Flourish After Fifty

Could fostering have a place in your life after 50?After retiring from a career as a CEO and consultant, Jenny Jackson became a foster carer at 60, fulfilling a long-held wish.In this conversation, Jenny shares what fostering involves, why she chose emergency and respite care, and what she’s learning about caring for children while making space for family, friendships and travel.In this episode, we explore:What led Jenny to fostering and how she got started.The realities of training, assessment and different types of care.Seeing the experience from a child’s perspective.Learning to ask for support, set boundaries and know when to say no.“When I say yes, it’s a hearty yes.” Jenny JacksonJenny’s story offers a personal perspective on fostering and a reminder that new possibilities can emerge at any age.Links:Jenny Jackson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-jackson-a3aab554/Life Without Barriers: https://www.lwb.org.au/A Message from Sue:I offer one-on-one coaching and a variety of small-group programs which are all taking expressions of interest for 2027:The Flourish After Fifty Circle: a podcast and book club rolled into one.Life Beyond Work: for women preparing to retire.Life On Your Terms: for women wanting to live more in alignment with who they are at this life stage.Flourishing in The Messy Middle: for women who are right in the middle of change and want support as they navigate this time.Details are available at www.flourishafterfifty.com.auIf you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: Contact — Flourish After FiftySign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice on how to flourish after fifty: Newsletter Sign Up — Flourish After FiftyConnect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-west-au/

Where do our ideas about getting older come from and what might help us see things differently? In this episode I’m joined by researcher Dr Natasha Ginnivan to explore how culture, relationships and everyday messages shape our beliefs about ageing. Natasha shares what she learnt through her research in Australia and the Philippines, and together we reflect on how connecting across generations can give us a broader picture of life as we grow older.Also covered:Why relationships across generations can open up different possibilitiesRecognising inherited age beliefs and questioning whether “I’m getting older” explains what we’re experiencing.How well-meaning gestures can carry assumptions about women over fifty.Grey hair, personal style and supporting women’s choices about how we want to look.Natasha’s work through Edgy Elders and Mobilising Wisdom to challenge stereotypes and share different stories of ageing.Guest: Dr Natasha GinnivanWebsite: https://mobilisingwisdom.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-ginnivan-9b7293167/?isSelfProfile=falseResources Discussed in this Episode Blog article on media portrayal: https://mobilisingwisdom.com/f/media-portrayal-of-older-people-the-good-the-bad-the-absent?blogcategory=Attitudes+to+AgeingWisdomMovers interview series with experts on aging:https://mobilisingwisdom.com/?blogcategory=WisdomMoversYour Roots are Showing: https://www.yourrootsareshowingfilm.com/Gray is Having its Day! Blog piece about ‘Your Roots are Showing’:Benevolent Ageism: https://theconversation.com/giving-out-flowers-on-tiktok-is-this-a-random-act-of-kindness-or-just-benevolent-ageism-187064Guardian Article on celebs embracing grey and age liberationhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/commentisfree/2025/aug/17/celebrities-like-andie-macdowell-and-pamela-anderson-are-all-for-the-grey-revolution-are-older-women-caring-less-about-what-people-thinkA Message from Sue:I offer one-on-one coaching and a variety of small-group programs which are all taking expressions of interest for 2027:The Flourish After Fifty Circle: a podcast and book club rolled into one.Life Beyond Work: for women preparing to retire.Life On Your Terms: for women wanting to live more in alignment with who they are at this life stage.Flourishing in The Messy Middle: for women who are right in the middle of change and want support as they navigate this time.Details are available at www.flourishafterfifty.com.auSign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice on how to flourish after fifty: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletterConnect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-west-au/

