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Happy Mammoth is a wellness brand focused on women's health. Their top product, Hormone Harmony, has a huge online following because it's specifically made to help with hormonal changes during menopause and perimenopause. It uses Adaptogens to support the body's stress response, keeping you balanced. And their whole line is made with women in mind, using premium ingredients tailored to our needs. I can't wait to try their Gut repair supplement. It got thousands of five star reviews and supports digestion, skin, hair and nail health. Happy Mammoth really knows what women need. For a limited time, you can get 15% off your entire first order@happymammoth.com just use the code Midlife at checkout. This show is brought to you by Spark Leaders looking to support causes that matter to you but don't know where to start. Say hello to Spark Leaders, your new go to platform for creating meaningful change. SPARK lets you donate to approved charities securely and effortlessly. Whether you're passionate about LGBTQIA rights, racial justice or education inequality, Spark provides the tools to amplify your impact, connecting you directly with organizations making a difference. Find your Spark Donate directly. Share the gift of change Join us today and be a part of something bigger. Let's ignite change together. SparkLeaders.org Lemonade.
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Age is more than a number, for sure. Speaking of today I'm 41 and a half and age for me is experience. It's life lived. It's understanding what is important and what is not. The lessons and the things I do now, very different from when I was younger. I advocate for myself, I ask questions. I'm firm in boundaries. I'm more accepting and open to different possibilities. The pivots and changes that used to scare me now encourage and inspire and get me creative and excited.
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Welcome to my so Called Midlife, a podcast where we figure out how to stop just getting through it and start actually living it. I'm Reshma Sajani. Here's the thing I do think about my age and what I'm learning from the women I've talked to on this pod is that maybe I've gotten it all wrong. You don't have to feel like every great thing in your life is behind you. And today's guest is just another example that midlife might just be a mindset. Chelsea Clinton was 12 years old when she moved into the White House and her dad became the 42nd president of the United States in 2016. Her mom was a Democratic presidential candidate. While those two things would likely age any person, Chelsea said She doesn't feel very mid age. Maybe it's because she's too busy to be worried about aging. She's a mom of three, an author, an advocate and a philanthropist. Her books teach kids about big topics like poverty, gender equality. And most recently, Chelsea's teamed up with her mom, Hillary Clinton and actress Jennifer Lawrence to produce Zurawski v. Texas, a doc about a group of women who sued the state of Texas after they were denied abortions. I'm so thrilled I got to chat with Chelsea about the values her mom instilled in her about getting older and how she talks to her kids about abortion and just really hard things because let's face it, we are less than a week from election day and I just needed to talk to someone close to it all, someone who has lived through so much of this for firsthand and has come out stronger for it. Hi, Chelsea.
B
Hi, Reshma.
A
Let's get started. Thank you so much for doing this. Sure. So I always like to start in the beginning by asking, is there anything happened in the last week of your life where you felt so middle aged?
B
No, sorry.
A
What about. Oh, it's okay. So Emily and I, because you're a runner too, so we were saying like after we go for a run, we have to foam roll. Didn't have to do that. Fifteen years.
B
I run six days a week. And I think maybe because I grew up as a dancer, I've always stretched a lot. So yeah, I think the only way I really feel my age, which started I really felt like after I turned 30 actually was I can't take red Eye flights any longer and immediately like feel like a superhero. I really, really feel travel in a way that I didn't in my 20s. And that's been true now for many years. That's more than like running or sleep or anything else where I really feel like, oh, there was something that my body could do in my 20s that it just doesn't do any longer.
A
A doctor was just saying like, women's bodies are just not meant to be torted like that for that long.
B
Maybe it's like the sitting or the awkward like head tilt. Maybe I, I just, it is though where I really am keenly aware that something used to be different.
