Comforts, Cheap and Free!

Comforts, Cheap and Free!

Author: Meagan Francis and Sarah Powers April 21, 2026 Duration: 34:29

Do things that feel special and give our lives texture and color have to cost a lot? In this episode, Meagan and Sarah talk about redefining comfort in a season of economic uncertainty. They each share some small, inexpensive, and sometimes completely free rituals that bring real satisfaction. The takeaway: layering simple pleasures, like a good drink, a phone call with a friend, or a slow evening routine, can feel deeply indulgent--and that comfort is often less about what we spend and more about how we experience what we already have.

Find an expanded episode story with photos and links at http://www.midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com. 

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Ever find yourself with a rare free hour and wonder, honestly, what to do with it? Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits digs into that very question with curiosity and a good dose of humor. Hosts Meagan Francis and Sarah Powers, both navigating their own fortysomething years as moms and seasoned creators, use their conversations to unpack what fun, relaxation, and fulfillment actually look like now. This isn't about grand, Instagram-worthy adventures (though those are welcome, too); it's about the small joys and substantive projects that color daily life. In each episode, you'll hear them explore everything from the philosophical-redefining what leisure means amidst busy schedules-to the wonderfully practical, like deep-dives on a craft kit or the real experience of trying pickleball for the first time. The podcast naturally spans arts, culture, fitness, and personal growth, all through the lens of making midlife more engaging and personally rich. It feels less like a formal show and more like a great chat with friends who are just as eager to find what makes them tick, encouraging you to consider your own next hobby, passion, or perfectly idle afternoon.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 28

Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits
Podcast Episodes
At The Beach! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:58
Sarah's house is a hop, skip, and jump from the Pacific Ocean. Meagan is a stone's throw from Lake Michigan. But each of these midlife ladies enjoys her own personal beach culture. In this episode Meagan and Sarah talk a…
Solo Road Trips! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:40
For decades, most of our longer car rides involved, at the very least, a spouse - and usually, a car full of kids as well. In midlife, Meagan and Sarah are leaning into more and more opportunities for solo car travel, an…
Sarah Grows Avocados! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:49
For most of us, avocados are a once-in-a-while treat. For Sarah - whose family became owners of three mature avocado trees when they moved into their current home - they're more akin to a lifestyle. In this episode, Sara…
Meagan Tends Chickens! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:06
Raising backyard chickens has been a longtime dream of Meagan's, and in her 40s, she was finally able to take a flying, wing-flapping leap. Now three years into her backyard chicken adventure, Meagan shares the real poop…
We Love Candles! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:44
Sarah loves candles...and when it comes to scents, shapes, vessels and placement, she has some pretty specific preferences. In this episode, Meagan and Sarah each share how candles fit into the overall atmosphere of thei…
Let's Go Kayaking! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:59
Meagan used to have a recurring dream in which she was paddling a small boat, close to the water, with the plants along the shoreline close enough to touch. It took her until her mid-30s to realize: oh, I was kayaking! I…
Welcome to Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18
We’re Meagan and Sarah, forty-something women who live in different states and have a lot of different interests between us. On Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits we'll be talking about all the ways we're enjoying this stage…