Best Middleage Podcasts (2026)

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Episode 200: I'd Rather Have The Cash 1:04:24

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4h ago1:04:24

1:04:24

We are SO BACK! We're catching up on the holiday break and we're bringing a new flavour to the New Years conversations with a selection of regrets from 2025! Don't forget - if you fancy some bonus episodes, weekly episode commentary, community chat and BTS content, we'd love you to consider supporting us at www.patreon.com/makinganeffortpodcast…

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#394 How to Complain Better 27:15

2h ago27:15

27:15

For many of us complaining is just second-nature. It's what we do when we want things to be different or when we want someone to see our struggle. And yet, complaining has a natural byproduct of shutting other people down, especially when the complaint is directed towards them. When we can learn to express our wants and desires in ways other than c…

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The Healing Power of Horses 41:38

4h ago41:38

41:38

Sue Willoughby is a life coach with a real twist. Raised by a single alcoholic parent, Sue came out at 17, hit some serious lows, and still built a life full of grit, growth, and reinvention—from corporate trainer to standup comic, real estate investor, and private pilot. As a coach, Sue partners with horses to help her clients through their diffic…

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419.. I Ghosted You—Here's Why (and What's Next) 27:18

3h ago27:18

27:18

After taking a step back to rebalance her life, Jill returns to the podcast to share where she's been, what's changed, and what's coming next. In this episode, she talks honestly about midlife, movement, and why there's no shame in seasons of rest—plus a more realistic, compassionate way to use January fresh-start energy without burning out. Click …

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Romanos the Melodist with Thomas Arentzen 41:04

3m ago41:04

41:04

Songs have a way of making us see and feel things unlike other forms of writing, which is why so many of us treasure the words of lyricists. And when it comes to early Christianity, no songs were more treasured and influential than those of Romanos. This week, Danièle speaks with Thomas Arentzen about the life and works of Romanos the Melodist, why…

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#393 The Paralyzing Pursuit of Perfectionism with Cathi Sessions, LCSW 1:01:57

22h ago1:01:57

1:01:57

Perfectionism can seem like a worthy thing to work towards, but the truth is, it actually keeps us from creating and becoming our true selves. It holds us back from true connection and intimacy and dulls and cheapens our life experience. In this episode, my good friend, Cathi Sessions, LCSW, and I discuss how perfectionism has impacted our lives an…

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Ep 224: MAMH The Year in Metal 2025 1:45:12

4d ago1:45:12

1:45:12

The last year is stabbed and bleeding and in an alley. Time to move on. But first, let’s take a look back and piss and moan about it.

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Medieval Beauty 31:09

6d ago31:09

31:09

Who’s the fairest of them all? And, more importantly, how did they get that way? This week, a new biography of Marilyn Monroe sends Danièle down the rabbit hole of medieval beauty, how it was achieved, and how it’s still influencing beauty standards today. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how …

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#392 Vulnerability and Validation 28:51

8d ago28:51

28:51

Vulnerability and validation work together in our relationships to create intimacy and connection. When both people in a partnership are willing to step into both, we can create something magical. When one in the partnership is unwilling or unable to engage in either, it definitely creates a problem, but we can learn to have our own backs when we s…

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How to Screen and Hire Caregivers for Your Loved Ones 42:53

10d ago42:53

42:53

Our guest today was on the panel of experts at WCNY's event, which showcased Bradley Cooper's film "Caregiving". Gwen Crossett is an R.N. and runs a concierge, boutique-style caregiver agency, assisting caregivers and their loved ones in navigating the challenges of elder care and progressing diseases. Today we're going to focus on two less talked …

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2025: The Medieval Year in Review 37:41

21d ago37:41

37:41

If there’s one thing we can say about 2025 it’s that it was certainly full of surprises. From political bridge-burning to bridge-building, to the destruction and the restoration of priceless artifacts, there was never a dull moment this year. This week, in keeping with tradition, Danièle speaks with Peter Konieczny, editor of Medievalists.net, abou…

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Ep 224: Peter Criss 2025! 1:27:57

14d ago1:27:57

1:27:57

If you can believe it, just day before his 80th birthday, the Catman has released a new record. We’re gonna critique and discuss this new release and pray he takes this puppy on tour.

