Scenic Route through Midlife — Society, Self & Shifting Gears

September rolls in and suddenly life speeds up – school runs, work deadlines, holidays on the horizon. And with it comes the pressure to “get organised,” “finish strong,” and set bigger, better goals. But here’s the truth: SMART goals don’t work for most women juggling kids, work, and real life. They focus on outcomes you can’t fully control — which often kills momentum before you even get started...

Can a student’s body size affect their grades? Research says yes. In this episode of The Scenic Route, Jen explores how fat bias and socioeconomic bias shape grades, opportunities, and self-worth. You’ll hear: A personal story of how weight stigma shows up in healthcare. A German study of 14,000 students showed that overweight and lower-income kids receive lower grades than equally capable peers....

You know what to do. You’ve read the books, journaled the insights, maybe even coached others through the same thing. But when it comes to your own life, something still isn’t shifting. We’re diving into the psychology of the knowing–doing gap, that frustrating space between insight and action, and unpacking why even the most emotionally intelligent among us get stuck. Rooted in behavioural theory...

You did everything right. So why does it feel so wrong? In this episode of The Scenic Route , we dive into the quiet ache so many of us feel after building the life they thought they were supposed to want, only to realise it doesn’t feel like theirs anymore. We explore: Why “success” often leaves women feeling hollow instead of whole How Symbolic Interactionism explains the silent shaping of your...

In this fierce and timely episode of The Scenic Route , we unpack the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that redefines “woman” based solely on biological sex, excluding trans women from legal protections, political representation, and basic recognition. But this isn’t just a courtroom debate. It’s a culture war dressed in legal robes. We follow the funding behind the ruling, expose the billionaire feminis...

Why do we feel exhausted even when life looks “fine” on the outside?  In this episode of Scenic Route , we explore the quiet, invisible weight so many of us carry—and how our bodies often hold onto stress, tension, and emotional labor in ways we don’t even notice. Zurich-based body therapist Michelle Sabbatini joins Jennifer Walter to discuss the difference between having a body and being one and...

Why are women punished for being honest about motherhood? When Chappell Roan said her friends with kids are “in hell,” the backlash wasn’t about the words but about breaking the performance. In this episode of Scenic Route , sociologist and coach Jennifer Walter unpacks the emotional labour, mental load, and societal expectations that define modern motherhood. Why do we praise men like Seth Rogen...

We are living in the Disinformation Age — a time unlike any other in history. Never before have we been bombarded with so much information, yet so little clarity. Our feeds are flooded with misleading headlines, personal opinions disguised as facts, and viral narratives designed to manipulate us. Even the sharpest minds can fall for misinformation—so how do we learn to see through the noise? In th...

For decades, empathy has been celebrated as the glue of human connection— but what if it’s actually burning you out ? In this thought-provoking episode of The Scenic Route , we unpack why empathy alone isn’t enough and why it’s time to shift toward something more sustainable: compassion . 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ Why empathy is exhausting—and how it leads to burnout, anxiety, and e...

What we eat isn’t just personal — it’s political. In this thought-provoking episode, Matthew C. Halteman , philosopher and author of Hungry, Beautiful Animals , joins Jennifer to reframe the ethics of veganism through the lens of joy, flourishing, and resistance . Instead of guilt or perfectionism, Matt advocates for ethical and vegan eating as an act of joyful defiance — a way to challenge system...

If you've ever had that gut-wrenching feeling of being behind in life, wondering "What am I doing with my life?" – trust me, you're not alone.  In fact, you're part of a generation grappling with redefining success in a world that looks radically different from the one our parents knew. In this raw episode, we fearlessly dive into what it really means to thrive as a millen...

Think you know quality fashion? Get ready to upgrade your shopping game. Today, we're diving deep into the world of ethical fashion with Lora Gene, who's challenging our perception of luxury and inviting us to be part of a mindful fashion revolution that values both people and the planet. B Corp certified fashion business owner and designer Lora Gene shares her journey into ethical fashi...

