For many women, the years after raising children can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. The routines that once filled every hour begin to shift, leaving space for new questions: What comes next? Who am I beyond the role of parent?
For Bergen County residents Lisa Halperin and Michelle Freedberg, that question became the inspiration behind a new podcast exploring life’s next chapter for women in midlife. What began as a casual conversation quickly evolved into a creative project that is resonating with listeners both locally and beyond.
Lisa, a mother of four who lives in Upper Saddle River, spent years working as a lawyer before transitioning into interior design. Freedberg, a therapist who has also lived in Upper Saddle River for more than two decades, balances her professional work with raising two children.
Like many women their age, they found themselves entering a new phase of life as their children grew older.
“There’s this strange moment when you realize the schedule that consumed your life for 20 years suddenly changes,” Halperin says. “You’re not driving kids everywhere or constantly managing activities anymore. You start to wonder what this next stage looks like.”
Instead of viewing the transition as an ending, the two friends decided to explore it as a beginning.
A Podcast Born From Curiosity
The idea for the podcast came together quickly. After discussing the concept in early December, Halperin and Freedberg launched their first episode in early January. Within just a few months, they had already recorded a dozen episodes while learning the technical side of podcast production along the way.
“We had no idea what we were doing,” Freedberg says with a laugh. “We had to figure out audio, video, social media, all of it.”
Their home studio began modestly in a living room before moving into a basement setup they continue to refine.
Despite the learning curve, the pair has embraced the process. They spend several hours each day researching topics, planning episodes and recording conversations aimed at helping women better understand this stage of life.
The podcast explores everything from aging and wellness to relationships, hobbies and personal growth.
“We want women to feel like they’re not alone in this phase,” Halperin says. “There’s a lot happening during these years, and it isn’t talked about enough.”
A Generation Redefining Midlife
Halperin believes women today are redefining what midlife looks like compared with previous generations.
“Our mothers might have been entering a retirement phase at this age,” she says. “But our generation still has a lot of living to do.”
Instead of slowing down, many women are starting businesses, launching creative projects or rediscovering passions that were put aside during the busy years of parenting.
Halperin and Freedberg see their podcast as both a personal journey and an invitation for other women to explore new possibilities.
“You’re never too old to try something new,” Halperin says. “We’re proof of that.”
Their goal is not only to share insights but also to spark ideas for listeners looking to enrich their own lives.
Connecting With Community
While the podcast aims to reach a broader audience, its roots remain firmly planted in Bergen County.
The duo often collaborates with local businesses and organizations while recording episodes. Past topics have taken them to a med spa to discuss anti-aging treatments, a knitting studio in Waldwick and even an assisted living community to explore aging and lifestyle transitions.
By partnering with local establishments, they are able to highlight small businesses while creating conversations that resonate with listeners everywhere.
“Even though we’re based in Bergen County, the topics we discuss are universal,” Halperin says. “The experiences we’re talking about apply to women everywhere.”
Exploring the Future
Although the podcast launched only recently, its creators already see potential for growth.
Initially, the plan was simple: produce one episode each week for a full year and see where it led. But early feedback from listeners has encouraged them to think bigger.
“We thought if three people listened, that would be great,” Halperin says. “But now people we don’t even know are reaching out and saying an episode really resonated with them.”
Those connections have reinforced their original mission: helping women navigate the complexities of midlife with curiosity and optimism.
For Halperin and Freedberg, the project has become more than a podcast. It is an exploration of identity, purpose and possibility.
And in many ways, it reflects the message they hope to share with others: the next chapter of life can be just as exciting as the ones that came before.
“There’s a whole phase of life before retirement,” Halperin says. “And we want to explore it.”
To check out their latest episodes, visit @beforeboca on YouTube.
“There’s this strange moment when you realize the schedule that consumed your life for 20 years suddenly changes,”—Lisa Halperin
“We want women to feel like they’re not alone in this phase, there’s a lot happening during these years, and it isn’t talked about enough."—Lisa Halperin
Midlife, Reimagined
From wellness and relationships to hobbies and reinvention, Lisa Halperin and Michelle Freedberg’s podcast encourages women to embrace midlife as a beginning and remember it’s not an ending.