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Becoming Your Best Version

Becoming Your Best Version

By Maria Leonard Olsen

Tips for living your best life, by Maria Leonard Olsen & her inspiring guests. Maria is a lawyer/journalist/author who seeks to amplify women's voices to share about their lives, work & life lessons. She graduated from Boston College & Univ. of Virginia Law. She served in the Clinton Justice Dept. and has a civil litigation practice in D.C. Her latest book, 50 After 50--Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life, has helped thousands reinvigorate their lives. Maria has spoken at TEDx CUNY, the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference and more. See MariaLeonardOlsen.com and follow @FiftyAfter50
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Intuitive Healer and Spiritual Guide, Susan Burrell

Becoming Your Best VersionApr 16, 2021

00:00
27:11
A Conversation with Ginnie Cover, Author/Advocate for Those with Disabilities and Their Families

A Conversation with Ginnie Cover, Author/Advocate for Those with Disabilities and Their Families

Virginia (Ginnie) Isaacs Cover has worked throughout her career with children and adults with complex medical conditions and developmental disabilities. She is an advocate for those with disabilities and their families and published a widely read guidebook for those affected by X and Y chromosome variations. She explores the impact of a prenatal diagnosis on a young family in her new book, Supplemental Needs: A Novel.

Ginnie became a “special needs parent” when her younger son was diagnosed prenatally with 47,XXY, also known as Klinefelter syndrome. Although sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA) is more common than Down syndrome at an estimated 1 in 400 live births, it is recognized and properly diagnosed in fewer than 25 percent of the affected population. She became a passionate advocate for families affected by disabilities, including the X and Y chromosome variations, and provides educational programs for families and professionals who work with this population.

In 2012, she published Living with Klinefelter Syndrome, Trisomy X, and 47,XYY. The book provides clear explanations of the genetics involved, as well as diagnosis, disclosure, development from infancy through potential health and fertility issues, and educational and psycho-social considerations. This guidebook has helped thousands of people grow their understanding of this condition.

She believes it is equally important for literature to cover the emotional impact that prenatal testing has on parents while also improving early identification of X and Y chromosome conditions. She felt this could only be done through the sharing of stories. Her goal in writing the novel was to explore the impact of a prenatal genetic diagnosis on a young family who decides to continue a pregnancy despite a medical geneticist’s advice.

Supplemental Needs: A Novel portrays a young family whose lives change on learning through prenatal genetic diagnosis that their baby will have Klinefelter syndrome, most likely causing some degree of disability, as well as infertility and possible sexuality issues.

In this episode, Ginnie speaks about prenatal counseling; termination of pregnancy when chromosomal variations exist; societal acceptance of KS, the neurodiverse, LGBTQ individuals and how it has changed over time; and attitudes in Judaism toward LGBTQ individuals and why these are so different across the branches (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox)

Supplemental Needs incorporates accurate information and creates needed conversation around what we each believe about continuing a pregnancy where there may be some level of disability, or when there may be a slightly elevated rate of homosexuality, or of gender dysphoria. Readers gain greater awareness and understanding about the parental experience of when a child is not following a typical developmental trajectory, familiarizing the public with sex chromosome aneuploidy in a non-sensational manner.

"I want readers to experience the sadness, fear, and hopefulness felt by [the characters] as they wrestle with the choices that must be made, and the impact they have on their son, and their family," Ginnie says. "Through the characters and events, readers will also confront the research suggesting that sexual orientation and identity may be heavily influenced by DNA."

Ginnie lives in the Washington, D.C., metro area and has two adult sons and three grandchildren. She volunteers through her synagogue for the Interfaith Refugee Support group. She also is a board member for L’Arche Long Island, a non-profit agency providing housing for adults with developmental disabilities, vocational and life skills training. Ginnie holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. Learn more at VirginiaCover.com

https://www.facebook.com/virginia.cover

Mar 22, 202431:34
A Conversation of Chwynyn Vaughan, Proponent of Slow Living and Slow Botanicals that Help Aging Skin

A Conversation of Chwynyn Vaughan, Proponent of Slow Living and Slow Botanicals that Help Aging Skin

Chwynyn (pronounced “Quinin”) Vaughan is a proponent of slow beauty and its benefits to our all-over physical, mental and spiritual health, and to skin health in particular. She has a background in midwifery, health care and design. A deep love for botanicals has woven its way through each of these experiences, enriching every step of her path.

These experiences, along with her passion for plants, led to Chwynyn blending wise woman wisdom and sound science to create handcrafted skin care products offered through her creation, Slow Botanicals. She believes that, when authentic, beauty can bring out the best of who we are, treating our body as a temple. Beauty, Chywnyn says, is linked to how we live our lives, and influenced by our spiritual and mental health.

Each of Chwynyn's products is made in small batches from botanicals she harvests in the wild and picks from her organic garden. To make the cut, botanicals included must heal and nourish sensitive, dry and aging skin. As these products are meant for the most sensitive of skin, the hand-picked flowers, leaves, mushrooms, lichens and seeds are combined only with the shortest list possible of pure ingredients. A lifetime of unhealthy care products alongside changing hormones make this essential for your health.

Chwynyn knows that healthy skin are not only dependent on what you put on your skin, and so she encourages the practice of slow beauty. Chwynyn says that "slow beauty is closely related to slow living. By making daily choices that stem from a slow beauty perspective, you will enjoy improved physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Your days will feel better. You’ll appreciate yourself more." Slow living is creating a life based on what truly matters, noticing every moment with one's senses and inside the body, staying present and living with integrity, with a strong environmental outlook.

Chwynyn lives on a small peninsula in Washington State, just a short walk from both beach and forest, with her artist-husband and two young children. In the garden surrounding their home, Chwynyn grows around 95% of her family’s fruit and veggies for the entire year. The beautiful herb and flower garden provide ingredients for her botanical skincare products and let her bring cut flowers into the home. Equally important, these blooms feed the many pollinators in her garden.

Chwynyn sells her pure botanically infused skin care products at slowbotanicals.com. You will also find Chwynyn’s insights on slow beauty and skin care on her blog.

Website: slowbotanicals.com  https://www.slowbotanicals.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chwynyn-vaughan-slow-botanicals2171a1281/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow.botanicals/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chwynyn
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/slowbotanicals/

Mar 15, 202429:14
A Conversation with Carlene Thissen, Woodstock Alumna Singer-Songwriter Who Touches Hearts

A Conversation with Carlene Thissen, Woodstock Alumna Singer-Songwriter Who Touches Hearts

Carlene Thissen is an American singer-songwriter, born and raised in New Jersey, and now living in Florida. Singing, piano, and guitar playing were taught to her by her dear father, mother, and cousin; but she’s also daughter of a generation with a deep desire to hand down peace and love to the "youngers": the Baby Boomers. 

She experienced firsthand some of the most captivating periods and moments in the realm of popular music, like Woodstock '69, when her path crossed with wonderful people to experience not only the music, awakening one morning at Woodstock to Joan Baez's voice, but the air of freedom and peace, and the feeling of having no fear of anything. She ended up never meeting those people again, but their spirits and souls never left her side. 

After that experience, she turned into a working person and created a successful business. She stopped making music for 40 years, but deeply remembered the air of Woodstock. 

That changed when she got involved as a volunteer in the Immokalee Unincorporated Agricultural Community. From that catalyst event, she ended up working at the University of Florida’s research center, which inspired her to get a Master’s Degree in Latin American History, write a book based on her final thesis called “Immokalee’s Fields of Hope,” (based on the moving stories she gleaned from the Immokalee people she got to know), make a documentary based on the book, which needed music she decided to write and perform, even if she didn't know if she could. But she did. 

From then on, she could not stop writing songs to tell stories of people who are often overlooked, like farm workers, the homeless, and children who lose parents, and songs to inspire everyone to Go Change the World. She doesn't want to leave with music sitting out there that could benefit people. 

Carlene's journey is not just about music, but also about the generational value music can bring, the stories that have brought her making music with roots in the first edition of Woodstock, and the work as a volunteer with immigrant communities, which also led her to advocate for compassionate immigration policy, and writing books on the stories she came across. 

In this episode, Carlene shared a bit of an a capella version of her beautiful new song, "Carry It On." Carlene honors the "God winks" in her life that brought her to the fulfilling life she enjoys today. While she lives in Naples, Florida now, she soon will move to be near Woodstock, where the energy she experienced caused her musical journey to take flight. She will continue to perform locally in both places, much to the delight of audiences who say her voice is reminiscent of her idol, Joan Baez!

Learn more:

Press Release: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P1NkGl2D6JGPC3jWQomBrPZ1E2JLnotm8sYpeotqOzg/edit?usp=sharing

https://www.carlenethissen.com/

Listen to her: 

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/carlenethissen

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/0eDwUAM9QGHWh4ZC2Ksua7?si=1Or6aa7cRdCHhFQVx6oILw

Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/carlene-thissen/194758792

Follow her:

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/carlenemusic

Instagram http://instagram.com/carlenethissen

ReverbNation http://www.reverbnation.com/carlenethissen

http://twitter.com/carlenethissen

TikTok @carlenethissenmusic

Mar 08, 202430:32
A Conversation with Kim Rahir, a Woman Who Went from a Wheelchair to the Weightlifting Podium

A Conversation with Kim Rahir, a Woman Who Went from a Wheelchair to the Weightlifting Podium

Kim Rahir is a 60-year-old mother of three who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) ten years ago and decided to ignore her doctor's advice and muscle her way back to a happy life. She did not want to have the identity of a sick person and undergo lifelong treatment for her MS. Instead, after one year of exercising, she felt "normal" again. She continued to train and worked her way to become European Champion in Masters Weightlifting in her age and weight category last year. She started exercising in earnest six years ago and has had no relapses or treatment for her MS.

Her journey inspired her to leave her career in journalism in her 50s and become a health coach for middle aged women, with a focus on reactivating and rebuilding muscle. Today, she helps women tap into an abundant source of vitality by reactivating and maintaining their muscles, while ditching diet culture conditioning in favor of eating to nourish and flourish. Kim helps middle aged women drop weight, get strong and boost energy by leveraging muscle mass and mindset work.

Kim offers inspiration and insight for all of us in this episode. "I literally muscled my way out of illness and I now help midlife women deal with a host of health symptoms by building muscle and strength," Kim says. "My story made me change my career from journalism to coaching and I’m on an empowering muscle mission to help women claim their place and their happiness in midlife. I think that focusing on muscle (beyond just training and eating) can be a powerful driver of self-care and empowerment." Her mission is to "help women embrace muscle and strength as the one-stop-shop solution for a host of health problems often from our thirties onwards." Her approach is to turn scientific knowledge about human health into actionable tool kits for everyday life.

Kim works with women in person and online. Her clients can reach out to her 24/7 via an app and can feel supported by her all the time. After only two weeks of training with Kim, her clients report that they "feel different."

Kim's “Fabulous In 15” program--requiring only 15 minutes a day-- is a holistic coaching approach that helps women implement lifestyle changes that are sustainable with a step-by-step build-up of small habits and mindset techniques that help them stay the distance. "With a routine tailored to where they are at, they can start strength training safely immediately and eating intentionally to improve their quality of life without getting derailed when life gets in the way," Kim maintains. After feeling betrayed by her physical body, Kim now believes in the "simplicity of physical strength."

Kim is the mother of three grown children. She is German, speaks languages and lives in sunny Spain. She strives each day to learn something new, connect and to give back to others.

