Carolyn Hawes and Diane Brennan: The Devil, Betty & SPF

Andrea and Krista welcome not one, but two fantastic new guests to Half Betty - the duo behind the brilliant and fun The Devil Wears SPF podcast, Carolyn Hawes and Diane Brennan. In this episode, we hear from both women about the experiences that have shaped them, the lessons that landed them here, and their visions for full, vibrant, sun-protected futures.

Carolyn and Diane explore themes of self-worth, agency, and the power of women, creating space for honesty and care. They share stories of resilience, transformation, and the courage it takes to live life on their own terms - navigating challenges, redefining freedom, and prioritizing health, joy, and purpose.

Their podcast blends "Skincare and SoulCare," tackling topics including aging, self-love, wellness humour and insight. Looking ahead, they share dreams of exploring beauty rituals and cultural definitions of wellness around the world - a continuation of their journey together as friends and co-creators.

This episode is a conversation about living intentionally, embracing change, and the ways women support and lift each other while navigating life's transitions.

Bios

Carolyn Hawes is a former editor and general contractor whose midlife journey led her to rethink health, work, and identity. After years of people-pleasing shaped by childhood and an early marriage that ended in divorce, Carolyn began the work of becoming "self-authored," learning to voice her own needs and opinions - both for herself and as a model for her daughter. In her late forties, menopause-related symptoms disrupted her ability to work and prompted a year-long pause to focus on healing and learning. With guidance from women's health specialists, she began rebuilding her health and, at 53, chose early retirement to design a life rooted in purpose, curiosity, and alignment rather than obligation. Today, Carolyn brings her lived experience, honesty, and humour to conversations about aging, self-worth, and what it means to choose yourself in midlife.

Diane Brennan has always taken a nontraditional path, guided by independence, adventure, and a deep trust in her own instincts. She left Canada for the United States without a job to pursue citizenship and later embraced a life without marriage or children, navigating social judgment before arriving at a liberating "who cares" mindset. A pivotal experience with a cosmetic procedure that left her with permanent facial scarring led to a lawsuit and profoundly reshaped her relatio