Podcast
The Midlife Edit
Hosted by Jen Weinstein · EN
The Midlife Edit is for the woman who still has a favorite album from 1994 and a whole second act she hasn't written yet. Hosted by Jen Weinstein — honest conversations, real guests, zero apologies for who you're becoming.
33episodes
Episodes
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Don't Talk Yourself Out of Your Own Life — What Happened When I Finally Sent the Email
2d ago00:19:47Tap to summarizeThis week’s episode is part story, part reminder, and part permission slip.Jen takes you inside a once-in-a-lifetime weekend in Brooklyn that started with one thing: an email she almost didn’t send. What followed was a surreal and deeply emotional experience recording with Tracy Bonham at Grand Street Recording for the 30th anniversary re-recording of Mother Mother — alongside a room full of women who felt like lifelong friends within minutes.But this episode isn’t just about music or nostalgia. It’s about:Imposter syndrome in midlifeMaking yourself smaller to fit into other people’s expectationsFemale friendship and authentic connectionLearning to take up space unapologeticallySaying yes before you feel readyRemembering who you are underneath all the performanceJen reflects on the power of witnessing women fully in their element, the reality that even wildly successful people still struggle with self-doubt, and why midlife can become the chapter where we finally stop asking for permission.If you’ve been sitting on an email, a dream, a boundary, a creative idea, or a version of yourself you’ve been afraid to fully step into — this episode is your sign.In This EpisodeRecording in Brooklyn with Tracy BonhamThe emotional legacy of Mother MotherWhy women in midlife crave real connectionThe truth about imposter syndromeLearning to stop performing for everyone elseThe freedom that comes with agingWhat happens when you finally send the email anywayMentioned in This EpisodeMother MotherJemThe Midlife Edit Co.Free ResourceJen also shares her free guide:“Nobody Warned Me” — The Honest Midlife Hormone GuideA real, no-BS resource for women navigating hormones, perimenopause, exhaustion, and everything nobody prepared us for.You can download it at:The Midlife Edit Co.Favorite Quote From This Episode“You don’t have to feel ready. You just have to go.”If this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman who needs the reminder not to take herself out of her own life.
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The Mother’s Day Industrial Complex (And the Mom I’m Becoming Anyway)
1w ago00:21:38Tap to summarizeThis week on The Midlife Edit, Jen is getting brutally honest about motherhood, stepmotherhood, reinvention, guilt, and why Mother’s Day can feel more like a performance than a celebration.From burnt breakfast-in-bed stories to awkward brunch reservations and the emotional complexity of being a stepmom in midlife, this episode dives into the messy middle so many women are living through but rarely talk about out loud.Jen opens up about raising a son who’s about to turn 21 while simultaneously helping raise younger stepkids, all while building The Midlife Edit and learning how to choose herself without drowning in guilt.This episode is about:Midlife motherhood and identity shiftsThe complicated reality of stepmom lifeReinvention and learning to take up spaceMom guilt, ambition, and choosing yourselfWhy women are allowed to want more for themselvesCelebrating Mother’s Day in ways that actually feel meaningfulAnd then… Jen reveals her very nontraditional Mother’s Day plans: heading to Brooklyn to join Tracy Bonham for her Scream Like a Mother experience — including recording vocals for a special 30th anniversary version of Mother Mother and participating in an intimate Mother’s Day brunch with Tracy herself.This episode is raw, funny, vulnerable, nostalgic, and deeply validating for any woman trying to figure out who she is while still showing up for everyone else.In This EpisodeWhy Mother’s Day can feel exhausting instead of celebratoryThe invisible emotional labor moms carryThe truth about breakfast in bed and overpriced brunchesWhat stepmoms rarely say out loudWatching your kids grow while reinventing yourselfWhy pursuing your dreams doesn’t make you selfishMidlife identity shifts and imposter syndromeTracy Bonham’s Scream Like a Mother projectJen’s upcoming Brooklyn adventureMentioned in This EpisodeTracy BonhamMother MotherScream Like a MotherWilliamsburg, BrooklynGrand Street RecordingConnect with JenInstagram: @thejenweinsteinNewsletter: Backstage PassPodcast: The Midlife EditIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a mom, stepmom, bonus mom, or woman in reinvention mode who needs the reminder that she’s allowed to become something new too.
