Magnificent Midlife
Magnificent Midlife
Rachel Lankester
196: Fearless pivots with Susan Dabbar
51 minutes Posted Feb 16, 2026 at 1:12 pm.
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Susan Dabbar is the founder and editor-in-chief of PROVOKEDmagazine – a bold, unapologetic digital magazine for women 50+, challenging and redefining how older women are seen, heard and represented.

Susan's career has been shaped by fearless pivots. She began as a naval architect designing nuclear submarines, went on to shape brand strategy at companies including Disney and Nestlé, played professional poker, worked as an international education consultant – and then, in her 60s, launched a media platform because she couldn't find content that truly respected women's intelligence and lived experience.

We talk about:

-Why Susan launched Provoked after retiring – and why she wasn't finished yet
The cultural gap in media for women over 50 (and why "Good Housekeeping" still exists)

-Designing nuclear submarines – and knowing when it's time to walk away

-What poker taught Susan about patience, power and underestimation

-The myth of "passion" and why it can hold women back

-How women learn to stop performing and start making space for themselves

-The rise of the "I don't give a f***" woman – and why it matters

-Female friendship as an underestimated source of power

-The coming wealth transfer – and what it could mean when money lands in women's hands

-Why AI risks reinforcing ageism and sexism if women don't shape it

-Building something meaningful in your 60s – and aiming high without apology

And more.

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Order Rachel's book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond, recommended in The New York Times as one of seven top books about menopause at magnificentmidlife.com/book
 
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Podcast recommended by the Sunday Times.
 
FeedSpot #5 in 40 Best Midlife Podcasts 
 
You'll find lots of strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent at magnificentmidlife.com.
 
Check out Rachel's online Revitalize Experience, a 6-week intensive small group mentoring experience or 1-1 Midlife Mentoring.