Old Chicks Know Sh*t Podcast

You built the successful career. You raised the family. You did everything you were supposed to do. And now a part of you knows there has to be more for you, so why is it so hard to answer the question: what's next? What do I actually want for the next chapter of my life? I get it. I was there too. At 50, I was divorced, unemployed and too sick to get out of bed, with no idea what I wanted or what was possible for my life. In today's episode, I'm sharing the process that led me, and so many other women, to getting clear and actually building a next chapter were passionate and excited about.   If you know there has to be more for you but have no idea how to figure out what that is, this is the episode for you

I got through my divorce crying and deadlifting at the same time. Alicia Reitz got through hers on a jiu-jitsu mat: five feet tall, 105 pounds, rolling with men twice her size. Neither of us was chasing a smaller body. We were chasing proof that we could do hard things. Because if you can pull 200 pounds off the floor, you can walk into that meeting. Start over. Say no and mean it. This is the strength nobody sees: the confidence you build one rep, one round, one hard thing at a time. If you’ve ever doubted you could handle what’s in front of you, you’re going to want to listen to this. ---------- Alicia is a Hon.B.Kin, B.Ed, adjunct professor of health studies uwo Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown belt. She taught physical education, nutrition, self defense, and dance in schools for 17 years; She began coaching women over 40 to build confidence and muscle while learning to prioritize their physical and mental health in midlife. She regularly teached private self defense seminars and creative movement workshops to empower women and girls of all ages.   Follow Alicia on:  Instagram: @angelishfit TikTok: @angelish_fit Facebook: @angelishfit YouTube: @angelishfit  

We've never been stronger, smarter or more capable than we are right now. So why do we doubt ourselves more than we ever have? It's not a coincidence, and it's not just you. In this solo episode, I get into where that doubt really comes from, and what it quietly does to the things we want for our lives. If you find yourself second-guessing the very thing you know you're ready for, you're going to want to listen to this. If you love what you heard please share it with another midlife woman. Leave us a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform,  screenshot it, and email it to [email protected] for a free OCKS hat.

At 60, Anne Abel booked eight Bruce Springsteen concerts across Australia and got on a plane alone — after decades of severe recurrent depression, three rounds of electroconvulsive therapy, and a childhood spent trying to earn a narcissistic mother's love. She didn't go for fun. She'd never really had fun. She went because a rock concert was the only structure she could find to stay out of what she calls "the abyss." She had no idea that trip would become the start of a total reinvention — one that would take her from a psychiatric hospital in Maryland to storytelling stages in Chicago, to a bestselling memoir, to over 700,000 social media followers in her seventies. In this conversation, Anne opens up about growing up with an emotionally abusive, narcissistic mother, three rounds of ECT, the humiliating voice in her head that called her "pathetic" for chasing an aging rock star, and the exact moment — watching Springsteen sing "Dream Baby Dream" in Sydney — that she realized she'd never once let herself dream. We talk about: Growing up with a "dark triad" parent and spending a lifetime trying to win her love Why three rounds of electroconvulsive therapy weren't the thing that finally helped The impulsive decision that took her from a parking garage to eight concerts in five Australian cities The stranger's kindness that changed how she saw herself Why she walked out of her psychiatrist's office and never went back Becoming an "elder storyteller" and writing her bestselling memoir, High Hopes The four principles she now believes make transformation possible: connection, perseverance, openness, and hope Her advice for midlife women who feel like it's too late to start over Anne's story is proof that you don't need a plan, a diagnosis to clear up, or permission from anyone else to take the next step. You just trust enough to take it. Anne's book: High Hopes Also by Anne: Maddie Milo and Me Find her: @AnneSimaAbel on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook | anneabelauthor.com

When we're facing uncertainty, most of us have a version of 'safe' we go back to. The job. The title. The comfortable path that makes sense to everyone else. In this episode, Colleen Porter shares her reinvention story — after a transition that ended a decades-long career in male-dominated industries, she tried to go back to what she knew. That's when everything changed. It was the confirmation she needed that she'd outgrown the safe path for good. That 'failure' became the launch pad she needed to finally give herself permission to fully own her next chapter — and move forward on her  terms. If you've ever talked yourself back into something that stopped fitting — this one is for you. If this episode resonates, leave us a 5-star rating and written review telling us what landed. Screenshot your review, send it to [email protected], and get an OCKS hat shipped directly to your door."