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Bitch, Witch, and Everything in Between: The Long Overdue Comeback of Women in Music
2w ago00:26:01Tap to summarizeWhat happened to the women who defined the soundtrack of our lives?In this episode, Jen dives into the rise, disappearance, and long-overdue resurgence of the women in music who shaped the ‘90s and early 2000s. From Meredith Brooks to Tori Amos to Missy Elliott, this is a conversation about truth-telling, industry bias, cultural memory, and why so many iconic women were labeled, dismissed, or erased—while their music lived on.But this isn’t just about the past. It’s about what’s changing now—and why midlife women are leading the charge in reclaiming these artists and giving them the recognition they’ve always deserved.This one is part nostalgia, part cultural critique, and fully fired up.🎶 What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeThe moment “Bitch” by Meredith Brooks hit differently—and why it still doesThe pattern: how women in music were celebrated, then quietly pushed asideWhy artists like Tori Amos still aren’t getting the recognition they deserveThe double standard between male and female artists (and why it still exists)Missy Elliott’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction—and what took so longHow streaming and TikTok are rewriting the rules of music longevityWhy midlife women are reclaiming the narrative (and refusing to stay quiet)The question we should be asking: who are we overlooking right now?💥 Key TakeawaysThe music never disappeared—the industry just moved on from the women who made itWomen in music have historically been judged differently, labeled faster, and supported lessCultural recognition doesn’t always come when it should—but it can come laterWe’re in the middle of a shift—and women (especially in midlife) are driving itTwo things can be true: progress is happening, and there’s still a long way to go🖤 A Note From JenThis episode started with a song on the radio… and turned into something much bigger.Because it’s not just about music—it’s about voice.It’s about being complicated. Loud. Emotional. Honest.And refusing to shrink just because someone decided your moment was over.Spoiler: it’s not.📣 Call to ActionThis week, go back and listen to a deep cut—not just the hit.Then ask yourself:👉 Who are we doing this to right now?Come tell me:Who deserves more flowers than they’ve gotten?📲 Instagram & TikTok: @TheJenWeinstein💌 Subscribe to the Backstage Pass newsletter for a deeper dive🎤 Share the EpisodeIf this one hit for you, send it to:Your music-obsessed friendYour sisterYour teenage daughterAnyone who needs a reminder that women’s voices don’t expire⭐️ Don’t ForgetFollow, rate, and review The Midlife Edit—it helps more women find these conversations (and keeps them going).
