Michelle reads her essay, "Have Mercy," and she and Shana discuss their thoughts on the state of our democracy and the life events happening alongside the current events that make these chaotic times so trying. They conclude that having mercy for themselves and others helps.#podcast, #videopodcast, #writingpodcast, #writing, #writingcommunity, #womenwhowrite, #femalewriter, #femalefriendships, #womenover50, #essay, #essaywriting, #community, #mother, #parenting, #vulnerability, #values, #creativejourney, #writingworkshop, #videoessay, #applepodcasts, #spotifypodcasts, #boundaries, #brenebrown, #kellycorrigan, #glennondoyle, #wecandohardthings, #brutiful, #growth, #growthmindset, #womenpodcasters, #essaywriting, #midlifepodcast, #podcastforessaywriters, #podcastforwritersover50, #youtubepodcast, #democracy, #faith, #mercy

Shana reads her essay, "Authenticating," and she and Michelle have a conversation about how they crave realness and truth as they age, in defiance of the norms of social media, designer knockoffs, and all the procedures that could make them look like an age they are not.

Michelle reads her essay, "The Fire," and she and Shana have a conversation about loss, resilience, and the helpers who bring us hope when we most need it. They discuss how we need to be intentional about building and sustaining our sense of community once our kids are grown and these types of connections no longer just fall into our laps.

#podcast, #videopodcast, #writingpodcast, #writing, #writingcommunity, #womenwhowrite, #femalewriter, #femalefriendships, #womenover50, #essay, #essaywriting, #community, #mother, #parenting, #vulnerability, #values, #creativejourney, #writingworkshop, #videoessay, #applepodcasts, #spotifypodcasts, #boundaries, #brenebrown, #kellycorrigan, #glennondoyle, #wecandohardthings, #brutiful, #growth, #growthmindset, #womenpodcasters, #essaywriting, #midlifepodcast, #podcastforessaywriters, #podcastforwritersover50, #youtubepodcast, #LAfires, #loss, #community

Shana reads her essay, "The Matriarch(y)," and she and Michelle have a conversation about how they want to be remembered. They discuss which parts of the matriarchy they want to carry forward and which parts they want to let go.

Michelle reads her essay, "Full," about the word that describes her year-in-review. She invites you to look through your camera roll, too, to take inventory of the experiences that shaped you in 2024. Michelle and Shana have a conversation about the words they have chosen for their intentions for 2025 and invite you to join them.

Shana and Michelle have a conversation about intentions for the new year and the importance of shirking their conditioning to make things nice so that they can advocate for themselves and others. Whether it is with medical practitioners or the boundaries they hold with family and friends, they celebrate the voice that emerges with age. Join them in their goal of "responding live in 2025!"

*Warning: This episode references disordered eating

Shana reads her essay, "Timelines," and she and Michelle discuss the moments of history made during their lifetimes that are made personal by the connection to their families' lives. They talk about how moments like 9/11, Columbine, Princess Diana's death, and the housing crash of 2008 affect them and people they love.

Michelle reads her essay, "I am Exhausted," and she and Shana have a conversation about ways to find calm during challenging times that tap them out. They also discuss the messages Shannon Watts shared with The Gigis, with topics like audacity, legacy, and the "sacred pause."

Shana reads her essay, "Keeping the Spirit," and she and Michelle have a conversation about how spirit can be easy to come by when we're young, but becomes more like a conviction as we get older.