Over 50 Shades of Great ~ Podcast

About Over 50 Shades of Great ~ Podcast

Over 50 Shades of Great is a community for women navigating reinvention, relationships, purpose, and wellbeing in midlife and beyond. Hosted by longtime television producer and first-time mom at 53, Deborah Read, the show features honest conversations about aging, dating later in life, career pivots, motherhood on a different timeline, beauty, and vitality. Each episode explores how to thrive after 50 offering inspiration, perspective, and real-life stories of transformation. Because life isn’t black and white — there are a million shades of GREAT in between.

Publisher

with Deborah Read

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Jan 2026

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

26 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026

   The 2:13 a.m. Phone Call That Changed My Life Forever

   Starting over at 50 is not just a dream; it is a process of grit, forgiveness, and finding the courage to rebuild.Deborah Samuel joins us to discuss her new memoir, Grace Through Fire, and the 2:13 a.m. phone call that changed her life forever. We explore the reality of midlife reinvention, from navigating complex family tragedies and caregiving to leaving a teaching career behind to sell real estate. Deborah shares how she moved through trauma to prioritize her own personal growth. This conversation covers the messy, honest path to finding freedom after life hits you with the unexpected. Whether you are reassessing your marriage, your career, or your identity, her story offers a roadmap for anyone looking to embrace their next chapter with honesty. If you're looking for self improvement, how to be happy, or simply some heartwarming inspiration, join us for a powerful look at midlife reinvention and creating a truly happy life. This memoir-style video offers practical insights and emotional resonance for anyone over 40 looking to overcome challenges and embrace their next chapter. Plus, Deborah plays Shade or Great: always being the strong one, restarting after 50, owning less, caregiver guilt, and finding the love of your life after 50. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and a book 13 years in the making 02:35 From teacher to telling her own story 05:25 The 2:13 a.m. phone call 12:25 “She’s my mom, and she’s a murderer” 15:15 Caregiving again: her wife’s accident 17:40 The savior complex 20:00 Growing up gay and leaving home 16 22:20 Learning to be alone and meeting Kelsey 23:50 30 days, a kayak and Lake Powell 37:40 The red kayak photo: her North Star 40:40 Forgiveness as freedom 43:05 Is this as good as it gets? 46:30 The big adult timeout 53:10 From an RV to selling Santa Barbara homes 57:50 Her life, one word per decade 1:01:00 What’s next 1:05:40 Shade or Great Content note: this episode discusses domestic abuse, gun violence and suicide. If you’re struggling, call or text 988 (U.S.) for support. Subscribe to Over 50 Shades of Great for honest conversations about aging and thriving after 50. What is one major change you have made in your own life recently? Let us know in the comments. Grace Through Fire: A Memoir of Murder, Tragedy, and Resilience https://a.co/d/0fFG4Odx #DeborahSamuel #GraceThroughFire #over50 #reinvention #memoir #midlife #caregiving #forgiveness #startingover #lgbtq #over50shadesofgreat

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Why Your Career Path Doesn't Have to Be a Straight Line

