45 Putting on a sell-out show about menopause with Claire Hodgson

Meet Claire Hodgson MBE, one of the stars of the fabulous play Mid Life which had a sell-out run at the Barbican in London. She’s the founder of Diverse City, the Bristol theater company behind this production and the co-founder of Extraordinary Bodies, the UK’s leading professional integrated circus company. In this inspiring and empowering interview, we talk about: Claire’s passion for diversity in the performing arts and theater in particular Institutional and systematic racism in our society and hoping that we are at a time of real transformation How it’s time for white people to do something about racism because black people are exhausted and broken How often big moments of change in social justice come very quickly and white people need to act now How it’s important to have everyone’s story told and for everyone to be represented in life to validate our identity and experience The good things that can happen for us when we just say yes The importance of intersectionality and levels of prejudice dependent on our experience The many different stories around menopause and midlife How disabled people may be used to having restrictions on them, so lockdown was nothing new for them The difficulties of being in the live theater industry under Covid How much support the theater industry in particular needs from government and society Ways actors and performers are getting creative to continue showing their work Drive in theaters over the summer to get around restrictions Needing to be creative about how theater is presented may actually result in greater audience diversity and bigger audiences Claire’s own experience of menopause and why she wanted to make the play Mid Life How we care less and can get clearer about what we do and don’t want as we age Unveiling the big secret in the show! The power of midlife reflection and transformation The powerful role midlife women can have in creating the new normal And lots more! Find out more about Claire: Diverse City (founder) Extraordinary Bodies (co-founder) Claire Hodgson Linkein, Claire Hodgson Twitter Diverse City Facebook, Diverse City Linkedin, Diverse City Twitter Extraordinary Bodies Facebook, Extraordinary Bodies Twitter, Extraordinary Bodies Instagram If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and maybe leave a review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That’s also where you’ll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There’s a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?

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Midlife isn’t the end of meaningful life, just the end of the first half rehearsal. Listen, laugh and be inspired as Rachel Lankester, author, mentor and founder of Magnificent Midlife, interviews women in midlife and beyond living authentic, empowered lives, not disappearing into obscurity. From round the world yachtswomen to 60 year old pole dancers, from palliative care doctors to sustainable food evangelists, this podcast explores the myriad things older women get up to and the issues we face. We challenge the status quo and bash those negative stereotypes about being an older woman. Need some inspiration about what’s possible for you when you're over 40, over 50 or beyond? These women will show you anything is. Need help overcoming your own limiting beliefs about getting older or struggles with menopause? Learn from women who’ve experienced the same but found ways to thrive and become who they were always meant to be. Learn their life-hacks and how they do what they do. This podcast is all about celebrating women in midlife and beyond. We’re not over the hill or on a downward slope. We get better with age not worse. We talk all things midlife, about issues that matter, and share fabulous stories of magnificent women doing very cool stuff. Now's our time! Find out more at magnificentmidlife.com.