Twisting the Plot

Here it is, another year.

Are you ready?

We are.

We look forward to our new group of twelve women, and the collaboration for the next twelve months.

We want this to be a year when we embrace our lives even more fully, feel our feelings, and navigate with grace the twists.

Another year to celebrate our aging, honor our past, and look to the future with curiosity and wonder.

How do we start?

We start with a conversation with the indomitable Indrani Goradia.

On this week's Twisting the Plot Podcast, Indrani invites us to welcome what's ahead. She challenges us to think more deeply, take more action and yes, she also makes us laugh.

It seems like the perfect place to begin 2022.

We hope you join us.

Check out indranigoradia.com

What is a creatrix, you might ask?

According to Stephanie Raffelock the word creatrix is defined as "a woman who makes or creates things." Stephanie suggests that creatrix may be a good replacement for crone when it comes to selecting an archetype for women to age into.

We love the idea of a woman continuing to "make things" beyond the biological clock of fertility.

Stephanie Raffelock herself is a creatrix. She is a storyteller and writer who published two books after she was 50. Creatrix Rising is her latest, and we were thrilled to speak with her about it on this week's Twisting the Plot Podcast.

Listen as Stephanie shares her story, the plot twists, and the role models who inspired her along the way. There is the poet Richard Blanco, her grandmother Julia, and the magical neighbor Austin.

Relationships matter to Stephanie. And now she matters to us.

We need to remind ourselves that as with all kinds of evolution, there is no destination point, no complete, all-the-way healing, but rather more unfolding, more work to be done. We grow psychologically and spiritually until the time we die. Stephanie Raffelock, The Creatrix Rising

Learn more about Stephanie Raffelock at https://www.byline-stephanie.com/

Here's a question to ponder. "Can you love yourself in a hostile world?"

This is the question Dr. Thema asks on this week's podcast.

"We have to shift the individual, but we also have to shift the world in which the individual is living, so that we're not constantly having to push back against these messages but that we can change the larger story, that we're all worthy and deserving."

Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis is a psychologist, a professor at Pepperdine University, a minister, a dancer, and a slam poet.

She is the director of the Culture and Trauma Research Lab, and has received numerous awards and recognition for her work in the fields of trauma, human trafficking, the psychology of women and anti-racism.

She is also the President Elect of The American Psychological Association.

And the host of The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema.

In this conversation Dr. Thema talks about the many plot twists in her personal and professional life. She delineates the intersection of ageism, sexism, and racism. She speaks about her calling to the ministry and her belief in the role of the arts in communal healing. Finally, she articulates her thoughts about the profession and practice of psychology.

She even gifts us with a poem.

Take a listen. We were blown away.

Follow Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Connect with Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis on LinkedIn

Learn more about Dr. Thema Thema Bryant-Davis at drthema.com

Who knew getting older could be so funny?

In the 1960's gerontologist Robert Butler told us that thinking back over our lives is therapeutic. He termed his method of reminiscence, "Life Review". Through a life review, experiences from the past, particularly the unresolved conflicts, can be resolved and reintegrated into our life experience.

There is also substantial research pointing to the benefits of humor. Humor has been found to lower blood pressure, increase pain threshold, and improve the immune system. Humor reduces cortisol and increases endorphins in our systems. It also helps us gain perspective, sharpen our memory, and allows us to forgive ourselves and others.

Story and laughter bring people together.

Enter, Mary Clohan, a stand-up comedian and graduate student in New York University's program for Drama Therapy. Mary decided to combine these two healing processes. For her Masters' thesis, she examined the process and benefits of what she calls, "Laugh Review."

On this week's Twisting the Plot Podcast we hear from Mary and five of her actor/subjects, all residents of Penn South, "a naturally occurring retirement community" located in NYC, fondly referred to as NORC.

Take a listen and laugh along with us.

We are honored to have the following participants on this podcast: Hilda Aronson, Michael Bournas-Ney, Martin Sturm, Florence Cohen, and Harriet Kriegel.

Cast Bios:

Mary Clohan is a writer, performer, teaching artist and recent graduate of the NYU Master's Program in Drama Therapy. She has been performing stand-up comedy and improv comedy around NYC for the past 4 years and is interested in the therapeutic potential of humor and comedy within the creative arts therapies. Reach out to Mary Clohan via email at [email protected]

Hilda Aronson - Hilda had her 89th birthday six months ago and, being in very poor health, or lack thereof, is very proud of her highest achievement: simply being alive. Personal and professional successes lose importance. Giving and receiving an abundance of love, that's what she identifies with. All the rest is illusion.

Michael Bournas-Ney - Michael premiered as an actor in first grade, when he played the part of a washcloth. (His friend was a bar of soap.) He loves humor and was thrilled to be part of Mary's stand-up class.

Martin Sturm - Martin is now a playwright, standup comedian, and actor. These are accomplishments that he didn't think were possible, in all his wildest dreams.

Florence Cohen - Florence is a lifelong closet comedian who always tried to keep companions amused. She is also a current abstract painter and a senior trying to keep up with a constantly changing world.

