Fearless & Forty

Episode 35: From Reflection to Momentum: Stepping into the Year of the Horse

In this episode of Fearless & 40, we’re easing back in after the holiday break and taking a moment to reflect on the past season before stepping into what’s next. We talk about the transition from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse — a shift from reflection and shedding to movement, momentum, and freedom.
We share what the last month has looked like for us, how our goals and priorities continue to evolve in midlife, and why forward motion doesn’t have to mean perfection. We also revisit one of our favorite traditions from early on in the podcast — choosing a word of the year — and how it’s guiding us into this new chapter.
If you’re craving clarity, alignment, and a gentle push toward what feels right, this episode is for you. Here’s to moving forward with heart. #fearlessand40 #reflection #theyearofthehorse 
For Reference:
Emily in Paris
The Mountain House
Mini Reni
DOC
Stranger Things
Good Hang
Wiser Than Me

Presence, Not Perfection — Our Final Check-In of 2025

As we step into the heart of the holiday season and close out our very first year of Fearless & Forty, Katie hops on the mic for a short, meaningful check-in to wrap up Season One.
This episode is a reminder we all need right now:
the holidays—and life—aren’t about perfection, they’re about presence.
It’s about slowing down enough to notice joy, choosing peace even when the world feels loud, and holding onto hope as we move into a brand new year.
Katie reflects on the whirlwind of turning 40, the unexpected growth that came with it, and what it’s meant to share that journey with all of you. She also honors the incredible partnership of her co-host Susan, the support of their families, and the beautiful Fearless & Forty community that has blossomed this year.
Thank you for listening, for showing up, for being part of our very first season.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and here’s to everything 2026 has in store.
We’ll meet you back here soon, friends
#fearlessand40 #midlife #thatsawrap #thankyou

Happy Thanksgiving

A heartfelt Thanksgiving devotional centered on gratitude, family, and the beauty of the people gathered around our table. Inspired by our Divine Detours & Who’s Around Your Table podcast episodes this short reflection reminds us that every seat is filled with purpose—each person representing a story, a blessing, and a piece of God’s grace in our lives.
We’ll also draw from Jamie MacDonald’s touching song “My Family,” celebrating the idea that home isn’t just a place—it’s the people who show up, hold us up, and walk with us through every season.
This devotional invites us to pause, breathe, and truly see the gift of the faces around us today. It’s a moment to honor our connections, remember God’s goodness, and enter Thanksgiving with full hearts and grateful spirits.

Episode 34: Who's Around Your Table

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we’re talking about more than just the table you’ll be sitting at next week — we’re talking about the people at your life’s table. In this episode, we unpack the friends, family, and unexpected connections who shape our days, hold space for us, challenge us, and bring gratitude into our lives in ways we don’t always notice.As we move through midlife, we’re realizing our “table” looks different: fewer seats for chaos, more room for peace, and an intentional place for the people who truly see us. We also talk about the open seats — new friendships arriving at the right time — and the courage to gently move someone to the “side table” when a season shifts.It’s all about gratitude, growth, and choosing who you want to sit beside in this chapter of life.
#fearlessand40 #midlife #yourtable 
For Reference:
Jen Hatmaker 
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025
Nobody Wants This
Only Murders in the Building
Palm Royale
Good Hang with Amy Poehler 

Episode 33: The Bucket List

When you hear the term bucket list, what comes to mind? Big adventures? Once-in-a-lifetime moments? This week, we dive into how the idea of a bucket list has evolved for us in midlife.
Sure — Katie still has a few extreme items on hers (yes, skydiving made the cut), but as we talk it through, we realize it’s less about checking off wild experiences and more about living fully in the ways that matter most. Whether it’s picking up a new hobby, revisiting an old passion, or simply finding more joy in the everyday — this episode is all about redefining what a “bucket list” really means.
Because maybe the real goal isn’t doing everything before time runs out... it’s doing what fills you up while you’re here. #fearlessand40 #midlife #bucketlist #whatfillsyouup #livinglife
For Reference:
Nobody Wants This 
Dawson's Creek
Theo of Golden

