Boomer Banter, Caregiving, Purpose, Connection

Have you ever thought about quitting your day job and starting something totally new?  Have you decided that you are tired of waiting for the right time to start this new endeavor and you are ready to go for it?  

In this episode, we talk to Lauren Brophy from the Apple Valley Inn Bed and Breakfast and the Candy Apple Shoppes about her journey with her partner, from high powered jobs in Manhattan to becoming innkeepers and chocolatiers.   

Besides the beauty of the inn and the amazing chocolate creations, Lauren shared with us some valuable lessons. The importance of building strong relationships with your employees, your customers and your partners. The importance of having the heart, passion and resilience to start and run a small business. And the importance of learning from your mistakes.    This is a can't miss episode if you are thinking about starting a new endeavor, or growing an existing one.

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Welcome to a heartwarming and inspiring episode of Boomer Banter, where we dive into the remarkable journey of Sally Dunbar, a true force of nature.

Sally, a real estate agent from Sacramento, has not only conquered the challenges of her career but also faced life-threatening struggles, including a battle with breast cancer. After her recovery, she decided to join the Susan G. Komen three-day walk, initially just to get fit. Little did she know that this would spark something monumental in her life.

Her epiphany during the walk led her to set an audacious goal of raising $100,000 for breast cancer awareness and research. This conversation takes us through her journey of empowerment, illustrating that belief is the first step to achieving the seemingly impossible. Sally's story is one of resilience, community, and the power of setting big goals.

If you’ve ever thought about what you can achieve, this episode will inspire you to dream bigger and push your limits. Get ready to be moved by her journey and the incredible impact of the Komen walks, where every step counts towards making a difference.

Takeaways:

• Setting big, hairy, audacious goals can help you achieve what seems impossible.
• Believing in yourself is key to overcoming challenges and achieving your goals.
• Joining a team can provide support and motivation to accomplish your fundraising objectives.
• Every small step adds up; just start with what you can do and build from there.
• Sally's journey shows that personal struggles can lead to empowering others and making a difference.
• Having fun while working towards a cause can make the journey enjoyable and fulfilling.

Links:

Hands up for Hooters Team

Dave Benson is a 40+ year security professional who has worked with the State Department, Diplomatic Security, Risk Assessments and Mitigation strategies and so much more.

In this broadcast, Dave very generously and clearly articulated some of the risks and scams we could run into online, while traveling, even on the phone.

Knowledge is Power and we are learning from one of the best in this interview. The more informed you are about the potential risks, the more empowered you are to handle them, and the less fearful you will be.

This is an interview you may want to listen to a few times in order to get all the information that Dave shares.

Be sure to look for his new podcast called BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE AND HEAR, all about your personal security and awareness. To reach Dave you can email him at [email protected]

Today, we’re diving into an inspiring chat with Shelley Dunstan, who’s got a double life that’s almost too good to be true! By day, she’s helping lawyers shine in their careers, and by night, she’s belting out tunes as a cabaret singer. Seriously, how cool is that? We’ll explore how a health scare pushed her to chase her dreams all the way to Brazil, where she performed in front of a real audience, singing in Portuguese!

This is a story about having a dream, honoring the dream, being terrified of the dream but forging ahead anyway.

Shelley Dunstone is an attorney in Adelaide, Australia by day. She performs cabaret and 60's rock by night. After receiving a 2nd chance at life, Shelley had a dream. I am not going to tell you more than that, because the way she tells the story is so inspiring.

Join us on this journey to being open to possibilities, to believing that what you imagine you can initiate. Let me know what inspiration you take away.

George Jerjian is here to challenge our views on retirement. A true maverick, his life has taken a fascinating, uncharted course now that he’s in his sixties. The former financial adviser is on a mission to impact millions as a mindset mentor, helping baby boomers: the generation that coaching often overlooks.

In this podcast we discussed how most of us are living unconsciously, we are following "the herd" into retirement. If we gave it any thought, it was probably about our financial ability to retire. George opens our eyes to the idea of passion and purpose in our retirement years, of being engaged with our lives, our community, our relationships. He shares ideas from his book, "Spirit of Gratitude: Crises are Opportunities" and explains from personal experience and scientific data, how gratitude and thankfulness effect us physiologically as well as allowing us to be open to think about opportunities.

His personal story unfolds as he shares how a series of life-altering events shaped his understanding of what retirement can—and should—mean. He emphasizes that this stage of life is not the end but rather a new beginning filled with potential for growth and exploration.

Throughout their chat, Wendy and George reflect on the societal pressures surrounding retirement and how they often lead to a herd mentality that can stifle individual passions. They discuss the common feelings of loss and uncertainty that come with leaving a career and what steps can be taken to re-engage in life. George passionately advocates for living with intention, urging listeners to embrace their unique journeys and actively seek activities that ignite their passions.

With humor and heartfelt advice, they remind us that retirement is a time to break free from old patterns and create a life that truly resonates with who we are. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to make their retirement years the best yet!

