27 JUN 2024 · Did you know that the proportion of people going self employed over 50 is growing year on year, both here in the UK and in the US? This week, I'm talking to Colleen Kochannek, who teaches midlife women how to launch an online business. Find out more about Colleen and how she helps women 50 plus start an online business on her website: https://www.colleenkochannek.com/ Sign up for the free “Gumption Gazette” and find out more about “Pilot to Profit” here: https://stan.store/colleenmkochannek If you've enjoyed this conversation, PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE. Thank you for your support! About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast.   Like all transitions, midlife can be messy & sad & glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone & somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to? I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives. The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change: https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/ And see my LinkTree, where you can also buy my books and keep in touch by subscribing to my Newsletter: https://linktr.ee/joblackwelluk

20 JUN 2024 · How is your relationship with your mother? This week, I’m talking to psychologist, Vanessa Wallace about her program, “Healing the Mother line.” Vanessa explains how growing up in a dysfunctional relationship with our mothers can cause us to adopt behaviours such as people pleasing and “good girl” syndrome, or carry deep seated anger and resentment which we then pass on to the next generation. We talk about inherited beliefs and self acceptance as a better goal than self esteem. And how by letting go of resentment and anger we can break the chain. Find out more about Vanessa’s retreats, both Healing the Mother Line and Anxiety and Depression Recovery on her website: https://www.crystalclearcoaching.org/ Mention my name or this podcast for a free consultation* Buy Vanessa's book, The Rebel Method, here: https://amzn.to/3wMxWcL #amazonaffiliatelink If you've enjoyed this conversation, PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE. Thank you for your support! About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast.   Like all transitions, midlife can be messy & sad & glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone & somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to? I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives. The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change: https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/ And see my LinkTree, where you can also buy my books and keep in touch by subscribing to my Newsletter: https://linktr.ee/joblackwelluk *This is an affiliate link, which means that if you should book one of Vanessa’s retreats, I might receive a small payment, at no extra cost to you. This helps with the costs of this podcast. Thank you for your support!)

15 JUN 2024 · We all deal with anxiety in different ways - for this week’s guest, Mindfulness was a life saver. https://www.mindfulmidlifecrisis.com/   Billy Lahr is an intentional living and mindfulness coach, certified personal trainer, former educator, and serial overthinker.  Billy is also the host of http://www.mindfulmidlifecrisis.com/, a podcast for people navigating the complexities and possibilities of life’s second half.  Billy spent 21 years as an educator but experienced burnout due to budding mental health concerns, social media harassment from students, and a lack of job satisfaction.  In 2021, Billy left his job as dean of students in order to travel the world in search of meaningful experiences and community.  Since then, he’s been a GPS for those seeking purpose and passion by helping them identify strengths, explore curiosities, synergize with their crew, and cultivate consistency, discipline, patience, and self-compassion.   In this conversation, Billy talks about his experience of anxiety and overcoming it, traveling, and why finding your curiosity, your strengths and needs and your community is far more valuable to finding your purpose than “finding your passion”. Passion is something you discover as a by product of purpose rather than an end in itself. If you've enjoyed this conversation, PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE. Thank you for your support! About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast.   Like all transitions, midlife can be messy & sad & glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone & somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to? I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives. The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change: https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/ And see my LinkTree, where you can also buy my books and keep in touch by subscribing to my Newsletter: https://linktr.ee/joblackwelluk

6 JUN 2024 · Imagine suddenly losing everything you’ve built up in the first half of your life - marriage, friendship, mother role, home - at one fell swoop.That’s what happened to the protagonist in novelist, Tracy Bloom’s latest romantic comedy, “The Time of her Life.” This week, I’m talking to Tracy about infidelity, empty nests and some more of life’s fickle twists and turns. Having time in midlife to think about what we want from our lives now we no longer have to put others first, we talked about the Happiness Curve and how losing people we love makes us determined to live life to the full and to let go of some of the stress and striving. Writing is Tracy’s second career and she describes how, over 13 books, her characters have grown up with her, reflecting her life and interests now. We also talk about how fairytales taught us that “happily ever after” always involved a woman finding a man to love her, and just how over that old trope we are! Buy “The Time of her Life” here: https://amzn.to/4btJYXP #amazonaffiliatelink  If you've enjoyed this conversation, PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE. Thank you for your support! About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast.   Like all transitions, midlife can be messy & sad & glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone & somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to? I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives. The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change: https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/ And see my LinkTree, where you can also buy my books and keep in touch by subscribing to my Newsletter: https://linktr.ee/joblackwelluk

