Qin (“Ching”) Sun Stubis was born in the rubble of a Shanghai shantytown during the Great Chinese Famine, which killed some 50 million people. She was left alone in her crude bamboo crib for two years while her parents worked to scrape together a few coins each day for their daily handful of rice. Growing up, she and her sisters were at first ignored by the rest of the family for being “worthless” girls, and later shunned as political pariahs when their honest father was imprisoned for speaking out against the injustice he saw around them.

Despite extreme poverty, Qin pulled herself up by reading forbidden books and winning admission to one of China’s most prestigious universities, graduating with a degree in English and English Literature. With the help of a U.S. Senator, she emigrated to the United States to further her studies and has sought through her writing to build greater understanding between Eastern and Western cultures and underscore our common hopes, dreams and struggles. 

Qin is a writer, newspaper columnist, and author of the award-winning book, Once Our Lives, the true story of four generations of Chinese women who struggle to survive war, revolution, and the seemingly unshakeable power of an ancient Chinese superstition. The book, which has been named a best read by Ms. Magazine, Glamour Magazine UK, GRAND Magazine and Readers’ Favorite, and won the Nellie Bly Award for Journalistic Non-Fiction, takes the reader on an exotic journey filled with real stories of luxurious banquets, lost jewels, babies sold in opium dens, kidnappings by pirates and political persecution – seen through the eyes of a man for whom the truth would spell disaster and a lonely, beautiful girl with three identities.

For the past 17 years, she has been a newspaper columnist, exploring the rich legacy of Asian culture and the common links we all share. She has just completed a novel and also writes poems, essays, short stories and original Chinese tall tales inspired by traditional Asian themes. Qin has published more than 200 works in such media as The New York Times, USA Today, The Santa Monica Star, GRAND Magazine, Lotus Magazine, Paper Dragon and Mochi Magazine, and speaks to audiences around the world about writing and the need to strengthen the bonds of understanding and humanity that connect us all. You can find out more about her and her book, Once Our Lives, at www.QinSunStubis.com.  

Learn more and follow Qin:

o   Website: www.QinSunStubis.com 

o   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qinsun.stubis

o   Facebook Fan Page "Once Our Lives by Qin Sun Stubis"

o   Instagram: instagram.com/qinstubis/

o   Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/22904309.Qin_Sun_Stubis 

o   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/qin-sun-stubis-5977011a/

o   YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVLYagaq5R6LPHGn3fsxOVA

o   Amazon: Amazon.com: Once Our Lives: Life, Death and Love in the Middle Kingdom (60) (GWE Creative Non-Fiction): 9781771837965: Sun Stubis, Qin: Books

Aishah Iqbal is a first-time filmmaker and marketing executive who directed the award-winning film, #whitehairdontcare: A New Era in Beauty. The documentary challenges ageism in the beauty industry. With 15+ years in global analytics and advertising, she blends storytelling, strategy and social impact to empower women to embrace their natural aging process. The film explores the question: Who gets to define beauty?

Aishah is a highly accomplished and results-driven Analytics & Data Operations leader with 15+ years of experience spearheading transformative initiatives for global organizations—most recently leading Global Analytics Operations for Google via Media Futures Group (EssenceMediacom). She brings proven expertise in designing scalable data strategies, automating complex workflows and nurturing high-performing, globally distributed analytics teams. Her passion lies in aligning data operations with business objectives to unlock efficiency, enable faster decision-making and deliver measurable ROI.

Throughout her career, she has partnered with C-suite and EVP-level leadership to drive operational transformation across organizations, evolve team capabilities and lead impactful change management initiatives. She thrives in environments that demand both strategic vision and practical execution.

Outside of work, she is the proud mother of a wonderful daughter who helps her prioritize the invaluable intangibles in life. She is deeply committed to creative storytelling and personal growth—sharing her journey and learnings as a filmmaker, writer, blogger and podcast contributor.

In this episode, we talk about how she became a filmmaker, using TikTok and Reddit to float ideas, how to deal with online hate, single motherhood, ageism and more. She embraces her graying hair and is helping all of us learn to embrace our own choices, which may include natural aging.