How to get in touch with Kim:

You can access a free assessment tool about your health and strength at https://kimrahir.com 

You can also follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-rahir/

https://www.facebook.com/kim.rahir/

https://www.instagram.com/kim.rahir/

If you want to get in touch directly, you can email Kim at

kim@kimrahir.com

Mar 01, 202432:21
A Conversation with Allie Hill, Author of The Girlfriend's Guide to Empty Nesting

A Conversation with Allie Hill, Author of The Girlfriend's Guide to Empty Nesting

After her daughter left for college, Allie Hill was shocked to find she felt lonely, a bit lost and a little purposeless. Allie spent months wondering what she was supposed to do with all her free time now that no one needed her 24/7 as a parent. She marveled that there were so many resources available when her daughter Izzy was a baby, but none for mothers making the transition to empty nesting, despite the fact that 22.2 million people become empty nesters every year in the U.S.

Eventually, Allie figured out how to re-define her purpose which, for her, meant getting back to writing, launching a blog, becoming a certified coach, and feeling happy and fulfilled again. This is when she decided to become the resource for Empty Nest moms who struggled in the same ways she did. Allie is now the author of The Girlfriend’s Guide to Empty Nesting, as well as a life coach and speaker helping moms navigate their next chapter after the kids leave home. Her book tour has started in Colorado.

Allie Hill spent 15+ years as a journalist, working for AP Radio in London, was the West Coast editor at Daily News Record, and is a certified DesireMap Facilitator for author/speaker Danielle LaPorte. She’s earned life coaching certifications from both The Life Coach School and Oprah's life coach, Martha Beck. Allie’s been featured on national television, is regularly interviewed on a variety of podcasts, and shares her knowledge in workshops and trainings throughout the United States. 

Becoming a life coach reinvigorated her entire life. She helps her clients who struggle with a loss of identity after becoming empty nesters, and assists them in finding a new life purpose. "This is my time," Allie says, and she helps others believe in themselves and pursue their new life chapters with joy, as well. "How do you want to show up in every situation?" Allie asks. We can set intentions for each thing that we do, every day, and maybe a bit differently when our intense periods of everyday parenting have ended.

Find out more about Allie on her website: ⁠https://alliehillcoaching.com/⁠

To order her book, The Girlfriends’ Guide to Empty Nesting:

Paperback:

https://www.amazon.com/Girlfriends-Guide-Empty-Nesting/dp/B0CQ1BWJXT

Kindle version:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQZCN6G6

Follow Allie on social media:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/alliehillcoaching 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alliehillcoaching

Feb 23, 202432:11
A Conversation with Rimi Chakraborty, Author of Beyond Resilience to ROOTsilience

A Conversation with Rimi Chakraborty, Author of Beyond Resilience to ROOTsilience

Rimi Chakraborty traded in the trappings of status, affluence and the insatiable desire for more, for true success -- living with purpose and meaning. When the traditional metrics of success and external validation became soul-sucking rather than soul-filling, Rimi left a successful career to pursue her dreams at the intersection of health, happiness and balanced living. Today, Rimi integrates her world class education, business acumen, and nearly 25 years of experience and certifications in yoga and meditation into leadership consulting, 1:1 executive coaching and transformational retreats. Rimi is the co-author of Beyond Resilience to ROOTsilience, released on February 14, 2024.

Her fantastic new book, co-authored by Functional Medicine Health Coach Samantha Anderson, provides ancient wisdom for modern leadership, addressing each reader's unique vulnerabilities and symptoms.

This book offers readers a guide tailored to individual needs, including:
-A revolutionary Rootsilience Leadership Map to recognize the interconnectedness of your leadership behavior and your emotional, physical, and mental signs of ease and dis-ease and integrate deep learning.

-Practical leadership exercises, healing foods and recipes, and go-to practices for movement and meditation that result in conscious leadership tools we all can use.

-Access to "Beyond the Book", an online platform for guided videos, resources and an online community sharing journeys to become a Rootsilient leader.

Online courses and retreats at Rimi's gorgeous retreat center in the Azores complement the book and its profound teachings. The authors have embarked on a book tour, currently focused on the northeast U.S.

Rimi holds an MBA from MIT Sloan, an engineering degree from the University in Pennsylvania and more than two decades of training and experience in yoga, mindfulness and energy healing. Rimi provides leadership development consulting that focuses on whole person health, fostering enhanced employee engagement, morale and general well-being. Rimi lives in the Azores, Portugal, at her lodge and learning center, where she leads transformational retreats and leadership workshops. Rimi shares deeply in this episode, discussing her challenging childhood, how she chased perfectionism while climbing the ladder of success, how she and her co-author bonded over the pandemic and birthed the Rootsilience book to help others who were stretched beyond their limits, and how she found her rootedness after she trusted her gut and honored her deep knowing. Learn more at www.rimichakra.com.

Find out more about her book Beyond Resilience to Rootsilience: https://www.rootsilience.com/

Follow on social media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/rootsilience

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rootsilience

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rootsilience/ Access the Leadership Map: https://www.rootsilience.com/f/the-rootsilience-leadership-map

Feb 16, 202434:07
A Conversation with Hanna Olivas, She Rises Studios Founder

A Conversation with Hanna Olivas, She Rises Studios Founder

Hanna Olivas is the CEO and Co-Founder of She Rises Studios, as well as an author and public speaker. Hanna was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has paved her way to becoming one of the most influential women of 2024. Her passion is empowering other women to become leaders.

Hanna also founded the Brave & Beautiful Blood Cancer Foundation. Her journey started in 2017 when she was first diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, an incurable blood cancer. Her terminal diagnosis led her to realize that life is "not a race, it's a journey," and sometimes a "tug of war," in trying to determine what she can and cannot control. She believes that each day we can wake up and "become something better than we were the day before," recognizing that we are our "only limits" in who we want to be, how we feel, and how we love and respond to life and to the people around us. She no longer engages in drama, but rather strives to become part of the solution, of the peace one can experience, by forgiving and loving unconditionally.

She Rises Studios, founded by mother-daughter duo, Hanna Olivas and Adriana Luna Carlos, is an Empowered Women's Multi-Digital Marketing Studio and Publishing Company dedicated to inspiring, educating and celebrating women navigating diverse challenges. She Rises Studios is a publishing and public relations firm for women entrepreneurs. Under Hanna's and Adriana's visionary leadership, the studio has created an environment where women uplift one another, fostering personal growth and resilience. She Rises Studios stands as a beacon of empowerment, championing the strength, education and fearlessness of women worldwide.

One of She Rises Studios' outlets is Fenix TV, available in 136 countries via Apple TV, Roku, the Fenix TV app, and other streaming services. Fenix TV has a library of empowering content on a wide range of topics by 100 TV hosts who deliver presentations akin to TED Talks, as well as broadcasts of festivals and summits. An upcoming documentary on Fenix TV will include the voices of 100 women across the globe speaking on how they view health, wealth and culture. Another is called "Empower Her," featuring everyday women seeking empowerment from other human beings, with a core value of collaboration.

Hanna's motto is to "unleash her" for good in the world. She has assisted clients in leaving their 9-5 jobs to earn seven figures as entrepreneurs pursuing their true life's callings.

"Every day you wake up and get to decide who you want to be," which, for Hanna, means giving to the world and her family and friends without expectations.

Learn more about this extraordinary human and her work at the links below: 

Website: https://www.sherisesstudios.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherisesstudios/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherisesstudios_llc/

YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNYFsDMtobMZFED0iXU_LkQ

LinkedIn:    https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-rises-studios/ 

Twitter/X:   https://twitter.com/sherisesstudios

Feb 09, 202433:30
A Conversation with Hazel Secco, A Financial Planner Who Empowers Women to Take Control of Their Financial Lives

A Conversation with Hazel Secco, A Financial Planner Who Empowers Women to Take Control of Their Financial Lives

Hazel Secco is the founder and CEO of Align Financial Solutions, LLC. She brings more than a decade of financial industry experience with a passion for advocating women’s financial wellness as a Certified Financial Planner and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). Hazel's mission is to empower women through education, enabling them to make informed decisions with confidence and clarity. Having experienced the financial and emotional strain of divorce in her family of origin, she became a CDFA to better understand and support her clients during this challenging transition. She prioritizes addressing women's holistic well-being by collaborating with other wellness practitioners and healthcare professionals.

Hazel's dedication to empowering women to take control of their financial lives is deeply personal. She successfully navigated her journey as a business owner, mother and wife, confronting personal challenges stemming from her cultural background and upbringing. Hazel, unafraid of vulnerability, shares her own experiences to uplift women facing similar situations. Her commitment to women's wellness, both as a mother and a female business owner, coupled with her collaboration with other wellness professionals, distinguishes her as a true pioneer in advocating for women from diverse perspectives.

Hazel's first "discovery meeting" with potential clients begins with an exploration of what is most important to that person. "I try to help a client determine what they want to secure for their financial futures, when they want to retire, when they might want to go back to work [if they were at-home parents] or if they want to change their career paths or go back to school," Hazel says. Clarifying such desires can inform how one should plan for divorce and separation of assets. "It is frightening for women who may not know where to start or what to do," Hazel adds. "Qualitative answers [to the questions I pose] can take a long time to answer." Hazel and her team can help alleviate financial concerns that are often attendant to what can be an emotionally draining process. "A CDFA is the first divorce professional one should reach out to so that you can understand your options," advises Hazel.

Hazel came to the U.S. from South Korea in 2010 to pursue her studies, graduated from University at Buffalo, SUNY with a BA in Psychology and remained in the New York/New Jersey area.

Hazel's company assists women with retirement planning, risk assessment, divorce financial analysis and investment management. Many of her clients come to her via referrals from collaborative divorce attorneys and therapists. I wish I had met her before I got divorced!

Learn more and follow Hazel at the links below:

Website: ⁠www.alignfinancialsolutions.com⁠

Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/alignfinancialsolutionsllc⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco/

Feb 02, 202429:54
A Conversation with Master Personal Trainer for Women Over 50, Elaine Reynolds

A Conversation with Master Personal Trainer for Women Over 50, Elaine Reynolds

Elaine Reynolds has been a Master Personal Trainer for more than 20 years. She teaches women over 50 to not give up or give into the seemingly crazy things happening to their bodies. Elaine hit an exercise plateau in her 40s and wondered if that was just the way things would be for her in midlife. She felt that yoga was not enough for her to keep her muscles toned. She started experimenting with 20-minute workouts that incorporated low impact cardio, power yoga and pre- and post-workout stretching, and found her Zen.

Her online programs, ZenStrength50plus and the ZenStrength50plus taste-test that she calls the Lengthen & Strengthen Your Body Program, give women a holistic and challenging way of training, with a planned system of body-shaping 20-minute online workouts and mindset shifting techniques. Elaine designs workouts that won’t wreck you but will give you toned muscles and flexibility. She maintains that working out is 80% mindset, so her workouts are layered with mindset training. "Intentional workouts," Elaine says, will build confidence and make one's body stronger and less achy. She encourages her clients to build positivity clues into their days to reflect their goals.

Twice Elaine has sold all of her possessions to follow her dream to be an expat. Eight years ago, at age 50, she had an epiphany and brought a one-way ticket to Bali! After stints in Italy, India, New Zealand and Australia, Bali now feels like home to Elaine. You can find her cycling through the villages of Ubud or at a cafe with a cappuccino in hand. Elaine appreciates the power of now. "Even a boring day can be a beautiful moment," Elaine declares with joy!

