Your Voice Matters: How I Found My Groove in Podcasting Over 50

Have you ever looked back and thought, wow, I really did that.

That's where I am today.

Two years ago, I hit record for the very first time.

Unsure if anyone would listen, but certain that someone needed to hear what I had to say and let me be real.

I was nervous.

Like triple checking the mic, talking too fast nervous, but I did it anyway.

Today we're celebrating two years of aging with grace and style.

Whether you've been rocking with me from the start or you're brand new, I want to take you behind the mic.

The lessons, the laughs, the moments I almost gave up and why this is only the beginning.

I celebrate the journey every single day.

Aging with grace and style in our own special way.

Welcome to Aging with Grace and Style, the podcast where we celebrate midlife and beyond with confidence, clarity, and unapologetic joy.

I'm Valerie, and today we're having, say, a heart to heart.

Not about strategies or steps, but about growth, about showing up, about what it really looks like to start something new.

When the world says, why now?

And your soul says, if not now, when?

So let's rewind to the beginning.

It was in 2023.

Like many of you, I was in a season of shifting.

I felt this nudge.

Well, actually, it was more like a divine push to create a space where women over 50 could hear their stories reflected, their hopes validated and their growth celebrated.

Not just the polished parts, but the real, messy, honest parts, too.

And I had questions.

Who would listen?

Was I too late to start something new?

Shouldn't I just be chilling and coasting by now?

But I realized something.

Playing it safe wasn't fulfilling me anymore.

I didn't want to just exist.

I wanted to pour into women who felt like they were quietly fading and remind them and myself that we are still becoming.

I remember one night I was sitting on my couch and I was scrolling through content that didn't really look or sound like me.

And I was thinking, where are the voices of the women over 50?

Not celebrities, not influencers per se, just real women living real lives.

Not curated, not fancy, just the everyday stuff.

And that moment, it stuck with me.

I knew there was a space that needed to be filled.

And I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, I was the one to fulfill it.

I had a whole bunch of ideas at that time.

But girl, let me tell you, two years later, it is sometimes so hard to think of a topic that might resonate with you.

But I digress.

So let's talk about five lessons that I learned in these two Years.

Okay, I learned much more than five.

But we're going to talk about, let's say, the five top lessons that I've learned.

Number one, start Scared, but start anyway.

I had absolutely no clue what I was doing in the beginning.

Editing.

What a mess.

I looked for apps that would do most of the work for me.

And actually, I am still the queen of time saving apps.

And my voice.

Lord, I cringed.

But I kept going and I got used to it.

Because courage isn't about being fearless.

It's about doing it anyway.

So if you're waiting until you feel ready, sis, you're going to be waiting forever.

2.

Your voice matters even when it's shaking.

There were episodes I almost didn't release.

I worried that they weren't deep enough, that they weren't smart enough, or that they would meet be met with silence.

But then someone would DM me like I needed that.

I remember one listener who messaged me and said, you, episode helped me get out of bed this morning.

I felt like you were talking directly to me.

And let me tell you, I cried right there at my desk.

Because that's why I do this.

I always say if one person is impacted, then I'm doing what I was meant to do.

And it seems when I start to doubt my why, then those moments, they happen.

Number three, consistency builds confidence.

There were days when I didn't feel like recording.

Days when I didn't know what I wanted to say.

Days when the numbers were low but just like a muscle.

The more I showed up, the stronger my voice became.

Your best work will come from repetition, not from perfection.

You're not too late.

This one hits deep.

I started podcasting in my late 50s.

Actually months before turning 60.

I didn't have a production team.

I didn't have a fancy studio.

I had a decent mic and some software to record into.

But I had passion, I had purpose.

And of course, for this.

Most importantly, I had wi fi.

That's all you need to begin.

You're not behind, you're right on time.

And number five, you don't need permission.

I spent too long waiting for someone to say, go for it.

Sure, I bounced the idea off my husband, my son, and a friend.

My son, who had his own podcast during COVID told me that it was a lot of work.

But he told me this not to discourage me, but to make sure that I was realistic in my expectations.

And even though he warned me, I don't know that I really believed it or that I really, really, really knew how much work it was.

But at the end of the day, the only person who can truly greenlight your purpose is you.

Don't let fear or other people's timelines hold you hostage.

Now, let me tell on myself for a moment.

For the longest.

I heard that it was wise to add a video component to your podcast to be on YouTube, and I resisted.

I told myself I didn't have the right lighting.

I didn't like how my voice sounded.

I felt like I rolled my eyes too much.

I didn't want to get dressed.

I mean, when I say I had a list, I had a list.

My friend who does live streams and coaches entrepreneurs on video had also told me this.

But you know how when you tell your kids something and they don't listen, and then someone else comes along and says the exact same thing, and then they listen?

Well, that was sort of how it was for me.

So we went to a podcasting conference, and a guy there named Doc Rock said, just do a video.

You don't even have to post it.

You just.

You just need to get used to doing it.

Well, I promised him that I would, and I actually did.

And you know what?

It wasn't too bad.

Once I got the hang of it.

That first video needed some work, basically because I was trying to do too much.

I was trying to be like the pros and put it all together.

My girl, sit down and just get started.

I was trying to add intros and out and outros.

It's like if you don't do the doggone video.

I spent way too much time trying to get angles on my camera, figure out where to look in the lens, etc.

When I'm talking about it now.

And when I think back, it was actually hilarious.

I'm still definitely no pro when it comes to video.

I'm working on getting those darn thumbnails and titles right for YouTube.

But what's important is that I showed up now.

I record video for every single episode.

It gives me more content, more ways to connect with you.

And yes, I post on YouTube.

My following isn't huge over there.

And that's okay, because again, if one person is impacted, then it's worth it.

So what's next?

Well, I'm more excited than ever about what's ahead.

You'll hear more conversations on confidence and aging without apology, wellness that feels good and not punishing friendships, transitions, empty nest and full hearts, bold moves in business, relationships and faith.

And maybe most importantly, more honest talk about how we keep evolving in this beautiful, complicated midlife space for two years it's been just me and you.

But in the next year I'll probably do a few episodes with Guest.

Oh, and here's something that I haven't said out loud yet.

But now you're going to be my accountability partner.

I plan to write a book this year.

Yep, I said it.

I figure if I tell you, then I'll have to follow through.

So hold me to it, okay?

Now don't be asking me about it every day.

I need to get some other stuff in my life settled before I can totally focus on it.

It'll be inspired by the Monday morning boost and these conversations.

Bite sized doses of of courage and clarity for women who are ready to reclaim their spark.

Because we're not invisible, we're evolving.

So here's my question for you.

What are you holding back from because you think it's too late?

Maybe it's writing your own book.

Maybe it's going back to school or launching a business.

Or you know what?

Just simply resting for the first time in decades.

Let me remind you, you're not too late.

You're just getting started.

Take a small step this week.

Just one.

Maybe it's journaling your idea, making a call, or even watching a tutorial.

Forward motion doesn't have to be fast to be faithful.

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for listening, for growing with me, for reminding me why this space matters.

If this show has spoken to your spirit, please share it.

Leave a Review Send me a message.

Let me know what it's meant to you.

Because this isn't just my journey.

It's our journey.

Here's to two years of conversations that matter.

And to the next chapter of Rising with grace, walking in purpose and never ever dimming our light.

Until next time.

Keep shining, sis.

Keep thriving.

And remember, the mic is still in your hands too.

See you in Season three.

Thanks for hanging out with me today.

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Join me at pod.agingwithgraceinstyle.com for more tips, stories and a whole lot of connection.

Until next time, Keep shining with grace, style and a touch of sass.