A
It's so interesting you say that. I just got home from a double red eye yesterday and I just walked in the house and I said to my husband, I can't do this anymore. Like, and same thing. When I was building Girls who Code, I used to fly three times a week. And it Was like, I was great. I could do. I could like, go for a 10 mile run the next day. I can't do it. Same day, same day.
B
I'm still okay. There's something about, like, the overnight flight that just wrecks me in a way that wasn't always true.
A
Yeah. All right. I'm going to try this day to day thing and see if that makes me feel better. So I don't know if you know about this, but in 2019, the Cut wrote about you. Born in 1980, Clinton is, by my estimation, the first millennial on the cusp of midlife. End quote. Did you, do you ever, do you remember that article? Did you ever read it? And like, are you the first ever millennial to have been on the cusp of midlife?
B
I mean, definitely not. I do, I do think it's pretty funny that those of us born between like, 1980 and 1985 are sometimes referred to as geriatric millennials, which I just think is funny. Like, funny.
A
What does that even mean?
B
Like, because we're the old ones of the millennial generation, ergo, like, we're geriatric in this framing. But I've never, I've just thought that's like, strange, but, like, not offensive, just odd. I'm also certainly not a trained demographer. So, like, what do I really know about how these different generations are kind of intragenerational nuances are defined? And I mean, I was born on February 27, so certainly anybody born from Just After Midnight on January 1 to February 26, 1980, certainly has the claim of being more in the vanguard than I do, if that's even a thing.
A
So I don't know if you remember though, but. So the article's five years old and you were on the verge of turning 40 at that time. Were you thinking about your midlife, like, when you were right about to turn 40?
B
Reshma, I feel like I'm going to be a terrible guest because I don't think about that at all. I also recognize, like, I'm a very healthy, privileged person. Like, I'm blessed with good health. I have the privilege to get up and go for a run at like, you know, 3:30 in the morning, if that's the only time I can fit it in because I'm not on my way to work. And so I don't know, I don't think I've ever really thought about my age in any real way.
A
Do you still not think about your age? No, that's. Well, listen, this is the journey, right? Cause some people, midlife is a mindset. Like, there are people who are like, I don't think about this. This is the best time of my life. Like, age doesn't bother me. And then there's some people. Like, I wake up thinking about that I'm getting older, that I feel like I'm getting more irrelevant every single day. It's actually wild.
B
I don't think about it at all. I mean, my husband's one of 11 kids and like, his birthday was the one day in the whole year that was about him. And so, like, he loves birthdays, he loves his birthdays, he loves his siblings birthdays, he loves his mom's birthday, he loves, like, our kids birthdays, he loves his friend's birthday. And he's always like, we gotta do something for your birthday. And I'm like, I mean, sure, okay, but like, also fine to not. So. I don't think I've, you know, I don't know, Reshma. I think so much more about my life in terms of, like, the mom I want to be and the wife I want to be and the friend I want to be and the professional I want to be and the advocate I want to be, and like, the stuff I want to do with my kids or with my friends or with my colleagues or kind of in the world. Like, I just. I don't think about age Even really on February 27, which is maybe the one day of the year I should be thinking about it.
A
So. Can I ask you something? Because, you know, I love your mom. She's been a mentor for like 30 years. Did you get that from her or is it just a. You think?
B
I don't really ever remember my mom, like, talking about her age. I mean, I remember my mom having a. I think it was her 40th birthday and it was at like, a nice restaurant. And that was exciting. And I remember it was at Graffiti's, which is like, you know, fun, nice restaurant in Little Rock. And I remember feeling so excited I got to get like, dressed up and go to a birthday party. And also had my like, trusty coloring materials to keep me occupied because I think I was the only kid there. And so I have some like, memories like that of like, my parents birthdays. And I remember like, thinking about age and the implications of like, age when my father had his quadruple bypass surgery and how grateful I was that he had an early intervention. Absolutely saved his life. And thinking about the changes he would have to make to hopefully be able to live another 50 some odd years. But I don't remember my parents ever really fixating on getting older. Even now, I think they're just fixated on the election and the work they want to do in the world and the people they want to support and champion and the causes that they want to eng. Like, it's just not been a. Like an axis in my life. I think a little bit because of my parents, I'm sure, and a little bit because of me.
