Adventures with My Forties

About Adventures with My Forties

The Courtney Novak Podcast is a curiosity-led exploration of books, culture, aging well, creativity, and the ideas that shape a thoughtful life. Hosted by writer Courtney Novak, the show blends literary reflections, personal explorations, and ongoing projects—like reading around the world—with broader ruminations on health, meaning, change, and growth. Episodes are guided by curiosity, loose outlines, and a healthy dose of chaos, allowing ideas to unfold naturally and conversationally. For curious minds and readers who like their podcasts reflective, expansive, and human.

Publisher

Courtney Novak

Category

arts · health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Jul 2020

Latest episode

11 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

59 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Dec 2025

   Ep. 59: How My 25 in ’25 Became A Survival Manual for the Hardest Year of My Life

   This episode of Adventures with My Forties takes you inside my annual “25 in ’25” project — not as a checklist, but as a narrative of what kept me afloat during a year marked by fires, grief, medical emergencies, and profound change. I walk listeners through the goals I set last December, before life cracked open beneath my feet, and how revisiting those projects helped me regain momentum when the fog of tragedy began to lift. From evolving out of hot yoga and falling in love with strength training, to reinventing my home with gardening and decluttering, to reading 100+ books and diving deeper into my Brazilian side quest, I share the small anchors that helped me rediscovered myr joy and curiosity. I reflect on the goals that didn’t happen, the ones that shifted into something new, and the surprising ways creativity resurfaced on its own. I'm so grateful I created my 25 in '25 list last December, because I was able to use the trail of breadcrumbs left by December 2024 Courtney to find my way out of the most profound grief I've ever experienced. And next week: I"ll share my 26 in ’26 list! 💌 Email: CourtneyHenningNovak@gmail.com🌍 Show notes + newsletter: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

2. 

   19 Nov 2025

   Ep. 58: How I Make My Brain Sparkle Like A Disco Ball

   In this week’s episode, I’m diving into a topic that’s become a quiet but powerful obsession for me lately: what my brain actually needs in midlife, especially as I navigate my forties with big goals, shifting hormones, and real-life stress. I’m not quite ready to share the personal experiences that pushed this curiosity to the forefront, but I can say this: life has handed me a few moments that made me pause and ask, “What does my future brain need from me today?” That question is shaping everything — my fitness, my sleep, my routines, my learning, even the way I think about the decades ahead. In this episode, I break down my personal ten pillars that support my long-term brain health (movement, sleep, stress regulation, nutrition, cognitive challenge, Zoloft, nature, creativity, fun and play, and meaningful connection), and how I’m applying them in my own Fit AF journey. If you’re also in a season of big questions, quiet shifts, or new curiosity about longevity and mental clarity, this episode is for you. 💌 Email: CourtneyHenningNovak@gmail.com🌍 Show notes + newsletter: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

3. 

   14 Nov 2025

   Ep. 57: It’s Time For Your 2025 Holiday Season Reality Check!

   It’s that time again — twinkle lights, to-do lists, and a thousand ways to forget what the holidays are actually about. In this episode, I’m giving myself (and you) a Holiday Pep Talk. In Part One, I share my favorite reminders for staying sane this season — why peace matters more than perfection, how to resist consumer pressure, and why your December self is still your regular self (just with a more festive To Do list). In Part Two, I’m setting my personal intentions for the holidays — slowing down, keeping movement and sleep sacred, saying no to extra obligations, and savoring time with my family instead of sprinting through it. Think of this as your cozy, practical, slightly unhinged guide to staying grounded through the holiday chaos. Grab your coffee (or cocoa!) and let’s make this season feel good again. 💌 Email: CourtneyHenningNovak@gmail.com🌍 Show notes + newsletter: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Contact Adventures with My Forties

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.