Harriet Kriegel - Harriet began as a high school English teacher, moved to health care, and became Vice President of Public Affairs, Development, and Marketing at The Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged. After retiring, she joined the Board of Penn South Social Services, which sponsors the Penn South Program for Seniors, where she has become involved with theatre and acting, discovering new talents, and doing Stand-Up Comedy. It is a thrill to discover a new skill when you are 87!

Dr. Ellen Albertson calls herself the Midlife Whisperer.

But on this week's Twisting the Plot Podcast, she speaks up loud and clear.

Dr. Albertson has "more degrees than a thermometer" and she's confronted major plot twists in life. For years she followed all the rules and roadmaps. She had a successful career, got married, raised children, worked hard to stay thin and attractive and did a lot of people pleasing. But after life threw her a few curve balls, she devised a set of new rules to follow.

These new rules have to do with being creative, trusting herself and allowing for transformation.

Dr. Albertson has a new book titled Rock Your Midlife, 7 Steps to Transform Yourself and Make Your Next Chapter Your Best Chapter.

It's a great read. We enjoyed our conversation with Ellen.

We think you will find her inspiring and motivating.

Take a listen.

Ellen Albertson, PhD, RDN, NBC-HWC

Dr. Ellen is a Psychologist, Registered Dietitian, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Reiki Master, and Mindful Self-compassion Teacher. Known as The Midlife Whisperer™, she helps women raise their vibration so they have the energy, confidence, and clarity to make their next chapter their best chapter.

An author, inspirational speaker and expert on women's wellbeing, Dr. Ellen has appeared on Extra, the Food Network and NBC World News and has been quoted in Psychology Today, Eating Well and USA Today. She has written five books and articles for SELF, Better Homes & Gardens and Good Housekeeping. Her latest book is: Rock Your Midlife: 7 Steps to Transform Yourself and Make Your Next Chapter Your Best Chapter!

She brings over 25 years of counseling, coaching, and healing experience to her holistic practice and transformational work. She lives on the Champlain Islands of Vermont with her high-tech, raw-food loving partner, Ken and her tree climbing Border Collie, Rosie.

Get Rock Your Midlife by Dr. Ellen Albertson on Amazon

Check out Dr. Ellen Albertson's website themidlifewhisperer.com

Kwavi Agbeyegbe has a mission.

She wants to make women over 50 aware of their potential and value.

As a life coach, she started by asking 50 women who were over 50, from all over the world, to describe themselves.

Over 80% of the women she talked to reported feeling invisible.

The women don't see themselves represented in the media. They feel erased, insignificant, and not a vital to the cultural conversation.

Kwavi is out to change this narrative. She is beginning by asking questions. 50 questions.

We love this. Questions and conversation are a great launching pad to diversify the story of what it means to age.

And of course Kwavi has plans for how to twist these conversations into action.

Take a listen.

Check out Kwavi's website at www.kwavi.com

Join Kwavi's online community Flourish

Follow Kwavi on Instagram @kwavi_tv Follow Kwavi on TikTok @kwavi_tv

Get Kwavi's book 50 Questions to Answer When You Reach 50

At 75 years of age, with life of plot twists that include physical, emotional and relational challenges, Ronda Tamerlane has decided it's time to tell her story.

Ronda's 12 in 12 2021 project is to write her personal memoir.

Listen to this week's Twisting the Plot Podcast as Ronda talks with us about how writing her memoir is giving the opportunity to take on new perspectives, let go of resentments, deepen her connection to the many roles she has played, and the many lives she has led.

As a retired psychotherapist, Ronda hopes that by telling her story, she will help to normalize and give voice to the experience of depression, anxiety, and generational trauma.

No more keeping quiet for Ronda.

She is both speaking out and listening more deeply to herself through her writing.

It is a memoir to grow by.

And growing is ongoing.

Check out Twelve in Twelve on twistingtheplot.com

Ronda Tamerlane was born in 1946 in Vallejo California. She has one daughter and two grandkids. Ronda was married 3 times, the last time to her soul mate who died six years after thirty years of being together. She got a BA in 1974 in psychology and had various working situations. She was even a rural carrier for 17 years. When she was in her late 40's, Ronda went to graduate school and began a career as a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist which lasted for 20 years. In 2020, during covid, she retired. She is now writing her memoir.

We are so often bombarded with negative messages about aging that it makes us not want to do it. We don't want to get older.

But what if aging could be a process that's creative, intuitive and deepening? What if getting older was a creative act?

On this week's Twisting the Plot Podcast, we speak with three 12 in 12 group members about how their experience in the year-long program has given them opportunities for flow, nourishment, and connection.

Maddi Cheers, Nadya Trytan and Aleka Artemis Munroe share about their growth and learning throughout 2021. According to these three remarkable women, the 12 in 12 provided a space for new perspective, joyful rebellion and dreams realized.

They give good testimony and recommend that you too apply for 12 in 12 2022.

Is it your turn to twist the plot?

