Fearless & Forty

Episode 27: Our Friendship: Part Martha, Part Mary, 100% Real

In this episode, we take a closer look at the story of Mary and Martha — and how their personalities show up in our own lives. Katie always thought of herself as a Martha, the one busy doing all the things, until Susan pointed out the “Mary” side of her — the gift of being present and making people feel seen. Sometimes it takes a friend to show you your strengths and remind you who you really are.
Susan shares how she can be a mix of both, but leans more Martha, and together we unpack what it means to balance the doing with the being. Whether you find yourself running around like Martha or sitting still like Mary, this conversation is about friendship, perspective, and the beauty of owning all sides of who we are.
#fearlessand40 #midlife #marthaormary #gifts #friendshipinmidlife
For Reference:
Luke 10:38–42
The Girlfriend 
Yellowjackets 
Call the Midwife 
The Morning Show 
The Summer I Turned Pretty 
aka Charlie Sheen

Episode 26: Beer Therapy & The Real Struggles of 40

Susan’s away on a much-needed vacation, so Katie is flying solo this week — but not really, because she’s joined by our very first guest! 🎉
I sit down with our dear friend Tricia Collins — a Leadership Coach, Eagle Certified Facilitator, and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist at Eagle Center for Leadership. To us, she’s our “beer therapist,” but professionally she’s guiding women (and men) through the messy, beautiful, complicated seasons of life.
We dive into the real struggles of midlife, from:✨ Identity shifts that sneak up on us✨ The juggling act of relationships and family✨ Stress, overload & burnout✨ Protecting our mental health & emotional well-being
This one is honest, encouraging, and packed with wisdom (plus a few laughs along the way). Whether you’re in the thick of it or just need to know you’re not alone, this episode is for you.
🎙️ Tune in now — and maybe grab a drink, because sometimes therapy looks a lot like a chat with friends.
#fearlessand40 #midlife #beertherapy #counseling 
For You Reference:
Tricia Collins 
 

Episode 25: Trips We Love & Trips We Dream Of

Episode 25: Trips We Love & Trips We Dream Of
We’re talking all things travel — from our favorite getaways that left us full of memories to the bucket-list trips that keep us daydreaming. Susan is gearing up for Disney, Katie is scheming a year-end escape, and together we dive into why travel matters so much at midlife — whether it’s a family trip, a couples getaway, or a solo recharge.
And here’s the twist: we need YOUR help deciding between two possible trips — 🌴 Key West or ⛰️ Out West. Both sound amazing, but which adventure would you choose?
Along the way, we laugh through travel mishaps, swap tips, and remind ourselves that getting away (even for a weekend) is less about the destination and more about saying yes to the reset.
🎧 Tune in for stories, laughs, and a little wanderlust. Then come weigh in — help us pick our next adventure!
#fearlessand40 #midlife #travel
For Reference:
The Summer I turned Pretty
The Map that Leads to You
The Runarounds
Daisy Jones & The Six
 

Episode 24: Say Yes....But Bring a Xanax

🎙 Fearless and Forty – Episode 24: Say Yes… But Bring a Xanax
This week, we’re getting real about something that doesn’t get talked about enough: panic attacks in midlife. We’ve both felt them, we’ve both wondered why now?, and we’ve learned that sometimes they’re not about one specific cause at all — they’re the side effect of stress, exhaustion, and trying to do it all.
Sometimes your body just says: nope.
In this episode, we open up about personal experiences with panic attacks, what the symptoms can look and feel like, and the little red flags to pay attention to. We also talk about how much easier it is to face the hard stuff when you’ve got friends who will stand by you in those “panic” times.
It’s a heavy topic, but we’re approaching it the only way we know how: honestly, openly, and with a little humor along the way. Because saying yes to life — even if it means bringing a Xanax — is something we’re learning to navigate together.
#fearlessand40 #midlife #panicattacks #survivingnotthriving #friendship 
For Reference:
Tucci in Italy
The Summer I Turned Pretty
The Map that Leads to You
The Waterfront 

Episode 23: Saying Yes, Our Way

Episode 23: Saying Yes, Our Way
School is back in full swing, kids’ schedules are packed, and the pace of life is running fast. In this episode, we’re checking in with each other and realizing that sometimes, saying yes to everything just isn’t possible.
It’s the little conversations of “are you okay?” and “how are you holding up?” that keep us grounded when we’re stretched thin. We talk about giving ourselves permission to say no, finding flexibility with our time, and celebrating the small wins along the way.
This is a reminder that it’s okay to be present in the season you’re in—even when it feels a little chaotic—and to define “yes” on your own terms.
For Reference:
The Summer I turned Pretty 
Defending Jacob 
And Just Like That
The Gilded Age
The Life List
The Mel Robbins Podcast 
Proverbs 31
Typology
Midlife Moves 
 
 

