The Midlife Edit

In this deeply honest and moving episode, Jen sits down with Jaret Reddick, frontman of Bowling for Soup , for a conversation that hits on everything from mental health and midlife to fatherhood, therapy, and finding purpose through music. Jaret opens up about his personal experience with depression, anxiety, divorce, and the pressure to always be “the funny guy” , and how sharing his story helped...

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Jen sits down with Shelly Sharon —certified Hakomi therapist, complex-trauma practitioner, and author—to explore a topic that quietly shapes so many women’s midlife journeys: the mother wound .  Together they unpack what it really means to carry emotional wounds from a complex mother-daughter relationship, how those patterns show up in adulthood, and...

Some weeks feel heavier than others. This was one of those weeks for me. I wasn’t sure I was even going to hit record-but the truth is, this podcast is part of my own mental health toolkit. And today, I want to talk about why it’s okay to not be okay, how the past has a way of showing up when we least expect it, and why midlife is the perfect time to start building your mental fitness toolkit. In...

Life feels heavy right now. Negativity is loud-on the news, on social media, even in our own thoughts. It’s easy to get pulled into what I call the “cults of negativity”: comparison, self-doubt, and the story that we’re too old to change.  But here’s the thing-we don’t have to stay there.  Just like pop culture is constantly remixing itself (90s and 2000s bands back on tour, documentaries retellin...

Ever feel like you’ve lost your momentum—and you’re not sure how to get it back? You’re not alone.  In this episode of The Midlife Edit , I’m sharing my simple but powerful 4R Method for making a comeback anytime life pulls you sideways: Reconnect, Reset, Reframe, Restart.   I’ll walk you through:  How a weekend at the Four Chords Festival reminded me to Reconnect with joy and my high school self....

Ever feel like burnout has silenced you? Like you’re showing up for everyone else but can barely hear your own voice anymore? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what I’m calling The Midlife Comeback Tour — and inviting you to create your own. I’ll share: The behind-the-scenes burnout moment that literally left me uploading an episode with no sound. How my stomach health struggles are...

So funny story… if you tried to listen to this episode earlier today, you probably got 30 minutes of intro music and then—nothing. Oops. 🙃 Honestly, if that doesn’t scream midlife burnout energy , I don’t know what does. But we’re back, fully re-recorded, and this time with actual words. 😂 In this solo episode, I’m diving into burnout in midlife—the deep kind that comes from being everything for...

Have you ever caught your reflection and thought, “Wait… this doesn’t feel like me anymore” ? That’s the sign. Midlife isn’t a crisis — it’s a rebrand.  In this solo episode of The Midlife Edit, I’m diving into what it really means to rebrand your life in midlife. From the way we dress, to how we move, to who we give our energy to — and even the careers we pursue — midlife gives us the perfect cha...

  What if your birthday could be more than cake, candles, and crossed fingers that someone remembers to call? In this episode of The Midlife Edit , Jen sits down with Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming—author of How to Have a Happy Birthday and newly minted birthday coach—to explore how birthdays can become powerful rituals of joy, self-love, and renewal.  Tamar shares why our birthdays are actually the most s...

In this high-octane episode of The Midlife Edit , Jen sits down with Louisa Swaden — UK Land Speed Record Holder, member of the 200 MPH Club, and the fastest woman to ever ride a motorbike on sand at Pendine Sands in Wales.  But Louisa didn’t start breaking records in her twenties — she did it all after turning 50. While juggling family life and grandmother duties, she rewrote what midlife can loo...

  What does it really take to turn your life around when you’re feeling stuck? In this episode of The Midlife Edit , I sit down with the powerhouse that is Alivia Lesinski — a woman who has completely transformed her career, health, and finances through grit, intentionality, and a whole lot of delayed gratification.  From being broke and stuck in a dead-end job to earning her master’s degree, lead...

  ✨ Show Notes:   Welcome back to The Midlife Edit !  In this solo episode, Jen dives into something we all wonder:  Why do we only let ourselves rest, have fun, and enjoy life on vacation — and how can we bring that feeling home? You know the drill: on vacation, you’re relaxed, present, joyful… and then you come home and snap right back into grind mode. Sound familiar?   In this playful yet mean...

