Conversations Beyond Borders
by Laura Weyl & Susan Poulter
When “It’s Normal” Doesn't Feel Helpful
About this podcast
Welcome to "A Conversation Beyond Borders" - a podcast hosted by two women who have raised their children and are now navigating their way through midlife. Join us as we explore life, family, and self-help-related topics through lively discussions and book reviews.
We believe that midlife is a time for reflection, growth, and learning. We also know it can be a challenging time, full of transitions and changes. That’s why we created this podcast – to share our experiences, insights, and wisdom with others who are also going through this phase of life.
Each episode, we tackle a different topic – from relationships to career to health and wellness – and share our own experiences and perspectives. We’ll also discuss books that have inspired us or helped us in some way, offering our thoughts and insights on the ideas they present.
Our goal is to create a supportive, informative, and engaging space for those in midlife to connect with each other and explore new ideas. We hope our discussions and book reviews will inspire you to try new things, challenge your assumptions, and deepen your understanding of yourself and the world around you.
So whether you’re a fellow empty nester, in midlife, or simply someone who loves a good book discussion, we invite you to join us on "A Conversation Beyond Borders" and share in our journey of discovery and growth.
Connect with us on all the socials @ConversationsBeyondBorders, and visit our website at www.ConversationsBeyondBorders.com. We’d love to hear from you and have you be part of the conversation!
Episodes
The newest 20 of 27 episodes
- When “It’s Normal” Doesn't Feel Helpful · 31 min · Season 2 Episode 9Send us Fan Mail Have you ever shared something you were struggling with, only to hear, “Well, that's just normal at your age”? Whether it's sleepless nights, menopause symptoms…
- No More Glow Up – Accepting and Embracing Your Growth · 23 min · Season 2 Episode 8Send us Fan Mail Everywhere we turn, someone seems to be telling us there’s something we could improve—our skin, our bodies, our routines, our homes, our health, even the way we…
- Why do Friendships Feel Different Now? · 30 min · Season 2 Episode 7Send us Fan Mail Friendship feels different in midlife. The people we once connected with because of kids, work, neighborhoods, or shared schedules may no longer be part of our…
- Maybe You're Not Tired... Maybe It's Capacity · 34 min · Season 2 Episode 6Send us Fan Mail "I'm just so tired." It's become one of the most common phrases we hear in midlife—but what if we're using the wrong word? In this episode, we explore the idea…
- The Part of Menopause We Never Expected · 30 min · Season 2 Episode 5Send us Fan Mail When most of us imagined menopause, we pictured hot flashes, night sweats, and changing hormones. What many of us weren't prepared for were the emotional…
- What If Your Choices Don't Need a Full Explanation? · 28 min · Season 2 Episode 4Send us Fan Mail How much of your life is spent explaining yourself? "I'm tired." "I've changed my mind." "I'm staying home tonight." Why do so many of us feel like those simple…
- When Did My Own Voice Become the Quietest One in the Room? · 35 min · Season 2 Episode 3Send us Fan Mail Long before we knew who we were, we were shaped by the voices around us. Parents. Teachers. Family expectations. Society. Over time, those messages become the…
- Why Does Everyone Think I'm Fine? · 28 min · Season 2 Episode 2Send us Fan Mail How many times have you answered the question "How are you?" with "I'm fine"—even when you weren't? In this episode, Susan and Laura explore the surprising…
- The Wake-Up Call I Didn't Want · 24 minSend us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 2 of Conversations Beyond Borders. This week, Laura and Susan kick off the new season with a candid conversation about something many midlife…
- Season 2 Trailer · 11 min · Season 2Send us Fan Mail Season 2 of Conversations Beyond Borders is coming—and this time, we’re showing up differently. In this trailer, Laura and Susan share what they learned from…
- Mini Episode #6 - Staying Steady When The Chaos Arrives · 8 min · Season 1 Episode 16Send us Fan Mail December has a way of turning up the volume — on the house, the schedule, the opinions, and the emotions. In this warm, grounded episode of Conversations Beyond…
- Mini Episode #5 You Don’t Have to Do Everything Just Because You Can · 8 min · Season 1 Episode 15Send us Fan Mail In this validating and gently humorous December mini-series episode, Susan and Laura explore a familiar truth for midlife women: being incredibly capable can…
- Mini Episode #4 Last on the List: The Holiday They Don’t Know You’re Holding” · 7 min · Season 1 Episode 14Send us Fan Mail In this episode of our December mini-series, Laura and Susan explore the invisible emotional and logistical load midlife women carry during the holidays — often…
- Mini Episode #3: Calm Before the Chaos — Small Shifts that Change the Season · 12 min · Season 1 Episode 13Send us Fan Mail Before the holidays sweep you into their familiar rhythm of rushing, this conversation invites you to pause. In this episode, Susan and Laura explore the quiet…
- Mini Episode Intro: Holiday Stress Management System — Sanity, Sparkle, and a Little Bit of Sass · 9 min · Season 1 Episode 11Send us Fan Mail Tired of white-knuckling your way through the holidays? This episode is your permission slip to reclaim your peace, protect your joy, and bring back the…
- Mini Episode 2: Halloween Without the Chaos — Costumes, Candy, Safety & Sensory · 9 min · Season 1 Episode 12Send us Fan Mail Ready to ditch Halloween chaos and step into the holiday season with more peace and less pressure? 🎃 In this episode of Conversations Beyond Borders, Susan and…
- Episode 10: Your Evolution — Celebrating Growth and Embracing What’s Next · 32 min · Season 1 Episode 10Send us Fan Mail In this final episode of Season 1, we arrive at Stage 5 of our journey: Your Evolution. This episode is a heartfelt pause—an opportunity to reflect on how far…
- Episode 9: Building Resilience: Practicing Mindfulness and Resilience · 24 min · Season 1 Episode 9Send us Fan Mail As we step into the final stage of our journey, we’re no longer just naming the challenges—we’re moving through them with intention. In this episode of…
- Episode 8: Aligning Goals with Values – Finding Clarity and Purpose in Midlife · 24 min · Season 1 Episode 8Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like the life you worked so hard to build no longer fits? Maybe everything looks fine from the outside, but deep down, there’s a quiet…
- Episode 7: Empowering Self-Discovery and Cultivating Connection · 30 min · Season 1 Episode 7Send us Fan Mail Who is the woman staring back at you in the mirror? Not the mom, the wife, the daughter, or the professional—but the real you, at your core. In this powerful…







