doubt, Validation, Diversity, AI in business, Success stories, Mature entrepreneurs, Work-life balance Guest: Bambi Price On LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bambiprice/ War on Wasted Talent - https://waronwastedtalent.com.au Resources Simon Sinek on Leadership and Failure - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4 Harvard Business Review Article - https://hbr.org/tip/2026/03/keep-self-doubt-at-bay-when-starting-a-business A Message From Me: I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, ‍ ‍ get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this episode, I talk with Kathy Wood, a former Relationships Australia leader who resigned just before she turned 70 and is now consciously “living into later” on her own terms. Kathy shares how a long-planned trip to the UK, becoming a hands-on grandmother, and her love of structure helped her navigate the profound identity shift of leaving a 15–year role without “retiring” from purpose, growth or contribution. She describes experimenting with new roles and interests – from learning the cello again to volunteering on an ethics helpline and writing her Substack, Purposeful Transitions: Living into Later – while also making room for unstructured days, deeper self‑reflection and an ever‑present awareness of time feeling more finite. Along the way, Kathy challenges ageist assumptions about women over 50 and over 70, and offers a hopeful, grounded picture of this phase as one of opportunity, adventure and preciousness rather than winding down. Key topics Finishing well: planning her exit after 15 years at Relationships Australia, including part‑time leadership, succession planning and leaving with strong relationships intact. Why she says she “resigned, not retired” and how language shapes our expectations and assumptions about life after full‑time work. Creating a meaningful “next phase” through grandparenting, volunteering, mentoring and taking up the cello again as a stretch and a joy. Learning to live with less structure, noticing discomfort on “empty” days and experimenting with new rhythms rather than recreating work‑style busyness. The growing awareness of time as finite in her 70s, and how that fuels both urgency and gratitude for everyday opportunities and relationships. Starting her Substack Purposeful Transitions: Living into Later as a space to reflect on inner transitions, purpose, contribution and being a role model for women coming behind her. Keywords: retirement, life after work, purpose, aging, personal growth, transition, women over 50, life stages, self-knowledge Guest: Kathy Wood. Kathy on Substack: https://substack.com/@kathywood185085 Kathy’s Blog: https://kathywood185085.substack.com/p/purposefult-transitions-living-into LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-wood-a7a684326/ A message from Sue: This episode, alongside Episode 13, is the topic for the Flourish After Fifty Circle in July 2026. Join a group of curious who are exploring what life after fifty can be for them. Find out more here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourish-after-fifty-circle Get in touch : https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter ️

In this episode, Sue talks with coach and author Jane Moffett about her book What Next? The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Redefining Retirement , exploring how professional women can design life beyond traditional work on their own terms—blending purpose, identity, money realities, and joy. They discuss why the word “retirement” feels so wrong for many women today, what Jane’s research with women in their 50s–70s reveals about timing and choice, and how real-life stories can help you see what’s possible for your own “what next.” If you’re anywhere between “I’m never retiring” and “I have no idea what comes after this job,” this conversation will help you replace anxiety with curiosity, courage, and practical inspiration. Key topics: Redefining retirement for women over 50 The six-step process for designing your future The importance of identity, purpose, and connection Challenging traditional retirement stereotypes The role of mindset and community in transition Intergenerational relationships Sue's guest in this episode is Jane Moffett, author and coach. Website : http://www.kangaroocoaching.net Jane’s book and book club notes are available here: https://kangaroocoaching.net/from-retired-to-redefined LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/jane-moffett-11295826 A message from Sue: This month, the Life On Your Terms program is starting on 21st April, 2026. It’s a six-week program for women who know it’s time for something to shift. Guided conversations help you define what matters to you and map out an actionable ‘Navigation Plan’ for your next chapter. Find out more here : https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/life-on-your-terms-program Get in touch : https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter ️

