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Your 2nd Act

Your 2nd Act

Written by: Michelle Parsonage
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About this listen

Welcome to Your 2nd Act podcast - where we celebrate the power and beauty of women in their middle years. Join me each fortnight as I chat to inspiring women from all walks of life, sharing their stories, insights, and hard-earned wisdom. Together, we'll explore the limitless possibilities of your next chapter and trust me, the curtain has just risen on your most exciting act yet.

© 2026 Your 2nd Act
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Episodes
  • FROM SCHOOL PICK-UP TO SUPER YACHTS: THE MIDLIFE DJ DUO
    Jan 5 2026

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    FROM SCHOOL PICK-UP TO SUPER YACHTS: THE MIDLIFE DJ DUO

    School mums by day, DJ duo by night… In this episode, Michelle chat’s with Bri and Sarah from BSide DJs, two friends who decided midlife was the perfect moment to revive a dream they left behind in their 20s.

    Between running their marketing agency and raising kids, they’ve carved out a whole new creative chapter, one that now sees them DJing on rooftops, super yachts and even for Steve Jobs’son.

    We talk about reinvention, courage, friendship, and saying “why not?” when midlife whispers “too late.”


    You’ll hear:

    • Why midlife is the perfect time to try something new
    • How a tiny spark turned into a thriving DJ business
    • What DJing taught them about creativity and confidence
    • Why friendship is their secret weapon
    • Their biggest “pinch me” moments
    • Advice for any woman sitting on a dream she’s scared to start

    If you’ve ever thought I wish I’d done that, this episode is your sign: midlife is exactly the time to begin!


    Resources & Links:

    You can keep up with Bri and Sarah on Instagram, and if you’re hosting a party or event, they’re absolutely the duo you want behind the decks.

    If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Reach out anytime at michelle@your2ndact.com.

    If you enjoyed this chat, please consider leaving a 5 ⭐ rating or a short review. Your words might be exactly what another woman needs to hear today.

    Stay connected:

    • 📺 Watch on YouTube

    • 📲 Follow on Instagram

    • 💬 Join the private Facebook group

    Until next time, take care of you… Michelle ❤️





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    46 mins
  • My 2025 Year in Review
    Dec 22 2025

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    My 2025 Year in Review

    In this reflective solo episode, Michelle looks back on a year that quietly changed everything. She shares what 2025 taught her about midlife, identity, and learning to let go when life doesn’t look the way you expected.

    Michelle reflects on the moments that shaped the year, including her daughter leaving home, stepping away from the family business, downsizing, and hosting her first midlife event. Each experience brought a mix of emotion, uncertainty, and unexpected clarity that many women recognise during times of transition.

    Throughout the episode, Michelle speaks openly about how change can feel uncomfortable and unsettling, and how community, connection, and working alongside women became an anchor during this season. She shares how relationships with women of different generations added perspective, grounding, and a strong sense of belonging.

    Looking ahead to 2026, Michelle talks about what’s next, including her intention to create more spaces for women to come together, share stories, and feel supported as they move into new chapters.

    This episode is for women who feel they’re standing at a crossroads, questioning what’s next, and learning to trust themselves through change.

    Key takeaways:

    • Midlife often brings unexpected change and growth
    • Letting go can be emotional but deeply freeing
    • Community and connection matter more than ever during transition
    • Reinvention is about rediscovering yourself, not starting over
    • Embracing change can lead to clarity, purpose, and confidence


    Resources & Links

    If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Reach out anytime at michelle@your2ndact.com.

    If you enjoyed this chat, please consider leaving a 5 ⭐ rating or a short review. Your words might be exactly what another woman needs to hear today.

    Stay connected:

    • 📺 Watch on YouTube

    • 📲 Follow on Instagram

    • 💬 Join the private Facebook group

    Until next time, take care of you… Michelle ❤️




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    16 mins
  • Midlife from both sides with Matt Elliott & Susan Pearse
    Dec 8 2025

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    Midlife From Both Sides with Matt Elliott & Susan Pearse


    In this episode, Michelle sits down with former NRL coach Matt Elliott and award-winning author Susan Pearse for a powerful and honest conversation about midlife seen through both a male and female lens. Together, they unpack how differently men and women experience this stage of life, the challenges that often go unspoken, and the unexpected opportunities that midlife can bring.
    At the heart of this conversation is emotional health, self-awareness, and the journey of self-discovery that so many face in their second act. Matt and Susan openly share insights from their personal experiences and research, including the reality that many men admit to “just surviving,” while women often feel a deep pull toward growth and reinvention.
    Spirituality, purpose, connection, and redefining what it truly means to win in midlife are all woven into this thoughtful, inspiring discussion. With reflections shaped by influences such as Deepak Chopra and the Dalai Lama, this episode invites listeners to see midlife not as a decline, but as a time of clarity, confidence, and possibility.

    Takeaways:

    • Midlife can be a powerful time of reinvention.
    • Men and women often experience midlife very differently.
    • Self-awareness is crucial for personal growth in the second half of life.
    • Emotional health is often overlooked, yet deeply important.
    • Spirituality can play a meaningful role in finding purpose.
    • Defining what “winning” means personally is essential for fulfilment.
    • Connection and relationships are vital at this stage of life.


    Resources & Links

    Click the link to purchase their book Winning the Second Half
    If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Reach out anytime at michelle@your2ndact.com.
    If you enjoyed this chat, please consider leaving a 5 ⭐ rating or a short review. Your words might be exactly what another woman needs to hear today.
    Stay connected:
    • 📺 Watch on YouTube
    • 📲 Follow on Instagram
    • 💬 Join the private Facebook group
    Until next time, take care of you… Michelle ❤️

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    47 mins
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