A
I think that's right. I think knowing your mom, I think she even now feels like the best years might be ahead of her, not behind her.
B
Yeah. I mean, it's all. Everything I've ever observed my parents to do and arguably even more so to be is like every success and setback is, like, equally treated as a challenge to just do more and to do better and to be more effective and more impactful. And I never remember my parents even saying anything, like, by the time I'm whatever, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80. So I've never. I've never thought of my life that way, but I don't.
A
I think that's a really good parenting tip because I do think for a lot of women I know part of their anxiety and their depression is about, like, is it too late for me? Is it too late for me to write that book? Is it too late for me to get that dream job? Is it too late for me to, you know, you know, run for office? And so I think that this is a really good, I don't know, mindset lesson that we should be imparting upon our children. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Ever catch yourself feeling like you're not quite being yourself? Like you're putting on some kind of mask, trying to fit in, or maybe hiding a part of who you are? Look, we all love Halloween. October is a fun time for masks and costumes, sure, but sometimes it feels like we're wearing a mask way more than we'd like. Whether it's at work, in social situations, or even with our own families, therapy can help with that. It's a space where you can strip away those layers and start to accept every part of yourself without judgment. Therapy can be transformative. It's about working through fears and insecurities that make us feel like we've got something to hide. It lets us embrace who we really are. And with that acceptance comes a kind of peace, a confidence that helps us show up more honestly in our relationships at work and everywhere else. If you've been thinking about starting therapy, try BetterHelp. It's entirely online, designed to be convenient, flexible and suited to your schedule. Visit betterhelp.com midlifecrisis today to get 10% off your first month. That's BetterHelp H E L P.com Midlifecrisis Spark something uncommon this holiday season with incredible handpicked gifts from Uncommon Goods. That's right, it's not too early to think about the holiday season and making it absolutely memorable for your loved ones. Uncommon Goods makes your holiday shopping stress free by scouring the globe for original, handmade and absolutely remarkable things for everyone on your list, they've officially found a way to tap into that. It's exactly what I wanted feeling Whether you're shopping for your Secret Santa or your entire family, Uncommon Goods knows exactly what they want. Here are a few of my favorite gifts that I found on their site. A book Lover's Advent calendar. Such a good gift idea. They also have these adorable Christmas sweaters that you can personalize with a photo of someone's dog. To get 15% off your next gift, go to UncommonGoods.com MidLife that's UncommonGoods.com MidLife for 15% off. Don't miss out on this limited time offer. Uncommon Goods were all out of the ordinary. You have three young kids and I know you talked to them about the big issues you're passionate about. Why is that important to you?
B
Well, I think, you know, when I talk to them, I would like to say at an age appropriate level, I think that is important. I'm not, you know, expecting them to understand like the contours of the current conversation we're in about whether or not people understand what a tariff is and kind of what the implications of that are. But I do talk to them, and I have, since they were very little about issues particularly I know that they care about. So, you know, especially for my daughter, who is our oldest, she cares intensely about the planet. She's worried and also motivated to do what she can around climate change. She has been completely mesmerized by the ocean her entire life. If you asked her, even as a much smaller human, what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would say first she wanted to study sharks, and then when she learned that that could be called a marine biologist, she would say, I want to be a marine biologist. And if you ask her still today, she'll say, I want to be a marine biologist.
A
How old is she?
