Becoming Your Best Version

Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming grew up experiencing happy birthdays, disappointing birthdays, and downright terrible birthdays until she turned twenty and realized making her birthday happy was entirely up to her. She wrote How To Have a Happy Birthday: Create Meaning, Fulfillment and Joy on Your Special Day to help people find deeper meaning and joy on their birthdays too. Tamar and her book have been featured on NPR for her "invitation to experience the transformative joy a birthday can provide." Tamar draws upon more than thirty years of observation and experience to provide an insightful exploration into why birthdays matter, why they can be hard for many of us, and what we can do to fully put ourselves in the center of our day.In this episode, we talk about why our birthday can be the most powerful day of the year, why celebrating our birthdays matter, why we sabotage our birthdays, how embracing our age helps us live better lives, how we can prepare for our birthdays, why we might buy ourselves a birthday gift, how we can support others in celebrating their days, how we can craft our birthday wish to maximize its manifesting potential, creating a birthday altar for yourself or another person and more. Tamar, who is also a painter, joined us from San Francisco.Learn more and follow Tamar at:https://howtohaveahappybirthday.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Author.Tamar/https://www.instagram.com/author.tamar/https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamar-hurwitz-fleming-a7885515/

Hendrika de Vries is the author of the award-winning memoir When a Toy Dog Became a Wolf and the Moon Broke Curfew, a historical memoir about her childhood in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam during WWII that tells a gripping story of resistance, resilience and female strength in the face of brutality and oppression. Her current memoir, Open Turns: From Dutch Girl to New Australian — a Memoir (She Writes Press, Sept. 2, 2025 ), is its coming-of-age sequel. Henny was just a little girl when she experienced brutal violence and hunger in WWII Amsterdam. But she is now a teenage immigrant swimmer in 1950s Australia. She is smart, she swims fast and she has definite opinions about thekind of woman she intends to be––all of which serves her well in her new home, where she must learn to turn challenges into success.Her parents' wisdom continues to guide her. “Intentions are like prayers; you send them out into the universe and if you pay attention they come back as destiny,” her mother says. And when she walks in the bush with her father, hisreverence for the mysteries of nature helps Henny hear the timeless Australian Land speak and see the Southern Cross as a beacon.She enjoys swimming fame and championship victories, but throughout her coming-of-age years, she is also faced with memories, fears and dashed hopes and dreams. Time and again, she dives into the pool to find her own strength and sense of belonging––until, finally, she begins to see more clearly her unique path ahead.Hendrika's life experiences have infused her work as a therapist, teacher and writer. After surviving the trauma of WWII, she and her family emigrated to Australia when she was thirteen years old. As a migrant girl in 1950s Australia, with a fierce determination to succeed and a desire to belong, she faced and overcame unforeseen challenges. She earned her place as a South Australian state swimming champion, worked as a secretary to the Chief of Staff of a major newspaper's Editorial Department, married the paper's editorial cartoonist and became a young wife and mother.She moved to America in the nineteen sixties, where her husband won the Pulitzer Prize for his biting political cartoons while she gave birth to their third child and embarked on a course of studies that would lead to her interest in Jungian psychology, master's degrees in theology and counseling psychology and a career as a therapist.A depth-oriented marriage and family therapist for over thirty years, she used memories, intuitive imagination and dreams to heal trauma, empower women and address life transitions. As a graduate schoolteacher she helped students explore the archetypal patterns in their life narratives.Hendrika holds a BA with Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Colorado, an MTS in theological studies from Virginia Theological Seminary, and an MA in counseling psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times and the LA Times. She currently lives in Santa Barbara, California.Learn more:https://agirlfromamsterdam.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrika-devries-finishline/https://www.facebook.com/HendrikadeVriesAuthor/https://x.com/HENDRIKADEVRIE3https://www.instagram.com/hendrika.devries.92/

