Kara is still ticking
@stillticking.bsky.social
Disrupting K-12 education inequity by day 📚
Writing about midlife women owning their power by night 🖥️
Subscribe here 👉 https://karastern.substack.com/
Writing about midlife women owning their power by night 🖥️
Subscribe here 👉 https://karastern.substack.com/
What I love most about MO's evolution:
She proves that midlife women aren't 'aging out' -- we're leveling up.
We're not invisible -- we're influential.
We're not over the hill -- we're on the rise.
We're not done -- we're just getting started.
Drop a 💫 if you're ready to own your power like MO
She proves that midlife women aren't 'aging out' -- we're leveling up.
We're not invisible -- we're influential.
We're not over the hill -- we're on the rise.
We're not done -- we're just getting started.
Drop a 💫 if you're ready to own your power like MO
January 20, 2025 at 8:08 PM
What I love most about MO's evolution:
She proves that midlife women aren't 'aging out' -- we're leveling up.
We're not invisible -- we're influential.
We're not over the hill -- we're on the rise.
We're not done -- we're just getting started.
Drop a 💫 if you're ready to own your power like MO
She proves that midlife women aren't 'aging out' -- we're leveling up.
We're not invisible -- we're influential.
We're not over the hill -- we're on the rise.
We're not done -- we're just getting started.
Drop a 💫 if you're ready to own your power like MO
4. The best part of MO post-White House?
Watching her choose herself.
- She wrote Becoming at 54
- Launched Higher Ground at 55
- Found her voice (again) at 56
- Prioritized joy at 57
Plot twist: Your next chapter isn't your fade out -- it's your power up 🌟
Watching her choose herself.
- She wrote Becoming at 54
- Launched Higher Ground at 55
- Found her voice (again) at 56
- Prioritized joy at 57
Plot twist: Your next chapter isn't your fade out -- it's your power up 🌟
January 20, 2025 at 8:08 PM
4. The best part of MO post-White House?
Watching her choose herself.
- She wrote Becoming at 54
- Launched Higher Ground at 55
- Found her voice (again) at 56
- Prioritized joy at 57
Plot twist: Your next chapter isn't your fade out -- it's your power up 🌟
Watching her choose herself.
- She wrote Becoming at 54
- Launched Higher Ground at 55
- Found her voice (again) at 56
- Prioritized joy at 57
Plot twist: Your next chapter isn't your fade out -- it's your power up 🌟
3. Her podcast revealed her struggles with:
- Anxiety and self-doubt
- Marriage rough patches
- Hormonal reality checks
- The constant pressure to be 'on'
But the power move?
She talks about ALL of it. Publicly. Authentically.
Wearing authenticity and vulnerability like it's freaking ARMOR 💫
- Anxiety and self-doubt
- Marriage rough patches
- Hormonal reality checks
- The constant pressure to be 'on'
But the power move?
She talks about ALL of it. Publicly. Authentically.
Wearing authenticity and vulnerability like it's freaking ARMOR 💫
January 20, 2025 at 8:08 PM
3. Her podcast revealed her struggles with:
- Anxiety and self-doubt
- Marriage rough patches
- Hormonal reality checks
- The constant pressure to be 'on'
But the power move?
She talks about ALL of it. Publicly. Authentically.
Wearing authenticity and vulnerability like it's freaking ARMOR 💫
- Anxiety and self-doubt
- Marriage rough patches
- Hormonal reality checks
- The constant pressure to be 'on'
But the power move?
She talks about ALL of it. Publicly. Authentically.
Wearing authenticity and vulnerability like it's freaking ARMOR 💫
2. 'When they go low, we go high' wasn't just a catchphrase.
It was a midlife woman saying:
I see the game
I know the rules
And I'm choosing not to play
In her book she admits this wasn't easy.
But she learned that sometimes the power move is walking away from the game entirely 💫
It was a midlife woman saying:
I see the game
I know the rules
And I'm choosing not to play
In her book she admits this wasn't easy.
But she learned that sometimes the power move is walking away from the game entirely 💫
January 20, 2025 at 8:08 PM
2. 'When they go low, we go high' wasn't just a catchphrase.
It was a midlife woman saying:
I see the game
I know the rules
And I'm choosing not to play
In her book she admits this wasn't easy.
But she learned that sometimes the power move is walking away from the game entirely 💫
It was a midlife woman saying:
I see the game
I know the rules
And I'm choosing not to play
In her book she admits this wasn't easy.
But she learned that sometimes the power move is walking away from the game entirely 💫
1. Let's talk about those J.Crew outfits first.
Remember when critics dragged her for wearing 'off the rack'?
Society expects midlife women to play it safe, but not MO.
Every outfit was a statement, every choice had purpose.
She didn't just wear clothes -- she used fashion to open doors ✊🏾
Remember when critics dragged her for wearing 'off the rack'?
Society expects midlife women to play it safe, but not MO.
Every outfit was a statement, every choice had purpose.
She didn't just wear clothes -- she used fashion to open doors ✊🏾
January 20, 2025 at 8:08 PM
1. Let's talk about those J.Crew outfits first.
Remember when critics dragged her for wearing 'off the rack'?
Society expects midlife women to play it safe, but not MO.
Every outfit was a statement, every choice had purpose.
She didn't just wear clothes -- she used fashion to open doors ✊🏾
Remember when critics dragged her for wearing 'off the rack'?
Society expects midlife women to play it safe, but not MO.
Every outfit was a statement, every choice had purpose.
She didn't just wear clothes -- she used fashion to open doors ✊🏾
If you're thinking about a pivot:
👏 You're not too old.
👏 You're not too late.
👏 You're exactly where you need to be.
Drop a 🚀 if you're ready to own your next chapter.
#GenX forevah 🫶
👏 You're not too old.
👏 You're not too late.
👏 You're exactly where you need to be.
Drop a 🚀 if you're ready to own your next chapter.
#GenX forevah 🫶
January 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
If you're thinking about a pivot:
👏 You're not too old.
👏 You're not too late.
👏 You're exactly where you need to be.
Drop a 🚀 if you're ready to own your next chapter.
#GenX forevah 🫶
👏 You're not too old.
👏 You're not too late.
👏 You're exactly where you need to be.
Drop a 🚀 if you're ready to own your next chapter.
#GenX forevah 🫶
The best part about pivoting at 50+?
- We're finally old enough to trust our instincts.
- Young enough to learn new tricks.
- Experienced enough to call BS.
And yeah, sometimes I have hot flashes during Zoom meetings.
(But I also have the confidence to just announce it and laugh 😅)
- We're finally old enough to trust our instincts.
- Young enough to learn new tricks.
- Experienced enough to call BS.
And yeah, sometimes I have hot flashes during Zoom meetings.
(But I also have the confidence to just announce it and laugh 😅)
January 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
The best part about pivoting at 50+?
- We're finally old enough to trust our instincts.
- Young enough to learn new tricks.
- Experienced enough to call BS.
And yeah, sometimes I have hot flashes during Zoom meetings.
(But I also have the confidence to just announce it and laugh 😅)
- We're finally old enough to trust our instincts.
- Young enough to learn new tricks.
- Experienced enough to call BS.
And yeah, sometimes I have hot flashes during Zoom meetings.
(But I also have the confidence to just announce it and laugh 😅)
3. The secret to thriving in tech?
It's not about being the most technical.
It's about being the most ADAPTABLE.
Guess who's been adapting their whole lives?
• Vinyl ➡️ 8-track ➡️ cassette ➡️ CD ➡️ streaming
• Landline ➡️ car phone ➡️ flip phone ➡️ iPhone
Hello! We're reinvention itself 💪
It's not about being the most technical.
It's about being the most ADAPTABLE.
Guess who's been adapting their whole lives?
• Vinyl ➡️ 8-track ➡️ cassette ➡️ CD ➡️ streaming
• Landline ➡️ car phone ➡️ flip phone ➡️ iPhone
Hello! We're reinvention itself 💪
January 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
3. The secret to thriving in tech?
It's not about being the most technical.
It's about being the most ADAPTABLE.