B
She's 10. She's in fourth grade. Like that of course, could change. But it's also remarkable that she's had this through line of interest since she was 2. And also she really, it upsets her very much that kind of, her friends often think sharks are only kind of something out of Jaws instead of really kind of the great caretakers of the homeostasis of the ocean, which they very much are. But I share that because she has always had kind of the curiosity around like, well, what is happening to the planet and what is climate change and what can I do? And I try to help her understand and her brothers, like while your mom and dad are making decisions about who we vote for, they're going to make hopefully big changes in how energy is produced and consumed, how kind of water is appropriately used, how we think about the future of food and waste and these big issues for you, like as whether you're like in kindergarten or you know, first, second, third, fourth grade, like you can think about turning off the water that you're not using, you can think about recycling, think about like unplugging your nightlight in the morning. Because I do think it's super important actually for kids to engage in small ways so they feel like they are having a small but real impact and collectively actually could have a sizable impact.
A
Right.
B
While adults are of course hopefully also making small responsible choices, but kind of pushing our elected officials who have power and agency to help make the big structural shifts that we need to make. And so I do, I talk to my kids about all sorts of things that, you know, my other kids are interested in. You know, how do we have more parks for kids to play in? Like what does that look like? What does that mean? How do I influence what I'm being served in lunch for school?
A
Right, right.
B
You know, so it's just like. But those are the questions that I think we have to be responsive to because like that's how they're developing their citizen muscle and feeling like they're part of community, whether it's like the school community or like the global community.
A
I took my son to canvas with nine of his friends. We actually brought like 20 kids on a bus to Pennsylvania and it was just amazing just watching them knock on doors. Democracy talk to people who may not agree, you know what I mean, may be voting for somebody else. And just to see, I mean see them appreciate living in this democracy where we actually. It was just beautiful. I want to ask you a question though, on that note. What about the hard topics? So we were in the car and we saw there were a bunch of anti abortion protesters and Sean, my nine year old Is like, what's abortion? It's a big conversation this election. He's following what's happening on the news. And I was, like, not prepared to act, actually. What did you say about. I kind of said what I would. I was like, abortion is a woman's ability to have control over her body. And I went through the whole thing as if you and I were talking about it. And it was interesting watching him because he was processing what I was saying. He had some questions, and I was like, oh, like, this is what I need to do.
B
Our daughter has also asked us about abortion because she knows that her grandmother and I have been working really hard to help make, and now help, you know, promote our film Zyrowski v. Texas, following Amanda Zyrowski and two of the other lead plaintiffs in suing Texas for being denied medically indicated abortion care. And we, too, have had, you know, conversations. It sounds kind of echoing with what you had with your son. Like, this is about a woman being able to get just healthcare that she needs when she needs it, so that she's not harmed or even killed effectively by the absence of being able to access that healthcare. And also, it's about women and girls being able to make the choices that we think are right for ourselves. Our sons haven't asked that question, but certainly if our older one did, we would have a similar conversation. And our little one is so little that I would be shocked, but also would, on the spot, have to figure out how to navigate that with him, too. You know, Mark is half Ukrainian Jewish. And so when Russia invaded Ukraine or older, kids were asking you many questions around kind of, why did Russia do this? Like, what's going to happen? Were people killed? Are kids gonna be able to go to school? Do we have any family that's affected? I mean, many questions, understandably. And we navigated through being, of course, like, honest. And also sometimes the honesty was like, we're gonna talk about that when you're older, right? When they would say, like, well, how were people killed? Say, like, we're gonna talk about that when you're older. Like, unfortunately, like, yes, people have been killed. No, we don't know what's going to happen. I won't say that. It's always like, a walk in the park to toe that line with kids when they keep asking. And yet, for us, we do think it's important. So I just kept saying the same thing. And I'm like, you can keep asking, right? And the answer is going to be the same. And actually, like, I so appreciate that. You want to understand because you want to understand. You're asking questions to help you understand. And I'm going to do the best job that I can as your mom to give you the information that I think, like, you can absorb right now at, you know, 7, 8, 9, 10. And so that's how we deal with big questions.
A
I heard you so passionately talk to women in a room when we were together about why this election, why abortion rights, why we need to be loud, active and fight for our fundamental rights. Why is abortion access so important to you? And how has abortion showed up in your life?
