say YES to yourself! | Midlife Reinvention: Real Stories, Bold Moves
Say YES to Yourself! is a top midlife podcast for women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who are reinventing their lives and navigating major life transitions.
This podcast is for you if you're asking:
1. Why do I feel lost as a woman in midlife?
2. Who am I now that my kids are grown and I have an empty nest?
3. Is it too late to reinvent myself in my 40s or 50s?
4. How do I rebuild after a divorce or a major life change?
5. Why do I feel guilty for wanting more for myself in midlife?
6. How do I stop people-pleasing and start putting myself first?
7. How do women reinvent themselves after caregiving or burnout?
8. How do I rebuild confidence and trust myself again in midlife?
9. How do I navigate a midlife transition without losing myself?
10. How do I make a career pivot in midlife that actually feels aligned?
Each week, host Wendy Harrop interviews inspiring women who are reinventing their lives in midlife. From career changes and creative pursuits to empty nest transitions and personal breakthroughs, you'll hear real stories of midlife transformation, courage, and joy.
Topics include: midlife reinvention, starting over after 40, second chapter living, empty nest syndrome, midlife career change, women's empowerment, personal growth for women over 50, midlife transitions, rebuilding after divorce, and finding yourself again in midlife.
Say YES to Yourself! is for midlife women ready to shed outdated expectations, rewrite their stories, and put themselves first—without guilt or apology.
Your best chapter starts now.
say YES to yourself! | Midlife Reinvention: Real Stories, Bold Moves
When You Stop Waiting for Someone to Take You on the Trip (And Go Anyway) | Melissa Byron
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself!
Inspired to say yes to travel after this conversation? Wendy has three all-inclusive travel experiences where everything is already done for you. Just check your calendar, book your flight, and pack your cute outfits:
Edinburgh, Scotland | July 6-10, 2026 | Discover castles and gardens
phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/edinburgh
Cognac Jewelry School, France | June 27-July 4, 2026 | Deep dive into silversmith jewelry making with Jessica Hickman-Woolcott
phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/cognac-jewellery-school-summer-foundations
Walnut Grove Cooking School, Normandy | August 27-September 2, 2026 | Cook with an amazing French chef
phineaswrighthouse.com/the-shop/p/walnut-grove-cookery
In this episode, Wendy sits down with Melissa Byron, travel blogger and group trip leader who started solo traveling in 2009 when she realized she wasn't going to wait around for someone to take her to Rome. What she didn't expect? The shame she felt about traveling alone, the pressure she put on herself to make everything perfect, and how none of it turned out like "Eat Pray Love."
They explore:
- Why her first solo trip wasn't magical (and why she felt guilty about that)
- How solo travel gave her the confidence to move to Germany on a self-employment visa
- Why her travel blog went nowhere for years and why she kept going anyway
This is a conversation about what happens when you stop waiting. Solo travel gave Melissa the confidence to do almost anything—move to another country, start a business, build community. If you're tired of waiting for someone else to give you permission, this one's for you.
Connect with Melissa:
Instagram instagram.com/asolowomantraveling
Facebook facebook.com/groups/solofemaletraveleurope
Website asinglewomantraveling.com
________________________________________________________________________________________
Connect with Wendy:
Linkedin
Instagram: @wendy.harrop
Facebook: Phineas Wright House
Website: Phineas Wright House
PWH Farm Stays
PWH Curated Experience and Travel
Interested in being a guest on the show?
Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com
Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective
Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat!
If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a 5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.