Website (for the film) - www.whitehairdontcarefilm.com

Social Media links - 

https://www.instagram.com/aishahiqbal/

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

https://www.instagram.com/whitehairdontcarefilm/

TikTok: @grayloxx

Lynda Samphire is a highly intuitive transformational coach -- a trusted guide for those ready to explore their gifts, creativity and inner wisdom. Fueled by the loss of her mother at a very early age and a lifelong fascination with human behavior and the mystical, Lynda’s journey has been shaped by a profound commitment to inner exploration and self-healing. The more whole she felt the more she desired to support others on their path toward emotional freedom, inner clarity, stress relief and creative flow, which led to certifications in Psychology and Metaphysical Science, Reiki, Energy Psychology, Earth Medicine Mentoring, Transpersonal Hypnotherapy and ICF Coaching.  

Lynda blends her strong intuitive insights and deep spiritual wisdom with structured expertise and practical tools to facilitate and support transformational growth and deep remembrance. Microdosing for stress and creativity, guided dream and sleep work, breathwork and embodiment practices, light language and a variety of trauma-informed, spiritually aligned techniques are central ingredients to the alchemy she facilitates. She provides these intentional pathways for transformation in 1-2-1 and group settings, immersive retreats and through online courses. 

Lynda lives with her husband in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys hiking, yoga and connecting with nature.

In this episode, we discuss: 

From Stuck to Flow - Lynda's journey out of high-functioning anxiety and depression into deep thriving 

Walking on the Sovereign Edge - How exploring liminal spaces opens doors to divine wisdom 

When Ego Dances with Heart - How to embrace the polarity of human life  

Remembering Who We Are - Connecting with our true nature through microdosing 

Nightly Messengers – Tapping into our sleep wisdom through unlocking our dreams

Learn more: https://www.lwsamphire.com

https://www.instagram.com/lyndasamphire/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndawsamphire-301903260/

https://www.facebook.com/lynda.weavercarrougher

Princella Seymour’s thirty-year career has solidified her as a preeminent expert on solutions for the aging community. The heartbeat of her mission is love, family and dignity. As a national advocate for revolutionizing elder care and transforming confusion into clarity, she has served as Vice President of the 120,000+ member National Association of Social Workers and as well as a part of the Aging Life Care Association.  

Her new book, Everything You Need to Know About Me, is born from decades of experience witnessing the heartache and confusion families face when trying to honor their loved ones’ wishes without having the necessary information.  It is available on Amazon.

As CEO of Complete Elder Solutions, Princella has helped thousands. She and her team ensure that families never have to navigate the complexities of aging alone and provide personalized solutions that honor the dignity of every individual.

Princella has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree in social work from Florida International University. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Strategies for funding long-term care, including insurance options and personal savings.

• Emotional decisions about whether to age in place, move to assisted living or choose other healthcare facilities.

• Ways to avoid common estate planning pitfalls, like conflicts over inheritance, the importance of an updated will, durable power of attorney and healthcare directives.

• How to prevent financial exploitation and scams targeting seniors.

• How families can approach difficult conversations about aging, healthcare and financial matters with their senior loved ones.

• Planning ahead by investing in assurance programs to provide access to a team of experienced Care Coaches who work to assess, plan, arrange, coordinate and monitor services to meet the special health care needs of seniors.

  Learn more:

  Complete Elder Solutions https://www.completeeldersolutions.com/

  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CompleteElderSolutions#

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

  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/complete-elder-solutions/

Barbara With, age 70, is an international peace activist, award-winning author, composer, performer and workshop facilitator. She has authored six nonfiction books on metaphysics about her research as a psychic channel who works with a group called the “Party,” headed up by Albert Einstein, whom she is able to channel with her intuitive gifts.

She also is the co-founder of Conflict REVOLUTION®️, a revolutionary way to resolve conflicts of the psyche as a pathway to global peace, based on this work channeling Einstein. She is currently on a World Peace Tour, seeking the participation of the “willing” to take part in a Worldwide Nonviolent Action to End the Age of War, using Conflict REVOLUTION®️ to make peace within as a pathway to global peace. Conflict REVOLUTION® (Con REV®) is a transformative process that empowers you to resolve inner conflicts, practice self-love and make conscious decisions for the greater good, ultimately fostering peace within yourself and extending to your relationships, communities and the world.

Barbara teaches a course on how to channel and does psychic readings. A new class starts each month.

Follow Barbara and learn more:

https://www.youtube.com/barbwith
https://www.instagram.com/psychicsorority/

https://www.facebook.com/barbara.with

https://barbarawith.com/

https://synergyalliance.llc/

https://barbwith.com/

Conflict REVOLUTION™️ Challenge
https://barbarawith.com/conflict-revolution-challenge/

Books
https://synergyalliance.llc/books/

Conflict REVOLUTION™️ Laboratories
https://barbarawith.com/courses/

Music
https://barbarawith.com/music/

Readings
https://barbarawith.com/readings/

If you mention that you heard Barbara on this show, she will extend any half hour readings to full hour readings! Book a half hour on her website for some direction and inspiration.

