# The TRUTH about success: "I built the life I wanted. Why do I secretly want to run away from it?"

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/dial-emma-5229217/the-truth-about-success-i-built-the-life-i-wanted-why-do-i-secretly-want-to-run-away-from-it
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/dial-emma-5229217/the-truth-about-success-i-built-the-life-i-wanted-why-do-i-secretly-want-to-run-away-from-it.md
Podcast: [Dial Emma](https://stenobird.com/podcast/dial-emma-5229217)
Published: 2026-06-29T00:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://dial-emma.captivate.fm
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/eb7fe189-449d-4495-886f-b6b5536cba31.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=55a7e298-840a-4d74-83ea-9b2f7b730a36&aw_0_1st.episodeid=eb7fe189-449d-4495-886f-b6b5536cba31
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Duration seconds: 1217

## Resource

Welcome back to Dial Emma, and to our new miniseries, The Truth. This week, we're exploring the uncomfortable truths about success, that most of us are feeling but not saying out loud. Our listener is 44 and finally has the life that she spent the last decade working towards - a long marriage, healthy children, a senior job, a nice house. So why does it feel like a trap, instead of a victory? And how do we find ourselves living a life that we thought we wanted, but that constantly demands things of us? In this episode, Emma explores the shame that we attach to feelings of dissatisfaction with a life that looks objectively desirable, the midlife audit that many of us go through in our 40s and 50s, and why building a 'successful' life and one that aligns with who you are, are not always identical projects. Dial Emma is hosted by Emma Reed Turrell, produced by Lauren Brook. --- Book my 2027 women's retreat at Bliss House in Crete: https://bliss-house-experience.replit.app Book a place on my Woodland Wellbeing Day Retreat with Alice Crowe: https://www.alicecroweceramics.co.uk/product/woodland-wellbeing-day-retreat-with-emma-reed-turrell-alice-crowe Social media: Emma Reed Turrell @emmareedturrell Dial Emma @dialemmapodcast Email: contact@dial-emma.uk

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