Lindsay McIntosh is Juilliard-trained historical oboist with an impressive resume in the music world. She has appeared under world-renowned conductors such as William Christi and Masaaki Suzuki. In 2013, while completing her graduate studies at Juilliard, she founded New Vintage Baroque, an innovative period instrument ensemble dedicated to performing 21st-century repertoire on historical instruments. The ensemble received critical acclaim for its imaginative, cross-temporal programming and vibrant energy – hallmarks of Lindsay's creative leadership. As artistic and executive director of NVB, McIntosh self-produced 25 distinct programs, fundraised more than $100,000, cultivated the organization's board of directors, commissioned and performed 17 world premieres, collaborated in three opera productions, recorded and released an album of original works on the VIA label and performed in over 75 performances in the U.S. and abroad.Recognizing her professional strengths beyond that of a freelance oboist, in 2015 McIntosh joined the founding team of National Sawdust, a new, critically acclaimed music venue and non-profit arts Institute located in Brooklyn. There, Lindsay worked on the artistic team creating, implementing, producing and tracking projects at the core of the venue's mission, including ten group residencies and fourteen opera productions. Lindsay's charisma and experience as a musician led her to become a lead producer for major events and her sensitivity to an artist's needs led her to become a lead artistic liaison to hundreds of professional musicians and ensembles.Life in the NYC arts scene was busy, intense and exciting but, for Lindsay, it was not a pathway to living her best life. She felt a tremendous pull to return home to Truckee, in rural northern California. So, she did just that.Remarkably, following her instincts has resulted in more creative opportunities and a more fulfilling life than ever for Lindsay. The added bonus was providing her two young children the kind of childhood she herself had enjoyed.After relocating to rural northern California, Lindsay created Musica Sierra as an extension of New Vintage Baroque's programming, with a focus on bringing much-needed music and arts education to rural and underserved communities. Blending her experience in historical performance with a passion for environmental literacy and youth empowerment, Lindsay has grown Musica Sierra into a regional leader in arts integration, offering performances, educational residencies and community programs across Sierra County and beyond. Among Musica Sierra's multitude of projects, Lindsay and her husband, co-artistic director Owen McIntosh, launched the Musical Headwaters series – a visionary seven-album commissioning initiative rooted in the belief that music can deepen empathy, eco-literacy and environmental stewardship. Through this lens, composers, songwriters and ensembles are invited to create original music that reflects the natural world and supports children's social and emotional development. Since 2021, Musica Sierra has premiered four albums aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for primary education in California, featuring acclaimed collaborators such as Majel Connery, Fire & Grace & Ash, Time For Three and The Red Hoop Singers, exploring themes like watersheds, trout, mammals and birds. In 2025, Lindsay McIntosh led Musica Sierra in commissioning a fifth nature-inspired album, Garden, for which she served as producer, and which was released on August 1.“We strive to bring cultural diversity to our programming for the benefit of everyone. Since we are a primarily white population in a very rural area with no access to the performing arts, we foster curiosity, joy and exposure through our culturally diverse educational programming."Learn more: https://musicasierra.orghttps://www.facebook.com/musicasierra/https://www.instagram.com/musica_sierra

Amy Cerny Vasterling is a future-focused speaker, teacher and intuitive who, through over twenty-two years of observational research, uncovered how a fixed-pattern system rooted in narcissism suppresses human potential. Her work dismantles this structure, revealing a path to natural equality and genuine self-expression. Amy empowers individuals and communities to reconnect with their true nature and fully thrive.She leads monthly Wisdom Gatherings, which are a thought-provoking place to gain inspiration and explore life's possibilities through intuition and self-discovery. She also works with individuals and organizations. Her new book, Know: Where the Status Quo Ends and You Come To Life, will be released September 16. Read her substack at https://thefutureofourpast.substack.com/, in which she offers a powerful perspective of life now from 250 years in the future, which highlights where this author sees the patterns leading us. During our conversation, she recommends the book Extraordinary Knowing: Science, Skepticism, and the Inexplicable Powers of the Human Mind, by Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer. She lives all over Europe but joined us from Minnesota. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/amyintuitivepathfinderhttps://www.instagram.com/amyvasterling/https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyvasterling/

Women over 40 comprise 25% of the U.S. population, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in popular culture and the media. Dina Alvarez and Dina Aronson set out to change that with their bold new anthology, Midlife Private Parts: Revealing Essays That Will Change the Way You Think About Age. It is a deeply moving collection of soulful essays that speak to what it really feels like to move through the world as a midlife woman and beyond. It is a rallying cry to embrace midlife unapologetically, and a powerful reminder that you are not going through it alone.Dina Alvarez started her writing career as a freelancer for Big Apple Parent in New York City covering education, local politics, and lifestyle. She later co-founded SomosPadres, the first and only bilingual parenting publication for Hispanic families in New York City. Dina currently works for a financial firm and continues to write in her spare time with a focus on creative nonfiction pieces. Dina is an avid reader and lover of anthologies, particularly those that tell women's stories. Dina is the mother of two adult sons and a native New Yorker. She continues to call the city home where she lives with her husband and youngest son.Dina Aronson is a writer, editor and pro-age advocate who is passionate about shining a light on midlife women and reframing the cultural conversation around aging. She began her career as an attorney, later founding a legal search consultancy, but pivoted as she approached midlife and couldn't find relevant content that reflected her experience. She began freelancing for start-ups aimed at the forty and above woman, and founded the Patina blog, now a Substack newsletter called Patina with Dina Aronson, where she explores topics in and around aging through her midlife lens. She has two grown stepsons, and currently resides between New York City and Miami with her husband.Midlife Private Parts: Revealing Essays that Will Change the Way You Think About Age (June 24, 2025, Regalo Press)Learn more: www.midlifeprivateparts.comIG handles: @patina_life and @thewritestyleshttps://substack.com/@patinawithdinaaronson https://open.substack.com/pub/dinaalvarez

Carren Strock, has often been called a Renaissance woman. Equally at home with a paintbrush and canvas, a needle and thread, or a hammer and nails, she is as eclectic in her writing as she is in her other interests. While best known for her ground-breaking book Married Women Who Love Women and more, her writing style lends itself to many different genres, both fiction and nonfiction. In addition, her articles and essays have appeared in Newsweek, Woman's Day, Ms. the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, PBS's Next Avenue and AARP's The Ethel.Married Women Who Love Women,  because of its enduring cultural relevance, is being recognized as a classic, 25 years after its debut.  "Until I was forty-three, I would have said with absolute certainty, 'I am not, nor could I ever become, a lesbian. I know exactly who and what I am,' says Carren. One year later, after 25 years of a contented heterosexual marriage, I fell in love with another woman. I experienced more passion, pain, isolation and turmoil than I ever thought possible and I began to question who I really was. My journey from denial to self awareness, understanding and acceptance was not an easy one.I wrote Married Women Who Love Women as a way to deal with my own discovery and to help other women deal with theirs. By interviewing more than 100 women, as well as their husbands and children, and through additional research as well, I found that this phenomenon—married women loving women—was not as uncommon as I had believed.I also realized that no woman, single or married, is automatically exempt from the frightening possibility that she too might one day realize a dormant sexual awareness that she is lesbian or bisexual."Learn more: http://www.carrenstrock.comhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064718108918Twitter: @CarrenStrock

