This episode features a powerful conversation with Bonnie Strati on resilience, reinvention, and what it truly means to become “whole again.” She shares how an unexpected job loss became the catalyst for writing her book Built Stronger: The Art of Becoming Whole Again. What started as a painful and disorienting moment evolved into a period of deep reflection, where writing became her outlet for processing not only that loss, but a lifetime of experiences that shaped her identity. Through storytelling, she began to reconnect with herself and reframe her narrative from one of loss to one of growth and possibility.

Bonnie also opens up about her battle with illness, which added another profound layer to her journey. Being forced to slow down shifted her perspective on strength, moving away from constant striving and toward self-awareness, healing, and self-compassion. Together, you explore how setbacks—whether career-related or health-related—can serve as invitations to grow, especially in midlife and beyond. Her story is a reminder that resilience isn’t about pushing through at all costs, but about honoring your experiences, embracing vulnerability, and rebuilding a life that feels aligned, authentic, and whole.

Bonnie's Info:

https://www.instagram.com/bonniestrati/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDGZ9NDV/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_GB6PC5EZVRJP32B194CE?linkCode=ml1&tag=besoulfulcoac-20&linkId=05b7a560b04e754e24f74ec29aa82f1b

**The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute  legal advice;  instead, all information, content and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this podcast  may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser. 

This conversation centers on Monica Rodgers’ concept of the “trance of unworthiness,” a deeply ingrained mindset many women develop over time through subtle but constant societal messaging. She describes it as a “slow drip” of criticism, expectations, and cultural conditioning that gradually shapes how women see themselves—often leading them to internalize feelings of inadequacy just as they reach pivotal stages of identity and adulthood. Drawing from her own upbringing and experiences, Monica explains how these patterns become normalized, making it difficult for women to recognize that their self-doubt isn’t inherent, but learned.

Throughout the interview, we explore the importance of interrupting this trance—bringing awareness to these unconscious beliefs and actively challenging them. The conversation highlights the power of self-reflection, healing, and reclaiming one’s sense of worth, especially in midlife and beyond when many women begin to question long-held narratives about who they are and what they deserve. Ultimately, the episode is both a wake-up call and an invitation: to break free from limiting beliefs, rewrite the internal story, and step into a more empowered, authentic version of oneself.

Monica's Info: 

Website: http://jointherevelation.com   

Facebook: @revelationwoman

Instagram: @revelationwoman

**The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute  legal advice;  instead, all information, content and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this podcast  may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser. 

This conversation with Dr. Torkil Færø is a powerful blend of science, storytelling, and lived experience. Drawing from his work as a physician, global traveler, and author, Torkil breaks down the concept of heart rate variability (HRV) and what it reveals about our stress, recovery, and overall health. He explains how many of us are living in a constant low-grade stress state—often without realizing it—and how learning to listen to the body’s signals can be a game changer. Through both research and personal insight, he offers a more nuanced, compassionate way to understand health—not as something to “push through,” but something to partner with.

At the same time, Torkil brings in his identity as an adventurer, weaving in stories and perspective that go far beyond traditional medicine. He challenges the idea that vitality comes from doing more, and instead invites us to slow down, get curious, and reconnect—with our bodies, our energy, and the way we move through the world. It’s a conversation that gently nudges you to rethink how you’re living day to day, offering both practical tools and a refreshing mindset shift toward a more aware, energized, and meaningful life.

Torkil's Info:

https://www.amazon.com/Pulse-Cure-revolutionary-balance-optimise/dp/1529437334

https://www.instagram.com/dr.torkil/

**The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute  legal advice;  instead, all information, content and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this podcast  may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser. 

