Midlife Reclaimed: A Podcast for Women Over 40 Navigating Midlife Burnout Podcast By Shannon A Swales - Midlife Burnout & Women Over 40 Mentor cover art

Midlife Reclaimed: A Podcast for Women Over 40 Navigating Midlife Burnout

Midlife Reclaimed: A Podcast for Women Over 40 Navigating Midlife Burnout

By: Shannon A Swales - Midlife Burnout & Women Over 40 Mentor
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Midlife Reclaimed


Midlife Reclaimed grew out of my own journey through burnout, recovery, and early midlife, and now holds space for conversations about perimenopause, mental health, and self-compassion.


I’m Shannon A. Swales, clinical psychologist, writer, and fellow midlife woman.


This podcast began as Burnout: A Different Kind of GAP Year, where I shared my lived experience of midlife burnout in real time—alongside the stories of guests who bravely opened up about their own burnout journeys. As I returned to my work as a psychologist supporting others through burnout, the podcast evolved into When Burnout Becomes Reality—a space to explore the truth of how burnout unfolds and how healing begins. I began interviewing fellow professionals (and reflecting on my own clinical insights) to help listeners access the knowledge and know-how to recover and grow from burnout.


Now, as Midlife Reclaimed, the podcast centres on the unique experiences of women in midlife—those feeling overwhelmed, stressed, disconnected, or simply stretched too thin. Here, we share life stories and professional wisdom to help you navigate this era of life in a way that feels more grounded, compassionate, and real.


It’s about helping you come home to yourself—so you can feel more present, more alive, and more connected to what truly matters.


Each month, you’ll hear rich conversations about burnout, identity shifts, self-worth, mental health, boundaries, and relationships—exploring what it truly means to reclaim your energy, your voice, and your life in midlife. These episodes are here to support you in this season of life—because this chapter is yours to reclaim.


Together, we’re rewriting the narrative—not as a midlife crisis, but as a midlife reclamation.


The Midlife Reclaimed Podcast has been nominated in the Women in Podcasting Awards, recognising podcasts created by women making an impact through meaningful conversations and storytelling. To find out more about the awards visit https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards. Voting opens April 2026. Please show your support.


Want to Share Your Midlife Wisdom?

If you have a story, insight, or professional perspective that can help other midlife women feel less alone and more whole, I’d love to hear from you. Contact me here.



Connect & Grow

If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, you may like:

  • Subscribe to receive a FREE Journaling as a Way Back to Yourself ebook and more goodies
  • Online Community: Midlife Reclaimed—this is your place to breathe again - Learn more and join here - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/
  • Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn
  • 1:1 Therapy: Ready to tackle midlife burnout? Visit www.shannonaswales.com/therapy
  • My Midlife Burnout Story: Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist’s Path Back From Burnout


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Episodes
  • When Burnout Makes You Question Your Career (Is It Time to Leave or Just Rest?)

    When Burnout Makes You Question Your Career (Is It Time to Leave or Just Rest?)
    Apr 15 2026

    WOMEN IN PODCASTING AWARDS: Show your support by voting for Midlife Reclaimed: https://www.womenpodcasters.com/midlife-reclaimed Voting is open April 1 - 30th. Winners Announced in May 2026. Host, Shannon A Swales, is also nominated in the category of podcaster guest for her 20+ appearances on other podcasts to spread her wisdom and knowledge on burnout and midlife health and well-being for women - https://www.womenpodcasters.com/shannon-swales


    In this solo episode, I’m exploring a question that so many women find themselves asking in midlife — especially in the depths of burnout:

    “Is this career still right for me?”

    It’s a tender and often confusing place to be.


    Because when we’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and running on empty, the urge to escape can feel very real.

    But how do we know:

    👉 Is this burnout speaking — a need for relief?

    👉 Or is it a deeper misalignment — a genuine call for change?


    In this episode, I gently walk you through:

    • Why career questions often arise during burnout
    • The difference between burnout-driven escape and true misalignment
    • How our identity and sense of worth can become tied to our work
    • Why making big decisions in burnout can feel urgent — but isn’t always wise
    • The role of the “threat brain” and our natural urge to seek relief
    • Practical ways to create space before making decisions
    • How to reconnect with your values to find clarity and direction


    I also share parts of my own experience — including the moment I questioned whether I could continue in my career at all.


    This is not about rushing into answers.

    It’s about creating space, to listen more deeply, and to reconnect with what truly matters to you.


    ☕ So if you’ve been quietly wondering,

    “Is this still for me?” — this episode is for you.


    Host: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, & midlife woman who’s walked through burnout & come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, & big life transitions. Through gentle conversations & evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, & grow through what once felt like breaking points.