Donna Simmons dares to believe in a world where young girls grow up free—free from abuse, exploitation and silence. A native of Kentucky, a state long shadowed by high rates of child abuse and a painful history of legal child marriage, Donna has become a leading voice for both justice and healing. Her advocacy was instrumental in reforming Kentucky law to end child marriage through parental consent, a victory that has inspired legal reform efforts across the U.S. and beyond.Donna's work goes far beyond policy. As a survivor herself, she knows that laws don't heal people—relationships, truth and radical compassion do. Through her powerful memoir, Ashes to Flame, she shares her journey from trauma to transformation, inviting others to find the fire within their own stories and empowering survivors to rewrite their legacy—not as victims, but as cycle-breakers, leaders and healers.Donna is also the creator and host of The Last Generation: Transforming Trauma Into Purpose, a raw and unfiltered podcast that blends lived experience with deep psychological insight. Each episode is a conversation for those daring to ask hard questions, confront inherited pain and choose a different future.With every word, Donna challenges the narrative that trauma defines us. Her voice is a catalyst for real, embodied healing—one that motivates not just awareness, but action. Whether in the halls of legislation or at the mic of her podcast, Donna Simmons is not just telling the truth. She's helping others reclaim—and rewrite—their own legacy.Learn more:https://trauma2purpose.com⁠ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/donna.pollard.1426 and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571541050726Instagram- @transformingashes2flame TikTok- @ashestoflame 

Dr. Neja Zupan is a visionary holistic mentor, energy mastery expert and international speaker guiding high achievers to full-spectrum vitality and soul-aligned success. After being given a 5% chance to survive aggressive cancer, and rising from generational scarcity to become a globally recognized entrepreneur, Dr. Zupan embodies the power of high energy frequency-first living. Her method—rooted in nervous system, facia, lymph recalibration, multidimensional intelligence and energy mastery—activates clarity, coherence and magnetic leadership.Dr. Zupan is a trailblazer in holistic health and personal empowerment, whose journey overcoming aggressive hormone-dependent ductal cancer has become a source of inspiration for individuals and businesses worldwide. Diagnosed in 2013 with a grim prognosis and only a 5% chance of survival without medical intervention, she chose an unconventional path—rejecting chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapy. Instead, she embraced natural healing methods, mindset transformation, and inner resilience, emerging not just as a survivor but a thriving advocate for holistic health.More than a decade cancer-free, Dr. Zupan has translated her profound personal experience into actionable insights for professionals and organizations seeking a deeper understanding of resilience, vitality and well-being. She integrates science, psychology, spirituality and traditional Eastern practices to teach strategies that foster sustainable wellness and prevent burnout. Her expertise inspires high-achievers and leaders to unlock their full potential, maintain high energy levels and create environments where individuals and teams can thrive.Dr. Zupan's message transcends health—it is a blueprint for transformation, showing that resilience, balance and purpose are the foundation of success in business and personal life. In this episode, Dr. Zupan talks about burnout recovery for high-achieving women, how to reclaim vitality through nervous system recalibration, multidimensional intelligence activation and how to access your intuitive and energetic brilliance. One easy tip is to start with laughter!Learn more:info@nejazupan.com www.nejazupan.comInstagram: @dr.nejazupan.institute LinkedIn: /drnejazupan Go to HighFrequencyEnergyFormula.com (for a free gift!)

Silvia Resnik's story is one of quiet longing, deep transformation and radical realignment. As an alone-born twin, she carried a sense of missingness all her life — even while following the “right” path: becoming a kindergarten teacher, earning a Master's in Business Economics, working in HR and building her own consulting business. On the outside, she had it all. On the inside, she felt empty.A spontaneous vacation to Zanzibar became the unexpected turning point. There, Silvia met the Maasai, a semi-nomadic tribe in East Africa known for their deep presence, connection to nature and spiritual strength. Something shifted. She felt seen, alive and whole — perhaps for the first time.She didn't just return home inspired — she changed her life completely. Silvia chose to live between two worlds and has since spent over 1.5 years in Tanzania, mostly on Zanzibar, living among the Maasai and integrating their wisdom into her way of being.Today, Silvia is an ICF-certified coach who guides high-achieving women out of the golden cage of perfection and back into a life of truth, freedom and purpose. She blends modern coaching with the grounded, ancestral wisdom of the Maasai. Silvia also partners directly with Maasai leaders in the movement to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), advocating for sustainable change from within. Sylvia splits her time between Austria and Tanzania, and joined us from Tanzania. Since I was in Sri Lanka when I recorded this episode and Silvia was in Tanzania, we had a few recording hiccups, but Silvia's inspiring story shines through!Learn more:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachsilviaresnik/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silvia.simple.life.journey/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coachsilviaresnikLinktree: https://linktr.ee/resnik.silviaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/Websites: https://silviaresnik.comhttps://www.simple-life-journey.com/en