Maddi Cheers is first and foremost a Wisdom Activist! She is a Storyteller, ceremonialist, dancer, teacher, poet and artist. She is also the founder of The Women's Oneness Project, dedicated to bringing women together to respectfully discuss and consider our differences. At 68 Maddi has dedicated her final chapter to passing on the knowledge and teachings she has gained from indigenous elders, spiritual leaders and her own life experience.

"We must create a world where each child is honored, not labeled, where each child is educated, not indoctrinated, where each child is safe and loved and part of a caring, kind community, so that they can grow and blossom and give their gifts to the world to make it a better place for all of us. That is the basis of a world at peace."

~Maddi Cheers

Nadya Trytan has over 20 years experience practicing as a Drama Therapist in a variety of settings including inpatient hospital, partial hospitalization, day treatment, schools and private practice. She specializes in embodied, trauma-centered work, and has experience with children, adolescents, adults and elders. Nadya has a private practice in Minneapolis, MN and she is on the core faculty of Midwest Drama Therapy Institute. Nadya is Past President of the North American Drama Therapy Association and Past Chair of the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations.

Aleka Artemis Munroe has always needed to express herself with words. At age 10, as her father forced his narcissistic interpretation of reality on his family, she began photographing with her Papou's Brownie camera, recording reality and writing poems expressing her perspective. Aleka's linguistics and foreign languages education etched words into her soul. After careers in banking, training, then teaching, and raising a theatrical and musical family where words were essential tools, her fifties hit hard with the chaos of a failed adoption and multiplying autoimmune illness. Her creative and comedic family and friends, and prayer, pulled her through. Aleka believes God gives us the strength to get through pain, sorrow and suffering, to live, love, laugh, and especially to reach out to others who are struggling to choose between despair and courage, connection and disconnection. Mindfulness training sparked a renewal of using photography and words to envision alternate interpretations of scenes in her limited physical world with her camera lens and lyrical mediations. This developed into Compasspoints: maxims for clearing the chaos in our cages. Aleka is finishing a photographic book entitled "I am Water", an allegorical tale of being the water that constantly flows on toward the unknown of the ocean, despite the obstacles in its path.

Here's a question to ponder. "Can you love yourself in a hostile world?"

This is the question Dr. Thema asks on this week's podcast.

"We have to shift the individual, but we also have to shift the world in which the individual is living, so that we're not constantly having to push back against these messages but that we can change the larger story, that we're all worthy and deserving."

Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis is a psychologist, a professor at Pepperdine University, a minister, a dancer, and a slam poet.

She is the director of the Culture and Trauma Research Lab, and has received numerous awards and recognition for her work in the fields of trauma, human trafficking, the psychology of women and anti-racism.

She is also the President Elect of The American Psychological Association.

And the host of The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema.

In this conversation Dr. Thema talks about the many plot twists in her personal and professional life. She delineates the intersection of ageism, sexism, and racism. She speaks about her calling to the ministry and her belief in the role of the arts in communal healing. Finally, she articulates her thoughts about the profession and practice of psychology.

She even gifts us with a poem.

Take a listen. We were blown away.

Follow Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Connect with Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis on LinkedIn

Learn more about Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis at drthema.com

Who am I anyway?

Twisting the Plot's Twelve in Twelve Program asks each participant to bring all of herself to the year-long experience. Together as a group, we invite the shadow self, the wise ones, role models, inner guides, mentors, avatars, nemeses …. all are welcome.

By the time one gets to our age there are a multitude of selves to encounter. Somedays our virtual 12-member group feels like a filled stadium.

Listen to this week's Twisting the Plot Podcast where two 12 in 12 members, Christine Kilavos and Lilly Cataldi, talk about their many sides, and share about their 12 in 12 projects.

These two women are dynamic, dimensional, and complex. They defy stereotypes. They make getting older something to look forward to.

They are twisting the plot.

Lilly Cataldi is an accomplished teacher, performer, and writer, who is known not only for her musical skills, but also for her talents as an inspiring vocal coach and acting instructor. She brings 45 years of wisdom and varied experience into her sessions with clients. As a vocalist and songwriter, Lilly has performed all styles of music from classical to contemporary to original works in numerous settings and venues. Now, after years of adventures, careers, side careers, and wrangling kids, family, and other assorted aliens, Lilly's muses pulled her out of moth balls and cobwebs and insisted she resurrect her first passion of writing and singing songs. She happily agreed and is having a blast, bringing many colorful threads to her song writing and singing tapestry. Lilly is currently working on an LP that is scheduled into be released in 2022.

Christine Kilavos is a somatic coach and visual artist. She believes the body is the container to our stories and where our experiences are held. She created an experience she calls "the art of self," a process through which we allow our bodies to become the brushes on the canvas. Christine teaches us how to let the movement of the body bring feelings from the inside out and give voice and expression to those feelings so they can be witnessed and accepted. The artistic process helps us feel, witness, name and accept ourselves, eventually making space for something new.

"Every blemish, stain, scar, smear, dent, imperfection, misplaced hair, softened heart, gripped mind, child-like pleasure, are windows to more of our world."