The House of Middlescence with Barbara Brooks

The holidays hit differently when you live solo after 40. Some women feel relief. Others feel pressure from family, traditions, or the world’s obsession with “coupling.” And for many, there is a mix of loneliness, stress, and “I should feel happier than this, it’s the holidays.” In this fireside, I sit down with licensed therapist Sarah Senst to unpack the mental and emotional load of the season....

The Caregiver Crisis is real and hitting women 50+ with force. I sit down with Nadine Cornish and Sarah Scheuneman of #AARP Colorado to talk about the realities of caregiving, the emotional and financial strain, the missing conversations inside families, and the practical steps that every woman needs to take now. They cover state resources, AARP support, power of attorney basics, the next of kin b...

In this candid session we explore what it really means to be a solopreneur in midlife, especially when the usual boxes no longer fit. We talk about the isolation that can follow leaving corporate life, what it means to carve your own path after 40, and how loneliness can become a turning point instead of a setback. With women over 40 now leading the charge as the fastest-growing group of entrepren...

We’re in the middle of the year, and it’s the perfect time to pause, reset, and design the next six months with intention. In this episode of The House of Middlescence, I share three power moves to help you revise your goals, celebrate your wins, and create a bold new vision for how you want to finish 2025. Download the Six‑Month Vision Reset Worksheet here: https://bit.ly/45uQxZp Comment below: W...

Yeah, dating in midlife is very much a thing, and I’m living proof and getting real about what it’s like to date as a solo-ager at 58, what the dating landscape really looks like today, and where the heck we’re supposed to meet our humans. From the app gap to curated connection spaces (and a few “no thanks” gym moments), I’m not holding back. This one’s for the women, the solo-agers, the late bloo...

Over 50 and living solo? You're not alone—and it’s not a downgrade. It’s a power move.   I share 7 smart, soulful, and handy rules for living alone after 50, after having done it for most of my adult life. From getting rid of outdated expectations for people "our age" to staying healthy, connected, and curious, this is your no-fluff, pro-age guide to thriving solo in midlife.   Timestamps 0:00 – W...

Feel like you're getting passed over, tuned out, or just plain left out after 40? You’re not imagining it—but you’re also not powerless. In this episode of The House of Middlescence, I’m giving you 5 bold, doable ways to get seen, heard, and back in the room where opportunities happen. Whether you’re rebuilding your career, launching something new, or reclaiming your seat at the table, you’ll want...

Are you feeling like you're working on different planets with your coworkers? You’re not alone—and it’s not about age, it’s about unspoken assumptions and clashing communication styles. Age-positive speaker and SecondActWomen founder Barbara Brooks breaks down how to navigate multigenerational teams without losing your mind (or your cool). Whether you’re Gen Z, Gen X, or somewhere in between, this...

Feeling invisible, undervalued, and overlooked as a #womanover40? You're not alone. I'm sharing 5 actionable tips to help you take back control of your visibility, show up unapologetically, and achieve your goals. You'll: ✨ Discover the surprising truth about women over 40 in entrepreneurship ✨ Learn how to overcome age-related biases and get the recognition you deserve ✨ Get actionable tips on...

You open Facebook one day, and changes have happened—only you didn't make them, and now your profile picture, cover photo, name, or other personal information is all different. You've been hacked and no longer have access to your digital life—ever again. On average, 1.4 billion social media accounts are hacked every month,  Today's guest, Michelle Vos, had her second act happen to her versus makin...

Three-time cancer survivor Lori Frisher shares her new disability journey, having already been living being deaf with two Cochlear implants. July was Disability Pride Month, and this thriver and second-acter at 51 has recently 'rang the bell' receiving the "all clear" on her latest bought with cancer. Since her October diagnosis, she's been on a ride in her new life's journey. It's one for the boo...

You're burned out and stuck in life, your career, and everything; sometimes, it's hard to get unstuck. Add a little horseplay to your life. That'll help you. Today, we're talking about Equus coaching, also known as horse-assisted coaching. Our guest, Nancy McKay, knows all about it, and by that, I mean she was stuck until she herself took a journey from being an alcoholic to sober living, all thro...

It's #disability Pride Month, and we're celebrating our #neurodivergent brains. Both of us were diagnosed our late 40s and 50s, and it's been life-changing. There's that one friend who seems like they're never paying attention, cutting you off when you speak and sometimes moody, but you don't know why. Or the friend who seems always annoyed in certain situations and environments, but you love them...

