Flourish After Fifty

About Flourish After Fifty

Supporting women to navigate career and life transitions with curiosity, confidence and clarity. Because you deserve to step into your next chapter with the joy and freedom that comes from living more fully on your terms. Hosted by transitions coach and facilitator, Sue West.

Publisher

Flourish After Fifty

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Oct 2025

Latest episode

2 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

27 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Oct 2026

   26. Kerryn Vaughan: Making Space for What Comes Next

   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 covered Taking a break when something no longer feels right — even when you don't know what comes next Trimming your life: letting go of things, commitments and relationships that no longer fit Rethinking purpose as something we live and do, rather than simply a job or occupation Moving from achievement and recognition towards contribution, impact and legacy Kerryn's Five Beyonds framework Guest: Kerryn Vaughan Website: https://www.kerrynvaughan.com/ (https://www.kerrynvaughan.com/) The 5 Beyonds Journey Through Nepal 2027: https://www.kerrynvaughan.com/the-5-beyonds (https://www.kerrynvaughan.com/the-5-beyonds) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryn-vaughan/ (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-us (https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us) Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice on how to flourish after fifty: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter (http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter) Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-west-au/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-west-au/)

2. 

   18 Sept 2026

   25. Carol Cook AM PLY: Never Let Anyone Tell You What You Can and Can’t Do

   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 PLY Website: https://www.carolcooke.com.au/ (https://www.carolcooke.com.au/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-cooke-am/ (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 (https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us) Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter (http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter) Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-west-au/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-west-au/)

3. 

   3 Sept 2026

   24. Janelle Booker: Rethinking ADHD For Women Over 50

   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 done Why perimenopause and menopause can be a turning point for women with previously unrecognised ADHD The ‘grielief’ (grief and relief) that can come with understanding your life through a new lens How self-compassion, supportive relationships and the right strategies can help women flourish with a different kind of brain Keywords: 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 Booker Website: https://www.janellebooker.com/ (https://www.janellebooker.com/) Janelle’s book, written with Matthew Johnstone: https://www.adelightfulhumandifference.com/ (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=ISPw9IGhWeU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISPw9IGhWeU) How Hormones and Menopause Impact on Women with ADHD - Adele Wimsett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNRfYtQu__s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNRfYtQu__s) Janelle’s standout episodes about ADHD on the Imperfects Podcast: Living with ADHD. A Psychologist’s Explanation, Nov 4, 2024 https://youtu.be/uYF5WFO35IA?si=FWFwMMcsp2N_C2wp Fast and Loose Brains Need Different Parenting, June 29, 2026 https://youtu.be/WwEBTIMohwg?si=cZ1CuTNjzNyhOmSI A 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-middle (https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourishing-in-the-messy-middle) Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter (http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter)

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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

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