This conversation centers around Michelle Petties’ journey with food addiction and the deeper emotional, psychological, and societal layers that surround it. Through discussing her book Leaving Large: The Stories of a Food Addict, Michelle reframes overeating not as a simple lack of discipline, but as a complex and often misunderstood addiction rooted in pain, coping, and learned behaviors. The dialogue highlights how society tends to judge people struggling with weight without recognizing the underlying relationship with food, and emphasizes the importance of naming it honestly—“food addiction”—to begin addressing it with compassion and clarity.

As the conversation unfolds, Michelle shares personal insights about her own experiences, illustrating how healing requires more than diets or willpower—it involves self-awareness, emotional work, and redefining one’s relationship with food and self-worth. Leslie and Michelle explore the cultural shifts happening around this topic, noting how it’s becoming more visible and openly discussed. The tone remains both compassionate and empowering, encouraging listeners to move away from shame and toward understanding, while recognizing that lasting change comes from addressing the root causes, not just the symptoms.

Michelle's info: 

https://go.michellepetties.com/mindovermeals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJLr53XlIV4

https://go.michellepetties.com/pvc

https://leavinglarge.com/

**The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute  legal advice;  instead, all information, content and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this podcast  may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser. 

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, Leslie speaks with Elsa Weill, who joins the conversation from Lyon. Elsa shares the story behind her project Coffee with Strangers, an initiative where she meets a new person every week for coffee—sometimes in person and sometimes online with people from around the world. After living in eight different countries over 25 years, Elsa created the project as a way to keep the spirit of travel and discovery alive even while staying rooted in one place. Through these conversations, she seeks out people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and generations, believing that meeting someone outside your usual circle expands perspective and sparks creativity.

During the conversation, Elsa and Leslie reflect on the surprising depth that can come from speaking with someone you’ve just met. Without the expectations or roles we carry in our everyday relationships, strangers often feel freer to be honest, curious, and open. What begins as a simple coffee can quickly turn into a meaningful exchange about life, choices, and different ways of seeing the world. The episode becomes a reminder that connection doesn’t require years of history—sometimes all it takes is curiosity, a willingness to listen, and the courage to sit down with someone new.

Elsa's info:

https://www.coffeewithstrangers.net/

https://humanlibrary.org/

http://www.elsaweill.com/home-english

**The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute  legal advice;  instead, all information, content and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this podcast  may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser. 

In this heartfelt reunion episode, Leslie reconnects with her childhood friend Andrea, someone who knew her back in their middle school days in South Florida—long before careers, families, and all the twists of adult life. What begins as a fun catch-up between old friends quickly becomes a powerful conversation about purpose and reinvention. Andrea shares stories from her 38-year career as a neonatal nurse, caring for some of the tiniest and most vulnerable babies while supporting families during deeply emotional moments. Her natural gift for nurturing people shines through in the moving stories she tells about the families she served and the lasting impact those relationships had on her life.

But Andrea’s story isn’t just about a long career in nursing—it’s about continually evolving. Throughout her life she has reinvented herself several times, learning to listen to that inner voice that tells you when it’s time, as she says, to “change the channel.” From meaningful moments that came full circle years later to personal and spiritual growth along the way, Andrea’s journey is a reminder that life rarely follows a straight line. It’s a conversation about compassion, courage, and the beauty of staying open to the next chapter—no matter where life takes you.

Andrea's Info:

https://andreaackersoninteriors.net/

https://mylemonlife.com/home

**The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute  legal advice;  instead, all information, content and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this podcast  may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser. 

In this conversation, Leslie sits down with Tamara Hill to explore what it really means to carry our stories into midlife and beyond. Together, they talk about the quiet weight many women hold—unspoken grief, anxiety that lingers beneath the surface, complicated family dynamics, and the lifelong habit of being “the strong one.” Drawing from her memoir in poems, Threads of Becoming, Tamara shares how putting words to pain can become an act of courage—and how reflection can gently transform survival into self-understanding.

This episode isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about honoring the threads that shaped you and choosing, with intention, which ones you’ll carry forward. For any woman navigating midlife, retirement, or simply a season of inner reckoning, this conversation offers validation, compassion, and hope. Because after 50, we aren’t unraveling—we’re becoming.

