The CrunchyTales team is a powerhouse of expertise on midlife, ageing, and longevity, with a special focus on empowering women over 50 to thrive in every aspect of their lives. We’re a diverse and dynamic team of writers, researchers, illustrators, and subject matter experts from around the world, united by a shared mission to redefine what it means to age with confidence and vitality.

We bring insights from various backgrounds, blending professional knowledge with personal passion, to create content that informs, inspires, and celebrates this transformative chapter. With us, you’ll find guidance that’s thoughtful, evidence-based, and relevant, tailored to empower you as you embrace the richness of midlife and beyond.

Michela Di Carlo | Founder & Chief Editor

Michela, founder and chief editor of CrunchyTales.com, leads the first illustrated online magazine dedicated to bold, dynamic women over 50, redefining midlife as a vibrant, empowering journey. A bilingual lifestyle journalist and speaker with a Master’s in Communication from the University of Rome, Michela has contributed to Italy’s major publications, including La Repubblica and ANSA news agency.

Her work focuses on uplifting women navigating the “second act” of life, showcasing the bright side of ageing through inspiring content and events across the UK. Michela is also the creator of The Beauty of Ageing, a pioneering pro-age live radio show, and a fierce advocate for lifelong learning and empowerment for women over 50.

Veronica Niccolai | Art Director

Like the heroine in a comic, she has two identities: art director by day and DJ-V, live performer and music producer by night. Wizard of the arts, she is a graphic designer with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for visual storytelling. Known for her innovative approach, Veronica blends strategic thinking with artistic intuition to craft compelling designs that resonate with diverse audiences. She lives in an enchanting medieval village in the heart of Tuscany where she gets the inspiration to create under the tranquillity of the olive trees, surrounded by historic walls.  

Penny Pepper, Jennifer Thompson, Deborah Cross, Michaela K. Bellisario, Jane Ashton, Jo Moseley, Stella Fosse, Kathryn Eade, Colleen Rosenblum, Deborah Darling, Nikki Love, Amy Schmidt, Nuthan Manohar, Kristen Jensen, Kavita Ahuja, Vanessa Rhodes, Nancy Burger, Valentina Harris, Joyce Connor, Kelly Howard, Anne Poirier, Nicole Christina, Diana Place

Lorenza Bacino, Joanna Lawson, Martina Moretti, Silvia Russano, Amy Spencer, Donna Maurer, Lisa O’Hare, Chiara Lisowski, Hanna Suni, Alessia Miceli, Laura Jackson, Marialuisa Roscino

Hanna Suni, Veronica Niccolai