Older Women & Friends: Real Women. Real Experts. Real Talk About Aging

What does it really mean to age well, and how can we prepare for the life we want in the years ahead?

In this episode of Older Women & Friends, Jane Leder talks with Sharon Rose, a social gerontologist who specializes in aging in place, age-friendly communities, and intergenerational relationships. Their conversation explores the practical questions that come with planning for the next stage of life and how we can approach aging with greater awareness and preparation.

Sharon explains that aging is not a hill we reach and stop climbing. She encourages us to keep moving forward by staying healthy, positive, socially engaged, and financially smart. She also emphasizes the importance of curiosity, learning, new activities, and meaningful relationships throughout life.

A major focus is aging in place, what it means and how to make a home more comfortable and safer as needs change. Sharon discusses practical ideas such as zero-entry showers, lever handles, appropriate lighting, lower shelving, secure rugs, and other elements of universal design.

Jane and Sharon also explore why community and social connection matter so much. They discuss the difference between multigenerational and intergenerational relationships and share examples of ways older adults and younger people can connect, exchange knowledge, build friendships, and learn from one another.

The conversation also looks at the evolving 50+ marketplace and how today’s older adults want clothing, food, makeup, and other products that reflect active, modern lives rather than outdated ideas about aging.

For older women, women over 50, and anyone interested in aging well, this episode offers practical perspectives on health, mobility, independence, community, home design, relationships, and preparing for the next chapter of life.

A thoughtful conversation about aging well, staying engaged, and creating a life that continues to work for you.

Summary

Jane Leder and social gerontologist Sharon Rose explore what it means to age well, from aging in place and creating safer homes to staying healthy, socially engaged, financially prepared, and connected to community. They discuss health span, mobility, intergenerational relationships, age-friendly communities, universal design, and the evolving 50+ marketplace, offering practical perspectives for older women and women over 50 planning for the next stage of life. 

What happens when the career, identity, and titles that once defined your life no longer feel like enough? In this powerful episode of Older Women & Friends, Jane Leder welcomes empowerment speaker, leadership development professional, author, and life coach Eva Kennedy for an honest conversation about purpose, resilience, self-discovery, and remembering who you are.

Eva spent 29 years building a successful leadership career at Allstate, eventually becoming the company’s first Black director of the claims department. But major life transitions, including a breast cancer diagnosis, reconstructive surgery, and her eventual departure from Allstate, forced her to reconsider what success and a fulfilling life truly meant.

She shares how leaving a career she had been deeply connected to created an unexpected question: “What is my purpose?” That period of uncertainty ultimately led her to identify her five core values, pursue coaching, develop her voice as an empowerment speaker, and create a new chapter centered on helping women reconnect with themselves.

Jane and Eva explore personal growth, self-worth, women’s empowerment, health, meaningful relationships, financial independence, self-care, and life transitions. Eva explains why knowing your values can become a personal roadmap for making better decisions, and why being honest with yourself is essential when discovering what you genuinely want.

She also shares her practical framework: awareness, honesty, acceptance, alignment, and action. Her message is simple but powerful: you don't have to have everything figured out. You don't have to wait for the perfect time. Sometimes, transformation begins with one small step.

Through her work with One Million Women, One Million Steps, Eva encourages women to take that first step toward the life they truly desire.

Whether you're navigating a major transition, searching for purpose, rebuilding confidence, or simply wondering what your next chapter could look like, this inspirational conversation offers meaningful life advice for women, personal growth, empowerment, and fulfillment.

https://www.evamkennedy.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/eva-kennedy/id1744428189?i=1000735481698&l=nb

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQk7SPQNDDvY8GhTQqF7lag

https://www.amazon.com/Just-L-P-Messages-inspire-ebook/dp/B09FMWC8ZY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=N6D57GDU5QY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Y1etN9Zcc9qAtDMegDgsMLbzayuGyCzriguQRlnjVZh3QoR0yx990YMAtiKvc-H9.8ELM1AUhqFN7CJlogmn7Inh-nQ0qVfn8RAF5R79rlP0&dib_tag=se&keywords=Eva+m+Kennedy+book&qid=1789501667&s=digital-text&sprefix=eva+m+kennedy+book%2Cdigital-text%2C131&sr=1-1

It's amazing, but research shows that 98 percent of five-year-olds rate themselves as a creative genius. But that number drops to two percent by adulthood. Creativity gets trained out of us, and we need to figure out how to get it back. Today's guest, therapist, coach, and wisdom sharer Claudine Marchand has a toolbox filled with science and ancient traditions. She was born in Morocco, now lives in Switzerland, and has spent time with Hawaiian elders and First Nations people.

What a pleasure to have her as a guest on Episode #100, a milestone.

Claudine shares the story of growing up with spina bifida and how supportive parents encouraged her to participate fully in life rather than allowing her physical challenges to define her. Her mother, she says, was the perfect mother. She never let Claudine feel compromised in any way and taught her the analytical skills to evaluate what she read, saw, and listened to. Her journey eventually led her through life sciences, a PhD in neuroscience, years of research, and work in the United States before she moved toward psychotherapy and alternative medicine.

• Claudine explains:
• Why she believes modern education and social expectations can gradually suppress our natural creativity, curiosity, playfulness, and joy.
• She shares practical ways to reconnect with those qualities, including remembering moments of childhood joy, playing without judgment, moving your body to music, humming, and becoming more present in everyday life.
• Explores her holistic approach to working with people as whole human beings rather than simply as a diagnosis or case
• Includes psychotherapy, Chinese medicine, naturopathy, Tibetan teachings, and other traditions, as well as the importance of considering physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual experiences

.

Claudine also challenges the idea that meaningful change requires hard work, suggesting instead that curiosity, play, presence, and experimentation can open new possibilities.

If you're navigating aging well, personal growth, life transitions, reinvention, purpose in life after 50, fulfillment, or finding greater joy in later life, this conversation offers a refreshing invitation: slow down, reconnect with yourself, and discover what may still be waiting to emerge.

Claudine is a wise, wise woman with so much to share.

Don't miss this episode.

 A gift for listeners

Download "Nine Things I Know At 80 (That I didn't at 50)

http://hclaudinemarchand.net/

In this episode of Older Women & Friends, I welcome geologist, author, educator, entrepreneur, and world traveler Dr. Tamie Jovanelly for a fascinating conversation about reinvention, purpose, adventure, and creating a life without limits.

After nearly two decades as a successful geology professor, internationally funded researcher, and Fulbright scholar, Tamie made the courageous decision to leave her tenured academic career and pursue a lifelong dream. Together with her husband, she built a custom camper van, launched Adventure Geology Tours, and began exploring the world while helping others discover Earth's most extraordinary landscapes through geology, travel, and education.

Tamie shares how solo travel helped build confidence, resilience, independence, and self-trust long before she married. She reflects on why stepping outside your comfort zone can transform your perspective, how meaningful travel creates lifelong friendships, and why curiosity is one of the greatest gifts we can cultivate at any age.

The conversation explores reinvention after 50, purpose in life, women embracing new adventures, lifelong learning, geological tourism, volcanoes, Iceland, global travel, entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the value of remaining open to change rather than settling into routine. Tamie also explains how travel reveals our shared humanity, reminding us that people everywhere seek the same things: community, safety, kindness, and connection.

She also offers practical travel advice for older women, discusses how to build confidence through independent travel, and explains why meaningful experiences often matter far more than comfortable routines.

Whether you're considering retirement, dreaming about traveling the world, searching for a new purpose, or simply wondering if it's too late to reinvent your life, this conversation offers inspiration, practical wisdom, and proof that your most exciting chapter may still be ahead.

https://us.amazon.com/Volcanoes-What-Everyone-Needs-Know%C2%AE-ebook/dp/B0GX2Y9SV9?ref_=ast_author_dp_rw&th=1&psc=1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.52c3Wn8KEJ4iMP4grSLohcVx6K9TuIpgMTAbO1CHw6M.QGyOCKdUT51ihb5aH7iYaTsxFyUC2o1PWfb0UVVKrMo&dib_tag=AUTHOR

https://us.amazon.com/Iceland-Tectonics-Volcanics-Geophysical-Monograph-ebook/dp/B086RFF3J2?ref_=ast_author_dp_rw&th=1&psc=1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.52c3Wn8KEJ4iMP4grSLohcVx6K9TuIpgMTAbO1CHw6M.QGyOCKdUT51ihb5aH7iYaTsxFyUC2o1PWfb0UVVKrMo&dib_tag=AUTHOR

In this inspiring episode of Older Women & Friends, Jane Leder sits down with actress, writer, producer, director, singer, and lifelong creative Judy Norton, best known for portraying Mary Ellen Walton on the iconic television series The Waltons. Together, they explore how creativity, resilience, and a willingness to reinvent yourself can lead to a meaningful and fulfilling life at every age.

