Your 2nd Act

Send us Fan Mail Feeling stuck in a style rut? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by Courtney a fashion stylist, content creator, and someone who’s completely reinvented herself in midlife. After 30 years in corporate, Courtney found herself questioning what was next (sound familiar?). She made the bold decision to walk away from the safe path and discovered a whole new beginning throug...

Send us Fan Mail We know how important female friendships are in midlife - hey, imagine life without them… scary, right? These relationships are our lifelines, our sounding boards, and our greatest cheerleaders, but what happens when a friendship no longer aligns with who you are? When it quietly starts to feel more draining than uplifting, and you’re faced with the uncomfortable truth that it mig...

Send us Fan Mail Midlife is often seen as a time of reflection, but for many women, it’s also a time of bold reinvention. In this episode, I speak with Ren, co-founder of ReLove, about how she embraced her 2nd Act by starting a much needed charity, one that not only changed her life, but is transforming the lives of others. ReLove provides furniture and household essentials to people in crisis, pa...

Send us Fan Mail Guys how many of you describe yourself as people-pleasers, perfectionists, or the one who’s always protecting others? Bloody exhausting… isn’t it! If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and today’s guest knows exactly how you feel. Dr. Michelle McQuaid, or Chelle as she’s known, is a globally recognized researcher, bestselling author, and positive psychology expert who combines...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your 2nd Act , I sit down with Kath Elliott, an alcohol coach, to explore the complexities of alcohol consumption, particularly among midlife women. Many of us have grown up with alcohol as a central part of socialising, celebrating, and even unwinding, but at this stage of life, is it really serving us? Kath shares her personal journey from binge drinking to em...

Send us Fan Mail This week, I chat with Hema Prakash, founder of Ponti Health, about the gaps in women’s healthcare, especially in midlife. So many of us feel unsupported and unheard when it comes to perimenopause, menopause, and our overall well-being. Hema saw these challenges firsthand and decided to do something about it. That’s how Ponti Health was born, a place designed to empower women with...

Send us Fan Mail In midlife, many of us start questioning who we really are beyond the roles we have played, whether as a mother, daughter, partner, or professional. But what happens when family secrets come to light and shake the very foundation of our identity? In this episode, Michelle Scheibner shares her deeply personal journey of uncovering hidden truths within her family and how they shaped...

Send us Fan Mail Ten years ago, I reluctantly walked into a gym, thinking, "Here we go again, another gym I’ll quit in a few months." But a decade later, I’m still training at the same gym with the same trainer, Dan, an exercise sports scientist who has completely changed my approach to fitness. In this episode, Dan and I discuss why midlife is the perfect time to focus on strengthening...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Sophie Scott, award-winning medical journalist, mental health educator, and former ABC presenter, shares her powerful journey through burnout and high-functioning anxiety, offering invaluable insights into reclaiming balance and well-being. Despite her high-profile career and professional success, Sophie opens up about the personal toll of burnout, reminding us th...

Send us Fan Mail Late last year, I sat down with my good friend Jane, who had just taken a bold leap into a new stage of life. After a long and successful corporate career, Jane decided it was time to shake things up. With her daughter away at university, she and her husband Rob packed their bags and set off on an adventure to travel around Australia. In this engaging conversation, Jane shares wha...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like midlife is less of a crisis and more of a calling? In this episode, I sit down with Megan Dalla-Camina, an award-winning women’s leadership and empowerment expert and bestselling author of Women Rising , to talk about navigating this transformative stage of life. We explore empowerment, dealing with our inner critic, and how patriarchy has shaped the way we...

Send us Fan Mail 50 episodes—what a milestone! In this special episode, I reflect on my journey from where I started to where I am now, and the incredible growth I’ve experienced along the way. With the guidance of my coach, Annie White, I’ve learned how to break free from fear, self-doubt, and the belief that it’s “too late” to create the life I want. Annie and I explore the challenges many women...

