She'd walk into a room and forget why she was there.

And she didn't connect any of it to menopause — she just thought she was busy.

In this episode of Wise Women's Conversations, Angela talks with Suzi Dafnis, CEO of The Growth Network (formerly Her Business), about the collision between menopause and business leadership — and what happens when the identity you've built your whole life around stops fitting the way it used to.

Suzi shares her own experience of brain fog, disrupted sleep and situational depression that crept in during perimenopause, and how she initially had no idea it was connected to menopause at all — she assumed it was simply the pressure of running a business. She and Angela talk candidly about the women Suzi hears from constantly through Her Business and The Growth Network: successful, driven women who've built extraordinary businesses and lives, who now find themselves quietly asking, "I don't know who I am without this." Suzi opens up about her own transition over the last 18 months — stepping back from the model of relentless hustle, learning to delegate, training for a marathon, and giving herself permission to rest without guilt — and shares why she now believes the old idea of pushing through everything is exactly what needs to be released.

Perhaps the fog isn't a sign that something is broken.

Perhaps it's an invitation to write the next chapter.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why menopause is as much a brain transition as it is a physical one — and why that's rarely talked about
• Suzi's personal experience with brain fog, memory changes and situational depression during perimenopause
• Why so many successful women quietly think "I don't know who I am without this business"
• The moment a mentor challenged Suzi's belief that her "best days were behind her"
• Why "surrender" isn't the same as giving up, and how reframing it can change everything
• The practical shifts Suzi made to her business model, team and mindset in the last 18 months
• Why pausing and creating space is often the most important first step in any transition
• Suzi's advice for any woman quietly wondering if her best days are behind her

Questions to reflect on:

• Have I mistaken the pressure of "pushing through" for who I actually am?
• Where in my life or business am I clutching the steering wheel instead of trusting the road?
• What would it look like to give myself permission to slow down without guilt?
• Am I trying to read the next chapter while still standing in this one?

This week's invitation is simple:

Take a moment to ask yourself:

"What am I ready to let go of, so something new has room to begin?"

The answer might surprise you.

Connect with Suzi Dafnis:

Join the Her Business Growth Network - https://herbusiness.com/

Follow Suzi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzidafnis/

Then, on a second date, she asked a man to take her for a ride on his motorcycle.

She had no idea it would change the entire shape of her life.

In this episode of Wise Women's Conversations, Angela sits down with Bridget Hallam — founder of Throw Your Leg Over, motorcycle adventure guide, and professional speaker — to talk about reinvention, courage, and what it really means to say yes to something uncertain.

Bridget shares how a single motorcycle ride around Mount Coot-tha 14 years ago sparked a passion that eventually became a business — guiding riders through the European Alps and beyond. But this isn't just a story about motorbikes. Bridget opens up about how hard it still is to ride solo, the fear she sees in others when they're offered the chance to step outside their comfort zone, and why she now speaks professionally on the courage it takes to make uncertain, life-changing decisions — in business, leadership, and life. Angela and Bridget also explore the quiet role nature plays in working through big decisions, and Bridget offers her own wisdom for any woman standing at that "there's something more" moment, wondering what comes next.

Perhaps reinvention doesn't require a dramatic leap.

Perhaps it starts with one small, courageous yes.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How a second date on the back of a motorbike sparked a completely new chapter of Bridget's life
• Why solo riding is still a challenge for Bridget, even after years of experience
• What it takes to build a business and a life around adventure and courage
• Why Bridget believes making a big change is an evolution, not a loss
• Her two practical tips for women who feel like something more is calling them
• Why nature — whether on a hike or the back of a bike — helps ideas and clarity surface
• How Bridget's speaking career grew out of watching others hold themselves back from bold decisions
• Why courageous decision-making matters just as much in leadership as it does in life

Questions to reflect on:

• Where in your life is fear quietly holding you back from something you actually want?
• Do you see change as loss — or as evolution?
• When did you last give yourself quiet space to let an idea bubble up?
• What would it look like to take one small, courageous step this week?

This week's invitation is simple:

Take a moment to ask yourself:

"What's the small, courageous yes I've been putting off?"

The answer might surprise you.

Connect with Bridget Hallam:

• Website: https://www.bridgethallam.com
• SBS Article: I was a single parent trying to survive. A new hobby changed everything.
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bridget-hallam-speaker
• Curves Motorcycle Podcast for Women: Listen on Apple Podcasts

The one who solves problems.

The one who holds everything together.

Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, supporting your family or caring for others, you've probably become the person everyone depends on.

But who supports you?

In this episode of Wise Women's Conversations, Angela explores why so many successful women find it difficult to ask for help and the hidden cost of always being the strong one.

Inspired by a simple moment during a mindful movement class, Angela reflects on the different kinds of support we need throughout life. She shares why asking the right people for support matters, why being understood is often more important than being given advice, and why the support we give ourselves is just as important as the support we receive from others.

Through stories from her own life, including running a business, spending time in nature and the lessons she's learnt along the way, Angela invites you to rethink what strength really looks like.

Perhaps true strength isn't carrying everything yourself.

Perhaps it's knowing when to let someone else help carry the load.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why successful women often find it difficult to ask for support
• The difference between being surrounded by people and feeling truly understood
• Why asking the right person matters
• The importance of supporting yourself through sleep, nourishment, movement and rest
• What nature has taught Angela about resilience and strong foundations
• How to recognise the weight you've been carrying alone
• Why receiving support is a strength, not a weakness

Questions to reflect on:

• Who do you turn to when life feels heavy?
• Are you asking the right people for the support you need?
• How are you supporting yourself?
• Where in your life are you carrying a weight you were never meant to carry alone?

This week's invitation is simple:

Take a moment to ask yourself:

"What support do I need right now?"

The answer might surprise you.

As children, we were constantly learning. Every day brought new experiences, new challenges and new skills. But as we get older, life becomes more familiar. We develop routines, create habits and become incredibly efficient at doing what we've always done.

While those habits make life easier, they can also keep us stuck.

In this episode of Wise Women's Conversations, Angela explores how living on autopilot can prevent us from seeing new possibilities. Inspired by the Japanese concept of Shoshin, or beginner's mind, she shares why approaching life with curiosity rather than certainty can open the door to growth, resilience and new opportunities.

Drawing on personal stories, from changing the way she exercises to learning pottery and discovering a new way to approach mindful movement, Angela invites you to consider what might happen if you gave yourself permission to be a beginner again.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why our brains naturally create habits and routines
• How living on autopilot can keep us feeling stuck
• The difference between having expertise and remaining curious
• What the Japanese concept of Shoshin (beginner's mind) can teach us
• Why trying something new doesn't require perfection
• Lessons learnt from pottery, movement and learning new skills
• How curiosity can help you navigate the next chapter of your life

Questions to reflect on:

• When was the last time you did something for the first time?
• Where in your life are you relying on old habits that may no longer be serving you?
• What could change if you approached one area of your life with curiosity instead of certainty?

This week, Angela's invitation is simple:

Choose one small thing and do it with a beginner's mind.

You might be surprised by what you discover.

For much of our lives, we've been taught that success is measured by external achievements: promotions, qualifications, money, business growth and recognition. We're encouraged to keep striving, keep pushing and keep climbing.

But what happens when the things that once motivated us no longer feel as important?

In this episode of Wise Women's Conversations, Angela reflects on her own relationship with success and how her definition has changed over the years. From climbing the corporate ladder and building successful businesses to raising children and navigating life's many transitions, she shares the moments that made her stop and ask a deeper question:

What does success really mean now?

As women move into their 50s and 60s, priorities often shift. Freedom, health, connection and purpose can begin to matter more than titles, income and external recognition.

This episode is an invitation to pause and reflect on the version of success you've been chasing and whether it still aligns with the life you want to create.

In this episode, Angela explores:

• How our ideas about success are shaped from childhood
• The pressure to keep achieving and striving for more
• The difference between external and internal success
• The challenges of balancing career, business and motherhood
• The hidden costs of success and ambition
• Why freedom, health and meaningful experiences matter more than ever
• How Angela's definition of success has changed over time
• What success might look like in the next stage of life

Questions for reflection:

• What did success mean to you in your 30s and 40s?
• Has your definition of success changed?
• What matters most to you now?
• When do you feel truly successful?

Perhaps success isn't something we earn. Perhaps it's something we intentionally create.

For many women, particularly those running businesses, leading teams or caring for others, the pressure to keep going can feel relentless. Even weekends can become another item on the to-do list, and holidays often seem too far away to make a difference.

In this episode of Wise Women's Conversations, Angela shares five simple practices that can help you create small moments of rest and reset throughout your day. These aren't grand gestures or lengthy self-care rituals. They're practical strategies designed to help calm your nervous system, reduce stress and bring you back to yourself.

Because sometimes, the most powerful changes come from the smallest pauses.

In this episode, Angela shares:

• Why stress plays such a significant role in how we feel, particularly during and after menopause
• How taking short breaks can improve productivity and decision-making
• A simple breathing technique to calm the nervous system
• The importance of creating space between meetings and tasks
• Why asking yourself "What do I need right now?" can be transformative
• How mindless scrolling increases stress and what to do instead
• Creating evening rituals that help you switch off and sleep well

The five simple resets:

✔ Take two minutes every couple of hours to breathe.

✔ Create breaks between meetings and tasks.

✔ Ask yourself what you need right now.

✔ Replace mindless scrolling with mindful activities.

✔ Develop an evening ritual to help you wind down.

Reflection question

What is one small change you could make this week to create more calm in your day?

Sometimes, the answer isn't doing more. Sometimes, it's simply pausing long enough to take a breath.

But what if there is another way?

In this episode of Wise Women's Conversations, Angela reflects on a simple phrase from her somatic movement class: "You only need to go to 70%." That idea sparked a much bigger question about how many of us, particularly high-achieving women, have been conditioned to believe that we always need to give 100% or more.

Drawing on her own experiences in banking, business and motherhood, Angela explores the tension between striving and surrender, masculine and feminine energy, and what it might mean to embrace the "melt" instead of the push.

If you've spent years leading teams, building a career or caring for everyone else, this episode invites you to consider whether slowing down might actually be the key to moving forward.

In this episode, Angela explores:

• The difference between pushing and melting
• Lessons from somatic movement and gentle exercise
• Why many successful women struggle to slow down
• How school, work and business teach us to strive for perfection
• The hidden cost of constantly achieving
• Angela's journey through banking, business ownership and motherhood
• The challenge of accepting that 70% might be enough
• How to reconnect with your body and let go of perfectionism

Reflection question

Where in your life could 70% be enough?

What would happen if you gave yourself permission to ease off the pressure and trust that you don't always need to push harder?

When was the last time you stopped and thought about what brings you genuine joy?

For many women, especially those who have spent years building businesses, leading teams, raising families or caring for others, fun often slips to the bottom of the priority list. We become so focused on responsibility that we forget to ask ourselves what actually lights us up.

In this episode of Wise Women's Conversations, I explore my own relationship with fun and why I've never considered myself to be a particularly playful person. Instead, I've discovered that fun doesn't have to look the same for everyone.

Drawing on my understanding of genetics, hormones and personality, I share why some people thrive on play and connection, while others find joy through adventure, creativity, movement or simply being immersed in nature.

The important question isn't whether you're having fun in the same way as someone else.

It's whether you're making space for the things that bring you pleasure, lightness and joy.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why many successful women struggle to prioritise fun
• Rethinking the traditional definition of fun
• How our biology and dominant hormones influence what we enjoy
• Why comparison can stop us recognising what genuinely brings us joy
• The difference between play, pleasure, adventure and connection
• How hiking, dance and spending time with my dogs help me reconnect with myself
• Simple ways to bring more lightness into everyday life

Reflection Question

What does fun look like for you?

Is there something you've been putting off because it doesn't seem "productive"? What small step could you take this week to bring a little more joy into your life?

In this episode of Wise Women's Conversations, I share the deeply personal story behind why I made the difficult decision to close a successful business, step away from programmes that were changing women's lives, and embrace a season of uncertainty.

As someone who loves having a plan, learning to sit with "I don't know" wasn't easy. But taking that step created the space I needed to reconnect with myself, spend more time in nature and discover what was waiting beneath the surface.

One of the most powerful lessons came while hiking. After a controlled burn-off in my local national park, I watched new life begin to emerge through the blackened earth. It became a beautiful reminder that even when life feels as though it's been burnt to the ground, new beginnings are often quietly taking shape.

If you're experiencing change in your career, your business, your relationships or simply wondering what comes next, I hope this conversation reminds you that you don't need to have all the answers today.

Sometimes your next chapter begins by simply trusting yourself enough to take the next small step.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why I chose to close a successful business
• The discomfort of not knowing what comes next
• How identity changes as we move through our 50s and beyond
• Why many successful women struggle with uncertainty
• The lessons nature has taught me about growth and renewal
• The importance of self-trust during times of transition
• Why looking after your health creates the foundation for everything else
• Taking small steps instead of waiting for the perfect plan

Reflection Question

Where is your happy place?

Where do you feel most like yourself? Where do you find clarity when life feels uncertain?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

After nearly 300 episodes of the Menopause Conversations podcast, I knew it was time for something new.

This podcast isn't just about menopause. It's about what comes next.

For many women, reaching our 50s and 60s brings a new set of questions. Our children may have grown up, our careers may have changed, and we finally have the opportunity to ask ourselves:

What do I want for this next stage of my life?

In this introductory episode, I share why I stepped away from my previous business, what I learnt during that time, and why I felt called to begin this new conversation.

We'll be exploring health, wellbeing, mindset, purpose and the wisdom that comes with experience. Most importantly, we'll be talking about what's possible as we age, because I believe this can be one of the most fulfilling chapters of our lives.

Whether you're a business owner, a leader, or simply a woman wondering what comes next, I hope these conversations encourage you to think differently about ageing and inspire you to create a life that feels meaningful and true to you.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why I decided to finish the Menopause Conversations podcast
• Stepping away from burnout and creating space to reflect
• Why I chose to return with a completely new podcast
• The questions many women ask as they move through their 50s and beyond
• Why ageing doesn't mean becoming invisible
• The importance of continuing to challenge ourselves and pursue new adventures
• What you can expect from future episodes of Wise Women's Conversations

I'd love to hear from you

What conversations would you like us to have?

If there's a topic you'd like me to explore in a future episode, I'd love to hear from you. Simply send me an email (angela@angelacounsel.com) and let me know what's on your mind.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another woman who might enjoy joining these conversations.