12.3% of women aged 40–59 have the highest rate of depression of any group in the United States according to the CDC. We're taking the shame out of our game! Mental health should be expressed, and #SecondActWomen licensed therapist Sarah Senst and former school principal Melanie Moreno, turned entrepreneur, talked to me about it. 1. Get the stats to know you're not alone 2. Hear from the three of...

Job Fairness Act in Colorado took effect July 1, 2024. How does it apply to job seekers over 40? What can you do to use it in your favor? Why was it needed? What #career strategies will land you the interview? So we're talking about: 1. Ageism in the Workplace stats for you to be aware, understand, and overcome 2. Pro-aging activist and former attorney Janine Vanderburg speaks with me about the Jo...

22 million employed adults (aged 18 and over) in the U.S. always work from home. But what about quitting to start a company and travel while doing it? Nadia Mitchem did exactly that, leaving her position at St. Jude to start a company, get on the road, and travel the world. She's sharing tips and more on how she did it, and you can, too. Here's her Guide to Banish your fears of doing it. 📢 Find m...

Your age is a disease. You're 49, and in a few months, it's your birthday. What immediately came to mind? Fear of turning 50. That's what the world says about us, too. Because you're turning 50, you're shunned from working, living, being, and doing what YOU want. You're invisible. It's AGEISM! Your age is a superpower, and your spending authority is over 15 trillion dollars.  Grab seven tips to re...

Now more than ever, corporate boards are looking for qualified female candidates; by that, we mean paid boardships. It can be a boon to your household income, too! Michele Ashby with ACE Consulting is sharing the 'how-tos.' She's an expert at boards, teaching women everything they need to know to serve on corporate boards. Some have made a living from being board members. But most importantly, wom...

Are you tired of not earning anything when you speak? You can generate revenue by speaking and giving keynotes at conferences, and it's a great way to share your expertise to help others, build your reputation, and earn money.  Public speaking coach and expert Mari Geaseair shares her five tips to help you get started: Have something to say Don't let ego get in the way of income Do Industry Homewo...

Let Chelle Johnson, a talent acquisition expert and founder of Career Connectors, give you tips on what NOT to DO and do when looking for your next job. If you're over 45, finding a job, let alone getting an interview, can be incredibly daunting. The age bias that can arise if you don't follow her tips. Don't stop using AI for resumes. It's part of your golden ticket/your personal brand DNA. Don't...

Menopause—what's the deal? Why don't we talk about it enough, and why don't our doctors tell us what we need to know? After all, there are over 80 symptoms of menopause, yet we mostly hear about hot flashes but who knew brain fog, sleepless nights and weigh gain were some of them? Board-certified adult nurse practitioner, Kimberly Cunningham with the Cunningham Clinic schools us on hormone imbalan...

AI. Using it not? Well, you should. It can shave precious time, leaving you space to be the CEO of your company and focus on business development, sales, and revenue. Angela Green Urbaczewski, a Fractional CMO | Revenue Optimization, AI & Marketing Automation Expert with RevOppAI who says productivity can increase by 10-30%. She shares tips on using Chat and others. Writing Effective Prompts....

Navigating the job search in our 40s, 50s, and beyond is tricky. We're often seen as 'out of date', expired, ready to retire, or better yet, lazy, unadaptable to change, and invisible after 50. Whether you've sent hundreds of resumes or you're just starting out, age may be a factor in your job search—but it doesn't have to hold you back. Take out your notetaking device or pen and paper and let's e...

We're talking about three hot topics today: #1 Thing we regret in life. The NY Fashion Week Designer featured ALL 40+ models she found off the streets and Dating. Should you find them on LinkedIn? It's the hottest new dating site. I may be the only single one on the panel, but it's bound to be a good discussion! Let's get this Podcast Party jumpin' - and subscribe, will ya? We're your people. Gues...

Caregiving. There's so much we don't know, and 19% of Americans are caregiving today. I'm pretty sure many didn't realize the undertaking ahead, from the paperwork and legal docs needed to decide to find mom or dad a new home to patient advocacy. There's A LOT to know, and we talk about it, giving you 5 things to get in order now. When my brother called me in crisis with our mom's stroke on March...