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PODCAST

Your 2nd Act

Michelle Parsonage

Welcome to Your 2nd Act podcast - where we celebrate the power and beauty of women in their middle years. Join me each fortnight as I chat to inspiring women from all walks of life, sharing their stories, insights, and hard-earned wisdom. Together, we"ll explore the limitless possibilities of your next chapter and trust me, the curtain has just risen on your most exciting act yet.

society & culture personal journals

All Episodes

49:42

Perimenopause, Menopause, HRT… why does it all still...

Your 2nd Act ·

2026/02/02

Send us a text Perimenopause, Menopause, HRT… why does it all still feel so confusing? Even when you’re living it. In this episode, Michelle Parsonage admits what so many women are quietly thinking: she’s listened to the experts, read the articles, followed the conversations, and still finds herself wondering what perimenopause, menopause and HRT actually mean for her now. So instead of adding to the noise, this conversation goes BACK TO BASICS! Michelle is joined by Sarah Gray, a health pr...

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18:33

Your 2nd Act & AIO Wellness present - THE REBOOT

Your 2nd Act ·

2026/01/19

Send us a text Your 2nd Act & AIO Wellness present - THE REBOOT This year, Michelle has made ‘collaboration’ a key focus, working alongside like-minded women to create meaningful conversations and experiences. In today’s episode, she’s joined by Rebecca Kaye from AIO Wellness, with whom she’s co-hosting a women’s event called The Reboot in Sydney, Australia. Michelle and Rebecca share why they felt called to create this event and why women’s stories are such a powerful source of inspirati...

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46:19

FROM SCHOOL PICK-UP TO SUPER YACHTS: THE MIDLIFE DJ DUO

Your 2nd Act ·

2026/01/05

Send us a text FROM SCHOOL PICK-UP TO SUPER YACHTS: THE MIDLIFE DJ DUO School mums by day, DJ duo by night… In this episode, Michelle chat’s with Bri and Sarah from BSide DJs, two friends who decided midlife was the perfect moment to revive a dream they left behind in their 20s. Between running their marketing agency and raising kids, they’ve carved out a whole new creative chapter, one that now sees them DJing on rooftops, super yachts and even for Steve Jobs’son. We talk about reinvention, ...

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16:25

My 2025 Year in Review

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/12/22

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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46:39

Midlife from both sides with Matt Elliott & Susan Pearse

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/12/08

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 ...

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37:15

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

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/11/24

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 ...

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14:48

My Midlife Job Reset: Finding the Courage to Try...

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/11/10

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...

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41:23

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

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/10/27

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...

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16:24

My Midlife Reset: The Honest Truth

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/10/13

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...

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46:10

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

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/06/02

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...

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39:40

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

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/05/26

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...

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50:04

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

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/05/19

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...

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37:15

Empty Nest in Reverse: When the Parents Move Out!

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/05/12

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...

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40:11

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

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/05/05

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...

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51:00

Help! I’ve Lost My Style and I Don’t Know Where to...

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/04/28

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 ...

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13:10

Midlife Friendships: Who Stays, Who Fades, and Who’s...

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/04/21

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...

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51:38

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

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/03/10

Send us a text 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, ...

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40:00

Breaking Free from ‘Good Girl’ Conditioning

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/03/03

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...

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47:50

Midlife and Alcohol - Do They Really Mix?

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/02/24

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...

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52:17

“I Started a Women’s Health Clinic in My 2nd...

Your 2nd Act ·

2025/02/17

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...

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