31 MAY 2024 · Dementia affects most of us one way or another, whether caring for parents or worrying about our own health and future. Today’s guest, neuropsychologist, Dr Mitchell Clionsky, talks to Jo about the latest research, reasons for hope and what we can do to decrease our risk. Key takeaways: Surprising facts about dementia: 50% of dementias are preventable and less than 5% of dementias are genetically caused. There are no “dementiaologists” Childhood trauma can play a role in dementia risk Higher Education can have a protective effect on the brain Midlife medical conditions increase risk, especially: - - Hypertension - Diabetes - lack of exercise - sleep apnea - hearing loss - depression - stress There is a link between sleep apnea and - - gout - erectile dysfunction - frequent night peeing - alcohol consumption - 3 or more drinks per night is considered dangerous, binge-drinking more so You can buy Dr Clionsky’s book, co-written with his wife, Emily Clionsky MD, here: Dementia Prevention: Using Your Head to Save Your Brain (Johns Hopkins Press) https://amzn.to/3KK5pZ3 About the Authors EMILY CLIONSKY, MD, completed residencies in internal medicine and in psychiatry, and is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. MITCHELL CLIONSKY, PhD, is a board-certified neuropsychologist who specializes in evaluating and treating patients with cognitive impairment, dementia, ADHD, and traumatic brain injury. A husband-and-wife team, they have a combined 70 years of professional and clinical experience in medicine and neuropsychology and have treated 20,000 patients. They partner at a private practice, Clionsky Neuro Systems, Inc., based in Springfield, Massachusetts. More information - and the dementia risk assessment Jo and Mitchell discuss - is available on their website: https://www.BRAINDOC.com About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast Like all transitions, midlife can be messy and sad and glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone and somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to?   I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives.   The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. email jo@joblackwell.co.uk to take part in the podcast or suggest guests.   See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change with less stress and more joy! https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/   #dementia #midlife #dementiaprevention

23 MAY 2024 · Melina Abbott says that wild swimming, especially in the cold of winter, gives you so much more than a momentary thrill: “In menopause, you do start to feel more anxious. You start to feel more afraid, but by doing something crazy, like plunging yourself in freezing cold water, it gives you confidence because you think, wow, I did something really hard. So when I come out, especially if I've not wanted to go in, I come out and go, yay, I did a hard thing. And then I know that I can apply that in every area of my life.” The benefits of cold water swimming include: - increasing immunity - reducing stress - improving mood - being good for anxiety and depression - improving circulation - decreasing inflammation -   and improving libido The Blue Tits Chill Swimmers : https://thebluetits.co/ Connect with Melina: https://www.melinaabbott.com/ About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast Like all transitions, midlife can be messy and sad and glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone and somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to?   I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives.   The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. email jo@joblackwell.co.uk to take part in the podcast or suggest guests.   See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change with less stress and more joy! https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/

16 MAY 2024 · Have you ever wondered what would happen to your digital life should you die unexpectedly? Would your grieving loved ones know what utility companies you use, for example, so they can close accounts? Do you have strong beliefs or feelings about end of life care, funerals etc? This conversation, with Jane McCourt of The McCourt Method - http://themccourtmethod.com - has us breaking one of the last taboos - talking about death and dying as well as practical measures we can take now to make sure our loved ones aren’t left floundering with practicalities. Contact Jane to find out more about her guided program: https://themccourtmethod.com/end-of-life-planning/ or her cancer guidance programs/   About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast Like all transitions, midlife can be messy & sad & glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone & somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to? I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives.The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change.https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/midlife-beyond/ Buy my books about women in midlife and beyond: Face it, Own it! The Bare-faced Truth about Midlife Women: https://amzn.to/4bcbk4A Oh Crap, I'm 50! A Journey from Fearful to Fabulous (Sometimes) https://amzn.to/2KUPLcH