B
Well, I was a kid in, you know, in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the 80s and 90s, and I went to public school and had a just wildly different experience, candidly, than I would be if I were a public school kid in Little Rock, Arkansas, today. I mean, we had not only, like, routine vision and hearing checks and nutritional information taught, but we had age appropriate sexual and reproductive health education. It was very clear that if you had questions, you could go to the school nurse. I remember when I was in seventh grade, there was an eighth grader that I knew had had an abortion. And I didn't understand medically what that meant, but I certainly understood that meant that she could come back and go to junior high school, because I think we should allow kids to be kids and not force kids into parenthood. And I think even on, like, a gut level, I understood that as what felt kind of morally and ethically correct to me when I, too, was still a kid. And so it is painful for me, Reshma, that I think about what we're doing to women in America, because it's not just, oh, like, what's happening to women, you know, in Arkansas or in other places that have strict abortion bans where maternal mortality has increased.
A
Right?
B
Maternal morbidity, you know, has increased. Infant mortality has increased. Women and girls being forced to give birth to their rapist children certainly, you know, has increased. Like, this is what we're doing in America. I think it's dangerous when we kind of tried to section off, like, oh, like, look, it's so sad what's happening to these women somewhere else. You're like, no, this is what's happening to women in America because of what we in America have permitted to happen to women here who just happen to live in a different state than us but still share, you know, share this country together. So to me, I think if you care about kind of women and girls, if you care about healthcare, if you care about kind of the fundamental Premise and promise of America to pursue life, liberty and happiness like you have to care about abortion rates and access.
A
I couldn't agree more. I do want to talk about when you were little. So you moved into the White House when you were 12. What were you like when you were 12? I have a feeling you might be very much the same.
B
I think so. I was very serious and earnest. I had a few really good friends whom I will forever be grateful. My four closest friends came to Washington to be kind of with me, to hang out with me, to keep me company, to laugh with me and kind of be in awe and curious and excited and all the things with me in the few days before the inauguration and shortly after. One of my closest friends in the whole world still today is someone I've known truly my whole life. She's six weeks older than I am, and our mothers met in Lamaze class when they were both pregnant. And so, you know, for me, I'm an only child. My friends have always been hugely important to me. And that was true, you know, at 12. And it's, you know, true for me today. And also, I was always like a pretty serious kid. Like, I cared a lot about my schoolwork. I cared a lot about ballet, which was my main activity outside of school by then, maybe actually really my only activity outside of school. And then later I was the editor of the yearbook. I was also very involved in my church community, my church youth group as a kid. That thankfully remained true with my new church in D.C. foundry United Methodist. So, I mean, and I still, like, am involved with the ballet here in New York City and still go to church every Sunday and still have, like, really good friends. So I think.
A
I think the same loves, you know, not that.
B
Not that different now that we're having this conversation.
A
So let me ask you always tell these beautiful stories about how, like, when your mom went to go work, she brought you with and you would watch what she was doing, then she would come out and she would tell you about it. So is that kind of how you were parented most of your life? And how does that translate to how you parent your kids?
B
Well, like, on the weekends, I would go to work with my parents, if they had to go to, for my mom, the law firm or my dad, the state capitol. Because this was like back in the era before kind of constant connectivity. And so if you wanted to work, you had to go to your office, not just open a laptop at home. And I did travel around the state with my parents a lot, like during the summer on the weekends, which was wonderful. Like I had just so many cool and extraordinary experiences as a kid at different festivals around the state. Like I'd go into the international duck calling contest and Stuttgart, Arkansas was like one of my favorite parts of the year.
A
Wait, what's duck calling?
