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.
Welcome to Season 8 of Midlife Reclaimed! In this first solo episode of the new season, I’m introducing a fresh format: shorter, more focused episodes designed to fit gently into your month.
So many of us in midlife crave rest, yet when the moment finally arrives, it can feel deeply uncomfortable — even unsafe. In this episode, I explore why rest is harder than it looks, and how years of conditioning, caregiving, and productivity culture have shaped our resistance to slowing down.
Together, we’ll uncover the hidden barriers — from guilt and perfectionism to nervous system wiring — and learn how to meet them with mindful acceptance and compassion. This isn’t about doing rest “perfectly,” but about beginning, gently, to let rest in as a source of fuel and recovery.
If you’ve ever found yourself exhausted but unable to stop, this episode will remind you that you’re not failing — you’re human. And there are softer, kinder ways forward.
Host: Shannon Swales: Psychologist, writer, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their 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 to come back home to self
• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn
• 1:1 Therapy here
Subscribe to my Mailing List and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.
Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles 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.