Tamara's Info:

https://www.amazon.com/Threads-Becoming-Memoir-Poems/dp/1967510725

https://thehillhousegroup.com/pages/biography

**The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute  legal advice;  instead, all information, content and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this podcast  may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser. 

In this rich and reflective conversation, Sandy Hammond shares her experiences walking two different routes of the Camino de Santiago — first the Camino del Norte and later the Portuguese route from Porto — describing how what began as a carefully planned, mileage-focused adventure slowly transformed into something much deeper. As a self-proclaimed “Type A planner,” Sandy arrived with spreadsheets and daily distance goals, only to discover that the Camino has its own pace and personality. Through café stops, long communal meals, and conversations with pilgrims from around the world, she learned that the journey isn’t about conquering miles but surrendering to the rhythm of the day. The contrasts between routes — the quieter, more flexible Norte and the increasingly popular Portuguese path requiring more advance planning — offered practical insights, but it was the human connection and the slow unfolding of each day that left the greatest mark.

Layered into the conversation is Leslie’s own experience walking the Camino Francés, adding another dimension to the discussion. Together, the stories highlight how each route carries a different energy, yet all invite the same deeper shift — from productivity to presence, from control to curiosity. Leslie reflects on her own lessons from the Francés, the beauty of shared struggle and simple routines, and the surprising clarity that can emerge from putting one foot in front of the other for days on end. What emerges is a powerful reminder that adventure after 50 isn’t about checking a box — it’s about saying yes, loosening the grip on perfection, and allowing the road to change you along the way.

A slice of what you can find online regarding the Caminos:

https://caminoways.com/camino-de-santiago-routes

**The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute  legal advice;  instead, all information, content and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this podcast  may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser. 

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, Kerry Fink shares how a career that began in media and broadcasting — including work connected to The Music of Your Life — naturally evolved into a deeper mission of serving seniors and the families who support them. What started as connecting audiences through music and storytelling became something much bigger: helping communities better understand aging, caregiving, and the realities many families quietly face. Through work with organizations like the Brevard Alzheimer's Foundation, Kerry has helped bring visibility, education, and compassion to conversations many people don’t know how to start.

Together, we explore how aging isn’t just a medical or logistical journey — it’s an emotional and relational one. This conversation highlights the power of information, the importance of early conversations, and the unexpected connection and meaning that can grow when families face aging with openness instead of fear. At its heart, this episode is a hopeful reminder that while aging changes roles, it can also deepen relationships, strengthen families, and invite us into a more intentional, connected second half of life.

Kerry's Info:

https://helpingseniorsofbrevard.info/meet-kerry-fink/

https://kerryfink.com/

**The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute  legal advice;  instead, all information, content and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this podcast  may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser. 

Juli Ford shares how multi-generational living is rapidly shifting from a niche lifestyle choice to a practical solution for two major realities families are facing at the same time: an aging population needing more support and younger generations struggling with housing affordability. Drawing from both her real estate expertise and her own 10-year experience living with her 82-year-old mother, Julie explains how combining households can strengthen family bonds, reduce living expenses, and help families build long-term financial security. She also highlights how many families are already curious about this model — often quietly wishing it were possible for them — especially those in the sandwich generation caring for both parents and adult children.

Beyond the housing logistics, Julie emphasizes that the real key to successful multi-generational living isn’t floor plans — it’s conversations. She encourages families to start with honest discussions about expectations, boundaries, finances, daily life rhythms, and future care needs before anyone moves in together. The conversation explores how American cultural ideals around independence are evolving, and how choosing interdependence can actually create stronger families, better emotional support, and more resilient financial futures when done intentionally and with clear communication.

Juli's info: 

https://juliford.com/

**The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute  legal advice;  instead, all information, content and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this podcast  may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser.