Cybersecurity Awareness expert at Yale University by day, Wendy Battles pursues her passion for celebrating, illuminating and elevating older women, by night. As the host of the Reinvention Rebels podcast, Wendy interviews bold and unapologetic women, 50-90 years young, who have reinvented themselves later in life to see new possibilities.
At 57, Wendy is a Reinvention Rebel herself, having reinvented herself many times during her life including as a management consultant, voice actor, and health coach. Her most recent reinvention as a podcast host is by far her most rewarding. Along her journey of greater self-awareness, she’s learned the art of living on purpose and embracing life with more joy, ease, and trust.
Keep reading to get to know Wendy better!
Name:
Wendy Battles
Podcast Name:
Tell us about your podcast in 3 sentences or less!
Reinvention Rebels celebrates, illuminates and elevates older women and their reinvention stories by interviewing unapologetic, brave women who have found new purpose and possibilities later in life. The podcast is helping to change the limited narrative about the capabilities of older women and amplify the idea that we can reinvent ourselves in bold ways, at any age or stage.
What’s a quote or piece of advice that you try to live by?
“We have little power to choose what happens, but we have complete power over how we respond” – Arianna Huffington Love this quote, powerful. Responding instead of reacting is everything in my book and helps me to keep growing. Plus not holding onto the reins too tightly is key, we have to loosen up control. We live with so much more ease when we do!
Your Superpower:
Offering hope and inspiration to help others see new possibilities in their own lives.
One thing on your bucket list:
Moving to Portugal to retire!
What was your first job?
Working in a clothes store in high school. I was notorious for not saving much and buying cute clothes at a discount. 😉
Any unusual hobbies?
Nope, they’re pretty typical
Biggest Pet Peeve
People who complain about their life and don’t do anything about changing things.
What inspired you to start your podcast?
I had been on a search to find my purpose, something I’ve done in prior decades too. I knew that it involved working with midlife and older women but didn’t know the specifics. One day I hear a tiny whisper when I was meditating, “Reinvention Rebels.” Reinvention what? I never imagined I’d have a podcast even though I love listening to them. But over time, it emerged that it was a podcast to celebrate, illuminate and elevate midlife and older women. Best decision I ever made, I’m truly living on purpose and adding light and hope to the world.
Tell us more about your work/life outside of your podcast.
By day I work in cybersecurity at Yale University. It’s such a cool job and I love it! I focus on cybersecurity awareness and recently launched a second podcast, Bee Cyber Fit. I love the opportunity to inspire people into action and share simple ideas to create positive change. I’m a home chef, love hiking, enjoy spending time with family and love to travel. I’m all in on moving abroad one day and experiencing a different lifestyle than in the US. Love reading, movies and exercising too.
What is your show’s USP?
There are lots of shows about midlife women and some shows about older women. Many of them are topic-based such as dealing with menopause and aging parents. There are also shows about reinvention. But there aren’t many shows about midlife and older women that have reinvented themselves already. My show is unique because it offers hope and inspiration through sharing bold and impactful stories. The women are relatable too. Not superstars who have a team to help them reinvent. We’re talking everyday women from all walks of life. When I hear how Mary reinvented herself in her mid-50s as a runner and is now running in global marathons at 72, I see possibilities. I’ll never run with my creaky knees but it inspires me to think about my own Reinvention Rebel journey. These women shine a light on new possibilities. They also talk about how they did it as a roadmap for others. And their stories are extraordinary.
What is one of the greatest challenges you have personally faced with your podcast?
My biggest challenge is time. I have a full-time, demanding job and I’m caring for an aging parent. The time when I work on it is super early in the morning. 4:45 wake up call every morning to get started! I’d love more time because I can’t wait to grow the show. I have big dreams of reaching more midlife and older women to inspire them about new possibilities. I’ll also add that trying to find a good rhythm to planning, recording, and producing the episodes is a challenge. I’m still working to get several weeks ahead so it’s not last minute. Definitely a work in progress! Thanks for your consideration!
What was one of your favorite episodes you’ve ever done? Why does it stand out?
That question is so hard!! I loved the episode with my then 89-year young mom, she is so wise. But the episode with Mary, the runner, mentioned above, really stands out. I love that she says she’s in the best shape of her life ever at 72! When do you ever hear someone saying that? And her journey from chronically over weight to loving the skin she’s in is so empowering. And then there’s Carolyn who STARTED her modeling career at 72 and is going strong at 75! In a world that says women have lost their appeal by midlife, seeing a short, white-haired, African-American woman model at 75 is so fierce. It says that older women are starting to be seen in new and seriously kickass ways.
What is one thing you have accomplished with your podcast thus far that you are most proud of?
I’m most proud of creating a platform to highlight older women who just don’t get enough love or light shone on them in our society. My greatest joy is in being in conversation with them and creating the space to invite in inspiration for us all. So many women have told me that are rethinking aging and seeing new possibilities in their own life based on the stories they heard. I feel like I’m finally living on purpose after years of trying to figure out what I’m meant to do in this world.
What is one major milestone that you would like to accomplish through your podcast in the next year?
A major milestone for me would be starting to monetize the podcast. I’ve been working pretty tirelessly on the podcast for two years. I’ve continued to see it grow with downloads. I’ve invested in some help via a virtual assistant. I’d love to take all those pieces and bring them to the next level via monetization.
What is a trend or development in the podcast industry that you foresee happening in the next few years?
I foresee more collaborative opportunities for indie podcasts to grow their presence and garner increased visibility. I hope I’m right about that!
What is one of the best pieces of podcast-related advice you’ve ever received & why?
Be consistent, no matter what. Publish episodes when you say you will. I’ve never strayed from that advice. I always want to create a seamless experience for my listeners in the most professional way.
What is some of the worst podcasting advice you’ve received?
Don’t do solo episodes. That seems silly and ridiculous, right? Along with guest episodes, they are a great way to get to know the host and develop a personal connection. I swear that person didn’t know what they were talking about!
What are some of your favorite women-hosted podcasts (besides your own)?
Live by Design, Rock Your Midlife, The Space for Magic, Listeners to Leads, We Can Do Hard Things, Savvy Social, Soul of Travel, Psychocinematic, See Beneath Your Beautiful, The Path of Me, Wishing You Wellness, Hey, Boomer, See the Upside
Can you tell us about a time when you took a huge risk/did something you were scared to do, and it totally paid off?
I was in my early 30s and miserable in my job at a consulting agency. The person who ran it was rather of a tyrant. I had dreams of launching my voice acting career. So I took a leap of faith, without much saving, and quit the job. I did voiceovers for awhile but quitting led to me being hired as a contractor to work through the consulting firm. It’s how I ended up at Yale University and started a whole new career working in IT but using my change management and consulting skills. And that led to all kinds of other cool stuff like having more money to pursue my dreams of solo travel.
Are there any great podcast-related resources you love that you would like to share?
I listen to tons of podcasts about growing a podcast. One of my favorites is Listeners to Leads by Alesia Galati. So much helpful information!
How do you feel you’re making a positive impact and generating change through your podcast?
Testimonials and reviews remind me that I’m making a difference. But even more importantly, it’s when someone emails me or I run into someone who tells me how an episode of the podcast was so impactful that they were inspired to begin their reinvention journey.
For more from Wendy, check out these links:
Reinvention Rebels Podcast on Apple
Reinvention Rebels Podcast on Spotify
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