Your 2nd Act

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Your 2nd Act

Michelle Parsonage

77 episodes

1 week ago

Send us a text My 2025 Year in Review In this reflective solo episode, Michelle looks back on a year that quietly changed everything. She shares what 2025 taught her about midlife, identity, and learning to let go when life doesn’t look the way you expected. Michelle reflects on the moments that shaped the year, including her daughter leaving home, stepping away from the family business, downsizing, and hosting her first midlife event. Each experience brought a mix of emotion, uncertainty, an...

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Personal Journals

Society & Culture,

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Send us a text My 2025 Year in Review In this reflective solo episode, Michelle looks back on a year that quietly changed everything. She shares what 2025 taught her about midlife, identity, and learning to let go when life doesn’t look the way you expected. Michelle reflects on the moments that shaped the year, including her daughter leaving home, stepping away from the family business, downsizing, and hosting her first midlife event. Each experience brought a mix of emotion, uncertainty, an...

Show more...

Personal Journals

Society & Culture,

Episodes (20/77)

Your 2nd Act

My 2025 Year in Review

Send us a text My 2025 Year in Review In this reflective solo episode, Michelle looks back on a year that quietly changed everything. She shares what 2025 taught her about midlife, identity, and learning to let go when life doesn’t look the way you expected. Michelle reflects on the moments that shaped the year, including her daughter leaving home, stepping away from the family business, downsizing, and hosting her first midlife event. Each experience brought a mix of emotion, uncertainty, an...

2 weeks ago

16 minutes

Your 2nd Act

Midlife from both sides with Matt Elliott & Susan Pearse

Send us a text Midlife From Both Sides with Matt Elliott & Susan Pearse In this episode, Michelle sits down with former NRL coach Matt Elliott and award-winning author Susan Pearse for a powerful and honest conversation about midlife seen through both a male and female lens. Together, they unpack how differently men and women experience this stage of life, the challenges that often go unspoken, and the unexpected opportunities that midlife can bring. At the heart of this conversation is ...

4 weeks ago

46 minutes

Your 2nd Act

I Gave Away All My Money…and Instantly Regretted It!

Send us a text I Gave Away All My Money…and Instantly Regretted It! Let’s be real, money talk isn’t exactly sexy. But ignoring it can lead to stress, missed opportunities, and even financial struggles, especially in midlife. Many women feel lost or overwhelmed with finances and some rely on partners to manage the complicated stuff, but that doesn’t have to be the case. In this episode, Michelle chats with financial educator Mel Browne about how women can take control of their finances, break ...

1 month ago

37 minutes

Your 2nd Act

My Midlife Job Reset: Finding the Courage to Try Something New!

Send us a text My Midlife Job Reset: Finding the Courage to Try Something New! What do you do when you get tired of doing what you’ve always done and start feeling that quiet nudge to try something new? In this week’s solo episode, Michelle shares her story of stepping away from the family business after years of familiarity, comfort, and routine and deciding to start again in a completely different industry. It’s been both terrifying and exciting. From dusting off her old C...

1 month ago

14 minutes

Your 2nd Act

We’re Starting a Women’s Circle and You’re Invited!

Send us a text We’re Starting a Women’s Circle and You’re Invited! As we move through midlife, many of us start to crave deeper connection - real, honest conversations with women who truly understand what we’re going through. In this heartfelt episode, Michelle is joined by her long-time friend Jo to talk about the power of female connection and why they’ve come together to create a new Women’s Circle. They explore how, throughout history, women have gathered in circles to share stories, wisd...

2 months ago

41 minutes

Your 2nd Act

My Midlife Reset: The Honest Truth

Send us a text Welcome back to Season 4 of Your 2nd Act! Michelle kicks things off with a personal solo episode, sharing the big changes she is navigating right now. From her daughter moving overseas to the decision to sell the family home, Michelle opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of letting go, embracing the unknown, and finding strength in the small daily joys that keep her grounded. This season, she is also choosing to show up more on her own, creating space for honest, heart-to...

2 months ago

16 minutes

Your 2nd Act

I Thought It Was Just Hormones….Turns Out It Was ADHD

Why are so many women being diagnosed with ADHD in midlife? and what does menopause have to do with it? In this episode, Michelle chats with Women’s Psychologist Leanne Mulheron about the rising awareness of ADHD in midlife women, and how it often overlaps with menopause. As more women begin to wonder if their symptoms are more than just hormonal changes, there’s a growing understanding that ADHD may be part of the picture. Leanne shares why so many women are only being diagnosed later in lif...

7 months ago

46 minutes

Your 2nd Act

I Did a Shirley Valentine: Took a Gap Year and Found Myself.

Imagine reaching midlife and deciding to take a gap year, on your own, without your family, and without all the usual responsibilities. How many times have you thought, "I wish I could just do that," but for some reason, you don’t because you’re scared of change and the unknown? Well, today’s guest is anything but scared of having a go. Monique van Tulder took the leap. She stepped away from her busy life, not to escape, but to reconnect with herself, recharge, and rediscover who she truly is...

7 months ago

39 minutes

Your 2nd Act

Where Did My Sex Drive Go and Can I Get It Back?

So many women in midlife find themselves thinking, “What happened to my sex drive?” Whether it feels like it’s gone on a long holiday or disappeared completely, it’s something that’s often joked about, but rarely talked about honestly. In this episode, I chat with Amy Campbell, a clinical psychologist, sex therapist, and author of The Mindful Sex Guide, about the very real challenges women face around sex, desire, and intimacy during midlife. We explore everything from the impact of menopause...

7 months ago

50 minutes

Your 2nd Act

Empty Nest in Reverse: When the Parents Move Out!

