Fearless & Forty

It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through summer. In this short Life Lately episode, Katie shares an honest mid-summer reflection on the highs, the lows, and the quieter moments that have come with this season. From slower schedules and making memories with family and friends to navigating the ever-changing realities of midlife, this episode is a reminder to pause and appreciate where you...

After a longer break than we ever planned, we're finally back behind the microphones—and honestly, it feels good. This episode is less about having a perfectly planned topic and more about catching up with each other and with all of you. We talk about why recording became harder this year, how life shifted, and why our friendship never skipped a beat even when the podcast did. From raising teenage...

After taking a little break from recording, Katie is back for a special Mother’s Day episode — and this time, she’s joined by her almost 13-year-old daughter, Lillian. What began as an idea to interview her own mom turned into something even more meaningful: a real, unfiltered conversation between a mother and daughter in the middle of that bittersweet season where childhood starts blending into i...

This week we’re welcoming a very special guest — our dear friend (and newest member of the 40 Club!) Calley. She recently celebrated her milestone birthday with a dreamy trip to Miraval Arizona, and we got to sit down with her for a true pour-at-four style catch-up. Calley shares how it feels to step into 40, what’s shifting for her, and why this season already feels different in the best ways. Th...

In this episode of Fearless & 40, we’re easing back in after the holiday break and taking a moment to reflect on the past season before stepping into what’s next. We talk about the transition from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse — a shift from reflection and shedding to movement, momentum, and freedom. We share what the last month has looked like for us, how our goals and priori...

As we step into the heart of the holiday season and close out our very first year of Fearless & Forty, Katie hops on the mic for a short, meaningful check-in to wrap up Season One. This episode is a reminder we all need right now: the holidays—and life—aren’t about perfection, they’re about presence. It’s about slowing down enough to notice joy, choosing peace even when the world feels loud, a...

A heartfelt Thanksgiving devotional centered on gratitude, family, and the beauty of the people gathered around our table. Inspired by our Divine Detours & Who’s Around Your Table podcast episodes this short reflection reminds us that every seat is filled with purpose—each person representing a story, a blessing, and a piece of God’s grace in our lives. We’ll also draw from Jamie MacDonald’s t...

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we’re talking about more than just the table you’ll be sitting at next week — we’re talking about the people at your life’s table. In this episode, we unpack the friends, family, and unexpected connections who shape our days, hold space for us, challenge us, and bring gratitude into our lives in ways we don’t always notice. As we move through midlife, we’re rea...

When you hear the term bucket list, what comes to mind? Big adventures? Once-in-a-lifetime moments? This week, we dive into how the idea of a bucket list has evolved for us in midlife. Sure — Katie still has a few extreme items on hers (yes, skydiving made the cut), but as we talk it through, we realize it’s less about checking off wild experiences and more about living fully in the ways that matt...

The holidays are here, and we’re feeling all the festive vibes! In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite Thanksgiving dishes, the traditions that make the season special, and how we’re both refreshing our spaces for Christmas while holding onto the moments that matter most. We also get real about how gift giving looks a little different in midlife — and how to keep the season focused on gratitu...

This week we’re diving into the idea of the “Type C Mom” — the mom (or woman) who doesn’t totally fit the Type A or Type B mold, and who’s probably been doing a lot of the quiet heavy lifting. In midlife, the balancing act is real: structure meets spontaneity, career meets presence, doing meets being. We unpack what being Type C looks like, why it matters right now, and how you can use your unique...

Ever had one of those days where your plans completely fell apart — only to realize later it all worked out better than you could’ve imagined? This week on Fearless & 40, we’re talking about Divine Detours — those unexpected shifts, chance encounters, and perfectly-timed moments that remind us the universe always knows what it’s doing. From missed plans to conversations that hit right when we...

Midlife isn’t about slowing down — it’s about stepping into who we really are. In this episode, we talk about what it means to evolve, to change directions, and to embrace new versions of ourselves even when the world wants us to stay the same. From Taylor Swift’s newest “era” to women like Reese Witherspoon and Diane Keaton who’ve reinvented themselves time and again, we explore why society often...

