Twisting the Plot

Emilie Ward and Deb Yeager joined 12 in 12 2020 with specific missions and intentions.

Then, 2020 had its way with them.

Emilie suffered for weeks with severe symptoms of the coronavirus. Deb, a disaster expert, left her cozy home in New Hampshire to work in Brooklyn at the height of the coronavirus crisis in New York City.

Next, both women faced job loss and financial challenges.

And eventually, both women became caretakers of their mothers.

It's a lot.

A lot of obstacles. A lot of pain.

Nevertheless, they persist. Their projects are alive.

These are two women filled with humor, love, creativity and determination.

Take a listen.

We will be taking applications for our 12 in 12 2021 until December 18th. Apply Now

A couple of years ago Therese Shechter posted a survey on Facebook that started with the sentence: Tell me about your experience not having children.

It went viral.

Women wanted their stories to be heard.

On today's podcast, we talk to Therese Shechter, award winning filmmaker and founder of the feminist production company, Trixie Films.

Therese, 58 years-old, knew about her preference to live childfree since she was a young girl. It wasn't easy to follow her heart. In fact, for years she assumed that she didn't have this choice. It's tricky to live outside of the usual expectations. It's not always easy to have access to options.

Listen in on this important discussion with Therese, who claims she likes to "disturb what is sacred about womanhood." She does this for the sake of diversity, choice and freedom.

Then be on the lookout for Trixie Films' new documentary coming out in 2021 titled, "My So-Called Selfish Life." A documentary film that examines what it means to say no to motherhood, and investigates who gets to make this choice

We are so happy to know Therese Shechter, a woman who celebrates plot twists and gives us all the opportunity to explore who else and what else we can be.

Learn more about Trixie Films at trixiefilms.com

Learn more about My Selfish Life at myselfishlife.com

Selfish Facebook Community

@trixiefilms on Instagram

Check out 12 in 12 at TwistingThePlot.com

Join us for another conversation with two of our 12 in 12 members.

Lauri Landry and Stephanie Omens talk about finding their voice and speaking their truth.

They discuss the cost of holding secrets and share the shame and confusion that secrets breed.

Lauri shares tells us how her 12 in 12 project transformed over the course of the year, starting as a verbatim theatre project about resilience and turning into a performance piece giving voice to stories that included her own.

Stephanie discusses her experience in completing the draft of her book, No White Lies, a book helping children, and their adults, face the difficult truths we confront in life.

They each read from their work.

So much wisdom.

So much truth telling.

Take a listen.

Check out 12 in 12 at TwistingThePlot.com

We were thrilled to sit down virtually with David Stewart, founder of AGEIST. AGEIST is a platform that offers research, advise and inspiration for an over-50 lifestyle that is cutting edge and emerging.

David Stewart likes to say that AGEIST offers options.

We loved this conversation with David. He's smart, fun and engaging.

And yes, he's a man. He has something to say about that too.

Take a listen to this stimulating discussion and learn what David Stewart has to say about aging in today's culture.

You should listen. Because he gives us options. And, we could all use options.

https://www.weareageist.com/author/davidagei-st/

David Harry Stewart is the founder and face of the AGEIST. He is a passionate champion and leading authority on the modern 50+ lifestyle, and the mindset and aspirations that drive this influential demographic. An influential thought leader and magnetic speaker, he is called upon frequently to share his expertise and insight at important venues and forums around the world, including The Wall Street Journal, The Times of London, CNN, NYTimes, Monocle, Esquire. He recently keynoted the Global Wellness Summit in Singapore. Prior to launching AGEIST, Stewart enjoyed an award-winning career as a photographer specializing in people-oriented advertising that combined his engineer's precision with a high level of design and visual aesthetic.

Check out 12 in 12 at TwistingThePlot.com

Dr. Leslie M. Faerstein and La-Verna Fountain didn't get the memo that it's time to go invisible. Instead, they decided that being a woman in her 60's and 70's means it's time to speak up, have influence and inspire change.

They call themselves thought leaders. And we would agree.

Leslie works intergenerationally to help women take charge of their body image and regain embodied power. La-Verna listens deeply to our social woes and provides a much-needed bridge between what we each know and what we have to learn.

