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Midlife Circus

Midlife Circus

Written by: Burning Matches Media
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Midlife isn’t the end — it’s the evolution of Gen X. Hosted by Brent Drever and Rob Espenel, Midlife Circus is where real conversations meet reinvention. Like any good circus, midlife is part chaos, part wonder — a stage for learning new acts. From careers and relationships to purpose and adventure, Rob and Brent explore the unpredictable, messy, and meaningful middle of life with humor, honesty, and a touch of rebellion. Pull up a seat under the tent — and get ready to laugh, reflect, and rediscover what’s possible in Your Next Great Act.

© 2026 Midlife Circus
Self-Help Social Sciences Success
Episodes
  • 5 Challenges We Got Ourselves Into
    May 27 2026

    Message the Show

    Rob and Brent walked into this episode with no idea what the other was about to commit to. They each named 5 personal challenges for the next 90 days, one for every ring of midlife: finance, relationship, health, purpose, and adventure, and shared them live. The list includes losing twenty pounds, getting back to real planned date nights, joining a Friday golf group of strangers, learning to ride a unicycle, and tracking every meal for ninety days. A working definition of growth in midlife, with the receipts due at the end.

    Links, resources, books mentioned:

    • Join the Midlife Circus Community on Substack
    • Follow us: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube
    • Visit Episode Website

    Topics we are covering in this episode:

    • The 5 rings of midlife as a framework for growth
    • 10 personal challenges put on the record
    • The case against the easy-button challenge
    • A 90-day window for real growth in midlife
    • The case for public commitments and accountability
    • An invitation for listeners to pick their own challenges
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Launching a Creative Business in Midlife
    May 20 2026

    Message the Show

    Almost everyone has a creative thing they've been thinking about for years but never started. Rob wants to shoot action videos. Brent wants to restore old cars. Other people have pottery, photography, or a book idea sitting in the back of their head. In this episode, Brent and Rob get specific about what it takes to move a creative hobby into a real business in midlife, including the three categories of creative work, a passion-product-marketplace framework, and why most creators undercharge themselves out of the gate. If you've got a creative idea you keep coming back to, this episode is where you find out what to actually do with it.

    Links, resources, books mentioned:

    • Join the Midlife Circus Community on Substack
    • Follow us: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube
    • Visit Episode Website
    • Mountain Mud Ceramics (creative business mentioned)

    Topics we are covering in this episode:

    • The difference between a creative hobby and a creative business
    • Three categories of creative work: physical goods, creative content, and creative services
    • How to apply passion, product, and marketplace as a starting framework
    • Why most creators underprice themselves out of the gate
    • Choosing the right platform without spreading across too many
    • Starting small with a minimum viable product
    • Playing the long game and resisting the comparison trap
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • A Guide to Earning Money as a Consultant in Midlife
    May 13 2026

    Message the Show

    What does it actually take to start consulting in midlife? Rob and Brent go a layer deeper than their earlier conversation on earning income in your next chapter, breaking down the foundational work most people skip — purpose, product, and market — and the six practical steps to launch your own consulting, advisory, or coaching practice. Drawing from Brent's 20+ years as a consultant and Rob's recent experience building his advisory business, they cover billing rates, marketing, entity structure, and the core mindset shift that changes everything: you are the product.

    Links, resources, books mentioned:

    • Join the Midlife Circus Community on Substack
    • Follow us: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube
    • Visit Episode Website

    Topics we are covering in this episode:

    • The mindset shift from employee to consultant
    • The difference between consulting, coaching, and advisory work
    • How to define purpose, product, and market
    • Path selection — independent, platform, or consulting firm
    • How to set billing rates and avoid underselling yourself
    • Marketing materials and digital presence that actually work
    • Why your first client matters more than the perfect setup
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 12 mins
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