Welcome to Midlife Reclaimed—a podcast that has grown alongside my own story of burnout, recovery, and rediscovery in early midlife. I’m Shannon A. Swales, psychologist, writer, and midlife woman walking the path with you.
This podcast began as Burnout: A Different Kind of GAP Year, where I shared my lived experience of midlife burnout in real time—alongside the stories of guests who bravely opened up about their own burnout journeys. As I returned to my work as a psychologist supporting others through burnout, the podcast evolved into When Burnout Becomes Reality—a space to explore the truth of how burnout unfolds and how healing begins. I began interviewing fellow professionals (and reflecting on my own clinical insights) to help listeners access the knowledge and know-how to recover and grow from burnout.
Now, as Midlife Reclaimed, the podcast centres on the unique experiences of women in midlife—those feeling overwhelmed, stressed, disconnected, or simply stretched too thin. Here, we share life stories and professional wisdom to help you navigate this era of life in a way that feels more grounded, compassionate, and real.
It’s about helping you come home to yourself—so you can feel more present, more alive, and more connected to what truly matters.
Each month, you’ll hear rich conversations about burnout, identity shifts, self-worth, mental health, boundaries, and relationships—exploring what it truly means to reclaim your energy, your voice, and your life in midlife. These episodes are here to support you in this season of life—because this chapter is yours to reclaim.
Together, we’re rewriting the narrative—not as a midlife crisis, but as a midlife reclamation.
Want to Share Your Midlife Wisdom?
If you have a story, insight, or professional perspective that can help other midlife women feel less alone and more whole, I’d love to hear from you. Contact me here.
Connect & Grow
If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, you may like:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Midlife Reclaimed—a podcast that has grown alongside my own story of burnout, recovery, and rediscovery in early midlife. I’m Shannon A. Swales, psychologist, writer, and midlife woman walking the path with you.
This podcast began as Burnout: A Different Kind of GAP Year, where I shared my lived experience of midlife burnout in real time—alongside the stories of guests who bravely opened up about their own burnout journeys. As I returned to my work as a psychologist supporting others through burnout, the podcast evolved into When Burnout Becomes Reality—a space to explore the truth of how burnout unfolds and how healing begins. I began interviewing fellow professionals (and reflecting on my own clinical insights) to help listeners access the knowledge and know-how to recover and grow from burnout.
Now, as Midlife Reclaimed, the podcast centres on the unique experiences of women in midlife—those feeling overwhelmed, stressed, disconnected, or simply stretched too thin. Here, we share life stories and professional wisdom to help you navigate this era of life in a way that feels more grounded, compassionate, and real.
It’s about helping you come home to yourself—so you can feel more present, more alive, and more connected to what truly matters.
Each month, you’ll hear rich conversations about burnout, identity shifts, self-worth, mental health, boundaries, and relationships—exploring what it truly means to reclaim your energy, your voice, and your life in midlife. These episodes are here to support you in this season of life—because this chapter is yours to reclaim.
Together, we’re rewriting the narrative—not as a midlife crisis, but as a midlife reclamation.
Want to Share Your Midlife Wisdom?
If you have a story, insight, or professional perspective that can help other midlife women feel less alone and more whole, I’d love to hear from you. Contact me here.
Connect & Grow
If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, you may like:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this powerful conversation, Shannon is joined by Lazz Tomic — a workplace wellbeing and early intervention specialist who’s lived both sides of burnout: as a professional advising on wellbeing, and as someone who burned out while doing that very work. Together they explore what happens when the system itself is tired — when workplace cultures built on productivity, compliance, and “doing more” begin to erode the wellbeing they claim to promote.
This episode explores:
It’s a reminder that wellbeing isn’t just self-care — it’s culture care. When the culture’s not well, none of us can be for long.
Guest: Lazz Tomic is a WorkCover, Injury Management, and Workplace Wellbeing Specialist dedicated to transforming how organisations care for their people. With over a decade of experience across major Victorian corporations, he brings lived experience of burnout and a commitment to designing workplaces that value humans over performance metrics. Founder of Early Intervention 2.0 — a free community for HR and OHS leaders — Lazz helps high-care sectors like healthcare, emergency services, social work, and education shift from a compliance mindset to one of compassion and shared responsibility.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lazztomic
Join Early Intervention 2.0: LinkedIn Group
Book a chat: cal.com/lazztomic/30min
Host: Shannon Swales — Psychologist, writer, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Through her clinical wisdom and lived experience, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.
If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:
• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community — a place for women to come home to self
• Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
• 1:1 Burnout Therapy
• Subscribe for a free eJournal to help you come back to yourself
Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist–client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general and not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help — you don’t have to face it alone.
Engaging with this podcast does not intend to create, nor does it create, a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon A Swales. All views, opinions, and tips expressed by me or my guests are general in nature and not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek professional support. In Australia, if you are in a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000. For immediate counselling, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for First Nation Australians. Stay safe, and remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.