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Have you ever found yourself enthralled by the whispers of history that echo through the pages of a novel? I had the pleasure of hosting Olive Collins, a celebrated Irish-American author who masterfully brings history to life. During our enriching chat, Olive and I exchange insights into the magnetic pull of historical sagas and the craft of embedding generations within a narrative. We delve into the inspiration drawn from Ireland's rich tradition of storytelling and the imprints of the Irish immigrants on the American landscape. 

You are invited to wander through the vibrant scenes Olive Collins paints in her novels, where resilience and the unforgettable past come alive.

Thank you for listening.

Be sure to visit the Restless to Renewed website for more information at https://www.facebook.com/RestlesstoRenewed.

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Embark on a transformational journey with Leslie Matthews, a 77-year-old beacon of wisdom in the yoga community who's defying age with grace and agility. This episode promises to enlighten you on how yoga's adaptability transcends physical limitations, bringing vitality and balance to life's silver years. Leslie, with her dance background and now an yoga instructor, shares her story and her curriculum designed to make yoga accessible to all, regardless of age or mobility. 

Let's uncover the secrets to a safe and enriching yoga practice that harmonizes body, mind, and spirit. Leslie imparts her vast knowledge on how yoga complements other physical activities and serves as a healing art form for various ailments. Additionally, she offers a simple, yet powerful breathing technique to help alleviate stress.

Wrap your mind around the digital evolution of yoga instruction and the incredible rewards it brings to the table. Leslie and I discuss the unique challenges of teaching yoga through a screen and how imperative clear communication is for a personalized and impactful online class experience. Whether you're an athlete or new to the world of yoga, there's a place for you in this supportive community. Tune in and let this episode be the nudge you need to weave yoga into the fabric of your daily life.

Thank you for listening.

Be sure to visit the Restless to Renewed website for more information at https://www.facebook.com/RestlesstoRenewed.

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Looking Back on Your Life with Gratitude

Welcome to Restless to Renewed: Women Redefining the Silver Years
Today, our podcast episode is personal, and one that I’m so happy to share with the Restless to Renewed listeners. Today, Janice and I talk to my mom, Barbara Philpo, a retired nurse and homemaker, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Mom is 85, almost 86. She is still able to live independently and enjoys living alone. She shares highlights from her 85 years of living, along with some good advice for older women. What really stands out for me in our conversation is the gratitude my mom has about the life she has lived. I’m glad to share this conversation with my mom, which is filled with resilience, optimism, and hope. In this episode, Barbara talks about:

 Having a fulfilling career that she “unretired” from several times;
 Losing a spouse and moving forward after that loss;
 Talking to your adult kids about “after I’m gone”;
 The most interesting inventions and fads in her lifetime.

Thank you for listening.

Be sure to visit the Restless to Renewed website for more information at https://www.facebook.com/RestlesstoRenewed.

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Today, Janice and Robin speak with Janet Clazzy, a local musician whose very last name is a combination of the idea of both classical and jazz music! After a career of playing music across the country in  symphonies and churches, at 70, Janet felt that her performing days were over. Writing for a small-town newspaper, Janet recently worked through The Artist’s Way creativity course and found herself being drawn to create and perform a Christmas symphony to be performed this December. Listen to Janet’s inspiring story of a rich and musical life that shows no signs of slowing down.

In this episode, Janet talks about:

The pleasure and beauty of music—“feelings for your ears!”

How studying The Artist’s Way changed her life, reminding her that everyone is creative in some way; 

The importance of acting on your internal vision for your life;

How to begin playing a music instrument in the later years.

Thank you for listening.

Be sure to visit the Restless to Renewed website for more information at https://www.facebook.com/RestlesstoRenewed.

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We talked with writer and historian Beverly Bragg about how she invested in herself by attaining education and college degrees later in life. We hear about her journey from being ayoung woman in West Virginia who ended up in Arizona, Texas, and most recently, Portland, Tennessee.

Beverly gives wise advice on:

 Continuing to invest in yourself and how that may look different over time;

 Getting serious about what you want to do at this point in life, and why;

 Finding and surrounding yourself with mentors and supporters of your dreams;

 Embracing the freedom of older age.

Thank you for listening.

Be sure to visit the Restless to Renewed website for more information at https://www.facebook.com/RestlesstoRenewed.

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Janice and Robin talk to Bishop Gloria Watson about how she was called to ministry as a young girl, how she pursued that calling through the years, and how she is following it now at age 63.

Gloria started a nonprofit called Kid Savers of America, Inc., which includes afterschool tutoring as well as ministry to the whole family and community. She is not stopping with this dream but also has a passion for ministry with the homeless.

We also talk about

• How to handle obstacles that stand in the way of our vision
• How closed doors can actually serve as the guidance we need
• The discipline of “making your mind think right”
• Overcoming the fear of failure by taking steps toward your vision

Thank you for listening.

Be sure to visit the Restless to Renewed website for more information at https://www.facebook.com/RestlesstoRenewed.

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Lisa Gilliam, 65 now, found herself in 2020 at loose ends. It was the beginning of the pandemic, and she experienced many changes in a short time: losing her job because of the pandemic, moving to a city from the country, and being unable to see her grandchildren, whom she was very close to. She wondered, what do I do
now?

Lisa tells an inspiring story of how she navigated big life transitions in her sixties, including age discrimination in her job search, empty nest grieving with both children and grandchildren, and learning the value of creativity as a healing process.

Find out why these ideas are important to Lisa, and how they can also help you through life transitions:

 Ask yourself, what do you LIKE to do?
 Be kind to yourself.
 It’s OK to quit something you no longer like to do.
 Embrace who you are, and be your own advocate.
 Choose to enjoy life and participate fully in it.

Thank you for listening.

Be sure to visit the Restless to Renewed website for more information at https://www.facebook.com/RestlesstoRenewed.

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Have you heard the term “spiritual direction” and wondered what it means? 

In this podcast we talk to spiritual director Mary Louise McCullough about her journey to become a pastor, her retirement from pastoring, moving to a new part of the country, and beginning to offer spiritual direction in a new place and new season of her life.

Janice interviews both Mary Louise and Robin to answer these questions:

What is spiritual direction? And what is it NOT?

What actually happens in a spiritual direction session?

How do I find a spiritual director?

Thank you for listening.

Be sure to visit the Restless to Renewed website for more information at https://www.facebook.com/RestlesstoRenewed.

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Janice and Robin talk about the virtues of being average and  how aging gives us a little more permission to try different things without being great at them.

We also talk about:

 Having the guts to try something new

How Janice took the pressure off Robin when beginning this new podcast

 The fun practice of “dabbling” in something new without expectation of expertise

 Our new motto: “Go for the C!”

Thank you for listening.

Be sure to visit the Restless to Renewed website for more information at https://www.facebook.com/RestlesstoRenewed.

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Bestselling author Missy Buchanan joins us for a rich conversation about the work of this season of life—learning to adapt to the many changes—not always happily, but joyfully. 

Missy talks honestly about:

• The recent loss of her husband of many years and how grief is like an accordion, expanding and contracting, depending on the day. 
• The mentoring, love, and support she has experienced from older women who have been widowed. 
• Our “special assignment” as older adults and grandparents is to welcome intergenerational relationships, even beyond our own grandchildren.

For more information about Missy Buchanan visit her website at MissyBuchanan.com. See pictures of Missy at our About Our Guests page on the Restless to Renewed website.

Thank you for listening.

Be sure to visit the Restless to Renewed website for more information at https://www.facebook.com/RestlesstoRenewed.