Learn more and follow Elaine: Website - https://corestrength50plus.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corestrength50plus/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/coreStrength50plus/


Try her freebie Hip & Glute Strengthening Sequence, with a bonus workout:  https://corestrength50plus.com/how-to-fix-a-flat-butt/

Feb 02, 202432:07
A Conversation with Siobhan Farr, Founder of Digital Nomads Beyond 50

A Conversation with Siobhan Farr, Founder of Digital Nomads Beyond 50

Siobhan Farr is the founder of Digital Nomads Beyond 50 ("DBN50"), which is a global resource network to inform and inspire location-independent aspirations for those in their late 40s+. As a community, DNB50 creates connections throughout the world with others who currently travel/work remote, are planning to, or are just curious about Digital Nomad life. She left her life in Dallas, Texas in 2020 to begin her nomad years. She was looking forward to adding new countries to the 34 she already had visited, but the pandemic locked her in the first destination of her six countries in six months itinerary. Her initial three weeks in Ecuador stretched into 13 months!

As a result, she pivoted her plans and became an "Unintentional Digital Nomad." Her search for others who were older "Location Independents" led her to become the "Spark Originator" of Digital Nomads Beyond 50.

Siobhan's personal experience growing her Urban MosaiX MeetUp to 1300+ members helped her in this endeavor. Siobhan grew up in beautiful Belize, then moved to Pennsylvania, where she lived with her Swedish American stepfamily on a dairy farm. She coincidentally married a Swedish American. They had a daughter together and later divorced. She settled in Texas, where one of her many jobs included a specialization in diversity training. She started Urban MosaiX initially to create social diversity for her daughter. She observed that, in Dallas, many people were working in diverse companies but that they did not appear to have opportunities to socialize together, for various reasons, including natural affinity for many to socialize with people similar to themselves. Siobhan created a safe space for people to socialize outside of their typical circles and to ask questions of those who differed from themselves, in the spirit of true understanding and strengthening community. DNB50's online community is thriving, with more than 4,000 members. Sixty percent of DNB50's members are either planning to work remotely or are simply curious; the other forty percent are traveling and working remotely. Siobhan turned to her previous profession in corporate Learning & Development to organize and present the DNB50 Virtual Summit to almost 300 participants in June 2021, which included 30+ topics presented by 28 experts.
In June 2022, DNB50 launched its first LifeMap CoLIVEwork Workshop in Medellin, Colombia. The focused yet fun retreat was aimed at explorer digital nomads planning to launch this type of life.

This May, DNB50 will host the 3rd Annual LifeMap and in late July DNB50 will host Connect CoLIVEwork for Experienced DNs. These are the first Digital Nomad CoLiveWork events specifically designed for older nomads!

See https://digitalnomadsbeyond50.com/2024-lifemap-colivework-medellin-colive-cowork-midlife-digital-nomads/ to learn more.

Siobhan is truly a HomeFree Digital Nomad. She has no permanent base; her home is wherever she lays her head on the pillow that night.  

From September to December, she returned to Dallas to assist with in-person Medicare and ObamaCare Annual Enrollment. The other eight months of the year, from various global locations, she served her clients via internet.

As a solo Digital Nomad in her 60s, and a woman of color, Siobhan wants to inspire others to banish the belief that it's too late for them to reinvent themselves. "Flip the page; the future is still unwritten!" she says.

One of Siobhan's tips: Try the Gratitude - Journal app, which allows users to include photos of vision boards and more when creating searchable gratitude lists.

Learn more at her website: https://digitalnomadsbeyond50.com/

DNB50's offerings also include a stellar podcast. Below are the top three DNB50 podcast interviews:

T•Mobile Radio Diaries 29m:03s
https://spoti.fi/3NiY6pY


She Hit Refresh 42m:48s
https://bit.ly/SHR-DNB50-Interview

The Radio Vagabond 31m:05s
https://bit.ly/TRV-DNB50-Interview

Jan 19, 202436:35
A Conversation with Erica Ginsberg, Author of Creative Resilience

A Conversation with Erica Ginsberg, Author of Creative Resilience

Erica Ginsberg is the author of the much-needed book, CREATIVE RESILIENCE, released on December 5, 2023, [https://www.ericaginsberg.com/books] and blog [https://www.ericaginsberg.com/blog], which help artists reframe the challenges of the creative process and creative life. The book features experiences of artists from a variety of disciplines, ages and backgrounds. Topics include motivation, self-confidence, blocks, rejection and balancing creative pursuits with the rest of life. CREATIVE RESILIENCE "is the book I was born to write," Erica says. It draws from her journey and those of others with whom she has worked, recognizing that the creative process is part of everything that we do, whether we are artists or not. In the book, Erica helps readers navigate their own creative processes. She encourages readers to think of their motivations behind their creative endeavors as a way to stay focused on why they choose to do what they do and to not allow discouragements and rejections derail creative projects. "Know what your best is, which is a spectrum [depending on various factors on a given day]," says Erica, "and continue to strive, while being realistic," as you move forward. She observes that rejection can be used as a form of feedback.

Erica has drawn on creativity in a variety of different roles: writer, documentary filmmaker, story consultant, and project manager. While working at the U.S. Department of State, she pursued her masters degree in film and video and co-founded the documentary film organization Docs In Progress [http://www.docsinprogress.org], serving as its founding executive director for more than a decade. Docs In Progress is thriving, but it took three years before its founders were able to pay themselves for their work. She also co-hosts The D-Word [http://www.d-word.com], a peer-to-peer global community for documentary professionals.

One of Erica's documentary film projects is called "Creative Feds," about musicians whose "day jobs" were working in federal government agencies. The film explores the ways these individuals balance their two careers and how having a creative outlet is essential and can feed all parts of a person's life.

In addition to working in the arts, Erica organizes professional development study tours to the United States for mid-career professionals from around the world as a Senior Program Officer with Meridian International Center. She finds joy in travel, painting (though she does not consider herself a painter), collage, reading, nature hikes and spending time with friends, family and her dog Lulu. Her goal is to always keep learning something new.

If you are in the Washington, DC area, come to Erica's book talk on CREATIVE RESILIENCE at Docs In Progress (8560 2nd Ave., Silver Spring, MD) on January 17, 2024 from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Learn more about Erica's work at ericaginsberg.com

Follow her on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/erica.ginsberg

https://www.facebook.com/erica.ginsberg

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericaginsberg/

Jan 12, 202435:02
A Conversation with Abundance and Light Activation Coach, Petia Kolibova Burns

A Conversation with Abundance and Light Activation Coach, Petia Kolibova Burns

Petia Kolibova Burns is an abundance and light activation coach. She grew up in the Czech Republic, lived all over the world, and joined this podcast from Las Vegas, where she lives with her husband and four-month-old baby girl. Petia grew up not feeling that she belonged anywhere. She "ran away from life, outsourcing her happiness," and suffered through decades of an eating disorder, despite the fact that she was winning fitness contests and was being told that she had the "perfect body." After discovering, honing and honoring her own gifts, she began guiding other women to intuitively connect with their inner visions so that they could experience personal and professional magnetism and become "unapologetically abundant." 

Her mission is to empower visionaries who are on the path to embodying their fullest self-expression. She helps others learn "to soulfully expand into a quantum leap in all dimensions of their lives."

Petia gives her clients clarity and steps to unlock their divine feminine and adopt an abundance mindset. Her approach as a business and life coach is holistic. Not only do her clients succeed financially, but they also create deeper healing and develop a new sense of self worth by working with Petia. Her mentorships typically last at least six months.

Petia offers free "abundance activation calls," which is her way of paying forward the blessings, growth and lessons she has learned over the course of her life. On January 24, 2024, women may join her "5 Steps to 5 Figures" one day masterclass, in which participants can learn "to create sustainable 5-figure income streams without burnout." Sign up here: https://bit.ly/5stepsTO5figures

For a free abundance activation call: https://petiakolibova.com/abundance-activation-process/

To learn more about Petia's work, go to her website: https://petiakolibova.com/


https://www.instagram.com/petiakolibova/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/unapologeticallyabundant/

Listen to her wisdom on YouTube or her Unapologetically Abundant podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/@AbundanceActivated

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-abundant/id1458932675

Jan 05, 202425:55
A Conversation with Nutritionist and Health Coach, Annie Gaudreault

A Conversation with Nutritionist and Health Coach, Annie Gaudreault

Annie Gaudreault teaches women in midlife how to feel great! This vibrant, wise, French Canadian made a huge pivot in her life when she left her 25+ year career as a brand consultant working with Fortune 500 company executives to serve the wellness needs of those living busy lives. Annie is a nutritionist and health coach, who founded VEEV Health & Wellness in Toronto, Canada, to support the needs of smart and successful individuals, giving them the confidence to do what they want to do, with the energy that they need. VEEV supports clients in the art and science of aging well.

"In my early thirties I had three different careers and was doing well professionally, but personally I wasn’t doing well and was totally burnt out, " Annie says. "Then I discovered running and became an endurance athlete in my late thirties, completing over 10 marathons and three long-distance triathlon Ironman competitions, all while running my business."

While marathoning and Ironman competitions may not be in the near future for many of us, Annie coaches her clients to make time for what matters to them. She was guided by someone who told her to take a look at the magazines she tended to buy which, for her, were all health and nutrition-related. So she got off of the corporate world treadmill and followed her passions.

"I took a total career shift and went back to school in my forties and am now a certified holistic nutritionist and founder of VEEV Health & Wellness," says Annie. "I help women in mid-life make sense of all the health and wellness information so they can make informed decisions and establish habits and systems that support their best health and best life and realize that some of their best years are yet to come."

Annie invites listeners to take on activities that align with who you are. Maybe we extroverts can start with dance as exercise, for example. Solo hiking may be more appealing for those who are more introverted. Her point is to start making healthy changes in our lives because we care about ourselves.

Annie also advises that we can stop judging foods as good or bad. While undoubtedly some foods provide more nutritional value than others, we can simply start to make better choices about what we eat. That will, in turn, make us feel more energetic.

Annie shared many pearls of wisdom and helpful information for those of us who need motivation, especially following holiday binges. Check out her beautiful website, veev.ca. You can start with her free offerings, which include an intial 30 minute complimentary session to explore your individual health challenges, or her 3-minutes-to-read newsletter that covers such matters as trends in nutrition supplements and how to make mindset shifts. Clients come to her for not only weight loss and nutrition, but also for help alleviating brain fog, joint pain, anxiety and depression through healthy habit changes.

She is a regular speaker to the media, corporations and lifestyle organizations on various health topics. You can learn more about and connect with Annie at:

veev.ca

https://www.instagram.com/veev_wellness/

https://www.facebook.com/veev.ca

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniegaudreault/

Email her directly at annie@veev.ca

Dec 29, 202332:26
A Conversation with Gail Marlene Schwartz, Author of Falling Through the Night

A Conversation with Gail Marlene Schwartz, Author of Falling Through the Night

Gail Marlene Schwartz is a relationship artist, musician and dual U.S./Canadian citizen. Gail uses her writing as a way to explore who she is and to connect with others. All of her writing has emotional resonance with her. My favorite line from our interview: "Mess and success can co-exist," she said, as she defined what she believes to be a healthy family, i.e., one whose members are willing to be introspective, create trust and be vulnerable with each other. She strives to become her best version by keeping a focus on her own choices in any situation, asking herself, "What can I do to grow?"