Most of us have a someday list. A version of ourselves we keep putting off until we feel more ready, more confident, or just a little less afraid. Kim Payne has spent years listening to women’s stories of change and learning what happens when women stop waiting for someday — and choose to act with courage instead. In this special crossover episode — published on both the Flourish After Fifty and Courageous ME podcast feeds — I turn the microphone around. After more than 140 episodes of being the interviewer, Kim steps into the guest chair and shares her own story with raw honesty and warmth. This is a conversation that sits right at the very intersection of courage, midlife, and what it means to write your next chapter on your terms. Grab your metaphorical pink ‘pom pom’. This one's worth celebrating. My guest in this episode was: Kim Payne, keynote speaker, business mentor, podcast host and author: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimpayne9rok/ Website: https://kimpayne.com.au/ Courageous Me podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/courageous-me/id1689742406 The Courageous ME podcast episode featuring me , Sue West : https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/54-the-power-of-reinvention-to-flourish-in-mid-life/id1689742406?i=1000657153376 Book: Courageous Me: The Courage to Turn Someday into Today: https://kimpayne.com.au/book A message from Sue I support women over fifty who feel stuck and ready for what’s next to rediscover who they are, clarify their next chapter, and create a life that truly feels like their own. If you’re looking for support, you can work with me through: Coaching: for women who want one‑on‑one support to go deep on a specific crossroads and move from feeling stuck to taking clear, confident action. Life On Your Terms: a six‑week small‑group program for women who know something needs to change and are ready to map out what comes next. The Flourish After Fifty Circle: a monthly online discussion group for women who love big ideas and want thoughtful, nourishing conversations as they navigate this stage of life. Find out more here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/ Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

Explore how to transform your birthday into a meaningful, joyful milestone with Tamar Hurwitz‑Fleming, author of How to Have a Happy Birthday . She invites you to consciously design celebrations that reflect who you are now and who you’re becoming, rather than relying on old habits, expectations or other people’s plans, especially when you’re facing those big “0” birthdays like turning 50, 60 or 70. This conversation is rich with practical ideas, warm personal stories and fresh ways of thinking about aging, helping you claim your birthday as a powerful moment to honour yourself at any age. In this episode, we also discuss: The impact of early life experiences on birthday perceptions Overcoming birthday anxiety and negative emotions Using birthdays as a personal new year and reflection point. Practical strategies for celebrating yourself, especially those ‘0’ birthdays after fifty. Sue's guest in this episode was: Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming Tamar’s Website ‘How to Have a Happy Birthday’ (Book) - https://howtohaveahappybirthday.com/ Find Tamar on LinkedIn A message from Sue: I support women over fifty to navigate career and life changes. If you’re looking for support, you can work with me through: Coaching: for women who want one-on-one support as you navigate change. Life On Your Terms : a six-week program for women who know it’s time for something to shift. Guided conversations help you define what matters to you and map out an actionable ‘Navigation Plan’ for your next chapter. The Flourish After Fifty Circle : a monthly online discussion group that blends the best of a podcast club and a book club. It’s for women who want to explore big ideas, meaningful stories and real‑life transitions together. Find out more here . Sign up for weekly insights and bite size advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter Get in touch: sue@flourishafterfifty.com.au ️

As life shifts in midlife—through career changes, new chapters, changing bodies or the end of long relationships—it’s easy to find that your clothes no longer feel like you . In this episode of Flourish After 50 , Sue West talks with personal stylist and Style Rises founder, Lucy Owens, about what it means to dress for the woman you’re becoming, not the one you used to be. Lucy shares her own journey from corporate leadership in Melbourne to running a global styling business from Spain, and how style became a tool for confidence, presence and self‑expression rather than just “looking put together.” Together, she and Sue explore simple, compassionate ways to realign your style with who you are now—starting with a few words that describe how you want to show up and one small visible change that shifts how you feel in your own skin. Also covered in this episode: How midlife transitions (career shifts, relationship changes, menopause) can leave your style out of sync with who you are now. Why “I have nothing to wear” is often really “I don’t see myself in my clothes anymore.” Simple starting points to realign your style. How treating style as self‑expression and self‑respect can boost confidence, presence, and a sense of being truly seen after 50. About Lucy Owens: Lucy is a leading Personal Stylist and Image Consultant. With a background in senior corporate roles, including luxury fashion and hospitality brands, Lucy intimately understands the challenges women face when it comes to dressing with both authenticity and authority. Through her proven framework, she helps clients develop a signature style that aligns with their personal brand, boosts their confidence, and supports their leadership presence, so they not only look like leaders but feel like leaders. Bio Style Archetype Quiz Website -www.stylerises.com Million Dollar Style Program A note from Sue West, host of Flourish After Fifty and coach for women navigating career and life transitions. What If You Could... ✔ Feel clear about what matters most to you in this next stage of life? ✔ Discover a renewed sense of purpose that excites you every day? ✔ Build meaningful connections and a community that supports your growth? ✔ Confidently take action toward creating a life that feels authentic and fulfilling? It’s all possible - and I’m here to help you make it happen. Get in touch http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au Sign up for weekly insights and advice for incredible women like you http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this episode, I have an honest conversation about friendship with my friend Sarah Hopkins. We share the joys and challenges of making new friends in our fifties and sixties and explore how vulnerability, authenticity, and courage can open the door to deeper connections and lasting joy. We discuss finding new friends, strengthening existing friendships, and letting go when a friendship no longer serves us. It is a heartfelt reminder that meaningful friendships can flourish at any life stage. In this episode, we also discuss: The unnecessary shame associated with feeling lonely. The ‘liking gap’ and how it can get in the way when you meet new people. Mindsets that support friend-making. Starting small can lead to significant social connections. Trusting your instincts helps in finding the right friends. Investing time and effort is crucial for nurturing friendships. ___________________________________________________________ Guest: Sarah Hopkins Find Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hopkins-9b4253100/ Resources The book discussed in this episode is: “Just Friends: On The Joy, Influence and Power of Friendship” by Gyan Yankovich. Sue’s Offerings Include Private Coaching Life on Your Terms Program Life Beyond Work Program Connect with Sue Website: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-west-au/ Email: sue@flourishafterfifty.com.au Sign up for weekly insights and advice for incredible women like you http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