Stephanie Benedetto is a transformative coach, storyteller and (Un)Marketer who helps visionary creators build the projects and businesses that make them come alive, without hustle or hype or endless social media. With over two decades of experience in internet marketing, sales and transformation work, Stephanie brings both creative fire and playful magic to her clients. Her coaching combines deep listening, curious questions and strategic simplicity to uncover the joyful truth at the heart of your work and bring it to life in the world.

She’s a community catalyst, former million-dollar business owner, certified Supercoach and creative writing nerd and self-proclaimed “Queen of the Shitty First Draft.” She believes business is a game you can play by your own rules…and dragons make great teammates.

In 2017, Stephanie began a personal Surrender Experiment (from Michael Singer's book) that led to leaving her loving marriage, two homes and a business, co-founded with her husband, that had made over $1 million in online sales, to travel and live as a digital nomad. She reinvented her life again in 2023 by immigrating to Portugal.

Crazy, wild ideas for creating "impossible" things are a driving inspiration, but she's equally happy sitting in silence with a new friend or singing to a plant. You'll probably find her near a beach, pole dancing, attending or inventing interactive transformational experiences online and off.

​​​​​​​From the Algarve coast of Portugal to St. Petersburg, Florida, Stephanie mentors clients around the world and invites them into her LoveinAction and IMPACT communities.

Learn more and follow Stephanie:

Website - https://www.theawakenedbusiness.com
Daily Wildspire Emails - https://www.theawakenedbusiness.com/wildspire
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierbenedetto/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StephBenedetto

Heike Yates is a Midlife Fitness Expert, speaker, podcast host and author of Pursue Your Spark. She helps midlife women build strength, energy, and confidence through fitness, nutrition and mindset strategies that fit real life—no extremes, just habits that last.

After leaving the 9-to-5 grind and moving to Washington, D.C., Heike found her spark through fitness. What began as a personal transformation turned into a lifelong mission. She lost 50 pounds after her first pregnancy and rebuilt her life as a single mom, raising two kids on just $300 a month. Fitness became her lifeline—grounding her through life’s toughest seasons.

In 2010, she developed Pilates with Resist-A-Ball, a joint-friendly, strength-focused program designed for individuals who want to feel strong without experiencing pain. With certifications in Pilates, strength training and nutrition—and real-life experience as a bodybuilder and Ironman triathlete—Heike brings over 35 years of lived and professional expertise to the women she serves.

In 2012, she founded Pursue Your Spark, a mission-driven brand that helps women in midlife reclaim their energy, confidence and joy. She’s also the host of the Pursue Your Spark Podcast, where she shares real talk and practical tools to help women stop spinning their wheels and finally thrive.

Heike believes midlife isn’t a breakdown—it’s a breakthrough. Through simple, sustainable strategies and personalized support, she helps women feel strong, energized and fully themselves again.

Learn more and follow Heike:

Website: https://heikeyates.com/

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

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heike-yates/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQIeOesGLGAOD5RhI2KYjcA

Podcast - Pursue Your Spark: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pursue-your-spark-midlife-fitness-nutrition-mindset/id1231586317

Book - Pursue Your Spark: https://amzn.to/4mD5xL7 

Evelyn Kelly is a 90-year-old writer, speaker and teacher who lives in Ocala, Florida. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida, a master’s degree in religion and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tennessee. Her education and interests are diverse. Her undergraduate studies included microbiology, English and history. Evelyn has written 22 books on such topics as Stem Cells and a two-volume encyclopedia of Genetics. Evelyn has taught at four universities. She speaks and writes on history and travel topics, including a popular series called Armchair Adventures. She says her most lucrative writing was in her 60s and 70s.

Natalie Kelly, a resident of Tallassee, Florida, is a writer and Chief Executive Officer of a state organization.  She holds an M.S. in Communications from Florida State University and a B.S. in Visual Arts and Communications from FSU, which includes a concentration on art and art history. She has worked in government affairs for 35 years, including being the youngest female director in the Florida Senate, Director in Washington, DC, state CEO and public relations and lobbying firm owner. She writes op-eds for newspapers and speaks on a variety of topics.

Evelyn and Natalie are a mother-daughter travel and writing team. They have traveled to seven continents, 89 countries (and counting) and 50 states. Evelyn's goal is to travel to 100 countries before age 100. At 90 she shows no sign of slowing down!