Judy reflects on her remarkable journey from child actor to accomplished storyteller, sharing the lessons she learned about confidence, self-worth, and staying grounded while growing up in Hollywood. She speaks candidly about overcoming self-doubt, navigating criticism, protecting her mental well-being, and discovering the inner strength needed to build a successful life beyond childhood fame.

Their conversation also explores aging well, ageism in the entertainment industry, women over 50, healthy aging, personal growth, reinvention, and the importance of embracing change instead of fearing it. Judy explains why lifelong learning, staying physically active, exercising your mind, and remaining open to new opportunities are essential for creating a vibrant life filled with purpose and possibility.

She also shares how directing, writing, performing on stage, producing creative projects, building a thriving YouTube community, and competing in equestrian events have allowed her to continue evolving while inspiring others to pursue their passions with confidence, regardless of age.

Whether you're navigating life after 60, reinventing your career, overcoming ageism, rebuilding confidence, or simply looking for motivation to embrace your next chapter, this conversation offers practical wisdom, honest encouragement, and timeless inspiration for living life with curiosity, creativity, and purpose.

https://judynorton.com/

https://www.facebook.com/judynortonproductions/

@officialjudynorton

The older we get, the more loss and grief we experience.

For me, my brother's death by suicide when I was 33 and he was 30 turned my life upside down.

I turned to writing a book to help me work through my grief. Dead Serious: A Book For Teenagers About Teen Suicide tells the stories of parents who lost a child to suicide, teens who attempted suicide, and friends of teens who took their own lives.

I am dedicating today, my 81st birthday, to GOOD GRIEF, the organization that helps children, teens, and families learn from each other as they adapt and rebuild their lives. Good Grief builds resilience in children, strengthens families, and empowers communities to grow from loss and adversity.

You can check out the organization's website at:

https://good-grief.org/

And you can help sustain Good Grief by donating today as part of the AgeWise Podcastathon.

It's easy:

Donate to Good Grief Here: 

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/acpfgg/

Or Text "agewise" to 50155

Thanking you in advance.

Evelyn challenges many of society's assumptions about aging. She explains why curiosity, lifelong learning, resilience, and purpose matter far more than the number of candles on a birthday cake.

Jane Leder sits down with Evelyn Kelly, a 91-year-old author, world traveler, professor emeritus of genetics, and passionate advocate for healthy aging to explore what it truly means to live a vibrant, purposeful life at every age.

Having written 22 books, traveled to 90 countries across all seven continents, and continued pursuing new goals well into her nineties, Evelyn challenges many of society's assumptions about aging. She explains why curiosity, lifelong learning, resilience, and purpose matter far more than the number of candles on a birthday cake.

Evelyn reflects on growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, building a successful academic career, becoming fascinated with genetics and gerontology, and later discovering a new passion for travel writing with her daughter. Together, they discuss how travel can improve mental well-being, build resilience, strengthen confidence, and help older adults step outside their comfort zones and embrace new experiences.

The conversation also explores ageism, retirement, independence, emotional health, community, friendships across generations, widowhood, self-efficacy, and maintaining an active lifestyle after 60, 70, 80, and even 90. Evelyn shares practical wisdom on staying mentally engaged, adapting to physical changes, finding purpose after retirement, and refusing to let age define what's possible.

Whether you're navigating retirement, searching for purpose later in life, caring about healthy aging, or simply looking for uplifting real-life stories from extraordinary older women, this episode offers powerful encouragement and actionable inspiration for creating a meaningful, joyful future.

Jane sits down with Diane Heiler to talk about her memoir, A Widow's Fire. Diane shares the remarkable story of losing her beloved husband of 25 years to lung cancer and the emotional reality of becoming his caregiver during the final years of his life. She speaks openly about anticipatory grief, caregiver burnout, and the overwhelming loneliness that followed his passing, while revealing how journaling, poetry, and self-reflection became powerful tools for healing.

Diane also reflects on the experiences that shaped her long before widowhood—including divorce, single motherhood, entrepreneurship, and learning to trust her own strength. She courageously discusses Widow's Fire, the often misunderstood emotional and physical longing for connection after losing a spouse, and explains why finding companionship, happiness, or even love again should never be met with guilt or shame.

Throughout the conversation, Diane shares practical wisdom on emotional resilience, rebuilding life after loss, navigating life transitions, traveling with a new partner while honoring cherished memories, and transforming heartbreak into purpose through writing. Her story is an inspiring reminder that grief and joy can exist together, and that healing doesn't mean leaving the past behind—it means carrying love forward while embracing a meaningful new chapter.

Whether you're coping with the loss of a spouse, caring for someone with cancer, rebuilding after divorce, searching for purpose after retirement, or simply looking for encouragement about aging well, this conversation offers compassion, hope, and honest insight for every stage of life's journey.

https://awidowsfire.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-heiler-9707202a/

https://medium.com/authority-magazine/diane-heiler-on-the-5-things-you-need-to-be-a-successful-author-or-writer-775f33422d6f

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/widow-traveling-europe-with-boyfriend-in-80s_n_6a411e17e4b0f4826b45e175

In this episode of Older Women & Friends, Jane Leder welcomes bestselling author, leadership expert, and aging well advocate Erika Andersen for a thought-provoking conversation about what it truly means to create your best life after 60.

Drawing from her acclaimed book, The New Old: Crafting Your Best Later Life, Erika shares a practical roadmap for aging well, finding purpose, embracing change, and staying engaged, curious, and fulfilled in later life. Rather than viewing aging as a period of decline, she challenges women over 50 to see it as an opportunity for reinvention, growth, freedom, and possibility.

Erika explains why becoming the boss of your own life is one of the most important keys to healthy aging. She discusses how creating a personal vision, building meaningful relationships, overcoming ageism, and maintaining a strong sense of purpose can dramatically improve happiness, emotional health, and overall well-being.

She also shares fascinating research showing that people with a positive mindset about aging can live significantly longer, while offering practical strategies for strengthening confidence after 50, managing self-talk, practicing mindfulness, cultivating gratitude, and adapting gracefully to life's inevitable transitions.

The conversation explores loneliness after 60, community for older women, life after retirement, active aging, emotional resilience, lifelong learning, and finding joy in new experiences. Erika reveals why your 60s, 70s, and beyond can become some of the most meaningful, productive, and rewarding years of your life.

Whether you're navigating a major life transition, searching for deeper fulfillment, building a new chapter after retirement, or simply looking for inspiration on aging gracefully, this episode is filled with practical wisdom, encouragement, and actionable insights.

Jane Leder sits down with legendary fashion designer, entrepreneur, breast cancer survivor, and pro-aging advocate Diane Gilman for an unforgettable conversation about women over 50, aging well, reinvention, purpose, confidence, and creating a meaningful life at every age.

Known worldwide as the “Queen of Jeans,” Diane Gilman transformed the fashion industry after age 60 by designing jeans specifically for middle-aged women, eventually selling nearly 25 million pairs worldwide.

But this episode isn’t just about fashion. It’s about what happens when success, aging, health challenges, and purpose collide.

After surviving breast cancer in her 70s, Diane experienced a profound shift in perspective. Instead of slowing down, she embraced reinvention, challenged ageism, launched a new career in podcasting, and became a powerful voice for older women who refuse to become invisible.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Diane Gilman reinvented her life and career after 60
• The story behind creating jeans for real women and changing an industry
• How breast cancer transformed her outlook on aging and purpose
• Why ageism remains a challenge for older women—and how to overcome it
• The importance of confidence, self-worth, and independence after 50
• How to find purpose, fulfillment, and happiness later in life
• Why it’s never too late to start something new
• The role of mindset, wellness, and healthy aging in long-term success
• How to create a meaningful legacy in your 60s, 70s, and beyond
• Practical life advice for women embracing reinvention and personal growth