Midlife Answers

About Midlife Answers

Midlife Answers is a short-form midlife podcast for women navigating the messy, meaningful middle years. Through honest, unscripted conversations, we explore midlife transitions including perimenopause and menopause, relationships, confidence, wellbeing, identity, & reinvention. Each episode offers real midlife conversations with women who’ve been there (or are right in it), sharing practical advice, lived experience, & reassurance that you’re not alone. A midlife podcast for women seeking guidance, perspective, & support through life’s transitions — and the confidence to move forward.

Publisher

Rachel Fortune

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Oct 2024

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

45 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   How Can I Take More Risks in Midlife? Reinvention, Confidence & Choice #43

   What if getting older gives us more freedom to make the changes we want, rather than fewer options? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Stephanie Georges, a former top-ranked Wall Street analyst and senior executive in technology and telecommunications, and co-founder of the Meraki Dignity Project (http://#%20How%20Can%20I%20Take%20More%20Risks%20in%20Midlife?%20Reinvention,%20Confidence%20&%20Choice%20%20What%20if%20getting%20older%20gives%20us%20more%20freedom%20to%20make%20the%20changes%20we%20want,%20rather%20than%20fewer%20options?%20%20In%20this%20episode%20of%20our%20midlife%20podcast%20for%20women,%20I%E2%80%99m%20joined%20by%20Stephanie%20Georges,%20a%20former%20top-ranked%20Wall%20Street%20analyst%20and%20senior%20executive%20in%20technology%20and%20telecommunications,%20and%20co-founder%20of%20the%20Meraki%20Dignity%20Project,%20to%20explore%20how%20to%20take%20more%20risks%20in%20midlife,%20navigate%20uncertainty%20and%20find%20the%20confidence%20to%20try%20something%20new.%20%20We%20discuss%20why%20we%20often%20focus%20on%20what%20we%20might%20lose%20when%20making%20a%20change,%20how%20to%20distinguish%20a%20smart%20risk%20from%20a%20reckless%20one,%20and%20why%20staying%20where%20we%20are%20can%20carry%20its%20own%20risks.%20Stephanie%20also%20shares%20how%20curiosity,%20asking%20questions%20and%20having%20conversations%20can%20help%20us%20discover%20new%20possibilities,%20even%20when%20we%20don%E2%80%99t%20have%20all%20the%20answers.%20%20**In%20this%20episode,%20we%20explore:**%20%20-%20Why%20we%20focus%20on%20what%20we%20might%20lose%20when%20considering%20a%20change,%20rather%20than%20what%20we%20might%20gain%20-%20How%20to%20approach%20risk%20more%20thoughtfully,%20without%20needing%20certainty%20about%20the%20outcome%20-%20Why%20doing%20nothing%20can%20carry%20its%20own%20risks%20-%20How%20getting%20older%20can%20bring%20greater%20freedom,%20perspective%20and%20choice%20-%20How%20curiosity%20can%20help%20us%20recognise%20new%20possibilities%20and%20interests%20-%20Why%20urgency%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20mean%20rushing%20into%20a%20decision%20-%20How%20asking%20questions%20and%20having%20conversations%20can%20help%20us%20find%20a%20new%20direction%20%20If%20you%E2%80%99re%20considering%20a%20career%20change,%20questioning%20what%20comes%20next%20or%20feeling%20ready%20for%20a%20new%20direction,%20this%20conversation%20offers%20a%20fresh%20perspective%20on%20midlife%20reinvention%20and%20a%20reminder%20that%20you%20don%E2%80%99t%20need%20to%20have%20everything%20figured%20out%20before%20you%20begin.%20%20**Interested%20in%20coaching?**%20If%20you%E2%80%99re%20navigating%20change%20and%20trying%20to%20work%20out%20what%E2%80%99s%20next,%20find%20out%20more%20about%20my%20RISE%20midlife%20reinvention%20coaching%20programme%20and%20how%20we%20can%20work%20together%20to%20find%20clarity%20and%20move%20forward:%20https://midlifeanswers.com/contact%20%20**Explore%20the%20Meraki%20Dignity%20Project:**%20Find%20out%20more%20about%20Stephanie%E2%80%99s%20work%20and%20the%20support%20available%20through%20the%20%5BMeraki%20Dignity%20Project%5D(http://merakidignity.com/map).%20%20**Enjoyed%20this%20episode?**%20Please%20follow%20or%20subscribe%20to%20Midlife%20Answers%20wherever%20you%20listen%20to%20your%20podcasts.%20It%20really%20does%20help%20more%20people%20find%20the%20show.%20And%20if%20you%20know%20someone%20who%20might%20find%20this%20conversation%20helpful,%20please%20share%20it%20with%20them.%20%20I%20love%20hearing%20from%20you,%20so%20if%20you%E2%80%99ve%20got%20a%20midlife%20question%20you%E2%80%99d%20love%20us%20to%20cover%20in%20a%20future%20bite-sized%20episode,%20send%20it%20to%20me%20on%20Instagram%20at%20@midlifeanswers%20or%20through%20the%20link%20in%20the%20show%20notes.), to explore how to take more risks in midlife, navigate uncertainty and find the confidence to try something new. We discuss why we often focus on what we might lose when making a change, how to distinguish a smart risk from a reckless one, and why staying where we are can carry its own risks. Stephanie also shares how curiosity, asking questions and having conversations can help us discover new possibilities, even when we don’t have all the answers. In this episode, we explore: - Why we focus on what we might lose when considering a change, rather than what we might gain - How to approach risk more thoughtfully, without needing certainty about the outcome - Why doing nothing can carry its own risks - How getting older can bring greater freedom, perspective and choice - How curiosity can help us recognise new possibilities and interests - Why urgency doesn’t mean rushing into a decision - How asking questions and having conversations can help us find a new direction If you’re considering a career change, questioning what comes next or feeling ready for a new direction, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on midlife reinvention and a reminder that you don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. Interested in coaching? If you’re navigating change and trying to work out what’s next, find out more about my RISE midlife reinvention coaching (https://midlifeanswers.com) programme and how we can work together to find clarity and move forward Explore the Meraki Dignity Project: Find out more about Stephanie’s work and the support available through the Meraki Dignity Project (https://www.merakidignity.com/beta-sign-up-2?utm_source=map&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beta) Enjoyed this episode? Please follow or subscribe to Midlife Answers wherever you listen to your podcasts. It really does help more people find the show. And if you know someone who might find this conversation helpful, please share it with them. I love hearing from you, so if you’ve got a midlife question you’d love us to cover in a future bite-sized episode, send it to me on Instagram at @midlifeanswers (https://www.instagram.com/midlifeanswers/)