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Hot, Hormonal & Highly Opinionated
3w ago00:34:27Tap to summarizeThis one’s a little different—in the best way.In the first-ever Hot, Hormonal & Highly Opinionated episode, I’m skipping the neat little box and giving you the real, unfiltered version of what’s been on my mind lately. Think of it like we’re sitting across from each other with coffee… and I’m telling you everything.We’re talking about what self-care actually looks like in midlife (hint: it’s not always spa days), getting very real about my perimenopause and HRT journey, and ending with a pop culture moment that celebrates women—because honestly, they deserve it.If you’ve been feeling off, overwhelmed, unheard, or just not like yourself lately… this one is for you.🔑 In This Episode:✨ Real Self-Care (Not the Instagram Version)The difference between performative self-care and what actually helpsWhy self-care can feel selfish—and why it’s notSimple, real-life ways to take care of yourself without spending money or hours of timeWhy going to the doctor is one of the most important forms of self-care🔥 My Hormone Journey (Unfiltered)What perimenopause has actually felt like for meSymptoms that were dismissed—and why I knew something wasn’t rightNavigating doctors, testing, and finally finding someone who listenedMy current HRT protocol (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)The gut health connection—and why I’m committing to AIPThe reality: it’s expensive, overwhelming… and still worth it🎶 Women Who Rock (Literally)Why 90s women in music are having a major moment againArtists still creating, evolving, and doing it on their termsWhat it means to step into your “second act” in midlife🎬 Pop Culture Thoughts (Because Balance Matters)The Lamar Odom documentary and why Khloé Kardashian surprised meA real conversation about showing up for people—even when it’s complicatedWhy we’re allowed to care about pop culture and real-world issues🏀 Women’s Sports Are Having a MomentThe WNBA turning 30The rise of global women’s sportsWhy this isn’t a trend—it’s a movementWhy it matters for the next generation of women💭 The Bigger Message:Women are doing the real work—on themselves, for others, in their careers, and in their lives… even when no one is watching or giving them credit.That’s midlife.And when you start paying attention—it’s powerful.💌 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:If this episode hit home for you, I want to hear about it.DM me on Instagram: @thejenweinsteinFollow along on TikTokEmail: jen@themidlifeeditco.com🎧 More From The Midlife Edit:🎶 Follow the playlist: The Midlife Edit Co on Spotify💌 Join the Backstage Pass newsletter (weekly + no spam, ever)⭐ If You Loved This Episode:Share it with a friend, send it to someone who needs to hear it, or leave a review—it helps more women find this space.
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Garbagemom: On Going Viral, Going Through Perimenopause, and Maybe Starting a Music Festival
Apr 1401:04:42Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a classically trained actress, mom, and midlife woman hits perimenopause… and decides to tell the truth about it?In this episode, Jen sits down with Beth Crosby—aka The Garbage Mom—to talk about the messy, hilarious, and very real side of midlife. From viral TikToks to perimenopausal rage, body image healing, and the freedom of not giving a f*ck anymore… nothing is off limits.Beth shares her journey from musical theater and Hollywood auditions to becoming a relatable voice for women navigating motherhood, identity shifts, and hormonal chaos. Together, Jen and Beth unpack what it actually feels like to be in perimenopause—and why more women need to start talking about it.This conversation is honest, funny, validating, and the reminder every midlife woman needs: you are not crazy—and you are definitely not alone.🔥 In This Episode, We Cover: How Beth went from actor to viral creator during the pandemic Why “The Garbage Mom” resonates with so many women The reality of perimenopause (anxiety, rage, insomnia, and more) Growing up in 80s/90s diet culture—and healing body image Why midlife is the most freeing (and loudest) chapter yet Marriage, motherhood, and navigating hormones at the same time Talking to daughters about periods, bodies, and perimenopause Social media, vulnerability, and staying authentic online The story behind Perimenopausalpalooza (and why we need it IRL) Why women in midlife are DONE staying quiet 💬 Favorite Quotes“The more you tell the truth, the more people can relate to you.” “I think my favorite part about midlife is not giving a f*ck.” “If you’re getting hate comments, congratulations—you’re doing something.” 🧠 Let’s Talk About ItIf you’ve ever: Woken up at 3am with your mind racing Looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize yourself Felt rage over something small (like… shaving in a clean sink 😅) Wondered if this is just you or something bigger This episode is your validation.🎤 About Beth Crosby (The Garbage Mom)Beth Crosby is an actress, writer, and viral content creator known as The Garbage Mom. With a background in musical theater and comedy (including The Groundlings), she creates raw, relatable content about motherhood, perimenopause, and midlife identity.Her work has resonated with millions of women—and even caught the attention of icons like Alanis Morissette.🔗 Connect with BethInstagram @thegarbagemom & TikTok: @garbagemom💌 Connect with Jen & The Midlife EditWebsite: www.themidlifeeditco.com Podcast: The Midlife Edit Instagram: @thejenweinstein⭐️ If You Loved This EpisodeShare it with a friend who needs to hear: “You’re not losing it… it’s perimenopause.”And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review—it helps more women find these conversations.
