What does it look like when two people not only build businesses together, but also share decades of laughter and partnership?

Lois Smith never expected to own a winery or become a property manager, but life had other plans.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why Lois and her husband jumped headfirst into new ventures, even when they didn’t have all the answers
• How they’ve balanced business, family, and a 45-year marriage
• Lois’s approach to aging, staying connected, and living with humor

Key Takeaways

1. Lois’s journey from working in banking and insurance to property management and then owning a winery exemplifies a willingness to take risks and try new things, even without prior experience. This adaptability and openness to new ventures have been central to her personal and professional growth.

2. Her 45-year marriage to Preston is highlighted as a source of joy and stability. Lois attributes their success to laughter, shared values, similar tastes, working through hard times together, and genuinely enjoying each other’s company. The underlying message is that strong relationships are built on both fun and resilience.

3. Lois and Preston balance busy professional lives with active involvement in their community, extended family, and hobbies. Their secret lies in shared interests, mutual support, and finding common ground, even when working closely together. Community involvement and helping others are presented as key components of a fulfilling life.

4. Lois embraces aging with high energy, humor, and a refusal to become intolerant or set in her ways. She emphasizes the importance of staying open to new experiences, remaining accepting of others, and using humor to navigate life’s changes. Her positive outlook on getting older is both practical and inspirational.

5. Lois’s advice to her younger self, and to listeners, is to listen carefully to others, seek interesting people, and learn from every encounter. She stresses that doing kind deeds, even without recognition, enriches life. Her mother’s wisdom ("Do something nice and kind today, but don’t share it with anyone") reinforces the value of quiet generosity and genuine connection.

Follow Erin's company, Black Point Insurance, on Instagram here.

Follow Erin on Facebook here.

Follow Erin on LinkedIn here.

Learn more about Erin's company, Black Point Insurance here.

What happens when you follow your instincts and let your passions lead your career? Some people take a risk, move across the country, and start something from scratch. Bree Brown did that. She created a pet boarding business in the Bay Area, using skills from earlier ventures and a lifelong love for animals. She’s also someone who advocates for animal rights and practices a form of Buddhist awareness. In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Bree started and grew Claws and Paws, serving Bay Area pet owners for over twenty years
• The organizations she supports to protect animals and how you can get involved
• Ways to bring calm and compassion into your everyday life, for yourself and those around you

Key Takeaways

1. Bree’s journey shows the power of combining passion with business savvy. She transformed her love for animals into a successful, personalized pet boarding and house sitting service, “Claws and Paws.” Her story highlights that entrepreneurship is often about finding a niche that aligns with your values and skills, then bringing personalized, heartfelt service to your clients.

2. Bree’s support for organizations like the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Species Unite underscores the importance of advocating for those without a voice. She illustrates how individuals can contribute—through donations, raising awareness, or spreading news about positive change (like phasing out animal testing)—and that every level of advocacy plays a role in improving animal welfare.

3. Through her Buddhist awareness practice, Bree shares that mindfulness and self-compassion are critical for living a more peaceful, intentional life. Making conscious choices and questioning self-talk can reduce stress, foster kindness, and transform reactions to life’s challenges.

4. Bree’s experiences—whether with clients, animals, or advocacy communities—underscore the transformative effect of genuine connection. She stresses that forming bonds, being open to others’ stories, and creating trust are fundamental, not just for business success, but for meaningful, enjoyable living.

5. Bree embodies the idea that personal growth is a continuous journey. Her advice to “be kind to yourself” and appreciate your own worth serves as a reminder that self-care, openness to new ideas, and being less self-critical enables richer experiences at any age or stage in life.

Follow Erin's company, Black Point Insurance, on Instagram here.

Follow Erin on Facebook here.

Follow Erin on LinkedIn here.

Learn more about Erin's company, Black Point Insurance here.

What does it take to rebuild a life after years of challenges?

Morgan Meadows is someone who took control of her future after overcoming human trafficking, starting her own business, and raising four children on her own. She’s a writer, educator, and survivor who now works to educate others on resilience and the signs of trafficking.

Morgan shares insights about:

• The power of kindness from strangers
• How resilience grows with support and learning
• Ways you can recognize and respond to trafficking in your community

Key Takeaways

1. Morgan’s journey details her experiences with childhood trauma, abuse, and trafficking within the context of family and cult environments. Her escape, healing process, and focus on resilience highlight the significance of courage, self-education, and the vital role of supportive strangers in recovery.