An award-winning author, Gail has penned a new Jewish, queer, coming-of-age novel that fearlessly explores the difficult topics of mental health, suicide and addiction. Inspired by her own journey with anxiety and healing from childhood trauma, “Falling Through the Night” (Demeter Press, Feb. 25, 2024) captures many of the growing pains of young, queer folks as they struggle to find their footing and independence in adulthood, to which much of Gail can deeply relate. In this episode and in her latest book, Gail touches on:

--How the story takes inspiration from Gail’s own relationship with her mother, her personal struggles with anxiety, and the suicide of her childhood best friend 

--The ways in which classification and labeling can be helpful and harmful in terms of mental illnesses 

--The importance of found family and how the LGBTQ+ community as a whole has redefined what it means to choose your family 

--The complex decision to put a child up for adoption or to adopt a child, and the trauma that can come with those decisions

--The representation of Judaism, a faith that Gail shares with her main character

Falling Through the Night is a deeply moving novel aimed to empathetically demonstrate the complexities when healing from trauma while also showcasing the joy and community of queer folks, topics that I think are in alignment with Becoming Your Best Version podcast listeners.

Gail is co-author of the books My Sister’s Girlfriend and The Loudest Bark (Rebel Mountain Press) and co-editor of the forthcoming essay collection, Boyhood Reimagined: Stories of Queer Moms Raising Sons (Motina Books). She is a founding editor of Hotch Potch Literature and Art, a collaborative online magazine, and also a freelance editor, writing coach, and writing instructor at the Community College of Vermont. Gail lives in Montpelier, Vermont with her partner, Erin; she spends every other weekend in Montreal with her ex, who is still her best friend, Lucie, and their teenage son, Alexi. You can read more about Gail, follow her or contact her at: ⁠gailmarleneschwartz.com

Twitter: @GSchwartzauthor

Instagram: @gailmarleneschwartzauthor

Email: gailmarleneschwartz@gmail.com

Dec 22, 202335:50
A Conversation with Gail Taylor, Canadian Songwriter, Entrepreneur and Advocate for the Power of Music to Inspire Change

A Conversation with Gail Taylor, Canadian Songwriter, Entrepreneur and Advocate for the Power of Music to Inspire Change

Gail Taylor is extraordinary! She found her purpose in midlife and found a way to build her finance career around that purpose. She then pivoted full time into a career helping others full time, using her passion for music and "superpower" of songwriting to help others meet life's challenges with grace and intention.

In this episode, Gail shares the story of her midlife reinvention, in which she traded a successful finance career to help others become their best selves. Her unique public speaking approach harnesses her songwriting talent to motivate and inspire. She became a songwriter at age 62, as well as a keynoter speaker, entrepreneur and passionate advocate for the power of music to inspire change. Her catalog of 13 published songs (produced and recorded in Nashville) draws from her life experiences and imparts invaluable messages, taking center stage in her speaking engagements. She considers songs to be stories, and she uses her powerful songs drawn from her personal experiences to help others re-write their own stories.

For the past 35 years, Gail has stood on stages and spoken about finance and socially responsible investing. Her journey began in the business world, where she honed her skills and expertise. She attained her Certified Investment Manager Analyst (CIMA) designation from Wharton University, acquired her MBA at Queens University, and underwent executive training at Harvard Business School, all while building a successful Investment Advisory practice. 

In the late 1970s, she embarked on a parallel journey, one dedicated to personal betterment and the art of setting and achieving goals. Then she started learning and playing the piano at age 58! Music flooded into her life, and she retired at 61 to begin studying music in earnest (including at Berklee School of Music--my son's alma mater). She reinvented herself as a musician. She is currently penning her second book, Curve Balls, which contains personal stories and tools to inspire folks to take action in designing their own lives. She started a kickstarting campaign (see below) to help her continue to get her messages out and be on stage in the empowerment world.

She observes that the Covid pandemic and opioid crisis presented both challenges and opportunities for people to consider reinventing their lives. Her primary speaking topics are mental health and addiction; empowering women, having worked in a male-dominated industry for most of her career; and tools for leveling up one's life. Her mission is to help as many people as she can to deal with life's curveballs.

You can learn more about Gail, support her and follow her work at the links below. Her current Kickstarter campaign (ending 12/22/23) will help her help others and includes clever rewards, like digital access to her upcoming book and the music that accompanies the book, an autographed copy of her book, having your name in her book, an inspirational pendant necklace (which include messages like "Be Your Own Wings"), public speaking discounts and private mentoring sessions with tools to uplevel your life. Gail will even write an acoustic custom song and create a photo video (at $1,000 off her customary price) for someone a donor loves, interviewing the donor and using personal stories to write the lyrics. Those who donate to the campaign can keep the rewards or gift them to others. Listen to this episode and be inspired!

Website: http://www.gailtaylormusic.com

Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gailtaylormusic/curve-balls-an-inspirational-book-speaking-circuit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/gailtaylormusic

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gailtaylormusic

TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/gailtaylormusic

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/gailtaylormusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1IpG4HEUG1OPL5bOtUgZhx?si=MG_ySn6aS0eHDO9-AKsaGQ

Speakers Bureau of Canada: https://speakerscanada.com/keynote-speaker/gail-taylor/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gailtaylor1/

Dec 15, 202330:41
A Conversation with Sally Jean Fox, Author of Meeting the Muse at Midlife

A Conversation with Sally Jean Fox, Author of Meeting the Muse at Midlife

Sally Jean Fox, PhD is the author of Meeting the Muse After Midlife (2023), a memoir about finding hope and meaning in the second half of life—particularly through creative expression. She is a writer, performer, artist, and coach who supports midlife-plus adults to shape their narratives about the future and design more artful and creative lives.

An engaging and dynamic speaker, Sally shares in a way that feeds the spark in others. She has helped hundreds of clients find their authentic voices, share their stories, and design their lives. Her long-running weekly Engaging Presence blog offers hope and inspiration to those who want to live meaningfully in changing times. Her "Vital Presence" podcast highlights those who are “Shaping the stories that are shaping the world,” with a focus on becoming more creatively expressive in the second half of life.

In her earlier career, Sally directed innovative leadership programs, both as a consultant and a university professor and department chair, training hundreds of professionals, from all walks of life, to lead with passion and presence.

She holds a doctorate from the Fielding Graduate University and an MBA from Yale.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Meeting the Muse After Midlife: A Journey to Meaning, Creativity, and Joy

Sally Jean Fox’s memoir about using creative expression as part of a path to hope and meaning in the second half of life offers readers a bold new narrative about aging, presenting the gifts and joys that can occur without sugarcoating possible hardships. Aging, Sally discovered on her journey, opens up great new possibilities for creativity when we let go of old beliefs about what we can and cannot do. Going far beyond concepts of “retirement” and “rewirement,” Sally offers her readers a way to authentically thrive creatively during their last, most precious decades.

Learn more at: EngagingPresence.com

Instagram:  @Sallyjeanfox   

https://www.instagram.com/sallyjeanfox/

LinkedIn:    @SallyJeanFoxphd

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyjfoxphd/

Facebook: @Sally.j.fox.1         https://www.facebook.com/sally.j.fox.1

Dec 08, 202332:55
A Conversation with Dr. Cathleen Brown, Revolutionizing Healthcare for Women in Menopause

A Conversation with Dr. Cathleen Brown, Revolutionizing Healthcare for Women in Menopause

Dr. Cathleen Brown, fondly known as Dr. Cat, is an incredible board-certified OB/GYN who is leading the charge at Winona, a company dedicated to revolutionizing women's health. Winona is committed to providing comprehensive support to women suffering from menopause-related symptoms. Their approach includes plant-based Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) treatment, compounding pharmacies, free bi-monthly webinars, and personalized online patient care and support groups.
Dr. Cat's journey in the field of women's health is remarkable. She served on army bases for 12 years, offering vital care to female soldiers and dependents of active-duty soldiers, an experience that has deeply enriched her understanding of the unique health needs of women. Dr. Cat has also been instrumental in educating fellow physicians in the realm of women's health. Currently, she serves as the site director and obstetric hospitalist at Chester County Hospital in West Chester, PA. All this, and she is a single mother of three children!
One of the unfortunate aspects of menopause is the stigma that sometimes surrounds it. Some women aged 45-55 (and 35-59 for perimenopause) carry feelings of shame connected to their menopause symptoms, which can be wide-ranging and debilitating. These symptoms may include weight gain, anxiety, depression, low libido, hot flashes and mood swings.
To provide much-needed support, Dr. Cat actively participates in hosting biweekly Winona Webinars, where she answers questions and addresses concerns about menopause symptoms and treatment options. She also participates in Winona's quarterly-themed webinars that address women's issues. In addition, she co-moderates a membership-free support group on Facebook called Winona Women, which boasts an engaged community of more than 8,500 members.
Dr. Cat covers:

  • The challenges of parenting while dealing with menopause
  • What current neurology and brain science say about menopause and its related symptoms.
  • Shame around low libido resulting from vaginal atrophy, anxiety, and depression, and how this affects female relationships with their partners.
  • How Winona's unique approach to HRT and compounding pharmacies is better supporting women struggling through menopause.
  • How the digital transformation of healthcare is helping to support patients more effectively.

Dr. Cat helps to break down barriers surrounding menopause, empower women to seek help (even online--check Winona's free visit offering on their website) and promote a more compassionate understanding of this crucial phase in a woman's life.

Learn more and connect at:

https://bywinona.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bywinona
https://www.instagram.com/bywinona/

https://www.tiktok.com/@bywinona
https://www.youtube.com/@bywinona
https://www.pinterest.com/bywinona
https://twitter.com/by_winona

https://www.reddit.com/r/Winona

Dr. Cat’s IG: @drcatobgyn

Dec 03, 202334:21
A Conversation with Keli Carpenter, Founder of Therapy for the Soul

A Conversation with Keli Carpenter, Founder of Therapy for the Soul

I feel so blessed to have met Keli Carpenter! Keli helps so many embrace the ebbs and flows of life, including its messiness. "The ultimate act of love," Keli says, "is to embrace this moment" and to "see someone in their wholeness." She observes that every human wants to be seen, held and loved, and she helps people access this ability, holistically, and with conscious support.

Keli is a gifted healer, who is based in British Columbia, and conducts retreats and other healing offerings in Canada, Mexico and Europe, both online and in person. Keli started practicing transcendent meditation at the age of six, following the lead of her mother who was a seeker. Keli could feel the pain her mother was carrying and how it impeded her mother's ability to love and be loved. Keli used transcendent meditation to heal herself. She was able to pass the healing gifts of meditation to her three adult children, who range in age from 19 to 24. She now trains other healers, and focuses a good part of her practice on healing other mothers.

Keli is a Chopra Center Certified Transcendent Meditation (PSM®) Instructor, Conscious Relationship, Uncoupling and Parenting Coach and Conscious Connected Breathwork Facilitator, Mentor and Trainer. Keli is also a published author, has professionally studied with Gabor Maté and is the founder of both The Other Side of Average – Therapy for the Soul and the TOSA Method. Keli has trained, mentored and guided more than 100 breathwork facilitators and organized and supported five breathwork retreats/graduation training events. 

Keli's commitment to conscious living has allowed her to raise three beautiful children with mindfulness, overcome limiting self-concepts, heal her body of disease, and accomplish pain-free childbirth. Pain-free childbirth! She shares in this episode how she was able to do that, and offers expecting moms a resource to access the wisdom in their bodies.