    Other ways to connect with Shannon

    • Midlife Reclaimed Community

    • Social Media: @shannon.a.swales

    • Burnout Therapy

    • Midlife Reclaimed Coaching for Women

    • Join Shannon's Mailing List - free eJournal


    Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

    Disclaimer

    Engaging with this podcast does not intend to create, nor does it create, a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon A Swales. All views, opinions, and tips expressed by me or my guests are general in nature and not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek professional support. In Australia, if you are in a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000. For immediate counselling, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for First Nation Australians. Stay safe, and remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    34 mins
  • Art Therapy for Midlife Women: Reconnecting with Creativity, Joy & Yourself

    Art Therapy for Midlife Women: Reconnecting with Creativity, Joy & Yourself
    Apr 1 2026
    WOMEN IN PODCASTING AWARDS: Show your support by voting for Midlife Reclaimed: https://www.womenpodcasters.com/midlife-reclaimed Voting is open April 1 - 30th. Creativity is something many of us leave behind as life becomes fuller, busier, & more demanding. But what if reconnecting with creativity in midlife could be one of the most nourishing things we do for ourselves? In this ep, I’m joined by Chrissy from Artuition for a warm & honest conversation about art therapy, creativity, & the midlife experience. We begin with a very real midlife moment — the kind of tiredness many women recognise as their bodies start asking for more attention & care. From there, our conversation unfolds into the role creativity can play in reconnecting us with ourselves. Chrissy shares her journey into art therapy & explains how creative expression can support our bodies, offer a different way to process thoughts & emotions, & help women reconnect with parts of themselves that may have been quietly set aside for many years. This conversation explores how creativity can become a gentle pathway back to yourself — not through pressure or perfectionism, but through curiosity, expression, & permission to simply create. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “I’m not creative” or feeling disconnected from the joy you once felt in creative activities, this episode offers a compassionate invitation to explore that part of yourself again.In this ep., we explore:- Why creativity often fades from our lives as responsibilities grow- The connection between midlife, fatigue, & listening to the body- What art therapy actually is & how it works- How creative expression can support the body & mind- Reconnecting with creativity after burnout or long periods of caring for others- Why giving yourself permission to create can be quietly revolutionary in midlifeGuest Chrissy: I am a proud AuDHD’er (Autistic-ADHD), passionate about soulful self-discovery, nourishing personal wellbeing, and expressing, learning and processing through therapeutic arts experiences. Alongside a Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practice with Specialisation in Arts-based Research, and ANZACATA Professional registration, I weave together 30 years as a Professional Artist and Educator, with special expertise working with neurodivergent children, late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD women in peri/menopause, families, LGBTQIA+, and allied health professionals. As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, it’s my passion to support neurodivergent folk to creatively discover their unique strengths, interests and goals for thriving, while expanding the research base of our community’s unique, lived experiences and needs.In my free time, I love chilling at home with my son, puppy Banjo & 3 cats, sipping tea, going on nature walks, making art, building LEGO, tending to my house plants & enjoying gluten-free friendly cafes. Oh, & frolicking barefoot in the rain!Connect with Chrissy: www.artuition.comDiscover her Online Peri-Women-Pause space: https://artuition.com.au/peri-women-pauseSocial Media: https://www.instagram.com/artuitionstudioHost: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, & midlife woman who’s walked through burnout & come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, & big life transitions. Through gentle conversations & evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, & grow through what once felt like breaking points.Other ways to connect with Shannon• Midlife Reclaimed Community • Social Media: @shannon.a.swales• Burnout Therapy• Midlife Reclaimed Coaching for Women• Join Shannon's Mailing List - free eJournalDisclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.DisclaimerEngaging with this podcast does not intend to create, nor does it create, a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon A Swales. All views, opinions, and tips expressed by me or my guests are general in nature and not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek professional support. In Australia, if you are in a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000. For immediate counselling, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for First Nation Australians. Stay safe, and remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Grief in Midlife: The Hidden Losses Behind Burnout

    Grief in Midlife: The Hidden Losses Behind Burnout
    Mar 18 2026

    In this solo episode of Midlife Reclaimed, I explore grief in midlife — a powerful but often unrecognised experience for many midlife women, especially those navigating burnout, identity shifts, changing roles, and the emotional transitions of this life stage.


    When we think of grief, we often think about death. But grief in midlife can also arise through:


    • burnout and recovery
    • changes in health, energy, or menopause transitions
    • children growing up or leaving home or not
    • career and identity shifts
    • ageing parents and changing relationships
    • the quiet realisation that parts of our former life no longer fit


    Drawing on my work as a psychologist supporting midlife women experiencing burnout and mental health challenges — as well as my own lived experience — I explore:


    • what grief in midlife actually is
    • why it often goes unnoticed
    • anticipatory grief and life transitions
    • the connection between burnout and emotional wellbeing
    • self-compassionate ways to support yourself


    If you’ve been feeling heavier, unsettled, or sensing change within yourself, this episode may help you understand what’s happening — and remind you that you’re not alone.


    Healing, growth, and reclaiming yourself in midlife are possible.


    Host: Shannon Swales, Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.


    The Midlife Reclaimed Podcast has been nominated in the Women in Podcasting Awards, recognising podcasts created by women making an impact through meaningful conversations and storytelling. Find out more here https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards Voting opens in April 2026. We'd love your support.


    If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:

    • Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/

    • Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales

    • 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapy

    Subscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming home to yourself.


    Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

    Disclaimer

    Engaging with this podcast does not intend to create, nor does it create, a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon A Swales. All views, opinions, and tips expressed by me or my guests are general in nature and not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek professional support. In Australia, if you are in a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000. For immediate counselling, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for First Nation Australians. Stay safe, and remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    49 mins
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