Nantucket Jewels: Crafting a Second Act After 40

This is your Women Over 40 podcast.

Welcome to Women Over 40, the podcast that celebrates reinvention, resilience, and the power of new beginnings. Today, we’re diving straight into the heart of what it means to reinvent yourself after 40, especially when it comes to pursuing new passions—perhaps even ones you never imagined would be part of your story.

Let’s be honest: hitting 40 can feel like a jolt. For some, it’s a rude awakening—maybe a career goes stagnant, a relationship ends, or the empty nest suddenly echoes louder than anticipated. But what if I told you these moments can be the spark for something transformative? Just ask Susan Lister Locke. She grew up wanting to be a fashion designer in Rhode Island, but life nudged her onto other paths—marriage, motherhood, summers in Nantucket. After her divorce and approaching 50, the company she worked for shuttered its doors. Facing uncertainty, she crafted lists about her interests and strengths. Susan pivoted back into real estate and, on the side, began making jewelry. That “side passion” turned into a second act, with her creations sold in Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and upscale Nantucket shops. Reinvention, for Susan, started with simply asking: what do I love, and what can I try?

Across the globe, stories echo this theme. Shinde, in India, used her 40s to nurture creativity and compassion. Despite criticisms and doubts, she rebuilt her family’s nursery business and poured her curiosity into learning about everything from sensory gardens to AI in plant care. Her 40s became an exploration, not a rush to tick boxes, but a journey rooted in self-dedication and growth. Curiosity, she says, is her compass now.

These women aren’t outliers. Keri Ford, in her podcast Literally First Class, reminds us that some of the most remarkable career pivots and creative blooms happen after 40. Think of Toni Morrison, who published her first novel at 40, or Vera Wang, who entered fashion at 40 and became a design icon. Ariana Huffington founded The Huffington Post at 55. Their stories are reminders: it’s never too late to start, and the expertise gathered through decades can propel you further than you imagine.

But how do you actually begin? First, get clear on your vision. What does fulfillment look like now—not 20 years ago, but today? Next, immerse yourself. Whether it’s coaching, classes, or mentorship, don’t just dream—act. Join collectives or business networks like Shinde did; connect with people who push you forward. Most importantly, remember you’re not starting from scratch. You’re launching from experience, and that’s your superpower.

Reinvention after 40 isn’t about erasing your past; it’s about building on it. Whether the catalyst is divorce, an empty nest, or a career pause, this chapter is yours to script. It’s your chance to pursue those forgotten passions, to try, stumble, and then soar.

Thank you for tuning in to Women Over 40. If you found inspiration in these stories, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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