10 MAY 2024 · April believes that having a healthy money mindset comes from feeling you deserve to be taken care of and trusting that things will work out. She feels her early experiences being around very wealthy people in college, even though she had little money herself then, shaped her belief that large amounts of money are possible and normal. April says she has leaned on her spiritual beliefs during difficult financial times, believing she would be provided her "daily bread" and taken care of. She feels surrounding yourself with loved ones during hard times and having an attitude of gratitude makes situations less scary. April credits her spiritual mentor with the phrase "fear is false evidence appearing real" and applies that to money fears and scarcity worries. She advises visualizing large future income goals, feeling your emotional reactions, and focusing on the good feelings and purposes behind the money versus the negative reactions. April recommends spiritual practices like meditation and time in nature to relax money fears. April emphasizes that even without a spiritual belief system, having an attitude of hope versus fear and gratitude versus lack are critical for overcoming blocks around money and attraction. Find out more about working with April and the Vixen Gathering on her website: https://www.vixengathering.com/ If you've enjoyed this conversation, PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE. Thank you for your support!   About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast.   Like all transitions, midlife can be messy and sad and glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone and somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to?   I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50, and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives.   The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves.  email jo@joblackwell.co.uk to take part in the podcast or suggest guests.   See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change with less stress and more joy! https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/ 

2 MAY 2024 · Did you know that the methods you used when you felt the need to lose a few pounds in your twenties and thirties just stop working when you reach perimenopause? Why? Hormones. This week I’m talking to weight loss expert, Dr Heather Awad about the fact that, as she puts it, “calories are not math at midlife.” We talk about the difference between adipose and and the more insidious visceral fat, and what we need to do reach and maintain a healthy weight in midlife and beyond. (Hint: this is not a diet plan!) You can access Dr Awad’s free mini course for weight loss on her website: https://www.vibrant-md.com/ About Dr Heather Awad Heather Awad, MD is the founder and CEO of Vibrant Weight Loss Age 50+ where she helps professional women over age 50 lose weight for the last time through a virtual platform. She offers a simple system that saves them time and helps them achieve their health and weight loss goals. They discover how to say no to foods they don’t want without using willpower, and create an eating protocol that they will enjoy going forward so that their weight loss is permanent. Dr. Awad is also the host of the Vibrant-MD podcast where she talks about weight loss, women’s health, and food. About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast Like all transitions, midlife can be messy and sad and glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone and somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to? I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives. The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. email jo@joblackwell.co.uk to take part in the podcast or suggest guests. See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change with less stress and more joy! https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/

26 APR 2024 · Did you know that it’s now believed that 80% of chronic disease in later life can be prevented by what we do now in midlife? Me neither! That is an astonishing figure, one that prompted Dr Ferhat Uddin to add metabolic health assessment and improvement to her services at https://libertyhealthclinics.com/.   As she explains, midlife health isn’t just about hormones and she advocates that every woman should have a midlife health check that includes vitamin and mineral levels, cholesterol, blood pressure and triglyceride checks.   What we do with our health in midlife has huge ramifications down the line - as Ferhat says, your later self will thank your today self for making those changes!   You can find out more about getting your metabolic health on track on the Liberty Health Services website. Mention The Midlife Movement or the Midlife and Beyond Podcast with Jo Blackwell to receive a huge discount until 30th April 2024.   About Dr Ferhat Uddin Ferhat is a GP, British Menopause Society accredited Menopause Specialist, and a member of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. She created Liberty Menopause Clinics to provide expert medical care for women in midlife. From helping women find the right type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treating nutritional deficiencies, at Liberty Health Ferhat treats every woman holistically.   About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast Like all transitions, midlife can be messy and sad and glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone and somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to? I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives. The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. email jo@joblackwell.co.uk to take part in the podcast or suggest guests. See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change with less stress and more joy! https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/