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.

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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! 🛼 💥

Lessons on staying vibrant, curious, and playful at any age.

Midlife isn’t an ending—it’s an opening. In this episode, we explore how to embrace possibility, purpose, and play no matter your age. My guest, Wendy Green, shares how she learned to start before she was ready, push past self-doubt, and build community through her work with Boomer Banter and the Age Wise Collaborative.

Together, we talk about flipping the script on aging, listening for the quiet voice that reminds you what you love, and why reinvention isn’t about changing who you are—it’s about remembering yourself. Whether you’re in a life transition, feeling stuck, or simply craving inspiration for your next chapter, this conversation will remind you: you are never done.

*Episode 243

🌻 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 YouTube Can Teach Us About Reinvention After 50

What does starting a YouTube channel in your 40s, 50s, or beyond have in common with launching any new adventure in midlife? A lot more than you might think.

In this special episode, I sit down with Rob Moore—better known as Rob the Maritimer—who helps people over 40 overcome fear and start YouTube channels without the overwhelm. While the full video version of our conversation lives on YouTube, this audio-only edit trims out the nitty-gritty details about cameras and microphones so we can focus on the heart of Rob’s story.

We talk about:

• How to push through camera anxiety (or any kind of stage fright)
• Why your first attempts don’t have to be perfect—in fact, they shouldn’t be
• The power of authenticity and showing up as yourself
• Why age is never a barrier to starting something new
• The importance of patience, consistency, and enjoying the journey

Even if you have zero interest in starting a YouTube channel, you’ll find encouragement here for taking risks, embracing imperfection, and blooming at any stage of life.

**Episode 242

🌻 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! 🛼 💥

Find out more at https://www.latebloomerliving.com/

Who says aging means slowing down?

Jacqueline Hooton is here to bust ageist myths and show how strength training can help you stay powerful, confident, and unstoppable at any age.

In this inspiring conversation, fitness expert and author Jacqueline Hooton shares how we can challenge ageist stereotypes, overcome internalized ageism, and build lasting strength—physically, mentally, and emotionally. From the power of strength training to expanding your healthspan, Jacqueline shows why it’s never too late to take charge of your well-being and live vibrantly in midlife and beyond.

🌻 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! 🛼 💥

Season 6 kicks off with Yvonne Marchese reflecting on a summer of unexpected change—from a family health scare to becoming an empty nester. In this solo episode, she shares why this tender, transitional time is inspiring a fresh look at joy, reinvention, and what it means to bloom in midlife.

She also reveals her bold leap into YouTube and invites you to be part of shaping this season. Got a question or story to share? Leave a message at latebloomerliving.com/podcast.

🌻 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! 🛼 💥

You can also join the Age Agitators Club for more fun and inspiration as we navigate midlife together. Find out more at https://www.latebloomerliving.com/

This week, I’m bringing back a listener's favorite from the archive while I’m on a summer break, getting ready for Season 6.

Lynn McNutt joined me for a powerful conversation about caregiving, grief & creative reinvention. This one’s just as relevant now as it was then. This episode originally aired as Episode 78 on December 22, 2021.

Sometimes you just need to Walk it off

Lynn McNutt is an actor, singer, mover, creator, writer, wanderer, and wayfarer. Lynn has over twenty five years of experience as a professional actress and singer working in national tours, Off-Broadway, and a bevy of regional theaters. In her 40s she ended up taking several years of time away from her performing career to act as a caregiver for her father, mother and cousin. After her father died, she found herself needing to walk off the stress and grief, so she embarked on a solo backpacking expedition on the Florida Trail. She taught Shakespeare and Music Theatre in the MFA program at Florida Atlantic University. For her second act, Lynn is creating her own works, delving into the world of solo-performance telling stories, connecting ideas, and shedding new light on old ones.

Get more information about Lynn McNutt. There are productions and more adventures planned for the future!

Follow Lynn on Instagram.

🌻 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! 🛼 💥