Late Bloomer Living Podcast

What if curiosity isn’t just something we feel — but something we choose?   In this thoughtful conversation, Yvonne sits down with Lynn Borton, host of Choose to Be Curious, to explore how curiosity can help us slow down, soften anxiety, and reconnect with a sense of wonder. Together, they talk about choosing curiosity over fear, embracing not-knowing, and why staying curious might be one of the m...

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m too old to wear that” — or noticing how easy it is to slowly disappear in midlife? In this special holiday replay from Salty Sisters, the livestream I cohost with my friend Cat Corchado, we’re joined by the incredible Jennifer Polt, founder of Making Up for Glossed Time and a two-time guest on Late Bloomer Living. Yes, this conversation starts with styl...

How Play Is Helping Me Feel Alive Again   Do you ever feel like all the fun got squeezed out of adulthood? Like the to-do lists and responsibilities have taken over and there’s no energy left for joy? In this short solo episode, I’m sharing my Midlife Joy Experiment — my personal journey of bringing more play back into my life in my fifties. From learning to dance on roller skates (yes, I broke my...

What would happen if you finally said yes to the thing you’ve been dreaming about for years?   In this episode, Yvonne talks with award-winning novelist and creativity coach Beth Barany, who is stepping into a bold new creative chapter. At 50+, Beth is becoming a first-time filmmaker as she turns her fantasy adventure novel, Henrietta the Dragon Slayer, into a proof-of-concept short film — the fir...

Gratitude Feeling Forced? Try This Instead.   This Thanksgiving, I’m trying a little experiment. Instead of forcing gratitude, I’m approaching the holiday like a game—using appreciation to see people as they really are, not as I wish they’d be. In this episode, I share the simple appreciation practices I’m playing with, why I think they’ll make the day feel lighter, and how you can try them too. I...

If Your Gratitude List Feels Stale, You’re Not Alone   We’re often told that gratitude is the answer to everything — write a list, feel better, repeat. But what happens when the list doesn’t change a thing? In this solo episode, I share a personal moment that cracked open a new understanding for me about gratitude, appreciation, and the way our minds work when we’re overwhelmed. Instead of trying...

What if the key to more joy, creativity, and confidence in midlife isn’t mastery — it’s dabbling?   Author and speaker Karen Walrond (Radiant Rebellion, The Lightmaker’s Manifesto) joins Yvonne Marchese to talk about her newest book, In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur.   Together, they explore how curiosity, play, and self-compassion can help us reconnect with wonder —...

What happens when you say yes to fun?   This week, I’m joined by my good friend Adam Rothenberg, creator of the entertainment platform Call Me Adam, for a joyful conversation about curiosity, courage, and play. When Adam found himself at a children’s birthday party, he and one other adult decided to join the kids rock climbing and ziplining—and it turned into a reminder of what we lose when we for...

Have you ever caught yourself asking questions like, “Why can’t I get ahead?” or “Why do I always mess things up?” I sure have — and those questions kept me stuck for years.   In this short solo episode, I’m sharing how I discovered the power of asking better questions — and how that simple shift changed my life. From giving up complaining for Lent (spoiler: it was way harder than chocolate!) to l...

What if finding your voice didn’t happen in your 20s — but in your 50s?   This week, I’m talking with Molly Lee, founder of Optimistic Soap, who discovered activism — and her own courage to speak up — later in life. What began as a creative hobby making soap to unwind after work became something much bigger: a way to fundraise, build community, and take action for the causes she believes in.   Mol...

Growth rarely feels graceful in the moment. Sometimes it looks like screw-ups, bloopers, and figuring it out in public. This episode is about embracing the messy middle.   Have you ever jumped into something new and realized halfway through that you were completely figuring it out as you went? That was me at the Empowered Podcasting Conference — my first podcasting event, my first time speaking li...

What if midlife isn’t the beginning of the end, but the spark of something extraordinary? This week, I’m joined by Lisa Murphy, a certified Life & Wellness Coach and founder of the @50ForwardClub. After more than 20 years in magazines and digital media, Lisa made a bold pivot to help midlife women create intentional, fulfilling, and joyful lives. In this conversation, we dive into the stories...

Lessons on staying vibrant, curious, and playful at any age.   Midlife isn’t an ending—it’s an opening. In this episode, we explore how to embrace possibility, purpose, and play no matter your age. My guest, Wendy Green, shares how she learned to start before she was ready, push past self-doubt, and build community through her work with Boomer Banter and the Age Wise Collaborative. Together, we ta...