Episode 22: The Terrible 12's and 75 Days Trying

Fearless & Forty – Episode 22: The Terrible 12’s & 75 Days Trying
Parenting a 12-year-old is not for the faint of heart — and neither is committing to a 75-day challenge in midlife. This week, we’re diving into both.
We share the highs, lows, and epic eye-rolls of life with a preteen, from unpredictable moods to those rare moments of pure connection that make it all worth it. We talk about saying “yes” to the 75 Hotter Challenge — and how commitment looks when your schedule changes every week thanks to kids, work, and, well, life.
We also break down the differences between the 75 Hard and the 75 Hotter challenges — from strict rules and mental toughness to a more sustainable, self-care-focused approach that fits real life.
We unpack why consistency feels so elusive in midlife, the myth that it “should” be easier by now, and how we can give ourselves grace while still pushing forward.
Whether you’re navigating tween parenting, a personal challenge, or both at the same time, this episode is a reminder that progress > perfection — and showing up messy still counts.
🎧 Listen now and laugh with us through the chaos.
#FearlessAndForty #TerribleTwelves #75Hotter #75Hard #MidlifeCommitment #ConsistencyInChaos #ShowUpMessy #MidlifeMoms #theeverygirl
For Your Reference:
The Every Girl "The 75 Hotter Challenge"
75 Hard 
Mel Robbins "What I Wish I Knew in my 20s"
The Summer I Turned Pretty 
The Gilded Age
And Just Like That
Leanne 
Untamed
The Life List
Defending Jacob 
Gilmore Girls
The Wedding People
What In the World 

The Night Before School 2025

Episode 21: The Gilded Grind: Parenting through Eras & Alarms

🎙️ Episode 21: The Gilded Grind: Parenting through Eras & Early AlarmsWelcome back to Fearless and Forty! In this episode, we’re setting the alarm clocks, prepping the backpacks, and trying to figure out if string cheese and a granola bar count as a "balanced breakfast." Yep—school starts next week, and we’re talking new routines, early wake-ups, and real-life breakfast hacks that get us through the morning chaos.
But we’re also zooming out to reflect—on our own school days, how the world shaped us back then, and how much (or how little?) things have changed. Watching The Gilded Age lately has stirred up some thoughts: the obsession with appearance, status, and titles—how deeply rooted that all is in our culture. Is it really so different now? Maybe the corsets have been replaced with Botox and serums, but the pressure to be polished and perfect is still very real.
We get honest about what it's like parenting in a world where perfection is packaged and sold, and how we’re trying to raise kids who look inward—not outward—for validation. We talk about how even in midlife, we’re not immune to the lure of "fixing" things—fine lines, under-eye circles, lives that look a little too lived-in. But guess what? We’re also learning to love the lived-in look.
We’re tired of the pressure. We want easy. We want real. Are we wrong for not wanting to chase perfection anymore? Are we normal for being OK with the small wrinkles and the easy mornings and the imperfect moments?
This episode is a breath of fresh air if you’re feeling worn out by the grind—gilded or not. Let’s get honest, let’s get a little nostalgic, and let’s talk about showing up as we are, not as we “should” be.
#fearlessand40 #parenting #midlife #thegildedage
For your Reference:
The Gilded Age 
The Summer I Turned Pretty
The Hunting Wives
Smartless
The Best People 
The Wedding People 

Episode 20: Protecting Your Peace One Affirmation at a Time

🎙️ Episode 20: Protecting Your Peace One Affirmation at a Time
In this powerful midlife check-in, we explore how affirmations can be your daily armor and healing balm. We dive into why they matter even more in your 40s and how they help you redefine your self-worth, reframe your inner voice, and reclaim your peace.
But we don't stop there—this episode also weaves in the 5 Love Languages, helping you see how understanding how you give and receive love can enhance not only your relationships, but also how you affirm yourself.
We close with a heart-centered conversation on protecting your peace: what it looks like, how to recognize when it's under threat, and simple tools to keep your inner calm intact—even when life gets loud.
✨ Whether you’re walking through a transition or just trying to silence your inner critic, this episode is your reminder that you deserve peace, joy, and a voice that speaks love back to you.
#fearlessand40 #midlife #affirmations #5lovelanguages #peace
For Reference:
The Wedding People 
We Are Liars 
The Summer I Turned Pretty 
A Complete Unknown 
Stick
Watch Billy Joel
Hotel Nantucket 

Life Lately: Going Home

🎧 New Mini Episode: Life Lately: Going Home
While Susan’s off spending time with family and revisiting the place she grew up, Katie’s popping in solo to share some thoughts on the importance of going home—and how powerful it can be in midlife. 🏡✨
This quick check-in is all about:
→ The quiet magic of home and familiar places
→ Why stepping away from the grind is essential
→ How rest and reconnection can reset everything
As E.S. Woods said:
“A vacation helps to relieve stress and boredom, gives us a change of scenery, provides us with adventure, and helps to bring us closer to the people in our lives.” 💛
Wherever you are in your midlife journey, maybe this is your reminder to go home, take a break, or call someone who reminds you who you are.
🎙️ Listen to Life Lately: Going Home now—wherever you get your podcasts.
#Fearlessand40 #LifeLately #GoingHome #MidlifeReset #TakeTheBreak #RestReconnectRecharge