The Big Four Oh: The Podcast About Turning 40

In a solo episode, Stephanie reflects on a recurrence of the Ick in her own life and what she’s doing to try to work her way through it. Reflections: A Recurrence of the Ick Sometimes you can do the work, you can make it to the other side and build a life that suits you perfectly - and you can STILL have weeks or seasons that just don’t feel good. I’m in one now and I'll tell you about it in this...

After surviving a challenging childhood, David Richman achieved success as an executive at a Wall Street firm. His personal life, though, was a mess. He was a stressed out, overweight smoker with low self-esteem who spent most of his life trying to please others. While he learned many lessons in his professional life, he never thought to apply them to his personal life. Looking back, he says it’s...

In this enlightening episode, Stephanie sits down with Tara McFarland, a professional engineer who experienced a profound spiritual awakening and transformation in her forties. Tara shares her journey from feeling fragmented and unfulfilled in her career to rediscovering her true self and integrating her newfound spiritual insights into her professional life. This episode is a deep dive into the c...

Before becoming a champion for the podcasting industry, Larry Roberts had dreams of becoming a martial arts champion. A child of the ’80s and a fan of “The Karate Kid,” ninjas and the movies of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Segal, he vigorously pursued karate and, later, mixed martial arts. That dream was crushed by limitations from a birth defect that should have killed him by age 4 but didn’t...

In this enlightening episode, Stephanie sits down with Sandy Demarest, who navigated a significant midlife transition from feeling lost and disconnected in Burlington, Vermont, to finding her community and purpose in Southern New Hampshire. Sandy shares her compelling story of overcoming the challenges of relocation, redefining her career, and ultimately discovering a deeper sense of self and happ...

In this enlightening episode, Stephanie sits down with Annette Copeland, a naturopathic doctor whose journey through personal and health challenges led to profound life transformations. Annette shares her compelling story, from a tumultuous childhood and early motherhood to discovering her path in natural medicine and emotional healing in her midlife. Her insights into overcoming generational trau...

In this heartfelt episode, Stephanie sits down with April Provencher, a vibrant soul who navigated through a maze of life challenges to emerge triumphantly at the age of 40. April shares her journey of "living life backwards," having experienced motherhood, marriage, and a career all by her early twenties. This conversation dives deep into her transformative years, exploring the dark times in her...

In a solo episode, Stephanie reflects the tools of personal growth. When people talk about “the tools” they use in their personal growth journeys, there isn't a standard set of tools that nobody told you about, and you can’t get them at any store. With personal growth and breaking habits and cycles, “tools” can feel a little esoteric. Let’s make it more concrete. Reflections: The Tools of Personal...

In this captivating episode, Stephanie sits down with Sarah Gale, a former fashion industry insider and reality TV personality from Project Runway Australia. Sarah shares her profound journey through the fashion world and beyond, exploring her early life experiences, her spiritual awakenings, and how these shaped her unique approach to personal style and self-expression. From a near-death experien...

In this deeply moving episode, Stephanie sits down with Anthony Gonzalez, a man whose life story encapsulates a profound journey of transformation and self-discovery. From navigating the turbulent waters of a challenging childhood and adolescence marked by family drug use and personal involvement in the streets, to a dramatic arrest and subsequent time in prison, Anthony's story is one of evolutio...

In this transformative episode, Stephanie sits down with Jem Fuller, a former corporate leader who shares his profound journey through a midlife awakening. From a tumultuous breakdown of his marriage and career to rediscovering his path and purpose, Jem's story is a powerful testament to the potential for personal growth and transformation in the face of life's challenges. Turning 40 and Brainwash...

In this deeply moving episode, Stephanie sits down with Anthony, a vibrant individual whose life took an unexpected turn after a diagnosis of four inoperable brain tumors. Originally from New Hampshire and now residing in Washington D.C., Anthony shares his journey from a carefree life filled with travel and drag performances to facing a life-altering medical condition. His story is not just about...

