Design Your Joyful Retirement

What does wellness actually mean in midlife ~ and why do so many of us wait for permission to prioritize it?

In this episode, I talked with Diane Amelia Read and Teresa Lisum for an honest, energizing conversation about movement, identity, and what it really looks like to age well. We talk about busting the stories we've been handed about getting older, why five intentional minutes beats zero perfect ones, and how showing up imperfectly is still showing up.

In this episode:

• Why movement is the non-negotiable ~ and how to make it sustainable
• The myth of the "right time" to start taking care of yourself
• Why "selfless" is not the compliment we think it is
• How to define wellness on your own terms
• The power of community and accountability
• What to do when life blows up and self-care feels impossible

Connect with Diane Amelia and Teresa: Linkedin: Diane Amelia Read LinkedIn: Teresa Lisum Email: The Vitality Continuum at [email protected] EventBrite: The Vitality Continuum at https://www.eventbrite.ie/o/34531589843?ref=eofblike

YouTube: Podcast Evolving Women with Teresa Lisum

By the time you hit 50, you've lived enough life to fill a few books. But most of us don't think our stories are worth telling.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Xanthe Golenko about why that couldn't be further from the truth.

Xanthe was a dancer in France, then a researcher studying older adults. When she introduced life story books into care homes, something magical happened ~ families reconnected, staff saw the whole person, and the storytellers themselves transformed.

That's when she realized: storytelling isn't just about preserving the past. It's about connection, healing, and claiming your voice in the present.

We talk about:

• Why your "everyday" moments are exactly what other women need to hear
• The power of telling your story in a safe space
• How to move from "I don't have a story" to sharing something deeply personal
• What would you do if you weren't afraid?
• Practical ways to start telling your story

Your story doesn't need to be extraordinary to be powerful. It just needs to be yours.

Connect with Xanthe:

Website: https://gettingartsyafter50.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getting_artsy_after_50/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565782329665

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xanthe-golenko-b0993752/

In this episode, I'm talking with Pauline Zielonka, founder of Retirement Life Plan, about what people actually experience when they step away from full-time work. Pauline has spent years researching the non-financial side of retirement, and what she's found is both surprising and deeply reassuring.

We talk about why the fear of boredom is so much more common than actual boredom, how retirement can expand (not erase) your sense of self, and why generic retirement advice often misses the mark. Pauline also shares insights from her research on what helps people adjust ~ and what makes the transition harder than it needs to be.

This conversation isn't just for people approaching retirement. It's for anyone who's ever wondered: What do I want the next chapter of my life to feel like? Whether retirement is two years away or twenty, this episode will help you start thinking about it differently.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why roughly 1 in 3 people struggle with retirement (and what the other two-thirds are doing differently)
• The gap between fear and reality when it comes to boredom and loss of identity
• How retirement can reveal parts of yourself that were buried under decades of career focus
• The importance of self-reflection over cookie-cutter advice
• Why flexibility matters more than having everything planned out
• How values shift as we move through life transitions
• What retirement coaches do (and how they work alongside financial planners)

Connect with Pauline

Website: https://www.retirementlifeplan.com/

Book: Retirement Life Plan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retirement-life-plan/posts/?feedView=all

What if the hard-won, transformative parts of your life are exactly what someone else needs to hear?

In this episode, I talk with Gail Harris ~ memoir ghostwriter who helps women turn their lived experience into stories that heal. We cover the difference between memoir and autobiography, how to find your narrative arc (even when life feels all over the place), and why being deeply listened to is so transformative.

If you've ever thought "I should write a book someday," this episode might be the nudge. Your story ~ the one you've lived, survived, and learned from ~ is probably more universal (and more powerful) than you think.

Connect with Gail at:

Website: https://goldenghostwriting.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-harris-269a219/

Book: Your Heart Knows The Answer: How to Trust Yourself and Make the Choices That are Right For You

This week, Laurie welcomes breathwork coach Lydia Mandell to the podcast for a truly nourishing conversation about the healing power of breath. Breathwork can be a lifeline ~ bringing us back into our bodies, soothing our nervous systems, and helping us gently release what weighs us down.

In this episode, we explore:

• What breathwork really is (and why it goes far beyond relaxation)
• How conscious breathing can help release stored tension, grief, and old emotional patterns
• The importance of feeling safe and supported ~ whether in 1:1 sessions or in community ~ especially for women
• Myths and misconceptions about breathwork ("You can't do it wrong!")
• Tips for starting a breathwork practice at home, and how to know if it's right for you
• Why healing doesn't have to be arduous (sometimes it's gentle…and even a little bit fun)
• Why community, laughter, and letting yourself be are key to real transformation

Whether you're curious about breathwork or just looking for ways to reconnect and recharge, this conversation offers warmth, practical tips, and a reminder: you're not alone, and there's no "right way" to heal.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Lydia's favorite breathwork techniques for beginners
• How to find a qualified, trustworthy breathwork practitioner (International Breathwork Foundation, Philadelphia Rebirthing Center)
• The value of integration after a session ~ and the power of community for ongoing support

Take a deep breath and listen now. May this episode bring you a moment of peace and unexpected lightness.

To connect with Lydia:

Website ~ https://playlikeapriestess.com/

Instagram ~ https://www.instagram.com/playlikeapriestess/

LinkedIn ~ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-mandell-lpc-atr-bc-a99005134/

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck in old patterns, or just plain stressed? In this episode, we're exploring tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques, or EFT) ~ a simple, science-backed practice to help you gently shift stress, self-doubt, and the pressure to "do it all."

