In this episode of The Marvelous Middle Age Podcast, I’m joined by Samantha Pearl—owner of MyHandyma’am Home Repairs and Renovations and co-host of the How to Handyma’am podcast. With a background in business, an MBA, and her license as a residential builder in Michigan, Samantha is not only incredibly skilled—she’s on a mission to empower women to feel confident taking care of their own homes.

Samantha shares how she built a business in a traditionally male-dominated industry, what it looks like to step into new spaces with confidence, and why learning practical home skills can be such a powerful form of independence.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by starting something new, whether it be home repairs, a new career path, or a new chapter of life, this conversation will leave you feeling capable, equipped, and inspired.

In this episode, you’ll walk away with:

• Practical encouragement to start learning basic home repair skills

• Insight into what it looks like to step into a non-traditional career path

• Inspiration to embrace independence and self-sufficiency in midlife

This episode is all about building confidence, trying new things, and realizing you’re more capable than you think.

Connect with Samantha:

myhandymaam.com

Podcast: How To Handymaam

Facebook: How to Handy’Maam

Instagram: How to HandyMaam

This week on The Marvelous Middle Age Podcast I’m speaking with Ashley Bass.

Ashley, a mom of two who recently stepped into her 40s, shares her powerful journey through some of life’s biggest transitions. After walking through both a divorce and a career change, she found herself facing deep uncertainty about what came next.

In this episode, Ashley opens up about the moment she realized she could either resist the changes unfolding around her—or choose to embrace them. Now, she stands on the other side feeling stronger, wiser, and more fulfilled than ever.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a season of unexpected change, Ashley’s story will meet you right where you are. Her resilience is a powerful reminder that you are capable of moving through hard things—and coming out stronger on the other side.

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: @ashleylbass

Facebook: Ashley Bass

Over the last several episodes on The Marvelous Middle Age Podcast, we’ve been exploring the Enneagram and how it shapes the way we show up with the people in our lives.

We’ve been talking about something that touches every single part of our lives… relationships. And we’ve been looking at them through the lens of the Enneagram.

And today, we’re wrapping up this series on Enneagram and Relationships with a few reflections on what we’ve learned along the way.

We’ve explored how each type shows up in connection with others — how we love, how we protect ourselves, how we communicate, and sometimes… how we misunderstand each other.

Stay tuned through the end of the episode to learn what is coming next!

Your Enneagram Coach Assessment

The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron (an easy read to help you figure out your Enneagram type)

The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile (a great read to help you navigate relationships with different Enneagram types)

Music credit: “A Perfect Day” by Iros Young

This week we’re continuing our Enneagram in Relationships series with a look at Type Nine - The Peacemaker.

If you’re a Type Nine or if you love someone who is, this type is often described as warm, accepting, and deeply relational. They have an incredible ability to create calm and make others feel at ease. And yet, because their strength is quiet, their needs and inner world are often misunderstood or minimized - sometimes even by themselves.

In this week’s episode we learn more about Type Nine, how they navigate relationships and I share a few practical ways to better communicate with, support, and lead a Type Nine.

Whether you love, work with, or lead a Type Nine you will appreciate their empathy, calm and steady presence, and non-judgmental nature.

Your Enneagram Coach Assessment

The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron (an easy read to help you figure out your Enneagram type)

The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile (a great read to help you navigate relationships with different Enneagram types)

Music credit: “A Perfect Day” by Iros Young

This week we’re continuing our Enneagram in Relationships series with a look at Type Eight — The Challenger.

This type is often described as strong, decisive, intense, and commanding. They are natural leaders and fierce advocates.

Because of their intensity, Eights are often mischaracterized as intimidating, aggressive, or unfeeling. Underneath this armor of protections, Type Eights are some of the most tenderhearted of all the Enneagram types.

In this week’s episode we learn more about Type Eight, how they navigate relationships and I share a few practical ways to better communicate with, support, and lead a Type Eight.

Whether you love, work with, or lead a Type Eight you will appreciate their confidence, passion, and protection.

Your Enneagram Coach Assessment

The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron (an easy read to help you figure out your Enneagram type)

The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile (a great read to help you navigate relationships with different Enneagram types)

Music credit: “A Perfect Day” by Iros Young

This week we’re continuing our Enneagram in Relationships series with a look at Type Seven — The Enthusiast or The Adventurer.

If you’re a Seven or if you love someone who is, this type is often described as fun-loving, adventurous, optimistic, and spontaneous. And while all that can be true, it’s only part of the story. Sevens are often labeled as flaky, avoidant, or unable to commit - but what's really happening beneath the surface is much more tender than that.

In this week’s episode we learn more about Type Seven, how they navigate relationships and I share a few practical ways to better communicate with, support, and lead a Type Seven.

Whether you love, work with, or lead a Type Seven you will appreciate their curiosity, quick minds, and connection. They are able to see the possibilities in many situations. Sevens are energizing, flexible, and love shared experiences.

Your Enneagram Coach Assessment

The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron (an easy read to help you figure out your Enneagram type)

The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile (a great read to help you navigate relationships with different Enneagram types)

Music credit: “A Perfect Day” by Iros Young

This week we’re continuing our Enneagram in Relationships series with a look at Type Six — The Loyal Guardian.

If you’re a Six or if you love someone who is, this type is one of the most dependable people you will ever know. They show up, they care deeply, and they take relationships seriously.

And yet, they are often misunderstood as anxious, pessimistic, or difficult - when in reality, they are deeply motivated by a desire for safety, trust, and connection.

In this week’s episode we learn more about Type Sixs, how they navigate relationships and I share a few practical ways to better communicate with, support, and lead a Type Six.

Whether you love, work with, or lead a Type Six you will appreciate their emotional investment in your relationship, their thinking ahead in all situations, and their dependability in practical ways.

Your Enneagram Coach Assessment

The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron (an easy read to help you figure out your Enneagram type)

The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile (a great read to help you navigate relationships with different Enneagram types)

Music credit: “A Perfect Day” by Iros Young

This week we’re continuing our Enneagram in Relationships series with a look at Type Five — The Investigator or the Observer.

If you’re a Five or if you love someone who is, this type is thoughtful, insightful, and deeply perceptive. They see the world through analysis, curiosity, and understanding. Because they live so much in their inner world, their relational needs are often overlooked - or misunderstood - by others.

In this week’s episode we learn more about Type Five’s, how they navigate relationships and I share a few practical ways to better communicate with, support, and lead a Type Five.

Whether you love, work with, or lead a Type Five you will appreciate the calm, grounding presence, their in-depth knowledge and insights and practical help in different situations.

Your Enneagram Coach Assessment

The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron (an easy read to help you figure out your Enneagram type)

The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile (a great read to help you navigate relationships with different Enneagram types)

Music credit: “A Perfect Day” by Iros Young