In this episode, we’re talking growth — the kind that sneaks up on you in your 30s and 40s when you finally start seeing who you’ve always been becoming. From friendships and motherhood to careers and self-worth, we’re unpacking how midlife might just be our best era yet. Katie and Susan reflect on what it means to grow up and care less, and how that shift brings more freedom than fear. We even ti...

In this episode, we take a closer look at the story of Mary and Martha — and how their personalities show up in our own lives. Katie always thought of herself as a Martha, the one busy doing all the things, until Susan pointed out the “Mary” side of her — the gift of being present and making people feel seen. Sometimes it takes a friend to show you your strengths and remind you who you really are....

Susan’s away on a much-needed vacation, so Katie is flying solo this week — but not really, because she’s joined by our very first guest! 🎉 I sit down with our dear friend Tricia Collins — a Leadership Coach, Eagle Certified Facilitator, and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist at Eagle Center for Leadership. To us, she’s our “beer therapist,” but professionally she’s guiding women (and men)...

Episode 25: Trips We Love & Trips We Dream Of We’re talking all things travel — from our favorite getaways that left us full of memories to the bucket-list trips that keep us daydreaming. Susan is gearing up for Disney, Katie is scheming a year-end escape, and together we dive into why travel matters so much at midlife — whether it’s a family trip, a couples getaway, or a solo recharge. And he...

🎙 Fearless and Forty – Episode 24: Say Yes… But Bring a Xanax This week, we’re getting real about something that doesn’t get talked about enough: panic attacks in midlife. We’ve both felt them, we’ve both wondered why now?, and we’ve learned that sometimes they’re not about one specific cause at all — they’re the side effect of stress, exhaustion, and trying to do it all. Sometimes your body just...

Episode 23: Saying Yes, Our Way School is back in full swing, kids’ schedules are packed, and the pace of life is running fast. In this episode, we’re checking in with each other and realizing that sometimes, saying yes to everything just isn’t possible. It’s the little conversations of “are you okay?” and “how are you holding up?” that keep us grounded when we’re stretched thin. We talk about giv...

Fearless & Forty – Episode 22: The Terrible 12’s & 75 Days Trying Parenting a 12-year-old is not for the faint of heart — and neither is committing to a 75-day challenge in midlife. This week, we’re diving into both. We share the highs, lows, and epic eye-rolls of life with a preteen, from unpredictable moods to those rare moments of pure connection that make it all worth it. We talk about...

🎙️ Episode 21: The Gilded Grind: Parenting through Eras & Early Alarms Welcome back to Fearless and Forty! In this episode, we’re setting the alarm clocks, prepping the backpacks, and trying to figure out if string cheese and a granola bar count as a "balanced breakfast." Yep—school starts next week, and we’re talking new routines, early wake-ups, and real-life breakfast hacks that get us thro...

🎙️ Episode 20: Protecting Your Peace One Affirmation at a Time In this powerful midlife check-in, we explore how affirmations can be your daily armor and healing balm. We dive into why they matter even more in your 40s and how they help you redefine your self-worth, reframe your inner voice, and reclaim your peace. But we don't stop there—this episode also weaves in the 5 Love Languages, helping y...

🎧 New Mini Episode: Life Lately: Going Home While Susan’s off spending time with family and revisiting the place she grew up, Katie’s popping in solo to share some thoughts on the importance of going home—and how powerful it can be in midlife. 🏡✨ This quick check-in is all about: → The quiet magic of home and familiar places → Why stepping away from the grind is essential → How rest and reconne...

🎙️ Fearless and Forty – Episode 19: Mid-Summer Funk (and a Side of 45) Coming in hot (and a little groggy) after a long holiday weekend, we're back with real talk about the post-4th of July crash — you know the one. We reminisce about fun times with friends and family, what we cooked (and overcooked), and the mountain of leftovers that followed us home. Katie shares how she’s been turning those le...