In this episode of The Midlife Rebel Podcast, I’m joined by Lisa Parda for an honest, grounded conversation about creativity, menopause, health, and new beginnings. Lisa shares her lived experience of midlife as an awakening — from hormonal shifts and word loss, to burnout, identity changes, and the courage to let go of what no longer fits.
We explore the myths that keep women stuck in midlife, the pressure to “have it all,” and what happens when you begin subtracting roles, labels, and expectations instead of adding more. Lisa also opens up about a health scare that led her to quit alcohol, rethink food as medicine, and rediscover joy in the kitchen — not through perfection, but through real ingredients, rhythm, and gratitude.
This is a conversation for midlife rebels who are listening to their bodies, editing their lives, and choosing a more honest, creative way forward.
If this episode resonates, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need it. And let me know in the comments — what are you ready to set down in this season?
⏱️ Chapter Markers
0:00 – New Year Welcome & Midlife Frame
0:38 – Midlife as Awakening & Big Questions
1:19 – Lisa’s Story Begins
3:36 – Hormones, Menopause & Mental Clarity
8:58 – Work Burnout & Midlife Values
12:08 – Word Loss, Fear & the HRT Rollercoaster
16:32 – Challenging Midlife Myths & Beauty Pressure
19:45 – Roles, Motherhood & “Having It All”
23:36 – Disruptive Change & Career Pivots
28:56 – Finding Radio & Saying Yes Fast
32:20 – Keeping the Work You Love, Dropping the Rest
36:41 – Productivity Habits vs Creative Rhythm
40:24 – Identity Shifts & “Who Am I Without This?”
44:12 – Health Scare, AFib & Quitting Alcohol
49:05 – Food Quality, Modern Loads & Moderation
53:07 – Food as Medicine & Emotional Health
57:35 – Learning to Cook & Joy in the Kitchen
1:01:03 – Gratitude, Biochemistry & How We Eat
1:05:11 – From Takeaway to Real Ingredients
1:09:02 – Inside the Cookbook & Real-Life Recipes
Check out Lisa's profile in our Guest Directory https://midliferebel.beam.ly/person/lisa-parda