My guest, Jeanne Demers, shares her journey from the theater stage to teaching and healing. Together, we uncover the hidden ways family patterns can show up: money worries, creativity blocks, people-pleasing, and that sneaky sense of never being "enough." Jeanne guides us through a hands-on tapping round, so you can experience the benefits right along with us ~ no experience needed!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What tapping is (and why it works for big emotions)
• How childhood & family patterns might still be running the show
• Easy ways to use EFT for money, creativity, relationships & self-worth
• A step-by-step tapping demo you can follow along with

If you're ready to bring a little more ease and self-compassion to your day, tune in and tap along with us. 💙

Connect with Jeanne:

Website: https://realizewhatmatters.com/

Substack ~ EFT Tapping with Ruby https://jeanneruby.substack.com/

Share your ahas or questions ~ drop a comment!

Wondering if astrology can be more than just your daily horoscope? This week, hear from Rachel Loewenherz, founder of Star Path ~ an innovative AI tool bringing real, personalized astrology into your everyday life.

Rachel opens up about her own story ~ not a polished highlight reel ~ but a real journey shaped by loss, healing, and transformation. She shares how astrology went from lifeline to inspiration, guiding her through profound personal challenges and ultimately inspiring Star Path.

In this episode:

• How Star Path puts your unique birth chart to practical use
• Real-world examples: navigating career pivots, family dynamics, and life's big questions
• Why women in midlife are loving this supportive approach, no prior astrology knowledge needed
• How Rachel built Star Path with your privacy and the planet in mind
• Tips for getting the most value from Star Path (even if you're a skeptic!)
• An exclusive offer for listeners to try Star Path free for a month

Rachel believes astrology can be both sacred and practical, and you don't need to "learn the lingo" to get answers you can act on. If you're facing a new chapter, an empty nest, or just want better clarity on your next step, this episode is for you.

Want to see what it's all about? Visit ​Star Path ​and enter Code GENX for your first month free!

Connect with Rachel at:

Website: https://starpath.app/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarPathApp

If you've ever found yourself running on autopilot, juggling everyone's needs but your own, this heart-to-heart is for you. We're getting real about the Gen X reality of always "doing it all," losing yourself in the process, and the brave questions that can help you reconnect with what actually matters now. Tune in for honest stories, practical shifts, and a gentle invitation to step out of the world's expectations…and into a life shaped by your own core values.

• Why so many Gen X women feel like they've lost themselves (and why it's not just you!)
• The real reason it's so hard to break out of autopilot, and how to begin
• My turning point and how asking a single new question changed everything
• How "Living Into Your Core Values" was born (and what it can do for you)
• A true story about saying "no," surviving people-pleaser panic, and making space for a better "yes"
• Common myths about core values (spoiler: you're not too old and you can put yourself first without guilt)
• Who this course is for, and what you'll actually get out of it

• Details + enrollment for Living Into Your Core Values: https://lauriecrawfordcoaching.com/
• And by the way, if you see an error message at checkout (sometimes the course platform has a mind of its own), Don't worry. You're IN! You'll get a confirmation email and I'll be personally tracking every sign-up.

Questions? DM me at:

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

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

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriecrawfordcoaching/

Website: https://lauriecrawfordcoaching.com

Money isn't just about math; it's about meaning. In this episode, I talked with financial advisor Katie Randall for a down-to-earth, practical, and deeply human talk about how women can relate to money with more confidence, honesty, and empowerment.

We Discuss:

• Why talking about money can feel emotional, and why that's perfectly normal
• How Katie helps her clients through big life transitions, from career changes to caregiving
• The importance of connection, empathy, and advice you can actually use (not just jargon)
• Why your personal story deserves to be at the center of every financial decision
• Tips for starting where you are, finding advisors who truly listen, and building financial confidence at any stage
• How women's financial empowerment ripples out to family, community, and beyond

To connect with Katie:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@moneymotherlode

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/katie.randall.465825

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/katierandall/

Website – https://www.motherlodewealth.com/

Press play and take the next step toward empowered, values-driven wealth, one honest conversation at a time.

In this episode of Design Your Joyful Retirement, we walk through a practical, heart-centered approach to discovering (or rediscovering) your purpose in midlife. No five-year master plan required. No pressure to have it all figured out. Just curiosity, courage, and small steps that bring joy and meaning to your days.

We cover:

• Why midlife is the perfect season for a purpose reset

• How to reflect on your past experiences and uncover your hidden strengths

• Letting go of outdated roles, beliefs, and "shoulds" that no longer serve you

• Tuning into your core values, passions, and strengths to find your sweet spot

• Tiny experiments and everyday actions that help your purpose come alive

• Building a support system to cheer you on and hold space for growth

Whether you're looking to redefine your next chapter, live more intentionally, or simply feel more aligned with who you truly are, this episode gives you practical tools, reflections, and encouragement to start today.

Grab a journal, pour your favorite warm drink, and join us as we explore the steps to a more purposeful, joyful midlife.

Meditation music: https://www.youtube.com/live/Affh1xGriY8?si=jYUFPKJygWwF4ujA

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VIA Character Strengths Assessment: https://www.viacharacter.org/account/register