Send us Fan Mail This year has been a complete roller coaster, filled with moments of personal growth, unexpected challenges, and incredible opportunities. One of the highlights has undoubtedly been Your 2nd Act . The stories shared by my inspiring guests and the connections I’ve built with you, my listeners, have made this journey so meaningful. It hasn’t all been easy. Navigating family challeng...

Send us Fan Mail Ali joins the conversation to share her transformative journey of living alcohol-free for an entire year. With honesty and insight, she opens up about the profound changes she’s experienced in her relationship with drinking, the unexpected challenges of navigating social situations, and the incredible personal growth that has come with choosing sobriety. Throughout the episode, Al...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your 2nd Act , Michelle dives into a story you won’t believe—a tale of separation, unexpected connections, and the courage it takes to embrace new beginnings. Fi shares her remarkable journey of amicably splitting from her husband, only to find love with another man who had recently parted ways with his own wife. But here’s the twist: her ex-husband and his ex-w...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your 2nd Act , we explore the unique challenges and opportunities of midlife relationships with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dawn Dominguez. As couples face shifting priorities, empty nests, and rediscovering each other, midlife can be a time of both tension and transformation. Dawn brings her expertise to help navigate these moments with intention an...

Send us Fan Mail Remember the podcast Who the Hell is Hamish? - the shocking tale of one of Australia’s most infamous conmen? In this week’s episode, I chat with Tracy Hall, who was swept into a whirlwind romance with a man she thought was "Max Tavita," a successful businessman with charm and sophistication. But after 18 months, Tracy discovered the devastating truth: "Max" was...

Send us Fan Mail Show Notes:  That’s a wrap! - Season 2 Finale. Season 2 has officially wrapped, and what an incredible journey it has been! I've been honoured to share the voices of such brave and honest women, whose willingness to be vulnerable has inspired not only me but our entire community. These stories have pushed me out of my comfort zone, reminding me just how much we can grow by le...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode of 'Let's Catch Up,' I have an honest and eye-opening conversation with Jacki about the critical importance of financial security and awareness for women. When I posed the questions to our book club about how many of us rely on our partners to look after the major finances such as mortgages and investments, I was surprised to find that mo...

Send us Fan Mail When we’re faced with hard times and struggles, it can be the moment where we experience tremendous growth, leading to new beginnings. In today's episode, my guest, Jacky, found herself on such a transformative journey. Taking time off from her 30-year teaching career to care for her sick son gave her the opportunity to rethink her life’s direction. This reflection led Jacky...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine breaking up with your mum! In this episode, Jennifer courageously shares her journey of ending an unhealthy relationship with her mother. She opens up about the years of abuse and trauma she endured and the difficult choice to end this toxic relationship in her 2nd Act, as family ties don’t excuse bad behaviour. Jennifer emphasises the importance of setting boundaries, eve...

Send us Fan Mail I really enjoyed my chat with Tina as we unpacked the emotional impact of seeing our parents age. As members of the ‘sandwich generation,’ many of us find ourselves balancing life between young adult children and aging parents, making it a topic worth discussing. We explore the guilt of not being able to provide constant care, the balancing act between personal freedom and caregiv...

Send us Fan Mail Death has always been a taboo subject in our culture, and when I came across Caroline's story about how she transitioned from a career in PR to working as a death doula in her second act, I was intrigued. Caroline openly shares her journey to finding more meaningful work as a death doula after experiencing the deaths of her own parents and realising the great need for support...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it would be like to turn your passion into a job? This episode might be the push you need to get started!  This week I chat with Diana, a former engineer turned romance novelist, who shares her incredible journey and passion for writing.  Diana gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to become an author. Together, we'll dive into the universal th...

Send us Fan Mail Let's Catch Up - Welcome to my first solo episode! I'm thrilled to introduce a brand-new segment called "Let's Catch up," where I dive into topics that matter to me and occasionally bring on friends for their insights. As this podcast is evolving, so am I and I’m eager to share more of myself and my thoughts with you all. In this episode, I take you on a j...