Instead of the kids moving out, you pack up and leave, giving them the family home while you and your partner start fresh somewhere new. That’s exactly what Sara and her husband did, and in this conversation, Sara shares how this bold move transformed her life, relationships, and business. She opens up about the unexpected benefits, from watching her son’s step into independence, to discovering the joy of a slower pace and finding a welcoming new community. Most importantly, this time away ga...

7 months ago

37 minutes

Your 2nd Act

Why Won’t He Open Up? Helping Midlife Men Break the Silence

As we move through midlife, we often focus on the changes we’re experiencing, but what about the men in our lives? Our husbands, partners, brothers, and friends are navigating their own challenges, often in silence. In this deeply relatable conversation, Michelle speaks with Tim Hewson, founder of Mongrels Men, a groundbreaking charity supporting men’s mental health. Tim shares his personal journey of hiding his struggles for 20 years and how hitting rock bottom after divorce led him to creat...

8 months ago

40 minutes

Your 2nd Act

Help! I’ve Lost My Style and I Don’t Know Where to Start! - Courtney’s Guide to Getting It Back.

Feeling stuck in a style rut? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by Courtney a fashion stylist, content creator, and someone who’s completely reinvented herself in midlife. After 30 years in corporate, Courtney found herself questioning what was next (sound familiar?). She made the bold decision to walk away from the safe path and discovered a whole new beginning through styling. Her second act didn’t just change her career, it reignited her purpose. In this chat, we cover: ✨ How ...

8 months ago

51 minutes

Your 2nd Act

Midlife Friendships: Who Stays, Who Fades, and Who’s Still to Come!

We know how important female friendships are in midlife - hey, imagine life without them… scary, right? These relationships are our lifelines, our sounding boards, and our greatest cheerleaders, but what happens when a friendship no longer aligns with who you are? When it quietly starts to feel more draining than uplifting, and you’re faced with the uncomfortable truth that it might be time to walk away? In this solo episode, Michelle dives into the emotional rollercoaster of midlife friendsh...

8 months ago

13 minutes

Your 2nd Act

A 2nd Act with Heart: Ren’s Mission to Help Women in Crisis!

Midlife is often seen as a time of reflection, but for many women, it’s also a time of bold reinvention. In this episode, I speak with Ren, co-founder of ReLove, about how she embraced her 2nd Act by starting a much needed charity, one that not only changed her life, but is transforming the lives of others. ReLove provides furniture and household essentials to people in crisis, particularly women escaping domestic violence, homelessness, and other hardships. Through this work, Ren is not just...

10 months ago

51 minutes

Your 2nd Act

Breaking Free from ‘Good Girl’ Conditioning

Guys how many of you describe yourself as people-pleasers, perfectionists, or the one who’s always protecting others? Bloody exhausting… isn’t it! If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and today’s guest knows exactly how you feel. Dr. Michelle McQuaid, or Chelle as she’s known, is a globally recognized researcher, bestselling author, and positive psychology expert who combines cutting-edge science with her own deeply personal journey to help women let go of society’s ‘good girl’ expectati...

10 months ago

40 minutes

Your 2nd Act

Midlife and Alcohol - Do They Really Mix?

In this episode of Your 2nd Act, I sit down with Kath Elliott, an alcohol coach, to explore the complexities of alcohol consumption, particularly among midlife women. Many of us have grown up with alcohol as a central part of socialising, celebrating, and even unwinding, but at this stage of life, is it really serving us? Kath shares her personal journey from binge drinking to embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle, highlighting the transformative experiences that led her to become a coach. We d...

10 months ago

47 minutes

Your 2nd Act

“I Started a Women’s Health Clinic in My 2nd Act—Here’s Why"

This week, I chat with Hema Prakash, founder of Ponti Health, about the gaps in women’s healthcare, especially in midlife. So many of us feel unsupported and unheard when it comes to perimenopause, menopause, and our overall well-being. Hema saw these challenges firsthand and decided to do something about it. That’s how Ponti Health was born, a place designed to empower women with knowledge, care, and a real sense of control over their health. In our conversation, we dive into why midlife wom...

10 months ago

52 minutes

Your 2nd Act

From Hidden Truths to Self-Discovery: A Midlife Awakening

In midlife, many of us start questioning who we really are beyond the roles we have played, whether as a mother, daughter, partner, or professional. But what happens when family secrets come to light and shake the very foundation of our identity? In this episode, Michelle Scheibner shares her deeply personal journey of uncovering hidden truths within her family and how they shaped her sense of self. Through therapy, introspection, and an ongoing commitment to healing, she has learned that ide...

10 months ago

47 minutes

Your 2nd Act

I Thought I’d Quit—10 Years Later, I’m Stronger Than Ever!

Ten years ago, I reluctantly walked into a gym, thinking, "Here we go again, another gym I’ll quit in a few months." But a decade later, I’m still training at the same gym with the same trainer, Dan, an exercise sports scientist who has completely changed my approach to fitness. In this episode, Dan and I discuss why midlife is the perfect time to focus on strengthening our bodies. We explore the benefits of resistance training for women, including preventing osteoporosis, improving mobility,...

11 months ago

41 minutes

Your 2nd Act

Burnout to Breakthrough: Sophie Scott’s Midlife Transformation

In this episode, Sophie Scott, award-winning medical journalist, mental health educator, and former ABC presenter, shares her powerful journey through burnout and high-functioning anxiety, offering invaluable insights into reclaiming balance and well-being. Despite her high-profile career and professional success, Sophie opens up about the personal toll of burnout, reminding us that it doesn’t discriminate, it can happen to anyone, no matter how accomplished or put-together they may seem.Burn...

11 months ago

47 minutes