What happens when you stop pushing forward and give yourself space to ask what really matters now? In this conversation, Kerryn Vaughan shares the story of taking a break from her podcast and discovering that the pause was part of a much bigger process of change. We talk about uncertainty, letting go of what no longer fits, finding purpose beyond a job or role, and the shift from achievement to contribution and legacy. Kerryn also shares her Five Beyonds framework and the question at its heart: what kind of ancestor will I be? Along the way, we explore what it can mean to create space for something new to emerge and to be more unapologetic about how we want to spend the years ahead.Also coveredTaking a break when something no longer feels right — even when you don't know what comes nextTrimming your life: letting go of things, commitments and relationships that no longer fitRethinking purpose as something we live and do, rather than simply a job or occupationMoving from achievement and recognition towards contribution, impact and legacyKerryn's Five Beyonds frameworkGuest: Kerryn VaughanWebsite: https://www.kerrynvaughan.com/The 5 Beyonds Journey Through Nepal 2027: https://www.kerrynvaughan.com/the-5-beyondsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryn-vaughan/A Message from Sue:I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-usSign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice on how to flourish after fifty: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletterConnect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-west-au/

What if the things you’ve been told you can’t do become the very things that shape your next chapter? In this inspiring conversation, I talk with three-time Paralympic gold medallist, Tokyo Paralympic silver medallist, world champion paracyclist, author and speaker Carol Cooke about challenging assumptions around age, disability and what’s possible after 50. Carol began competitive paracycling at 50 and went on to achieve the peak of her sporting success between the ages of 51 and 60, winning three Paralympic gold medals and a silver medal. She shares how a childhood disappointment shaped the mindset she has carried throughout her life, how she moved from swimming to rowing and then unexpectedly into elite paracycling, and how she learned to work with, not against, her body after being diagnosed with MS. She also reflects on finding passion, surrounding yourself with people who encourage rather than limit you, embracing new challenges, and why it’s never too late to start something different.Also covered:How Carol’s childhood gymnastics experience taught her not to let others define what she could achieve.Moving from competitive swimming to para rowing and then, unexpectedly, becoming an elite paracyclist at 49.Experiencing ageism in sport and discovering that, in paracycling, performance mattered more than age.How Carol manages MS while training and competing.The mindset strategies that have helped Carol thrive.Carol’s continuing work beyond elite sport, including wheelchair curling, speaking, writing and the 24-hour Mega Swim, which has raised millions for charity.Keywords:Flourish After 50, ageing, women over 50, mindset, resilience, multiple sclerosis, MS, mega swim, disability, Paralympics, Olympics, passion, ageism, Australia, Canada, gold medal, silver medal, national championships Guest: Carol Cooke AM PLYWebsite: https://www.carolcooke.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-cooke-am/A message from Sue:I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-west-au/

Sometimes flourishing after 50 begins with understanding yourself differently. For some women, that may mean recognising that long-held struggles with organisation, time, getting started, emotional regulation or keeping all the balls in the air could be connected to ADHD.In this episode, I speak with clinical and counselling psychologist Janelle Booker about why ADHD has so often been missed in women, what it can look like in midlife, and why perimenopause and menopause can bring long-standing challenges into sharper focus. We explore masking and shame, the possibility of late diagnosis, and what becomes possible when we stop asking, “What’s wrong with me?” and start asking, “What do I need to thrive with the brain I have?”This conversation is for women wondering whether ADHD may be part of their story, and for partners, friends, family members and colleagues who want to better understand the people they love and work with.Also covered:Why ADHD can look very different in women from the stereotypical image of the “naughty boy”The role of dopamine, motivation, novelty and urgency in getting things doneWhy perimenopause and menopause can be a turning point for women with previously unrecognised ADHDThe ‘grielief’ (grief and relief) that can come with understanding your life through a new lensHow self-compassion, supportive relationships and the right strategies can help women flourish with a different kind of brainKeywords:ADHD, ADHD in women, late diagnosis ADHD, ADHD and menopause, ADHD and shame, neurodivergence, autism and ADHD, AuDHD, supporting someone with ADHD, midlife women, midlife, flourishing after 50,Guest: Janelle BookerWebsite: https://www.janellebooker.com/Janelle’s book, written with Matthew Johnstone: https://www.adelightfulhumandifference.com/Resources:Two podcast episodes, recommended by Janelle, relating to menopause, hormones and ADHD from a podcast called ADHD Chatter:How Hormones and Menopause Impact ADHD Women | Dr. Louise Newson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISPw9IGhWeUHow Hormones and Menopause Impact on Women with ADHD - Adele Wimsett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNRfYtQu__sJanelle’s standout episodes about ADHD on the Imperfects Podcast:Living with ADHD. A Psychologist’s Explanation, Nov 4, 2024https://youtu.be/uYF5WFO35IA?si=FWFwMMcsp2N_C2wpFast and Loose Brains Need Different Parenting, June 29, 