What You’ll Learn from this Episode about Rediscovering Your Purpose Through A Surprising Art Form: The Naked Man Project
- What it’s like to rediscover your purpose through a surprising art form, and how this insight inspired The Naked Man Project
- How focusing on “having it all together” can block your ability to hear your true thoughts about what you want
- How sketching Michelangelo’s Apollo in Florence, Italy, provides life-changing insight
- Why giving yourself permission to say “yes” can be critical to your happiness
- How shame can surprise you
- How drawing 100 naked men became a personal project to dissolve shame
- How the different aspects of “life drawing” 100 naked men played out in real life
- The importance of exploring shame in your life and how it affects your decision-making
- How clarifying the details of the “life drawing” experience created a safe, consent space that was powerful for comfort and ease for all involved.
- The benefit of understanding what the ancient, biological feeling of shame feels like personally in your body and how it’s related to the fear of being outcast.
- How journaling can be an excellent way to explore what you give yourself permission to do…or not do
- How blueberries and avocados can be telling when it comes to understanding your desire.
Welcome to Another Episode of the Women in the Middle Podcast
What does The Naked Man project have to do with dismantling shame? My guest today is Michelle Dovey, who is an artist, bestselling author, and creator of The Naked Man Project and The Naked Man Oracle.
Shame can silently shape how you see the world. After dismantling her own shame through the radical act of drawing 100 naked men, she now helps women – and organizations – reclaim aliveness, creativity, and authentic power. Her talks blend art, humor, and psychology to spark conversations that break taboos, challenge perfectionism, and inspire courage. She has been featured internationally and is known for creating safe, transformative spaces where audiences laugh, cry, and leave forever changed.
Michelle’s origin story began in Florence, in the middle of a divorce, where she discovered shame hidden within her own art. In the blank space of a sketchbook drawing, she saw how shame had silently shaped what she allowed herself to see. What started as an experiment to draw 100 naked men became a radical journey of confronting taboo, reclaiming desire, and giving herself permission to look fully and unapologetically.
Through this work, Michelle developed a series of keynote talks designed to spark bold conversations in art schools, corporate environments, and communities of women in midlife. These talks challenge hidden patterns of shame, resentment, and self-silencing while opening new pathways to courage, creativity, and transformation.
Please enjoy this fascinating episode!
Featured on the Podcast:
Ep 335: Curiosity and Insight from Forks in the Road in Midlife: https://suzyrosenstein.com/podcast/ep-335-curiosity-and-insight-from-forks-in-the-road-in-midlife/
Ep 406: What First, Then How: Midlife Clarity Hack to Get Unstuck: https://suzyrosenstein.com/podcast/ep-406-what-first-then-how-midlife-clarity-hack-to-get-unstuck/
Ep 436: Your Permission Slip Ceremony in Midlife: https://suzyrosenstein.com/podcast/ep-436-your-permission-slip-ceremony-in-midlife/
Connect with Michelle Dovey:
WEBSITE: https://michelledovey.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/michelledoveyartist/
SHAMELESS EXPERIMENT PODCAST: https://www.youtube.com/@MICHELLE_DOVEY
ORACLE CARDS: https://liberate.michelledovey.com/
Revelation 3 Day Retreat, held in Venice, is part physical, part creative, and the process will give you a new perspective on your desires and pleasure as a path back to your aliveness. venice.michelledovey.com
Connect with Suzy
Midlife QUIZ: You’re also invited to take the free “Get Unstuck Midlife Quiz” to discover what’s keeping you stuck and how to move toward the life you’ve been putting off! It only takes about 90 seconds! You can start the quiz here: www.midlifequiz.com.
Work with Me: Group Coaching Women in the Middle Academy: Learn to start living like time matters…because it does! The Academy helps you do this in a 12 month group format that includes coaching, community, creativity, and connection. Get unstuck and create your happiness blueprint for your future! Apply now: www.womeninthemiddleacademy.com and book your free call to learn how I can help you find what’s missing so that you love your life after 50.
Private Coaching – Limited Availability. Midlife transformation coaching is the fastest way to rediscover joy and purpose after 50! Regret-Proof Private Coaching to get unstuck, clear, and excited about your life again. Available in 3 month, 6 month, and 1 year options. Powerful results! Flexible payment plans. Book your free, no obligation Insight & Momentum Call here: www.talktosuzy.com
Breakthrough Coaching Session: Breakthrough what’s keeping you stuck! Imagine having a private 2 hour coaching session to get some solid clarity about what’s holding you back and confidence about your next steps forward! Limited spots available, so book now. Book here.
Midlife Happiness Jumpstart Experience: Enjoy a powerful experience of tiny joys and big shifts! Get ready for 14 Days of Happiness “Boosts,” which are tiny, science-backed actions delivered to your inbox daily, with a private WhatsApp group for connection and sharing together. Each happiness boost only takes approximately 5 – 10 minutes or less and builds your momentum for more of the same. Feel more grounded, present, and connected to more happiness now! Sign Up Here
New Masterclass: Get Unstuck: Midlife Clarity Fast &Easy: Take this fun DIY midlife masterclass and get clear about your next chapter priorities without spin, confusion, and overwhelm in less than an hour! www.midliferoadmap.com
Download Suzy’s eBook: 50 Ways to Celebrate Life after 50: Get unstuck, avoid regrets, and live your best life: www.50waystocelebrate.com and Amazon
OTHER RESOURCES:
Free Monthly Webinars and Workshops offered by Suzy Rosenstein: https://suzyrosenstein.com/webinar/
FREE VIDEO: Get Unstuck in Midlife Video Training: www.girlfriendsguidetomidlife.com
Email your feedback:
info@suzyrosenstein.com
Enjoy the Show?
- Don’t miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, or RSS, and all the places you listen to your favorite podcasts, including Spotify.
Please leave us a review on iTunes
