In this episode of Welcome To Midlife: The Search For Meaning In The Middle, indie filmmaker and author Courtney Daniels and I go deep into a conversation that feels like equal parts creative spark and midlife exhale.

We explore the moment you realize you’re in midlife (not approaching it—fully in it), what it means to reclaim your voice after years of doing what’s expected, and the quiet (or not-so-quiet) decision to greenlight yourself.

Courtney shares how she went from waiting… to making films on her own terms and how midlife didn’t slow her down, it sharpened her perspective.

If you’ve ever felt like your most creative chapter might actually be right now… this one’s for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The exact moment midlife hits (and what it reveals)
• Where ideas actually come from (hint: it’s not always pretty)
• Letting go of external validation and backing yourself
• How midlife changes the stories we tell and why they matter more
• How to curate a creative life without waiting for permission
• Courtney’s book: Yes You Can: How to Make a Movie for Almost No Money
• The underrated magic of being Gen X

This is a conversation about creativity, courage, and claiming your voice in the middle of your life—not the beginning, not the end. Right here.

Listen, subscribe, and share if you’re navigating your own “what now?” moment.

What happens when a celebrity hair stylist learns to code in midlife and builds voice-first AI technology that protects creators? In this inspiring conversation, host Lisa Steadman sits down with Minista Jazz—visionary architect, former touring hair stylist to Madonna and Miley Cyrus, and founder of technology that lets creators own their sound and rest while their legacy works.

In this episode, you'll discover:

✨ Minista's extraordinary journey from touring with music icons to winning Hair Battle Spectacular to building AI that routes revenue back to artists

✨ What it takes to learn to code in midlife—the fears, surprises, and breakthroughs

✨ Why the algorithm is unfair and what creators can actually do about it

✨ How voice-first technology lets creators "rest while their legacy works"... and what that means for redefining work, rest, and creative output after 40

✨ Why AI isn't replacing human creativity, it's a tool for ownership, protection, and creative sovereignty

✨ How her background as a hair stylist prepared her for building technology (you won't expect this!)

✨ Her vision for "a much different world" and the values driving it

About Minista Jazz:

Minista Jazz is a visionary technologist, former celebrity hair stylist (Madonna, Miley Cyrus), Hair Battle Spectacular champion, and founder of voice-first AI technology protecting creator ownership and routing revenue back to artists. She learned to code in midlife and is building technology that allows creators to rest while their legacy continues working.

This conversation is for you if:

• You're navigating a career pivot or reinvention in midlife
• You're curious about AI, creativity, and the future of the creator economy
• You want to understand how technology can protect (not replace) human creativity
• You're interested in creative sovereignty and owning your work
• You're rethinking work, rest, and legacy after 40
• You believe technology should serve creators, not exploit them

CONNECT WITH MINISTA JAZZ: https://muchdifferentworld.com/

SUBSCRIBE here for weekly conversations about finding meaning, purpose, and reinvention in midlife.

CONNECT WITH US:

🎙️ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6W56uIACnDZIQMSk36JSTm

In this episode of Welcome To Midlife: The Search For Meaning In The Middle, host Lisa Steadman sits down with esthetician, educator, and skincare mentor Shelley Hancock, who brings 38+ years of experience in the beauty and skincare industry.

From launching her first skincare center in 1988 to mentoring thousands of estheticians, Shelley shares what it takes to build a lasting career—and a grounded sense of self—through decades of industry evolution.

Together, they dive into:
✨ How the beauty industry has transformed from male-dominated leadership to founder-led brands to the influencer era
✨ Staying relevant (and passionate) through constant change
✨ The truth about aging in a youth-obsessed culture
✨ Real talk on injectables vs. natural aging (Kris Jenner vs. Jamie Lee Curtis energy 👀)
✨ 3 essential skincare habits for women in midlife
✨ Confidence, identity, and what actually matters in this season of life

This conversation is honest, empowering, and refreshingly real because midlife isn’t about fading… it’s about becoming.

ABOUT THE SHOW:
Welcome To Midlife: The Search For Meaning In The Middle is a podcast exploring identity, reinvention, relationships, and purpose in midlife—with unfiltered conversations and bold storytelling.

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
📺 Watch full episodes + clips right here on YouTube
🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week

CONNECT WITH SHELLEY HANCOCK:
Homepage | Esthetic Success

CONNECT WITH LISA STEADMAN:
Lisa Steadman (@lisasteadman) • Instagram photos and videos

Tired of feeling invisible in midlife? Ready to stop apologizing for aging and start reclaiming your power? In this raw, honest conversation, host Lisa Steadman sits down with author and marketing expert Angela Burk to talk about what nobody tells you about being a Gen X woman in midlife—and how to turn this chapter into your most powerful yet.

