Maryann LoRusso

Journalist, editor, author & podcaster covering women's health and wellness, lifestyle and culture, travel, music and more This is not your mama's midlife!

The More Beautiful Project is the podcast, magazine and community for women 40, 50 and beyond who want to rewrite the midlife playbook. We're changing the conversation around aging, one conversation at a time, and proving that midlife can be more adventurous, more fulfilling, and more beautiful than ever before.

03/21/2025

What would your 11-year-old self say about birthdays? I recently found my childhood diary (always a writer, what can I say?) and took a trip down memory lane. On this day 35 years ago, little Maryann woke up happy and excited to celebrate with her friends and family. She also wrote in an entry the week before, “I can’t wait to be an adult to make my own decisions. Well, almost one year older and closer to being a grownup!”

Looking back, I can smile at the fact that I was so eager to grow up, when now all I want to do is freeze time. It’s a reminder that this day, whatever day it is, is the youngest you’ll ever be, and you should enjoy every minute of your life, your family and friends, the body you were blessed with, and all the stuff you love to do. Despite the challenges of being an adult in this complicated, often infuriating world, it’s a privilege to to be here. It’s a privilege to be able to age, because not everybody (including my Dad who passed away at age 46) gets to do it.

You bet your sweet ass I’m going to enjoy my birthday weekend. The sun is shining, my family and friends are in my orbit, and I’m right here where I want to be.

11/12/2024

What a treat to record a Perspectives segment for my local NPR station! Coming on the heels of an emotional week, it was a cathartic experience to settle into the gorgeous new KQED studios in San Francisco, read a personal essay I’d written about my relationship with my mother-in-law (with whom I share very different political views, but with whom I’ve bonded over ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging). As a podcaster, it was especially delightful to work with a pro sound engineer who took care of all the tech stuff for me (thanks, Brendan!). 🎙️🎧

The segment airs this morning at 6:43 a.m. and 8:43 a.m. PST, but will remain on the KQED website and as a Perspectives podcast episode.

Thanks to KQED and Perspectives Editor Spencer Whitney for this fun and memorable experience. Only problem is, now I want my own radio show! 📻

10/04/2024

Empty nest photo drop with a timely PSA! 🌺

A body is meant to live in.

Yesterday I had a long chat with one of my dearest friends. We talked about the fact that many people around us have been getting sick or injured, or have parents and other loved ones who are turning frail. My husband and I had just returned from an amazing trip to French Polynesia, and I told my friend how spending unstructured time in one of the most beautiful places on earth made me really appreciate where I’m at. Especially the fact that I’m lucky to still have a healthy, functional body that can take me places, that can run and dance and swim, that can be nurtured with delicious food and sun and all that other good stuff. Some of it may not come as easily as it did when I was 25, but what are you gonna do, right?

When you’re young, you don’t quite get how precious a gift your body is. You take it for granted. Or you’re super critical of it. You don’t realize how magical and temporary this gift is, until something goes wrong.

What a silly waste of time.

No matter how old you are, what shape you’re in, what you think your body can or can’t do, be grateful for it right now. Let that beautiful body of yours take you places. And enjoy every minute you get to spend in it.

Thanks to the gorgeous people of French Polynesia who understand what it means to live, and to my wonderful husband who initiated this vacation of a lifetime. We saw whales and sharks and dophins and lotsa tropical fish. 🐠 We sunned and swam and watched sunsets and got sick on a boat (at least I did). ⛵️ We ate fresh food and read books and connected with one another. ❤️

And thank you for indulging this photo drop, which absolutely couldn’t be helped given how stunning these islands are. 🏝

08/06/2024

As someone who worked in fashion journalism for more than a decade, recording this episode of the More Beautiful Podcast was a particular blast for me. In terms of fashion over 40, stylist Roz Kaur says rules are, there are no rules. And that you should continue expressing yourself as you see fit, stocking your closet with pieces that move you, and enjoying dressing up at every life stage. Besides sharing priceless tips and tricks to help you feel like a million bucks, Roz and I talk about how to break out of a fashion rut, how influencers have changed the fashion game, how style has evolved through the decades, and why it’s so damn hard to figure out what jeans are in style these days. Plus, Roz tells us why she disagrees with Coco Chanel’s famous fashion advice. Tune in at Morebeautifulproject.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
https://morebeautifulproject.com/99-fun-with-fashion-over-40/

07/13/2024

If you’ve got a kid over 18, your relationship with them is evolving. It can be hard knowing your child doesn’t need you as much as they once did, or perhaps needs you too much. It can be challenging to communicate or offer guidance without pushing them away. Or maybe you’re wondering how to stay close and support them as their life goes in a new direction. On this episode, I chat with author and family coach Cynthia Wand about the inevitable changes that come with parenting at this stage. You’ll learn how to navigate conflict and communicate better, balance your role as a mother with your child’s need for agency and, most important, establish a bond with your child that’s different but stronger than ever before.

Among the topics Cynthia and I discuss:

💙The most common ways the parent/child relationship changes as your child gains independence

💙Issues that can crop up after your child leaves home—and how to handle them

💙Why you might want to negotiate how often to talk or text with your child who’s left home—and what to do if they need more space than you do

💙How to shift your parenting style as your child gets older, both to manage your own expectations and to connect with your kid

💙How to strike a balance between guiding your child and allowing them to take ownership of their lives

💙The new and surprising ways your kid may need you as they venture into adulthood

💙The questions to ask your child before they leave for college or embark on the next stage of their life

💙How to support child who’s having trouble launching

💙Why establishing new rituals with your young-adult child is a great idea

💙Plus, we reveal the one question you should ask yourself before offering your child financial support, and Cynthia helps you reframe this parenting phase as a time of renewed freedom, personal fulfillment, and a beautiful new relationship with your child. You got this, Mama! 😘

The More Beautiful Podcast is for women who want to rewrite the midlife playbook and know that life can be more joyous, more fulfilling and more beautiful in the second half of life. Listen and follow at Morebeautifulproject.com or wherever you get your podcasts! 🎙️🎧

06/06/2024

Meet "Super Ager" Elaine Jo. Elaine is my sensei (teacher) in ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arranging. She's my guest on episode 90 of the More Beautiful Podcast. And she also happens to be my mother-in-law!

At age 94, Elaine is still enjoying a lush career as an ikebana executive master instructor for the Ichiyo School of Art (a rare and illustrious title). She continues to teach, write, demonstrate, and travel all over the country. And she's showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Elaine is a force of nature and a role model for aging beautifully.

In this episode, Elaine shares her tips for living a healthy, dynamic, passion-filled life of longevity. She offers advice for younger people, and reveals her secrets to staying active and sharp well into one's 90s. If your goal is to live a long and happy life, you are going to enjoy all of Elaine’s pearls of wisdom!
The More Beautiful Podcast is for women who want to rewrite the midlife playbook and know that life can be more joyous, more fulfilling and more beautiful in the second half of life. Listen and follow wherever you get your podcasts! Or go directly to: https://morebeautifulproject.com/podcast/

05/17/2024

Are you a writer, or thinking about writing something? Are you trying to figure out what your story is, so you can create your personal brand? Or do you just feel the need to get it all down, in order to process experiences you’ve had? Whatever your writing goals are, you’re going to love this conversation with author and writing coach Robin Finn. Robin, who has a new book out called Heart. Soul. Pen, helps people tap into their creativity, find their voice, make sense of their past, and discover what they want through writing. Robin and I chat about why you should start a writing practice (or that book you’ve always wanted to pen!), the way to figure out what your story is and how to tell it, and the delicious rewards you’ll reap during the process. Listen now at https://morebeautifulproject.com/87-yes-you-have-a-story-to-tell/.

10/31/2023

Have yourself a kooky little holiday. 🫰🫰

10/26/2023

Parents of teens, this one's for you! Dr. Kelly Conroy Moore is in the house and has tips to help you navigate the ups and downs of the adolescent years. You’ll learn how to improve communication and boost connection with your teen (even if they don’t want to talk to you), handle conflict more effectively, understand what kind of behavior is developmentally appropriate (hello, eye rolling and door slamming!), support a teen who’s going through a rough time, and (perhaps most important) manage your own emotions in order to be there for your child.

In this jam-packed episode, Dr. Moore and I also discuss:

💙The biggest mistake parents make when communicating with their child

💙The best way to respond to the silent treatment (warning: it’s not easy for you, but your kid will love it)

💙What it means to parent from your deepest values instead of your biggest fears

💙When to worry about your child’s mental health, including red-flag behaviors to look out for

💙How to apologize to your child the right way

💙How you can stay close to your child even after they’ve flown from the nest

Listen now: https://morebeautifulproject.com/72-how-to-talk-to-your-teenager/

10/20/2023

Feeling blessed on this Friday morning. I’m so grateful to be immersed in a project I adore, doing what I love to do, and getting to converse with all these incredibly inspiring women. Pinch me, please.

Despite everything going on across the globe, I hope you can take some time this weekend to nurture yourself, be with the people you love, and find a little joy in your corner of the world.

Address

San Francisco, CA

Website

https://www.maryannlorusso.com/

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