Episodes

Marva has worked in nursing, real estate, business brokerage and more. Married in 1969 at 22, she raised 3 children, has 9 grandchildren, all of whom live nearby, and believes satisfaction comes from within. For the last 18 years, Marva has satisfied her desire to be closer to her Methodist faith. As Episcopal Secretary for the Bishop in the Northern Conference, she manages 385 churches, the Bishop’s calendar and a myriad of other administrative duties. Planning to work 2-3 more years, she suspe...

Ellen’s mother died at 101. Like her mother, Ellen’s current life path is filled with enthusiasm and enrichment. She is fueled by the strong community that is the Docent Volunteers of the Chicago Architecture Center. Even before becoming a docent (certified in 25 different tours), Ellen pursued one path after another that led to her interests in historic preservation and the rich heritage that is Chicagoland architecture. For many years she worked for the Metropolitan Planning Council, wrote 4 ...

Ellen’s mother died at 101. Like her mother, Ellen’s current life path is filled with enthusiasm and enrichment. She is fueled by the strong community that is the Docent Volunteers of the Chicago Architecture Center. Even before becoming a docent (certified in 25 different tours), Ellen pursued one path after another that led to her interests in historic preservation and the rich heritage that is Chicagoland architecture. For many years she worked for the Metropolitan Planning Council, wrote 4 ...

Ellen’s mother died at 101. Like her mother, Ellen’s current life path is filled with enthusiasm and enrichment. She is fueled by the strong community that is the Docent Volunteers of the Chicago Architecture Center. Even before becoming a docent (certified in 25 different tours), Ellen pursued one path after another that led to her interests in historic preservation and the rich heritage that is Chicagoland architecture. For many years she worked for the Metropolitan Planning Council, wrote 4 ...

Donna Lawrence was happily living life until the unspeakable death of her son, at age 20, from a brain seizure. Through the Main Street Entrepreneurs, Matters Cafe and Laughter Yoga, Donna discovered ‘it’s an amazing thing when you realize you can go on’. The color pink helped boost her spirits and, today, she surrounds herself with pink through painting, clothing, decor, and helping others find their pink passion. Painting is therapeutic - it puts you in a zone and improves your focus. Through...

Donna Lawrence was happily living life until the unspeakable death of her son, at age 20, from a brain seizure. Through the Main Street Entrepreneurs, Matters Cafe and Laughter Yoga, Donna discovered ‘it’s an amazing thing when you realize you can go on’. The color pink helped boost her spirits and, today, she surrounds herself with pink through painting, clothing, decor, and helping others find their pink passion. Painting is therapeutic - it puts you in a zone and improves your focus. Through...

Donna Lawrence was happily living life until the unspeakable death of her son, at age 20, from a brain seizure. Through the Main Street Entrepreneurs, Matters Cafe and Laughter Yoga, Donna discovered ‘it’s an amazing thing when you realize you can go on’. The color pink helped boost her spirits and, today, she surrounds herself with pink through painting, clothing, decor, and helping others find their pink passion. Painting is therapeutic - it puts you in a zone and improves your focus. Through...

Worldwide traveler and former teacher at Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Art, Ingrid is an established and well-known artist, specializing in watermedia. From florals to petroglyphs, pictographs and hand-made paper making influenced by her travels, Ingrid is inspired by how light and shadow create unusual perspectives. “My experiences are what help me see and paint what I do today.” - Ingrid Albrecht Still learning today, she says “Covid taught me to be an artist!” From her studio she offers ...

Worldwide traveler and former teacher at Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Art, Ingrid is an established and well-known artist, specializing in watermedia. From florals to petroglyphs, pictographs and hand-made paper making influenced by her travels, Ingrid is inspired by how light and shadow create unusual perspectives. “My experiences are what help me see and paint what I do today.” - Ingrid Albrecht Still learning today, she says “Covid taught me to be an artist!” From her studio she offers ...

Worldwide traveler and former teacher at Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Art, Ingrid is an established and well-known artist, specializing in watermedia. From florals to petroglyphs, pictographs and hand-made paper making influenced by her travels, Ingrid is inspired by how light and shadow create unusual perspectives. “My experiences are what help me see and paint what I do today.” - Ingrid Albrecht Still learning today, she says “Covid taught me to be an artist!” From her studio she offers ...

Marilou Eldred, Ph.D., was called to serve others as a young girl. She devoted ten years as a nun with a teaching order and, upon leaving the convent, embarked on her journey as an educator. Marilou has held top level leadership positions in higher education for women, including President of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN. After retirement, she was called to philanthropy, serving as President of Catholic Community Foundation in St. Paul, MN. Now in her second retirement, Marilou voluntee...

Marilou Eldred, Ph.D., was called to serve others as a young girl. She devoted ten years as a nun with a teaching order and, upon leaving the convent, embarked on her journey as an educator. Marilou has held top level leadership positions in higher education for women, including President of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN. After retirement, she was called to philanthropy, serving as President of Catholic Community Foundation in St. Paul, MN. Now in her second retirement, Marilou voluntee...