2026https://youtu.be/WwEBTIMohwg?si=cZ1CuTNjzNyhOmSIA Message from Sue:Feeling like you're somewhere between the life you've lived and what's next? Flourishing in the Messy Middle is a three month group program starting September 22nd, yo help you make sense of where you are, reconnect with what matters and take your next steps with greater clarity and confidence.Find out more at: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourishing-in-the-messy-middleSign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice:http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this deeply moving conversation, I talk with Janine Hayes OAM, business leader, long-time skydiver and one of Australia’s most accomplished members of the skydiving community, about caregiving, grief and the uncertain work of rebuilding life after loss. After caring for her husband Ken through frontotemporal dementia and motor neurone disease, Janine reflects on advocacy, resilience and the need to care for herself while caring for someone else. She shares how skydiving, nature, family and friendship helped sustain her and what she is discovering about purpose and possibility in her mid-sixties. Janine ends by reading a poignant original poem about moving through grief towards a “beckoning shore.”Also coveredSkydiving as a lifelong source of joy, focus, community and respite during difficult timesNavigating the healthcare system, advocating for a loved one and the often-invisible workload of caregivingThe importance of self-care, professional support and boundaries for carersHow friends can offer genuinely useful support by suggesting specific practical helpFinding purpose, connection and hope after loss through family, friendship, community and new possibilitiesKeywordsskydiving, caregiving, grief, resilience, personal growth, life transitions, mental health, adventure, community, support serendipity, caregiving, community, skydiving, self-care, women empowerment, resilience, leadership, support, mental health.Guest: Janine HayesLinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/janine-hayes222Special AnnouncementsFREE WORKSHOP: Introducing The Messy Middle MethodCome along to this one hour full of lessons from my five years of coaching, conversations and community with women over fifty as I introduce the Messy Middle Method.7th September 12.00 noon AEST or 8th September 6.30 PM AESTLearn More Here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/the-messy-middle-method-workshopNEW PROGRAM: Flourishing in the Messy MiddleFlourishing in the Messy Middle is a three-month live online group journey for women over 50 who know something is changing and are ready to explore what comes next.Starts 22 September.Learn More Here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourishing-in-the-messy-middleI offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-usSign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/the-messy-middle-method-workshop

In this episode, Kate Hansen joins me to talk about what it really takes to walk away from a “safe” job and make room for a career as a creative. She shares her journey from nursing to interior photography, the years of quiet dissatisfaction and pretending to be someone she wasn’t, and the surprising origin story of her blog The Room Illuminated.We explore the power of inherited “success scripts,” the emotional weight of job security, and the extraordinary letter from Kate’s younger self that finally gave her the permission she needed to leap. This conversation is for anyone who feels caught between a sensible role and a life that feels more true.Also coveredWrestling with job security and creative longing in midlifeThe moment Kate realised she was “pretending to be a nurse”How a dusk-time habit of peeking into warm rooms became The Room IlluminatedThe forgotten letter from her 22-year-old self that changed everythingInherited family beliefs about work, risk, and responsibilitySeeking permission from others versus backing yourself to make a changeGuest: Kate HansenFreelance website: https://www.khansenphotography.com/The Room Illuminated (Blog): https://theroomilluminated.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katehansenphotography/Generation Women AustraliaWebsite: https://www.generationwomenaus.com/Special AnnouncementJust Launched: FLOURISHING IN THE MESSY MIDDLE PROGRAMA three-month live online group journey of reflection, exploration and growth.For women who know something is changing and are ready to explore and connect as they find their way forward.Starts September 22nd.Full details available here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourishing-in-the-messy-middleI offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-usSign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this special crossover episode, I share the unfiltered story of my own midlife transition, from a decades-long academic career to building a coaching practice for women over 50. Originally recorded for the podcast Primetime with Bec Wilson, I talk openly about single parenting through menopause, caring for aging parents, losing my passion for my career mid-COVID, and the messy, uncertain middle I navigated before finding my new beginning.Also covered:I