Happy Beyond 40

What happens when the work that once gave your life meaning suddenly disappears? In this powerful return conversation, leadership coach, mindfulness practitioner, yoga teacher, and host of the ThriveMind Podcast, Courtney Finstad, joins us to explore the deep connection between purpose, identity, grief, and healing. Over the past year, Courtney has supported individuals impacted by the dismantling...

In this episode of Better Understanding, Sarah and Marcy sit down with Dr. Sherry Deckman, Professor of Education at Lehman College, Executive Officer of the PhD Program in Urban Education at the CUNY Graduate Center, author, researcher, and lifelong educator. Sherry shares her deeply personal and mission-driven journey, reflecting on how her multiracial upbringing, early conversations about racis...

What if the thing you’re most afraid to share… is the very thing someone else needs to hear? In this raw and powerful episode, Drew Sullivan opens up about his 17-year battle with addiction—and the unexpected mindset shift that finally helped him choose a different path. But this isn’t just a story about recovery. It’s about identity. Honesty. And what happens when you stop hiding and start showin...

Are you feeling stuck in your career—even though you’ve achieved success on paper? Wondering what’s next, but unsure where to start? In this episode, co-hosts Sarah and Marcy sit down with Carolyn Regan, former Chief People Officer turned leadership coach and creator of The Vital Shift , to explore how high achievers can reinvent their work and life for more meaning, alignment, and fulfillment. Af...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Mischa Geracoulis , Senior-level media professional, human rights advocate, and Outreach & Engagement Officer at Project Censored, for a conversation about truth, press freedom, and the personal convictions that shape a life’s work. Mischa shares how her career — which may have looked nonlinear from the outside — was deeply connected by a consistent t...

Season Four of the Better Understanding Podcast opens with a candid, grounding conversation between Sarah and Marcy —one that meets leaders exactly where many find themselves right now: coming out of the holidays, stepping into a new year, and feeling both anticipation and overwhelm. Together, they explore the emotional complexity of transitions—why January can feel disorienting, how expectations...

In this special 2025 season closer, Sarah and Marcy take the mic—no guests, just reflection. Celebrating three years of podcasting, 36 episodes, and 25 years of friendship, they look back on the conversations, themes, and moments that shaped Happy Beyond 40 this year. From reinvention and the courage to pivot, to heart-centered leadership, service, voice, and vulnerability, they reflect on how gue...

In this episode, special guest  Brandon Mastrangelo —business coach, facilitator, and in-house advisor at Inspyre , New York State’s largest business incubator. Brandon helps founders identify the behaviors and mindset shifts needed to move a business from survival to sustainable growth, with a deep commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in underserved communities. Brandon shares his unexpected an...

In this inspiring episode, Marcy and Sarah sit down with Teresa Dillon, who made a bold leap from a 20-year corporate career in sales and business development to pursue her lifelong passion for style and empowerment. Teresa shares the story behind Reluctantly Styled , her mission to help everyday people feel confident through color analysis, personal styling, and creative expression. She reflects...

What does it really take for leaders to create change that sticks? In this inspiring conversation, Laura Stone—leadership strategist, executive coach, and purpose pioneer—shares how she helps “wicked smaaat leaders lead smarter.”  With a career spanning work with 10,000+ leaders, Laura dives into why purpose is the cornerstone of leadership, how emerging leaders can build their blueprint for impac...

After almost 2 decades in the classroom, Allison Nitsch left teaching behind to help women share their voices through podcasting. In this episode, Allison shares her journey from burnout to purpose, the courage it took to pivot, and how she now empowers others to launch podcasts with clarity, confidence, and impact.  Whether you’re just dreaming or ready to hit “record,” Allison offers inspiration...

We welcome Angie Callen , career coach and entrepreneur (and “recovering engineer who loves people”), to share her journey of reinvention. After relocating from the East Coast to Colorado in pursuit of a lifestyle rooted in adventure and alignment, Angie founded Career Benders . Now, she helps mid‑career professionals create work lives that reflect their personal values and priorities. Angie discu...

In this conversation, Marcy Sutherland and I are joined by the extraordinary Anita Sanchez, Ph. D. Belonging-Inclusion-Culture —author, consultant, and global leadership expert—who brings forward the wisdom of Indigenous teachings, the power of belonging, and the essence of heart-centered leadership. Dr. Sanchez reminds us that true leadership begins within. From daily rituals to creating space fo...

In this inspiring conversation, cartoonist, educator, and creative entrepreneur Steph Halligan shares how she has continuously reinvented herself through bold career pivots — from policy analyst to financial blogger to full-time artist and educator.  With humor, heart, and hard-earned insight, Steph reveals how embracing creativity helped her build confidence, reconnect with her authentic voice, a...

In this episode, we sit down with Courtney Finstad, a leadership coach, mindfulness practitioner, and yoga teacher who's redefining success after 40. Courtney shares her powerful journey from corporate burnout to building a purpose-driven coaching business, grounded in calm, courage, and authenticity. Learn how she turned a personal reckoning into a mission to help others align with their val...

In this episode of Happy Beyond 40 , Shannon Bayer, with over 20 years of experience in leadership development, shares her unique career journey—from her start in animal science, a stint in law, and evolution into leadership consulting and writing a book. She discusses how networking, strategic connections, and staying true to oneself have shaped her success. Shannon emphasizes the importance of m...

In this podcast episode, Laura Best shares her journey of transforming her life by embracing her passion and creating the Passion Collective community. She reflects on how she shifted from a corporate environment, where she felt her voice and energy were stifled, to a space where she could reconnect with herself and help others find their passions. Laura discusses the misconceptions around passion...

In this episode, we welcome guest Johanna Hising DiFabio, who shares her evolving perspective on the new year, leadership, and personal growth. She reflects on how she has become more focused on adding value in the right places, embracing curiosity, and celebrating diverse cultures—shaped by her international school upbringing. As someone who oversees two executive degree programs at MIT's Sl...

In this episode of Happy Beyond 40, we reflect on the highlights and lessons of Season 2, marking an important milestone in our journey. Marci and Sarah share their personal mantras from 2024 and discuss how these themes have shaped their experiences over the past year. We celebrate the growth fostered through this podcast and the deeper connections formed within our community. Both of us dive int...

In this episode of Happy Beyond 40, we have an amazing conversation with Kerry Seitz, Vice President of Women's Leadership at the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership. With over two decades of coaching and consulting experience, Kerry shares her insights on personal growth, career transitions, and emotional resilience. We discuss the significance of authenticity and self-refl...

In this episode of Happy Beyond 40, we speak with Eric Jackson, also known as Coach J, who shares his nearly 40-year journey in football coaching and mentorship. We discuss his impactful experiences at prestigious institutions and his current role as a college and career readiness coach in Michigan.  Eric emphasizes his philosophy of creating inclusive cultures filled with joy and curiosity, which...

Today, we're thrilled to have Ayce Kyptyn, a somatic sexologist and advocate for emotional and sexual well-being, join us on the podcast. Ayce's journey from losing everything—his job, health, family, and home—to finding professional help and rebuilding his life has shaped his passion for supporting others through similar struggles. Inspired by "Sex, Love, and Goop" on Netflix,...

As we are evolving, the show needed to as well! So we are excited to announce that we are rebranding to...Happy Beyond 40!! Join us as we continue to bring you the same amazing content with more amazing guests!

In this episode, we sit down with repeat guest, LaVera Butler and her uncle, Richard Gaines, to explore the profound influences of family, mentorship, and community service. LaVera shares how her uncle Richard's humor and support shaped her life, while Richard highlights LaVera's role in cultivating his patience and compassion. Discover what influenced both of their service-oriented path...

We are thrilled to have Bill Springer, a senior contributor at Forbes Magazine and a leading journalist in super yachts and luxury travel, as our special guest. In this engaging conversation, we delve deep into Bill's incredible journey, from his beginnings in the adventurous world of sailing journalism to founding Swizzle Sports Media.  We’ll explore Bill's candid reflections on living...