At 60, Denise Taylor began again: downsized, got a divorce, embraced single living, and set off on a journey that included a vision quest, game ranger training, and time living with a Maasai tribe. At 64, she completed her doctorate exploring how people find meaning after full-time work. That research became the seed for ThriveSpan, one of nine books, a model, a philosophy, and a way of living more consciously in later life.

"I could see the future," Denise said. "If I were going to make any changes, I'd better make them now."

Single living was difficult. She realized that she had no friends. Denise and her ex-husband had done everything together. There'd been no room, time, or convenience of friends. But she put in the time and energy and developed enough social contact to make her happy.

But the beauty of being single allowed Denise to make her own decisions. She no longer had to placate her ex. "There was such freedom," she said. "Every decision is mine."

You'll want to listen to Denise talk about her experiences as a vision quester (Is there such a thing?), her time spent with a Masai tribe, and the owner of four acres of woodland. "Nature has influenced me in so many ways; it certainly influences my writing and the connection I feel to Mother Nature."

https://denisetaylor.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/retirement-relevance-question-who-we-without-doing-dr-denise-taylor-9vn1e/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisetaylor/?originalSubdomain=uk

"We don't want to be younger versions of ourselves: We've worked too hard to get where we are today."

"Aging is a process of living." Guest Tracey Gendron, professor, author, and activist, reminds listeners that we don't want to be younger versions of ourselves: We've worked too hard to get where we are today. However, the way we learn about aging is filled with misconceptions. We've never learned the truth; instead, we think of aging as a process of physical decline and don't look at the "growth part." Yes, Tracey says, loss and decline are real. There's no getting around that. But so is change and growth. Research shows that as we age, we tend to focus on things that make us feel better, and we are much more able to "prune" the relationships and things that are not working for us. It's part of the wisdom we gain. We understand that we've wasted a lot of time on people who don't give us joy. "The world gets smaller but richer because it is filled with people and things we love.""Older Women & Friends" is richer with Tracey as this episode's guest.Her book, Ageism Unmasked, has garnered oodles of praise like this:“This book is a must-read for anyone who is aging — and that is every one of us! "Jill Vitale-Aussem, author of Disrupting the Status Quo of Senior Livinghttps://www.traceygendron.com/homeAgeism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It-  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/700435/ageism-unmasked-by-tracey-gendron/9781586423223/OR wherever you buy books

It's a new trend, well, maybe not that new. Couples in committed relationships are choosing to live apart. Interesting, eh? The couple might be married, maybe not. Perhaps they are divorced; maybe a partner/spouse has passed away. Whatever the circumstances, these couples agree that they don't have to share the same space to have a happy, healthy relationship.

Vicki Larson, today's guest, has written LATitude: How You Can Make A Live Apart Together Relationship Work. "It seems as if women 50-plus are the movers and shakers," she says. "Many women (and men) are uninterested in replicating past marriages or long-term commitments."

While the statistics don't tell the whole story, it is estimated that ten percent of American couples and those in other countries are living together apart. "It's becoming much more common than we thought," says Vicki.

Vicki tells the story of her own parents, who lived apart for ten years. "It didn't faze me," she says. Her mother left New York City and moved to Florida. She had had enough. (They eventually lived together again.)

Vicki points out that there are no rules when it comes to LAT relationships. Couples fashion whatever works for them. For some, the idea is terrifying. For others, it is a grand creative adventure.

What are some of the benefits of living apart together, according to those who've embraced the arrangement? It gives some breathing space, a "room of one's own." For others, it brings a sexual novelty to the relationship. Still others subscribe to the sentiment that "absence makes the heart grow fonder."

There are, of course, downsides. The romantic partner may not be accepted by the other partner's children. The negative response from some ("Why even get married or commit when you're not living together?") can cause tension between friends and acquaintances. And there are feelings of jealousy/a lack of trust between some couples.

Again, Vicki stresses that living apart together is not for everyone and is not better than traditional relationships, just different. Deciding to live separately requires a lot of discussion, decision-making, and change. But for some, the setup is exactly how they want to live, what for many is a second or third shot at a long-term romantic relationship that works.

https://www.vicki-larson.com/

https://www.facebook.com/vlarson/

https://www.vicki-larson.com/books

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickilarson/

How to contact Wendy Battles, host of Reinvntion Rebels

https://reinventionrebels.com/about/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyabattles/

Maria Leonard Olsen is a civil litigation lawyer, a journalist, and an author. When she turned 50, she got divorced, got sober, and became an empty nester. For the first time in her life, she was living alone. And for the first time after 15 years as a full-time mom, she had to find a law firm that would hire her.

Many women would have folded under the pressure, the loneliness, the Herculean task of putting a life back together. Not Maria. On the suggestion of a friend, Maria decided to try 50 new things in her 50th year. And some of those things were big, real big. Teaser: She bought a motorcycle with a sidecar for her dog. (All these years later, [Maria is 64], she rides on the back of her partner's motorcycle and experiences the freedom that helped her heal.)

