Workshops & Speaking for Midlife Women
I love teaching—and I’ve been doing it in various forms since my 20s. From leading graduate-level university courses to creating intimate, transformational experiences for women in midlife, teaching fills my heart.
Today, I offer engaging talks, experiential workshops, and immersive retreats designed to support women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who are navigating midlife transitions and seeking more meaning, clarity, and connection.
Whether you're looking for a powerful keynote, a short talk, or a full-day workshop, I’d be honored to work with your group or organization. Each offering can be delivered in-person or virtually, and customized to meet your needs.
My Approach
Every workshop and talk I lead includes:
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Meaningful content based on clinical expertise, original research, and lived experience
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Guided experiential practices (including mindfulness, reflection, and interactive exercises)
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Safe, supportive spaces for connection, growth, and authentic conversation
Topics for Talks or Workshops
Each of these topics can be offered in the following formats:
- A keynote
- An extended workshop (from 1–3 hours)
- A full-day experience
- A multi-session group series or retreat module.
Here are some sample topics:
Welcoming Self-Compassion: Shifting from Self-Criticism to Kindness
Most women are naturally compassionate toward others. But when it comes to themselves, criticism often replaces compassion. This session explores the transformative practice of self-compassion, offering practical tools to replace harsh inner talk with care and kindness.
Perfect for individuals or groups who want to release self-judgment and reclaim gentleness.
The Midlife Body: Befriending Change from the Inside Out
As our bodies change in midlife, many women feel disconnected, discouraged, or put off by the reflection in the mirror. This workshop creates space to explore the emotional and spiritual relationship we have with our evolving bodies—offering tools to cultivate appreciation, acceptance, and grace.
Especially supportive for women navigating menopause, aging, or body image challenges
Navigating Midlife Transitions with Grace
Midlife brings inevitable change—empty nests, career shifts, aging parents, and many forms of loss. This session offers tools grounded in mindfulness and self-compassion to help women move through transitions with more ease, clarity, and wisdom.
Available as a keynote, short talk, or in-depth workshop.
Quieting the Inner Critic
You know that voice in our head that whispers, “You’re not enough” or some variation of that theme? It’s not the truth; it’s an old story grounded in conditioning. This workshop helps women identify, understand, soften, and disarm outdated stories through experiential exercises and self-compassion tools.
Ideal for leadership groups, wellness events, or personal development series.
Redefining Success in Midlife
Midlife invites us to revisit what success truly means. No longer are awards, degrees, or our jeans size the barometers. This session helps women release outdated, external measures of achievement and define fulfillment from the inside out.
A powerful offering for professionals, caregivers, or community leaders.
Cultivating Connection in Midlife: Friendship, Intimacy, and Belonging
Midlife friendships can be some of the most nourishing relationships of our lives—deep, honest, and soulfully aligned. And yet, this stage can also bring shifts in connection. We may find that some friendships have faded or no longer reflect who we’re becoming. This workshop explores how to grieve friendships that have run their course, open to new relationships, and foster meaningful connection in this expansive season of life.
Ideal for women craving more authenticity, community, and belonging.
Thank you, Shayna! Your groups are always amazing and have a high rate of return on value and worth when the time, energy and vulnerability is invested!
Angela B.Shayna holds space in the most loving and effective way. Her workshops are full of great information that allows one to step inside with full authenticity while being held with the felt sense of love and acceptance. I walked away with insight that continues to feed and fuel me everyday.
Elizabeth S.This was a profoundly powerful day. The location, the greeting, the content, and the exercises allowed for a beautiful ease and flow of a remarkable experience. Shayna has a keen ability to hold space and create a nurturing environment where everyone can interact and share freely…or not.
Christine B.Shayna’s workshop completely changed the way I think about my life—from blah and overwhelmed to YES!” Her SOFTT model is like giving myself a hug. Shayna’s daylong workshop literally transformed the way I process all that we, as midlife women, experience.
AnonymousThank you beautiful sister for such a magical gift of your day retreat yesterday 
Your softness and compassion shone bright and transformation happened
I have found the workshops to be very insightful, and potentially transformative. It is a wonderful idea to have a workshop for women in similar places in their lives. It is beautifully lead by Shayna, who offers insight, guidance, and wisdom. I highly recommend these workshops!
Donna B.Thank you so much Shayna Gothard Kaufmann!!! What a wonderful, positive, encouraging, supportive and enlightening experience! All of what you were saying were things I definitely can relate to, and your facilitated exercise was so very valuable. Thank you for creating this for our community of women and beyond. You really are amazing and I admire you deeply!
Shannon W.Through her “Embracing” series, Shayna graciously extends her extensive knowledge, experience, insight, guidance, healing, zen-like leadership and obvious love for what she does with her fellow “middle” women. I gained significant insight about “me” in ways I hadn’t considered before, and that allowed me to begin a wonderful journey of much needed acceptance, forgiveness, healing and peace. I also gained a network of amazing, wonderful women! Thank you, Shayna. You are a trusted adviser and forever friend.
Kelly B.Ongoing growth and development is a huge priority in my life, but I was having a difficult time finding the right context for creating it. Within the confines of Shayna’s group I found camaraderie, laughter, fellowship, connectedness, a feeling of interpersonal relatedness, a sense of safety and mutual respect, and an overall feeling of being truly heard without judgement. I trust Shayna implicitly and in her group I always feel comfortable and safe; a nurturing space to reflect, engage in lively conversation, explore new options and possibilities, and find new ways of thinking about old challenges. I cannot think of a better person to facilitate personal growth and development workshops than Shayna Kaufmann.
Claire Y.