They are writers, speakers, and activists offering compassion, wisdom, and vision to all of us.

Listen to this week's podcast to see what we mean.

It's possible to lead despite disability. It's possible to lead as women of color. It's possible to lead no matter what age.

https://twistingtheplot.com/12-in-12/

We are, like you, struggling with anticipation, fear and uncertainty today.

We are also psychotherapists and have some tips to help us all get through.

Take a listen to today's podcast. We hope it helps.

And then join our Facebook group, Plot Twisters, and share with us how you will survive this twister day.

A couple of years ago we attended a Next Tribe Event in NYC. The title for the evening was "Screw Invisibility," and it was a gathering for women over 40. When we entered the loft space we were blown away. The room was packed. Filled. Brimming with women in their 40's, 50's 60's and 70's. The energy was electric. The messages from the speakers were inspiring and motivating.

It was then that we realized Jeannie Ralston was on to something.

Jeannie co-founded Next Tribe as a digital magazine. As a former journalist and editor, she knew how to get good writers to write about interesting topics. She wanted to explore the issues, stories and possibilities for women over 40. Her online magazine soon morphed into a lifestyle network offering workshops, travel opportunities and countless ways to connect with like-minded women.

It's an exciting time to be a woman in midlife and beyond. Next Tribe's Jeannie Ralston is a role model for us all.

Take a Listen.

Check out NextTribe

Check out 12 in 12 at TwistingThePlot.com

Marianne Franzese and Maria Dintino, members of Twisting the Plot's 12 in 12 2020, believe in the magic of transformation. They also know that change is hard work.

Despite plot twists that have come their way, both Marianne and Maria are committed to the evolution of their future selves. Now they are ready to guide the rest of us along our way.

Maria will be teaching us how to reawaken our creativity. Marianne will invite us to speak from the heart.

They have each elevated our 12 in 12 group all year. Listen to this week's Twisting the Plot Podcast and let them inspire you.

https://twistingtheplot.com/work-with-us/

We invited Noreen Sumpter to join our Facebook group, Plot Twisters, a gathering for women over 50 to share, discuss and diversify the trajectory for all of us. Before she joined, Noreen reached out with a question about plot twisters. Are there black, brown and women of color represented in this group? Reflexively, our response was, "of course." But then, we stepped back and got curious. How many of our members in Twisting the Plot are women of color? Have we done enough to ensure that all women's voices and faces are represented? We had to check our white privilege, note our white fragility, and acknowledge our hidden biases and lack of awareness.

We realize that we have to continue to listen and learn.

So, we invited Noreen to join us for this week's Twisting the Plot Podcast.

We are glad we did. She has a lot to say.

Noreen Sumpter is a force. She is a life coach and a business leader who encourages us all to create courageous spaces where we can talk honestly, allow vulnerability, grow and make change.

Take a listen.

Then, join us in Plot Twisters on Facebook and give us your thoughts.

https://www.noreensumptercoach.com

Sydney Price and Laura Dintino joined our 12 in 12 program in January 2020 with one major thing in common: they were both still in the middle of big time plot twists. Each of them was navigating a messy divorce. Both were trying to find ways to work and support themselves and their children on their own. Laura needed to sell her house and move. Sydney was closing down her business and trying to figure out her next career pursuit. Mostly, they were both struggling with the big identity question: Who am I now? And the uncertainty question: What do I do next?

What became obvious to us was that they both are amazing women. They came loaded with strengths, many interests and talents. Most impressive is they are both intent on contributing to others and their communities. Sydney, through composting (yes, composting) and Laura via her work with non-English speaking immigrants and citizens.

Listen in and hear them share what they've experienced as members of the 12 in 12 program. It's a thought-provoking conversation during which they candidly share the lessons they have learned, the feedback they received and the next steps they plan to take.

Sydney's and Laura's lives, like compost, are rich with potential and soon to sprout new blooms.

Interested in our 12 in12 program 2021? Reach out and get your application at Twistingtheplot.com

Don't miss our guide to an exciting and meaningful life, Twelve Twists to Evolve Your Plot. Get it here: https://www.twistingtheplot.com/12twists