From your weather app's borders to the "ancient traditions" invented last century, nationalism shapes our world in ways so subtle we rarely notice them. Join us for an eye-opening exploration of how modern nations make their power invisible (yup, not looking at people waving flags at sports events...)  — and learn practical ways to spot these patterns in your daily life. In this epi...

Feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world? You're not alone, and more importantly – it's not your fault. In this episode, we're diving into the hidden forces behind your political exhaustion and uncovering practical strategies to stay engaged without burning out. What you'll discover: The shocking truth about information overload (hint: it's actually by design) Why you...

In this episode, we're diving deep into the loneliness epidemic hitting millennials and Gen X harder than any generation before. Spoiler alert: it's not just your busy schedule or endless TikTok scrolling that's the problem. What You'll Discover: The shocking stats about loneliness in your 30s and 40s (and why it's not just a 'you' problem) What the heck "th...

Are you exhausted from being everyone's emotional support human? In this game-changing episode, we're unpacking how being "nice" became a cage and why embracing wild kindness might be your key to freedom. Drawing from bell hooks' radical vision of love and Pierre Bourdieu's social theory, we explore: How society weaponizes kindness against women The real cost of emoti...

Ready for the great shift? 2025 isn't just another year – it's a total vibe shift for business and life. A once in a shift! Join me with astrology powerhouse Sheri Moise and intuitive business strategist Jen Fieldman as we decode the massive energetic changes coming your way. In this episode, we spill the celestial tea on: Why Pluto in Aquarius means saying bye-bye to old power structure...

Ready to cut through the noise around perimenopause? In this episode, nutritionist Sandra Mikhail helps us navigate the complex world of women's health without falling prey to expensive supplement marketing. Key Episode Highlights Common perimenopause symptoms and when they typically start Why supplement companies target perimenopausal women How to identify quality supplements vs marketing sc...

In this transformative episode, identity coach and speaker Don Mamone (they/them/theirs) shares their powerful journey beyond society's gender binary. From navigating privilege to embracing radical freedom, Don reveals the profound costs and unexpected rewards of choosing authenticity over conformity. Don challenges us to examine how binary thinking limits not just gender expression but every...

Ever hit "complete purchase," only to be smacked with a wave of buyer's remorse? Join activist and author Aja Barber as she rips the band-aid off our collective consumption addiction and helps us imagine a world beyond fast fashion. In this eye-opening episode of the Scenic Route, we dive deep into: Why your shopping habits might be a hangover from colonialism The truth behind &quot...

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the psychology of toxic relationships with author and creativity coach Caitlin Liz Fisher. Breaking the silence on why leaving isn't as simple as "just walking away," Caitlin shares her raw, personal journey through abuse, manipulation, and, ultimately, freedom. In This Episode The shocking truth: It takes an average of 7 attempts to leave...

Ever wondered how fear shapes your reality and what it takes to overcome it? Discover how to turn fear and anxiety into powerful tools for personal growth and success. In this empowering episode of The Scenic Route Podcast, host Jennifer Walter and guest Jana Osta, a hypnotherapist and Kundalini yoga teacher, explore practical strategies for managing anxiety, trusting intuition, and finding balanc...

In this powerful episode of The Scenic Route Podcast, host Jennifer Walter dives deep into the often misunderstood world of grief and healing with expert Parijat Deshpande, MS and founder of Ruvelle.  Together, they explore:  The universal nature of grief and why all loss is valid How to integrate loss into daily life and honour loved ones The importance of raising our somatic capacity for emotion...

Ready for some real talk about family drama? Buckle up, buttercup!  In this episode, we're diving deep into the mother of all wounds (pun intended) with the amazing Blanca E. Rodriguez. From Puerto Rican family trauma to untangling the knots of mother-daughter relationships, we're serving up a raw, real, and surprisingly hilarious journey through generational trauma, self-sabotage, mothe...

How do our personal relationships shape the way we engage with society? Can psychology offer solutions to the deep divisions we see today? In this thought-provoking episode of The Scenic Route Podcast , host Jennifer Walter sits down with Phyllis Leavitt , acclaimed psychologist and author of America in Therapy: A New Approach to Hope and Healing for a Nation in Crisis . Together, they explore the...