Gratitude Feeling Forced? Try This Instead.

This Thanksgiving, I’m trying a little experiment. Instead of forcing gratitude, I’m approaching the holiday like a game—using appreciation to see people as they really are, not as I wish they’d be.

In this episode, I share the simple appreciation practices I’m playing with, why I think they’ll make the day feel lighter, and how you can try them too.

I also invite you to check out last week’s episode about the difference between gratitude and appreciation, and to join the PLAYshop waitlist if you want more curiosity, creativity, and ease in your everyday life. Sign up at https://www.latebloomerliving.com/play

If Your Gratitude List Feels Stale, You’re Not Alone

We’re often told that gratitude is the answer to everything — write a list, feel better, repeat.

But what happens when the list doesn’t change a thing?

In this solo episode, I share a personal moment that cracked open a new understanding for me about gratitude, appreciation, and the way our minds work when we’re overwhelmed. Instead of trying to force myself into feeling grateful, I stumbled into a different approach that helped me reconnect with the present moment in a much more honest, grounded way.

This isn’t an episode about toxic positivity or pretending everything’s fine.

It’s about noticing what’s real, finding small openings when you feel stuck, and learning how appreciation can quietly shift your emotional state in ways gratitude sometimes can’t.

You’ll hear: ✨ Why gratitude practices sometimes fall flat ✨ The surprising mindset shift that softened my “dark cloud” morning ✨ How appreciation can help you feel more present and less pressured ✨ A simple experiment you can try this week (no journaling required)

Whether you’re navigating holiday stress, feeling overwhelmed, or just craving a gentler way to support your own well-being, this episode offers a compassionate invitation to slow down and reconnect with what’s right in front of you.

Tune in, try the experiment, and see what opens.

🌼 Bloom like you mean it.

What if the key to more joy, creativity, and confidence in midlife isn’t mastery — it’s dabbling?

Author and speaker Karen Walrond (Radiant Rebellion, The Lightmaker’s Manifesto) joins Yvonne Marchese to talk about her newest book, In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur.

Together, they explore how curiosity, play, and self-compassion can help us reconnect with wonder — and why embracing our inner beginner might be the most radical act of joy we can choose.

Tune in for a refreshing conversation about letting go of perfectionism, rediscovering creativity, and learning to love the process again.

🌻 If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love for you to share your thoughts about this episode on social media and tag me @latebloomerliving.

🌻Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode!

🌻 Need a little more FUN in your life? Come to The PLAYshop! Sign up for the waitlist and get in on the fun! 🛼 💥

What happens when you say yes to fun?

This week, I’m joined by my good friend Adam Rothenberg, creator of the entertainment platform Call Me Adam, for a joyful conversation about curiosity, courage, and play. When Adam found himself at a children’s birthday party, he and one other adult decided to join the kids rock climbing and ziplining—and it turned into a reminder of what we lose when we forget how to play.

We talk about facing fears, staying curious, and how a playful mindset keeps us creative, confident, and young at heart.

💛 Tune in and discover the surprising power of saying yes to fun.

🌻 If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love for you to share your thoughts about this episode on social media and tag me @latebloomerliving.

🌻Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode!

🌻 Need a little more FUN in your life? Come to The PLAYshop! Sign up for the waitlist and get in on the fun! 🛼 💥

Have you ever caught yourself asking questions like, “Why can’t I get ahead?” or “Why do I always mess things up?” I sure have — and those questions kept me stuck for years.

In this short solo episode, I’m sharing how I discovered the power of asking better questions — and how that simple shift changed my life. From giving up complaining for Lent (spoiler: it was way harder than chocolate!) to learning how my thoughts were shaping my reality, I found a way to train my brain to look for solutions instead of problems.

We’ll talk about: ✨ Why your brain always answers the questions you ask it ✨ How to flip disempowering questions into empowering ones ✨ Simple ways to shift your mindset and get unstuck at any age

Whether you’re in midlife, over 50, or just ready for a fresh start, this episode is all about reclaiming your curiosity, reframing your thinking, and blooming again — right where you are.

If this message resonates, share it with a friend who might need a reminder that it’s never too late to ask a better question.

What if finding your voice didn’t happen in your 20s — but in your 50s?

This week, I’m talking with Molly Lee, founder of Optimistic Soap, who discovered activism — and her own courage to speak up — later in life. What began as a creative hobby making soap to unwind after work became something much bigger: a way to fundraise, build community, and take action for the causes she believes in.

Molly’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to step into your power. She shares how the 2016 Women’s March sparked her inner activist, what it means to live with optimism in hard times, and why hope is anything but naïve.

We talk about:

• Finding your voice and purpose later in life

• Turning creativity into a tool for change

• How optimism can be a radical act

• Staying engaged without losing heart

If you’ve ever felt like it’s “too late” to make a difference — this conversation will change your mind.

🌻 If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love for you to share your thoughts about this episode on social media and tag me @latebloomerliving.

🌻Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode!

🌻 Need a little more FUN in your life? Come to The PLAYshop! Sign up for the waitlist and get in on the fun! 🛼 💥

Growth rarely feels graceful in the moment.

Sometimes it looks like screw-ups, bloopers, and figuring it out in public. This episode is about embracing the messy middle.

Have you ever jumped into something new and realized halfway through that you were completely figuring it out as you went? That was me at the Empowered Podcasting Conference — my first podcasting event, my first time speaking live, and my first attempt at creating video content for both YouTube and the podcast.

Things didn’t go exactly as planned (spoiler: there were bloopers), but what came out of it was a weekend full of laughter, learning, and connection.

This episode isn’t really about podcasting — it’s about what happens when you let yourself try anyway. It’s about showing up before you feel ready, letting curiosity lead, and discovering that community makes all the difference.

If you’ve been hesitating to take that next step — to start something new, share your story, or push past your comfort zone — consider this your nudge.

🌻 If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love for you to share your thoughts about this episode on social media and tag me @latebloomerliving.

🌻Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode!

🌻 Need a little more FUN in your life? Come to The PLAYshop! Sign up for the waitlist and get in on the fun! 🛼 💥

What if midlife isn’t the beginning of the end, but the spark of something extraordinary?

This week, I’m joined by Lisa Murphy, a certified Life & Wellness Coach and founder of the @50ForwardClub. After more than 20 years in magazines and digital media, Lisa made a bold pivot to help midlife women create intentional, fulfilling, and joyful lives.

In this conversation, we dive into the stories we tell ourselves about aging — and how to rewrite them. Lisa shares how she got sober, learned to understand (not just “feel”) her fears, and started building a vibrant community that celebrates what’s possible after 50. From challenging internalized ageism to finding joy on the dance floor, Lisa reminds us that it’s never too late to change your story.

• Why your thoughts are stories — and how to stop believing the ones that hold you back
• Practical mindset tools to quiet fear and move forward with confidence
• How small, consistent shifts can create big transformation
• The surprising link between positive views of aging and longevity
• Why sobriety became Lisa’s doorway to freedom and joy
• How celebration and play can become powerful forms of self-care

Website: https://coachlisamurphy.com/ Instagram: @CoachLisaMurphy | @50ForwardClub

• 4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
• The Five Second Rule by Mel Robbins

🌻 If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love for you to share your thoughts about this episode on social media and tag me @latebloomerliving.

🌻Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode!

🌻 Need a little more FUN in your life? Come to The PLAYshop! Sign up for the waitlist and get in on the fun! 🛼 💥