With well over 25 years of both meditation and somatic healing experience, her gift is in holding sacred space and helping clients learn and master the three most essential tools that help align us with our soul’s purpose — one's essential nature and the truest expression of one's self — all while healing and transcending past resentments and stories that have kept us stuck and in pain. It is then that we experience the miracles and fulfillment of life in every moment and embody the presence to hold safe space for others to evolve beyond their story. 

Keli’s philosophy is not to become your guru or healer but rather to hold the space needed for you to bring light to your darkness, helping you awaken the power you already have.

Keli speaks about breaking cycles of trauma; how every challenge has a gift with it; where trauma and consciousness meet; the utility of different types of meditation; therapy for the soul; mental emotional patterns that can fall away; imagining a world where moms are held; learning how to transform her own mental and emotional patterns and reclaim her voice; and the impact on children when their mothers are able to access their compassion and inner wisdom.

It is never too late, moms out there, to do the work Keli offers. In fact, Keli's work is primarily with mothers and training other facilitators/therapists. As Keli says, "No matter what your age, think of how you would feel if your mom became more compassionate and was able to truly see you? What impact would that have on you?"

Learn more:

https://theothersideofaverage.com 
https://www.instagram.com/theothersideofaverage/ https://www.facebook.com/theothersideofaverage https://www.youtube.com/@TheOtherSideofAverage

Nov 24, 202340:01
A Conversation with Rachel Freiman, CEO of MindStrong Fitness

A Conversation with Rachel Freiman, CEO of MindStrong Fitness

Rachel Freiman wants to reveal the truth about health, fitness and the bullsh*t that is holding us back. She wrote the Amazon bestseller, Becoming MindStrong (#1 on Entrepreneur.com's Must Reads of 2021), and is the CEO of MindStrong Fitness. Rachel invites us to stop cutting carbs and giving up our favorite foods, while showing us how to hit weight loss goals eating the foods we love. Rachel demonstrates how to fire up our metabolism at any age.

Her website is filled with testimonials and before and after photos from some of the more than 2,500 women she has helped get fit. One liked Rachel's approach so much that she joined Rachel's team as a coach. This woman says, "I went from post-menopausal grandma to now living as the healthiest version of me, physically and mentally!"

Rachel was a professional jazz trumpet musician in New York City, and then a middle school science teacher in South Florida (she is a self-professed science nerd), until she married her love of fitness, science and teaching to start MindStrong Fitness. The more she learned about the fitness industry, the more the teacher in her was flabbergasted. She felt that most weight loss programs were designed to keep people in the dark about the science involved. "The world needs an educator in this field," Rachel said, "not another personal trainer." She designed a science-based approach that has helped clients lose pain, gain energy and definition, improve their sleep and skin tone, and feel great, using the neuroscience of nutrition, which she learned primarily from a Princeton University neuroscience professor.

Rachel has certifications in personal training, sports nutrition and behavior modification. She is passionate about helping others unleash their strongest, most empowered selves through education and mindset training. Rachel laughs that hers is the worst sales pitch in the world: You only need her services once. Hers is an education-based company that teaches nutrition as a lifelong skill, and helps women discover what their individual bodies need. She employs the neuroscience of habits, helping clients form new neural connections in their brains that lead to intuitive, healthy eating. She developed MindStrong Fitness with an inside-out approach, to focus on both physical and mental attributes in building healthy, sustainable habits.

Rachel's podcast, Becoming Mindstrong, includes episodes that discuss such matters as living life in alignment. "Life will always happen around us, much of which is out of our control," Rachel observes. "So, how do we stay in our center no matter what's going on around us? We're digging deep into my top five steps for living life in alignment...no matter what."

When she’s not in the gym, Rachel enjoys exploring the world, snuggling with her puppy, Charlie, eating and thinking about the next time she'll be eating.

Learn more:

Website: https://www.mindstrongfitnesscoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindstrong/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindstrongwomen
Podcast: Becoming MindStrong
Book: Becoming MindStrong: The Truth About Health, Fitness, and the Bullsh*t That's Holding You Back

Nov 17, 202336:01
A Conversation with Podcast Coach, Chelsea Riffe

A Conversation with Podcast Coach, Chelsea Riffe

Chelsea Riffe is an industry-renowned Podcast Coach, helping creatives, coaches, and entrepreneurs launch, grow and monetize their podcasts. She blends her 10+ years of digital media, content marketing, and storytelling expertise to find the golden ticket strategy for her clients. Chelsea offers one on one coaching and classes to uplevel one's creative endeavors.

She's also a full-time digital nomad and hosts the top-rated podcast "In My Non-Expert Opinion," covering the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, the fun and chaos of travel, internet culture, and the mindset B.S. we all go through. The podcast has garnered over 150k+ downloads and continues to grow each week.

Chelsea shares some valuable tips on this episode for podcasters and social media influencers. Her dynamic personality and offerings sparkle in numerous ways, and will make you want to learn more. Although she has many interests and talents, she continually works to stay true to herself.

For all the spiritual peeps - she's an Aquarius Sun, Virgo Moon, Virgo Rising and Reflector in Human Design - meaning her genius lies within finding innovative, out-of-this-world ideas, and bringing them into reality through practical action and detailed planning.

You can catch Chelsea on a flight, working at a local cafe, or running her podcast weekly! She joined us to record this show from the U.K.! Learn more at https://www.chelseariffe.com/

Listen to her podcast, In My Non-Expert Opinion on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-my-non-expert-opinion/id1309417352. In it, you will find tips on podcasting, travel, beauty, lifestyle and more. She is a true pro, and entertaining, too!

Follow Chelsea at https://www.instagram.com/chelseariffe/

Nov 10, 202334:32
A Conversation with Fitness Consistency Expert, Kelly Howard

A Conversation with Fitness Consistency Expert, Kelly Howard

Kelly Howard is the Fitness Consistency Expert with a touch of Adventure and the author of FIT: Active & Ageless for Life (2023). For more than 25 years, Kelly has helped thousands of women prioritize their fitness so they can feel great and have more fun in this second half of life. She invites women to adventure out of their comfort zones by trying new experiences. Her Fit is Freedom Podcast, coaching, online courses, and retreats have changed the lives of thousands of women. She’s a frequent guest on podcasts and television, and the creator of the FOX TV Outdoor Houston Adventure series. She currently calls Houston, Texas, home but can often be found kayaking rivers and traveling trails worldwide.

Kelly believes that "the miracle is the movement." She asserts that mobility is even more important than any stretching. If we stay active now and mobile now, we are likely to have greater ability to move as we age.

Kelly helps people determine why they want to get fit, which leads to more commitment. For example, when a client said she wanted to to look good at her daughter's wedding, Kelly asked why that was important to her. The client wanted to feel better about herself and had not in a long time. Kelly helped her find her why, and the client successfully reached her fitness goals.

Kelly's own goal is to live very well for as long as she can. For her, that means doing the things she loves without having to have people take care of her. She was the caregiver for her best friend, her mother, who took up karate in her 50s and lived into her 90s. Kelly wants to thrive for as long as she possibly can, and she helps others do the same.

Kelly launched the SuperFIT initiative on November 1! It provides two months of support, community, accountability and coaching during the holiday season to keep people on track, but not feel like they are under the thumb of a taskmaster. Learn more at ⁠https://fitisfreedom.thrivecart.com/superfit-special/⁠⁠

Kelly encourages us to start, re-start and start small, if necessary. Make a plan every week, or it may be too easy for life to get in the way. I was inspired and will start this Sunday!

Kelly graciously offered our audience free access to her ebook: https://fitisfreedom.thrivecart.com/ebook/⁠ 

Learn more at FitisFreedom.com.

Follow Kelly at the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/kelly.howard.790/ (personal profile)

https://www.facebook.com/FITisFREEDOMNow (public page)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/kellyhoward (private group)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-howard-fitisfreedom/

https://www.instagram.com/fit_is_freedom/

Nov 03, 202337:17
A Conversation with Healthcare Visionary, Laura Widney

A Conversation with Healthcare Visionary, Laura Widney

Laura Widney is the visionary behind Soaak Technologies, a healthtech company dedicated to transforming well-being through innovative digital solutions. As the Chief Information Officer of Soaak, Laura brings her passion for personal growth, holistic wellness, and the power of sound frequencies to the forefront. With a deep understanding of the transformative potential of mind-body connections, Laura has curated a range of scientifically proven therapies to help individuals reduce stress, increase energy, and achieve optimal vitality. Drawing from her own experiences and journey towards holistic well-being, Laura is committed to empowering individuals to unlock their full potential and lead happier, healthier lives.

Soaak Technologies is an AI-enabled health-tech company using a "whole-person" approach to help reduce stress, decrease anxiety, and boost energy. Soaak grew out of a holistic clinic specializing in sound frequency therapy and has provided over 15 million minutes of sound therapies in 133 countries. The Soaak mobile app contains 30 unique sound frequency compositions tried, tested, and true as an effective holistic therapy method. Each sound therapy composition has been uniquely designed with a layered frequency approach that took five years to develop. For 8+ years, Soaak's team of esteemed medical doctors, holistic practitioners, and seasoned in-office therapists have used all 30 compositions during their time in-clinic. The company just locked a Phase 1 contract with the U.S. Air Force to use their sound frequency therapies for pilot's overall wellness, focus, and more. Sound therapy can be used for anxiety, improved sleep, stress relief, focus, mental clarity, cardiovascular health, accelerated learning, digestion support, headache and migraine support, sexual health, PMS support, memory support, mood boost, and more. Ninety-five percent of Soaak's users say the technology has improved their lives in positive ways.

To learn more and to read reviews:

https://www.soaak.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DailySoaak

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailysoaak/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soaak/

Oct 27, 202328:49
A Conversation with Roberta Kuriloff, the Author of Framing a Life

A Conversation with Roberta Kuriloff, the Author of Framing a Life

Roberta S. Kuriloff is a speaker, community activist, former attorney and the author of Framing a Life: Building the Space to be Me (She Writes Press, July 18, 2023). With humor and poignancy, her memoir takes readers along an inspiring journey of self-discovery as Roberta finds that home is less a physical place than an intrinsic sense of self, an unshakable foundation of the heart and soul. She also published “Everything Special, Living Joy, Prose and Poems to Inspire,” and a short story she wrote, “Unearthing Home,” was published in Yellow Arrow Publishing Journal. An essay called ‘Musings on the Word Atonement’ was published in “Art In The Time of Unbearable Crisis; Women Writers Respond to the Call” published by She Writes Press June 2022.

As a child living in an orphanage, Roberta dreamed of being Superman’s daughter flying above Earth to save the world’s disenfranchised children, or being the Pied Piper leading the other kids back to their family homes. In later life, her legal work centered on families in emotional and financial crisis. She is a founding member of two domestic violence projects as well as an elderly services organization, and was a hospice patient-volunteer and bereavement workshop facilitator. In between her community work, she makes time to enjoy her passions for writing and dance.

In Framing a Life, Roberta explores how those losses shaped the woman, lawyer, and activist she’d become. As she cleared land, hammered nails, lifted beams, and shivered in her rented mobile home, the answers came to her. Roberta’s journey of self-discovery is truly inspiring as she finds that home is more than just a physical place; it’s an intrinsic sense of self, an unshakable foundation of the heart and soul.
Roberta speaks about:

  • How writing letters to her departed mother in her journal brought her clarity and comfort during times of intense grief
  • The concept of “home” and how that idea has evolved for her over time – from spending part of her childhood in an orphanage to learning the true meaning of togetherness, family, caring and security
  • Pursuing an uncharted spiritual journey, and how she found solace after losing loved ones
  • How we fit into our cultural and religious ancestry
  • Understanding how we look at life – half empty or half full

Find out more about her at www.RobertaKuriloff.com.

Follow Roberta at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobertaKuriloffAuthor/ Twitter: @RKuriloffAuthor

Oct 20, 202326:25
A Conversation with Arab-American author, Kathryn K. Abdul-Baki

A Conversation with Arab-American author, Kathryn K. Abdul-Baki

Kathryn K. Abdul-Baki was born in Washington D.C. to an Arab father and an American mother. She grew up in Iran, Kuwait, Beirut and Jerusalem where she attended Arabic, British and American schools. She attended the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, has a BA in journalism from George Washington University in Washington D.C., and an MA in creative writing from George Mason University, Virginia. As an astute observer of two distinct cultures, she has published five works of fiction, some of which have been taught at universities in multicultural literature, women’s studies and Arab studies departments.

Kathryn worked as a journalist and features writer for an English weekly newspaper in Bahrain before devoting her time to writing fiction. Her published works include a collection of short stories, Fields of Fig and Olive: Ameera and Other Stories of the Middle East, and four novels, Tower of Dreams, Ghost Songs, Sands of Zulaika and A Marriage in Four Seasons. She won the Mary Roberts Rinehart award for short fiction, and her novel, Sands of Zulaika was a finalist for the Ariadne Prize. (She has also published in journals such as Confrontation, Shenandoah Review, Phoebe, Union Street Review and WorldVision). Her books are taught at universities in Multicultural Literature and Arab Studies departments and she is a frequent lecturer at universities and schools on these subjects. Universities where she has lectured include Georgetown University, Mary Washington University, University of Virginia, Sarah Lawrence University, Tufts University, New York University, Grand Rapids Community College, University of Southern Maryland and St. Mary’s College, Maryland.

Kathyrn released in September a new memoir that reflects on love, loss, renewal and overcoming devastating early trauma through music, dancing and the devotion of the strong American and Arab women in her life, called Dancing Into the Light: An Arab-American Girlhood in the Middle East. Kathryn’s new book weaves together stories about her bicultural upbringing with an American mother and a Muslim father from Jerusalem (Her family moved from Washington, D.C., to the Middle East when she was very young). Set against the backdrop of the early American presence in Iran under the Shah, and the burgeoning years of Kuwait’s early oil boom, Dancing into the Light is Kathryn’s memoir of a life disrupted by tragedy. But instead of derailing her life, her mother’s death opened the door to deeper love and support from other places within her family. Kathryn discusses:

  • Growing up immersed in disparate cultures, navigating cultural mores and values of two very different societies
  • How people of diametrically different cultures and faiths can coexist in harmony when there is tolerance and respect for the other
  • Dispelling stereotypes of Arab women and misconceptions about Middle Eastern cultures
  • Life as a bicultural person in the Middle East – Kathryn’s mother was a Southern woman from Tennessee and her father was a Muslim from Jerusalem
  • How she has seen Kuwait, Jerusalem and other parts of the Middle East change politically, socially and historically over her lifetime
  • Experiences with grief at an early age, and how she found solace following the deaths of her mother and younger brother
  • Overcoming devastating early trauma through music and dancing

Ms. Magazine said of Kathryn’s work: “Her politics are feminist, her theme is human ethics, and her writing is finely honed.”

She has three children and resides with her husband in McLean, Virginia. She loves to dance and teaches and performs Argentine tango in the Washington, DC area.

Find out more about her at ⁠www.KathrynAbdulbaki.com⁠.

Oct 13, 202332:25
A Conversation with Dr. Gala Gorman, "Super Woman" Status Achiever

A Conversation with Dr. Gala Gorman, "Super Woman" Status Achiever

Dr. Gala Gorman is a licensed Acupuncturist, Naturopath and Author who offers practical advice and programs for people who are experiencing health issues resulting from chronic stress. She helps women relieve their symptoms, restore their energy and reclaim their "Super Woman" status. Dr. Gala advocates for getting to the root cause of the health issue and treating it naturally. She focuses on helping people learn to be their own health advocates. In her latest book, What's Your Kryptonite? Manage the Toxic Stressors Threatening Your Super Woman Status, she encourages readers to become their own PCP - Primary Care Person. Her advanced techniques "reverse the clock" on aging. She provides concrete steps for alleviating stress (check out her website, as well. to sign up for her newsletter that explains her suggested methods and provides tips for healthy living).

Dr. Gorman speaks on issues that affect the health and well-being of high-achieving "super women." She touches on how stress turns toxic, common sources of what she refers to as "Kryptonite," mistakes women make managing health symptoms, why detoxification is important but also risky, and easy ways to manage toxic stressors. She says that dis-ease escalates into disease, so we must pay attention to it.

To learn more:

WEBSITE    https://drgala.com/            
FACEBOOK    https://www.facebook.com/drgalagorman/            
LINKEDIN    https://www.linkedin.com/in/galagorman/            
YOUTUBE    https://www.youtube.com/@DrGalaGorman            
INSTAGRAM    https://www.instagram.com/drgalagorman/            
TWITTER    https://twitter.com/DrGalaGorman            
TIKTOK    https://www.tiktok.com/@drgalagorman 

Oct 06, 202331:21
A Conversation with Nicole Holst, Intuitive Life Purpose Coach

A Conversation with Nicole Holst, Intuitive Life Purpose Coach

Nicole Holst is an Intuitive Life Purpose Coach who helps busy women develop the confidence to take the leap and pursue what really lights them up to fulfill their true soul purpose. A small-town California girl with big dreams, Nicole turned four of her childhood passions into profitable businesses in New York City doing what she loves.
She combines 20+ years of coaching experience in the physical, mental, and spiritual health fields as a Certified Pilates Instructor, Mental Health Professional, and Spiritual Advisor into her coaching programs for a unique mind-body-soul approach.
Since 2005, Nicole has assisted thousands of people from all walks of life with making powerful transformations to fulfill their highest potential. She has assisted with rebuilding the lives of severely mentally ill homeless people from the streets to permanent housing, helped heal/relieve chronic pain in her Pilates clients by uncovering the root cause of their physical symptoms, and provides consistently validated readings to her repeat tarot clients release what’s holding them back. She even has created and produced sold out off-Broadway shows!
Nicole consistently empowers others to make powerful, soul-affirming changes in their lives. Her mission is for women to create the intentional lives their souls are craving to experience more freedom, ease, and fulfillment every day by living life on their terms.
Learn more at
www.followyoursoulpath.com/
Book a free 30 minute "get unstuck" strategy call with Nicole at app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/52895
Follow Nicole on Instagram: @followyoursoulpathcoaching
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/followyoursoulpath
Sep 29, 202330:52
A Conversation with Kelly Robinson, Successful Business Owner, Entrepreneur and Podcaster

A Conversation with Kelly Robinson, Successful Business Owner, Entrepreneur and Podcaster

Kelly Robinson is a senior real estate broker and founder of The Kelly Robinson Team. She has been selling residential real estate in New York City since 2005 and will be expanding to Miami in 2023. 

She and her team are consistently ranked in the top 1.5% of real estate agents and teams nationwide by the WSJ.

Ms. Robinson’s unique approach is supported by an extensive background that spans multiple sectors of the industry including resales, new development projects, investor, and buyer representation.

This multifaceted knowledge continues to foster her sharp negotiation skills, consistently leading to record-breaking prices and loyalty amongst clientele. She specializes in working with high-profile individuals across the sports and entertainment sectors and is very protective of the need for discretion. Ms. Robinson is a part of Compass’ selective Sports and Entertainment Division as well as REALM Global - an invitation only network of the top .5% of residential real estate professionals worldwide.

Other niches include rebranding previously unsold properties, consulting on layouts and finishes for both new construction and private home renovations, and staging, and advising cooperative boards on how to increase value in a market that favors condominiums.

Kelly holds a BFA from Rutgers University’s highly selective Mason Gross School of the Arts and furthered her education at NYU. She has won numerous awards, are NYRS and CNE designated. She is also co-founder of the EJR Scholarship Fund.

Her video podcast, Kelly Minds Her Manors can be watched on YouTube or listened to on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you like to listen to podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kelly-minds-her-manors/id1670324552

An entrepreneur at heart, she is also in the process of launching her first e-commerce start-up in the pet products industry. In her free time, Kelly enjoys staying active, traveling, and spending time with her two rescue dogs, Seamus and Fiona.

Kelly can be found on Instagram at @kellyrobinsonnewyork and @kellymindshermanors. Also, check out her website, kellyrobinsonnewyork.com.

Sep 22, 202329:56
A Conversation with Style Coach and Blogger, Kim Hancher
Sep 15, 202328:08
A Conversation with Katie Bramlett, Founder of WeShape
Sep 08, 202329:36
A Conversation with Melissa Giberson, Finding Her Authentic Self at Midlife

A Conversation with Melissa Giberson, Finding Her Authentic Self at Midlife

Melissa Giberson is a native New Yorker who identifies as a late bloomer, a highly sensitive introvert, and proud mama bear to two children. An occupational therapist and writer, she has published articles in Kveller, Dorothy Parker’s Ashes, and Highly Sensitive Refuge. She received an Honorable Mention in the Memoirs/Personal Essays category of the 91st Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition and her essay, “Art is the Antidote,” appears in the anthology, Art in The Time of Unbearable Crisis (June, 2022). Melissa’s debut book, Late Bloomer: Finding My Authentic Self at Midlife (She Writes Press) came out August, 2023, and has received much advance praise. It was named one of LQBTQ-Read's top books for Jewish American Heritage Month. Melissa is living her authentic life with her partner and their two cats. Together, they split their time between New Jersey and Provincetown, Massachusetts.

According to Melissa: "My motivation for writing Late Bloomer was born of the many times someone told me that my story was helpful to them. Early in my journey, women who were on the other side of their own journey showed up to help me and I want to do that for others as well. Writing a book enables me to reach more people. I hope readers come away from reading my book with the knowledge that they’re not alone – whether they’re just starting their journey or on the other side and hearing a story that resonates and validates their experience. I want people to know that there is an 'other' side."

Find out more at her website, https://melissagiberson.com/

Facebook: @MelissaGiberson Twitter: @LateBloomer823  Instagram: @Melissagiberson031 Linkedin: Melissa Giberson


Sep 01, 202328:43
A Conversation with Kym Wootton, Who Shows Us How to Take a Midlife Gap Year
Aug 25, 202336:37
A Conversation with Visionary Educator, Emmy Rousseau

A Conversation with Visionary Educator, Emmy Rousseau

Emmy Rousseau, Visionary Educator, is the founder of Trinity Transformations and the Holistic Healing Hub. She empowers changemakers, especially educators, to go from feeling flat to in flow, so that they can create the change in the world they were born to make. 

Emmy is passionate about helping others realize that putting themselves first is selfless, not selfish. She is here to help us see how filling ourselves up first helps us serve not only ourselves, but also the world best. She does that through a combination of movement and mindset.

Her accolades include: Bestselling author, Speaker Slam Certified Gold Inspirational Speaker and 2021 Grand Slam finalist. She co-created and co-hosted Amplifying Voices: Mental Well-th and the Never Give Up Summit. Emmy was the winner of the 2022 PARO Pitch competition, was awarded Top 3 in the She Did It! Pitch Fest, Top 100 in the 2022 Total Mom Pitch, and was a finalist for the Universal Women’s Network™ 2022 Women of Inspiration™ Awards. 

Emmy is a certified teacher of 22 years turned educational consultant, transformational speaker, activist, fitness instructor and co-author of the book, Our Yellow Brick Road: An Anthology of Humans Who Believe in the Impact of Storytelling (Life to Paper Publishing (2022).

Emmy loves speaking to educators and other changemakers at schools, conferences, summits, retreats, and on podcasts like this, to share her teachings and learnings. 

Emmy’s pillars in life and business are joy, gratitude and love. Learn more and follow Emmy:

https://www.trinitytransformations.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/transformwithemmy/

https://www.youtube.com/@transformwithemmy

https://www.instagram.com/transformwithemmy/

https://www.facebook.com/transformwithemmy

https://www.tiktok.com/@transformwithemmy

Aug 18, 202329:24
A Conversation with Christine Jacobsen, Author of Dancing Around the Truth, A DNA Discovery Journey
Aug 11, 202327:37
A Conversation with Health and Wellness Coach, Author and Podcaster, Stephanie Wolfe

A Conversation with Health and Wellness Coach, Author and Podcaster, Stephanie Wolfe

Stephanie Wolfe holds credentials from the National Board of Medical Examiners as a Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She holds a Master Certification in health and nutrition and she served on the staff of the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute as a mentor coach, content writer, and Exam Prep Facilitator for those studying to take their board exam. She is an Approved Provider for Continuing Education for Board-Certified coaches around the world through her TheCoach2coach.com programs, offering coaches turn-key resources and providing consulting for coaches of all certifications. Stephanie is a small business owner in private practice in Gwinnett County (the 2nd largest county in Georgia) where she is has won the “Best of Gwinnett” award the past five years for her work as The Whole Food Health Coach, LLC, now in its ninth year. Her advanced training, professional education, and personal experience have made her a proven leader in her field. She is a creator of a variety of curricula that is making it possible for individuals to reach their health and wellness goals in record numbers.

Stephanie is a two-time cancer-survivor, health fanatic, lover of lake time fun, Harley-rider, and even holds a Commercial Driver’s License. She and her husband, Jack, were high-school sweethearts and have been married for 49 years. She has two grown sons and two daughters-in-law and is “Nana” to her three amazing grandchildren.

She is the creator of the weekly podcast, Work Well with Stephanie Wolfe. Stephanie is an author, speaker, trainer, and coach for major companies, law firms and government entities in the Atlanta area.

Stephanie accomplished 60 new things in her 60th year! She worked at a ranch and did a cattle drive in Colorado for one of them. Go, Stephanie!

Learn more and follow Stephanie at the links below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniejowolfe/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-whole-food-health-coach-llc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholefoodhealthcoach

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieWolfeMinistries/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/wholefoodhealthcoach?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Website: https://wholefoodhealthcoach.com/

Website: https://www.thecoach2coach.com/

stephanie@wholefoodhealthcoach.com

Aug 04, 202329:16
A Conversation with Lawyer Turned Writer, Debbie Russell

A Conversation with Lawyer Turned Writer, Debbie Russell

Debbie Russell is a lawyer turned writer. She spent twenty-five years as an Assistant County Attorney in Minneapolis, prosecuting numerous high-profile cases and fighting off several nervous breakdowns. At age fifty-five, Debbie took early retirement, giving up a full pension for the freedom of time. She now spends that precious time writing, restoring her property to native prairie and wetlands, and training her rambunctious retrievers.

Debbie’s first published article appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune in 2001. After that small triumph, her writing focused primarily on legal briefs and memoranda, which were consigned to district court files. Debbie resumed creative writing in 2014 when she began her storytelling blog, sharing personal stories and professional experiences that have touched her life in a significant way. 

In 2021, Debbie completed her first full-length story entitled Crossing Fifty-One: Not Quite a Memoir, which will be released in June of 2023. It is a compelling book, containing themes involving family dynamics, generational threads, recovery and redemption. It is available everywhere.

Learn more at https://debbie-russell.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087237481086

https://www.instagram.com/debbiesstories/

https://twitter.com/DebbiesStories

Jul 28, 202332:32
A Conversation with Amber James, Author of "I Blew Up My Life, and I've Never Been Happier"

A Conversation with Amber James, Author of "I Blew Up My Life, and I've Never Been Happier"

Amber James is an author, speaker, and former redcarpet reporter. Her work has been featured prominently in CNN, MTV, and Us Weekly. Now, she channels her storytelling prowess into empowering women globally with her wildly popular Instagram @NotesToSelfShop and corresponding 30-day journal, Notes to Self, as well as her courses and other offerings. She currently resides in Pittsburgh with her dog, Penny Lane.

Amber's latest book, I Blew Up My Life, and I've Never Been Happier, is described as follows:

"To the public eye, Amber James is living the dream. She is engaged to be married, boasts a six-figure salary, and spent the last decade interviewing the hottest celebrities in New York City. Yet beneath this dazzling facade, Amber wrestles with crippling perfectionism, a toxic relationship, and an insatiable ambition that leaves her deeply unsatisfied.

As Amber teeters on the brink, a whirlwind of life-altering events - a global pandemic, a devastating loss, and a terrifying health scare - sweep her off her feet and force her to re-examine her life. Amber is presented with a life-altering question: Is she living to fulfill her happiness, or is she merely adhering to a checklist of success manufactured by societal expectations and settling?

In her emotionally raw and unflinchingly honest memoir, Amber takes readers on an inspiring journey of courage, self-discovery, and transformation as she musters the bravery required to forge a road toward genuine joy. It’s a poignant tale that reminds us that sometimes, it’s only by letting go that we find the true path to happiness."

Connect with Amber: http://www.notestoselfshop.com Instagram: @NotesToSelfShop amber@notestoselfshop.com


Jul 21, 202326:05
A Conversation with Bonnie Marcus, Award-Winning Entrepreneur and Executive Coach

A Conversation with Bonnie Marcus, Award-Winning Entrepreneur and Executive Coach

Award winning entrepreneur, Forbes contributing writer, and executive coach, Bonnie Marcus, M.Ed., assists professional women to successfully navigate the workplace and position and promote themselves to advance their careers. She is a leading expert in gendered ageism in the workplace. Her latest book, Not Done Yet! How Women Over 50 Regain Their Confidence and Claim Their Workplace Power, shines a light on this issue and gives women the tools and the voice to defy ageist assumptions to stay marketable and keep their job. With 20+ years of sales and management experience, Bonnie’s extensive business background includes CEO of a ServiceMaster company and VP of Sales at Medical Staffing Network and two others national companies in the healthcare and software industries. She has held executive positions in startup companies and Fortune 500 companies. Bonnie started her corporate career at an entry-level position and worked her way up to the top of a national company. Her passion is now to help other women embrace their talent and ambition and step into their full potential and workplace power. Bonnie shares her message globally through speaking engagements, live and virtual workshops, blogging, and her popular podcast, Badass Women at Any Age. Bonnie’s first book, The Politics of Promotion: How High Achieving Women Get Ahead and Stay Ahead, provides a roadmap for women to navigate the complexities of the workplace and position themselves for success. A certified coach, Bonnie has been honored by Global Gurus as one of the world’s top 30 coaches in 2015-2022. She has been acknowledged as one of the top 100 keynote speakers in 2018 by Databird Research Journal.

Bonnie received a BA from Connecticut College and a M.Ed. from New York University. Bonnie’s website is www.BonnieMarcusLeadership.com. She can be reached by email at Bonnie@BonnieMarcusLeadership.com and on Twitter and Instagram @selfpromote. Read her articles on Forbes at www.forbes.com/sites/bonniemarcus. Her podcast, Badass Women at Any Age is available on all podcast outlets. Learn more:

www.BonnieMarcusLeadership.com

Social media links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/self_promote_/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniemarcus/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/selfpromote

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonnie.marcus

Jul 14, 202327:53
A Conversation with Author and Thyroid Health Expert, Elle Russ

A Conversation with Author and Thyroid Health Expert, Elle Russ

Elle Russ is a #1 bestselling author, world-renowned thyroid health expert and thought leader on confidence and self-esteem.  Elle has written for Entrepreneur and has been featured in Success, HuffPost, Podcasting Magazine, Mind Body GreenPrevention and more.

Elle is the author of the successful book, Confident As Fu*k, for which she offers a free online class and a longer class for a fee, as well. She also wrote The Paleo Thyroid Solution, a book which has helped thousands of people around the world reclaim their health, based on her own personal health challenges.  A second edition is being developed. She also shares her experience with thyroid issues, and solutions she found, in a free thyroid masterclass, as well as an ultimate thyroid masterclass. She is also a TV-Film writer and the screenwriter of the award-winning documentary film, Headhunt Revisited. She holds a degree in Philosophy from The University of California at Santa Cruz.

Elle has been coaching people all over the world in a variety of areas for over a decade.  She is also the host of The Elle Russ Show, a weekly show intended to inspire, motivate and educate. Elle has been podcasting for eight years with more than 500 guests and 20 million downloads.

Elle offers affordable online courses and free masterclasses. Visit ElleRuss.com to learn more.

Learn more about Elle's work at the links below:

WEBSITE

https://elleruss.com

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/_elleruss/

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/elleruss

LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elleruss/

TWITTER

https://twitter.com/_elleruss

Jul 07, 202334:17
A Conversation with Author and Self-Care Organization Founder, Marsha Parcou

A Conversation with Author and Self-Care Organization Founder, Marsha Parcou

MARSHA PARCOU is a businesswoman based in the Seychelles Islands, who is on a mission to empower women from all walks of life to grow through all forms of self-care. As the founder of Fasinasyon, she has created an inspiring complete packaged lifestyle brand that promotes a healthy and holistic approach to the body, mind and soul through a range of services: life coaching, beauty and skincare products.

Accredited by the Health Coach Institute, USA , she coaches using International Coach Federation (ICF) tools and exercises whilst delivering her own unique framework for transformation. She provides the support, structure and strategy to permit the beautiful journey of your personal growth.

She is also co-founder of Chatterbox Café located at Eden Plaza, the most instagrammable café, and by far the most well-established coffee shop brand and business on Mahe Island, Seychelles. Under her belt, she also has 10 years of experience in tourism marketing management having worked for Seychelles Tourism (then known as the Seychelles Tourism Board).

"Today, my mission in life is to empower as many women as I can to shine their truest light." says Marsha. "In 2022, I launched Fanm Fasinasyon (Fanm is the Seychellois Creole word for Woman) – a community for women to laugh, cry and grow together. I’m excited to see this blossom, and invite you to join! Remember that together, we are more resilient."

"Your life is an ever-unfolding story, not one that already has a predetermined ending," Marsha asserts. "Who you've always been and who you've been shaped to be does not have to be who you become."

Becoming a Fanm Fasinasyon, My Journey, available on Amazon, is her first biography/self-help book. It includes how she overcame her battle with obesity, the pain of her broken marriage, and challenges in business and in life.