Guess who's been adapting their whole lives?
• Vinyl ➡️ 8-track ➡️ cassette ➡️ CD ➡️ streaming
• Landline ➡️ car phone ➡️ flip phone ➡️ iPhone
Hello! We're reinvention itself 💪
It's not about being the most technical.
It's about being the most ADAPTABLE.
Guess who's been adapting their whole lives?
• Vinyl ➡️ 8-track ➡️ cassette ➡️ CD ➡️ streaming
• Landline ➡️ car phone ➡️ flip phone ➡️ iPhone
Hello! We're reinvention itself 💪
2. "Experience" isn't baggage -- it's rocket fuel 🚀
As a teacher & school leader, I learned to:
• Read a room
• Build consensus
• Handle tough conversations
• Navigate politics
• Troubleshoot, well, pretty much anything
Tech just gave me new ways to use these skills.
As a teacher & school leader, I learned to:
• Read a room
• Build consensus
• Handle tough conversations
• Navigate politics
• Troubleshoot, well, pretty much anything
Tech just gave me new ways to use these skills.
January 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
2. "Experience" isn't baggage -- it's rocket fuel 🚀
As a teacher & school leader, I learned to:
• Read a room
• Build consensus
• Handle tough conversations
• Navigate politics
• Troubleshoot, well, pretty much anything
Tech just gave me new ways to use these skills.
As a teacher & school leader, I learned to:
• Read a room
• Build consensus
• Handle tough conversations
• Navigate politics
• Troubleshoot, well, pretty much anything
Tech just gave me new ways to use these skills.
kara.is.still.ticking
1. We're wired for iteration
Remember life before spell-check?
We learned by getting it wrong. A lot!
Turns out, that's EXACTLY how tech works:
• Launch fast
• See error as progress
• Keep improving
We've been doing this since we recorded Casey Kasem's Top 40 on cassettes 😉
1. We're wired for iteration
Remember life before spell-check?
We learned by getting it wrong. A lot!
Turns out, that's EXACTLY how tech works:
• Launch fast
• See error as progress
• Keep improving
We've been doing this since we recorded Casey Kasem's Top 40 on cassettes 😉
January 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
kara.is.still.ticking
1. We're wired for iteration
Remember life before spell-check?
We learned by getting it wrong. A lot!
Turns out, that's EXACTLY how tech works:
• Launch fast
• See error as progress
• Keep improving
We've been doing this since we recorded Casey Kasem's Top 40 on cassettes 😉
1. We're wired for iteration
Remember life before spell-check?
We learned by getting it wrong. A lot!
Turns out, that's EXACTLY how tech works:
• Launch fast
• See error as progress
• Keep improving
We've been doing this since we recorded Casey Kasem's Top 40 on cassettes 😉
We #GenX women are remarkable.
But once we hit menopause, the sexism and ageism in the marketplace is totally derailing.
If you know what’s coming, you can position yourself to avoid.
48 is the perfect time. Go get it, girl! 🙌💪✨
But once we hit menopause, the sexism and ageism in the marketplace is totally derailing.
If you know what’s coming, you can position yourself to avoid.
48 is the perfect time. Go get it, girl! 🙌💪✨
January 11, 2025 at 7:16 PM
We #GenX women are remarkable.
But once we hit menopause, the sexism and ageism in the marketplace is totally derailing.
If you know what’s coming, you can position yourself to avoid.
48 is the perfect time. Go get it, girl! 🙌💪✨
But once we hit menopause, the sexism and ageism in the marketplace is totally derailing.
If you know what’s coming, you can position yourself to avoid.
48 is the perfect time. Go get it, girl! 🙌💪✨
3. If you haven’t already, at 48 establish your authority and relevance.
- Build a social following (yes, it matters)
- Seek out speaking opportunities
- Don’t leave ‘the tech stuff’ to the millennials
Don’t cede your voice to anyone else. Own your niche fully.
- Build a social following (yes, it matters)
- Seek out speaking opportunities
- Don’t leave ‘the tech stuff’ to the millennials
Don’t cede your voice to anyone else. Own your niche fully.