B
Like? It's exactly what it sounds like. It's like duck calling and there's duck calling using like duck collars or using your hands. There would be then like we would eat duck. That's awesome. That gumbo was awesome. Or like you going to the different flower festivals or music festivals. And so yeah, I always felt like I was part of my parents lives, but also very much felt like living my life was the most important thing that I could do. And they were always so present for concerts or performances. And certainly now, you know, I talk to my kids about like what I'm doing if I'm going out to support the Harris Waltz campaign or for a program that we're working on at the Clinton foundation or a class I might be teaching or a book idea I might be noodling on. So very much I care about sharing with them like how I'm spending my time and energy and how kind of those investments, kind of of self hopefully help, you know, lead to change that I hope to see like in our community or our world. And very much also always show up for them to kind of be present.
A
Yeah.
B
You know, for the things that they've been working on and are excited about. Because that is very much also what my parents always did for.
A
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B
Have you read Mary Beard?
A
I love Mary Beard. She's coming on this podcast.
B
She good? Yeah, I think she elegantly and kind of succinctly lays bare the ways in which different kind of cultures over not only decades or centuries but kind of millennia, have conceptualized women in power to prevent women from gaining or keeping power, at least without enormous contestation and tumult. I think, thankfully, the conversation is different today in 2024, partly because of the experience of 2016. I think kind of more people are more aware of the role that gender plays in, like, every aspect of. Kind of the consumption of the different campaigns, not only as it relates to Madam Vice President Kamala Harris and her campaign, but also at kind of state and local elections, too. That doesn't say we don't still have enormous work to do. Of course we do.
A
Yeah. But it's better. But you feel better.
B
But I do think it's better. Yeah, I do.
A
Yeah. So it's so interesting because I'll be honest, People always like, you should run for office. And, you know, I've run before and lost before, but I'm always like, no, not yet. My kids are little. They're 4 and 9, and I'm so terrified of, like, I don't know, not being there or messing them up or focusing too much. And I think a lot of women often, whether it's. It doesn't have to be running for office, but, like, don't do something professionally because they feel like they have to put their kids before their dreams. But what's so interesting for. And watching. I mean, you are amazing. Like, your parents, your mother did such an incredible job. You are an incredibly accomplished, busy, active mom who works, and you're an incredible mother. And so you've been able to kind of do both these things. How?
B
I think there's a. A few answers that all, of course, are just part of the same kind of overall answer, which is one, I did have the role model and my mom and in my dad, of people that were incredibly busy and also really involved. And if they couldn't be at something for some reason, like, I had a grandparent there, and I knew they were so sad to not be there. And also that was rare because they were at most things. And so I'm so thankful now that, like, that's the ethos that we have in our family. And also, if, like, Mark and I are both traveling for whatever reason, I'm so thankful. Again, he comes from a very big village, many of whom, like, live nearby. And so if we can't be there, like, there's always a family member there, and they know, like, how sad we are that we're not there. And they also know we're at, like, the vast majority of things in their lives and, like, are never gonna miss the big talent show or the big play or the big recital. I think the second thing is kind of what I think of candidly as the convergence of both privilege and personality. Like the privilege of working with extraordinary people who help me prioritize my kids and who can help me forward plan. So if I'm invited to participate in a conference or to give a lecture, or if I want to go somewhere to be part of something or to hopefully make a positive contribution, to look at the calendar for the next however many months and say if you have to get to California or you have to get to Geneva, to be able to do kind of what you feel called to do professionally, we can't do it this day because we know you have to be in New York for the school play, or we can't do it that day because it's parent teacher conferences. But the personality of knowing that's important and also candidly, being comfortable being very scheduled. Like, I have friends for whom it's really important to feel like they have a little flexibility. Flexibility sometimes because creatively they need it to think if they're kind of writers or flexibility because they want to be able to take time outside the office or be able to have lunch with a friend. And I'm okay with having very little spontaneity in my life. Like, I'm. I really would like much rather be ridiculously planned. And so I do think I'm incredibly privileged to have the resources and the platform to be able to have real discretion over my calendar and to work with a really great team of people who help me do that and also help me, like, work really hard and show up in lots of places and be super present in lots of different ways for the things that I care most about, whether it's kind of fighting for women's reproductive rights or working to shore up, like, early childhood education in this country or to expand, like, immunization programs around the world. So I think it all, you know, all of those are the answer to your question. Like, not just one part of that.
