The Middling Along podcast is for those of us navigating the Messy Middle bit of life - whether that is peri/menopause, the midlife collision of caring upward and downward, overwhelm, burnout, health challenges, and gendered ageism... Often, we find as women hitting a ‘certain point’ in life, that we are so used to people-pleasing, and making sure that everyone else is OK, and their needs are met, that we have lost touch with what we want, what we need, who we are… I started Middling Along with the aim of reclaiming my own ‘midlife’ and finding my happy.
Along the way we’ve covered stories of people starting new businesses, changing careers, and taking up new hobbies that have changed their lives forever.
We also cover topics such as peri/menopause, midlife wellbeing and positive aging.
Join us for a dose of inspiration - and make sure you spend your ’messy middle’ years thriving too!
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The Middling Along podcast is for those of us navigating the Messy Middle bit of life - whether that is peri/menopause, the midlife collision of caring upward and downward, overwhelm, burnout, health challenges, and gendered ageism... Often, we find as women hitting a ‘certain point’ in life, that we are so used to people-pleasing, and making sure that everyone else is OK, and their needs are met, that we have lost touch with what we want, what we need, who we are… I started Middling Along with the aim of reclaiming my own ‘midlife’ and finding my happy.
Along the way we’ve covered stories of people starting new businesses, changing careers, and taking up new hobbies that have changed their lives forever.
We also cover topics such as peri/menopause, midlife wellbeing and positive aging.
Join us for a dose of inspiration - and make sure you spend your ’messy middle’ years thriving too!
Jane Moffett on Redefining Retirement - how to find the right path for you
Middling Along
32 minutes
2 months ago
Jane Moffett on Redefining Retirement - how to find the right path for you
In this episode, Emma welcomes Jane Moffett, a coach and author who specializes in helping women navigate the transitions in their careers and lives. Jane is the founder and director of Kangaroo Coaching, a company that works with organisations who are committed to creating progressive workplace cultures. She runs coaching programmes for new parent employees and their line managers, offers 1:1 and group coaching, and is a researcher and writer. Her most recent work is with women who are navigating their way out of work and into their next stage of life. She regularly runs her ‘Empowered Women’ courses aimed at the late-career stage, and her book ‘What next? The savvy woman’s guide to redefining retirement’ is out on 9th September.
Key Points & Takeaways
Postmenopausal Zest: coined by Margaret Mead, this concept refers to a renewed sense of purpose and clarity that many women experience after menopause. Jane emphasizes the importance of authenticity during this stage, encouraging women to pursue what truly lights them up.
The Third Stage of Women’s Careers: This stage is characterized by a shift from “work you need to do” to “work you want to do.” Jane highlights the importance of leveraging past experiences and networks when transitioning into new ventures.
Entrepreneurship Among Women: The fastest-growing cohort of entrepreneurs is women in their fifties. Jane encourages bravery and proactivity, urging women to draw on their strengths and reach out to their networks.
Navigating Empty Nest Syndrome: Acknowledging the psychological transition when children leave home can help women focus on their own identities and aspirations.
Investing in Intangible Assets: Jane discusses the concept of investing in productive, vitality, and transformational assets to enhance longevity and fulfilment in life. Self-knowledge and community involvement are crucial for successful transformation.
Finding Purpose: The Japanese concept of "Ikigai" is introduced as a framework for finding purpose by combining what you love, what you’re good at, and what contributes to others. Jane shares practical exercises like free writing to help individuals discover their purpose.
The Gender Pension Gap: Women often retire with significantly less in pension savings compared to men, primarily due to salary disparities and career breaks. Jane stresses the importance of considering pension wealth in life planning, especially during major life transitions like divorce.
Redefining Retirement: The traditional binary view of work and retirement is evolving; people are exploring varied paths that may include part-time work, entrepreneurship, or new hobbies. Planning for retirement should focus on creating a fulfilling and personalized experience.
Resources
Jane’s Website: Kangaroo Coaching – where you can find resources and a workbook for self-reflection: https://kangaroocoaching.net/from-retired-to-redefined
Jane’s Book: What Next? The Savvy Woman's Guide to Redefining Retirement – available from September 9, 2025
Exploratory Writing by Alison Jones – a resource for reflective writing practices.
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Middling Along
The Middling Along podcast is for those of us navigating the Messy Middle bit of life - whether that is peri/menopause, the midlife collision of caring upward and downward, overwhelm, burnout, health challenges, and gendered ageism... Often, we find as women hitting a ‘certain point’ in life, that we are so used to people-pleasing, and making sure that everyone else is OK, and their needs are met, that we have lost touch with what we want, what we need, who we are… I started Middling Along with the aim of reclaiming my own ‘midlife’ and finding my happy.
Along the way we’ve covered stories of people starting new businesses, changing careers, and taking up new hobbies that have changed their lives forever.
We also cover topics such as peri/menopause, midlife wellbeing and positive aging.
Join us for a dose of inspiration - and make sure you spend your ’messy middle’ years thriving too!