What does aging with wit and wisdom really look like?

In this episode, I have a delicious conversation with Melinda Blau - veteran journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and the author of The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter.

At 82, Melinda isn’t slowing down ... she’s still writing, still questioning, still challenging ageism, and yes, she ran through the streets of Paris shouting, “I’m eighty!” Her energy, honesty, and humor are a powerful reminder that aging isn’t a fade-out - it’s a deepening.

We talk about how her lifelong curiosity about relationships began in childhood, listening closely to the adults around her, and how that fascination shaped her 16-book career.

Writing, she shares, has been more than a profession - it’s been a companion through every season of her life. Melinda models what it means to evolve creatively instead of retreating and becoming invisible.

We also dive into the very real ageism she encountered in publishing her latest book - even as a bestselling author. Her original title, “My Old Ladies,” was deemed offensive by publishers, though the women themselves wore the label proudly. That experience opens a larger conversation about whose voices are considered relevant, and why stories of older adults are more necessary than ever.

At the heart of our conversation are the nine extraordinary women in their 90s and beyond featured in The Wisdom Whisperers. These vibrant, thoughtful, fully engaged women reshaped Melinda’s understanding of aging — and they may reshape yours, too.

We talk about navigating the aging body and mind with honesty and humor, about intergenerational relationships, and about what becomes clearer, freer, and more joyful as we grow older.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible in your 70s, 80s, or beyond, this conversation is for you. Tune in, soak up the wisdom, and then share this episode with someone who needs a fresh, expansive vision of aging.

Be sure to pick up The Wisdom Whisperers and follow Melinda on Substack here ... her voice is one worth keeping close. 

Thank you for tuning in - together, we can continue dissolving ageism, one powerful story at a time.

Photo Credit: Yasmin Ayala Azuz | Instagram: @yasminazuz

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – [email protected].

What if retirement doesn’t mean retreat - but rediscovering?

In this episode I sit down with Judith Horn for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about adaptation, creativity, and continuing to serve after 65.

When vision impairment led Judith to retire from her lifelong career as a physical therapist, her story didn’t end - it shifted. 

Retirement didn’t mean retreat. Instead, it opened the door to rediscovering her artistic side, creating imaginative illustrations for her grandchildren, and stepping even more fully into her advocacy for healthy aging, eye health, and aging in place.

Judith spent decades specializing in geriatric physical therapy, supporting older adults with complex needs and championing quality of life at every stage. In our conversation, we explore what first drew her to this vocation, how caring for older adults shaped her philosophy on aging, and how she navigated the emotional and practical realities of vision loss.

This is a grounded, generous conversation about change, creativity, connection, and what thriving after 65 truly looks like - even when life unfolds differently than planned.

If you’re navigating a transition or wondering what’s still possible in this season of life, Judith’s story is both reassuring and energizing.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – [email protected].

In this heartfelt episode I sit down with bereavement specialist, grief educator, and author Patti Comeau-Simonson for a deeply meaningful conversation about love, loss, and thriving after 65.

I first met Patti years ago when I helped her e-publish her first book, and it’s been a joy to witness how her life and work have evolved since then. After the loss of her beloved husband, David, when she was 46, Patti’s life took an unexpected turn - one that led her into hospice volunteering, grief education, peer leadership, and authorship.

Now 79, Patti shares how grief didn’t shrink her world - it expanded it. We talk about the power of community, the importance of peer support, and her newest book - Recipes for Healing: Working Through Grief, One Recipe at a Time - how storytelling and food can nourish both body and soul. 

Patti also reflects on how cooking became a grounding force during her husband’s illness and a meaningful way to create connection and healing for others.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to begin again, and that thriving after 65 can be filled with purpose, service, and joy.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Turning profound loss into purpose later in life
• Why peer support matters in grief and healing
• How food and storytelling create comfort and connection
• What thriving after 65 really looks like
• Why it’s never “too late” to live a meaningful life

Learn more & connect:
Visit Patti’s website here.
Buy Patti’s book: Recipes for Healing: Working Through Grief, One Recipe at a Time here.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – [email protected].

What if aging isn’t something to resist ... but something to rethink?

In this episode I sit down with Chris Moore, founder of Senior Remodeling Experts and a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, for a thoughtful conversation about mindset, purpose, and what aging teaches us from the inside out.

After decades of working closely with older adults, Chris has seen firsthand how attitude - not age - often shapes how we experience later life. Together, we explore common myths about aging and retirement, the importance of intergenerational connection, and why living with intention matters more than ever as we grow older.

Chris is also the author of Age Out Loud, a book that challenges fear-based narratives around growing older and invites readers to live with purpose, vitality, and intention at every age. We touch on the ideas behind the book in this conversation.

In this episode, you'll hear us chat about:

• Why aging isn’t a decline — and what really shapes the experience
• How attitude influences vitality at every age
• The cultural myth of “waiting for retirement” to start living
• What working with older adults reveals about purpose and relevance
• The value of intergenerational relationships
• Why aging in place is as much about mindset as it is environment
  
  

About my guest:
Chris Moore is the founder of Senior Remodeling Experts and a nationally recognized leader in aging-in-place solutions. With nearly four decades in construction and remodeling, Chris is passionate about challenging fear-based narratives around aging and helping people live with purpose, vitality, and intention as they grow older.

Learn more:
🔗 Visit Senior Remodeling Experts  and grab a copy of Chris' book Age Out Loud here.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – [email protected].

What does it truly mean to age with purpose?

In this episode, I’m joined by Robin Kencel - founding real estate broker at Compass in Greenwich, Connecticut, reigning Ms. Connecticut Senior America, and U.S. Pro-Am Ballroom Champion - for a delicious conversation about aging with intention, confidence, and joy.

Robin shares how her lived experiences, leadership, and deep listening skills shaped the social impact work she’s doing today around empowered aging. 

We explore her Five Pillars of Aging Well, the importance of emotional health and acceptance, and why aging can be an expansion of possibility rather than a limitation.

This conversation is an invitation to reflect on your own life, reconnect with what matters most, and embrace aging as a powerful chapter of growth and purpose.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why aging can be an expansion of possibilities, not a narrowing
• How emotional well-being and acceptance support aging well
• How living with intention helps uncover purpose at any age

If you’re ready to stop being caged by age and start living more fully, this episode is for you.

To learn more about Robin work in Aging with Purpose, please visit: https://robinkencel.com

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – [email protected].

What happens when women refuse to fade quietly with age?

In this powerful episode of Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, I sit down with renowned feminist scholar and cultural critic Susan J. Douglas, author of In Our Prime - How Older Women Are Reinventing the Road Ahead, to explore the intersection of sexism and ageism — and why older women are uniquely positioned to reshape the road ahead.

Susan shares what fueled her decades-long focus on sexism in media and culture, and why she believes gendered ageism is one of the most urgent — and overlooked — issues facing women today. Together, we unpack how society pressures women to become invisible as they age, why intergenerational solidarity matters, and how reclaiming visibility is both a personal and political act.

This conversation is a rallying cry for women 65+ who are seeking fulfillment, purpose, and success on their own terms — and a reminder that aging can be a time of expansion, activism, and becoming.

✨ If you’re ready to age out loud, challenge limiting narratives, and step fully into your prime, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why sexism alone doesn’t explain women’s experiences of aging
• What gendered ageism looks like in media, marketing, and culture
• The importance of intergenerational feminism and bridge-building
• Reclaiming visibility, purpose, and agency after 65
• Why older women matter — now more than ever

This episode is an invitation to women 65+ — and to anyone who believes aging is about becoming, not declining — to step fully into their prime.

To learn more about Susan, her current book In Our Prime, and her other extraordinary achievements and books, and her current role as the Catherine Neafie Kellogg Professor of Communication Studies at The University of Michigan - please visit her website here.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – [email protected].

What does it mean to age with purpose, curiosity, and conviction — especially while living in another country?

In this episode of Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, I sit down with Robert W. Norris, a 75-year-old Vietnam War conscientious objector, longtime resident of Japan, retired university professor, and author of multiple novels and memoirs ... two of which he wrote in his seventies.

Robert shares his extraordinary life journey, from growing up in Northern California to refusing to fight in the Vietnam War and serving time in a military prison, to settling in Japan in 1983. We talk about what it’s really like to age as a foreigner in Japan, how older adults are viewed, and the realities that exist beyond the romanticized version many of us imagine.

We also explore the power of writing later in life, the influence of his mother on his memoirs, the importance of staying physically active and socially connected, and why intergenerational relationships matter so deeply as we age.

Robert’s story is a powerful reminder that aging isn’t a closing chapter ... it’s an invitation to keep showing up fully.

To learn more about Robert's wonderful memoirs, please visit his website here.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – [email protected].

As soon as I turned 65, something shifted in the exam room… and not for the better. 

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal experience with ageism in health care - how the tone of my medical appointments changed, why the attention to my symptoms dropped, and why so many of us suddenly get a pat on the shoulder instead of real care.

This isn’t just about Medicare or paperwork.

It’s about what happens when the medical system quietly decides we’re “too old” for deeper investigation.

I break down:

• The subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways ageism shows up in doctor’s offices
• Why the system often stops ordering tests after 65
• The stereotypes and assumptions that leave older adults underdiagnosed and overlooked
• How we can push back, advocate for ourselves, and get the care we deserve
• The exact phrases that shift conversations with clinicians
• And why refusing to internalize medical ageism is an act of self-respect

And because I never want you walking into a doctor’s appointment unprepared, I created a free one-page guide you can take to your next annual physical:

👉 “What to Ask For at Your Annual Physical After 65”
This checklist covers the physical, mental-health, and cognitive screenings every adult over 65 should be receiving, but often aren’t.

Grab it here and use it as your personal advocacy tool.

Growing older doesn’t mean fading into the background of the medical system.
We deserve curiosity, attention, and care at every age — and we’re not afraid to ask for it.

✨ Tap here to tune into EP 24 to hear Tami Barber's story about firing her cancer doctor - I know you'll love meeting this former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and Love Boat star.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – [email protected].

In this deeply illuminating conversation, Conscious Dying Coach Laurie Reese joins me to explore how we can approach the end of life with intention, creativity, and a profound sense of personal agency.

Laurie brings over 15 years of experience as a Household Manager and Personal Assistant supporting vibrant seniors and families through major life transitions. Her compassionate philosophy — “I walk beside people, not ahead of them” — guides everything she does, from managing daily household needs to helping individuals design a meaningful and personalized end-of-life experience.

Together, we explore:

• What led Laurie from the entertainment industry and private estate management into conscious dying work
• What a Conscious Dying Coach / end-of-life doula actually does
• How creativity, environment, and personal values shape a meaningful end-of-life experience
• How to grieve while still living — and why anticipatory grief matters
• How hiring support for everyday tasks allows families to be fully present during a loved one’s final chapter
• The importance of envisioning your ideal death and planning with dignity and clarity
• What Laurie has learned from walking beside people through life’s biggest transition
• How she is thriving, growing, and living with purpose at this stage of life

Laurie’s work reminds us that we can design our final chapter with as much care, love, and presence as any other milestone. And that aging — and dying — can be approached with empowerment, choice, and grace.

To learn more about Laurie and her extraordinary work, please connect with her on LinkedIn here.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – [email protected].

Have you ever felt the pull to let go of who you’ve been and step into a life that feels more aligned, more authentic, and more you?

In this episode, I chat with Ray Martin, executive coach, global citizen, and author of Life Without a Tie, about how to embrace your later years with purpose, freedom, and joy. 

Ray shares the pivotal moments that led him from a successful corporate career to a life filled with adventure, self-discovery, and meaningful connection.

We explore the power of self-acceptance, radical self-love, and authentic living, especially as we age. Ray talks about how meditation helped him quiet the noise of life and uncover his true self, and how aligning with your unique strengths and values can create a life that feels deeply fulfilling.

This conversation also highlights the importance of human connection, the joy of serving others, and the wisdom that comes from experience. We tackle ageism, limiting beliefs, and the ways we can step into leadership and personal growth at any stage of life.

If you’re ready to thrive after 60, embrace your best years, and design a life that’s authentically yours, this episode will inspire you to loosen the ties holding you back and step boldly into the life you’re meant to live.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – [email protected].