Tally Koren arrived in London with one suitcase and a dream in the late 90s. Against all odds she became an international singer/songwriter. Despite family objections and countless music business rejections, what kept her going was turning every minus to plus, taking every refusal to become better, and every hard situation to do something good to herself and others.Her turning point to fulfill her childhood dreams and to become a singer happened at the age of 26, while she was in a very unhappy marriage. A singing teacher immediately recognised her talent and thought that her low voice is reminiscent of Karen Carpenter.In 2007, Tally made the decision to make her first album and not to wait for the record company. Despite one of the top radio people telling her that she doesn't have a chance to make it nationally because she was over 40, she made the choice to listen to the words of her song “Beauty of the Duty" saying that “the only thing that holds you back is you.” Her song became a national success on BBC radio three weeks later. Many of her other singles have been playlisted with over 1000 radio stations in the UK and around the world.She has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, The National Arboretum, The Belgrade Theatre, Pizza on the Park, Pizza Express, The JW3, Electric Carousel, The Soho Revue Bar, the Forum (Kentish Town), Tate Britain to Celebrate William Blake's birthday, The House of Lords, and opening a football match at the MK Dons Stadium. Her music has been featured in films and television advertisements. Her purpose in life is to inspire people to do what they love. Tally says: “For me, free will is not just a song; it's a journey about resilience, commitment, and my life purpose to inspire people to make the best choices in life, have the courage to go for their dreams, never give up, and take every rejection to become better.” At 61, she still is releasing new music and teaching children how to express themselves through songs.Learn more and follow her: www.tallykoren.comhttps://www.facebook.com/tallykoren/https://twitter.com/tallykorenhttps://www.youtube.com/user/tallykorenwww.instagram.com/tallykoren

Daniela helps stressed and burnt-out professionals ditch the guilt and overwhelm and productively manage their time and daily tasks with ease, so they have the space and energy for self-care every day.  She has been a Licensed Master's Social Worker for more than 27 years, working with individuals on self-care, stress management skills, mindfulness, relationships, parenting and just managing all the chaos that life can send your way.Daniela is a speaker/trainer, author of the book Balance Breakthrough - A Practical Guide for Busy Professionals to Take Charge of Their Work, Life, and Well-being, and host of the podcast, Best D Life with Daniela.  Daniela can help you learn the options and strategies to make over your schedule and life one day at a time. Her mission is to empower you to prioritize yourself on your to-do lists and learn the strategies to make over your daily life.Learn more: https://www.bestdlife.comInstagram - https://www.Instagram.com/best_d_lifeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bestdlifeFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/bestdlife

Arivee Vargas is an award-winning certified executive coach and the founder and CEO of Humble Rising LLC. She specializes in helping high-achieving women leaders and lawyers feel less overwhelmed and stuck, and have more joy, fulfillment, purpose and personal alignment. She is also the host of The Humble Rising Podcast, where she shares inspiring stories –primarily from women of color – and provides actionable strategies for achieving sustainable success and fulfillment.Arivee is also the author of Your Time to Rise: Unlearn Limiting Beliefs, Unlock Your Power, and Unleash Your Truest Self. Your Time to Rise is about increasing self-awareness, gaining clarity, uncovering your truth, envisioning possibilities, and aligning what's inside with what you're doing, saying and pursuing on the outside. Arivee shows you how to use her simple, four-part framework to navigate personal and professional inflection points. Most importantly, Arivee provides actionable strategies and tools to help you break free from the often harmful and limiting beliefs and expectations you've internalized keeping you stuck and dissatisfied. Your Time to Rise will equip you with what you need on your journey to rise up and claim your truth and the long overdue clarity, joy and fulfillment you deserve.Arivee's work has been featured in Oprah Daily, Forbes, Success Magazine, Hispanic Executive Magazine, Authority Magazine, the Boston Business Journal, FIERCE by Mitú, YourTango, Thrive Global, BizWomen, the Mother Chapter, and more. Influence Digest has named Arivee a top coach in Boston for the past three years in a row. She is a sought-after speaker and thought leader on topics of women's empowerment, self-care and wellbeing, how to prevent burnout, work-life harmony, career development and navigating the intersection of multiple identities as a first-generation Latina, mother, leader and lawyer.Connect with Arivee:www.ariveevargas.comwww.ariveevargas.com/book https://www.ariveevargas.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ariveevargas/⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariveevargas/

Trinette Faint has been a storyteller and creative entrepreneur all her life. With her career spanning starting out as a model in France at 19, to working with celebrities like Matt Damon and Will Smith's production company, to a 6 ½ year stint at Google. Trinette has also always been a creative writer, having published two novels, and is now a screenwriter, with her two tv pilots placing as semi-finalists in the ScreenCraft 2025 TV Pilot competition. In addition, she earned a certificate in Feature Film Writing from UCLA, at 52, all while continuing her modeling and acting career. Trinette continues to reinvent herself and defines her own version of success. As a Black Female standing tall at 6'1”, Trinette uses her wide range of background and experiences to continue to persevere and inspire fellow women in the industry. Her career also includes being an actor, a voiceover artist and podcast host. Trinette joined us from Boston.In this episode, we discussed:·       Trinette's personal journey of reinventing herself and advice for fellow female entrepreneurs to make the most out of life·       Book/Author Journey: Trinette can speak to the need for books to have strong Black female characters to portray and inspire a new generation·       How to Fail: Trinette can speak to reprioritizing and shifting her goals based on failures and share why failing is vital to success·       Experiencing Racism/Fat Shaming/Criticism as a Model·       Mid-life topics: Personal experience as a 50+ womanLearn more:https://trinettefaint.comhttps://www.instagram.com/trinette.faint/https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinettefaint/