2. Throughout her story, Morgan emphasizes how the kindness of strangers played a transformative role in her escape and recovery.

3. Morgan’s commitment to lifelong learning, starting college in her 30s and pursuing advanced research on trauma and resilience, underpins her belief in the power of education to drive personal transformation and social change.

4. Morgan’s public education work, including founding A Lucid Tree Consulting, underscores the need for broader community awareness about trafficking, its warning signs, and the diverse ways it can manifest, often “closer to home” than most assume.

5. Morgan’s story is a testament to the human capacity for resilience—not just surviving, but thriving—after immense trauma and adversity, including her near-fatal accident and ongoing recovery.

Follow Morgan’s blog here.

Follow Erin's company, Black Point Insurance, on Instagram here.

Follow Erin on Facebook here.

Follow Erin on LinkedIn here.

Learn more about Erin's company, Black Point Insurance here.

What do you do when someone you love is facing tough healthcare decisions?

Maybe it’s about where to have a critical surgery or how to understand a long list of medications and supplements. Ema Drouillard started DecideMed to help people and their families get clear answers during complicated times.

• She helps navigate complex medical choices.
• She empowers patients with questions to ask their doctors.
• She gives practical support at every phase of care.

Learn more about DecideMed here.

Key Takeaways

1. Ema Drouillard fills a crucial gap in healthcare by helping patients and their families navigate complex medical decisions. She provides research, context, and emotional support, empowering clients to make informed, confident choices during times of medical uncertainty.

2. Having access to in-depth, reliable information can dramatically improve health outcomes and peace of mind. Ema’s expertise lies in going beyond surface-level answers, considering everything from surgical options to the practicality of recovery at home, so clients feel fully prepared for what lies ahead.

3. A comprehensive review of medications and supplements—not just the basics—can help identify harmful interactions or overlooked side effects, leading to better conversations with doctors and potentially preventing serious issues. Ema’s approach ensures clients don’t just “look good on paper” but also feel well in their daily lives.

4. Ema emphasizes the necessity for patients and their families to ask questions, clarify doubts, and not be intimidated by medical professionals. Feeling empowered in interactions leads to better healthcare experiences and helps prevent misunderstandings or gaps in care.

5. The personal touch—being there before, during, and after medical events, and offering tailored support—makes a significant difference. Ema helps clients prepare for procedures, anticipate needs, and feel less alone, with logistical preparations and emotional reassurance, which mainstream healthcare often overlooks.

Follow Erin's company, Black Point Insurance, on Instagram here.

Follow Erin on Facebook here.

Follow Erin on LinkedIn here.

Learn more about Erin's company, Black Point Insurance here.

Navigating health care decisions is something we all face, but when you turn 65, it becomes a whole new world. William Luhr worked in hospice care for decades, helped people through difficult times, and then found himself having to choose his own Medicare plan. In this episode, I talk to William about:

• The realities of finding the right Medicare coverage.
• How his experiences as a social worker shaped his approach to health care.
• Tips for getting the most out of Medicare Advantage plans.

Key Takeaways

1. William Luhr's journey from psychotherapy to medical social work, and ultimately to hospice care, illustrates the profound influence that adaptability, compassion, and service can have on both professional fulfillment and the lives of others. His work during the AIDS crisis and with hospice patients underscored the value of empathy and the privilege of supporting others through difficult times.

2. Understanding and choosing Medicare plans is more complicated than it may initially appear, even for professionals with a background in healthcare. The system's layers of bureaucracy, multiple providers, and contrasting plan benefits require proactive self-advocacy, research, and often the help of a knowledgeable broker to ensure the best fit and access to care.

3. Successfully navigating health care as a Medicare beneficiary depends heavily on self-advocacy. William emphasizes asking questions, doing independent research, monitoring referrals and authorizations, and not hesitating to seek help from agents or brokers. Ensuring good outcomes often requires persistent follow-up and not simply trusting that all parts of the system are well-coordinated.

4. Medicare Advantage plans often provide additional benefits beyond basic health coverage, such as dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter items, and gym memberships. Actively seeking out and utilizing these benefits can significantly enhance quality of life and reduce out-of-pocket expenses—provided beneficiaries are willing to navigate the processes required to claim them.

5. Retirement can be an active, purpose-driven phase of life. William’s experience highlights the importance of prioritizing preventative healthcare, setting personal goals, staying physically and socially active, and balancing health-related concerns with broader life enjoyment. His rule to limit discussions about health problems among friends is a reminder to focus on the positive aspects and opportunities in retirement.