   What happens when the career you imagined takes a completely different path? Actress, filmmaker, and AFI educator Leonora Pitts joins Deborah Read on Over 50 Shades of Great for an honest, funny conversation about midlife reinvention, women in Hollywood, and creating your own opportunities. Leonora opens up about rejection, imposter syndrome, motherhood, and the community that helps her keep going. From a spectacular Broadway audition disaster to an unexpected invitation to teach at the American Film Institute, her story is a reminder that a setback doesn’t have to be the end of your creative life. We also go behind the scenes of I Hate Myself and Want to Die, the dark comedy she produced and appears in, written and directed by Jay Davis. Leonora shares what she learns from working with Jay and Mark Duplass, how motherhood shapes her approach to producing, and why she still believes in the future of independent film. Whether you’re navigating a career change, finding your creative confidence, or wondering what comes next in midlife, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on building a meaningful life—and finding people to share it with. IN THIS EPISODE: • Career reinvention and creating opportunities in midlife • Women in film, ageism in Hollywood, and changing acting opportunities • Imposter syndrome and learning to recognize your own abilities • Independent filmmaking, producing, and working with the Duplass brothers • Motherhood, loneliness, and building a supportive community • Returning to school and finding an unexpected path to teaching at AFI • Writing, directing, and developing her feature film, Stranger Light • Self-tape auditions, AI actors, and our “Shade or Great?” game CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome and meeting Leonora Pitts 02:11 Behind the scenes of independent filmmaking 06:56 The Duplass brothers and imposter syndrome 09:23 How motherhood translates to producing 14:04 Exploring the film’s dark comedy and emotional themes 21:09 Hope for the future of independent cinema 35:11 From New York theater to Los Angeles 43:19 Creating your own work and rebuilding confidence 47:56 Finding community and starting a mothers’ group 49:42 Returning to school and developing Stranger Light 57:29 Rejection, persistence, and the unexpected AFI opportunity 1:09:15 Why showing up matters 1:11:39 Shade or Great: aging, Hollywood, auditions, and AI 1:23:41 Claiming her next creative chapter 💬 What opportunity are you ready to create for yourself? Tell us in the comments. 🎙️ Subscribe to Over 50 Shades of Great with Deborah Read for honest conversations about life after 50, career reinvention, relationships, creativity, and discovering what’s possible next. Content note: This conversation includes discussion of depression and suicide in connection with the film and Leonora’s personal experiences. @hatemyselffilm now available to rent on @appletv @primevideo @fandangostream and @youtube! A Written and directed by J. Davis #LeonoraPitts #Over50ShadesOfGreat #MidlifeReinvention #WomenInFilm #independentfilm #moviemaking #careeradvice #careergrowth

3. 

   7 Oct 2026

   What Really Happens Behind The Scenes of The Bachelor (It’s Not Just Glitz!)

   Discover the reality behind Bachelor wardrobe fittings. Cary Fetman joins us to share what goes into styling for reality TV.Cary Fetman has spent decades shaping the look of Hollywood icons, from dressing Oprah in Chicago to his legendary work with Joan Rivers. We move past the glitz to discuss the intense logistics of celebrity styling, including the chaos of proposal-day heat and the reality of traveling with 21 suitcases. It is a candid look at the work that happens long before the cameras start rolling.Beyond the screen, we talk about why clothes matter for how they help someone feel secure in their own skin. Cary shares practical advice on how to cultivate confidence after 50 and offers tips to help you get out of a fashion rut. It is never too late to reinvent how you show up in the world, regardless of the trends. We explore how to build a personal style that feels authentic to who you are today.IN THIS CONVERSATION:• How Oprah became a customer at Cary’s Chicago store• Moving to Los Angeles and finding his first styling opportunity• Dressing Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lisa Kudrow, and Sting• An unforgettable afternoon with Aretha Franklin• The generosity and friendship of Joan Rivers• What really happens during a Bachelor wardrobe fitting• Why the wet driveway matters when choosing a night-one dress• Dressing for beach proposals, extreme heat, and international travel• Personal style, confidence, and getting out of a fashion rutBehind every gown is a person who wants to feel good in it. Cary explains why that has always mattered more than imposing his own vision.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction02:30 Cary’s Chicago beginnings04:53 Opening a store and meeting Oprah11:37 Leaving retail and moving to Los Angeles14:02 The Dennis Miller opportunity25:48 Celebrity styling and working with Sting30:37 VH1 Divas and Aretha Franklin37:48 How Cary met Joan Rivers42:34 The friendship behind the public persona47:26 Remembering Joan49:51 Joining The Bachelor54:38 Inside a Bachelor wardrobe fitting59:26 Wardrobe challenges audiences don’t see1:04:16 Creating The Bachelor’s glamorous look1:06:38 Dressing for proposals in extreme heat1:11:24 Travel, ballgowns, and finding the perfect staircase1:13:46 Jewelry and traveling with 21 suitcases1:16:12 Personal style and the voice in the mirror1:18:33 Fashion pet peeves and night-one dresses1:21:54 Confidence and getting out of a style rutSubscribe to Over 50 Shades of Great for honest conversations about confidence, reinvention, purpose, and the unexpected adventures life can bring.Which story surprised you most—and what would you ask The Bachelor’s stylist? Tell us in the comments.#CaryFetman #TheBachelor #Over50ShadesOfGreat

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Over 50 Shades of Great ~ Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

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