Raised on a remote Australian farm, Heather Cameron has lived through droughts, domestic violence, and reinvention. Her bestselling trilogy 'Never Underestimate a Woman' tells a story of courage and transformation. Heather shares how she found her voice and reclaimed her power - and she's now helping other women do the same. Guest: Heather Cameron , author of ' Never Underestimate a Woman ' Lower Lila Retreat www.lowerlilaretreat.com.au * * * * * A note from Sue West, host of Flourish After Fifty. What If You Could... ✔ Feel clear about what matters most to you in this next stage of life? ✔ Discover a renewed sense of purpose that excites you every day? ✔ Build meaningful connections and a community that supports your growth? ✔ Confidently take action toward creating a life that feels authentic and fulfilling? It’s all possible - and I’m here to help you make it happen. Get in touch www.flourishafterfifty.com.au Sign up for weekly insights and advice for incredible women like you www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

Ageism affects how others see us and how we see ourselves. Researcher and author Joanna Maxwell has spent years studying age beliefs and their impact on women’s work, confidence, and identity. In this conversation, she unpacks myths about ageing, internalised bias, and why it’s time to challenge the idea that life peaks before fifty. Guest: Joanna Maxwell Researcher and Author of 'Rethink Your Career In Your 40s, 50s and 60s' www.joannamaxwell.com.au Find Joanna on LinkedIn A note from Sue West , host of Flourish After Fifty. What if you could… ✔ Feel clear about what matters most to you in this next stage of life? ✔ Discover a renewed sense of purpose that excites you every day? ✔ Build meaningful connections and a community that supports your growth? ✔ Confidently take action toward creating a life that feels authentic and fulfilling? It’s all possible - and I’m here to help you make it happen. Get in touch www.flourishafterfifty.com.au Sign up for weekly insights and advice for incredible women like you www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this bonus episode, Melissa Braden shares what it was really like to walk away from a big public service career after twenty‑five years in senior roles. In her mid‑50s, she accepted an early retirement package and stepped into the unknown. Eighteen months on, she talks about the wobbles, the wins and the identity shift that followed – and how, beyond all of that, she has created more choice, deeper community and plenty of “me‑me time” in this new chapter. A note from Sue West, host of Flourish After Fifty. What If You Could… ✔ Feel clear about what matters most to you in this next stage of life? ✔ Discover a renewed sense of purpose that excites you every day? ✔ Build meaningful connections and a community that supports your growth? ✔ Confidently take action toward creating a life that feels authentic and fulfilling? It’s all possible - and I’m here to help you make it happen. Get in touch www.flourishafterfifty.com.au Sign up for the Flourish After Fifty newsletter Weekly insights and advice for incredible women like you. www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

Dr Katie Allen has lived multiple remarkable careers, from pioneering medical research to serving in federal parliament. In this episode, she takes us inside the moment she tore up her CV and jumped off the cliff into politics, driven by a desire to have an even greater impact through her work. Now living with stage four cancer, she speaks candidly about why the risk was unequivocally worth it and calls on women over fifty to back themselves and pursue their ambitions, no regrets. Guest: Dr Katie Allen, medical researcher and former Member of the Australian Parliament LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-katie-allen/ Podcast - " An Apple a Week with Dr Katie Allen " _____________________________________________________ A note from Sue West , host of Flourish After Fifty. What If You Could… ✔ Feel clear about what matters most to you in this next stage of life? ✔ Discover a renewed sense of purpose that excites you every day? ✔ Build meaningful connections and a community that supports your growth? ✔ Confidently take action toward creating a life that feels authentic and fulfilling? It’s all possible - and I’m here to help you make it happen. Get in touch www.flourishafterfifty.com.au Sign up for weekly insights and advice for incredible women like you www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter