179 Understanding the female brain at midlife with Dr Sarah McKay
Release Date: 08/05/2025
195: Navigating child loss with Lisa Boehm
Magnificent Midlife
I was deeply moved by my guest Lisa Boehm. Lisa’s life changed forever when her daughter, Katie, was killed in a car accident – an experience no parent should ever have to endure. In the years since, she’s found remarkable strength and purpose, transforming her grief into a force for healing and connection. This is probably the most difficult interview I’ve ever done. I hope you find it as powerful as I did. Lisa is a certified grief educator, author of Journey to Healing: A Mother’s Guide to Navigating Child Loss, and founder of the Angel Moms Community, where she supports...
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194 How women’s heart attacks differ from men’s with Caron Grossman
Magnificent Midlife
Caron Grossman is a registered nurse, breathwork facilitator, author and heart attack survivor. Her memoir, Listen to Your Heart Song: Navigating the Unexpected, weaves together her experiences of adolescent grief, addiction, recovery and a near-fatal heart attack, offering hope, honesty and practical insight for anyone navigating their own unexpected life events. We talk about: -How Caron’s heart attack actually began -Why the classic male symptoms of heart attack still dominate emergency call scripts and training -How many women are told they’re having an anxiety attack or...
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193 Navigating fibromyalgia at midlife with Tami Stackelhouse
Magnificent Midlife
Tami Stackelhouse is an award-winning author, founder of the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute and executive producer of the documentary Invisible. She’s dedicated to helping people with fibromyalgia reclaim control of their bodies and their lives, so they no longer feel trapped by pain, exhaustion or uncertainty. Fibromyalgia is so often misunderstood, minimised or brushed aside – and yet it affects many women in midlife. I’ve been wanting to explore this topic for ages and I’m delighted to finally do so with someone who brings both deep expertise and lived...
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192 How technology can revolutionise ageing with Keren Etkin
Magnificent Midlife
I’m delighted to welcome back Keren Etkin to the podcast! Keren is a gerontologist, entrepreneur, and author of The AgeTech Revolution – a fascinating book about the intersection of technology and ageing. I love that she describes herself as an AgeTech evangelist – it captures her passion perfectly. Keren is also the founder of The Gerontechnologist and The AgeTech Academy, both dedicated to helping us understand and shape the future of ageing through innovation. We talk about how technology is reshaping the way we age, the opportunities and challenges ahead, and what it all means for...
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191 Finding joy after grief with Alison Larkin
Magnificent Midlife
Alison Larkin is a bestselling author, comedian, producer, and narrator of over 250 audiobooks. Her acclaimed autobiographical novel The English American tells the story of an adopted English woman who finds her birth parents in America. She’s also the creator of the hit one-woman show Grief… a Comedy and author of the book of the same name. Rachel first saw Alison perform at London’s Soho Theatre and knew she’d be a perfect podcast guest. This conversation is funny, heartfelt, and full of insight about identity, creativity, and finding humour in life’s toughest...
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190 MENOPAUSE MATTERS: Dismantling menopause hype | Tania Elfersy
Magnificent Midlife
Want to rethink everything you thought you knew about menopause? I’m thrilled to welcome back Tania Elfersy, someone I really admire and a woman with a truly refreshing take on this stage of life. This is a conversation between two women who care deeply about the state of the menoverse today! I first came across Tania while writing my and was immediately struck by her wisdom and insight. The last time she joined me on the podcast, our conversation about menopause was very feisty – and this one is just as spirited. Tania brings such clarity, compassion and common sense to the...
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189 MENOPAUSE MATTERS: Menopause and nutrition | Karen Newby (re-release)
Magnificent Midlife
We’re bringing back another powerful episode for our special Menopause Matters Season - this time with the fabulous Karen Newby. Karen is a nutritionist who’s been practising nutritional therapy for over a decade, specialising in women’s hormonal health - particularly menopause. She’s the author of The Natural Menopause Method, a brilliant nutritional guide to perimenopause and beyond, and her brand-new book The Natural Menopause Method Cookbook is out now. In her new book, Karen has compiled 60 simple, flavour-packed recipes designed to help combat and minimise the most common...
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188 MENOPAUSE MATTERS: Staying fit and healthy through menopause | Tania Dalton (re-release)
Magnificent Midlife
We’re bringing back another great episode for our special Menopause Matters Season — this time with the fabulous Tania Dalton. Tania is a healthy aging coach and fitness trainer, known for her inspiring approach to redefining what’s possible as we age. She’s passionate about showing that menopause isn’t an ending, but the beginning of a whole new chapter. Since we first recorded this episode, Tania has continued her mission, working as an online health coach helping women over 50 regain their energy so they can thrive in their careers and their lives. She’s also launched an...
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187 MENOPAUSE MATTERS: Menopause whilst Black | Karen Arthur | (re-release)
Magnificent Midlife
We’re bringing back another ground-breaking episode for our special Menopause Matters Season — this time with the inspiring Karen Arthur. Karen is an educator, fashion designer, dancer, podcaster, broadcaster, author and artist. She’s the host of the Menopause Whilst Black podcast, which she created to amplify the voices of Black women going through menopause. Karen brings such honesty, creativity, and joy to this conversation. She reminds us that menopause isn’t one size fits all and that midlife can be a time to set boundaries, honour ourselves, and open up to...
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186 MENOPAUSE MATTERS: Menopause, hormones and immune systems | Angela Counsel | (re-release)
Magnificent Midlife
We’re bringing back another great episode for our special Menopause Matters Season – this time with the brilliant Angela Counsel. Angela is a naturopath, kinesiologist, and mindset coach working with women in midlife. Like me, she’s on a mission to spread the word that menopause doesn’t have to be a struggle. It can be a time of stepping into your wisdom and falling in love with yourself and your life. This conversation was recorded at a time when Covid-19 was very much part of our everyday lives, so we talk a lot about how to support both our hormonal balance and our immune systems in...
info_outlineDr. Sarah McKay is a neuroscientist, author, and science communicator passionate about making brain science accessible and practical. With a PhD in neuroscience, she specializes in exploring the female brain and its transformations across life stages. Her books, The Women's Brain Book and Baby Brain, delve into the neuroscience of health, hormones, and motherhood. She’s also the director of The Neuroscience Academy, bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and everyday life.
We talk about:
- Dr McKay's passion for science communication
- Her inspiration for writing her books
- Understanding the brain and menopause
- Advancements in menopause research
- Challenges in menopause research and communication
- The impact of menopause on cognition and mood
- Menopause in the workplace
- The need for reliable data and room for nuance
- Lifestyle and menopause management
- The need for humor in menopause
- Future directions in menopause research
And lots more! If you want to understand what happens to our brains in midlife, this podcast is a must listen.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening.
Order the ebook or audiobook (narrated by Rachel) versions of Rachel’s book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond at magnificentmidlife.com/book
The paperback can be purchased on Amazon or other online retailers:
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
US & Canada: https://www.amazon.com/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
You can listen to all the other episodes and get the show notes at magnificentmidlife.com/podcast.
Recommended by the Sunday Times.
Feedspot #9 in 40 Best Midlife Podcasts and #7 in 60 Best Women Over 50 Podcasts
You'll find lots of strategies, support, and resources to help make your midlife magnificent at magnificentmidlife.com.
Check out Rachel's online Revitalize Experience, a 6-week intensive small group mentoring experience or 1-1 Midlife Mentoring.