During her tenure as a successful entrepreneur and podcaster, Ande Lyons’ advice to young start-up founders was: “Don’t Be Caged by Your Age.” At age 66, she took her own advice. Ande shifted her focus to older people, especially women, with the mission to redefine what it means to thrive after 65. Ande exposes internal ageist beliefs and debunks myths that older women are no longer visible, connected, and contributing. Ande’s podcast, Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, features interviews with women whose stories are about “liberating life changes [that] shatter age-related stereotypes.” Ande hears from younger women—the 40-50 year-olds—that “these stories help them see that growing older can be something to look forward to.” Driven by her own passion for fostering intergenerational relationships and community, Ande founded the New England Podcasters Group in early 2024, and today it's a thriving, ever-growing network of podcasters connecting, collaborating, and amplifying each other’s voices.

“Don’t Be Caged by Your Age.” - Ande Lyons

Connect with Ande:

Website: https://www.dontbecagedbyyourage.com

Email: [email protected]

The Age-Wise Collective consists of podcasts that promote older women, including Women Over 70.

Meet collaborator:

Beverley Glazer, host of Aging with Purpose and Passion, helps women over 50 reignite purpose, power, and bold reinvention. https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com

Beverley Glazer, MA, is an ICF-Certified Transformational Coach,

Psychotherapist, and Strategic Consultant with over 35 years of experience

empowering individuals, companies, and communities navigate change.

She is the founder of Reinvent Impossible LLC, the umbrella company for

her services, including individual coaching, strategic consulting, and her

Internationally acclaimed podcast, Aging with Purpose and Passion, a bold

platform that amplifies the voices of trailblazing women redefining midlife

and far beyond. A recognized thought leader, Beverley has served on

advisory boards and contributed to publications including Psychology

Today and Kuel Life, with syndicated features on networks like MSNBC and

ABC. Through a unique blend of clinical techniques and strategic coaching,

Beverley guides high-performing women over 50, reclaim their voice, own

their value, and redefine their purpose on their own terms.

“Your legacy starts now - in the choices you make and the truths you

live by today.”  - Beverley Glazer

Connect with Beverley

https://reinventimpossible.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleyglazer/

https://www.facebook.com/beverley.glazer

https://www.instagram.com/beverleyglazer_reinvention/

Jean Olson, age 70, describes her 13 years in the Foreign Service as an “odd and torturous path,” that included a successful class action suit against the federal government. Jean left the Foreign Service (stints in Europe and South America) for her hometown in Wisconsin to be her mother’s caregiver and to serve as (volunteer) President of the Village Council. At age 57, and ‘unemployed’ for seven years, Jean created a path to retirement. She rejoined the Foreign Service for seven more years, having to start over as a “baby diplomat” — a “lesson in humility.”  Jean choice of Las Cruces, NM. as her retirement home affords her access to a university, a cluster of good friends, affordable housing, and excellent Mexican restaurants. Best of all--no snow shoveling! Since her move, Jean has served on the Board of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, worked with a Refugee Resettlement project, and is currently engaged with a children’s Literacy program. 

When I retired from the Foreign Service, I found a home in New Mexico with a university, good friends, affordable housing, and great Mexican restaurants. - Jean Olson

Connect with Jean 

Email: [email protected] 

Beverly Schlotte, age 76, loves living on her farm near Webster, South Dakota, where she and her late husband, married 53 years, “worked and planned together” as they raised their family of four. After retirement from many years of teaching “kids that I loved,” Beverly hosted a foreign exchange student from Madrid, Spain during the 2024-2025 school year. Beverly and her family were chosen as one of the top four Education First host families in the nation. Beverly plans a trip to Spain, perhaps after her trip to Turkey where she will be shopping for a wedding dress with her grandson’s fiancé. Traveling with her adult children are special journeys that have taken them to Greece and more recently to Norway, the land of her ancestors. Beverly, 100% Norwegian, felt like “Norway was home—these are my people.” Beverly connects with people in her community through reading, cards, quilting, and church groups. She finds that growing older offers freedom “to focus on what’s important, to worry less, and to love the children.”

I choose what hurts and I choose to be happy. - Beverly Schlotte

Connect with Beverly

Email: [email protected]

Sponsor Appreciation

Women’s Connection is a nonprofit women's group with chapters around the country. Members are vibrant, accomplished women, age 50 and forward, who connect around common interests, empower each other to thrive, and stick together as they travel through the stuff of life, no matter what comes their way. https://womenconnecting.org

Podcast Collaborator—Member of The Age-Wise Collective

Recommending Host Beverly Glazer, Aging With Purpose And Passion, a weekly podcast inspiring women over 50 to embrace bold life shifts, and unlock their potential, through captivating stories from trailblazing senior women. https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com

As a young academic professional, Mary Ellen Jukoski, age 75, wondered: “Where are the female college presidents? I want to become one.” So, she did, serving the first 20 years as President of Mitchell College in Connecticut where she transformed a struggling two-year institution into a thriving four-year college, inspired by her feminine leadership style of inclusiveness and collaboration. Her special mission has been to mentor young women to seek and succeed at leadership roles. She credits her husband, Matt, for supporting her cherished career while they raised their daughter. In 2024, Mary Ellen and Matt moved to an independent living community where they can be closer to their daughter and her family and enjoy social and intellectual stimulation. Meeting many women in their 90s, Mary Ellen expresses new appreciation for the notion that “age doesn’t’ define the person.” As she contemplates retirement, Mary Ellen looks forward to a new purpose. She says, “It’s all about having a positive attitude and being open to opportunities.” 

