Reinvention Rising: Embracing Your Next Act After 40

This is your Women Over 40 podcast.

Welcome to Women Over 40, where we champion the power and possibility of reinvention at any age. I’m so glad you’re here, because today we’re diving into something close to the hearts of so many women in our community—what it means to reinvent yourself after 40 and boldly pursue new passions.

The truth is, turning 40 is not an expiration date. It’s an invitation. Whether you feel energized and curious or completely overwhelmed and uncertain, this decade can be the launching pad for a fuller, truer version of yourself. Take Susan Lister Locke for example. Raised in Rhode Island, Susan grew up dreaming of fashion design, but the world steered her in another direction—family, summer business on Nantucket, and then a retail career. But at nearly 50, life forced her to pivot. She started by asking herself what she truly liked, what excited her, and what she was naturally good at. Drawing on her long-held real estate license and new-found love for art and jewelry, she reinvented herself—ultimately selling her creations at places like the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Her story is living proof: your next act can draw from both your history and your hidden dreams.

If you’re listening and feeling either restless or stuck, know you’re not alone. Sometimes reinvention is born from discomfort or even grief. A psychologist interviewed by The Better India recounted a woman who turned to her near-abandoned family nursery after feeling lost at 40. Surrounded by plants, she allowed herself to simply explore and jot visions in a notebook. Her curiosity, once dimmed, reignited. She got entrepreneurial—experimenting with houseplants, paying attention to Japanese horticulture techniques, and even joining a new networking circle despite language barriers. For her, the decade became about creativity and compassion, not scrambling for approval. She leaned into what called her, and the journey became as rewarding as the results.

Let’s not forget the power of late bloomers who inspire us on a global stage. Toni Morrison published her first novel at 40. Vera Wang didn’t become a fashion icon until her forties, and Arianna Huffington launched The Huffington Post at 55. These women didn’t let past labels or previous careers define them. They chased new callings, even if that meant learning from scratch. According to Keri Ford, who herself began a transformative journey at 40, surrounding yourself with the right mentors and resources can make all the difference. She emphasizes that your experience and connections become superpowers as you carve a new path.

If you’re craving meaning or simply know there’s more for you, start with curiosity. Make a list: What lights you up? What would you try if you couldn’t fail? Maybe, like so many women, you’ll find that taking even small steps—enrolling in a class, joining a community, or just dedicating an hour a week to your passion—can be transformative. Let go of the idea that you have to have it all figured out. Growth is messy, but it’s also beautifully freeing.

Thank you for spending this time with me on Women Over 40. If today’s conversation inspired you, 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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