Her two-month stay as a volunteer in the poorest section of Nepal made her realize that it's not the number of things you have, but the friends, family, and shared experiences that make us happy. She began to understand that the life of gratitude is so much more precious than trying to be something she was not. A self-described "people pleaser," Maria set out to work on pleasing and loving herself.

Today, one of Maria's greatest joys is helping others. Her experiences with alcoholism, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and racism have given her first-hand knowledge of the suffering and the joys of healing.

Maria is a woman you'll want to get to know.

https://www.marialeonardolsen.com/

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR3cM9aRjes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B4PPYJW/?bestFormat=true&k=50%20after%2050%20book&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k0_1_8_de&crid=1LZ6M942D3A5U&sprefix=50%20after

Join me in this enlightening episode as I sit down with Gina Vild, author of The Two Most Important Days: How to Find Your Purpose and Live a Happier and Healthier Life.

I don't know about you, but I've been in a constant state of fight or flight. It feels as if the United States and the rest of the world are upside down and that there is very little we can do to find joy and awe.

Enter Gina Vild and the wisdom she brings to the table, essential wisdom if we are to survive and thrive.

Gina shares her journey from political activist to communication director, from associate dean at Harvard Medical School, to author.

She talks about how poetry, personal purpose, and setting emotional boundaries can transform your life and find joy and awe in everyday moments. It is these moments and moments that we relive from our past that can change our brain waves and levels of "feel good" chemicals like serotonin.

Tune in to learn how to navigate life's challenges with grace and strength. Habits that help us stay sane in tumultuous times.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-vild-908a648/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/gina-vild

https://www.instagram.com/ginavild/

https://www.facebook.com/gina.vild/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B075FFS7NM?ccs_id=71032ad2-f47c-48f8-8518-35e72e6f4d84

POETRY

William Stafford, "Yes"

https://reflections.yale.edu/article/reformation-writing-next-chapter/poem-yes

William Stafford, "Thread"

https://www.slowmuse.com/2019/06/16/the-thread/

Ilana Landsberg-Lewis

https://www.wizwork.net/sign-up

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanalandsberglewis/

https://ilanalandsberglewis.com/elementor-1000/

Join me as I delve into the world of classical music with Roit Feldenkreis, a trailblazing conductor and consultant.

Discover Roit's journey from a small village in Israel to conducting orchestras worldwide, and how she integrates her musical expertise into corporate leadership.

This episode explores the challenges and triumphs of being a female conductor in a male-dominated field, and the innovative ways Roit is bridging the gap between music and business.

https://roitfeldenkreis.com/bio/

https://roitfeldenkreis.com/press/

Recommended Podcast, "Wisdom At Work"

www.wisdomatworkpodcast.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanalandsberglewis/

Three of the past guests on "Older Women & Friends" talk about what they've been up to since we last spoke. All three of their stories represent the exciting escapades of older women who continue to smash stereotypes to simitherenes.

Melissa Davey: At age 65, she left the corporate world to follow a dream of becoming a filmmaker. And, boy, her story is one of determination, creativity, and success. Melissa and I first talked back at the end of 2022. She was one of my first guests on "Older Women & Friends." I was impressed then and even more three years later. Melissa's first documentary film, "Beyond Sixty," profiled some extraordinary older women. It is her second film, "Climbing Into Life," that has put her on the map. Dierdre Wolowniick, the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite, is the subject of this documentary. You may know about her son, who is the subject of "Free Solo." He is the first person who climbed "Cap" without any protective equipment. No ropes. Nothing.

In this episode, Melissa chronicles the amazing life of Dierdre, who tries to get closer to her son and to understand his obsession with climbing.

https://melissadavey.com/

https://melissadavey.com/climbing-into-life/

https://melissadavey.com/beyond-60/

Jeanette Leardi - During these stressful times in our country's history, Jeanette is focused on the 2025 mid-term elections. "To me," she says, "that is ground zero. If we get it right, things can turn around." Switching gears, Jeanette cites the happy rise in the emphasis on intergenerational communication. "It is the most important way to defeat ageism." She offers how we can meet younger folks and the kinds of experiences we can share. I also asked Jeanette about her experience with the publication of her book, Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older.

https://www.jeanetteleardi.com/

https://www.jeanetteleardi.com/aging-sideways-book

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanette-leardi-3978b126/

Lucinda Skykes - Lucinda sets the record for the most frequent guest on "Older Women & Friends." She is a retired physician who has focused her attention and expertise on sleep and women 50+. It is natural to sleep as much as we age, she says. The objective is to use your time to your advantage, either in the middle of the night or early morning. Lucinda details steps any woman (and man) can take to do exactly that. If you've listened to an episode with Lucinda, you know that she is knowledgeable about so many topics, including wisdom and how we can take advantage of all that we've experienced and live happy, fulfilling lives.

https://lucindasykesmd.com/

https://lucindasykesmd.com/my-story/

Dian Griesel, Ph.D., a renowned perception analyst and hypnotherapist, has dedicated her career to understanding how our conscious and unconscious beliefs shape our perceptions and influence every decision we make, both personally and professionally.