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#391 The Christmas Adventure Starring Calm and Chaos 28:52

17d ago28:52

28:52

Sometimes we get these expectations around the holidays, and we think that this should be such a magical time and that no one should get grumpy or annoyed. We might believe we should feel the joy and peace of Christmas in abundance and all the regular challenges of life should just melt away under the warmth of the Season. But the truth is, whether…

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Robin Hood and the Christmastime Tradition with Alex Kaufman 48:03

28d ago48:03

48:03

He’s a hero. He’s an outlaw. And it turns out he’s also Christmastime favourite. Given his many incarnations, from a foxy cartoon heartthrob, to the gruff and grizzled Hugh Jackman that previewed this week, it’s hard not to fall in love with some version or other of Robin Hood. And as we’ll find out in this episode, even jolly old Saint Nick just h…

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Ep 223: Genius or Garbage? 1:43:54

1M ago1:43:54

1:43:54

Colin is missing. Holiday Dan rears his head. The rest of us are equally confused. We take a short dip into the mire of tunes that could be GENIUS or could be GARBAGE. Whatchathink? who knows. it's chilly.

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Episode 199: Are We Changing Lives? 59:07

22d ago59:07

59:07

It's the last MAE episode of the year! Today we're giving a masterclass on how to do small talk for Americans. We're discussing the level of involvement is appropriate for our husbands in home decor, and Mel has a shocking revelation to share about her seasonal colour palate! Merry Christmas MAE Gang! We love you! Don't forget - we'll continue to h…

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#390 You Can't Fill Their Bucket 29:29

25d ago29:29

29:29

Many of us grew up hearing about the bucket analogy, an we were taught to believe that we could fill other people's buckets by complimenting them or telling them great things about themselves. In this podcast I propose that we can't fill anyone else's bucket. That filling our bucket is a job that only we can do, and when we expect others to fill ou…

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Neurographic Art: The Most Fun to Resolve Conflict 51:53

24d ago51:53

51:53

Sometimes we accidentally come across something that changes our lives. You've heard me talk about the local creative hub I attend monthly and how sweet it is. Not long ago my friend Laraine brought in a sample of neurographic art. I thought to myself, "that is strange looking. And ugly." I'm more of a botanical zen doodler kind of gal. Then I saw …

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Understanding your past through a Hollywood lens. 48:38

1M ago48:38

48:38

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Maria Leonhard Olsen, a multifaceted individual who has transformed her life in remarkable ways. From practicing law in Washington, D.C., to becoming a celebrated author, podcaster, and mentor, Maria shares her journey of overcoming personal challenges and embracing new opportunities. Discover how she navi…

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Richard the Lionheart with Heather Blurton 50:23

1M ago50:23

50:23

Love him or hate him, it’s hard to take one step into the medieval world without running into the larger-than-life figure of Richard the Lionheart. Rebel, crusader, prisoner, castle-builder Richard is one of the most colourful and quotable kings of the Middle Ages. This week, Danièle speaks with Heather Blurton about how Richard’s contemporaries sa…

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Episode 198: Your Holiday Food Traditions (with crying) 54:46

29d ago54:46

54:46

Well well well! If that wasn't such an emotional rollercoaster! Thank you to everyone who submitted their favourite holiday food and let us into your family traditions. Food is the language of love and we felt ALL the feels recording this episode - a firm favourite of ours this year! All the recipes you hear in this will be available soon on our pa…

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#389 The Partnership of Marriage 32:49

1M ago32:49

32:49

Creating a partnership in our marriages was the goal when we got married, and yet many of us over the years, end up retreating into a paper marriage, a place where we live in the same space, but we do so as roommates, people who aren't connected. The goal of marriage isn't just to share a house and a washing machine, it's to connect emotionally, to…

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The Medieval Order of Assassins with Steve Tibble 55:43

1M ago55:43

55:43

In the last twenty years, the shadowy Assassins of the medieval Middle East have seen a serious resurgence in popularity. And yet, like so many medieval people and groups, it’s still hard to tell the legend from the reality - and that’s just the way the Assassins wanted it. This week, Danièle speaks with Steve Tibble about who the Assassins were, w…

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Episode 197: Grown Up Little Homemakers 59:37