Cerise Turner is a dedicated public servant, community advocate and champion for peace whose lifelong commitment to service was recognized with the 2024 President Biden's Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service. This national honor reflects her extraordinary contribution of more than 4,000 hours of volunteer service devoted to improving the lives of seniors, youth and families across Washington, D.C.As Ms. Senior D.C. 2023 and a Senior Ambassador for the Department of Aging and Community Living, Cerise advocates for more than 120,000 older adults across all eight wards. Her leadership and outreach span hundreds of events from senior wellness centers to policy forums, parades, cultural celebrations and citywide resource fairs. She has given testimonies before the D.C. Council Committees and remains a trusted voice for equity, respect and quality of life for seniors.She describes her metamorphosis when she became Ms. Senior D.C. She re-made herself by pushing herself to step outside of her typical behind the scenes type of lifestyle. She recommends volunteering as a way to get outside of oneself and meet others. She continues to challenge herself and live her best life at age 67.In 2025, Cerise was named a United Nations Global Peace Ambassador (Appointed through an UN-affiliated NGO), a global recognition of her tireless efforts to promote unity, service, and community unity. She has also taken part in public awareness campaigns protecting seniors from fraud, served as a speaker on financial empowerment for women, and volunteered with countless interfaith and intergenerational initiatives.Cerise's professional background includes a successful career in the private legal sector in which she provided high-level litigation and legal support in leading law firms. Her work was marked by precision, discretion and a strong commitment to excellence, qualities that also define her volunteer leadership and advocacy.Her passion for service has guided her through roles such as Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Educational Surrogate Parent for OSSE and Parent Watch Advocate where she supported children and families navigating complex educational and legal systems with empathy and determination.Her community contributions have earned her multiple certificates of appreciation and excellence from the Department of Aging and Community Living, recognition from senior wellness centers, and acknowledgments from local organizations for her steadfast commitment to outreach and engagement. Cerise continues to serve with grace, purpose and compassion believing that lasting change begins with kindness, courage and the willingness to show up for others.Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cerise-elaine-turner-90901241/https://www.facebook.com/cerise.turner.1https://www.instagram.com/cerise.turner.1/

Jen Hardy is CEO of Hardy House Media, and a multifaceted content creator and entrepreneur with a focus on video and podcasting. She hosts the “Jen Hardy Show” on YouTube, the “Fabulous Over 50” podcast, and is the author of four books. In her bestselling book, Uncensored YouTube Hacks, she shares practical advice for setting up your YouTube channel for success. As a YouTube consultant, she uses the information she has learned to help other podcasters find their voice through video and get comfortable on camera. Jen also hosts Podfest's monthly Podlab, as well as being volunteer coordinator for Podfest with her husband/producer, Dave.Jen has been actively involved in the creative space since 2014, founding the “Space Coast Area Podcasters” local meetup, and the “Golden Mic Society,” a virtual community for podcasters over 50. In 2024, Jen won “Podcast of the Year” (and is up for two more awards) and launched her YouTube show, “The Jen Hardy Show,” which had a million views in its first six months, further solidifying her presence in the industry. She also created the 50 Over 50 Awards (and Maria won one of these awards!).Jen and her husband have seven children and live on a barrier island paradise in Florida. They love listening and laughing to Dry Bar comedy on YouTube!Learn more at https://jenhardy.net/https://www.youtube.com/@thejenhardyhttps://www.instagram.com/thejenhardy/https://www.facebook.com/thejenhardy/https://jenhardy.net/top-50-over-50-awards/This podcast won a 2025 award for Podcasters Over 50!

Zerina Derveni is a distinguished Life Coach who specializes in empowering high-performing women and organizations to unlock their full potential. Specializing in guiding women who feel lost, stuck, or simply curious to level up, Zerina helps them embrace their inner strength, overcome obstacles, and create lasting transformation in both their personal and professional lives.With a rich executive background in strategic consulting and client engagement with Fortune 500 brands for more than a decade, Zerina brings a unique blend of expertise in personal growth, professional development and transformational coaching. Her tailored coaching approach is designed for those who seek transformative results, and the clarity needed to thrive. Whether pursuing greater personal fulfillment, enhancing relationships or navigating career shifts, Zerina provides the high-level guidance and actionable strategies that lead to lasting success. Invest in yourself and achieve your highest aspirations with Zerina's bespoke coaching services.She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society with Honours, an MBA Executive Certificate in Business Management from the prestigious Schulich School of Business, and a Post Graduate degree in Corporate Communication and Public Relations with Honours. In addition to her academic background, Zerina has completed advanced training in Negotiation Mastery from Harvard Business School, equipping her with the skills to navigate complex situations. Combining her professional certifications and academic achievements, Zerina delivers high-impact coaching that fosters lasting change and success for her clients.In this episode, we discuss:· Overcoming Self-Doubt: how women can build confidence and break free from negative self-talk and reclaim inner strength.· Navigating Self-Discovery: how to overcome overthinking and tap into your authentic self.· Transforming Anxiety into Inner Peace: master techniques for transforming anxiety into calmness and effective approaches for managing stress and self-doubt.· From Overwhelm to Clarity: how women can prioritize personal growth and career goals without losing themselves and make life decisions that are in alignment with their core values.· Building Stronger Relationships: effective communication, intimacy, and conflict resolution in romantic partnerships.Zerina joined us from Toronto, Canada. She shared a fun fact: She represented Ontario in the Miss Universe Canada competition! She offers her coaching in person and online. Zerina offers a free introductory call for potential clients.Learn more:https://www.zerinalifecoach.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zerina-derveni-64687386/https://www.instagram.com/zerinalifecoach/