As a leader, I come to serve, not to be served; I am a presence, being there for others. - Mary Ellen Jukoski

Connect with Mary Ellen

Email: [email protected]

Mary Ellen Jukoski, Ed.D. - CT State

Sponsor Appreciation

Plymouth Place, LaGrange Park, IL., where senior living is redefined with options and opportunities to fit individual needs and preferences. https://plymouthplace.org Plymouth Place is the Diamond Sponsor for our Symposium, October 8, 2025.

Podcast Collaborator

This month’s podcast recommendation (member of Aging-Well Collective) is Host Beverly Glazer, Aging With Purpose and Passion, a weekly podcast inspiring women over 50 to embrace bold life shifts, and unlock their potential, through captivating stories from trailblazing senior women. https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com

You are in for a special treat as Dee Greer displays her creations of exquisite weavings from Alpaca yarn and amulet bags woven Japanese seed beads. She also enjoys watercolor painting. She learns in order to create. This is bolstered by degrees and certifications in the arts, financial planning, hand weaving, and interior design. Dee has created five businesses in rehab housing, five in Alpaca-related products and services, and a unique hand-weaving loom. Hurricane Helene completely destroyed her condo interior and precious belongings, including a specialty loom. Dee has rebuilt and redesigned her unit, along with helping 60 other residents facing the same challenge. She still makes the time to volunteer with arts programs in her community and to enjoy the rich arts culture with her partner, John. Dee’s constant ‘drivers’ are “doing good in the world” and “being in relationship with people, young and old… to enjoy life from completely different perspectives.” Hoping to help find a cure, she has now been accepted into a study sponsored by Eli Lilly to study a new drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. 

Because I have so many interests and very high energy, I’ve had to compartmentalize and prioritize. It will come to me what to do next. - Dedrea (Dee) Greer

Contact Dedrea (Dee) Greer

Email: [email protected] 

Former alpaca farmer finds tranquility while weaving | Your Observer 

Sponsor Appreciation  

Our heartfelt thanks to Women Over 70 sponsor Wells Fargo.

Podcast Collaborator 

This month’s podcast recommendation (Aging-Well Collaboration) is Host Beverly Glazer, who asks: Are you ready to ignite your next chapter? Aging With Purpose and Passion is the weekly podcast inspiring women over 50 to embrace bold life shifts, and unlock their potential, through captivating stories from trailblazing senior women. https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com 

When you listen to Victoria (Vickie) Rock, 73, you would believe her life has never seen a difficult day. Yet, the truth is, at times it has been rocky. Turning lemons into lemonade is the perfect phrase to attribute to Vickie. Always upbeat, charitable, and giving, she works tirelessly to elevate each person, client and company that become part of her network.

A career in court reporting led her to create a business of her own. When working until 2 or 3 a.m. in the morning became too much she sold out, along with her 75 member- team of court reporters and again could enjoy the basics of the business - meeting with clients, being in the courtroom and building her vocabulary with new and interesting words. Having been in this world for so many years, Vickie now teaches businesses how to tell their stories and win clients.

Vickie is quick to give credit to those organizations along the way who have helped her grow: National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program. Her church and Center for Disabilities & Elder Law remain important organizations she supports.

Enjoy our lives: How many Thanksgivings do we have left? - Victoria Rock

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA ROCK:

Email: [email protected]

Website: Victoria Rock

David Horton approached us to do an interview with him, and we did not know how to respond. We listened and, after hearing his story, it became clear that this was a story we wanted to share with you. David’s wife, DeeDee Horton, died of brain cancer. She was an accomplished athlete, middle school teacher, and college basketball coach. In the final six years of her life, she poured herself into writing Layer Upon Layer, a novel exploring the challenges faced by ambitious women. Before she died, DeeDee asked David to finish the editing and share her book with the world. Through David, we learn about DeeDee and her life of empowerment, courage, and contribution. As this testimonial by Rita Frey says of the book: “Layer upon Layer is poignant, full of passion and chock full of amazing lessons for women and an overall feeling of hope.” We also learn from David what it means to lose your loved one. (Thank you, David, for your courage in telling DeeDee’s story.)

"What if the people most important to you, fail to see and celebrate you?"

Connect with David:

Email: [email protected]

Book: Layer Upon Layer by Deedee Horton

Maria Cristina Torres, born in Mexico, studied medicine there and has three decades of experience in pharmaceutical-oriented medicine. She continues to work with people in the United States, finding solutions for chronic conditions and assisting individuals in reclaiming their health through alternative methods. The individuals she treats respond well to Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbs. Hypnosis is also effective for lifestyle conditions. Maria is thoughtful and progressive. You can expect to spend 1½ hours with her during your first meeting.

"These are transformation times when we choose to become the best version of humanity, all with the use of science, herbs and food."

CONNECT WITH MARIA:

Email: ctorres@integral-clinic.com 

Websites: IAmVitality.club (coaching)

                    integral-clinic.net (in person)

Calendly - Book a phone call with Dr. Torres

Linked In: Profile

Donna Younger, EdD, age 72, has dedicated her professional life to mentoring and teaching diverse people in various higher learning settings. These experiences expanded her world view and fed her “rabid curiosity about what binds us together—the sparks that connect us.” Donna’s intentional spiritual journey began at age 50 when she set out to resolve a critical religious question: “What’s the big deal with Jesus?” While staying connected with a church and working with a spiritual director, Donna’s question evolved to “What binds religious systems together?” She sees spirituality as the canopy and religion as a dimension of spirituality that can be a useful tool for those who choose it. Donna is now immersed in guided instruction for Spiritual Direction, a role congruent with her faith that “everyone has a spiritual side, whether they attend to it or not.” Her goal is to help people experience the gifts of spiritual awareness. 

"As a spiritual director, I want to be a companion to people as they open up to their spiritual nature."

Connect with Donna 

Email: [email protected]