Art and Hanna Bankier explore the complex terrain of life transitions, particularly the shift from hands-on parenting to becoming a "Mama Mentor" as children leave home. Hanna shares her journey from Swedish immigrant to transition coach, revealing how every identity shift creates opportunities for authentic reinvention. "We have this idea that the time we have left is unknown, combined with life is fragile, equals do it now," she reflects, challenging listeners to embrace change rather than resist it.
Art and Hanna Bankier explore the complex terrain of life transitions, particularly the shift from hands-on parenting to becoming a "Mama Mentor" as children leave home. Hanna shares her journey from Swedish immigrant to transition coach, revealing how every identity shift creates opportunities for authentic reinvention. "We have this idea that the time we have left is unknown, combined with life is fragile, equals do it now," she reflects, challenging listeners to embrace change rather than resist it.
Through personal stories and practical exercises, Hanna offers listeners a roadmap for navigating transitions with intention. "Are you performing, producing, or providing?" she asks, confronting our culture's obsession with productivity as the measure of worth. The conversation weaves between vulnerability and practical advice, including a powerful identity-mapping exercise with colored markers that reveals where your energy flows. Can we slow down enough to recognize our inherent value beyond what we do?
Hanna Bankier is the founder of Birdie Launcher, where she helps moms spread their wings as their little ones leave the nest. A sought-after coach, change catalyst, and speaker, Hanna left her 20+ year television career as a VP of Production to follow her passion: connecting people to possibilities. Drawing from her own experience launching her oldest child (now a college junior) while preparing for her high school senior's departure, Hanna became the "go-to Birdie Launcher friend" among her peers. With advanced degrees in Electronic Communication Arts and Industrial Organizational Psychology, plus certifications in Mediation, Conflict Resolution, and coaching (ACC from ICF), she brings professional expertise to personal transitions. Her provocative question to mothers—"What if the best years of your life are yet to come?"—guides her work helping women rediscover themselves beyond active parenting. When not coaching, Hanna serves on the board of BAYCAT.org, hikes, dances, travels, and hosts gatherings for her intentionally-created community.
About The Show:
The Life in Transition, hosted by Art Blanchford focuses on making the most of the changes we’re given every week. Art has been through hundreds of transitions in his life. Many have been difficult, but all have led to a depth and richness he could never have imagined. On the podcast Art explores how to create more love and joy in life, no matter what transitions we go through. Art is married to his lifelong partner, a proud father of three and a long-time adventurer and global business executive. He is the founder and leader of the Midlife Transition Mastery Community. Learn more about the MLTM Community here: www.lifeintransition.online.
In This Episode:
(00:00) Thoughts on Unconditional Love, Hanna Bankier and Birdie Launcher
(03:02) Navigating Major Identity Shifts as an Immigrant
(11:09) Creating Community Through "Fab Ladies"
(16:41) MidLife Transition Mastery Ad
(22:16) Beyond the Three P's: Performance, Production, and Providing
(37:28) Discovering Inherent Worth and Value
(42:38) Co-Creating New Parent-Adult Child Relationships
(49:45) Transition Mastery Coaching Ad
(54:52) The Life-Changing Identity Exercise
(01:05:31) Final Reflections and Where to Find Hanna
(01:12:06) Closing Thoughts and Thanks
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Resources:
https://www.facebook.com/birdylauncher
https://www.instagram.com/birdylauncher
https://www.linkedin.com/company/birdylauncher
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-bankier
https://www.birdylauncher.com/freeoffer
Email Art Blanchford
Join Our Community: https://www.lifeintransition.online/
My new book PURPOSEFUL LIVING is out now. Order it now: https://www.amazon.com/PURPOSEFUL-LIVING-Wisdom-Coming-Complex/dp/1963913922
Explore our website https://lifeintransitionpodcast.com/ for more in-depth information and resources, and to download the 8-step guide to mastering mid-life transitions.
The views and opinions expressed on the Life In Transition podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Life In Transition Podcast, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2025.