share how I left a long career to build my coaching practice after 50 and completely redefined what success meant to meI talk through the major transitions I navigated: single parenting, caring for ageing parents, menopause, and a mid-COVID career pivot, and why the internal change matters more than the external oneI explain how looking back at old passions helped me find breadcrumbs toward a new pathI open up about building new friendships and community later in life, and what worked and didn't for meI share my messages of hope: it's never too late to flourish, and your best years are never behind youKeywordsmidlife transformation, career change, success after 50, transitions, personal growth, coaching, life balance, self-discoverySpecial thanks to Bec Wilson for generously allowing me to share this episode.Bec’s newsletter sign-up is available at primetimers.net Epic Retirement Flagship Course: https://epicretirement.net/course-au/Prime Time with Bec Wilson Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/prime-time-with-bec-wilson/id1710995058Bec’s books are available from all Australian book sellers:Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife, 2025How to Have an Epic Retirement, 2025.A message from Sue:I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-usSign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this episode, I sit down with governance geek, community builder, and founder of Take On Board, Helga Svendsen, to demystify what board work is really like for women in the second half of their careers. If you’ve ever imagined a board role as the “natural next step”, a meaningful way to contribute, shape strategy, and maybe create more flexible work, this episode will help you decide whether it’s genuinely a fit for you.Helga shares how her governance journey began and eventually led to multiple board roles and a career devoted to supporting women in governance.Also covered:What “governance” actually means in practice, beyond buzzwords.The opportunities and hard truths of serving on a board, including time, responsibility, and emotional load.How to tell which board is the right one for you.The role boards can play in making women over 50 more visible, valued, and influential in their communities and organisations.Guest: Helga SvendsenWebsite - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/Take on Board KickStarter program (spring 2026 intake) - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/kickstarter-2026/Take on Board podcast - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/take-on-board-podcast/A message from Sue:I support women over fifty to navigate career and life changes.Coaching: for women who want one-on-one support as you navigate change.Life On Your Terms: a six-week program for women who know it’s time for something to shift. Guided conversations help you define what matters to you and map out an actionable ‘Navigation Plan’ for your next chapter.The Flourish After Fifty Circle: a monthly online discussion group that blends the best of a podcast club and a book club. It’s for women who want to explore big ideas, meaningful stories and real‑life transitions together.Find out more here.What If You Could...✔ Feel clear about what matters most to you in this next stage of life?✔ Discover a renewed sense of purpose that excites you every day?✔ Build meaningful connections and a community that supports your growth?✔ Confidently take action toward creating a life that feels authentic and fulfilling?It’s all possible - and I’m here to help you make it happen.Get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-usSign up for weekly insights and bite size advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this very special episode, I’m joined by 57‑year‑old Kerry Pietrobon, a fashion consultant, plus‑size model and storyteller, as she reads a powerful letter to her younger self about growing up in a bigger body, discovering plus‑size fashion, and learning she was never the problem. In the conversation that follows, Kerry shares how she’s navigating hard endings and exciting beginnings in her late fifties, and reclaiming visibility by taking up space and being unapologetically herself.Also coveredGrowing up in a world that wanted Kerry to be smaller.How her fashion business became a way of accepting herself, and why clothes should celebrate you, not hide you.The emotional journey of closing her label, Harlow, and separating “ending a business” from “being a failure.”Midlife change and perimenopause as catalysts for choosing self-worth, visibility and taking up space in new ways.Why it’s never too late to try something new and say yes to long-held desires.‌Guest: Kerry PietrobonKerry's Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qrAnd https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qrWebsite: https://www.kerrypietrobonconsulting.com.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrypietrobon/Harlow Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/harlow_au?igsh=bjFqOHJkNWJrbmhhGeneration Women AustraliaWebsite: https://www.generationwomenaus.com/A message from Sue:I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-usSign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter