Episodes

At 17, Karen Gershowitz caught the travel bug—and never looked back. She’s now explored 100 countries, often returning to dig deeper than the “Disney Lands” most tourists see. Her love of discovery led her from ceramics to international marketing and, eventually, to writing about her adventures. In her books, Travel Mania: Stories of Wanderlust and Wanderlust: Extraordinary People, Quirky Places, and Curious Cuisine, Karen shares stories of meeting locals, trying new foods, and finding connectio...

Judy Smith discovered that 70 would be the best year of her life after a devastating public humiliation at 67 by her now ex. Allowing herself to open up to new relationships, social engagement and creative expression, she discovered that life became richer and she felt blessed as gratitude filled her soul. No stranger to discomfort, Judy previously suffered from grand mal seizures and lived with the fear of having one while out in the world trying to live her life. Judy’s first novel, “The Golde...

Jan Golden is a one-woman force when it comes to changing how the media and greeting card agencies represent aging. For 4 years, Age-Friendly Vibes has featured cards, buttons, stickers and prints that reflect pro-aging sentiments. Active in the American Society on Aging, Changing the Narrative and the American Greeting Card Association, Jan’s passion to revolutionize how older people are represented on greeting cards is making waves. Influencers in her pursuit include Ashton Applewhite, Dr. Bec...

At 81, Phyllis Rubin embodies tikkun olam—repairing the world. After her husband’s death, and during the pandemic and political upheaval, she stepped fully into activism. A “feet-on-the-ground” leader, with a collaborative style, Phyllis champions progressive politics, environmental sustainability, and vital community living for older adults. She earned her Psy.D. at 50, retired as an attachment-based therapist at 80, and continues to live vibrantly—singing, writing, gardening, engaging with her...

Nicole J. Smith, Advocate, Dementia Daughter, Certified Senior Advisor and author of Diagnosis Dementia, was living 3,000 miles from her mother and didn't register the “weird things” she had witnessed her mother say and do over the past couple of years. That is, until these strange things escalated into a financial and legal situation that was not sustainable. The journey that followed upended Nicole’s life, took place across five states, and changed the families involved forever. This book is a...

At 75, Kathleen (Kathy) Haney embodies resilience, purpose, and care. Family duties once slowed her college path, but persistence carried her to an undergraduate degree in occupational education and a graduate degree in vocational education administration. She went on to become the coordinator/director of dental hygiene and dental assisting at the community college and university levels. Her career spanned teaching, mentoring and serving as an accreditation site surveyor for American Dental Assi...

Only 12% of U.S. adults are metabolically healthy—a sobering statistic Christa Rymal wants to change. With her background in nursing and holistic health, Christa brings both clinical expertise and a whole-person perspective to women’s wellbeing. In this episode, she breaks down what “metabolic health” really means and why it matters as we age. From the science of sleep to the power of protein and muscle strength, Christa translates research into practical steps for everyday life. She also shares...

At 85, Anna Rappaport continues to defy expectations of aging. Once uncertain about her relevance, she went on to earn five lifetime achievement awards, including Trailblazers in Actuarial Science. Beyond her groundbreaking work in retirement research and policy, Anna embraces new chapters with creativity and purpose. After decades of balancing career, caregiving, and family, Anna rebuilt her life following her husband’s death, moving to The Admiral at the Lake in Chicago. There she discovered t...

Jeannine Bryant is expert at helping seniors move. After you have lived in your home for so many years, you accumulate possessions that seem to identify who you are. Losing a partner or spouse certainly changes our lives. Leaving the place that we called home, together, can be very difficult. Jeannine understands every aspect. Through her website, EasyRightsizing.com she provides all the resources, classes and videos you, and other family members, can use to guide you and make you feel she is ri...

"Movement is the thread that weaves Jacqui Neurauter’s life together, even at 80. She believes movement has the power to transform life. Ever curious, her many pursuits often began with a comment, a book, or a conversation among friends. The suggestion of a new approach to movement would spark her curiosity, making her an avid researcher and lifelong student. Yoga led to belly dancing, which in turn led to her exploration of Feng Shui and the harmonious movement of energy, ultimately culminating...

During her tenure as a successful entrepreneur and podcaster, Ande Lyons’ advice to young start-up founders was: “Don’t Be Caged by Your Age.” At age 66, she took her own advice. Ande shifted her focus to older people, especially women, with the mission to redefine what it means to thrive after 65. Ande exposes internal ageist beliefs and debunks myths that older women are no longer visible, connected, and contributing. Ande’s podcast, Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, features interviews with women w...

Beverley Glazer, MA, is an ICF-Certified Transformational Coach, Psychotherapist, and Strategic Consultant with over 35 years of experience empowering individuals, companies, and communities navigate change. She is the founder of Reinvent Impossible LLC, the umbrella company for her services, including individual coaching, strategic consulting, and her Internationally acclaimed podcast, Aging with Purpose and Passion, a bold platform that amplifies the voices of trailblazing women redefini...

Jean Olson, age 70, describes her 13 years in the Foreign Service as an “odd and torturous path,” that included a successful class action suit against the federal government. Jean left the Foreign Service (stints in Europe and South America) for her hometown in Wisconsin to be her mother’s caregiver and to serve as (volunteer) President of the Village Council. At age 57, and ‘unemployed’ for seven years, Jean created a path to retirement. She rejoined the Foreign Service for seven more years, ha...

Beverly Schlotte, age 76, loves living on her farm near Webster, South Dakota, where she and her late husband, married 53 years, “worked and planned together” as they raised their family of four. After retirement from many years of teaching “kids that I loved,” Beverly hosted a foreign exchange student from Madrid, Spain during the 2024-2025 school year. Beverly and her family were chosen as one of the top four Education First host families in the nation. Beverly plans a trip to Spain, perhaps a...

As a young academic professional, Mary Ellen Jukoski, age 75, wondered: “Where are the female college presidents? I want to become one.” So, she did, serving the first 20 years as President of Mitchell College in Connecticut where she transformed a struggling two-year institution into a thriving four-year college, inspired by her feminine leadership style of inclusiveness and collaboration. Her special mission has been to mentor young women to seek and succeed at leadership roles. She credits he...

You are in for a special treat as Dee Greer displays her creations of exquisite weavings from Alpaca yarn and amulet bags woven Japanese seed beads. She also enjoys watercolor painting. She learns in order to create. This is bolstered by degrees and certifications in the arts, financial planning, hand weaving, and interior design. Dee has created five businesses in rehab housing, five in Alpaca-related products and services, and a unique hand-weaving loom. Hurricane Helene completely destroyed h...

When you listen to Victoria (Vickie) Rock, 73, you would believe her life has never seen a difficult day. Yet, the truth is, at times it has been rocky. Turning lemons into lemonade is the perfect phrase to attribute to Vickie. Always upbeat, charitable, and giving, she works tirelessly to elevate each person, client and company that become part of her network. A career in court reporting led her to create a business of her own. When working until 2 or 3 a.m. in the morning became too much she ...