Notebooks, Pens, and Paper!

Notebooks, Pens, and Paper!

Author: Meagan Francis and Sarah Powers February 3, 2026 Duration: 44:30

Hard cover or soft? Lined, grid, or blank? Felt-tip, roller-ball, or gel? When it comes to the tools we use to jot down everything from daily to-do lists and menu plans to our bigger-picture dreams, those writing utensils and vessels matter (and to us, they matter a lot.) In this episode, Sarah and Meagan geek out over the notebooks, journals, pens, and paper that make our creative and practical lives tick. 

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

Thank you to our exclusive podcast sponsor, Vionic! Check out our favorite styles at https://midlifeladyleisurepursuits.substack.com/p/vionic.

Listeners of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits can use code MIDLIFE at vionicshoes.com to save 15% when you log into your account. One time use only.



Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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
We (Sometimes) Make Gifts! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:10
When it comes to making holiday gifts by hand, our spirits are willing, but time is short - and sometimes, our skills are weak. In this cozy early-December chat, Meagan and Sarah share our thoughts about handmade and DIY…
It's Nap Time! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:53
Who says napping isn't a legitimate leisure pursuit? In this episode Sarah and Meagan share why they love naps, discuss their favorite napping circumstances, and the challenges to sneaking in those daytime Zzzzz's, ponde…
Spilling Tea With Meagan! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:19
While Meagan’s loved drinking tea for a long time, lately she’s gotten really, really - we mean, really into it. In this episode we uncover some surprising things you may not know about tea (what’s the actual difference…
Better Living Through Television! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:25
Sarah takes a methodical approach to TV-watching and clocks an impressive number of series each year, while Meagan enjoys random docu-series and the occasional BBC binge - but, we both love television! In this episode we…
We Read Plaques! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:05
If you don't read every historic plaque you pass, are you even in midlife? (Related: have we both become our own mothers in this regard?) In this episode Sarah and Meagan share our penchant for a good, old-fashioned plaq…
Walking For Miles! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:09
For fun, for fitness, and just for getting around, we're big fans of getting places on our own two feet. In this episode Meagan and Sarah discuss the role of walking in our midlife leisure pursuits: where we walk, why we…
Fun With Recipes! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:50
From our go-to granola to Sarah's super-healthy grain bowl to Meagan's historic cooking deep-dives, recipes are an important source of information and inspiration in our midlife kitchens. In this episode we share where w…
We Watch Birds! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:32
Is there any hobby that's more midlife-coded than birdwatching? In this episode Meagan and Sarah share how this pandemic pastime turned into what we hope will be a lifelong leisure pursuit, and share some of the books an…
Sarah Thrifts Fashion! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:17
Sarah's a seasoned shopper for secondhand clothes; Meagan gets overwhelmed sifting through racks to find treasures. In this episode Sarah shares the methodology and motives that drive her thrift hauls, shares some recent…
Foraging Is Fun! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:46
In our modern world we’ve become so accustomed to looking to the grocery store for food and the pharmacy for medicine that we sometimes forget: food and medicine are all around us! In this episode Meagan shares why she b…