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Midlife Circus

Burning Matches Media
Midlife
Health
Retirement
Adventure
Gen X
Loneliness
Christmas
Friendship
Social Connection
Holiday Traditions
Family
Sleep
Relationships
Finance
Midlife Transition
Midlife Transitions
Personal Growth
Apple Podcasts
Purpose
Therapy

Midlife isn’t the end — it’s the evolution of Gen X. Hosted by Brent Drever and Rob Espenel, Midlife Circus is where real conversations meet reinvention. Like any good circus, midlife is part chaos, part wonder — a stage for learning new acts. From careers and relationships to purpose and adventure, Rob and Brent explore the unpredictable, messy, and meaningful middle of life with humor, honesty, ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes34Founded8 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSelf-ImprovementSociety & CulturePersonal Journals

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Artwork for Midlife Circus

Latest Episodes

Message the Show

Ezra Vancil got signed to a music label as a teenager and spent the years that followed living the life of a rock star. By 21 his label had dropped him with no plan B, and the next two decades were a collapse into addiction and isol... more

Message the Show

Rob and Brent walked into this episode with no idea what the other was about to commit to. They each named 5 personal challenges for the next 90 days, one for every ring of midlife: finance, relationship, health, purpose, and advent... more

Message the Show

Almost everyone has a creative thing they've been thinking about for years but never started. Rob wants to shoot action videos. Brent wants to restore old cars. Other people have pottery, photography, or a book idea sitting in the b... more

Message the Show

What does it actually take to start consulting in midlife? Rob and Brent go a layer deeper than their earlier conversation on earning income in your next chapter, breaking down the foundational work most people skip — purpose, produ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ezra Vancil
Texas-based singer-songwriter, author, and builder of Morning and Midnight (double album and book)
Musician, Author
Episode: Acceptance as Strength: Recovery and Rebuilding with Musician Ezra Vancil
Sarah Hager
Guest who took a midlife sabbatical and returned to work on her terms
Former accounting/operations leader; Hernage Creek Design (Etsy shop)
Episode: The Midlife Sabbatical: Taking a Career Break in Your 50s with Sarah Hager
Dennis Lipton
Physician, longevity and functional medicine specialist
Concierge health practice / Lipton Longevity
Episode: Longevity Fundamentals with Dr. Dennis Lipton

Hosts

Brent Drever
Host of Midlife Circus; guides conversations and introduces guests.
Rob Espenel
Co-host and interviewer; helps shape topics and guests.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 52 ratings
  • So Spot On

    Finally! A podcast that really gets where I am right now! Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mizallison
    United States6 months ago
  • Studs

    Great insight into ambitions around next chapter of life. Love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    THanks14
    United States6 months ago
  • So true

    Having just gone through my own sale and transition of my company, Brent’s words of wisdom & insights resonate so true!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Old CU Buddy
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Authentic and warm conversations make complex topics feel accessible.
So spot on for anyone navigating midlife transitions.
Listeners value actionable takeaways that feel achievable in real life.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Acceptance as Strength: Recovery and Rebuilding with Musician Ezra Vancil
Q: What was the pivotal turning point for Ezra in his personal journey?
A defining moment around age 40, following years of struggle, culminated in choosing to seek help, stop destructive patterns, and begin rebuilding a life centered on acceptance, family, and new creative endeavors.
Longevity Fundamentals with Dr. Dennis Lipton
Q: How do you address the diet conversation with patients who fixate on trendy diets, and what basics do you emphasize?
Meet people where they are, focus on fundamentals like whole plant foods, and explain why certain patterns matter for long-term health rather than chasing trends; emphasize why the basics—sleep, activity, nutrition—drive meaningful outcomes.
How to Give Back in Midlife
Q: What changed in midlife that makes service feel more important, and how does that translate into actions listeners can take now?
Midlife brings more time, resources, and wisdom, which makes it feasible to contribute meaningfully; practical steps include donating time, sharing expertise, fostering relationships, and supporting nonprofits financially, starting with small, tangible commitments like a two-hour volunteering shift or setting up a donor-advised fund.
Work That Fits Your Life Now: 5 Flexible Ways to Earn in Your Next Chapter
Q: Why do you think so many people think the only options when they're leaving the grind is full retirement or getting back into another full time role?
People often feel uncomfortable without a structured daily focus, leading them back to full-time work as a source of comfort.
Starting Law School at 50: Proof It’s Not Too Late, with our Guest Ron Mayer
Q: What advice would you give to people contemplating their next great act?
Ron suggests that they should reflect quietly on their interests and values, consider their limitations and financial resources, and focus on making others feel valued in the process.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Midlife Circus

What is Midlife Circus about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two seasoned hosts explore midlife through reinvention, practical planning, and meaningful experimentation. Across episodes they discuss retirement readiness, flexible work, healthspan, relationships, parenting transitions, and adventures close to home, all with humor and candid honesty. The show stands out for its approachable, actionable framework—letting listeners test ideas in real life, embrace big and small challenges, and reimagine midlife as a period of growth rather than decline. Expect conversations that blend personal stories with pragmatic strategies, informed by financial planning, wellness, and purposeful living.

Where can I find podcast stats for Midlife Circus?

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How many listeners does Midlife Circus get?

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What are the audience demographics for Midlife Circus?

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How many subscribers and views does Midlife Circus have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Midlife Circus has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Midlife Circus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Midlife Circus:

1. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
2. It Turns Out
3. Habits and Hustle
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. Hidden Brain

How many episodes of Midlife Circus are there?

Midlife Circus launched 8 months ago and published 34 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Midlife Circus?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Midlife Circus?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Midlife Circus from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Midlife Circus?

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What guests have appeared on Midlife Circus?

Recent guests on Midlife Circus include:

1. Ezra Vancil
2. Sarah Hager
3. Dennis Lipton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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