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Today’s guest is Angela Burk, the author of “Real Girls Guide to Midlife.” It is a raw, honest and often funny look at what really happens when women hit midlife and realize they have been editing themselves for decades.
Angela spent 30 years in high-tech marketing before retiring, and in her mid-50s she made a bold decision. She picked up a book idea she first sketched out at age 35 and finally brought it into the world. What she discovered along the way is something many women quietly feel, but rarely say out loud.
Here are a few takeaways from our conversation:
First, midlife is not a crisis. Angela reframes it as clarity. It is a time when women begin reclaiming parts of themselves they have been shrinking or silencing for years.
Second, many women have been conditioned to believe their happiness comes last. Angela challenges that belief and explains why saying no does not require an essay. Sometimes “I’m not available” is enough.
Third, rest is not laziness. It is nourishment. Angela explains why claiming rest, asking for help and slowing down are essential parts of thriving after 50.
Fourth, reinvention does not mean blowing up your life. It can start with releasing one belief that no longer serves you and reclaiming one part of yourself that has been waiting patiently.
And finally, you do not need permission to take up space in your own life. One of Angela’s favorite questions when doubt creeps in is to simply ask, “Why the hell not?”
If you are a woman navigating midlife or someone you love is going through that stage, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective and a lot of truth you may not have heard before.
What stood out to me most is Angela’s insistence that midlife is not about fixing what is broken. It is about reclaiming what was always yours, including your voice and desires. You also have a right to say no without explanation.
After turning 50, Angela stumbled upon a truth she wished someone had told her earlier. That truth was that she, herself, was always enough and never truly alone.
She also realized that change does not mean failure. It simply means acting differently or going in a different direction.
By writing her book and sharing her own experiences, Angela is helping women to feel less isolated and more empowered to step into the next chapter of their lives with more clarity instead of fear.
If you would like to connect with Angela, you can find her book “Real Girls Guide to Midlife” on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.
You can also follow her writing on Substack and at RealGirlsGuide.com, where she shares thoughtful, honest essays several times a week.
On social media, Angela can be found as RealGirlsGuide55 on Instagram, Real Girls Guide on Facebook, and you can also find her on LinkedIn.
That’s all for this week’s show. If you’d like to start living a more meaningful life, I encourage you to download our free guide to finding purpose, which is available at www.forwardfrom50.com.
I’ll have another inspirational interview on the next episode of the Forward From 50 podcast. Thanks for listening. If you like this show, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.
If you buy Angela’s book from a link above, Forward From 50 may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