A
Yeah, no, I think that's really the point about, like, the schedule at the expense of spontaneity actually creates happiness, I think is like an important for me.
B
But I have friends for whom that is not true, but for me, that is true. It also, though, Rashma, like, my mark, my husband has this sort of schematic of, like, family, work, and friends. And I think we're both just in a phase of life right now where, like, our kids are also young and they're the most important part of our lives. And we also feel incredibly grateful to get to do the work we do often, like sometimes seven days a week too. He is a climate change investor and works incredibly hard and is like so just driven by what he feels called to do in life. And we don't see a lot of our friends.
A
It's so funny you say that. I was just thinking, right, your social life is what is at. You know what I mean? What is a back burner.
B
Yeah. But I thankfully have, you know, like friends who live in England who I can call early in the morning like after I get back from a run when I'm stretching, or friends in California that I can call at night when I'm trying to like wind down and be disciplined about like not checking my email because it's 10pm and I'm going to have a glass of wine and work on my puzzle. And so we stay in touch with our friends, but we don't really see our friends as much in this phase of life and yet we know we will again.
A
Yep, I totally get it. Well, thank you so much. This was a fantastic conversation and I really appreciate you coming on the pod.
B
Yeah, thanks so much for having me, Resh.
A
Chelsea Clinton is an author, advocate and philanthropist. Check out her children's books wherever you buy your books. And remember, like Chelsea reminded us, spontaneity is overrated. I guess that means I'm putting Club Reshma to rest. See you next week. We're talking about divorce. It's gonna be a good one. There's more of my so Called Midlife with Lemonada. Premium subscribers get exclusive access to bonus content like Midlife Advice that didn't make it into the show. Subscribe now. In Apple Podcasts, I'm your host Rashmi Sajani. Our producer is Claire Jones. This episode was produced by Lisa Fu. This series is sound designed by Ivan Korayev. Our theme was composed by Ivan Korayev and performed by Ryan Jewell, Ivan Koraev and Karen Waltok. Our senior supervising producer is Kristin Lepore. Our VP of New content is Rachel Neal. Executive producers include me, Rashma Sajani, Stephanie Whittles Wax and Jessica Cordova Kramer. Series consulting and production support from Katie Cordova. Help others find our show by leaving us a rating and writing a review. And let us know how you're doing in Midlife. You can submit your story to be included in this show@speakpipe.com midlife follow my so Called Midlife wherever you get your podcast or listen ad free on Amazon Music with your prime membership. Thanks for listening. See you next week. Bye. Why, hello there. This is your pal Sarah Silverman. You know, the standup comic that's not afraid of a diarrhea joke. Oh my God, I'm so brave. I hope you're enjoying this podcast that you're listening to. I am just dropping in here to let you know about another podcast I think you'd like and it's called the Sarah Silverman Podcast. Each week, listeners from all over the world call in and they ask me for advice or they talk about something going on in their life, any their silliest, grossest, deepest, darkest situations. And then I respond, whether I'm qualified to or not. Go ahead, search for the Sarah Silverman Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
B
Bye. Hey friends, it's Meghan Trainor and her big bro, Ryan Trainor and her husband Daryl Sabara.
A
Each week on our podcast, Working on it. We share behind the scenes stories and bring you into our hilarious and heartfelt conversations. And sometimes with amazing guests, we tackle everything from navigating Hollywood to mental health to Megan becoming a mother, Daryl becoming a father, and so much more. We'll get into the nitty gritty of our lives and leave no detail behind. Prepare to laugh, cry, and hopefully learn something new.
