When we think about the stages of a rose from seed, to bud formation, to swelling and anthesis, until it finally wilts. Through each stage of the lifecycle it can be a slow and steady journey that can test the patience of even the most advanced gardeners. Today I want to share with you a beautiful story inspired by my grandson Noah. Listen in as I reflect and think about:

• The third half of life is a new stage of opportunity and strength.

• Admiration and taking in all senses of an experience, through the lens of a child and finding surprise meaning.

• Change within different stages of life.

• Learning how to tolerate uncertainty and find a new path for yourself.

• Creativity and inspiration for your path in life.

As always I encourage you to share your words and share your story. If you would like to apply to be a guest on the Podcast please fill out your contact information here.

To connect and find out more about the Teaching Yourself to Learn Podcast, apply to be a guest and share your story you can reach Holly at [email protected] or via the website www.teachingyourselftolearn.com.

This episode is made possible by the New Author Intensive. To find out more please visit www.teachingyourselftolearn.com and use coupon code NEWAUTHOR for $100 off when you sign up.

Because while everyone is not a writer, anyone can become an author.

It does not matter what you have been through, where you have been or what has happened up to the third half of your life, you can make a change. And my guest today is Professor Theresa Agostinelli who shares her story of resilience, grit and fortitude. Join with me as I chat with Theresa about:

• Her journey from anxiety, shyness and depression and the healing journey she gifted herself to make significant changes in her life.

• How she has been given the spirit of power so we can empower others.

• Her G.R.I.D. system which helps to overcome environments which cause negativity.

• Self-sabotage and unworthiness that we feel as women and how it is instilled into us.

• Daily discipline and training of your mind.

To follow Theresa and find out more about her work you can visit her website at https://www.profwithpurpose.com/ or follow her on Instagram and we look forward to another exciting conversation next week.

To connect and find out more about the Teaching Yourself to Learn Podcast, apply to be a guest and share your story you can reach Holly at [email protected] or via the website www.teachingyourselftolearn.com.

This episode is made possible by the New Author Intensive. To find out more please visit www.teachingyourselftolearn.com and use coupon code NEWAUTHOR for $100 off when you sign up.

Because while everyone is not a writer, anyone can become an author.

Beth Brown has had her fair share of ‘life’ and all its happenings. Depression, divorce, starting all over again with 3 kids and panic attacks, lead to a catalyst for change when she could hardly leave the house living alongside fear. Even through all the ups and downs she has experienced, she still feels ‘rich’ with joy, has devoted herself to healing and shines a light through the darkness. Currently, Beth is living a life she never dreamt possible through finding a passion for marketing (which was quietly alongside her much of her life) and choosing joy. Listen in as I chat with Beth about:

• Paying attention to the small voice and finding gratitude when things are rough and you’re angry in between it all.

• A rich life filled with good people, good experiences and more than monetary things.

• The light at the end of the tunnel that comes to us, that we don’t have to make up.

It’s clear Beth has come out the other side much stronger and with a depth to her life which shines through this conversation. To connect with Beth and find out more please visit her website www.shinesocialco.media, Instagram or send her an email [email protected].

To connect and find out more about the Teaching Yourself to Learn Podcast, apply to be a guest and share your story you can reach Holly at [email protected] or via the website www.teachingyourselftolearn.com.

This episode is made possible by the New Author Intensive. To find out more please visit www.teachingyourselftolearn.com and use coupon code NEWAUTHOR for $100 off when you sign up.

Because while everyone is not a writer, anyone can become an author. 

Sometimes we may think we know someone who we’ve witnessed in our life, yet find out it isn’t all it appears to be to the outside world. Today I sat down with another retired English teacher, Gwen Parker. Gwen has been an inspiration to me over the years, specifically when it comes to her involvement in One-Act Plays, her students and consistently overcoming her own fears and chronic shyness. Listen in as we chat about:

• Going outside the comfort zone and following the curves in the road. Pushing ourselves to what we thought was never possible.

• Trusting God has a plan and when faced with retirement how important it is to find purpose and fulfilment.

• Healthy competition, a weight loss adventure and striving for greatness.

• Finding community and friends who are like family and hardly able to express their significance in your life.

• Viewing retirement as a possibility, not as an ending.

This was such a delightful conversation and definitely creates an everlasting memory in my heart. I encourage you to connect further with Gwen via Instagram @gwenjohnsonparker her website and facebook to connect.

To connect and find out more about the Teaching Yourself to Learn Podcast, apply to be a guest and share your story you can reach me at [email protected] or via the website www.teachingyourselftolearn.com.

This episode is made possible by the New Author Intensive. To find out more please visit www.teachingyourselftolearn.com and use coupon code NEWAUTHOR for $100 off when you sign up.

Because while everyone is not a writer, anyone can become an author.