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The Friendship Recession: Why Midlife Women Are Lonelier Than Anyone Admits
Apr 700:22:37Tap to summarizeHave you ever looked around at your full, busy life and realized you can't remember the last time you had a real conversation with a real friend?Not a text. Not a reaction on Instagram. An actual conversation where someone asked how you were really doing — and waited for the answer.In this episode, Jen names something that so many women in midlife are feeling but rarely say out loud: the quiet, creeping loneliness that comes not from being unlikable or broken — but from living in a season of life that nobody warned us about.We're calling it the Friendship Recession. And it's more common than you think.In this episode:Why midlife women are experiencing a measurable decline in close friendships — and why it makes complete senseThe three reasons friendship gets so much harder after 40 (hint: it's not you)Why the invisible load we carry leaves almost nothing for the relationships that matter mostWhy vulnerability gets scarier the older we get — and what that's actually costing usWhat genuinely helps — and it's not "join a club"Why grieving the friendships that ran their course might be the most important thing you do this yearThis one is personal. This one is honest. And this one is for every woman who has ever felt lonely in a life that looks full from the outside.DM Jen on Instagram @thejenweinstein or reply to this week's Backstage Pass newsletter and tell her: when's the last time you felt truly connected to a friend?Follow The Midlife Edit: Instagram: @thejenweinstein TikTok: @thejenweinstein Website: www.themidlifeeditco.com Newsletter: Click Here to Join!
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We Were Taught to Admire Her. Not Be Her.
Mar 3100:23:54Tap to summarizeWe celebrate strong women.The bold ones.The loud ones.The ones who take up space and break the rules.But if you’re a Gen X or millennial woman…you probably weren’t raised to be her.You were raised to admire her.To be likable.To be easy.To go with the flow.To say, “I’m good with anything.”In this episode, I’m talking about what that actually did to us—how we learned to fit in instead of figure ourselves out,and why so many of us are just now asking:what do I actually want?As Women's History Month comes to a close, this is a different kind of conversation—about the gap between the women we celebrate…and the way we were taught to be.If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been shape-shifting your whole life just to belong—this one’s for you.
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I’m Tired of Working on Myself
Mar 2400:23:11Tap to summarizeLately, I’ve had a thought I almost didn’t want to say out loud…What if I’m just tired of working on myself?In this solo episode, I’m talking about the constant pressure to fix, optimize, and improve every part of our lives—and how exhausting that can become, especially in midlife.From conflicting health advice to mindset overload, it feels like there’s always something we should be doing better. And at some point, it stops feeling helpful… and starts feeling overwhelming.I’m also sharing a bit about my own reset right now—what I’m changing, why I’m doing it, and how this time feels different. Not from a place of “fixing,” but from a place of wanting to feel like me again.If you’ve been feeling off, overwhelmed, or just tired of trying to do everything “right”… this one’s for you.🎧 IN THIS EPISODE Why self-improvement can start to feel like pressure instead of growth The overwhelming amount of conflicting advice in health, mindset, and life How we internalize the idea that we must be doing something wrong The reality of perimenopause symptoms and why so many women feel “off” My personal reset (AIP, hormones, and getting back to basics) Why not everything needs to be optimized—or even healed Learning to trust yourself again instead of every voice online 💭 KEY TAKEAWAYS You are not broken—you might just be overloaded Not everything needs fixing, optimizing, or healing It’s okay to question the constant pressure to improve Your experience is valid, even if no one has clear answers Sometimes the goal isn’t to become someone new—it’s to come back to yourself 🎶 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE “Grey Street” – Dave Matthews Band🫶 CONNECT WITH MEInstagram: @TheJenWeinstein TikTok: @TheJenWeinstein🔁 SHARE THE EPISODEIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. And if you haven’t already—follow, rate, and review The Midlife Edit so we can keep growing this community together.✨ FINAL NOTEThis is your midlife edit— so let’s make it a damn good chapter.