Marilou Eldred, Ph.D., was called to serve others as a young girl. She devoted ten years as a nun with a teaching order and, upon leaving the convent, embarked on her journey as an educator. Marilou has held top level leadership positions in higher education for women, including President of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN. After retirement, she was called to philanthropy, serving as President of Catholic Community Foundation in St. Paul, MN. Now in her second retirement, Marilou voluntee...

Many people fear change. Not Leni! She has traveled the world, moved from city to country and back again, many times. Leni began her career as a teacher and discovered that teaching is about influencing changing behavior. So is sales. Joining Xerox for its training and development, she worked there for 3 years. Then, on to insurance, real estate, selling her beaded jewelry, and recently, joining ASP purification Systems. Leni is fearless and looks forward to being 80 and 95. Her best relationsh...

Many people fear change. Not Leni! She has traveled the world, moved from city to country and back again, many times. Leni began her career as a teacher and discovered that teaching is about influencing changing behavior. So is sales. Joining Xerox for its training and development, she worked there for 3 years. Then, on to insurance, real estate, selling her beaded jewelry, and recently, joining ASP purification Systems. Leni is fearless and looks forward to being 80 and 95. Her best relationsh...

Many people fear change. Not Leni! She has traveled the world, moved from city to country and back again, many times. Leni began her career as a teacher and discovered that teaching is about influencing changing behavior. So is sales. Joining Xerox for its training and development, she worked there for 3 years. Then, on to insurance, real estate, selling her beaded jewelry, and recently, joining ASP purification Systems. Leni is fearless and looks forward to being 80 and 95. Her best relationsh...

Shirley Holm, age 70, has learned to adjust and thrive to life’s unexpected turns using three anchors: family and friends; education; and active engagement in what matters. After experiencing devasting deaths of her mother, best friend, and husband, Shirley supported her young family teaching in the St. Paul public schools. “Teaching, next to parenting, is the best thing I’ve done in my life.” Although a “Lifelong Minnesotan,” Shirley’s sabbatical in California turned into permanent residency in...

Shirley Holm, age 70, has learned to adjust and thrive to life’s unexpected turns using three anchors: family and friends; education; and active engagement in what matters. After experiencing devasting deaths of her mother, best friend, and husband, Shirley supported her young family teaching in the St. Paul public schools. “Teaching, next to parenting, is the best thing I’ve done in my life.” Although a “Lifelong Minnesotan,” Shirley’s sabbatical in California turned into permanent residency in...

Shirley Holm, age 70, has learned to adjust and thrive to life’s unexpected turns using three anchors: family and friends; education; and active engagement in what matters. After experiencing devasting deaths of her mother, best friend, and husband, Shirley supported her young family teaching in the St. Paul public schools. “Teaching, next to parenting, is the best thing I’ve done in my life.” Although a “Lifelong Minnesotan,” Shirley’s sabbatical in California turned into permanent residency in...

Mary Kemmer was born in Sheboygan Wisconsin, lived in Chicago for almost 20 years and currently lives in Arlington Va. Her professional background spanned 30+ years in Human Resource with a focus on Leadership Development and Executive Coaching. A woman of purpose and learning, Mary serves on two Advisory Boards at Georgetown University Medical Center, The Drs. Speak Out program and Partners in Research. She is also enrolled in her fifth semester at Georgetown’s Mini-Medical School! Four year...

Mary Kemmer was born in Sheboygan Wisconsin, lived in Chicago for almost 20 years and currently lives in Arlington Va. Her professional background spanned 30+ years in Human Resource with a focus on Leadership Development and Executive Coaching. A woman of purpose and learning, Mary serves on two Advisory Boards at Georgetown University Medical Center, The Drs. Speak Out program and Partners in Research. She is also enrolled in her fifth semester at Georgetown’s Mini-Medical School! Four year...

Mary Kemmer was born in Sheboygan Wisconsin, lived in Chicago for almost 20 years and currently lives in Arlington Va. Her professional background spanned 30+ years in Human Resource with a focus on Leadership Development and Executive Coaching. A woman of purpose and learning, Mary serves on two Advisory Boards at Georgetown University Medical Center, The Drs. Speak Out program and Partners in Research. She is also enrolled in her fifth semester at Georgetown’s Mini-Medical School! Four year...

For over 50 years, Peg Cruikshank has challenged mainstream thinking about women-- in particular, about lesbians and women growing old. Now retired from Women’s Studies at the University of Maine, Peg serves as an Associate at The Maine Center on Aging. She is the author of award-winning, groundbreaking books: Learning To Be Old: Gender, Culture, and Aging (2003/2013) and The Gay and Lesbian Liberation Movement (1992). Peg discusses misconceptions and stereotypes about women aging; she proposes ...

For over 50 years, Peg Cruikshank has challenged mainstream thinking about women-- in particular, about lesbians and women growing old. Now retired from Women’s Studies at the University of Maine, Peg serves as an Associate at The Maine Center on Aging. She is the author of award-winning, groundbreaking books: Learning To Be Old: Gender, Culture, and Aging (2003/2013) and The Gay and Lesbian Liberation Movement (1992). Peg discusses misconceptions and stereotypes about women aging; she proposes ...