1M ago59:37

59:37

Turns out we are grown ups and we buy and do grown up things. Like bulk ordering toilet roll! Look at us go! We catch up on Thanksgiving in the USA and Mel tells us about her hangover and a really unfortunately bagel situation. Listeners - don't forget to send us your favourite holiday family food tradition stories and recipes! We want a quick voic…

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#388 Is it I? 23:46

1M ago23:46

23:46

When Christ informed his disciples that one of them would betray them, their response was, 'Is it I, Lord?' When I'm confronted with something that I did wrong or an accusation, most often my immediate response is, 'What are you talking about? I didn't mess that up! How could you accuse me of such a thing?!?' Hmmm. Very telling. I'm obviously not d…

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Discover the Fascinating World of Glass Eyes 43:16

1M ago43:16

43:16

Do you know what an ocularist is? Neither did I until I went to a talk by today's guest, author Dan Roche. I never would have known about Dan or his book about glass eyes unless I was friends with the illustrator of his new book: "Eyes By Hand". And it is fascinating. In this episode, we learn about the obscure world of glass eye making and talk ab…

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Improving Sex in Middleage 50:33

2M ago50:33

50:33

Join us for an insightful episode of "Man Up Man Down" as we dive into men's health with Jackson Hightower, CEO and founder of Natural Jackson. Discover how Jackson's journey from athlete to health influencer is revolutionizing men's approach to vitality and intimate wellness. The impact of early sports and nutrition education on Jackson's health j…

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Best Medieval Books of 2025 42:24

1M ago42:24

42:24

It's the most wonderful time of the year: time to celebrate the best medieval books of 2025. This week, Danièle speaks with Peter Konieczny, editor of Medievalists.net, about their favourite reads this year - and she announces some exciting news about the future of The Medieval Podcast. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of liste…

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Ep 222: The 1980 - 84 SuperDraft 1:15:38

1M ago1:15:38

1:15:38

Get out your UNO cards and play along just don't get SLAPPED. Pick one band from each year 80 - 84 and add one complete CLUNKER for discussion and hilarity. Did we pick yours? Did you pick ours? WAZZZZAAAAAUUUPPP

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Episode 196: What In The Cult? 43:25

1M ago43:25

43:25

Hello it's MAEDAY! This week we ponder our sleep patterns, Gabby shares the labour of a Christmas Craft and Mel shares a bit about the fun weekend she had with Hillary McBride! Listeners - don't forget to send us your favourite holiday family food tradition stories and recipes! We want a quick voicenote to explain the background and the recipe atta…

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#387 The Spiritual Nature of Sexuality with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife 52:43

2M ago52:43

52:43

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife and I explored the intersection of spirituality and sexuality, particularly focusing on how societal and religious expectations impact LDS women's understanding and expression of sexuality. Jennifer teaches us about three stages of spiritual and sexual development, including how individuals progress from…

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The Medieval Moon with Ayoush Lazikani 48:22

2M ago48:22

48:22

In the last century we’ve witnessed people set foot on the moon, and seen even the dark side in high-res images, and yet the moon still evokes a sense of romance and mystery, just as it did in the Middle Ages. This week, Danièle speaks with Ayoush Lazikani about what – and who – medieval people across the world believed the moon to be. Support this…

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Episode 195: Your Body Doesn't Do That Very Well 53:59

2M ago53:59

53:59

Today we get straight into Christmas party chat, Mel gripes about a gym injury and a blunt physiotherapist. Gabby weighs in on premade cocktail recipes, the glory of a bowl of popcorn, and Mel reacts to the HORROR that Gabby has not yet watched a very special holiday classic movie! Listeners - don't forget to send us your favourite holiday family f…

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#386 Overcoming Resentment 30:03

2M ago30:03

30:03

All of us are familiar with the feeling a resentment, the angst that comes from feeling anger, frustration, or envy about how someone else is showing up and we think we're being taken advantage of or that things are unfair or that we don't deserve that treatment. And yet, remembering that resentment is not caused by someone else's behavior, but rat…

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Around the World at 80 44:59

2M ago44:59

44:59

When Eleanor Hamby and Dr. Sandra Hazelip met more than 25 years ago, after becoming empty nesters and then widows, it was best friends at first sight. They never could've imagined that their relationship would propel them, in their eighties, through an around the globe adventure, or that they would go viral online and inspire people young and old …

