You’re invited to F#ck Middle Age: A Day in The Midst!

Saturday, October 19, 2024, 1-6 pm CT

The Robey, 2018 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

Hey GAL hey,

It’s not that we’re anti-middle age. It’s that the term, as it were, no longer serves us. The OG connotations of “midlife” are ripe for a do-over. Plus, it’s likely that we’ll live far longer than we can fathom, making traditional “middle age” akin to a teenager.

We curated F#ck Middle Age for women in their 40s and into their 50s (but if you skew a little younger or older, we welcome you). Come for the expert health and wellness insights, stay for the community of inspiring women, killer goody bags, and delicious food and drinks at one of Chicago’s coolest hotels.

The event is hosted by The Midst, a new platform empowering Grown-Ass Ladies to live their best lives. The Midst is co-founded by Amy Cuevas Schroeder, who founded Venus Zine.

Event schedule

12:45 pm: Doors open. Check in, find a seat. Open bar and hors d’oeuvres will be available throughout the panel discussions (below). Festivities start promptly at 1 pm.

“Matters in The Midst” in the Hall (1–4 pm): 3 panels

Panel 1: Peri/menopause and women’s health in midlife

Lauren Streicher, MD (@drstreich) is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, a certified menopause practitioner of The Menopause Society, and the founding Medical Director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a Senior Research Fellow of the Kinsey Institute of Indiana University and the Medical Director of Patient Education and Community Outreach for Midi Health. Read more about Lauren Streicher, MD.

Rachel Hughes (@rachel.hughes.midlife) is Head of Community at Alloy Women’s Health, leading support groups, webinars and more for Alloy members. A graduate of Vassar College, a former dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and MSEd from Bank St.College in NYC, where she focused on Early Childhood and Museum Education. She later obtained her license in Nutritional Counseling and worked with chronic pain patients for over 10 years at the New England Center for Chronic Pain in Greenwich, CT. Rachel is also the author of several publications on a range of health conditions, including IBS, tinnitus, and fibromyalgia. Read more about Rachel Hughes.

Hosted by The Midst CEO & Founder, Amy Cuevas Schroeder (@themidstlady, Linkedin)

Panel 2: The Time Is Now. We’re In Our Prime

Cindu Thomas-George (Linkedin) is the Founder of Shakti Training and an award-winning professor of Communication Studies at the College of Lake County. For the last 20 years she has designed and led professional development experiences that promote inclusion, equity, intercultural intelligence, and antiracism. She also partners with Northwestern’s Kellogg School for Nonprofit Management teaching and coaching on the topic of inclusive leadership. A recognized public speaker, Cindu is a member of the Comadres Speakers Collaborative. Read more about Cindu Thomas-George.

Lele Mason (@lelemason_)is a seriously funny lady with a unique perspective. Her high energy and thought-provoking approach to comedy keep audiences engaged and immersed in laughter. Lele has been trained in organizational development since 2005, having begun her journey with The Second City as a student over a decade ago. An NBC Bob Curry fellow, teacher, coach, designer, and facilitator are some of the many Second City hats she’s worn. Read more about Lele Mason.

Ashlee Piper (@ashleepiper) is a sustainability expert, TV personality, author, and globally recognized speaker whose work has been featured on 310+ television segments, including The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, LIVE with Kelly & Mark, CNN, and in VOGUE, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Marie Claire, The Atlantic, and Newsweek. Piper‘s 2018 book, Give A Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. (Running Press) has been hailed as a “sustainability Bible” by celebrities and reviewers. Read more about Ashlee Piper.

Panel 3: Grace vs. Botox: Beauty and Wellness at 35+

Dr. Jessica Shepherd (@jessicashepherdmd) is a board certified gynecologist and women’s health expert that specializes in menopausal health and is also the founder of Modern Meno Health. Her holistic practice Sanctum Med + Wellness in Dallas, has created a place for patients to explore their holistic journey in optimizing health and has been featured in Self Magazine and Women’s Health Magazine. Her release of her book Generation M in 2024 will also create more buzz in the menopause world. Read more about Dr. Jessica Shepherd.

Aga Rhodes (@makeupbyagarhodes) is a Chicago-based professional makeup artist and global educator for various pro brands. After attending art school in her native Poland, Aga came to the U.S. in 1990, became a citizen, and continued her ongoing love for art, color, light, and texture by studying makeup artistry in New York and Los Angeles. Read more about Aga Rhodes.

Brittony Croasdell (@np_britt) is a Full Practice Authority Nurse Practitioner (FPA), published author, and co-owner of Fulcrum Aesthetics. She holds a Masters in Nursing from DePaul University and a Family Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Internationally recognized for her expertise in the field of Aesthetic Medicine, Brittony holds board certifications with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist Board (CANS), and The International Plastic Surgical Nursing Board (INPS). Read more about Brittony Croasdell.

Hosted by The Midst’s Head of Content, Lauria Locsmondy (Linkedin).

Mingle with The Midst in the Cabana Club | 4–6 pm

Private happy hour in the gorgeous rooftop Cabana Room. Talk with panelists, The Midst team, and fellow attendees and MidstHers. Book signings, rooftop hangs, and swag galore!

Tickets are extremely limited!

Wait til you see the goody bags! You’ll get a tote bag filled with health, wellness, and beauty products, books, and more! This will be an intimate event with round-table seating. Buy tickets on Eventbrite while supplies last.

• Live event ticket in Chicago: $125

• Virtual event ticket: $25

Contact us

Want to sponsor the event or include your products in our tote bags?

Email Amy Cuevas Schroeder: amy@the-midst.com.

Questions about the venue, speakers, logistics?

Email Lauria Locsmondy: lauria@the-midst.com.