What YouTube Can Teach Us About Reinvention After 50   What does starting a YouTube channel in your 40s, 50s, or beyond have in common with launching any new adventure in midlife? A lot more than you might think. In this special episode, I sit down with Rob Moore—better known as Rob the Maritimer—who helps people over 40 overcome fear and start YouTube channels without the overwhelm. While the ful...

Who says aging means slowing down? Jacqueline Hooton is here to bust ageist myths and show how strength training can help you stay powerful, confident, and unstoppable at any age. In this inspiring conversation, fitness expert and author Jacqueline Hooton shares how we can challenge ageist stereotypes, overcome internalized ageism, and build lasting strength—physically, mentally, and emotionally....

Season 6 kicks off with Yvonne Marchese reflecting on a summer of unexpected change—from a family health scare to becoming an empty nester. In this solo episode, she shares why this tender, transitional time is inspiring a fresh look at joy, reinvention, and what it means to bloom in midlife.   She also reveals her bold leap into YouTube and invites you to be part of shaping this season. Got a que...

This week, I’m bringing back a listener's favorite from the archive while I’m on a summer break, getting ready for Season 6. Lynn McNutt joined me for a powerful conversation about caregiving, grief & creative reinvention. This one’s just as relevant now as it was then.  This episode originally aired as Episode 78 on December 22, 2021.   Sometimes you just need to Walk it off Lynn McNutt is an...

What if getting older was your invitation to play harder, lift heavier, and dance more freely? In this replay from the Late Bloomer Living vault, I’m joined by Mimi Ison — a fierce pro-aging advocate and the radiant energy behind @heymiddleage . Mimi discovered boxing in her 50s and keeps fitness fun with shuffle dancing and strength training. Her approach to movement is joyful, stylish, and total...

What if parenting doesn’t end when your kids turn 18 — it just evolves? This week’s summer replay from the Late Bloomer Living vault features parenting coach Kim Muench, who shares what it really takes to navigate the messy, beautiful work of parenting young adults. We talk about identity, boundaries, letting go, and how midlife offers a chance to rethink not just how we support our kids — but how...

This week, I’m bringing back a listener's favorite from the archive while I’m on a summer break. Deirdre Wolownick joined me for a powerful conversation about courage and pushing past boundaries. This one’s just as relevant now as it was then.  This episode originally aired as Episode 111 on September 28, 2022.   Everything is a choice. Dierdre Wolownick is an accomplished woman who speaks 8 langu...

This week, I’m bringing back a listener's favorite from the archive while I’m on a summer break, getting ready for Season 6. Jennifer Polt Robinson  joined me for a powerful conversation about self worth and reinvention. This one’s just as relevant now as it was then. This episode originally aired as Episode 92 on April 6, 2022.   An Accidental Influencer When I stumbled upon this weeks’ guest on...

Making Space for Growth, Rest, and Reinvention It’s the end of Season 5, and I’m pressing pause to make space for family, rest, and some big creative plans. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the lessons of midlife, the importance of taking breaks, and what’s coming next for Late Bloomer Living—including the launch of my new YouTube channel in September! While I’m on break, I’ll be sharing some of...

What happens when midlife grief, identity shifts, and 3 a.m. wake-ups collide? For Jacqueline Perez, it led to an unexpected creative awakening. In this episode, Jack shares how a personal journaling practice turned into a 30-day poetry challenge—and eventually, a self-published book. We talk about the healing power of creativity, the emotional weight of the empty nest, and why taking imperfect ac...

This Is What Reinvention Really Looks Like! When Jennifer Polt walked away from her high-level corporate job to become a full-time influencer and confidence coach, she had a plan. What she didn’t plan for? Her husband leaving just three weeks later. In this honest, funny, and deeply inspiring conversation, Jen—known online as Making Up for Glossed Time—shares the full arc of her midlife reinventio...

How to Be More Playful in Midlife What if being a responsible adult actually meant making more time for joy?   In celebration of the International Day of Play, Yvonne is joined by professor and TED speaker Tabitha Dell’Angelo for a deep, energizing conversation about why play isn’t just for kids—and why it’s never too late to rediscover your playful side.   They explore how laughter lowers stress,...