We’re just getting started.
Through storytelling, live events and community, we’re changing the cultural conversation around women and aging to create a more honest, joyful and expansive vision of what midlife can be.
Turns out, this is our most powerful chapter yet.
From Our Community
From Our Community
Let’s Talk AboutThings We Know Now
Our Midlife Truths
Perfect is a trap.
You can outgrow people you love.
You don’t need to love how your body is changing.
Families change.
Success stops meaning what it used to.
You’re not crazy. It’s your hormones.
The right friends change everything.
It’s okay to start over.
Nobody has it all figured out.
You don’t have to shrink to make other people comfortable.
Sex is complicated.
Freedom shows up in unexpected ways.
It’s never too late.
We’re just getting to the good stuff.
Our Partners in this Movement
who we areThe Women Behind
the Movement
Meet Abby,
Constance & Julie
Before there was The Midlife Collective, there were three women working in different corners of storytelling, media, and culture. Each has built a career using stories to challenge assumptions, spark conversation, and inspire change.
They created The Midlife Collective because they realized they could have a greater impact working together than through any one project alone.
Abby Epstein is an award-winning theater director and documentary filmmaker. Constance Zimmer is an Emmy-nominated actress and director. Julie Flakstad is an award-winning podcast host, producer, and writer.
Together, they’re changing the cultural conversation around aging — one story, one event, and one woman at a time.
How we’re changing the conversation…
How we’re changing the conversation…
A feature documentary
(in development)Her Second Act
This film is about more than menopause.
Her Second Act is a groundbreaking feature documentary exploring the profound shifts in identity, purpose, creativity, relationships, and empowerment that shape one of the most misunderstood chapters of a woman’s life: MIDLIFE.
Interested in getting involved with the film? Reach out →
The Storytellers
Committed talent to date: Laura Benanti, Margaret Cho, Heidi Clements, Carla Hall, Ricki Lake, Padma Lakshmi, Stacy London, Paulina Porizkova, Melani Sanders, Amy Schumer, Constance Zimmer and more.
Co-directed by Abby Epstein and Constance Zimmer.
Produced by Julie Flakstad.
Executive Partner
in-person eventsGather With Us
Dressing Room Confessions
Dressing Room Confessions is our signature live event series. We’ve brought it to cities across the country, gathering women, experts, storytellers, and thought leaders for the honest conversations most of us have been craving, but rarely get to have.
Women come feeling curious. They leave feeling seen, connected, and a little less alone. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after you walk out the door.
Sister Events
Beyond Dressing Room Confessions, we create intimate gatherings, film screenings, and special events that bring women together for intimate conversation and meaningful connection.
We’re also proud to partner with organizations leading the conversation around women, midlife, aging, health, culture, and leadership.
podcasts | theater | films | COACHING Sister Projects
An Ecosystem
of Midlife Storytelling
Great conversations deserve a bigger audience. Alongside our own productions, we champion podcasts, theater, films, and creative projects that expand the stories we tell about women and midlife.
A few of the projects we’re proud to support:
limited series podcast
DOCU-theater
Documentary Films 
COACHING