Connect with William on Facebook here, and follow his dog Spanky on Instagram here.

Follow Erin's company, Black Point Insurance, on Instagram here.

Follow Erin on Facebook here.

Follow Erin on LinkedIn here.

Learn more about Erin's company, Black Point Insurance here.

What motivates individuals to advocate for others after enduring personal challenges?

In this episode, Harry Breaux, a long-term survivor of AIDS, shares his journey from a diagnosis in the early 1980s to advocacy in San Francisco. After contracting HIV in 1980 and surviving a critical illness in 1996, Harry focused on education and support for people affected by HIV. His work extends to documenting these experiences in projects like Last Men Standing and 5B, highlighting both his story and broader struggles with HIV.

Erin and Harry discuss historical and modern-day challenges in HIV treatment and societal attitudes. The conversation brings attention to disparities in healthcare access and ongoing stigma. Learning from past experiences, Harry emphasizes the importance of compassion, care, and action in dealing with health and societal issues.

Follow Erin's company, Black Point Insurance, on Instagram here.

Follow Erin on Facebook here.

Follow Erin on LinkedIn here.

Learn more about Erin's company, Black Point Insurance here.

Does leadership coaching really transform lives and careers? You bet it does. Heidi Funk is a “Passionate Wisdom Leader”, who after losing her stepfather to a heart attack, was struck with illness.  She came out the other side a changed woman, who felt a connection to the universe that exists to this day. Introducing new creative and powerful leadership modalities has been her strength and passion with leaders and teams in Fortune 500 Corporations for the past 30 years. Join us as we dive deep into her journey supporting leaders on their quests to impact the world in our next episode of This Is 65.  

Explore Heidi’s website here.

Connect with Heidi on LinkedIn here.

Check out Heidi’s YouTube here.

Follow Erin's company, Black Point Insurance, on Instagram here.

Follow Erin on Facebook here.

Follow Erin on LinkedIn here.

Learn more about Erin's company, Black Point Insurance here.

Why choose an encore career in writing after a lengthy nursing career?

Erin hosts Laurie Barkin, an accomplished nurse and author of The Comfort Garden, which is available on Amazon. Having worked at San Francisco General's trauma unit for over 20 years, Laurie talks about her experiences and the contributing factors to her transition from nursing to writing. Economic concerns and a desire for self-sufficiency guided her initial career choice. A challenging workload led to burnout and symptoms of vicarious trauma, prompting her shift to writing. Erin highlights how Laurie's storytelling draws from real-world situations experienced during her nursing years.

Targeted at all who interact closely with human emotions and challenges, the book serves as an insider glimpse for healthcare professionals and others in frontline roles. 

Order The Comfort Garden here.

Follow Erin's company, Black Point Insurance, on Instagram here.

Follow Erin on Facebook here.

Follow Erin on LinkedIn here.

Learn more about Erin's company, Black Point Insurance here.

What drives Carsten Spencer's journey as a spiritual leader and holistic mentor?

Carsten Spencer combines his business talents through Love Life Yoga and his spiritual leadership at Unity of Richmond East Bay. He shares insights from his journey, shaped by personal challenges and his pursuit of healing. In discussing his path, Carsten reflects on childhood influences and physical injuries that directed him towards spiritual healing. Nature and yoga played pivotal roles in his self-discovery process. 

Carsten highlights his work with clients, focusing on relationships and communication. Carsten's engagements, including his upcoming play, display his dynamic and evolving endeavors. His experiences with health, healing, and spiritual exploration mold his current work, where he guides others in finding peace and purpose.

Learn more about Carsten's work here.

Follow Erin's company, Black Point Insurance, on Instagram here.

Follow Erin on Facebook here.

Follow Erin on LinkedIn here.

Learn more about Erin's company, Black Point Insurance here.

How does a relentless passion for helping others shape a multi-faceted career?

Ken Souza's journey from a 44-year financial aid career to pursuing various artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors exemplifies a life driven by enthusiasm and service. Retiring as a student lending professional, Souza remains involved by consulting with universities and engaging in hobbies like candle making and film editing. His zest for life inspires others to pursue passions with humor and dedication.

Reach Ken here.

Follow Erin's company, Black Point Insurance, on Instagram here.

Follow Erin on Facebook here.

Follow Erin on LinkedIn here.

Learn more about Erin's company, Black Point Insurance here.