Breaking the Menopause Taboo at Work: Agency, Identity, and Impact (Ep 124)

In this episode of Surfing the Quicksand, Kathy Vines talks with Susan Miele, author and identity researcher, about the ways midlife changes, whether menopause, career transitions, or life disruptions, affect identity and personal agency. Drawing from her own experiences as a former C-suite executive and her journey through career transitions, Susan explores how major life events (loss, grief, and hormonal changes) reshape our sense of self and challenge the stories we tell ourselves. Susan explores how we can consciously choose how to navigate these changes, redefine our stories, and create opportunities for growth. Listeners will learn how identity is shaped by the stories we tell ourselves, why feeling “stuck” is often a result of an outdated narrative, and practical strategies to get unstuck, reclaim agency, and explore possibilities, even when life feels unpredictable. Whether you’re considering a professional reinvention, a personal reset, or simply want to understand how identity evolves over time, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and actionable tools to help you rewrite your story and embrace new possibilities. Key Takeaways:  Identity is fluid, not fixed. We can rewrite the story we tell ourselves about who we are at any point in life. Choice is powerful. Whether in menopause, career, or personal life, we get to choose how we move forward, without judgment. Feeling “stuck” often stems from old narratives. Recognizing these stories is the first step to getting unstuck. Small pauses create breakthroughs. Walking away, sleeping on a problem, or letting the mind rest can lead to sudden clarity and momentum. Practical identity work spans home and work. How we tell our story affects family management, careers, and daily life choices. Resources and Mentions Susan’s website: https://www.SusanMiele.com   Susan’s Substack: https://susanannmiele.substack.com/  Susan’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-a-miele-phd/  Resources to help workplaces on training and content: MiDOViA https://www.midovia.com/  and The Menopause Society https://menopause.org/  About Susan Miele Susan Miele, PhD is a passionate advocate for normalizing menopause in the workplace. A former Chief People Officer with an extensive career in corporate leadership, she now speaks and writes about the profound impact menopause has on workplace culture, inclusion, and the retention of senior-level women. Susan challenges organizations to understand that menopause is not just an individual issue, but a vital factor in workplace well-being and gender equity.