In this powerful and heartfelt episode, host Joan Paul is joined by Tracy Tighe Johnston, cancer survivor, community leader, and founder of Tighed Together, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families navigating trauma. Tracy opens up about her deeply personal journey through illness, healing, and how she transformed pain into purpose by building a trauma-informed organization rooted in play, presence and emotional support.

Tighed Together meets each family where they are, with compassion, respect, and individualized care. Tracy explains how their team listens, collaborates, and facilitates experiences that help families speak openly about their shared traumas. Every family system is unique, and so are the tools and experiences Tighed Together uses to support each member on their healing journey.

This conversation is a moving testament to how shared experiences can become tools for connection, transformation, and long-term resilience. Tracy shares real-life stories of healing through creative, tactile, and emotionally powerful activities from smash rooms and cooking lessons to swimming classes and even helicopter rides. These moments help rebuild hope and strengthen the bond between family members.

Whether you’re walking through grief, supporting someone in crisis, or seeking ways to reconnect with loved ones, this episode is a reminder that healing starts with listening, honoring each individual, and offering safe spaces for connection and play.

Episode Highlights
➔ The mission and heart behind Tighed Together’s trauma-informed, family-centered approach
➔ Tracy’s journey from surviving cancer to launching a nonprofit rooted in healing
➔ How each family’s story is heard, honored, and supported through tailored experiences
➔ The power of therapeutic play in restoring joy, confidence, and connection
➔ Moving family stories from emotional release in a smash room to the joy of shared adventures
➔ Guiding families from trauma through transformation with compassion and care
➔ Why giving is the secret to living and rebuilding after loss

This episode is for anyone touched by trauma and looking for real, actionable ways to foster healing, connection, and lasting hope.

Connect with Tracy Tighe Johnston and Tighed Together

Website: https://tighedtogether.org
Instagram: @tighedtogether

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

Website: https://hernextact.com/

instagram: @hernextact

facebook: @joanpaul

The Griswold Inn

Thank you for listening and remember, you're never too old, and it's not too late! That one day is now!

xojoan

In this inspiring and personal episode, Joan is in conversation with Kristine Ochu, author, speaker, resilience coach, and “Modern-Day LumberJill”. While fully immersed in competitive log rolling in her youth, she discovered the power of positive psychology which would be a springboard to what she is doing today.

Kristine shares her incredible story from growing up in a community where the World Lumberjack Championships were held, to a successful career in corporate HR, moving through divorce, many years as a single mother, and living with an unexpected health challenge. All of these experiences ultimately led to her designing workshops, writing books, and sharing  tools to help women reclaim their power. Her journey is a testament to the power of taking just “one more step”.

Whether you’re navigating a new season of life, dealing with loss or health setbacks, or rediscovering your creative spark, this episode offers uplifting wisdom, emotional honesty, and actionable tools to support your next act.

Episode Highlights
➔ Growing up among world champions and discovering life lessons through log rolling
➔ How a teenage rivalry and The Power of Positive Thinking shaped her mindset and won her the title of World Champion Log Roller
➔ Kristine’s career as an HR executive and the challenges of being a single mom
➔ Surviving a rare neurological illness
➔ Creating The Night of a Woman’s Soul workshop series
➔ Writing her bestselling novel Campfire Confessions with embedded healing tools
➔ Powerful daily practices for shifting from stress to calm
➔ Launching inspirational bracelets and a new handbook: Keep on Rolling
 

Follow along with Kristine Ochu:

 Website: https://www.kristineochu.com
Instagram: @kristineochu
Book: Campfire Confessions
Children’s Book: Owl and the Naughty Ducks 
 

Jewelry mentioned: @julzameliaisland on Instagram and her website www.ameliaislandjulz.com 

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

Website: https://hernextact.com/

instagram: @hernextact

facebook: @joanpaul

The Griswold Inn

Thank you for listening and remember, you're never too old, and it's not too late! That one day is now!

xojoan

Feeling inspired by Donna’s story? Follow Her Next Act on Apple Podcasts to join our community of women stepping into their next act. Follow on Apple Podcasts.

What would you do if you were given a second chance? In this heart-centered episode, Joan sits down with Donna Paz Kaufman, co-owner of Story & Song and founder of Paz & Associates, to explore how a lifelong love of books, a near-death experience, and a leap of faith led Donna to create a vibrant community and cultural center on Amelia Island.

Donna shares how her first visit to a bookstore café as a teenager planted a dream that would take decades to come to life and how letting go of that dream eventually brought it back to her. Through personal stories of risk, resilience and patience, we learn how she and her husband built not only a bookstore, but a living legacy for the arts, connection, and service.

Whether you’ve ever dreamed of opening a bookstore, designing a rich and meaningful next chapter, or making a difference in your community, this episode is filled with inspiration and wisdom for women stepping into their power.

Episode Highlights:

➔ Donna experiences her first "spark" inside a magical bookstore café
➔ How a business degree and a job in publishing shaped her early path
➔ A three-day survival story that changed her life’s direction
➔ The path to deeper meaning supporting others to actualize a dream
➔ Story & Song is born: creating a new model
➔ Creative ways to support community

Follow along with Donna Paz Kaufman:

Story and Song ~ Center for Arts & Culture

Website: https://storyandsongarts.org/

Paz & Associates

Website: https://openingabookstore.com/

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

Website: https://hernextact.com/

instagram: @hernextact

facebook: @joanpaul

The Griswold Inn

Thank you for listening and remember, you're never too old, and it's not too late! That one day is now!

xojoan

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul is in conversation with author advocate Kathie Bennett. Kathie shares how she transitioned from a 35-year career as a flight attendant to becoming a successful literary publicist in her mid-fifties and the pivotal moments that took her there. The episode highlights Kathie's early influences from her grandmother’s audacious move to found a library in the upstairs of a Piggly Wiggly (grocery store) in her mid-fifties, to legendary author Pat Conroy who gave her the confidence to pursue her vision. Her upbringing emphasized dedication to service and making a difference and Kathie Bennett has done just that with the life she has created and is living at this moment. Just entering her seventies, Kathie is proof that it is never too late to find a new path that will bring more vibrancy and meaning to one’s life. Kathie offers insights into overcoming self-doubt, the importance of embracing new endeavors regardless of age, and her relentless commitment to helping authors achieve their dreams.

Episode Highlights:

➔ Combining Service and Passion
➔ Early Influences
➔ The Power of Mentorship and Literacy Programs
➔ The Washington Post Column That Launched a Career
➔ The Importance of An Author's Voice and Message
➔ Finding Creative Fulfillment in Her Next Act

Learn more about Kathie and upcoming events:

Website: Magic Time Literary Publicity

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magictimeliterarypublicity

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

Marie Bostwick Event: The Book Club for Troublesome Women ~ Book Talk + Luncheon

The Griswold Inn Website: The Griswold Inn

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

Website: https://hernextact.com/

instagram: @hernextact

facebook: @joanpaul

The Griswold Inn

Thank you for listening and remember, you're never too old, and it's not too late! That one day is now!

xojoan

Inspired by this episode? Follow Her Next Act on Apple Podcasts to get new episodes automatically and join our community of women creating their next act.
Follow on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul shares the personal journey that led her to start a podcast focused on women's next acts in life. Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of life’s transitions, Joan discusses how stumbling upon the book When to Jump by Mike Lewis inspired her path. She reveals the key epiphanies that motivated her to create this podcast.

Joan emphasizes the importance of taking agency in one’s life, embracing growth, and redefining the concept of aging. She encourages listeners to confront resistance, embrace personal evolution, and approach aging with intention. With heartfelt insights into the struggles women face related to aging and purpose, Joan sets the stage for meaningful conversations about navigating the "next acts" of life at various stages.

Episode Highlights:

➔ Purpose behind the Her Next Act Podcast
➔ The Spark of Inspiration
➔ Embracing Aging and Personal Growth
➔ Challenging Anti-Aging Culture

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

Website: https://hernextact.com/

instagram: @hernextact

facebook: @joanpaul

The Griswold Inn

Thank you for listening and remember, you're never too old, and it's not too late! That one day is now!

xojoan

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul is in conversation with cognitive psychologist Dr. Alicia Farrell for a second time on the podcast. In this episode they share personal stories of loss and resilience, setting the stage for insightful discussions. They explore how various types of loss, from identity and purpose to the death of loved ones, affect our lives and how resilience can be nurtured. The conversation delves into strategies for processing grief, the importance of expressing negative emotions, and how seemingly insurmountable challenges can lead to personal growth and fulfillment. Dr. Farrell offers practical advice on desensitizing to discomfort and taking steps towards a fulfilling life, punctuated by a personal anecdote that highlights the healing power of humor. 

Episode Highlights:

➔ Different Types of Loss and Their Impact
➔ Strategies for Thriving After Loss
➔ The Role of Resilience in Coping with Loss
➔ Grieving the Loss of What Could Have Been
➔ Overcoming Regret and Finding New Passions
➔ Desensitizing to Discomfort and Change
➔ The Power of Humor in Healing
➔ Embracing Possibility and Moving Forward

Connect with Dr. Alicia Farrell:

Website: https://aliciafarrellphd.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciafarrellphd/

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

Website: https://hernextact.com/

instagram: @hernextact

facebook: @joanpaul

The Griswold Inn

Thank you for listening and remember, you're never too old, and it's not too late! That one day is now!

xojoan

In this episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul talks with artist Melissa Barbieri about her lifelong creative journey. From childhood sketches to professional masterpieces, Melissa shares the inspirations, challenges, and pivotal moments that have shaped her work including:

➔ Early Inspirations

➔ Overcoming Doubt

➔ An Unconventional Career

➔ The Power of Art as Therapy

➔ A Health Diagnosis as Springboard to Creative Evolution

Website: Melissa Barbieri: https://www.melissabarbieri.com/

Instagram: @melissabarbieri

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

Website: https://hernextact.com/

instagram: @hernextact

facebook: @joanpaul

The Griswold Inn

Thank you for listening and remember, you're never too old, and it's not too late! That one day is now!

xojoan

In this episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul sits down with Debra Baribault, founder of Live by Water, Make Waves, to explore how life can lead us down unexpected paths. At a certain point, we often realize there is something more meaningful to pursue, something we are truly passionate about.

In her 50s, Debra felt the need for change. She revisited an idea she had held onto for years, creating a business that reflected her love for the ocean while raising awareness about protecting our waterways. Through creativity, persistence, and past business experience, she transformed her vision into a lifestyle brand that not only celebrates life by the water but also fosters a movement for change.

Debra shares how she brought her passion to life, the importance of taking action on long-held dreams, and why midlife is the perfect time to redefine your path.

➔ How Debra turned a lifelong passion into a thriving business

➔ Why midlife is the perfect time to reinvent yourself

➔ The power of creativity and persistence in building something of your own

➔ How Live by Water, Make Waves is making a difference in ocean conservation

➔ The importance of recognizing and celebrating “Wave Makers” in our communities

Website: Live by Water, Make Waves: https://livebywatermakewaves.com/

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

Website: https://hernextact.com/

instagram: @hernextact

facebook: @joanpaul

The Griswold Inn

Thank you for listening and remember, you're never too old, and it's not too late! That one day is now!

xojoan

In this episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul and guest Victoria Lawler discuss the importance of nutrition and its profound impact on vitality, mood, and overall well-being - foundational to living a more vibrant life.

Victoria, a functional nutritionist, shares her journey from childhood influences to overcoming personal health challenges, ultimately pursuing a “next act” to help others navigate this complex but critical area of our lives.

The episode provides listeners with an introduction to food and supplements as they pertain to our health, providing information on “best” nutritional practices and the benefits of a holistic approach to overall well-being.

➔ Meet Victoria Lawlor

➔ The Importance of Nutrition

➔ Understanding Functional Nutrition

➔ The Mind-Gut Connection

➔ Optimizing Protein Intake

➔ Importance of Fiber and Gut Health

➔ Choosing the Right Supplements

➔ Organic Foods and Detoxification

➔ Mediterranean Diet and Personalization

Find out more about Tori at:

Website: https://www.urwellnessway.com/

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

Website: https://hernextact.com/

instagram: @hernextact

facebook: @joanpaul

The Griswold Inn

Thank you for listening and remember, you're never too old, and it's not too late! That one day is now!

xojoan

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul speaks with Jenn Wolcott about her inspiring journey from childhood to adulthood, unwittingly following the bread crumbs of inspiration.

Jenn Wolcott founded her travel company in her mid 50s, providing her with a rich and rewarding “next act” in so many respects. The episode chronicles early influences, and the serendipitous events that led her to launch her tour business. Jenn’s story offers encouragement to women looking to embark on their own next acts later in life. Look into your own “Bank of Inspiration” and see what’s in there: it just might lead you to your next act! 

Episode Highlights:

➔ Introduction: Listening to Your Inner Voice

➔ Meet Jennifer Wolcott: A Journey filled with Synchronicities and Serendipity

➔ Creating Meli Melo Travel

➔ Falling in Love with Provence

➔ From Journalist to Tour Guide

➔ Authentic French Experiences 

➔ Navigating Life in Your Sixties

➔ Inspirational Beginnings and Family Adventures

➔ Reflections and Future Plans; including a collaboration with Joan and the Her Next Act (HNA) Community 

Find out more about Jenn at:

Website: https://www.melimelotravel.com/

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

Website: https://hernextact.com/

instagram: @hernextact

facebook: @joanpaul

The Griswold Inn

Thank you for listening and remember, you're never too old, and it's not too late! That one day is now!

xojoan