Strong, Grounded, Unstoppable

The podcast for women who are done just coping.

It’s time to rise!

Welcome! I’m your host, Susie Mackie – one time ‘doormat’ and now resilience mentor, speaker, author and award-winning advocate for women like you.

 

Here on Strong, Grounded, Unstoppable, we have real, unfiltered conversations about what it takes to rebuild self-worth, reignite your confidence, and rise strong and resilient – especially in midlife and beyond.

With deep conversation, bold truths, and lived wisdom, each episode is rooted in real-life experiences, offering practical strategies to:

  • Break free from self-doubt and silence your inner critic
  • Build emotional strength after betrayal, burnout, or big life shifts
  • Navigate life alone with clarity, grace, and unapologetic courage
  • Redefine success, confidence, and purpose in your 50s, 60s, and beyond – it’s never too late

You’ve spent too long simply surviving. Now it’s time to live life on your terms – fully and freely.

Latest Episode

13 October 2025

Founder of The Minster Learning Development Centre, Christine Lester, emphasises that it’s Never Too Late to Make a Difference.

In this episode Susie welcomes Christine Lester, a truly warm and wise woman, project development manager and expert bid writer. They discuss Christine’s early life, the influences that shaped her, and her journey in establishing the Minster Development Centre. Christine shares her experiences in bid writing for European projects and the significance of collaboration in achieving success.

She emphasises lifting others up, exchanging knowledge, and inspiring women to step forward, heal, and support one another – showing that passion, purpose, and community have no retirement age.

The conversation delves into the importance of empowerment, resilience, and community support, particularly for women recovering from domestic abuse. The episode emphasises the power of believing in oneself and the importance of learning and development throughout life.

Previous Episodes

22 August 2025

Navigating Pain Beyond Medication: Susie Mackie and Kim Isles Alternative remedies

Susie and Kim discuss the complexities of pain management, particularly focusing on fibromyalgia and alternative remedies. They share personal experiences with pain, the impact of medication, and the importance of understanding the emotional and physical aspects of health.

The emotional component of pain is significant, and labels can hinder understanding and treatment of health issues. Women often face unique health challenges that require tailored solutions, and empowerment in health choices leads to better outcomes.

The conversation delves into the science behind innovative pain patches and the journey towards holistic wellness, emphasising the need for women to take control of their health and explore non-pharmaceutical options.

22 August 2025

The Art of Being Aware with Susie Mackie and Kim Isles

Susie and Kim discuss the concept of situational awareness, emphasising its importance in personal safety and everyday life. They explore how being aware of one’s surroundings can prevent potential dangers, especially for women.

Drawing from real-life experiences and expert advice, they discuss how being observant and aware of your surroundings can empower you to make safer choices. Learn practical tips to enhance your situational awareness, whether you’re traveling or navigating daily life. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to boost their confidence and security in an unpredictable world.

The conversation also touches on the significance of grace, compassion, and self-confidence, particularly in the context of body image. They highlight the need for women to reclaim their self-worth and the power of affirmations in fostering a positive self-image.

22 August 2025

All We Have Is Right Now

Susie Mackie on Reinventing Life After 50

In this inspiring episode, Susie shares her transformative journey from a successful career in photography to creating her Mastering Mental Toughness programme. She reveals how her personal experiences and challenges became the foundation for helping women – especially those over 50 – build resilience, confidence, and purpose.

Susie talks about the power of evolving in our careers, asking ourselves what we truly want, and turning pain into passion. With warmth and wisdom, she reminds us that all we really have is the present moment to make meaningful change. Listeners will walk away encouraged to share their own stories, embrace growth, and step fully into the gifts they have to offer the world.

22 August 2025

Susie Mackie and Kim Isles explore the Science of Energy Healing and Meditation for Wellbeing

Weaving together personal stories and practical wisdom, Susie and Kim explore the many layers of wellness and spirituality. Kim opens up about her childhood and the profound influence of her mother’s struggles with bipolar disorder, sharing how it shaped her path toward healing. Together, they dive into energy healing, the science behind energy, and the powerful role it plays in shaping our wellbeing and relationships.

The conversation highlights the many forms meditation can take, showing how it can be adapted to fit individual needs while fostering growth and inner peace. With a focus on the impact of words, community, and personal experience, Susie and Kim illuminate how moving from survival to thriving is possible – and how understanding energy can transform the way we live and connect with others.

22 August 2025

Unlocking Self-Worth: The Inner Journey with Susie Mackie and Kim Isles

Here Susie and Kim explore why self-worth and self-love must come from within rather than external validation. They dive into the powerful role of self-talk, affirmations, and emotional resilience in shaping how we see ourselves.

Their conversation also examines the influence of social media, the dangers of comparison, and the truth that our value isn’t tied to money or possessions.

Together, they unpack how unhealed pain often gets projected onto others and why acknowledging our feelings is essential for emotional health. This episode is a reminder that lasting transformation begins with inner work – and that you are stronger and more valuable than you may realise.

20 August 2025

From Adversity to Advocacy: Jules Hawkins’ Passion for Empowering Single Mothers and Entrepreneurship

In this episode of the Strong Grounded Unstoppable podcast, Susie welcomes Jules Hawkins, a passionate advocate for single mothers and entrepreneurship. They discuss Jules’ childhood, the challenges she faced growing up in a single-parent family, and the resilience she learned from her mother. Jules shares her journey of moving to Tenerife, her experiences as a single mother, and the importance of community support.

The conversation delves into her creation of the Single Mums Business Network, her advocacy work – to Rishi Sunak when he was PM: “I was so furious with him in this meeting and I stood up and I spoke in front of everybody and I said, Rishi, you really don’t understand what’s going on!” – and her book ‘Breaking Out of Benefits Jail,’ which aims to empower others to overcome financial struggles.

The episode emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-worth, and the power of women’s voices in creating change.

13 August 2025

Embracing uniqueness: George Hawes on overcoming challenges and empowering women.

In this inspiring episode, host Susie welcomes the remarkable George Hawes. Together, they delve into George’s journey of overcoming dyslexia, embracing her unique identity, and her passion for empowering women. George shares her experiences from her diverse career path, her role as a mentor, and the importance of self-belief and community support. Key points include:

  • George’s early challenges with dyslexia and how she turned it into a unique gift.
  • Her diverse career journey, from aspiring policewoman to corporate roles and mentoring.
  • The founding of Planet GG, a platform supporting women globally.
  • The significance of self-love and the impact of her father’s legacy on her life.

Reflecting on the importance of embracing one’s uniqueness and the impact of community support, we encourage you to pursue your passions and believe in yourselves.

5 August 2025

Breaking The Silence: lessons from forgiveness, healing, resilience – and a ball of string, with Susie Mackie

In Chapter Two of her story, Susie reflects on her childhood experiences, family dynamics, and the lessons learned through family relationships and caregiving.

You’ll hear about a memory from primary school that seemed small at the time but left a lasting mark… and about the day her mother involved her in her secret life, creating a loyalty conflict no 11-year-old should face.

She emphasises the importance of sharing personal stories for connection and healing, and discusses how her experiences have shaped her resilience and desire to help others through her Mastering Mental Toughness programme.

If you’ve ever felt unworthy, unseen, or stuck in patterns you couldn’t explain – this is for you.

23 July 2025

From Suppression to Self-Love: Susie Mackie shares Part One of her Personal Journey

With raw honesty, Susie Mackie opens up with an inspiring story of resilience, reinvention, and purpose.

Susie shares the origins of her mission: to build a vibrant, supportive community for women -especially those navigating midlife transitions. From childhood adversity to the inner strength that shaped her, she reflects on how authenticity, connection, and self-belief have been key to her own transformation.

Through heartfelt storytelling, Susie lays the foundation for the podcast’s purpose: empowering women to rise, together.

16 July 2025

From Lipstick to Legacy: A Journey of Self-Worth with Kim Iles

What happens when a moment of clarity strikes in the most unexpected place?

In this powerful episode, our guest Kim Iles shares the life-changing moment she realised she was meant for more – and how that one decision led her to open a health food store, become a radio show host, and transform countless lives.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or questioned your worth, this episode is your invitation to dream bigger. It’s never too late to create wealth, live with purpose, and honour the calling in your heart.

Enter your details here to ensure you never miss a podcast.

Frequent new episodes. Subscribe now and let’s rise together. I’m with you all the way. I respect your privacy. You may unsubscribe at any time.