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Midlife Sparkle with Belinda Stark
Welcome to Midlife Sparkle with Belinda Stark – the podcast that celebrates the messy, magical middle of life.
I'm Belinda Stark – coach, writer, mum, and midlife cheerleader. I know firsthand how this season can feel like a rollercoaster: one minute you're craving change, the next you're clinging to what's familiar. Whether you're navigating menopause, identity shifts, career pivots, or relationships evolving, this podcast is your reminder that you're not alone – and it's not too late to reclaim your sparkle.
Each week, you'll hear honest conversations with inspiring women, expert voices, and real stories from the messy middle. We’ll explore everything from mindset and wellbeing to alcohol, ageing, motherhood, purpose, and the quiet courage it takes to start again.
This is your space for reflection, laughter, lightbulb moments, and gentle nudges forward – no perfectionism, pressure, or pretending required.
Let’s rewrite the rules of midlife, one story at a time.
Episodes
74 episodes
A Quick Chrissy Hello!
Keywordsmidlife, boundaries, self-care, achievements, workshops, Christmas, emotional well-being, personal growth, women empowerment, journalingIn this episode of Midlife Sparkle, Belinda reflects on the year 2025 and shares insight...
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6:39
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Identity Loss
In this solo episode of Midlife Sparkle, I dive into one of the most common and quietly painful experiences for women in their forties, fifties, and beyond - losing our sense of identity.For so long, we’ve worn countless hats: m...
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Season 6
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Episode 13
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14:08
Anxious Annie
In this episode of Midlife Sparkle, I explore a familiar feeling for so many of us - anxiety. I call mine Anxious Annie, and she’s been with me most of my life. Annie has a way of showing up when things feel uncertain, whisperin...
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Season 6
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Episode 12
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11:59
Comparison Connie
In this solo episode of Midlife Sparkle, I dive into a topic that affects so many of us – comparison. I call mine Comparison Connie – one of the many little voices that have followed me through life. She loves to pop up when I...
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Season 6
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Episode 11
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13:53
Critical Cassie
In this episode of Midlife Sparkle, I’m diving into a solo chat about a familiar voice most of us know far too well - our inner critic. Mine’s called Critical Cassie, and she’s been with me since childhood. Maybe you’ve got on...
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Season 6
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Episode 10
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18:15
Dr Filipa Bellette
In this episode of Midlife Sparkle, I sit down with Dr Filipa Bellette, or “Philly” as she prefers to be known. She’s the co-founder of the multi-award-winning health practice Chris & Filly Functional Medicine, an aut...
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Season 6
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Episode 9
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36:54
Nikki Ellis
In this episode of Midlife Sparkle, I chat with my friend and powerhouse fitness professional, Nikki Ellis, about strength, health, and living alcohol-free in midlife. Nikki has spent more than 30 years in the fitness industry a...
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Season 6
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Episode 8
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32:25
Shelly Horton - The Peri Godmother
In this episode of Midlife Sparkle, I sit down with my friend and straight-talking powerhouse, Shelly Horton - one of Australia’s most trusted voices in media, wellness, and women’s health. Shelly’s career as a journalist, presenter, M...
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Season 6
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Episode 7
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30:14
Kim Payne
In this episode of Sober Sparkle, I sit down with the powerhouse that is Kim Payne - professional speaker, business mentor and podcast host. Kim has spent over 30 years in business, finance and personal growth helping entrepreneurs and...
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Season 6
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Episode 6
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38:19
Luan Lawrenson-Woods
In this episode of Sober Sparkle I sit down with award-winning patient advocate and podcast host Luan Lawrenson-Woods. After her diagnosis with invasive lobular breast cancer, Luan discovered just how overwhelming the health system can feel - t...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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45:36
Ask Me Aything
In this mid-season solo episode of Sober Sparkle, I answer the questions I’m asked most often - on email, in DMs and in conversation with clients. From whether alcohol caused my breast cancer, to how much I actually drank, whether my p...
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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19:52
My Drinking Stories
In this solo episode of Sober-ish Sparkle, I open up about my drinking story in the hope that it resonates with you and reminds you that you’re not alone. I take you through the different stages of my drinking - from my divorce and sin...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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17:31
Emotional Drinking
In this solo episode of Sober Sparkle, I explore the topic of emotional drinking – a behaviour that so many of us fall into without even realising it. Most of us have heard of emotional eating, where we turn to food for comfort, distra...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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16:03
What is grey area drinking?
In this solo episode of Sober Sparkle, I dive into the idea of grey area drinking – something I get asked about a lot by clients and interviewers alike. Six seasons into the podcast, I wanted to take the time to really explore what thi...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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13:44
Briony May
In this episode of Sober Sparkle, I sit down with the wonderful Briony May, who many of you will know from the Great British Bake Off, where she won hearts in 2018 and made it all the way to the semifinals. Since then, Briony has becom...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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40:26
Janey Lee Grace
In this episode, I have the absolute pleasure of speaking with Janey Lee Grace — a voice so many will recognise from BBC Radio 2’s Steve Wright in the Afternoon, and an inspiring figure in the wellness and sobriety space. Janey is a be...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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39:27
Andy Ramage
In this episode, I sit down with Andy Ramage – a former professional athlete turned City broker who went on to co-create two multimillion-dollar businesses before walking away to reinvent his life. Andy’s transformation began when he realised h...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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35:46
Greg Jennings
In this episode I sit down with Greg Jennings, also known as Booze Free Dad on Instagram. Greg is a media professional, father of two, and a powerful voice in the sober curious space. He’s also my very first male guest, and I’m thrille...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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43:44
Drinking Beliefs
In this solo bite-sized episode of Sober Sparkle, I delve into something I’ve found incredibly powerful on my own sober curious journey - the belief-shifting mantra, “This is real, but not true.” It’s a phrase I still use regula...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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17:26
Ash Butters
In this episode of Sober-ish Sparkle, I sit down with the incredible Ash Butters – a transformation coach, speaker, and the host of Behind the Smile podcast. Ash shares her deeply personal and powerful story of going from high...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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49:27
William Porter
In this episode, I’m joined by William Porter, author of Alcohol Explained, who brings a wealth of experience and science to our conversation around sober curiosity and alcohol’s true impact. William is our very first international mal...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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34:48
Socialising Sober Strategies
Hi lovely, and welcome back to Sober-ish Sparkle! I’m Belinda Stark, and in this bite-sized solo episode, I’m diving into something so many of us sober and sober-curious women struggle with: socialising without alcohol.Recently,...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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21:11
Clare Pooley
In this powerful episode of Sober(ish) Sparkle, I sit down with bestselling author and sobriety advocate Clare Pooley for a raw and uplifting conversation about life before and after alcohol. Clare opens up about her gradual sli...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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37:37
VIC VANSTONE
In this episode of Sober-ish Sparkle, I sit down with the fabulous Vic Vanstone – co-host of the Sober Awkward podcast and author of A Thousand Wasted Sundays. Vic brings her signature humour, heart, and hard-won wisd...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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34:23
How Do I Know If I Have a Drinking Problem?
Welcome to this solo episode of Sober'ish' Sparkle with me, Belinda Stark – your guide through all things sober curious, midlife, and meaningful.In this heartfelt and honest chat, I dive into one of the most common questions I get...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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24:13