Talek Nantes began traveling before she was born. Her mother was pregnant with her when she traveled from Cuba to New York City where she was born. She likes to say, "I was made in Cuba and born in the USA."In college, she determined that whatever she studied would have to lead to the ultimate goal of traveling so she studied international business. She obtained an MBA and a Master's in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania. She had a career in international business as an international business development professional opening and developing foreign markets for U.S. products. This allowed her to feed her voracious wanderlust traveling to 111 countries, and counting, and living in Colombia, Spain, The Dominican Republic, Mexico and the UK.After her decades-long career in the corporate world, she switched gears and became a travel blogger. She honored her Cuban roots by writing her Amazon best-selling book, Cuban Exile Memories: Journeys of Courage and Resilience in the Pursuit of Freedom. Her travel site is www.travelswithtalek.com where she shares travel tips, advice and destination guides with readers. She also created a Facebook group for women over 50 who love to travel, “Over 50 Women Travelers Community and Resource Sharing.” In this inclusive, non-political group we share travel photos, experiences, tips and comments. It is a great place to find travel buddies, meet like-minded women, explore small group tours, arrange and participate in local meetups.Travel feeds Talek's soul. Talek continues to travel the world to expand her perspective by having new experiences. People searching for travel tips and advice can find her at: www.TravelsWithTalek.comhttps://www.facebook.com/travelswithtalekhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/Over50womentravelerscommunityhttps://www.instagram.com/travelswithtalek/https://twitter.com/travelstalekhttps://www.pinterest.com/travelswithtalekAll new subscribers to Talek's emails list get a free eBook, “110 Best Travel Tips.”Learn more about me at www.MariaLeonardOlsen.com.***This podcast was just selected to the top ten in the most comprehensive list of Top 90 Midlife Women Podcasts on the internet!***

Dr. Lenka Schulze's lifelong experience, ongoing research, and ample knowledge in the area of intuition and consciousness, create a solid platform from which she invites others to view and to see life from the soul's point of view. As a student of life, Lenka has been given many valuable and often challenging lessons which made her understand human nature, connection to nature as well as the oneness to the cosmic realm of the subtle energy.Lenka consider herself a student first, as she continually enjoys learning, as well as empowering others through her teachings. She is very passionate to share her unique perspective to subtle energies, vibrations and frequencies and bring them down to earth in a palatable way for people to not only comprehend easily, but to take this information to apply easily into their daily life.Lenka has authored three books on healing, intuition and spiritual health. In this episode, she discusses:What is soul and how do we communicate with our soul?What is your soul purpose and why is it important for you to know your soul purpose?How do you know you are living your life from the essence of your soul?What are the signs that you are living from your soul's essence?Do you really know yourself? Are you aware of yourself?This age-old wisdom can change a routine life into one that is aligned with clarity of your soul's purpose.How does one embark on a spiritual journey?How are you able to spot truth and deception with ease?How can you tell the difference between judgement or discernment?How do you LIGHT-en up?What are the benefits of incorporating spiritual hygiene daily?Learn more:www.Lenka.orgInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/intuologywithlenka/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569052654485LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/intuology-with-lenkaTwitter - https://x.com/intuology_lenkaTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lenkaschulze?lang=enspotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4PajGqvBZt6VGmQZloq142?si=32daf513c952417a&nd=1&dlsi=2e62056626704015youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@intuologywithlenkaAmazon: - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lenka+schulze&crid=2FTSMC5DXTRW7&sprefix=lenka+schulze%2Caps%2C232&ref=nb_sb_noss_1*** Honored that the Becoming Your Best Version Podcast was recently selected by Feedspot to the most comprehensive list of Top Midlife Women Podcasts on the internet! Check it out at https://podcast.feedspot.com/midlife_women_podcasts/ ***

Rebecca Danigelis is the British 80-year-old star of the critically acclaimed and award-nominated documentary Duty Free. After being fired from her long-time career as a hotel housekeeper at the age of 75, Rebecca has become an activist against ageism in both workplaces and communities. The upbeat mother of three uses her lived experience to educate employers and employees on the values of being age-inclusive, underlining the essentiality of including age in DEI initiatives. She also stresses the importance of family. As a speaker, Rebecca has the ability to connect with audiences internationally. It is her joy and mission to help others.Since Duty Free's premiere, she has inspired thousands via notable live discussions with organizations including AARP, World Health Organization, National Council on Aging, SouthArts, American Society on Aging, Cirkel and more. She speaks at schools and recently was invited to speak about ageism at the United Nations. She is being featured in The New York Times for the second time in April.Rebecca has gone skydiving in this chapter in her life, and continues to live an exciting, vital life in New York City. She continues to face life with optimism, despite a cancer diagnosis and other challenges.Learn more and watch the film:https://www.dutyfreefilm.com/@dutyfreefilm or @rebrexithttps://www.facebook.com/DutyFreeFilm/https://www.instagram.com/dutyfreefilm/