In this episode, you'll discover:

✨ The physical changes nobody warns you about (hair loss, jowls, aging bodies) and how to stop fighting them

✨ Why midlife rage is actually your secret weapon—and how to channel it into transformation

✨ The signs you're experiencing a midlife awakening (and what to do when it hits)

✨ How to unlearn decades of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and societal expectations ✨ Radical self-care strategies that actually work for women over 40

✨ The truth about grief, change, and navigating major life transitions in your 40s and 50s ✨ How to take up space, use your voice unapologetically, and stop shrinking yourself

✨ Angela's inspiration behind writing The Real Girls Guide to Midlife—a no-BS roadmap for Gen X women

✨ Rewriting the internalized stories that keep you stuck, small, and playing it safe

✨ The unexpected lessons midlife teaches you (that actually make life better)

This conversation is for you if:

• You're done with "anti-aging" culture and ready to embrace your authentic self
• You feel rage bubbling under the surface but don't know what to do with it
• You're navigating grief, change, or a major life transition
• You're ready to reclaim your power, voice, and self-possession
• You want radical honesty about what midlife REALLY looks like

About Angela Burk: Angela Burk is the author of The Real Girls Guide to Midlife, a marketing expert, and a Gen X woman who refuses to shrink. Her work helps women navigate midlife with radical honesty, self-compassion, and unapologetic power.

SUBSCRIBE for weekly conversations about reclaiming your power, purpose, and voice in midlife.

What happens when you enter midlife while caring for aging parents? Actor and filmmaker Katie Prentiss joins host Lisa Steadman to discuss navigating midlife transitions, family caregiving, second act careers, and finding meaning in the middle of life.

In this deeply personal conversation, Katie shares:

✨ The moment she realized "I'm in midlife now" and how it felt emotionally

✨ Her journey as a caregiver for her ailing mother and the complex family dynamics that shifted during caregiving and grief

✨ How she transitioned into acting and filmmaking as a second career and what her first career taught her

✨ The art of turning pain and beauty into storytelling through her film "Wake Up Maggie", a love letter to caregiving and coming of middle age

✨ How midlife has transformed the stories she wants to tell as an actress and filmmaker

✨ What midlife has stripped away and what it's given back, including what feels truer, freer, and more grounded than ever

✨ Advice she'd give her 30-year-old self about aging, ambition, and what actually matters

About Katie Prentiss: Katie Prentiss is an actor and filmmaker whose work explores midlife transformation, caregiving, and the intersection of pain and beauty in storytelling. Her film "Wake Up Maggie" is a heartfelt exploration of middle age and the caregiving experience.

In this episode of Welcome to Midlife: The Search for Meaning in the Middle, host Lisa Steadman sits down with Carole Montgomery, creator and producer of Funny Women of a Certain Age, the hit stand-up comedy series and touring show spotlighting hilarious women over 40.

Together, Lisa and Carole explore why midlife women may actually be the funniest people in the room. From menopause humor and aging bodies to plastic surgery debates and the freedom that comes with getting older, this candid conversation dives into the real, messy, hilarious truth of life after 40.

They discuss:

• Why women’s comedy often gets better with age
• The surprising humor in menopause and midlife body changes
• The gray area of plastic surgery and aging gracefully
• Why both Kris Jenner’s new face and Jamie Lee Curtis’ natural face can inspire us
• How midlife women are reclaiming their voices, power, and creative careers

Carole also shares the inspiration behind Funny Women of a Certain Age, which has become a groundbreaking platform for female comedians over 40 who are finally getting the spotlight they deserve.

Whether you're navigating midlife, menopause, aging, body changes, or reinvention, this episode is a funny, honest celebration of women’s humor, resilience, and midlife chutzpah.

If you’re a Gen-X woman, a fan of stand-up comedy, or simply looking for laughter and perspective during midlife, this conversation will make you feel seen — and probably make you laugh out loud.

In this episode of Welcome to Midlife: The Search for Meaning in the Middle, host Lisa Steadman sits down with Laurie Battalia, Leadership Rebel, System Disruptor, Change Catalyst, and CEO of Aligned at Work for a deep, honest conversation about purpose, power, and professional awakening.

Together, they explore:

• What it actually means to be Aligned at Work (beyond buzzwords)
• Laurie’s personal and professional awakening and why alignment is non-negotiable
• How executives, leaders, and teams can create real alignment (not just culture decks)
• The current state of DEI and how to continue supporting equity and inclusion when external systems fall short
• Navigating ageism, generational shifts, and relevance in midlife careers
• How leadership energy evolves in midlife and why it can be your most powerful era yet

This episode is for midlife professionals, leaders, and anyone craving more meaning, integrity, and alignment in how they work and lead.