January 11, 2025 at 7:16 PM
3. If you haven’t already, at 48 establish your authority and relevance.
- Build a social following (yes, it matters)
- Seek out speaking opportunities
- Don’t leave ‘the tech stuff’ to the millennials
Don’t cede your voice to anyone else. Own your niche fully.
- Build a social following (yes, it matters)
- Seek out speaking opportunities
- Don’t leave ‘the tech stuff’ to the millennials
Don’t cede your voice to anyone else. Own your niche fully.
kara.is.still.ticking
2. If you’re a woman, when you hit your mid 50s, the job offers dry up
- “You’re too expensive”
- “We’re looking for someone with a fresher take”
- “It’s not a fit”
This has happened to every single professional woman I know.
2. If you’re a woman, when you hit your mid 50s, the job offers dry up
- “You’re too expensive”
- “We’re looking for someone with a fresher take”
- “It’s not a fit”
This has happened to every single professional woman I know.
January 11, 2025 at 7:16 PM
kara.is.still.ticking
2. If you’re a woman, when you hit your mid 50s, the job offers dry up
- “You’re too expensive”
- “We’re looking for someone with a fresher take”
- “It’s not a fit”
This has happened to every single professional woman I know.
2. If you’re a woman, when you hit your mid 50s, the job offers dry up
- “You’re too expensive”
- “We’re looking for someone with a fresher take”
- “It’s not a fit”
This has happened to every single professional woman I know.
1. You’re at the peak of your professional power at 48
- You’re not everyone’s mom, you’re experienced
- You’re not behind the times, you’re savvy
- You’re not old, “you look great for your age”
If you have a big career move to make, make it now.
- You’re not everyone’s mom, you’re experienced
- You’re not behind the times, you’re savvy
- You’re not old, “you look great for your age”
If you have a big career move to make, make it now.
January 11, 2025 at 7:16 PM
1. You’re at the peak of your professional power at 48
- You’re not everyone’s mom, you’re experienced
- You’re not behind the times, you’re savvy
- You’re not old, “you look great for your age”
If you have a big career move to make, make it now.
- You’re not everyone’s mom, you’re experienced
- You’re not behind the times, you’re savvy
- You’re not old, “you look great for your age”
If you have a big career move to make, make it now.
And you know who was watching?
Our daughters.
The girls picking up racquets, joining teams, and dreaming of the C-suite today? They're standing on the shoulders of ALL these queens 👑
Drop a 🎾 if you're figuring out how to own YOUR power.
Our daughters.
The girls picking up racquets, joining teams, and dreaming of the C-suite today? They're standing on the shoulders of ALL these queens 👑
Drop a 🎾 if you're figuring out how to own YOUR power.
January 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
And you know who was watching?
Our daughters.
The girls picking up racquets, joining teams, and dreaming of the C-suite today? They're standing on the shoulders of ALL these queens 👑
Drop a 🎾 if you're figuring out how to own YOUR power.
Our daughters.
The girls picking up racquets, joining teams, and dreaming of the C-suite today? They're standing on the shoulders of ALL these queens 👑
Drop a 🎾 if you're figuring out how to own YOUR power.
The real lesson? It was never just about tennis.
It was about knowing your worth, building something bigger, and holding the door open for others.
And look who walked through that door:
Venus and Serena 👑
Venus fighting for equal prize money at Wimbledon in 2007? Pure BJK energy right there 💪
It was about knowing your worth, building something bigger, and holding the door open for others.
And look who walked through that door:
Venus and Serena 👑
Venus fighting for equal prize money at Wimbledon in 2007? Pure BJK energy right there 💪
January 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The real lesson? It was never just about tennis.
It was about knowing your worth, building something bigger, and holding the door open for others.
And look who walked through that door:
Venus and Serena 👑
Venus fighting for equal prize money at Wimbledon in 2007? Pure BJK energy right there 💪
It was about knowing your worth, building something bigger, and holding the door open for others.
