Last month, three dynamic panelists from Los Angeles, New York, and Scottsdale gathered under one Arizona roof for an evening of connection and conversation, flipping the script on what midlife truly means.
Hosted by The Center for Jewish Philanthropy, the Navigating Midlife panel invited women to share, listen, and connect through stories of confidence, reinvention, and purpose.
“With our Women IN Philanthropy group, we have an opportunity to continue inspiring the next generation of women leaders to stand up and be counted and heard in their respective philanthropic journeys,” says Gail Baer, CJP’s Chief Philanthropy Officer. “We felt particularly compelled to create this fall community event, Navigating Midlife, after hearing from so many they were craving a chance to stand in solidarity, celebrate, and discuss this transformative chapter in life in a meaningful and fun way.”
Now, we’re bringing their insights to you.
Dina Aronson
Co-Editor, “Midlife Private Parts”
You’ve said midlife isn’t a crisis but a powerful turning point. What does shifting that narrative actually look like?
It starts with speaking up. Women over 40 make up a quarter of the U.S. population, yet we remain underrepresented and often misrepresented in media. The only way to rewrite that is to tell our own stories, replacing fear and decline with truth and texture. When we do, we show that midlife isn’t the end of relevance, it is the start of self-definition.
You talk about editing your circle in midlife. What have you learned about friendship in this season?
Midlife brings honesty. Some relationships run their course, and that is okay. Time becomes our most precious resource, so we start to prioritize people who energize us and reflect who we are now. Taking stock of our relationships is not loss; it is self-care and expansion.
What has been the most liberating change you have experienced yourself?
Letting go of what others think. That single shift opened every creative door I had been afraid to walk through. The freedom that comes with caring less about perception and more about purpose is unmatched.
Dr. Sharon Stills
Scottsdale-based Pro-Aging Physician and Wellness Expert
You call yourself a pro-aging doctor. What does that mindset change in practice?
It changes everything. Why be against something that is happening anyway? Aging gives us wisdom, freedom, and, yes, better sexual health. I see women in their 50s and 60s who feel stronger and more grounded than ever because they have learned to say no, nourish themselves, and honor what is sacred about this phase.
How do you approach relationships differently now?
Every relationship deserves its own review. Some need a gentle shift while others require distance. I have had conversations that begin with, “I love you, but I am not gossiping anymore,” because protecting your peace is vital. The people you spend time with become your energy, so choose wisely.
What has been your most empowering moment in midlife?
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to celebrate entering menopause. It was my way of showing that I am not slowing down. Menopause is not an ending. It is the beginning of a sacred second act.
Harmonie Krieger
Podcaster, Life Coach, and Reality TV Personality
You encourage women to let go of timelines. Why?
Because the moment you stop living by a timeline, you start living by desire. Timelines create pressure and block joy.
What is your take on friendships in midlife?
They evolve, and that is healthy. Some deepen, some fade, and that is just energy realigning. When you surround yourself with people who match your frequency, life expands. I have learned that if it is not adding to your peace, it is taking from it.
What has been the most freeing part of this chapter for you?
Self-awareness. Every heartbreak and challenge has become fuel for growth. I have learned to trust that the unknown is divine, that God always has a plan, and that my energy is my compass. Living that truth is pure freedom.
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