Midlife Awakening, Authenticity & Reinventing Yourself After 50 (Without Losing Your Mind)

Somewhere between “be nice” and “be grateful,” a lot of women lost themselves.

This episode is for the women who woke up one day and thought, “Hang on… whose life am I living?”

Chandra and Jane talk about midlife awakening, authenticity, self-love, burnout recovery, and the complicated art of becoming yourself again — after decades of being the good daughter, the capable colleague, the reliable friend, the fun one.

We get into:

• Midlife identity crisis (the real one, not the convertible)

• Personal growth after 40 and 50

• Letting go of people-pleasing

• Reinventing yourself in midlife

• Female friendships and vulnerability

• Healing after burnout

• Career pivots for women

• Aging without disappearing

No therapy buzzwords.
No five-step glow-ups.
No pretending we’ve “arrived.”

Just honest conversation about mistakes, social expectations, creative reinvention, and why aging as a Gen X woman can feel equal parts freeing and mildly feral.

Because self-discovery in midlife isn’t aesthetic.

It’s messy.
It’s humbling.
It’s funny in hindsight.

And sometimes it sounds like:
“I think I’m done performing.”

If you’re navigating midlife reinvention, self-worth, authenticity, creative life after 50, or just trying to figure out who you are now — this is your people.

Follow The Sage Stage for smart, irreverent conversations about women over 50, personal development, honest communication, creative confidence, and building a life that actually fits.

Come for the wisdom.
Stay for the mild rebellion.

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https://thesagestage.myflodesk.com/signup

Career rejection, being underestimated, and refusing to go quietly into midlife

This episode of The Sage Stage was recorded on the opening night of The 39 Steps, powered by exhaustion, theatre adrenaline, and zero tolerance for bullshit. From jobs that stabbed us in the back to careers that never materialized the way we were promised, we get honest about rejection, resilience, and why “security” might’ve ruined us anyway.

Spoiler: we swear. We laugh. We spiral a little. And somehow land on joy.

If you’ve ever been passed over, blindsided, or told “we went in a different direction” while you were literally doing the job—this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen if you’re…

• Rebuilding your identity after a career disappointment

• Tired of being underestimated because you’re joyful or creative

• Rethinking work, success, and security after 40

• Wondering what the hell you’re doing—and why it still matters

We’re just getting started here on The Sage Stage.
More conversations. More theatre. More truth.
And yes—eventually, a writers’ retreat (wild ride included).

Follow, subscribe, and come sit with us.
We’re tired. We’re honest. And we’re not done yet.

Accountability sounds great… until someone asks you to actually follow through. 😏

In this episode of The Sage Stage, we poke, prod, and side-eye the whole concept of accountability—along with trust, communication, and those promises everyone makes with very good intentions. We talk about what happens when words don’t match actions, why “I thought you knew” is the root of most relationship chaos, and how unclear communication can quietly set everything on fire.

With humour, sass, and a few well-chosen words, we unpack accountability in personal relationships, professional settings, and leadership—plus why compassion isn’t weakness, clarity isn’t rude, and authenticity beats corporate-speak every time. Language matters, tone matters, and yes, follow-through matters most of all.

If you’ve ever been ghosted, misunderstood, let down, or dealt with someone who couldn’t keep a promise, this funny, sharp, and deeply relatable conversation is for you. Consider it group therapy—with laughs.

Why is it easier to dream about a better life than actually finish the damn thing you started? 😅

In this episode of The Sage Stage, we dig into consistency, creativity, procrastination, and the very real fear of putting yourself out there—especially when comparison culture is shouting in your ear. We talk emotional disconnect, success anxiety, and how hustle culture quietly convinces women that more stuff equals more worth (spoiler: it doesn’t).

From side-eyeing the obsession with homeownership to imagining tiny home communities, we question what “success” is actually supposed to look like—and who decided that anyway. We also unpack romantic expectations, modern relationships, and the gap between what we’re told to want and what we truly value.

If you’re tired of chasing someone else’s version of a good life and ready to define your own—with more intention, creativity, and honesty—this conversation is for you. Welcome back to The Sage Stage, where we’re done pretending procrastination is a personality flaw and not a clue.

Cue the lights, ignore the nerves, and definitely don’t trip over the set. 🎭😏

In this episode of The Sage Stage, we spill the tea on life in the theatre—from our very first performances and deeply embarrassing onstage moments to the unexpected role dance plays and the awkward art of intimacy in live performance. Because nothing builds character quite like forgetting your lines in front of an audience.

We swap stories about acting, directing, creative dynamics, and why owning your mistakes is basically Theatre 101 (and honestly, a solid life skill after 50). It’s nostalgic, hilarious, and full of love for the art of performance that shaped us—and still keeps us on our toes.

If you’ve ever loved theatre, danced your way through life, or learned the hard way that perfection is overrated, this funny, behind-the-scenes conversation is for you.

Cringe happens. Growth follows. Sometimes there’s dancing. 😏💃

In this episode of The Sage Stage, hosts Chandra and Jane dive headfirst into childhood embarrassments, family dynamics, and all the awkward moments that shape who we become—especially once we hit midlife. From body image and aging to relationships, self-acceptance, and learning to laugh at our own mistakes, nothing is off-limits (including ourselves).

We swap stories, reflect on how far we’ve come, and talk about why embracing imperfection is kind of the whole point of living your biggest life after 50. There’s also joy, movement, a little dancing, and a peek at what’s coming next—because reinvention doesn’t stop just because you’ve collected some wisdom.

If you’re navigating life, working on self-acceptance, unpacking family stuff, or just need a reminder that embarrassment builds character, this funny, honest conversation is for you.

What if the glow-up isn’t external… and never was? 👀

In this episode of The Sage Stage, we lovingly call BS on approval-seeking, unpack why asking everyone else to validate us is a losing game, and talk about what real self-love looks like when you’re done playing nice. We dive into relationship communication, emotional expression, and why women—especially at this stage of life—are finally done pretending vulnerability is weakness.

We also tackle those invisible “upper limits” that pop up the moment things start going well (why do we do that?!), and what it means to commit—fully and unapologetically—to our creative lives.

If you’re ready to stop shrinking, start trusting yourself, and pivot into your boldest, wisest, most you chapter yet… pull up a chair. The Sage Stage has entered the chat.

New year, new adventures… and a few modern headaches. 🎉😏

In this episode of The Sage Stage, we dive into the messy, hilarious, and sometimes confusing world of life after 50. From navigating menopause and evolving conversations around midlife wellness, to surviving the social media circus and the endless subscription shuffle, we cover it all with honesty, humour, and a touch of irreverence.

We also share personal stories about modern dating, how relationships are changing, and the lessons that come with living your biggest life in a digital age. And because this is The Sage Stage, we want to hear from you! Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and suggest topics you’d love us to tackle next.

If you’re living life after 50, laughing at the chaos, and redefining what it means to thrive, this episode is for you.