This week’s episode is part story, part reminder, and part permission slip.

Jen takes you inside a once-in-a-lifetime weekend in Brooklyn that started with one thing: an email she almost didn’t send. What followed was a surreal and deeply emotional experience recording with Tracy Bonham at Grand Street Recording for the 30th anniversary re-recording of Mother Mother — alongside a room full of women who felt like lifelong friends within minutes.

But this episode isn’t just about music or nostalgia. It’s about:

• Imposter syndrome in midlife
• Making yourself smaller to fit into other people’s expectations
• Female friendship and authentic connection
• Learning to take up space unapologetically
• Saying yes before you feel ready
• Remembering who you are underneath all the performance

Jen reflects on the power of witnessing women fully in their element, the reality that even wildly successful people still struggle with self-doubt, and why midlife can become the chapter where we finally stop asking for permission.

If you’ve been sitting on an email, a dream, a boundary, a creative idea, or a version of yourself you’ve been afraid to fully step into — this episode is your sign.

• Recording in Brooklyn with Tracy Bonham
• The emotional legacy of Mother Mother
• Why women in midlife crave real connection
• The truth about imposter syndrome
• Learning to stop performing for everyone else
• The freedom that comes with aging
• What happens when you finally send the email anyway

• Mother Mother
• Jem
• The Midlife Edit Co.

Jen also shares her free guide:
“Nobody Warned Me” — The Honest Midlife Hormone Guide
A real, no-BS resource for women navigating hormones, perimenopause, exhaustion, and everything nobody prepared us for.

You can download it at:
The Midlife Edit Co.

“You don’t have to feel ready. You just have to go.”

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman who needs the reminder not to take herself out of her own life.

This week on The Midlife Edit, Jen is getting brutally honest about motherhood, stepmotherhood, reinvention, guilt, and why Mother’s Day can feel more like a performance than a celebration.

From burnt breakfast-in-bed stories to awkward brunch reservations and the emotional complexity of being a stepmom in midlife, this episode dives into the messy middle so many women are living through but rarely talk about out loud.

Jen opens up about raising a son who’s about to turn 21 while simultaneously helping raise younger stepkids, all while building The Midlife Edit and learning how to choose herself without drowning in guilt.

This episode is about:

• Midlife motherhood and identity shifts
• The complicated reality of stepmom life
• Reinvention and learning to take up space
• Mom guilt, ambition, and choosing yourself
• Why women are allowed to want more for themselves
• Celebrating Mother’s Day in ways that actually feel meaningful

And then… Jen reveals her very nontraditional Mother’s Day plans: heading to Brooklyn to join Tracy Bonham for her Scream Like a Mother experience — including recording vocals for a special 30th anniversary version of Mother Mother and participating in an intimate Mother’s Day brunch with Tracy herself.

This episode is raw, funny, vulnerable, nostalgic, and deeply validating for any woman trying to figure out who she is while still showing up for everyone else.

• Why Mother’s Day can feel exhausting instead of celebratory
• The invisible emotional labor moms carry
• The truth about breakfast in bed and overpriced brunches
• What stepmoms rarely say out loud
• Watching your kids grow while reinventing yourself
• Why pursuing your dreams doesn’t make you selfish
• Midlife identity shifts and imposter syndrome
• Tracy Bonham’s Scream Like a Mother project
• Jen’s upcoming Brooklyn adventure

• Tracy Bonham
• Mother Mother
• Scream Like a Mother
• Williamsburg, Brooklyn
• Grand Street Recording

• Instagram: @thejenweinstein
• Newsletter: Backstage Pass
• Podcast: The Midlife Edit

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a mom, stepmom, bonus mom, or woman in reinvention mode who needs the reminder that she’s allowed to become something new too.

What happened to the women who defined the soundtrack of our lives?

In this episode, Jen dives into the rise, disappearance, and long-overdue resurgence of the women in music who shaped the ‘90s and early 2000s. From Meredith Brooks to Tori Amos to Missy Elliott, this is a conversation about truth-telling, industry bias, cultural memory, and why so many iconic women were labeled, dismissed, or erased—while their music lived on.

But this isn’t just about the past. It’s about what’s changing now—and why midlife women are leading the charge in reclaiming these artists and giving them the recognition they’ve always deserved.

This one is part nostalgia, part cultural critique, and fully fired up.

• The moment “Bitch” by Meredith Brooks hit differently—and why it still does
• The pattern: how women in music were celebrated, then quietly pushed aside
• Why artists like Tori Amos still aren’t getting the recognition they deserve
• The double standard between male and female artists (and why it still exists)
• Missy Elliott’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction—and what took so long
• How streaming and TikTok are rewriting the rules of music longevity
• Why midlife women are reclaiming the narrative (and refusing to stay quiet)
• The question we should be asking: who are we overlooking right now?

• The music never disappeared—the industry just moved on from the women who made it
• Women in music have historically been judged differently, labeled faster, and supported less
• Cultural recognition doesn’t always come when it should—but it can come later
• We’re in the middle of a shift—and women (especially in midlife) are driving it
• Two things can be true: progress is happening, and there’s still a long way to go

This episode started with a song on the radio… and turned into something much bigger.

Because it’s not just about music—it’s about voice.
It’s about being complicated. Loud. Emotional. Honest.
And refusing to shrink just because someone decided your moment was over.

Spoiler: it’s not.

This week, go back and listen to a deep cut—not just the hit.

Then ask yourself:
👉 Who are we doing this to right now?

Come tell me:
Who deserves more flowers than they’ve gotten?

📲 Instagram & TikTok: @TheJenWeinstein
💌 Subscribe to the Backstage Pass newsletter for a deeper dive

If this one hit for you, send it to:

• Your music-obsessed friend
• Your sister
• Your teenage daughter
• Anyone who needs a reminder that women’s voices don’t expire

Follow, rate, and review The Midlife Edit—it helps more women find these conversations (and keeps them going).

This one’s a little different—in the best way.

In the first-ever Hot, Hormonal & Highly Opinionated episode, I’m skipping the neat little box and giving you the real, unfiltered version of what’s been on my mind lately. Think of it like we’re sitting across from each other with coffee… and I’m telling you everything.

We’re talking about what self-care actually looks like in midlife (hint: it’s not always spa days), getting very real about my perimenopause and HRT journey, and ending with a pop culture moment that celebrates women—because honestly, they deserve it.

If you’ve been feeling off, overwhelmed, unheard, or just not like yourself lately… this one is for you.

• The difference between performative self-care and what actually helps
• Why self-care can feel selfish—and why it’s not
• Simple, real-life ways to take care of yourself without spending money or hours of time
• Why going to the doctor is one of the most important forms of self-care

• What perimenopause has actually felt like for me
• Symptoms that were dismissed—and why I knew something wasn’t right
• Navigating doctors, testing, and finally finding someone who listened
• My current HRT protocol (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)
• The gut health connection—and why I’m committing to AIP
• The reality: it’s expensive, overwhelming… and still worth it

• Why 90s women in music are having a major moment again
• Artists still creating, evolving, and doing it on their terms
• What it means to step into your “second act” in midlife

• The Lamar Odom documentary and why Khloé Kardashian surprised me
• A real conversation about showing up for people—even when it’s complicated
• Why we’re allowed to care about pop culture and real-world issues

• The WNBA turning 30
• The rise of global women’s sports
• Why this isn’t a trend—it’s a movement
• Why it matters for the next generation of women

Women are doing the real work—on themselves, for others, in their careers, and in their lives… even when no one is watching or giving them credit.

That’s midlife.
And when you start paying attention—it’s powerful.

If this episode hit home for you, I want to hear about it.

• DM me on Instagram: @thejenweinstein
• Follow along on TikTok
• Email: jen@themidlifeeditco.com

• 🎶 Follow the playlist: The Midlife Edit Co on Spotify
• 💌 Join the Backstage Pass newsletter (weekly + no spam, ever)

Share it with a friend, send it to someone who needs to hear it, or leave a review—it helps more women find this space.

In today’s episode of The Midlife Edit, we’re stepping into Week 4 of the Pre-Holiday Reset — and this week is all about reflection: the grounding, self-honoring kind… not the childhood “go think about what you did” version.

Before the holidays sweep in, this week invites you to pause, breathe, and ask:
What’s working? What’s not? What am I ready to release — and what do I want to carry with me into the next chapter?
Jen shares powerful journaling prompts, explores her own patterns and wins over the past few weeks, and talks openly about showing up for ourselves before we show up for everyone else.
And then…
You’re getting a two-for-one today.
Because after we reflect, we dive straight into a short but incredible interview with Pittsburgh-based band Neostem — a fusion of grunge, punk, and metal who prove exactly why music and community matter so much in midlife.
✨ In This Episode:

We explore:

• What reflection actually means
• Why it’s not about shame, guilt, or tallying your failures
• How to check in with your energy and behavior
• What you need more of — and what to release
• How self-awareness prepares you for a calmer holiday season

Jen also shares her own reset takeaways: juggling work, volunteering, family roles, and her podcast — and learning to give herself actual credit for the way she shows up for others.

🎸 Interview with Neostem: Music, Mental Health & Community

We talk about:

• How Ryan, Matt, and Rob met
• How their unique blend of punk/grunge/metal came to life
• Their songwriting process and how their influences collide
• Music as self-expression, self-discovery, and emotional processing
• Why Punk Rock Saves Lives matters — especially for men’s mental health
• Their favorite Pittsburgh venues
• What’s next for the band in 2026

This conversation blends music, community, nostalgia, and real talk about mental health — a perfect companion to this week’s theme of reflection.

📝 Download the Midlife Edit Reflection Workbook, your personal “backstage pass” to deeper self-awareness, clarity, and midlife reinvention.

🖤Visit Punk Rock Saves Lives

🎧 Listen to Neostem on all platforms and check out their socials:

Instagram: @neostemband

Facebook: Neostem

🛍️ The Feed the People Tour — Support Feeding America

We’re just under $150 raised and aiming for $300 by Thanksgiving!
Grab your tee or crewneck here! 100% of profits go directly to Feeding America, now and forever.

✨ Join the Pre-Holiday Reset

If you haven’t joined yet, it’s not too late.
This reset is evergreen — not just for the Christmas season — and will help you slow down, breathe deeper, and reconnect with yourself. Sign up now: Pre-Holiday Reset

In Week 3 of the Pre-Holiday Reset, the theme is breathe—but not the shallow, rushed kind we fall into during stress or multitasking. This week, Jen explores the kind of deep, expansive breath that creates space, clarity, and reinvention.

Fresh off a trip to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Jen reflects on the moment everything clicked: music has always been the quiet throughline of her life and her reinvention journey. And now it’s time to let it take up the space it deserves inside The Midlife Edit.

From childhood concerts with her dad, to the nostalgia of Discman-era friendships, to the women artists who model unapologetic evolution, this episode dives into the emotional and creative heartbeat behind Jen’s next chapter.

This isn’t a rebrand. It’s a reveal.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• The power of breathing space
How intentional breath slows the noise long enough for truth to surface—and why clarity is always the starting point for midlife reinvention.

• A pivotal moment at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
What Jen realized while standing among decades of music history, lyrics, and creative eras.

• Why music has always been the backbone of Jen’s story
From her dad introducing her to concerts at age 11, to the songs that shaped her teens, to the lyrics that helped her survive and evolve.

• The childhood dream that never quite died
Jen opens up about wanting to be Jem and the Holograms, realizing she couldn’t sing, and discovering that storytelling became her own musical language.

• Women, reinvention, and owning your next era
Why female reinvention is often questioned—and why women like Pink, Kate Hudson, and everyday midlife creators deserve to be celebrated.

• The future of The Midlife Edit
More music. More midlife stories. More creativity. More conversations with women rewriting their lives through sound, art, and courage.

• A call to listeners
Jen wants your help finding women in music—famous, indie, local, or quietly brilliant—who embody midlife creativity and reinvention.

Resources & Links

• Pre-Holiday Reset: Week 3 – Breathe
  Free email support + breathing exercises
  Click HERE To Sign Up
• Feed the People Tour Tee & Sweatshirt
  100% of profits donated to Feeding America
  Get yours HERE
• Submit a Woman in Music Guest Suggestion
  Email Jen: jen@themidlifeeditco.com

Connect with Jen

Website: www.themidlifeeditco.com

Instagram: @thejenweinstein
TikTok: @thejenweinstein
Pinterest: The Midlife Edit Co.

What happens when two punk-loving rebels from high school reconnect decades later?

In this episode of The Midlife Edit, I sit down with musical theatre writer Nicolette Blount and author Sirena Grey to talk about Riot Grrrl, feminism, motherhood, and what it looks like to reclaim your creative voice in midlife.

Nicolette is a Chickasaw musical theatre writer, composer, lyricist, and producer whose work includes Savage: The Unconquerable Wanda Savage, a powerful musical inspired by the true story of her great-grandmother - a vaudeville sharpshooter and silent film actress who refused to conform to the expectations placed on women in the early 1900s.

Sirena Grey is a writer and editor who spent years raising three boys before returning to her creative work - a journey many women will recognize. Together, Nicolette and Sirena are currently writing Riot Grrrl: The Punk Anti-Musical, a new project inspired by the feminist punk movement that challenged the music industry and gave women a louder voice in the 1990s.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• rediscovering creativity after motherhood
• starting (or restarting) a creative career later in life
• the Riot Grrrl movement and feminist punk culture
• what it takes to build a musical from the ground up
• why women’s stories still struggle to find space in the arts
• how music, storytelling, and rebellion often go hand-in-hand

We also dive into the behind-the-scenes reality of creating a musical - from writing and development to the hustle of getting a show produced.

If you’ve ever felt like you lost a piece of yourself somewhere along the way, this episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to come back to who you are.

Links & Resources

Follow the Riot Grrrl Anti-Musical journey:
https://riotgrrrlmusical.com

Sirena Grey’s writing:
https://thewritingsirena.com

Follow Nicolette Blount:
https://nicoletteblount.com

Learn more about Savage: The Unconquerable Wanda Savage
https://savagethemusical.com

Connect with The Midlife Edit

Follow the podcast and join the conversation:

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thejenweinstein

Website:
https://www.themidlifeeditco.com

After years of giving, caretaking, and pushing through, many women reach midlife and quietly ask: What do I want?

In this episode of The Midlife Edit, Jen sits down with Karen Novy and Tara Alexandra, co-founders of Your Odyssey, for an honest, grounding conversation about reclaiming yourself - not through dramatic reinvention, but through small, intentional shifts in everyday life.

Together, they explore how women lose (and reclaim) their voice, why rest often comes with guilt, how nervous system regulation supports self-trust, and why midlife is less about becoming someone new and more about remembering who you’ve always been.

This episode is practical, reflective, funny, and deeply validating for women navigating midlife transitions.

✨ In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why dreaming can feel risky after hard seasons
• How women slowly lose their voice — and how to reclaim it
• The power of inner self-talk and self-permission
• Why rest isn’t laziness — it’s regulation
• Simple nervous system tools you can use in minutes
• How five minutes of intentional care can shift your entire day
• The role music plays in healing, identity, and self-expression

🎶 Song of the Episode

F**ckin’ Perfect by Pink

🔗 Connect with Our Guests

• Instagram: @yourodyssey.life
• Podcast: Your Odyssey
• Explore their free Take Five to Thrive practice and other offerings via the links in their bio