2. 

   10 Oct 2026

   Does HRT Prevent Dementia? What the Latest Research Really Tells Us | Bonus Episode

   Does HRT protect your brain, or could it increase your risk of dementia? With new research making headlines, it’s understandable that women are feeling confused about what to believe. In this episode of Midlife Answers, I’m joined by Dr Angela Wright, GP, Clinical Sexologist, BMS and coSRH Registered Menopause Specialist, and Co-founder of Spiced Pear Health (https://spicedpearhealth.co.uk/), for a conversation about HRT, menopause, brain fog and dementia. We look at what the latest research is actually telling us, why one study doesn’t necessarily give us the whole picture, and why the timing and type of HRT matter when interpreting the evidence. We also explore the difference between the cognitive changes many women experience during perimenopause and the signs that might warrant further investigation. And, beyond HRT, Angela shares practical advice on looking after our brains as we get older, from sleep and exercise to social connection, learning and managing stress. In this episode, we discuss: Why HRT and dementia have been making headlines, and how to interpret the latest research. Whether starting HRT at a particular age makes a difference to long-term brain health. Why HRT is primarily prescribed to manage menopause symptoms, rather than to prevent future illness. Menopause-related brain fog, memory lapses and difficulty finding the right words. How brain fog can differ from cognitive changes that need medical assessment. The role of sleep, exercise, heart health, social connection and continued learning in supporting brain health. What women can do in midlife to support their health as they get older. The key takeaway: the research is evolving, but HRT has not been proven to prevent dementia and should not be started for that purpose. If you're considering HRT for menopause symptoms, speak to a qualified healthcare professional about your individual circumstances, benefits and risks. Midlife Answers brings you honest, expert-led conversations about the questions that come up in midlife, helping you make sense of what's changing and feel more informed about what comes next. If you found this episode useful, share it with someone who might appreciate a clearer perspective on HRT and brain health. A note on the research A large UK Biobank study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia in August 2026 found an association between HRT use and lower dementia risk. However, as this was an observational study, it cannot establish that HRT prevents dementia. The wider evidence remains mixed, and NICE guidance does not recommend HRT specifically for dementia prevention. If you're considering HRT for menopause symptoms, speak to your healthcare professional about the potential benefits and risks for your individual circumstances.

3. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Why do I feel empty in midlife even though I’ve achieved everything I wanted? #42

   You’ve worked hard, built the career, raised the family, achieved the things you thought would make you happy — so why can you still feel empty, lost or like something is missing in midlife? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Nathalie Cordell, an accredited psycho-spiritual coach and writer, to explore why achieving everything we thought we wanted doesn’t always bring the fulfilment we expected. After 20 years climbing the corporate ladder in pharma, Nathalie got tired of climbing and decided to see if she could fly instead. She retrained as a coach, earning an MA in Psychosynthesis Leadership Coaching, and now helps women discover who they really are and reclaim their authentic power. We talk about: - Why high-achieving women can still feel empty or disconnected - How trying to be everything to everyone can make us lose touch with ourselves - Why feeling lost or stuck in midlife doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong - What it means to reclaim the parts of ourselves we may have pushed aside - Why we don’t always need to know exactly what comes next - How surrender can help us let go of the need to control everything - The simple question Nathalie suggests asking when you feel stuck: What brings me joy? If you’re questioning your identity, purpose or what you want next in midlife, this conversation offers a reassuring reminder that you may not be lost at all — you may simply be in the middle of a transition. About Nathalie: Nathalie is the author of Awakening the Sleeping Queen, a book about the journey home to yourself. She also writes Soul Seeds on Substack, a space for women navigating the messy middle of life. Find Nathalie: About the book: https://www.cordellcoaching.com/the-book-awakening-the-sleeping-queen (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.cordellcoaching.com_the-2Dbook-2Dawakening-2Dthe-2Dsleeping-2Dqueen&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=eD8lHNERFHgg0VKjNX4j4a6wE3pA1Wv9fgZfAdDFPuc&m=50E_dGsxTkkIXgR2NBbfQyaMTKDbVfRzT4I3RQqd7UokH_efTOSqTYR-IO0FTYDR&s=7FO-KfLOusZP8GEPynRCVbEKwIAPSGfNt7o82fO42XI&e=) Link tree: https://linktr.ee/NathalieCordell (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__linktr.ee_NathalieCordell&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=eD8lHNERFHgg0VKjNX4j4a6wE3pA1Wv9fgZfAdDFPuc&m=50E_dGsxTkkIXgR2NBbfQyaMTKDbVfRzT4I3RQqd7UokH_efTOSqTYR-IO0FTYDR&s=Jb-nOY5-dcn-8PJrMBqW7xklsI1_sVZnTXeIa1pkpFI&e=) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-cordell/ (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.linkedin.com_in_nathalie-2Dcordell_&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=eD8lHNERFHgg0VKjNX4j4a6wE3pA1Wv9fgZfAdDFPuc&m=50E_dGsxTkkIXgR2NBbfQyaMTKDbVfRzT4I3RQqd7UokH_efTOSqTYR-IO0FTYDR&s=64kLk5ZyAEawJaLFF3h7fzc2xiZdoMV3T6aKOeQLiVI&e=) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathaliecordellcoaching/ (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.instagram.com_nathaliecordellcoaching_&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=eD8lHNERFHgg0VKjNX4j4a6wE3pA1Wv9fgZfAdDFPuc&m=50E_dGsxTkkIXgR2NBbfQyaMTKDbVfRzT4I3RQqd7UokH_efTOSqTYR-IO0FTYDR&s=zQLTH551hzxxHtepHVS8Wc-fKFaCCMlwy-yevbZbrS0&e=) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cordell.leadership.coaching.with.soul (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.facebook.com_cordell.leadership.coaching.with.soul&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=eD8lHNERFHgg0VKjNX4j4a6wE3pA1Wv9fgZfAdDFPuc&m=50E_dGsxTkkIXgR2NBbfQyaMTKDbVfRzT4I3RQqd7UokH_efTOSqTYR-IO0FTYDR&s=CSn4AnbWtZQD01BwxOkszhZBLpVzNMRHyoBEFrCnrXc&e=) Soul seeds blog: https://nathaliecordell.substack.com/ (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nathaliecordell.substack.com_&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=eD8lHNERFHgg0VKjNX4j4a6wE3pA1Wv9fgZfAdDFPuc&m=50E_dGsxTkkIXgR2NBbfQyaMTKDbVfRzT4I3RQqd7UokH_efTOSqTYR-IO0FTYDR&s=tF7LTDvpe4XPKtCJqFjb8_4SGXDK3IybO6S530G6Tss&e=) If this episode resonates, subscribe or follow Midlife Answers and share it with someone who might need to hear it. It really helps more people find the podcast. And if you’re thinking about what’s next for you and would like some support navigating change, finding clarity and working out what’s next, you can find out more about my RISE midlife reinvention coaching programme via this link (https://midlifeanswers.com). Have a midlife question you’d love covered in a future episode? Send it via the link in the show notes or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers (https://www.instagram.com/midlifeanswers/).

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