And look who walked through that door:
Venus and Serena 👑
Venus fighting for equal prize money at Wimbledon in 2007? Pure BJK energy right there 💪
4. On being "too old" in your 30s
When they said she was past her prime, she went ahead and:
- Won 39 Grand Slam titles
- Ranked #1 in the world
- Changed sports history
Turns out your prime isn't about your age.
It's about owning your power 🔥
When they said she was past her prime, she went ahead and:
- Won 39 Grand Slam titles
- Ranked #1 in the world
- Changed sports history
Turns out your prime isn't about your age.
It's about owning your power 🔥
January 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
4. On being "too old" in your 30s
When they said she was past her prime, she went ahead and:
- Won 39 Grand Slam titles
- Ranked #1 in the world
- Changed sports history
Turns out your prime isn't about your age.
It's about owning your power 🔥
When they said she was past her prime, she went ahead and:
- Won 39 Grand Slam titles
- Ranked #1 in the world
- Changed sports history
Turns out your prime isn't about your age.
It's about owning your power 🔥
3. "Pressure is a privilege"
In her 30s, she was:
- Running multiple organizations
- Playing world-class tennis
- Fighting for equality
While guys in the locker room said she was "too aggressive"
The kicker: She was OUR MOMS' age!
That pressure we feel? We're playing a bigger game.
Own it 💪
In her 30s, she was:
- Running multiple organizations
- Playing world-class tennis
- Fighting for equality
While guys in the locker room said she was "too aggressive"
The kicker: She was OUR MOMS' age!
That pressure we feel? We're playing a bigger game.
Own it 💪
January 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
3. "Pressure is a privilege"
In her 30s, she was:
- Running multiple organizations
- Playing world-class tennis
- Fighting for equality
While guys in the locker room said she was "too aggressive"
The kicker: She was OUR MOMS' age!
That pressure we feel? We're playing a bigger game.
Own it 💪
In her 30s, she was:
- Running multiple organizations
- Playing world-class tennis
- Fighting for equality
While guys in the locker room said she was "too aggressive"
The kicker: She was OUR MOMS' age!
That pressure we feel? We're playing a bigger game.
Own it 💪
2. The $$ talks
BJK refused to play tournaments that paid women less.
"Sorry, not available that week" was her line (🖕)
And yeah, she heard all the classics:
- "Be grateful for what you get"
- "You're being difficult"
- "This is how it's always been done"
Sound familiar? 😒
BJK refused to play tournaments that paid women less.
"Sorry, not available that week" was her line (🖕)
And yeah, she heard all the classics:
- "Be grateful for what you get"
- "You're being difficult"
- "This is how it's always been done"
Sound familiar? 😒
January 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
2. The $$ talks
BJK refused to play tournaments that paid women less.
"Sorry, not available that week" was her line (🖕)
And yeah, she heard all the classics:
- "Be grateful for what you get"
- "You're being difficult"
- "This is how it's always been done"
Sound familiar? 😒
BJK refused to play tournaments that paid women less.
"Sorry, not available that week" was her line (🖕)
And yeah, she heard all the classics:
- "Be grateful for what you get"
- "You're being difficult"
- "This is how it's always been done"
Sound familiar? 😒
1. When they told her to "wait her turn" for equality?
She didn't wait. She built.
She created:
- The Women's Tennis Association
- World TeamTennis
- The Women's Sports Foundation
Because sometimes if you want change?
You have to build it yourself.
(Midlife pivot energy, anyone?)
She didn't wait. She built.
She created:
- The Women's Tennis Association
- World TeamTennis
- The Women's Sports Foundation
Because sometimes if you want change?
You have to build it yourself.
(Midlife pivot energy, anyone?)
January 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
1. When they told her to "wait her turn" for equality?
She didn't wait. She built.
She created:
- The Women's Tennis Association
- World TeamTennis
- The Women's Sports Foundation
Because sometimes if you want change?
You have to build it yourself.
(Midlife pivot energy, anyone?)
She didn't wait. She built.
She created:
- The Women's Tennis Association
- World TeamTennis
- The Women's Sports Foundation
Because sometimes if you want change?
You have to build it yourself.
(Midlife pivot energy, anyone?)