Our guest today is Diane Martinez, and she brings a certain energy to this conversation that is electrifying, and I reckon you’ll love it as much as I do. Diane starts with the famous quote from Abraham Hicks, ‘Everything is always working out for me,’ and from there, the conversation really takes off. Diane truly understands what it's like to know you have more to offer the world and knows we can either drift through life or consciously create it. Listen in as I chat with Diane about:

• Quiet confidence and peace in our own mindsets and how it isn’t up to us to force life into certain configurations.
• Opportunities that present themselves when we’re in a state of resistance, and how we can fail to see opportunities in front of us.
• How she found courage and strength moving overseas from everything she had ever known and how this changed the trajectory of her life.
• Taking care of our mind, spirit, and body and how it can benefit our life as a result.
• How there is a momentum of beliefs that has taught us we can’t trust ourselves and that the answers lie outside us, changing this mindset and what that means moving forward.

Please follow Diane and her wonderful work on Instagram or via her website https://consciouscreatinglifecoaching.com/ and text 404.439.9383.

To connect and find out more about the Teaching Yourself to Learn Podcast, apply to be a guest and share your story. You can reach Holly at [email protected] or via the website www.teachingyourselftolearn.com.

This episode is made possible by the New Author Intensive. To find out more, please visit www.teachingyourselftolearn.com and use coupon code NEWAUTHOR for $100 off when you sign up.

Because while everyone is not a writer, anyone can become an author.

Even as a writer, there are times when I struggle to find the words to express how much certain moments in my life mean to me. All the way from my earliest childhood memories until now, there has been one particular person who has been there every step of the way, and that is my mom. Today we bring you a very special Mother’s Day episode with myself and my brother Pete Hale. My mom (Jerry) is inspirational to all those who know her, and this conversation is very near and dear to my heart.

Words can hardly describe it; take a listen for yourself inside.

www.teachingyourselftolearn.com

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Y’all know that I love a good quote: after all, it’s one of the opening questions I have asked each one of my guests for the podcast, and today is no different. However, I’d love to throw in a bonus quote for you today from a famous movie that includes fried green tomatoes, the Whistle Stop Cafe, and Fannie Flagg. “It's funny when you're a child, you think time will never go by, but when you hit about twenty, time passes like you're on the fast train to Memphis. I guess life just slips up on everybody. It sure did on me.” I find this quote so relevant to both the conversation in this episode and as we navigate through this third half of life. Today's guest is dear to my heart and actually the mom of Melissa Stecher, who I chatted to all the way back in episode 14. Kim Stetcher is a devout Catholic Christian and keener than her beans gardener. Listen in as we chat about:

• Building a circle of love. A prayer group that has been going strong since 2004 and provided phenomenal support even more than anyone thought possible.

• How Kim's gardening love has developed and played a part in her life through her dad, family, mentors, and working career. Starting small with seeds and now growing to schedules, plans, and all the wisdom along the way.

• The difference between heirloom seeds can make and how Kim's family is now on board to build a legacy and help her produce enough to share with friends, family and support services in the community.

• How to start, even if you’re a complete beginner. The benefits of growing your own produce and how easy it can be to start with a seed.

Kim is developing ways to share her wisdom and skills, and in the meantime, I invite you to reach out to me with any questions and comments at [email protected] or via the website www.teachingyourselftolearn.com.

To connect and apply to be a guest and share your story, you can reach Holly at www.teachingyourselftolearn.com.

This episode is made possible by the New Author Intensive. To find out more, please visit www.teachingyourselftolearn.com and use coupon code NEWAUTHOR for $100 off when you sign up.

Because while everyone is not a writer, anyone can become an author.

This episode piggybacks off last week's solo episode - although without so much of a Walton reference inside. If you’ve listened along with the Podcast for a while now you know Holly loves a good quote or few and today is no different. She opens with the quote from Jackson Pollock which says - the secret to success is to be fully awake to everything about you. Listen as Holly explores this very concept in her third half of life and talks about:

• Stepping back and taking a 360 degree look at every aspect that has to do with you including likes and dislikes, dreams and desires and where your inner world may have been influenced by that external to you.

• Think about what you keep coming back to. Often we find that it does present itself again in this third half of life journey.

• A fun and simple exercise that Holly found herself coming back to years after she was witness to it. A wonderful reminder when we find ourselves in a funk and veering off track.

• The noise that we often have around us when it comes to what we should, could and would be doing.

To connect and find out more about the Teaching Yourself to Learn Podcast, apply to be a guest and share your story you can reach Holly at [email protected] or via the website www.teachingyourselftolearn.com.

This episode is made possible by the New Author Intensive. To find out more please visit www.teachingyourselftolearn.com and use coupon code NEWAUTHOR for $100 off when you sign up.

Because while everyone is not a writer, anyone can become an author.