The Silver Mind Podcast

This episode features the life stories and insights of Anna Margrethe Krogh-Thomsen, a loving mother of two who grew up in Denmark during the second world war watching her father and mother evade the Gestapo as part of the Danish resistance to Nazi Germany. As you’ll hear, though she understands English well, Anna Margrethe speaks Danish and is actually this podcast’s first international guest. In addition to her voice, you’ll hear the voice of her daughter Maj Britt who translated the interview and enabled us to have Anna Margrethe’s insights in English. Her life story is absolutely fascinating and begins in Copenhagen. 

This episode will be instructive to students of history interested in hearing the first-hand accounts of World War II in Europe, as well as those who  value hearing wise perspectives about teaching children, God, and family.

If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contact information in the link below, and we'll work to get them on the show!

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This episode feature the life story and perspectives of Maxine Curtis, a loving mother of three with a passion and talent for musical performance. Maxine grew up in Utah, where she learned to ride horses and discovered an aptitude for singing. As you’ll hear, after marrying her late husband, Don, Maxine moved to Southern California where she spent most of her life and continues to live today. Her story starts in Salt Lake City where she grew up and went to college. 

In this episode, Maxine gives practical, timeless advice for having both a good relationship with your parents when you are a kid and with your kids when you are a parent.

If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contact information in the link below, and we'll work to get them on the show!

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This episode features the insights and life story of Ann Sorenson, mother to 5, grandmother to 21, and great grandmother to 31. Ann grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area during World War II, and would later end up living in the East Bay Area for her entire 74 year marriage to her late husband Lee; they even lived in the same house for 66 years where they raised their 5 sons. As you’ll hear, though 94 years old at the time of recording Ann continues to invest in her talents such as the organ, and even played tennis well into her 90’s, whcih blew me away. Her story starts in Chicago nearly one century ago. 

This episode will be instructive for anyone interested in continuing in the great process of learning well into their 90's. 

If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contact information in the link below, and we'll work to get them on the show!

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This episode features the life story and perspectives of Madeline Quayle, a Utah native and mother of six who has a passion for music and whose enthuasm for life is infectious. As you’ll hear, Madeline is remarkable in her willingess to continue learning throughout her life well after the age when most people stop; for example, she decided to re-learn the piano when she was pregant with her third child and even graduated with her college degree when she was 52 years old. Her story starts in Utah where she spent most of her life and would later take her to Colorado. 

Here are the lyrics to the Billy Joel song she quotes later on in the episode, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel):

Goodnight, my angel
Time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what
You've been asking me
I think you know
What I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away

Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs
You sang for me
When we went sailing
On an emerald bay
And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark
And deep inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful
Your life will be
Someday, your child may cry
And if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart
There will always be a part of me

Someday, we'll all be gone
But lullabies go on and on
They never die
That's how you
And I will be

If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contact information in the link below, and we'll work to get them on the show!

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This episode features the life story and insights of Ed Quayle, a father to 6, military veteran, and lifelong artist who used his artistic skills not only in his 33’year career working for the yellow pages but also his military service. Especially on the heels of Veterans day, it was touching to hear Ed´s heartfelt gratitude for the ability to have served his country and as you´ll quickly learn Ed is a salt of the earth type of person, who is extremely humble but also appears to have been able to keep God, country, and family always in the forefront of his mind. 

This episode will be instructive for anybody who desires a greater degree of focus on what matters most or could use an example of good-natured humility.

If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contact information in the link below, and we'll work to get them on the show!

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This episode features the insights and life story of Jerry Gwilliam, a father to seven, airforce veteran, and dentist whose practice in the San Francisco Bay Area spanned no less than five decades of dedicated service. Following an LDS mission to Norway, Jerry literally drew the short stick and was led into military service where, as you’ll hear, he actually had great experiences of sticking up for and living his beliefs when those around him were not. It was extremely apparent in talking to Jerry that he is a devout man of faith who has led a life full of service and characterized by family values.

This episode will be valuable for those who value the perspective of someone who has led a life of minimal regrets and strong family relationships. It also features stories of daring to be different and the good that can come from remaining true to your beliefs and convicions.

If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contact information in the link below, and we'll work to get them on the show!

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This episode features the life story and insights of Steven Spears, a father of 5 that holds no less than two masters degrees and may just have the most interesting career I’ve ever come across. Steve started out as a Navy corpsman who was eventually brought in to help with the Naval investigative service (NIS). In fact, if you’ve ever seen the show NCIS, it was modeled after his job, with one of the special agents he trained becoming teh technical advisor to the show. As you’ll hear, he later worked in counter-intelligence in the Pentagon and traveled all around the the world for his top secret military assignments. Fittingly, Steve was born when his father was serving in the Pacific theater of World War II where he would later spend time in his own deployments. 

This episode will be extremely interesting for those interested in public and military service and balancing a demanding military career with a fulfilling family life.

If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contact information in the link below, and we'll work to get them on the show!

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This episode features the life story and insights of Ralph Hunsaker an Arizona-raised father of three who became all-state in no less than three high school sports before playing as the starting quarterback at University of Arizona or UofA for all four years of college. As you’ll hear, Ralph then went on to lead a sucessful career in law, which culminated in serving as chief attorney for the Cental Arizona Water Project, a landmark Congressional legislation to bring water to the Phoenix and Tuscon metro areas, enabling those regions to become what they are today. Ralph grew up in Mesa Arizona, back when it was much smaller than it is today, where he eventually met his wife Martha Jo. 

This episode will be instructive for those who are attempting to balance family and a demanding athletic or professional career. 

If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contact information in the link below, and we'll work to get them on the show!

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On today´s episode we have Sue Severson, a native Louisiana girl who has led a life of civic service that featured a decade-long stint on her community´s school board and culminated in service as mayor of her Northern California town, all while rasing five kids I might add. As you´ll hear, Sue is a go getter and even after her retirement from public life is now serving as Chairman of the board of a non-profit laboratory researching neurodegenerative diseases. Sue´s life began in Baton Rouge as one of five children and she became the first woman in her family to attend college. 

This episode will be inspiring for anybody who desires greater involvement in their community or who may be wondering how to lead an ambitious life while raising a family.

If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contact information in the link below, and we'll work to get them on the show!

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This episode features the life story and perspectives of Mary Lou Clark, a 97-year-old matriarch who raised no less than 12 kids and today stands at the head of a vast, tight-knit, and ever growing group of descendents. As you’ll hear, she tragically and unexpectedly lost her husband when she was in her 50s, and has been since been an incedible example of positivity and resilience as she continues to lead her family on her own. Sometimes when misfortunes befall us, we may be inclined to take a harsher view of the world, but what struck me about Mary Lou is that despite dealing with intense grief in her life, she seems to have let it only make her warmer and kinder. Mary Lou was born and raised in rural Indiana, where she has spent most of her life and raised her family.

This episode will prove instructive to any listener who desires to rise above the hardships of life and remain positive and uplifiting.

If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contact information in the link below, and we'll work to get them on the show!

https://forms.gle/VMTVuwLPZpxDVC1SA