In this episode of Inspired Living for Women, Beth Pellino-Dudzic opens up about her journey from the rock clubs of New York to a seemingly perfect life in Hawaii—and the quiet unraveling that led her to start over at 40 as a single mother back in New York. Though she had long dreamed of a creative life, she followed a more traditional path of business school, marriage, and raising three daughters before eventually returning to herself. Years later, after rebuilding her life, remarrying, and eventually moving to Alabama, the stories she’d imagined for decades finally came to life. Beth shares how her love of music, storytelling, and second chances led to the creation of The Perfection Saga, a six-book romance series born from a spark that never really left.

✨Topics Discussed:

• Beth’s early immersion in New York’s rock scene and how those formative years shaped the creative foundation for her fiction
• The disconnect between outward success and inner fulfillment that led her to leave a “perfect” life in Hawaii at age 40
• How the idea for the Perfection Saga came to her suddenly after decades of imagining characters and stories in the background
• Why midlife can be a powerful time to reconnect with long-held passions and finally create what’s been waiting beneath the surface
  💡 Key Takeaways:
• Leaving a life that looks good on the outside may be the first step toward creating one that feels right on the inside.
• Creative ideas often live within us for years before we’re ready—or able—to bring them to life.
• Reinvention doesn’t have to happen all at once; it unfolds through choices, courage, and persistence.
• Your past experiences can become powerful creative fuel—even the parts that felt off-track at the time.

Noteworthy Quotes:
“I thought there was something wrong with me... I had everything, and I wasn’t happy. But I was only 40, and I had the rest of my life to figure out what happiness really meant.”
“It was like the story flowed through me. I got in the shower, and the characters, the plot, the names—they all came to me. That’s when I knew: it was time to start writing.”
“I always thought I was meant to do something—something bigger—and now it’s finally coming out.”
Beth's Bio: Beth Pellino-Dudzic is a Bronx-born author who grew up in Westchester County, NY. Her Perfection Saga—a planned eight-book romance series—is fictional but rooted in decades of lived experience and her deep connection to the New York rock scene. A lifelong music lover and lyricist, Beth also enjoys football, baking for special occasions, and creating characters who reflect strength, heart, and resilience. She’s a proud mother of three adult daughters and a new grandmother, currently living in Alabama.
More About Beth:
Book Website: perfectionsaga.com/
Follow on Instagram

If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please share it with others if you think they would also enjoy it. Thank you!
Check out the Inspired Living for Women Newsletter.
Designed for women in their 40s, 50s and beyond who are ready to embrace the next chapter with confidence, purpose, and joy.

Or you can subscribe here to receive weekly inspiration, practical advice, and uplifting stories designed for women over 40. Let's thrive together!
Website: inspiredlivingforwomen.com