Reshma Saujani on Breaking the Midlife Penalty and Rewriting the Rules of Aging

In this bold and honest conversation, Stacy is joined by Reshma Saujani—activist, bestselling author, founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, and host of My So-Called Midlife—for a candid exploration of how menopause and midlife are shifting the paradigm for women’s power, purpose, and priorities. They dismantle outdated narratives around ambition, beauty, caregiving, and perfectionism. Reshma coins the term “midlife penalty,” drawing attention to the economic, physical, and emotional costs women face simply for aging. She opens up about unlearning the need for external validation, the importance of spiritual grounding, and why she believes Gen X women are the agitators our culture needs. From career burnout to body changes, from psychedelics to play, this episode is a no-BS manifesto for reclaiming curiosity, joy, and justice in the second half of life. Hello Menopause is a podcast from Let’s Talk Menopause. Produced in partnership with Studio Kairos. Supervising Producer: Kirsten Cluthe. Edited and mixed by Justin Thomas. Artwork by Stacey Geller. Subscribe to Hello Menopause on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you loved this conversation, leave us a review and share it with your community. Visit LetsTalkMenopause.org for menopause resources, expert Q&As, and a symptom checklist. Visit Versalie.com for expert menopause care, curated products, and virtual support.