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Reclaiming Your Voice: Riot Grrrl, Motherhood & Midlife Creativity
Mar 1701:07:07Tap to summarizeWhat happens when two punk-loving rebels from high school reconnect decades later?In this episode of The Midlife Edit, I sit down with musical theatre writer Nicolette Blount and author Sirena Grey to talk about Riot Grrrl, feminism, motherhood, and what it looks like to reclaim your creative voice in midlife.Nicolette is a Chickasaw musical theatre writer, composer, lyricist, and producer whose work includes Savage: The Unconquerable Wanda Savage, a powerful musical inspired by the true story of her great-grandmother - a vaudeville sharpshooter and silent film actress who refused to conform to the expectations placed on women in the early 1900s.Sirena Grey is a writer and editor who spent years raising three boys before returning to her creative work - a journey many women will recognize. Together, Nicolette and Sirena are currently writing Riot Grrrl: The Punk Anti-Musical, a new project inspired by the feminist punk movement that challenged the music industry and gave women a louder voice in the 1990s.In this conversation, we talk about: • rediscovering creativity after motherhood • starting (or restarting) a creative career later in life • the Riot Grrrl movement and feminist punk culture • what it takes to build a musical from the ground up • why women’s stories still struggle to find space in the arts • how music, storytelling, and rebellion often go hand-in-handWe also dive into the behind-the-scenes reality of creating a musical - from writing and development to the hustle of getting a show produced.If you’ve ever felt like you lost a piece of yourself somewhere along the way, this episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to come back to who you are.Links & ResourcesFollow the Riot Grrrl Anti-Musical journey: https://riotgrrrlmusical.comSirena Grey’s writing: https://thewritingsirena.comFollow Nicolette Blount: https://nicoletteblount.comLearn more about Savage: The Unconquerable Wanda Savage https://savagethemusical.comConnect with The Midlife EditFollow the podcast and join the conversation:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thejenweinsteinWebsite:https://www.themidlifeeditco.com
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Why So Many Women Wake Up Angry in Midlife: Women’s History, Healthcare Gaslighting & Rewriting the Rules
Mar 1000:30:28Tap to summarizeMarch is Women’s History Month, and while it’s a time to celebrate the progress women have made, it’s also a time to step back and realize something surprising:Many of the rights women have today didn’t happen centuries ago.They happened in our parents’ lifetime.In this episode of The Midlife Edit, Jen talks about why so many women reach midlife and suddenly feel angry, frustrated, or ready to question everything they were taught growing up.Because for decades, many women were raised with a cultural rulebook that said:Be agreeable.Trust authority.Don’t rock the boat.Don’t question doctors.Don’t speak up too loudly.But midlife has a way of changing that.Jen reflects on several moments in women’s history that reveal how recent many fundamental rights actually are — from financial independence to healthcare research — and shares her own personal experience navigating years of medical gaslighting before finally being diagnosed with endometriosis and receiving a hysterectomy that changed her life.Because sometimes midlife isn’t a crisis.It’s the moment women start rewriting the rules.In This Episode• Why women couldn’t open credit cards or mortgages in their own name until 1974 • Why women were excluded from medical research until the 1990s • The long history of healthcare gaslighting toward women • Jen’s personal experience with undiagnosed endometriosis and hysterectomy • The cultural “rulebook” many women were raised with • Why midlife often becomes the moment women find their voiceIf This Episode ResonatedIf you enjoyed this conversation:⭐ Follow and subscribe to The Midlife Edit Podcast ⭐ Share this episode with a friend ⭐ Leave a review to help more women find the showConnect With JenWebsite: https://themidlifeeditco.comInstagram:@thejenweinsteinTikTok:@thejenweinstein
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