Victoria M. Gallagher is a worldwide leader in Hypnotherapy, a best-selling author, international speaker, life success coach and renowned authority on the Law of Attraction.  She has dedicated her life to empowering people all over the world to successfully live a life of liberty, aligned with their dreams through her effective meditative recordings and online courses. Through her podcast, The Power of Your Mind, she exudes her passion for inspiring listeners with influential guests in the areas of self-development, mindset, discipline & habits, entrepreneurship, wealth and relationships. Victoria shares about her work, how she personally has manifested in her life, and how she has helped so many other people do the same. Victoria joins us today from Phoenix, Arizona. Learn more and follow her: https://victoriamgallagher.com/ https://www.youtube.com/hyptalk https://www.instagram.com/believehypnosis/ https://www.instagram.com/victoriamgallagher https://www.facebook.com/victoriamariegallagher/ https://www.tiktok.com/@loahypnotist

Dionne Eleanor is a global leader in integrative wellness and trauma-informed healing and the founder of The Body Sage. With more than 14 years of international experience internationally across Europe, Australasia, Asia, and the Americas, Dionne has guided thousands of individuals in transforming grief and heartbreak into meaningful legacies. Her methods help people cultivate governance and awareness of the body's emotional intelligence, using it as a gateway and tool for mental liberation and empowerment in their personal and professional lives. Dionne's unique approach blends Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) hypnosis, intergenerational trauma & ancestral healing, tantric philosophy, somatic practices, and relationship skills training to help individuals heal emotional wounds and elevate their lives. Dionne's work is rooted in inclusivity, a deep understanding and passion for integrative functional medicine, human behaviour & psychology. Through tailored empowerment mentoring, transformational retreats & carefully curated rituals, she unlocks deep emotional blocks & offers people a path back to their true empowered selves. Dionne specialises in helping high-achieving professionals navigate grief, relationship challenges and the complexities of modern life. Dionne works with women and their partners to embrace challenges on the path of motherhood itself, working with people who've brought a child into the world or lost one. She addresses hidden barriers such as complex grief, negative body image, past abuse, sexual trauma, injury and relationship skills dysfunction. It is her hope that her work not only empowers individuals but also positively shifts the way organizations care for their staff and train their leaders. Her life mission is to facilitate deep healing from heartbreak & pain via the integration of relevant education. Dionne offers private mentoring that is a unique blend of action-based empowerment mentoring, hypnosis, somatics, voicework, movement therapy, sound therapeutics & tailored rituals. Mentorship is available for 1:1 or couples and features close tracking of progression. "People have known me for years as that person who always had a smile on her face. But it wasn't because I didn't experience pain," Dionne says. "It's because I invested multiple hours and finances into understanding heartbreak, pain, and adversity on both a physical and emotional level. I was determined to master how to transform loss into legacy and access pleasure. I knew it was essential to share my findings with the world and that is why I created The Body Sage Method - a unique personal empowerment and transformation method."In this episode, we discuss:How to turn a loss into a legacy: Moving from heartbreak to empowermentThe power of RTT hypnosis & integrative wellness to heal grief & intergenerational traumaCombining ancestral healing, relationship psychology & tantric philosophy to elevate relationshipsThe power of ritual to unlock deep emotional blocks and heal emotional painLeading Through Loss: Trauma-Informed Leadership and Grief ResilienceLearn more:https://bodysageco.com/linkedin.com/in/dionneeleanorhttps://www.instagram.com/dionneeleanor_/

Suzanne Campi is a Life Transitions Coach and community builder with an emphasis on women in retirement. She brings together women who are shaping their retirement so that they can inspire each other to embrace freedom, create meaningful connections and design a more vibrant life than they even dreamed possible at this stage in their lives!  Suzanne is a professional speaker and an International Coaches Federation certified coach, a former Fitness Studio owner and recruiter. With a BS in Psychology, she has been fascinated with what "makes people do what they do," especially as it pertains to the ebbs, flows and stage changes in life.    In this podcast, Suzanne talks about how people typically prepare for retirement financially, but what about the other areas of life? She touches on other ways to live large post-retirement and takes a look at retirement from a holistic approach. More than saving money, creating a successful and fulfilling retirement is an inside job! Her clients love to take a deep dive into self-discovery and reflection. We have a lot of fun doing this by taking a look into: Honoring past accomplishments and contributions Growth/Purpose Health/Fitness Nurturing all social relationships, friends, family, love Recreation / play / adventures Spirituality / Self-Time Legacy (not always financial!) Wisdom "As a certified professional co-active coach, I am dedicated to helping individuals thrive both personally and professionally, with a special passion for guiding clients through the exciting transition into retirement," Suzanne says. "While many people focus solely on financial preparation, they often overlook the equally crucial aspects—like Purpose, Growth, Health, Relationships, Play, Spirituality, Adventure and Legacy—that make this phase truly enriching." "With a background in psychology and a diverse career spanning real estate, gym ownership and high-tech recruiting, I bring a comprehensive understanding and strong advocacy for those navigating life transitions. I meet clients exactly where they are, embracing their unique circumstances and strengths while providing the insight and guidance needed to propel them toward their highest potential. What I cherish most about coaching is being the catalyst that empowers clients to achieve optimal well-being and peak performance. Retirement is more than just an end—it's an adventure waiting to be designed, where you can create the best version of yourself!" Suzanne joined us from the San Francisco area. She is forming coach-led groups to help her clients inspire one another. Try a free discovery call with Suzanne if you are facing or contemplating a life transition. Learn more: www.suzannecampi.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannecampi/