In this inspiring episode, Stephanie sits down with Teresa Thomas, a vibrant soul who transformed her midlife crisis into a life of joy and adventure. Teresa shares her journey from being a people-pleaser trapped in unsatisfying relationships to rediscovering her voice and creating the "50 Fun Things" project, which not only changed her life but has also inspired countless others to find joy in th...

In a solo episode, Stephanie reflects on her 30s and how the Ick, that feeling of things not being right, presented in her life. Reflections: my 30s and the Ick I’ve been talking a lot about the Ick that people feel in their 30s or 40s and recently started reflecting on my 30s and how the Ick presented to me. I took a page out of my previous guest Melissa’s book and mapped out the decade’s highlig...

In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Terre Short, a leadership coach and author who has carved a unique and adventurous path through life. From a high-flying career in hospitality to homeschooling her children in the wilds of Idaho, Terre's journey is a testament to the power of embracing change and pursuing dreams at any age. Join us as Terre shares her insights on building confidence, the i...

Introducing “The Ick” and Looking Forward to Season 3 Stephanie kicks off Season 3 by introducing “The Ick,” her characterization of that malaise, unease or discomfort we feel around age 40 and then previewing some of the guests you’ll meet this season. Guest Bio Stephanie McLaughlin was born and raised in Manchester, NH. She fled the little city for a bigger one 50 miles south and spent 12 y...

In this deeply inspiring episode, Stephanie sits down with Martin Salama, who navigated through immense personal and professional challenges to redefine his life's purpose. From the tragic loss of his younger brother in childhood to facing a devastating financial crisis and a painful divorce, Martin's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and transformation. Join us as Martin shares ho...

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Stephanie sits down with Marc Paisant, a former college athlete who shares his transformative journey through the challenges of adulthood, weight gain, and mental health struggles. Marc opens up about his path to rediscovering his health, both mental and physical, and how he learned to prioritize self-care and redefine what “normal” means for him. Tur...

In this heartfelt episode, Stephanie sits down with Amy Lokken, a woman who navigated through a decade of profound personal transformations and challenges as she transitioned into her forties. From the joy of embracing her thirties to the heavy responsibilities that came with becoming a full-time caregiver for her ailing parents, Amy shares her journey of rediscovery and self-acceptance that follo...

In this inspiring episode, Stephanie sits down with Shannon Russell, a former TV producer turned entrepreneur and career coach. Shannon shares her riveting journey from the bustling sets of MTV to opening a successful Snapology franchise and eventually creating a platform to guide others through their career transitions with her initiative, Second Act Success. Dive into Shannon's story as she navi...

Today, Stephanie sits down with Corinne Morahan, the founder of Grid and Glam. Corinne shares her transformative journey through midlife, detailing how she shifted from a high-paced finance career in New York to finding true fulfillment through decluttering and organizing. Corinne's story is not just about changing careers; it's about rediscovering joy, making tough decisions about personal relati...

In this inspiring episode, Stephanie sits down with Tina B., a vibrant and creative communication expert whose journey through midlife transformation is nothing short of extraordinary. From a challenging episode in her mid-thirties where she lost her voice due to severe stress as a high school teacher, to finding her true calling and launching her own business at 45, Tina's story is a testament to...

In this enlightening episode, Stephanie sits down with Katherine Baldwin, the author of "How to Fall in Love." Katherine shares her journey of self-discovery that began in her mid-thirties, leading to profound changes in her personal and professional life. From grappling with an eating disorder and the pressures of a high-flying journalism career to embracing a path of healing and self-acceptance,...

In this inspiring episode, Stephanie sits down with Emma Johnson, a British writer, podcaster, and founder of The Wild Circle. Emma shares her profound journey through motherhood, personal loss, and self-discovery as she navigated the complexities of turning 40. From battling postnatal depression to experiencing the sudden loss of her sister, Emma's story is a testament to finding strength and res...

In this wonderful episode, Stephanie sits down with Emily Aborn, a mid-thirties entrepreneur who is already pondering the significance of turning 40. Emily shares her journey of self-discovery, the ups and downs of her career, and her aspirations for the future. From burning bridges in her twenties to finding her true passion in writing and marketing, Emily's story is a testament to the power of t...