✨ Show Notes: Welcome back to The Midlife Edit ! In this solo episode, Jen gets real about a question so many women in their 40s and 50s are asking: “Are my symptoms just burnout… or is this perimenopause?” Fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, anxiety, poor sleep — sound familiar? You’re not alone. But here’s the tricky part: perimenopause symptoms and burnout from chronic stress often overlap — and...

  Episode Summary:   In this episode, I’m joined by Shannon Johanson, owner of Lady Warrior, for a powerful conversation about navigating perimenopause and menopause with strength, knowledge, and grace.  When I first launched this podcast, I planned to focus mainly on fitness and nutrition — but it’s become so much more. We’re now talking about reinvention, confidence, and embracing the Midlife Wo...

  💬 Episode Summary:  In this raw and reflective episode, Jen opens up about the emotional weight of being haunted by the woman she used to be—the version of herself that spent years performing, people-pleasing, and conforming to be accepted.  From doing things she didn’t want to do just for attention (good or bad), to losing sight of who she really was (or maybe never fully knowing), this is a v...

Episode Summary: Do you ever feel like you're behind —like you missed some invisible deadline for happiness, success, or having it all figured out? In this solo episode, Jen dives into the pressure so many of us feel in midlife to measure up to a timeline that was never really ours to begin with. From career changes and health goals to relationships and self-worth, this conversation explores what...

✨ Episode Description: In this episode of The Midlife Edit , I’m calling out the trendification of perimenopause—and why we should all be angry about it. Recently, I heard someone say perimenopause is the “next big thing” in wellness. And while yes, it’s great that more women are finally talking about this stage of life… calling it a trend ? That’s not it. Worse? Social media is now flooded with...

  📄 Episode Summary:   In this deeply personal solo episode, Jen shares her recent experience with the Everlywell Women’s Hormone Test —and the surprising results that confirmed what she’d been feeling: low estrogen and elevated FSH . She breaks down what these results actually mean (especially if you’ve had a partial hysterectomy with your ovaries intact), and what it looks like to navigate peri...

What does it look like to truly live your best life in midlife? For Jen Ryder, it looks like lifting heavy weights, booking trips every month, walking her dog Luna, and blasting Dave Matthews Band on the regular.  In this episode, I sit down with Jen—911 dispatcher by day, CrossFitter and adventurer by choice—to talk about how shifting her fitness focus from endurance to strength training has tran...

Episode Summary: In this solo episode, we’re flipping the script on guilt and embracing the unapologetic power of midlife. I’m sharing the raw, real truth about the things I used to feel bad for — and why I’m done saying “sorry” for who I am, what I want, and how I live. From saying no without over-explaining to owning your need for rest, this episode is all about giving yourself permission to evo...

🔗 Episode Summary:   In this inspiring episode, Sairan joins Jen to talk about how to navigate transitions like returning to the workforce, shifting careers, or launching your own business in midlife.  Together, they explore the emotional and practical aspects of change, the fears that hold people back, and how to tap into your “hidden gems”—those often-overlooked strengths that lead to passion,...

Do you ever open your closet and wonder why you’re still holding onto that one dress from ten years ago—or those jeans that belong to another version of you? In this week’s episode of The Midlife Edit , we’re diving into the powerful metaphor of the closet clean-out. But spoiler alert: this episode goes far beyond fashion. We're talking about all the things in midlife that may no longer “fit”—from...

  They say midlife is a crisis…I say it’s a comeback. 👏  In this solo episode, I’m diving into a topic that has defined my own journey and so many of yours: reinvention . Whether you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, or simply craving something new, this is your invitation to explore what your next chapter could look like.  We’ll talk about why midlife is the perfect time to pivot, how to overcome the...

  Episode Summary: In this deeply honest solo episode, Jen opens up about the emotional and physical toll perimenopause has taken on her lately. From extreme fatigue to high-functioning anxiety, overthinking, and a lack of motivation that feels almost paralyzing — she shares what it’s really been like behind the scenes.  Jen dives into how therapy and a strong support system have helped her naviga...

Episode Summary: Ever feel like your brain is stuck in low gear, your mood is all over the place, or your energy just disappears halfway through the day? It’s not just midlife — it’s what you’re eating (and drinking). In today’s episode, Jen dives into how the right foods — and hydration habits — can power both your body and your mind in midlife. From blood sugar crashes to the gut-brain connectio...