The hidden benefits of peaking later in life

The hidden benefits of peaking later in life

From Something To Talk About by Stellar

June 6, 2026 · 35 min

About this episode

Frances Whiting discusses her late-life achievements and the importance of starting anew.

Frances Whiting has spent almost 30 years writing her beloved Sunday column in Queensland’s Sunday Mail . But behind a career built on telling other people’s stories, some of the biggest chapters in her own life arrived later than expected. On this episode of the Stellar podcast, Frances reflects on becoming a mother in her 40s, publishing her first novel at 46, the runaway success of her latest book The Nocturnals at 61, the reader letter that moved her deeply, and why it is never too late to start again.   You can buy Frances Whiting’s new novel The Nocturnals via the link in our show notes or at any good bookstore.  Watch the full episode with Frances Whiting here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand .   Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellar , TikTok @stellar_aus , or stellarmag.com.au . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Sarrah Le Marquand

Guest: Frances Whiting

Topics covered

  • personal growth
  • life milestones
  • motherhood
  • writing
  • success later in life

Keywords

  • Frances Whiting
  • The Nocturnals
  • motherhood
  • writing career
  • personal stories

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Queensland’s Sunday Mail

Books & works: The Nocturnals

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