The middle of five siblings, Dian grew up doing her best to balance the "uppers" and the "lowers." She tried to be non-disruptive, not to cause any dissention among the ranks. She was the unofficial "peace maker" in the family. And

it was her experience growing up that groomed Dian to be the "quiet, confident advisor" or, as she describes it, "the fly on the wall."

Some of the Key Points of Discussion in this energetic, eye-opening episode:

Objective vs. Subjective Age: While we can't change our chronological age, our mental attitude and actions can significantly influence how young we feel. Dian's personal experiences and professional insights reveal how maintaining an active lifestyle and positive mindset can make a difference.

Biological Age: Utilizing tools like the Tanita Body Fat scale, Dian monitors her biological age, which often reflects a much younger state due to her healthy habits. She shares practical advice on hydration, nutrition, and physical activity.

Fountain of Youth Myths: From historical quests to modern-day fads, Dian offers a grounded perspective on the true keys to longevity and vitality—movement, nutritious eating, and genuine social connections.

Embracing Mortality: Dian discusses her philosophy on aging and death, emphasizing the importance of living fully and purposefully each day, despite life's inevitable challenges.

She is known to millions as @SilverDisobedience.

https://diangriesel.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diangriesel/

https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com/

The Woman Behind The Mother

Poet, novelist, essayist, and editor Jill Bialosky had wanted to write about her mother for some time, but she was busy with other projects, and the timing was not right. But then her mother passed away from Alzheimer's during COVID, and Jill, unable to attend the burial in another city, watched the abbreviated burial on FaceTime. "It was," she said, "very difficult to process her death."

As many authors do, she turned to writing to process her grief. Her essay about the FaceTime Funeral appeared in the New York Times; The floodgates opened wide. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/opinion/coronavirus-burial-facetime.html

Jill's mother was born in 1933 into a world in which women were expected to marry, have children, and live happily ever after. Tragically, her husband died when she was twenty-five, and she was left to care for three daughters, all under the age of three. "She was so unequipped," Jill said. "The advice of family and friends was to find a new husband to take care of us. That's what she did." Unfortunately, that marriage didn't last.

When Jill began to write about her mother in earnest, she decided to start with her mother's death and to move from there, tracing her mother's life back to her childhood. In this episode of "Older Women & Friends," she explains why she decided to move from the end to the beginning. She also takes a hard look at what living in an institution is like and her evolving view of people with Alzheimer's. "They no longer control the narrative of their lives, but are still expressing and participating."

This is a touching, insightful episode that should not be missed.

https://www.jillbialosky.com/

Another recommended podcast for mid-life women.

"Aging with Purpose and Passion" with Beverly Glazer

https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com/

"I tell women all the time that embracing one's authentic self in life takes time.

It is like peeling multiple layers of an onion," said Clare. "You want to be the same person, no matter where you are."

Clare Beckton grew up "very poor." Her family lived in a three-room shack with no running water. What she understood early on was how power was wielded by her father, her brothers, and the men in the small farming community where she lived and how women got the short shaft. "I was a feminist at an early age," Clare said. "I knew that I wanted to make a difference."

There were no strong, self-assured female role models in Clare's life. But she decided to go to law school, and with no money, she set out to win all the school awards and land a scholarship, which she did. Upon graduation, she was encouraged to go to graduate school in law and nabbed a teaching fellowship. Later on, she then spent twenty-three years in the Canadian Justice Department.

"I call this stage of life rewirement, not retirement," Clare said. "I focus only on my passion for making a difference with women entrepreneurs and older women in the workplace."

"I tell women all the time that embracing one's authentic self in life--knowing who we are as a person-- takes time, like peeling multiple layers of an onion," said Clare. "You want to be the same person, no matter where you are."

How do you connect with your authentic self? Clare offers many suggestions:

• Reconnect with your values. Consider what's driving your life. If you're out of alignment with the values of the work you're doing, ask why you're doing what you're doing, and make any necessary changes.
• Seek feedback. Listen to what someone has to say. Even if the feedback is not what you'd hoped, learn from it.
• Reflection - Ask yourself what part you played in a situation that went wrong, and learn from your mistakes or misjudgments
• Acknowledge your successes. Celebrate.
• Network. Build connections. Understand how the system devalues your talents and skills, and collaborate with other women about strategies, experiences, and solutions.
• Show Up, Speak Up. Never lose your voice.
• Get up in the morning with a PURPOSE, a reason to look forward to the day.

"We live in a society that doesn't value the wisdom of older people, particularly women," said Clare. "Refuse to be invisible. Don't be sidelined.

The title of Clare's book says it all: Own It: Your Success, Your Future, Your Life.

https://www.amazon.com/Own-Your-Success-Future-Life/dp/1460252314 or wherever books are sold

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarebeckton/

https://womensbusinessnetwork.ca/introducing-clare-beckton-honorary-bya-chair/

Check out Clare's blogs on Huffington Post

Another great podcast to check out:

Aging With Purpose & Passion w/ host, Beverly Glazer

https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com/

Email [email protected]

Website https://reinventimpossible.com/podcast

Website: https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleyglazer/

https://www.facebook.com/beverley.glazer

Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/womenover50rock

https://www.instagram.com/beverleyglazer_reinvention/