Reinvent Yourself

"Change is inevitable," says Niamh McAnally, an Irish-born author, speaker, and former TV director. "You've got to be ready for the next kind of reinvention." In this conversation McAnally shares her incredible journey of reinvention, from working in television to becoming a scuba instructor, to living on a sailboat with the love of her life. Discover how McAnally found her true calling and a profound love in the most unexpected places. This episode is a testament to the power of embracing change, following your passions, and finding love later in life. 

Bio: Niamh McAnally y is an Irish-born bestselling author, keynote and corporate speaker, and former TV director. She is the youngest daughter of the late BAFTA award-winning actor Ray McAnally and actress Ronnie Masterson. Neif has traveled the world, living and working as a volunteer in many island nations in the Caribbean and the South Pacific. She is known for her adventurous spirit and her new memoir, "Following Sunshine: A Voyage Around the Mind, Around the World, and Around the Heart."

01:28 - Introducing Niamh McAnally

03:04 - Growing up in Ireland taught her that change is inevitable

04:06 -McAnally's background

06:09 - Work life and history

08:11 - How did you get published and where were you published?

12:53 - When you have a major change, it's very helpful to stop and think

15:27 - McAnally's through the middle age from homelessness to a captivating global quest

19:28 - One of the most important things as you get older is staying curious

25:17 - Stay present in the moment is the key to success in life

25:35 - McAnally's tips and tricks for older women traveling alone

28:21 - McAnally talks about saving money by traveling the world as a volunteer

Key Points:

• Embracing change can lead to unexpected and fulfilling opportunities.

Links and Resources:

• Niamh McAnally's Website

If you found this episode inspiring, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join us at CoveyClub.com. Until next time, keep reinventing!

“He was our true north,” says Marianne Leone of her son Jesse; “He was the best thing that ever happened to us.” An actress, screenwriter, and essayist, Leone shares her deeply personal journey of navigating profound loss and finding solace and purpose through writing and rescuing dogs. In this heartfelt conversation, Lesley Jane Seymour delves into Leone's story of losing her son Jesse at 17 and how she reinvented herself through art and advocacy. Discover how Leone's experiences with grief, love, and recovery led her to write her latest memoir, "Five Dog Epiphany," which beautifully intertwines her life with the joy and healing brought by her rescue dogs. This episode is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of creativity and compassion.

Bio: Marianne Leone is an accomplished actress, screenwriter, and essayist whose work has appeared in prestigious publications like the Boston Globe and Lithub. She is the author of two memoirs, "Jesse" and "Ma Speaks Up." Leone had a recurring role on HBO's "The Sopranos" and has appeared in films by directors such as Martin Scorsese and David O. Russell. She lives outside of Boston with her husband and continues to inspire through her writing and advocacy.

Timestamps

(03:50) - Introducing Marianne Leone

(07:04) - She stopped acting after she had her son ten weeks early

(09:29) - Jesse was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age three

(13:20) - How dogs can help nonverbal individuals

(16:40) - Why rescuing dogs isn't easy - but is worth it

(19:42) - Where animals fit into Leone's family

(21:51) - How dogs are responsive in our lives

(22:18) - How signs from the universe impacted her grief

(26:13) -Seeing hawks and a fox: symbolism through animals

(29:45) - Marianne Leone's book about her son Jesse is called Five Dog Epiphany

Key Points:

- Art and writing can serve as powerful tools for healing and transformation.

- Rescuing animals can bring unexpected joy and help in the grieving process.

- Personal loss can lead to advocacy and a deeper understanding of life's purpose.

- Spiritual signs and connections can provide comfort and guidance during tough times.

Links and Resources:

Preorder "Five Dog Epiphany" by Marianne Leone

Support independent bookstores

Visit Covey Club

If you found this episode inspiring, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join us at CoveyClub.com. Until next time, keep reinventing!