Grab your coffee, take a walk, or settle in!

From the first “oh shit, I’m officially midlife” moment to the glow-up (and plot twists) of sex in our 40s and 50s, this conversation goes there, in heels, with confidence. The ladies dish on orgasms that may actually be getting better, libido fluctuations, midlife men, menopause surprises, and what sexual wellness really looks like when you stop pretending and start telling the truth.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Is this really what midlife sex is supposed to be like?
• Why didn’t anyone tell us menopause could be this wild?
• And how do we stop apologizing and start enjoying?

This episode is your permission slip. Come for the heat, stay for the honesty, leave feeling seen, turned on (to life), and very much not alone.

🎧 Sexy. Smart. Slightly scandalous.

In this episode of Welcome To Midlife, Lisa Steadman sits down with brand image stylist Sybil Henry for a revelatory conversation about identity, intuition, and the emotional power of getting dressed—especially in midlife.

Together, they unpack why style is never “just clothes,” how hormones quietly reshape our midlife self-image, and why so many women hide behind wardrobes that no longer reflect who they’ve become. Sybil shares her intuitive approach to styling, one that strips away visual noise and starts with alignment from the inside out, while Lisa reframes midlife as a moment of liberation, not limitation.

From redefining what “sexy” looks like over 50 to embracing gratitude, confidence, and embodied self-expression, this episode is a love letter to becoming visible again—on your own terms.

Midlife isn’t about fading.
It’s about finally dressing like yourself.

Episode Keywords

brand image stylist, personal branding, midlife glow-up, emotional style, intuitive styling, self-expression, identity alignment, midlife confidence, hormones + style, gratitude, feminine power

Midlife has a way of unlocking profound truths—and stories that find us, asking to be shaped into art. Whether it’s a short story, novel, memoir, or screenplay, this season offers a rare invitation to reflect, reveal, and create from lived experience.

In this deep-dive conversation, story consultant Jen Grisanti and I explore the power of midlife storytelling—why experience deepens character, sharpens voice, and expands what’s possible on the page and screen. From writing inspiration and character development to vulnerability, reinvention, and the rise of vertical dramas, we unpack why midlife (and beyond) writers bring essential depth, nuance, and truth to today’s stories.

Key Takeaways

• Why character wounds and flaws create unforgettable stories
• The creative and cultural value of midlife and beyond writers
• How vulnerability strengthens voice, confidence, and craft
• Why midlife stories resonate more than ever—especially for women
• How to navigate this chapter with more clarity, ease, and creative permission

Ready to tell your stories?
Now through January 5, you can enroll in Jen’s 6-week Activating the Purpose of Story, Character & Plot teleseminar and receive exclusive early-bird bonuses.
👉 http://bit.ly/45kSGqc

In this soul-stirring (and occasionally spicy) conversation, I sit down with actor, storyteller, and embodiment guide Diahnna Nicole Baxter to talk about what really happens when women hit midlife and stop pretending everything’s “fine.”

We explore how acting and storytelling can become powerful tools for healing, why your body remembers everything your mind tried to forget, and how reclaiming sensuality, voice, and creative expression is an act of radical self-trust. Diahnna shares how Kundalini yoga transformed her relationship with her body—and why sacred rage isn’t something to suppress, but something to honor.

This episode is about self-reclamation. About grieving who you were, meeting who you’re becoming, and finding grace (and community) in the messy middle.

If you’ve ever felt the fire rise in your chest and thought, What is happening to me?—this one’s for you.

#MidlifeTransformation #MindsetShift #WelcomeToMidlife #LifeIsBeautiful #MeaningInTheMiddle #Podcast

In this refreshingly real convo, host Lisa Steadman sit down with Energetic Reset Specialist Stephanie Kathan to unpack the midlife magic that happens when you stop performing and start being.

They talk grief (the kind that knocks the wind out of you), rediscovering your true self, why community hits different in this season, and how releasing old identities creates space for brand-new beginnings.

If you’re craving clarity, connection, or a clean energetic slate… this one’s a must.

#midlife #meaninginthemiddle #energeticreset #authenticity #griefjourney #selfdiscovery #newbeginnings #StephanieKathan #welcometomidlife #LisaSteadman

In this episode. Welcome To Midlife host Lisa Steadman is joined by Evan Marc Katz, the OG dating coach, online-dating pioneer, and straight-talking voice women have trusted for two decades.

Evan and Lisa explore why accomplished, self-possessed women are often mislabeled as “intimidating,” how that impacts dating dynamics, and what it really takes to find love without shrinking, settling, or shape-shifting.

If you’ve ever wondered whether love gets easier, harder, or just messier in midlife… Evan’s insights will have you nodding, laughing, and rethinking everything.

#MidlifeDating #LoveInMidlife #DatingAdvice #EvanMarcKatz #RealTalkRelationships #WelcomeToMidlife #LisaSteadman

In this powerful Welcome To Midlife episode, Self Love Mastery Coach Jonathon Aslay shares the deeply personal story of losing his son—and how he navigated the heartbreak with grace, grit, and unexpected gratitude.

He and host Lisa Steadman explore how grief reshapes identity, why men need safe emotional spaces too, and how healing can lead you toward the love you were always meant to receive.

Tender, honest, and full of hope—this conversation is midlife medicine.

#GriefJourney #MidlifeHealing #SelfLoveMastery #LossAndLove #EmotionalWellbeing #JonathonAslay #LisaSteadman #WelcomeToMidlife

International bestselling author Arielle Ford joins host Lisa Steadman to talk about surrender (the sexy kind), receiving life’s goodness without overworking for it, and softening into a season where joy doesn’t have to be earned.

They explore love, magic, mindset, and the real meaning of “letting life surprise you.”

If you’ve been hustling your whole life… this episode gives your nervous system a hug.

#MidlifeTransformation #ArielleFord #SoulmateSecret #MindsetShift #WelcomeToMidlife #LifeIsBeautiful #MeaningInTheMiddle #LisaSteadman

About Francesca Escoto

Francesca Escoto is a startup coach/painter/speaker/software project manager/mom, not necessarily in that order. Her faith grounds her and gives her freedom to run wild and explore life. You can connect with her at coachfrancescaescoto.com and tampabayart.net

About Laurie Battaglia

CEO Laurie Battaglia is creator of the Aligned for Life Model™️ and the Aligned Leader™️ Model. A long-time corporate leader with over thirty-five years of experience, Laurie is an expert at solving people problems before they become profit problems. Her work as a thought leader, author, and speaker contributes to her innovative approach to developing next-generation leaders who build inclusive work environments and understand that people are the heart and soul of business. 

About Andrea Owen

Best-selling author, global speaker and certified life coach Andrea Owen helps high-achieving women let go of perfectionism, control, and isolation and choose courage and confidence instead. Her approach to self help and empowerment is relatable, digest-able and practical. Her latest book Make Some Noise: Speak Your Mind & Own Your Strength fearlessly tells it like it is and gives readers a roadmap back to their own brilliance.

About Lisa Washington

CEO of B'Tyli Wellness and Beauty, Lisa Washington is a kidney transplant survivor, who suffered from kidney disease since birth. Lisa has been a devoted yogini, yoga and meditation practitioner and a nutrition wellness coach. She believes her practice and education has kept her healthy from the inside out during her battle with kidney disease for more than 30 years. Lisa loves cooking delicious and healthy meals for her family. She grew with a professional chef father and a very skilled home cook mom. She loves educating her wellness clients on how to prepare delicious, nutritious and easy meals. Lisa, recently, used her cooking skills to become one of the competitors of the new season of FOOD NETWORK, ALL STAR ACADEMY. She has also been seen and heard on Fox 5 Good Day Atlanta, NBC Atlanta and Co., The Christian View, V103, 104.7 The Fish, Best Self Atlanta Cover Model 2017 , August 2018 Christian Dior Maven and other magazine publications. 

About Vicki Larson

Award-winning journalist, author and columnist Vicki Larson is on a mission to change the narrative about aging as a woman. Her books can be found here.

About Liz Santiago

Liz Santiago is the founder & head skincare chemist of CeleBritAy New York, an award-winning sustainable skincare & wellness company. For over twenty years, her passion has been helping people achieve the radiant skin and overall well-being they want and deserve. A multi-passionate entrepreneur on a mission to educate and evolve the skincare industry, she’s also a certified Holistic Health Coach specializing in Gut health and creator of the Ignite Your Inner Glow™ mentorship and coaching program for people looking for a holistic approach towards skin health and over-all radiance. You can follow Liz on Instagram here

About Linda Waldon

Linda Waldon is a personal stylist and creator of Style Your Way to Success In Your Second Act. Linda offers confidence-boosting color and style makeovers that reconnect women over 50 with their beauty and confidence. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her artist husband, where she offers closet clean outs and style updates. You can join Linda’s private style group for women over 50 on Facebook here and check out Linda’s style website here. You can also listen to Linda’s Anchor.fm podcast Living Visibly Over 50 here.

For more information on Laverne and co-facilitator Jean's Design & Align Workshop in Santa Monica July 16-17, visit https://designandalignyourcareer.com/workshop-july2022/