This week on the podcast I’m chatting with Jodi Echakowitz, who in her 50s underwent an incredible physical fitness transformation — going from feeling exhausted and disconnected from her body to fitness competitions and photo shoots. But the most powerful part of Jodi’s journey isn’t what we see on Instagram — the gym time or the nutrition posts. It’s the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that changed everything: the mindset shifts and identity transformation that now influence how she shows up in her life, her body, and the world. Jodi shares why having the right program and support matters — but also why real, lasting change doesn’t come from pushing harder or doing more. It comes from seeing yourself differently and changing the inner narrative and self-talk that drive your choices. We talk about why the way we speak to ourselves matters more than we realize, why mindset is often the missing link in lasting change, and how identity quietly shapes our habits and results. Jodi’s story isn’t just about changing her body — it’s about transforming the way she approaches her life. If you’re on any kind of transformation journey, physical or otherwise, this episode is one you’ll want to hear. Follow Jodi's journey on [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau who, as the former wife of the Prime Minister of Canada,  has navigated her own very public midlife reinvention.  This is a conversation about what happens after the life you thought you were living no longer fits.  Sophie opens up about embracing uncertainty, making brave decisions without having all the answers, and learning to trust yourself when the path forward isn’t clear.  We talk about the discomfort that comes with choosing yourself — especially when everyone is watching — and why that discomfort is often a sign you’re exactly where you need to be. She also shares insights inspired by her book, Closer Together, and the deep inner work that comes with reconstructing who you are in a new season of life. This episode is for you, the woman standing at a crossroads — the one who feels called to something more, but hesitates because she’s scared and quietly asking herself, “What the heck am I doing?” If you’re contemplating a leap — quiet or bold, private or public — this conversation is a reminder that choosing yourself isn’t selfish… it’s the first step in coming home to who you really are. ------------ Sophie Grégoire Trudeau is a Canadian-born best-selling author, public speaker,  mental health advocate, television host, and certified yoga teacher for both adults and children.  Her work for gender equality and empowering women and youth has been recognized by multiple organizations including the United Nations. Her instant national bestseller and Best on Audible (2024) book Closer Together: Knowing Ourselves, Loving Each Other has inspired readers across North America and beyond. Sophie has spoken on hundreds of global stages about mental health and emotional well-being including Yale’s Faculty of Medicine, Forbes 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi, SxSw in Austin, Texas, Global Citizen and other events at the United Nations in NYC.  She has hosted television and radio programs in Canada, collaborated with leading international organizations as a global ambassador and her voice has been featured in documentaries, podcasts, magazines and conferences worldwide. Through her teaching, writing, and advocacy, she continues to champion wellness, resilience, and connection with Mother Nature. IG and FB: sophiegregoiretrudeau    

What happens when women stop treating money as taboo — and start using it as power? In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Marcia Dawood, author of Do Good While Doing Well, TEDx speaker, host of The Angel Next Door Podcast to talk about the real story behind women, wealth, and financial confidence — and why we’re standing at a turning point. Together, we unpack: How generations of conditioning shaped women’s relationship with money Why financial independence is about more than numbers — it’s about choice How angel investing is opening doors for women to support women The mindset shift required to move from “money avoidance” to “money ownership” Marcia shares her personal journey into angel investing, breaks down the myths that keep women on the sidelines, and explains how investing — even at a small level — can create meaningful social impact and financial return. This conversation is empowering, practical, and deeply validating for any woman who’s ever thought: “I’m not good with money.” (Plot twist: you are.) You’ll walk away knowing: Women are far more capable with money than we’ve been led to believe Access to investing has changed — and it’s more available than ever Community and collective action are key to closing the wealth gap You don’t need to be rich to invest — you need to be informed Doing good and doing well can absolutely coexist If you’re ready to rewrite your money story — and step into financial confidence with curiosity instead of fear — this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Press play and join the financial rebellion   --------- Marcia Dawood is the author of Do Good While Doing Well, TEDx speaker, host of The Angel Next Door Podcast, and an early-stage investor who serves as the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee. She is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital and the chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), a global professional society for angel investors. She is also an associate producer on the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money.   Connect with Marcia https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciadawood/ www.marciadawood.com    

I think at some point all of us have fantasized about what it would be like to leave everything and start over with a clean slate. I know I have.  But not many of us actually do it.  Let me introduce you to Jacqueline Das who at the age of 54 realized that her life no longer felt like hers. There was so much more that she wanted to do and experience so she made a bold midlife pivot  to leave everything and move across continents to Budapest to start over.      After moving, she took a full year “off” — no job, no safety net, just space to breathe, explore and re-center. She calls her gap year  the most transformative time of her life — giving her confidence, resilience and a renewed sense of identity.   In this episode we dig into what it means to step out of your comfort zone mid-life, learning  to trust yourself, and how to embrace the unknown as fertile ground for transformation.  We also talk about the gifts of getting out of you comfort zone and what she has gained from this experience: A broader worldview — immersing herself in a new culture, making friends, building community among people she initially didn’t know and didn’t speak the language. Adaptability and what she calls “FIO” — “Figure It Out” — skills that forced her to get resourceful and rise to unknown challenges.  A deep re-connection with self-belief, confidence, and freedom. As she says: “the more we get out of our comfort zones, the more confident and liberated we feel.” If you’ve ever asked, “Is this all there is?” or “What if I started over?” — this conversation may just give you the courage to try.

The word WISDOM is used so often when we talk about this midlife chapter. Bit what is wisdom? Do we all have it? Can we learn it? And how does it impact our lives?  In this episode, I sit down with Common Wisdom author and ER physician-turned-researcher Dr. Laura Gabayan for a soulful deep dive into what wisdom really is — and why it might just be our greatest superpower in midlife. We unpack the eight elements of wisdom (think resilience, kindness, curiosity, spirituality, and more), how life experiences shape us, and why self-awareness is the doorway to a wiser, more grounded life. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that every challenge carries a lesson, every emotion has information, and every one of us can grow wiser with time. You’ll hear about: Why wisdom is your greatest life asset The 8 elements that make up wisdom How to reframe hard experiences as growth Why kindness is strength, not softness The role of emotions in decision-making How to tap your inner knowing for the answers you seek ---------- Dr. Laura Gabayan is a world-renowned physician, scientist, researcher, Psychology Today Contributor, and Award-Winning Author of 2 books: “Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life” (March 2024) and “Common Wisdom Journal” (December 2024). To help others, the author created The Wisdom Research Project in 2013 to study wisdom after many medical obstacles forced her to change course. Using applied science and objectivity, Dr. Laura Gabayan developed a clear path to gaining wisdom that can help you live your best life, which is summarized in her books.   Dr. Gabayon has received multiple research grants and awards for her work. Dr. Gabayan has also published dozens of academic manuscripts cited by hundreds of researchers.    Dr. Gabayan and her work have been featured on FOX News At Night, FOX 11 Los Angeles, KTLA, ABC 8 Dallas / Good Morning Texas, KFMG 98.9FM The Culture Buzz, Jewish Journal, The Eden Magazine, Authority Magazine, BookLife Reviews, Great Books Great Minds, ShoutOut LA, Palisadian-Post, Leader Magazine and many top podcasts and radio shows. https://lauragabayan.com     Author Website-  https://lauragabayan.com Wisdom IQ Test (free) -  https://lauragabayan.com/wisdom-iq-test/ SOCIAL MEDIA Linked IN-  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauragabayan/ Instagram  - https://www.instagram.com/l.gabayan/ Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/DrLauraGabayan