 "When God tells you it's time to reinvent, you listen," says Staci Wallace, best-selling author, speaker, and CEO of Fueled by Fire. In this episode, Lesley Jane Seymour sat down with Wallace to explore a unique perspective on reinvention driven by faith and divine inspiration. From her early days as a tough tomboy in South Dallas to becoming a business strategist who has shared the stage with five U.S. presidents, her journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Discover how she transitioned from a life of entrepreneurial success to leading a purpose-driven, faith-based consulting company that empowers others to create highly profitable businesses that glorify God. Wallace also shares her personal experience with physical and spiritual transformation, including a heartfelt discussion about her decision to remove breast implants for health reasons. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone seeking to reinvent themselves at any stage of life.

Bio

Staci Wallace is a best-selling author, speaker, and CEO of Fueled by Fire, a global faith-based consulting company. With 35 years of expertise in business psychology and leadership development, she empowers entrepreneurs, CEOs, and influencers to create purpose-driven, highly profitable businesses and nonprofit organizations. Stacey and her husband Larry are also the founders of Em Women, a nonprofit organization that rescues and restores the lives of women and girls facing life's most difficult challenges.

02:54 - Wallace started out in network marketing at 18 and has built multiple businesses

08:14 - The intersection of midlife and reinvention

14:51 - Wallace's health journey and miracle

18:25 - Wallace says God asked her to give everything away to the poor

24:08 - Fueled by Fire coaches entrepreneurs to become conduits of generosity

24:53 - How Fueled by Fire became a million dollar business

26:06 - Wallace's three tips for reinvention

• Reinvention can be driven by divine inspiration and faith.

• Visit Staci Wallace's Website

If you found this episode inspiring, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join us at CoveyClub.com. Until next time, keep reinventing!

"What to do when you feel like crap" is the unfiltered, honest theme of this episode, featuring the inspiring Heather Chauvin. A leadership coach and former social worker, Chauvin helps successful women live, work, and parent on their own terms. She shares her journey from an early motherhood at 18 to a life-altering stage four cancer diagnosis in 2013, which propelled her into a mission to uncover how cultural expectations sabotage our dreams. Join us as Chauvin discusses the concept of being "emotionally uncomfortable," the importance of self-awareness, and actionable steps to transform your life.

Bio:

Heather Chauvin is a leadership coach specializing in helping women courageously and authentically live, work, and parent on their own terms. She began her career as a social worker and pivoted to coaching after a stage four cancer diagnosis in 2013. Heather is passionate about helping women uncover how cultural expectations sabotage their dreams and has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Real Simple, MindBodyGreen, and Google.

(00:00) - Heather Chauvin is a leadership coach who helps women live on their own terms

(01:49) - The meaning behind "emotionally uncomfortable"

(02:19) - Six months after becoming self employed, Chauvin was diagnosed with stage four cancer

(07:58) - Danielle Laporte says burning out started when she became a mother

(15:13) - People often teach that you have to lead by example to change others

(22:17) - Chauvin discusses her health and where she is now

(24:10) - Heather says women are more open to talking about mental health and emotional wellness

Key Points:

• Embracing emotional discomfort can lead to profound personal growth.

Links and Resources:

• Heather Chauvin's Website

If you found this episode inspiring, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join us at CoveyClub.com. Until next time, keep reinventing!

"Reinvention is not a straight path; it's a journey of unexpected turns and newfound opportunities," says Coco Brown, the founder and CEO of Athena Alliance. In this episode of the Reinvent Yourself podcast, CoveyClub founder Lesley Jane Seymour chats with Brown about her remarkable journey from a psychology major to a leading figure in the tech industry. Learn how she leveraged her passion for people and engineering to climb the corporate ladder, navigate the challenges of being a woman in tech, and ultimately create a platform that empowers women to achieve their executive career goals. Whether you're looking to pivot your career, break into the tech industry, or find inspiration for your next big move, Brown’s story offers invaluable insights and practical advice.

Bio:

Coco Brown is the founder and CEO of Athena Alliance, an organization dedicated to helping women advance their executive careers and secure board positions. With over 30 years of experience in Silicon Valley, Coco has a unique perspective on career development and the importance of building a diverse portfolio of impact.

Timestamps:

• (02:35) - Coco Brown's personal reinvention

Key Points:

• Reinvention often involves unexpected career pivots and leveraging diverse skill sets.

Links and Resources:

• Visit Athena Alliance

If you found this episode inspiring, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join us at CoveyClub.com. Until next time, keep reinventing!

"Pets are more than just companions; they are catalysts for mental and physical well-being," says Dr. Karen Wolfe, an Australian-born physician turned health coach. In this episode of the Reinvent Yourself podcast I sit down with Dr. Wolfe to explore the profound impact pets can have on our lives, especially in midlife. From reducing loneliness and stress to improving heart health and mental clarity, discover how the unconditional love of a pet can be a transformative force. Whether you're a lifelong animal lover or considering adopting a new furry friend, this episode offers invaluable insights into choosing the right pet for your lifestyle and maximizing the health benefits of pet ownership

Bio:

Dr. Karen Wolfe is a physician, health coach, and recipient of the National Wellness Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award. She is passionate about creating health through holistic approaches and making complex information accessible to all.

Time Stamps

(05:03) - Talking about the surgeon general's report on loneliness

(07:49) - Animals fill a spot in your life that is somewhere between spouse and child

(13:00) - The surgeon general says owning an animal can reduce your health risk

(19:55) - How a pet can improve your brain health in particular

(23:41) - The role of animals and that emptiness feeling in life

(25:52) - Doing some research is important when choosing a pet for midlife

(30:12) - Having an animal in midlife can have many health benefits, Dr. Karen says

Key Points:

- Pets offer significant mental and physical health benefits, including reducing loneliness, stress, and heart disease.

- Choosing the right pet for your lifestyle is crucial to maximizing these benefits.

- Pets can help improve serotonin levels, leading to better mental health and reduced cravings.

- Volunteering at animal shelters can be a great way to experience different types of pets before adopting.

Links and Resources:

Visit Covey Club

Read Dr. Karen Wolfe's Article on Pet Therapy

Surgeon General's Report on Loneliness

If you found this episode inspiring, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join us at CoveyClub.com. Until next time, keep reinventing!

"Self-confidence is a choice and a mindset before it becomes a behavior," says Lisa Sun, CEO of GRAVITAS, a fashion brand dedicated to inclusivity and empowerment. She sits down with CoveyClub founder Lesley Jane Seymour to share her incredible journey from her immigrant upbringing to becoming a successful entrepreneur and author. Discover how Sun's mission to catalyze confidence through size-inclusive fashion has transformed lives and inspired her to write her book, Gravitas: The 8 Strengths that Redefine Confidence. Take her unique confidence quiz, learn about the six forces that affect self-esteem, and get practical tips for reinventing your look and your mindset at the same time.

Lisa Sun is the Founder & CEO of GRAVITAS, a company on a mission to catalyze confidence through size-inclusive fashion & inspiring content. Lisa is also the national best-selling author of GRAVITAS: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence.

(01:48) Lisa Sun grew up in the company of immigrant entrepreneurs

(07:46) The average age of successful entrepreneur, according to big think data, is 45

(11:20) Sun's mission is to catalyze confidence - what that means

(13:59) There are six forces that form the basis of an inner critic

(17:08) Why Gravitas doesn't have mirrors in their dressing rooms

(22:49) The product Gravitas is best known for is the suffragist newsprint collection

(25:42) Gravitas is launching a product named after our potential first woman president

(30:28) You look great at every size. It's just a number

(30:36) Take a confidence quiz to identify your talents and strengths

• Merle Saferstein's journey highlights the transformative power of journaling and living intentionally.

• Visit Gravitas Online

“If you want to be remembered in a certain way, then you need to be living in that way," says Merle Saferstein, an educator, author, and speaker who has turned her 40-year journaling practice into a profound legacy. Saferstein shares her journey from an elementary school teacher to the Director of Educational Outreach at the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center in South Florida, and how a chance encounter on a beach led to a life-changing career. Discover the transformative power of journaling, the importance of living your legacy, and how to create meaningful legacy projects. Whether you're contemplating retirement, looking to leave a lasting impact, or simply seeking inspiration, Saferstein’s story offers invaluable insights and practical advice. 

Merle Saferstein is an educator, author, and speaker who served as the Director of Educational Outreach at the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center in South Florida for 26 years. After retiring, she developed the course "Living and Leaving Your Legacy" and has taught nationally and internationally.

02:04 - Saferstein began her career in education as an elementary school teacher

03:53 - Meeting Tom Osborne on a beach while jogging in 1982

06:34 - Starting journaling as teenager

10:16 - The purposes of her books

14:02 - Deciding to retire in 2011 when she turned 68

17:19 - The course that Saferstein developed about legacy

21:18 - Self-publishing on Amazon and hitting #1

23:19 - Saferstein offers advice on living and leaving your legacy

• Merle Saferstein's journey highlights the transformative power of journaling and living intentionally.

• Visit Merle Saferstein's Website

If you found this episode inspiring, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join us at CoveyClub.com. Until next time, keep reinventing!

"When women ran Fifth Avenue, they did more than sell clothes—they shaped American fashion and business," says Julie Satow, award-winning journalist and author. In this episode, CoveyClub founder Lesley Jane Seymour dives deep with Satow into her latest book, When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion. Discover the untold stories of the women who led iconic department stores like Bonwit Teller, Lord & Taylor, and Henri Bendel, and how they navigated the complexities of the early 20th-century business world. From their pioneering roles to the personal sacrifices they made, Satow paints a vivid picture of ambition, reinvention, and resilience. Whether you're fascinated by fashion history or looking for inspiration in your own career journey, this episode is a must-listen.

Bio:

Julie Satow is an award-winning journalist and the author of "The Plaza: The Secret Life of America's Most Famous Hotel," a New York Times Editor's Choice and NPR favorite book of 2019. She is a regular contributor to The New York Times and has written extensively on real estate and business.

Timestamps:

02:55 - The personal reinvention that led Satow to writing

05:42 - Covid is a social history of New York through the hotel

07:25 - These department stores in the early 20th century were not like what we think

10:24 - Three women became presidents of famous department stores by accident or design

14:51 - All three women had men who helped them pave the way in mentorship roles

18:08 - Why do you think these particular women were ambitious? Why?

23:33 - Did those ladies then pull up women behind them? What happened behind them?

26:04 - Dorothy Shaver helped establish American vogue

Key Points:

• Julie Satow's book highlights the significant yet often overlooked contributions of women in the early American fashion industry.

Links and Resources:

• Visit Julie Satow's Website

If you found this episode inspiring, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join us at CoveyClub.com. Until next time, keep reinventing!

"Life is a series of reinventions," says Alice Inoue, founder and Chief Happiness Officer of Happiness U. In this episode, CoveyClub founder Lesley Jane Seymour sits down with Alice to explore her extraordinary journey of continuous reinvention. From her beginnings in Taiwan and Japan to becoming a television star, an astrologer, a wedding officiant, and finally the creator of Happiness U in Honolulu, Alice's story is a testament to the power of following your heart and embracing change. Tune in to discover how Alice navigated each transition, overcame societal expectations, and found her true calling in helping others achieve mental and emotional wellness.

Alice Inoue is the founder and Chief Happiness Officer of Happiness U, an educational establishment in Honolulu, Hawaii. With a career spanning over two decades, Alice has helped individuals and organizations find clarity and purpose. She is a columnist, the author of nine books on self-growth and happiness, and the creator of an innovative psychometric assessment featured in her award-winning book, "Master Your Superpowers."

• 01:56 - Alice's history: where she's from and how she's reinvented

• Alice Inoue's journey highlights the importance of following your heart and embracing change, no matter how unconventional it may seem.

• Visit Happiness U

If you found this episode inspiring, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join us at CoveyClub.com. Until next time, keep reinventing!