S5 Episode 19: Navigating Midlife - Growth Beyond Crisis with Helen Kewell

This week, Claire Pedrick speaks with Helen Kewell about her book 'Midlife: Stories of Crisis and Growth from the Counselling Room.' They explore the complexities of midlife, including the intersection of aging and personal growth, the impact of menopause, and the societal perceptions of aging.

Helen shares insights from her counseling practice, emphasising the importance of recognising midlife as a time of transformation rather than decline. The discussion also touches on the experiences of men in midlife, the significance of death awareness, and valuable coaching insights for navigating these transitions.

Takeaways

• The aging process accelerates growth from mid-forties onwards.
• Midlife is often mischaracterised as a time of deficits.
• Menopause can be a catalyst for personal change and empowerment.
• Aging can bring a sense of freedom and authenticity.
• Visibility and invisibility are significant themes in midlife experiences.
• Men experience a different kind of invisibility in midlife.
• Awareness of death can profoundly influence our perspective on life.
• Coaches should recognize their own midlife transitions in their practice.
• Normalizing midlife experiences can help clients navigate their journeys.
• Transition is inherently linked to growth and self-discovery.

Contact Helen through Linked In or by email counselling@kewell.plus.com

Contact Claire by emailing info@3dcoaching.com or checking out her 3D Coaching Supervision Community

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Coming Up:

• Claire and Oscar are back with another episode of The Listening Experiment
• John Blakey will be talking about his new book: Force for Good

Key Words

midlife, aging, growth, menopause, coaching, personal development, invisibility, authenticity, death awareness, life transitions, Helen Kewell

We love having a variety of guests join us! Please remember that inviting someone to participate does not mean we necessarily endorse their views or opinions. We believe in open conversation and sharing different perspectives.