Follow her Instagram pages:

@fasinasyon

@marshaparcou

@chatterboxsey

For more on the author and her services:

www.fasinasyon.sc

Contact her by email at:

marshaparcou@yahoo.com

Jun 30, 202325:45
A Conversation with Katie Fogarty, Creator of a Certain Age Podcast

A Conversation with Katie Fogarty, Creator of a Certain Age Podcast

KATIE FOGARTY is the host of A Certain Age, an age-positive podcast that helps listeners live their best evolving midlife and that celebrates women who are aging out loud. She is also the creator of the Instagram community AGE OUT LOUD that spotlights women reimagining midlife. A former journalist turned career coach, Katie’s day job helping executives create strong LinkedIn profiles has taught her that not everyone is up for owning their age. She created A Certain Age to shift the dated narrative that aging makes you irrelevant. Katie launched ACA at age 50, and the show now has listeners in 6,081 cities across 127 countries and has a Listen Score ranking that puts the show in the top 1.5% of all global podcast downloads.

"Frank, funny interviews with great guests that go straight to the heart of issues facing women. A gold mine of ideas, emotional support and self-discovery. I feel like I’m part of the conversation at the best dinner party imaginable." -- Apple Podcast Review

A superfan of second-acts and career evolution, Katie has worked as a TV news writer, for global PR firms, on Capitol Hill, and as an English teacher in Japan. Her coaching company, The Reboot Group, has helped 2K+ executives from Fortune 500 companies grow through better career stories. A New Yorker by birth, Katie now lives on Long Island with her husband, three kids, and pandemic puppy, Lilah.

To become her best version, Katie tries new things. She allows herself to be uncomfortable to open herself to new learning. She puts herself in new spaces and is being rewarded with new connections, perspectives and opportunities.

Learn more at:

https://www.acertainagepod.com/

https://www.therebootgroup.com/

Follow her work at:

https://www.instagram.com/acertainagepod/

https://www.facebook.com/ACertainAgePod

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiefogartymedia/

Jun 23, 202331:51
A Conversation with Reinvention Rebel, Wendy Battles

A Conversation with Reinvention Rebel, Wendy Battles

Cybersecurity Awareness expert at Yale University by day, Wendy Battles pursues her passion for celebrating, illuminating and elevating midlife and older women, by night. As the host of the Reinvention Rebels podcast, Wendy interviews brave and unapologetic women, 50-90 years young, who have reinvented themselves later in life to see new possibilities. From traveling solo around the world with a carry-on bag at 60, to running in global marathons at 71, to launching a modeling career at 72, these women are boldly making their dreams a priority and reality. Wendy shines a light on the notion that we can reinvent ourselves at any age or any stage and is helping to disrupt limiting beliefs about the value of aging women in our society. At 58, Wendy is a Reinvention Rebel herself, having reinvented herself many times during her life, including as a management consultant, voice actor and health coach. Her most recent reinvention as a podcast host is by far her most rewarding. Along her journey of greater self-awareness, she has learned the art of living on purpose and embracing life with more joy, ease and trust.

Connect with Wendy:

Website: https://reinventionrebels.com/

Social media channels:

Instagram: @ReinventionRebels

Twitter: @RebelsReinvent

Facebook: Reinvention Rebels

LinkedIn: Wendy Battles

Jun 16, 202331:21
A Conversation with Author and Food Security Advocate, Melissa Kaplan
Jun 09, 202327:60
A Conversation with Psychotherapist, Addiction Specialist, Coach and Founder of Reinvent Impossible, Beverly Glazer

A Conversation with Psychotherapist, Addiction Specialist, Coach and Founder of Reinvent Impossible, Beverly Glazer

Beverley Glazer MA, CCC, ICCAC, is a psychotherapist, internationally certified addiction specialist, coach and founder of Reinvent Impossible Inc., a personal development company that educates, coaches and empowers adults 50+ who’ve experienced life transitions that left them feeling powerless, to get grounded and focused, and develop new possibilities built on their strengths. After 30 years in private practice, helping people through traditional therapy, she turned her attention to coaching, supporting and creating programs for women 50+, who’ve had an extreme wake-up call, to unlock their potential, renew possibilities and carve a clear pathway to the future with grace and ease. She’s a clinician, coach, speaker, educator, writer, entrepreneur, former talk-radio host and the originator of The Reinvention Formula TM, a surprisingly easy coaching system combining scientific knowledge with down-to-earth wisdom, which provides the tools and support to bounce back with resilience and move forward with grace and ease. Her podcast, “Aging with Purpose and Passion,” is aligned with her mission, that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and become who you’ve always imagined.

Learn more at the links below:

Website:  https://reinventimpossible.com

Podcast: Aging With Purpose & Passion https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/aging-with-purpose-passion/id1562514982

Facebook:  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/aging-with-purpose-passion/id1562514982

Facebook Group: WomenOver50ROCK https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenover50rock

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleyglazer/

Jun 02, 202329:32
A Conversation with Author and Childhood Trauma Educator, Lynn Crook
May 26, 202332:39
A Conversation with Online Media Entrepreneur, Cielo Solis

A Conversation with Online Media Entrepreneur, Cielo Solis

Cielo Solis, who immigrated from Peru, is a former TV journalist turned online media entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of BLENDtw, a media company focused on producing content that fosters human connection. She has built multiple businesses that earn more than seven figures.

Disappointed by the lack of diversity in news coverage, Cielo decided to quit her job in television and make a change in the media industry by launching a website focused on grassroots journalism. She married her love of storytellng with considerable journalistic skills. That is how Blend (blend the world) was born. She also launched a production company and provides an online mastermind class for building successful websites. Other online courses are being developed as well.

BLENDtw has grown to become one of the most popular sites among people in Gen Z in America. The publication reaches more than 1 million readers per month. The company has expanded into a digital marketing agency and production company. Cielo has been featured on Forbes, The List, ABC News, Medium, Thrive Global, NBC News, Fox, CBS News, and many other outlets.

Cielo likes to push her boundaries and expand her comfort zone. She believes that everything that we do, especially things that are scary for us, strengthens our confidence.

Learn more at her website:  https://blendtw.com/

Social Media Channels:

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/cielojsolis/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/cielojsolis

Tik Tok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@cieloschoice

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/maricielosolis/

Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@cielojsolis

May 19, 202332:35
A Conversation with Ashley Tresoline, Chef, Educator and Health Advocate

A Conversation with Ashley Tresoline, Chef, Educator and Health Advocate

Ashley Tresoline is a personal chef who has shared her love of health and wellness through food for more than nine years. After living with multiple sclerosis for a decade plus, Ashley discovered the power of clean eating and knew she had to share it with her community. Her expertise has allowed her to educate all age levels, from 4-100, on the value of healthy, organic, seasonal food and its impact on overall health, both individually and in group settings.
As host of Food For Life, a new show on E360tv, Ashley captures the joy of food and how it is woven into our lives. She shares inspiring stories of wellness through food, tips & tricks in the kitchen, and delicious recipes to help you in your own food healing journey.  Ashley also is a regular guest on Mass Appeal, a local lifestyle talk show in Western Massachusetts. She has been featured on various media outlets such as Pioneer Valley Communities and The Rhode Show, and has been a contributing writer for Business West and Health Care News.
Ashley is an educator for Greenfield Community College, where her courses are sell-out successes. She is an active member of the community, running virtual workshops for local organizations, such as the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield.


The passion Ashley has for her craft is unparalleled and her clients can attest to her enthusiasm and dedication. She believes that health starts from the inside out.

Follow Ashley and learn more:

Instagram: @bellafoodie7

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/bellafoodie

Website: www.bellafoodie.net

May 12, 202330:46
A Conversation with Erin Washington, Motivational Speaker, Author and Founder of the Blue Butterfly Foundation

A Conversation with Erin Washington, Motivational Speaker, Author and Founder of the Blue Butterfly Foundation

Erin Washington is a motivational speaker, podcast host, author and former college athlete who struggled with weight and body image for 20 years. She finally found her best body at 37 after having two kids. Erin promotes a balanced lifestyle of “Squats and Margaritas” and offers tips and motivation to women who are working out but not seeing results. Erin, who lives in Atlanta, hosts the wildly popular Squats and Margaritas podcast and recently founded the Blue Butterfly Foundation, a non-profit that provides mentorship for teen girls struggling body image, self-worth and other issues. The Blue Butterfly Foundation Inc. is creating a network of strong women sharing personal stories of triumph to inspire and empower teenage girls. Erin's second book, From Pain to Purpose: Finding Meaning in the Mess was born into the world this week! Available on Amazon or by order everywhere.

Learn more at https://thebluebutterflies.org/

https://squatsandmargaritas.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-washington-627a608/

Instagram: @Erin.Washington_

Podcast: Squats and Margaritas (available on multiple platforms)


May 05, 202330:01
A Conversation with The Mind Whisperer, Dawna Campbell

A Conversation with The Mind Whisperer, Dawna Campbell

As a featured expert in media, Dawna Campbell is known as The Mind Whisperer combining her past knowledge as a Financial Advisor with her wisdom of the subconscious creation of money to increase your revenue 25% or more consistently. With more than 25 years of combined professional experience, Dawna empowers you to infinite prosperity for a life of happiness, prosperity and love.  She is a professional speaker sharing the stage with Sharon Lechter, Mark Victor Hansen, Lisa Nichols, Dr. Joe. Vitale and Bill Walsh.  She has been featured in more than 300 media outlets, including NBC, Yahoo Finance, ABC, Fox News, Roku TV and the Los Angeles Tribune. She is a monthly contributor to Best Holistic Life Magazine and Your Success E-Magazine, as well as being on the cover of Soeleish Magazine, Los Angeles.  Dawna also is the Lead Trainer at The Mentors Studio, with Michael Silvers (T. Harv Eker) and Mary Glorfield (Tony Robbins's EVP of 18 years).  Dawna shares her techniques during interactive workshops and maintains an international private practice. Her personal heart centered healing approach is to create a world that is a better place for all to live.

Dawna has an international private practice where she assists her clients creating a life of happiness, prosperity and love; a professional speaker sharing her techniques; and a best selling author.  To learn more about Dawna, visit https://dawnacampbell.com or follow her on social media. 

Dawna, who lives in Montana, advocates for spending time outside. It serves as a rejuvenation tool for her.

To learn more about The Mentors Studio, https://thementorsstudio.net 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawnacampbell811
Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/msdawnacampbell
LinkedIn: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DawnaCampbellOfficial
Youtube: https://youtube.com/dawnacampbell

Apr 28, 202326:09
A Conversation with Jen Berlingo, Thought-Leader, Coach, Guide and Author on the Midlife Transition
Apr 21, 202328:18
A Conversation with Self-Empowerment Author, Teacher and Coach, Kelsey Aida

A Conversation with Self-Empowerment Author, Teacher and Coach, Kelsey Aida

Kelsey Aida is a bestselling author and transformation facilitator who helps women manifest their dream lives and love themselves deeply through the process. She is the author of more than five personal development books, including #ActuallyICan, Affirmations for Happiness, Letters to the Universe, My Pocket Guide to Manifestation and Self-Love for the Modern Woman. She also helps people via her international retreats, 1:1 coaching, online courses and the popular spiritual podcast “High Vibin’ It.” When she’s not transforming people's lives, you can find her enjoying some hot yoga, feng shui-ing her new home or charging forward in the sun. Visit KelseyAida.com to start aligning with your highest self today!

After healing herself from three long years of chronic depression, with her mindset alone, Kelsey wanted to share what works (and what does not) to help others experience their life to the fullest.  Now she teaches thousands of people around the world through her podcast, coaching, books and retreats how to raise their vibration, feel better, love themselves fully, heal their emotions and manifest their deepest desires.

Learn more at KelseyAida.com and @KelseyAida.

Apr 14, 202330:31