B
Listen to new episodes out every Wednesday.
A
Wherever you get your podcasts.
Podcast: My So-Called Midlife with Reshma Saujani
Host: Reshma Saujani
Guest: Chelsea Clinton
Release Date: October 30, 2024
Episode: Eeek the Election with Chelsea Clinton
In this episode, Reshma Saujani delves into the complexities of midlife through a candid conversation with Chelsea Clinton. As the upcoming election looms, the discussion navigates personal experiences, parenting, advocacy, and the evolving landscape of women in power.
Reshma (02:24): Introduces Chelsea Clinton, highlighting her multifaceted roles as a mother, author, advocate, and philanthropist. Reshma expresses excitement about exploring how midlife may be more of a mindset than a mere chronological phase.
Chelsea (04:10):
"Age is more than a number, for sure. Speaking of today I'm 41 and a half and age for me is experience. It's life lived."
Chelsea emphasizes that age signifies accumulated experiences and matured perspectives rather than just a numerical value.
Discussion Points:
Reshma (18:34): Brings up the challenge of discussing sensitive issues like abortion with children amidst the heated election climate.
Chelsea (15:23 - 19:38):
Chelsea discusses her approach to parenting, emphasizing age-appropriate conversations about significant societal issues. She shares anecdotes about her children's interests and how she fosters their understanding of complex topics such as climate change and reproductive rights.
Notable Quotes:
Discussion Points:
Reshma (33:05): Shifts the conversation to the role of women in power, especially in the context of the recent election.
Chelsea (33:09 - 34:17):
Chelsea references Mary Beard's work to discuss how historical and cultural contexts have shaped the perception of women in power. She acknowledges progress made since the 2016 election but highlights ongoing challenges.
Notable Quotes:
Discussion Points:
Reshma (34:17): Brings up the common struggle among women to balance career aspirations with parenting responsibilities.
Chelsea (35:09 - 39:40):
Chelsea attributes her ability to balance her professional endeavors with motherhood to her upbringing and the support systems in place. She credits her parents' example and the collective support from her extended family and community.
Notable Quotes:
Discussion Points:
Chelsea (24:56 - 29:19):
Shares memories from her childhood, including moving into the White House at age 12, participating in activities like ballet, and maintaining strong friendships despite the unique circumstances of her upbringing.
Notable Quotes:
Discussion Points:
As the episode wraps up, Reshma and Chelsea reiterate the importance of mindset in navigating midlife and the roles women play in leadership and advocacy. Chelsea's insights offer listeners a blend of personal experiences and broader societal observations, encouraging a proactive and empowered approach to both personal growth and societal contribution.
Chelsea on Age and Experience (01:38):
"Age is more than a number, for sure. Speaking of today I'm 41 and a half and age for me is experience. It's life lived."
Chelsea on Physical Changes and Aging (05:25):
"I run six days a week. And I think maybe because I grew up as a dancer, I've always stretched a lot."
Chelsea on Generation Labels (06:10):
"Born in 1980, Clinton is, by my estimation, the first millennial on the cusp of midlife."
Chelsea on Parenting and Advocacy (16:21):
"It's super important actually for kids to engage in small ways so they feel like they are having a small but real impact and collectively actually could have a sizable impact."
Chelsea on Women in Power (33:09):
"She elegantly and kind of succinctly lays bare the ways in which different cultures have conceptualized women in power."
Chelsea on Balancing Life (35:09):
"I'm incredibly privileged to have the resources and the platform to be able to have real discretion over my calendar."
Chelsea on Childhood and Values (27:44):
"I always felt like I was part of my parents' lives, but also very much felt like living my life was the most important thing that I could do."
This episode offers a profound exploration of midlife through Chelsea Clinton's lens, intertwining personal narratives with broader discussions on gender, parenting, and societal roles. Listeners gain valuable insights into maintaining balance, fostering resilience, and leveraging one's platform for meaningful change.