Episode 32: The Holiday Edition: Our Favs, Traditions & Heartfelt Moments

The holidays are here, and we’re feeling all the festive vibes! In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite Thanksgiving dishes, the traditions that make the season special, and how we’re both refreshing our spaces for Christmas while holding onto the moments that matter most. We also get real about how gift giving looks a little different in midlife — and how to keep the season focused on gratitude, connection, and joy. #fearlessand40 #midlife #holidayseason
For Reference:
Sanditon
Dawson's Creek
The Morning Show
Bryan Adams Get Your Tickets! 

Episode 31: The Evolution of the Modern Mom: From Type A to Type C

This week we’re diving into the idea of the “Type C Mom” — the mom (or woman) who doesn’t totally fit the Type A or Type B mold, and who’s probably been doing a lot of the quiet heavy lifting.
In midlife, the balancing act is real: structure meets spontaneity, career meets presence, doing meets being. We unpack what being Type C looks like, why it matters right now, and how you can use your unique blend as a strength instead of a side note.
If you’ve ever thought “I’m not quite one type…” then this one’s for you. Listen in for stories, tools, and a little reassurance that your version of “normal” might just be exactly what freedom looks like.
#fearlessand40 #midlife #typecmom 
For Reference:
The Everymom Type C Article 
Sanditon
Theo of Golden 
The Morning Show
Dawson's Creek
Armchair Expert
Good Hang
The Bright Side
Golden Hour

Episode 30: Divine Detours

Ever had one of those days where your plans completely fell apart — only to realize later it all worked out better than you could’ve imagined?
This week on Fearless & 40, we’re talking about Divine Detours — those unexpected shifts, chance encounters, and perfectly-timed moments that remind us the universe always knows what it’s doing.
From missed plans to conversations that hit right when we needed them most, Susan and Katie share stories about learning to let go, trust timing, and find meaning in the moments that don’t go according to plan.
Because sometimes the universe’s reroute ends up being exactly the path you needed. #fearlessand40 #midlife #divinedetours
For Reference:
Dawson's Creek
Beverly Hills, 90210
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Friends
Golden Hour Playlist 
Olivia Dean
The Life of a Showgirl
Wild Rivers
Sarah McLachlan
 

Episode 29: Eras, Evolving & Coloring Outside the Lines

Midlife isn’t about slowing down — it’s about stepping into who we really are. In this episode, we talk about what it means to evolve, to change directions, and to embrace new versions of ourselves even when the world wants us to stay the same.
From Taylor Swift’s newest “era” to women like Reese Witherspoon and Diane Keaton who’ve reinvented themselves time and again, we explore why society often resists women evolving — and why we’re finally saying no thanks to staying inside the lines.
Join us as we get real about growth, identity, and what it means to live boldly in whatever season you’re in.
#fearlessand40 #midlife #reinvention #growthera #evolving
For Reference:
The Life of a Show Girl 
The Woman in Cabin 10
The Everygirl Article
Reese Witherspoon article
The Morning Show
Olivia Dean
Couch
The Golden Hour Playlist

Episode 28: Midlife, But Make It an Era

In this episode, we’re talking growth — the kind that sneaks up on you in your 30s and 40s when you finally start seeing who you’ve always been becoming. From friendships and motherhood to careers and self-worth, we’re unpacking how midlife might just be our best era yet.
Katie and Susan reflect on what it means to grow up and care less, and how that shift brings more freedom than fear. We even tie in a little Taylor Swift — because her new album The Life of a Showgirl hits different when you’re in a season of confidence, clarity, and a whole lot of self-acceptance.
It’s about letting go, showing up, and realizing… maybe midlife isn’t a crisis at all — it’s an era.
#fearlessand40 #midlife #growthera 
For Reference:
The Life of a Showgirl 
The Five-Star Weekend
The Summer Pact 
The Studio 
The Morning Show
Call the Midwife