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Midlife Opportunities - What's in stock for midlife transition 48:32

2M ago48:32

48:32

In this episode of "Man Up / Man Down," we sit down with Ken Valledy, a seasoned entrepreneur and keynote speaker, to explore the journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship. Ken shares his personal story of leaving a successful marketing career to co-found Progressive Acceleration, a company that bridges the gap between startups and major corp…

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The Language of Heresy with Erin Wagner 49:59

2M ago49:59

49:59

With just one word, we can evoke a world of assumptions, stereotypes, and even accusations, clearly marking the difference between who’s in and who’s out. And when it comes to legal terminology, the stakes are even higher. This week, Danièle speaks with Erin Wagner about what late medieval people meant when they used the word heresy, how the usage …

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Episode 194: Wipe Down The Shower! 58:42

2M ago58:42

58:42

We waste no time getting into important stuff this episode - underwear and jammies. Mel has bathroom renovation woes and beef with her MIL. I give my best pitch for watching 'All's Fair' and we have a CALL OUT FOR YOU! Send us a (short) voice-note telling us about your favourite holiday tradition around food. Attach it, and the recipe send it to he…

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#385 Self-Forgiveness 32:56

2M ago32:56

32:56

Sometimes, forgiving ourselves can be really hard. And not only the process, but also the long-lasting repercussions of not being able to accept our human flaws and move forward, to let go of a painful past and move forward with more hope and light. In this episode we are talking about how to forgive ourselves and what to do when the other person d…

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417. Breathing (Replay!) 9:36

2M ago9:36

9:36

Hey, hey, my runner friend. I'm doing a little self-care and taking the week off from podcasting. So please enjoy this episode from last year! Your breathing is a direct indicator of your effort level. When your breathing feels controlled and relaxed, it means your effort level is right in the sweet spot. And when it feels like you can't catch your…

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Balthild of Francia with Isabel Moreira 54:12

2M ago54:12

54:12

This year, we’ve spent some good quality time with early medieval queens, digging into their mysterious and spectacular lives and reigns. And when it comes to the spectacular, it’s hard to compete with the star of this week’s episode, a woman who arrived in Francia a slave, rose to become a queen, and then ascended to the heavens as a saint. This w…

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Ep 221: MAMH on Ace Frehley 1:30:53

2M ago1:30:53

1:30:53

We lost a legend. But he's been lost before. We'll find him again. Memories, music, experiences, and camaraderie as always. RIP to the Spaceman.

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Episode 193: MAE The Musical 48:29

2M ago48:29

48:29

Welcome back! This week you're getting some spooky chat, some really uneducated thoughts around modern dating and if we missed out on being on apps etc. Mel's mum's dating advice and Gabby gets an unexpected text 😬. Also, what if we made our demands into a musical act - would that get our kids to listen to us? The Making An Effort Podcast is a prou…

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#384 Relational Living 38:22

2M ago38:22

38:22

Learning to live in relationship is a skill, and one that many of us have not learned, let alone even considered. But to have the intimate, connected relationships we innately crave, it is imperative we learn to move into 'we' thinking, considering our spouse and our relationship just as much as we consider ourselves. When we can deeply desire our …

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The Power of Traditional Naturopathy 36:59

2M ago36:59

36:59

Amanda Conta Steencken is a classically trained musician and neuroanatomist originally from Argentina who has a fascinating story about her journey into health and wellness education. Amanda was training in classical piano when she began having problems with her hands. Her health problems became too severe for her to continue in her music training.…

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Navigating Midlife. Fulfilment, Leadership, and Legacy with Bernie Borges 48:29

2M ago48:29

48:29

In this episode of "Men Up, Men Down," we welcome Bernie Borges, creator of the Fulfillment Centric Leadership Framework and host of the Midlife Fulfilled Podcast. Bernie shares his insights on aligning personal purpose with organizational success, the importance of fulfillment over fleeting happiness, and how to navigate the three phases of midlif…

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416. I Don't Even Know Where to Start 13:30

2M ago13:30

13:30

Don't know where to start — or feel like you just don't have time to exercise? In this episode, Jill breaks down the bare minimum you actually need to start moving again. Learn how to build a consistent routine in just a few minutes a day and feel stronger for decades to come. Click HERE to grab the Midlife Movement Makeover!…