Their book, Have a Love Affair with Travel: Your Ticket to an Exhilarating Life, will ignite your wanderlust and inspire you to live a life enriched by world travel. Their vibrant narratives will spark your sense of adventure and equip you with a step-by-step guide for seamless travels. Evelyn's favorite place she has traveled is the U.S. Have a Love Affair with the U.S.A. will be the duo's next book.

Learn more:

travelersatheart.com 

evelynkellyphd.com 

https://www.facebook.com/natalie.kelly.5439

https://www.facebook.com/evelyn.b.kelly.5

https://www.instagram.com/nataliekellytravelersatheart/

Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming grew up experiencing happy birthdays, disappointing birthdays, and downright terrible birthdays until she turned twenty and realized making her birthday happy was entirely up to her. She wrote How To Have a Happy Birthday: Create Meaning, Fulfillment and Joy on Your Special Day to help people find deeper meaning and joy on their birthdays too. Tamar and her book have been featured on NPR for her "invitation to experience the transformative joy a birthday can provide." Tamar draws upon more than thirty years of observation and experience to provide an insightful exploration into why birthdays matter, why they can be hard for many of us, and what we can do to fully put ourselves in the center of our day.

In this episode, we talk about why our birthday can be the most powerful day of the year, why celebrating our birthdays matter, why we sabotage our birthdays, how embracing our age helps us live better lives, how we can prepare for our birthdays, why we might buy ourselves a birthday gift, how we can support others in celebrating their days, how we can craft our birthday wish to maximize its manifesting potential, creating a birthday altar for yourself or another person and more. Tamar, who is also a painter, joined us from San Francisco.

Learn more and follow Tamar at:

https://howtohaveahappybirthday.com

https://www.facebook.com/Author.Tamar/

https://www.instagram.com/author.tamar/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamar-hurwitz-fleming-a7885515/

Hendrika de Vries is the author of the award-winning memoir When a Toy Dog Became a Wolf and the Moon Broke Curfew, a historical memoir about her childhood in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam during WWII that tells a gripping story of resistance, resilience and female strength in the face of brutality and oppression.

Her current memoir, Open Turns: From Dutch Girl to New Australian — a Memoir (She Writes Press, Sept. 2, 2025 ), is its coming-of-age sequel. Henny was just a little girl when she experienced brutal violence and hunger in WWII Amsterdam. But she is now a teenage immigrant swimmer in 1950s Australia. She is smart, she swims fast and she has definite opinions about the
kind of woman she intends to be––all of which serves her well in her new home, where she must learn to turn challenges into success.

Her parents’ wisdom continues to guide her. “Intentions are like prayers; you send them out into the universe and if you pay attention they come back as destiny,” her mother says. And when she walks in the bush with her father, his
reverence for the mysteries of nature helps Henny hear the timeless Australian Land speak and see the Southern Cross as a beacon.

She enjoys swimming fame and championship victories, but throughout her coming-of-age years, she is also faced with memories, fears and dashed hopes and dreams. Time and again, she dives into the pool to find her own strength and sense of belonging––until, finally, she begins to see more clearly her unique path ahead.

Hendrika’s life experiences have infused her work as a therapist, teacher and writer. After surviving the trauma of WWII, she and her family emigrated to Australia when she was thirteen years old. As a migrant girl in 1950s Australia, with a fierce determination to succeed and a desire to belong, she faced and overcame unforeseen challenges. She earned her place as a South Australian state swimming champion, worked as a secretary to the Chief of Staff of a major newspaper’s Editorial Department, married the paper’s editorial cartoonist and became a young wife and mother.

She moved to America in the nineteen sixties, where her husband won the Pulitzer Prize for his biting political cartoons while she gave birth to their third child and embarked on a course of studies that would lead to her interest in Jungian psychology, master’s degrees in theology and counseling psychology and a career as a therapist.

A depth-oriented marriage and family therapist for over thirty years, she used memories, intuitive imagination and dreams to heal trauma, empower women and address life transitions. As a graduate schoolteacher she helped students explore the archetypal patterns in their life narratives.

Hendrika holds a BA with Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Colorado, an MTS in theological studies from Virginia Theological Seminary, and an MA in counseling psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times and the LA Times. She currently lives in Santa Barbara, California.

Learn more:

https://agirlfromamsterdam.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrika-devries-finishline/

https://www.facebook.com/HendrikadeVriesAuthor/

https://x.com/HENDRIKADEVRIE3

https://www.instagram.com/hendrika.devries.92/