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Ken Dolan-Delvecchio, licensed family therapist, author, speaker and corporate health and wellness leader, wrote the book "Simple Habits of Exceptional (But Not Perfect) Parents."

In this conversation we talked power dynamics, about how parenting changes as our children grow up and become parents themselves, how to maintain close family bonds once they move away. We learned about the importance of role modeling from the very beginning and continuing throughout our children's lives. We discussed how to impart critical thinking skills and how to speak to children about social injustices.

Parenting isn't a one-size-fits-all gig, especially when we’re talking about being an exceptional but not perfect parent. In this chat, we dive into the nitty-gritty of what it really means to be an exceptional parent—without the pressure of perfection.

Ken Dolan Del Vecchio, a seasoned family therapist, sheds light on the difference between ‘power over’ and ‘power with’ in parenting. It’s all about how we guide our kids through life with a supportive hand rather than a heavy hand. Think of it like this: instead of just barking orders, we’re here to help them navigate their own paths, learning and growing as they go. Ken shares anecdotes that make these concepts relatable, like how to prepare your kids for new experiences—gentle introductions rather than shock therapy at the dentist, you know? We also touch on the importance of role modeling; as parents, we’re always on display, and our kids are taking notes. It’s a wild ride of laughs, reflections, and some serious insights into how we can be there for our kids as they grow into their own individuals. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one!

Today’s chat is all about the ups and downs of sheltering in place, and boy, do I have stories to share!

So, I was all set to have my high school friend join us, but life had other plans when he and his wife got hit by COVID-19. Thankfully, they’re recovering at home, but that left me flying solo today. No worries though! I’m excited to pick up where we left off last week, diving into how this whole experience has changed us. It’s a chance to reflect on the silver linings we’ve discovered while being stuck at home. I mean, who knew we could learn so much about ourselves just by staying put?

I’m ready to spill my own tea about what I’ve learned during this time! From being laid off to rethinking my path in life at 66, I realized it’s not just about finding any job. It’s about feeling fulfilled and relevant. I’ve had some lightbulb moments about how I want to contribute and make a difference, which is what I’ve always been passionate about. Plus, I’ve been connecting with my family and friends more than ever through Zoom, which has brought some much-needed joy into my life. It’s amazing how technology can keep us together, even when we’re apart.

Now it’s your turn! I want to hear your stories too. What lessons have you learned during this shelter-in-place saga? Have you taken up gardening like me, or maybe you’ve started cooking more? Let’s share our experiences and keep this conversation going. It’s all about building a supportive community, and I can’t wait to see what you all have to say!

Wendy Green is back with another uplifting episode, and this time she’s chatting with Matt Potts, the mastermind behind the 'Unintended Positives from Shelter in Place 2020' Facebook page.

Picture this: when the world came to a screeching halt, Matt decided to spotlight the good things that were still happening. Fast forward to now, and he’s got a lively community of nearly 10,000 members sharing their stories! It’s a real testament to how people can come together during tough times. In our chat, we dive deep into the community aspect of Matt’s page.

t’s not just about sharing a good meal or a sunny garden pic; it’s about genuine connection! People are sharing stories of rekindling family ties, learning new hobbies, and even helping each other cope with loneliness. It’s refreshing to hear how this space has become a safe haven for positivity amidst the noise of the world. We also touch on Matt’s future plans, including a book that aims to capture the spirit of this community and inspire others.

So if you’re in need of a pick-me-up or just want to hear some lovely stories, this episode is definitely for you!

To continue to support the Hey, Boomer community, please go to buymeacoffee.com/HeyBoomer0413

Marilyn Ball, a seasoned traveler and podcaster, joins us in this lively chat where we dig deep into the world of travel, community, and connection. With a rich background in marketing and a heart for storytelling, Marilyn shares her experiences from her podcast, 'Speaking of Travel', which has been running for years, bringing listeners stories from across the globe.

We dive into how traveling can still happen in these times of social distancing and what it means to build communities through shared experiences. From her own family adventures to the importance of understanding different cultures, Marilyn emphasizes that travel isn't just about the places we go, but the people we meet. She offers practical advice on how to safely explore new destinations while respecting personal comfort levels during this pandemic. This episode is packed with warmth, humor, and a reminder that even in challenging times, the spirit of adventure and connection thrives.

Glenis Redmond discovered the Power of Poetry to Heal, 28 years ago, when she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

In 1995 she founded the first Greenville Poetry Slam and took the first all-women's team to Nationals. She is the founder of Peace Voices, a poetry program dedicated to poetry outreach and engagement in the community through the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in Greenville, SC. She has written numerous poetry books and won many awards.

In 2019 Glenis was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She has gone through a very difficult year of chemotherapy and a Stem Cell transplant. She is now rebuilding her immune system and doing much better.

In our conversation, Glenis talks about how poetry has been a healing force in her life, both through illness and racism. She shares how she has viewed illness as a gift that has allowed her to refocus and also shift into a deeper way of living.

If you want to continue to support the Hey, Boomer broadcasts, you can "buy me a cup of coffee" at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/HeyBoomer0413