What if the very thing someone uses to bury you becomes the thing that helps you climb out?

In this inspiring episode of Coffee with Cheryl, Cheryl Garrison shares the iconic story of a farmer and his donkey—a simple story with a powerful message about resilience, perseverance, and never giving up.

When a donkey falls into a well, his owner decides there is no way to save him. Instead, he begins shoveling dirt into the well to bury the donkey.

But the donkey has other plans.

With every shovel of dirt that lands on his back, the donkey shakes it off and steps up. Little by little, what was intended to bury him becomes the very thing that helps him rise.

And isn't that sometimes how life works?

The challenges we face can feel like they're burying us. Disappointments, setbacks, rejection, loss, fear, and unexpected storms can make us want to give up.

But what if you could shake it off, step up, and keep moving forward?

In this episode, Cheryl shares FOUR powerful lessons from the donkey's story that can help you navigate life's challenges and move confidently into your future. 

 Welcome today's guest, Carmen C. Ray, founder of Be Well Travel & Lifestyle Magazine, a platform focused on wellness, reinvention, entrepreneurship, and community for women over 50. Carmen combines her foundational experiences with her passion for travel, wellness, and entrepreneurship through the Be Well community and her growing PlanNet business. Her work now focuses on helping women navigate transition, rediscover purpose, build meaningful connections, and create lives rooted in freedom, healing, and possibility.

In today’s episode, Carmen shares the power of the 4Ps (Purpose, Positioning Partnerships, and Profits). She empowers entrepreneurs through focused programs such as the Free Group Coaching 4P’s. Carmen discusses her journey as an entrepreneur and how she has successfully left her 9 to 5 behind and is now giving 100% of her time to helping women just like you realize they still have purpose, options, dreams, and value at every stage of life. Carmen recently released her new journal, the 4Ps.40/40 Journal. It’s available on her website.

You won’t want to miss this inspiring segment where Carmen shares advice on reinvention and living a purpose-driven life to achieve your dreams.

You can connect with Carmen through her website, https://joinbewellnetwork.com. 

In today's episode, we welcome Lorraine Taylor. Lorraine is an award-winning actress, singer, director, and producer whose passion is working in the theater and singing in the community and in her church. 

Lorraine's love for theater and singing began as a child and has developed into her directing and producing plays (including her own one-woman show). Lorraine loves the life she is living right now! As we say it in the 50Something Lifestyle community, she is living her BEST life, right now!

Lorraine says every day brings a new experience, and she wakes up each morning ready to conquer each new adventure.

If you have been putting the things you love to do on hold because of fear, finances, lack of knowledge, and other reasons, please tune in to hear how Lorraine overcomes barriers to achieve her dreams and live the life she loves!

 In today's episode, Cheryl discusses the various ways you can leave your legacy. In last month''s episode, we discussed why you should leave a legacy. This episode we discuss some practical ways to share your family history or legacy. 

Cheryl also introduces a new publishing project offered by Becoming 50Something Publications, the Legacy Storytelling Project, for those who want to preserve their own story or family legacy. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
The Coffee with Cheryl Podcast has been selected as one of the top 70 podcasts for women over 50 by Feedspot. It is actually #25 on the list!

In today's episode, Cheryl celebrates the release of her second fiction novel, LEGACY: Secrets Revealed, the sequel to her first novel. She talks about the importance of leaving a legacy for your family, friends, and community.

As women over 50, our legacy can change lives, change communities, and change generations!

Listen and hear the various ways you can leave a legacy and live your BEST life, right now!

 Happy New Year and Welcome to 2026
In today's episode, Cheryl shares  six practical tips on getting off to a great start in 2026!

What is your vision for your life in this coming year? Follow the tips shared in this episode and create a plan to live your BEST life this year. Imagine doing all the things you have been wanting to accomplish in 2026. Imagine just doing half of the things...

Cheryl also makes a big announcement at the conclusion of the podcast. You won't want to miss this exciting information!

Be sure to subcribe to the podcast if you haven't already subscribed. 

You know, there’s something truly powerful about this season of life. After fifty, you’ve experienced storms, victories, and everything in between. You’ve raised families, built careers, cared for others, and learned countless lessons. And now, it’s your time — your time to live intentionally, to rediscover joy, and to walk boldly in your God-given purpose.

You know, one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned—especially after going through some storms—is that joy and purpose isn’t something that just happens to us. It’s something we choose, something we create, and something we nurture.

So in today's episode, I want to share five powerful ways to find joy and purpose after fifty— even when life doesn’t look the way you thought it would. Whether you’re rebuilding, reinventing, or simply ready for a fresh start, this one’s for you.

 In today's episode, we welcome Tiffany Williams, founder of Heart 4 Jesus Homeless Ministry, LLC, a nonprofit that provides services to the unseltered.

Afte turning 50, Tiffany knew that the Lord had called her to do more with her life. Having worked and still working in the housing sector for the state of Oklahoma, she knew up close and personal some of the challenges facing the homeless population. And she felt called to do her part in helping those unable to help themselves.

Tiffany shares her story and also encourages us to be a blessing to those who are less fortunate. If you are in search of your life's purpose or finding it hard to achieve what you have always wanted to be, she challenges you  to listen to God and find your purpose.

She discusses getting out of her comfort zone and overcoing her fears to have the courage to start Heart 4 Jesus. She encourages women over 50 to not let fear keep you from living your dream and following your heart. 

Happy Labor Day 2025!

"I have resolved to live, not just endure, each season of my life."

Summer's over! Fall is here, and it's a new season to renew and plant the seeds of a promising future. In today's episode, Cheryl shares some tips on how to thrive in the new season leading up to the end of the year. 

As you enter Fall 2025, what are the things that you have planned to thrive and end the year accomplishing your goals and dreams? Listen to the podcast to hear some of Cheryl's favorite tips for thriving and creating a path toward a successful end to 2025.

Enjoy!,

In today's episode, Cheryl welcomes Dr. Griselle Velez, a mental health therapist, a life coach, and a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC). 

After 33 years as a mental health therapist, she recently decided to focus on life coaching for women, specializing in mental health and self-care. After her own health challenges, she desires to help women overcome some of the challenges that plague us, especially after 50, and create a life plan that supports mental and physical health.

Dr. G. is the author of Chrysalis I and Chrysalis II, which will be released in August 2025. She shares her tips on how to live a healthier and more balanced life, your best life after 50.

Her life mantra is BRAR (Believing, Retrieving, Achieving, and Regaining)!