Dara McKinley has studied and worked in the realm of spirituality and health for over three decades. In 2012, difficult life circumstances pointed her to forgiveness. She realized that many spoke prolifically about why we should forgive but no one spoke of how. Her background in psychology enabled her to successfully create and follow a forgiveness path that worked, but in the years that followed, the experience made her see some significant themes. In particular, she saw how mainstream forgiveness understanding (pardoning, ceasing anger, having compassion, and letting go) was obscuring the forgiveness path. She also saw that people who identified as spiritual-but-not-religious required a forgiveness path that was clear, and logical. This inspired Dara to devote her professional life to understanding forgiveness' infrastructure and to making forgiveness the practical healing modality it was always meant to be.Dara teaches a course on forgiveness. "At its essence, forgiveness is a person's ability to apply unconditional love and the ability to identify exactly what needs it," Dara says. "When these two skills are practiced over a consistent period of time, freedom prevails."In this episode, Dara discusses:• Interpersonal vs. Intrapersonal forgiveness• Compassion vs. forgiveness• The three timeframes that forgiveness can address• How we are all anatomically designed to forgiveLearn more:https://howtoforgive.com/https://www.instagram.com/DaraMcKinley/https://www.facebook.com/DaraMckinley108

Known for helping attorneys and professionals become bestselling authors and get positioned as experts in their practice area, Melanie Herschorn wants to help you step into your spotlight as an authority. As a publisher and book marketing strategist, she's on a mission to empower new authors to make an impact and grow their income with their signature book.With her comprehensive background of over 20 years as a celebrity publicist, award-winning journalist in radio, print and TV, as well as a clothing designer and entrepreneur, Melanie is uniquely positioned to support authors to step into thought leadership and make a big impact with their book. She earned a master's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California where she graduated first in her class. Melanie grew up in Canada has lived on both US coasts. She now resides in Arizona with her husband, daughter and son, her dog Marty and her cat Phoebe.Her award-winning book, Make a Big Impact with Your Book, is available now. Learn more:Website: https://yourbigimpactbook.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-herschorn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigimpactbooks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigimpactbooks/ Book: https://amzn.to/43tBKO9

Andrea Nakayama is a Functional Medicine Nutritionist and educator, who has led thousands of clients, and now teaches even more coaches and clinicians around the world in a revolution reclaiming ownership of both their own and their clients' health.  As the host of the 15-Minute Matrix Podcast and the founder and former CEO of Functional Nutrition Alliance, Andrea draws on systems biology, mental models, root cause methodology and the therapeutic partnership to offer long-awaited solutions for the rapidly growing chronic illness epidemic. After losing her young husband to a brain tumor in 2002, she discovered a passion for using food as personalized medicine and is now regularly consulted as the nutrition expert for the toughest clinical cases in the practices of many world-renowned doctors. She trains nearly four thousand practitioners each year in her methodologies so that they too can become the last stop for their clients and patients as well as a trusted referral partner for doctors in their area. Learn more: https://www.andreanakayama.com/ Functional Nutrition Alliance Website: https://www.fxnutrition.com/ Podcast: 15-Minute Matrix Instagram: @andreanakayama YouTube: Functional Nutrition Alliance Pinterest Facebook LinkedIn Substack

Jessica Baladad, six-year cancer survivor, is the creator of Feel For Your Life, a free mobile application that provides resources on how to perform self breast exams and when to get screenings, while allowing users to track and monitor their changes and set reminders. An unexpected breast cancer diagnosis at 33 years old empowered Jessica to channel her experience into a mission that is changing the way women advocate for their medical care. It's the first of its kind created by a breast cancer patient and has been downloaded tens of thousands of times all over the world. In 2024, Jessica implemented an AI feature into the app to help patients interpret and better understand pathology reports from their breast cancer screenings. Jessica's history with breast cancer catalyzed her dedication to building Feel For Your Life. She's the fourth generation on her paternal side of the family to be diagnosed with the disease, and yet, no known gene mutation has been found in her lineage. She first learned how to do a self breast exam after having a benign tumor removed at 18, and nearly 15 years later, Jessica was diagnosed with Stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma after performing a routine self exam in the shower. She underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, 24 rounds of radiation, a hysterectomy and 10-hour flap reconstruction. Since launching the app, Jessica has expanded her advocacy into healthcare reform. She has helped write legislation in the State of Tennessee to promote risk reducing measures against cancer and disease. Billed as the Feel For Your Life Act, it requires high school students to learn about self breast exams, testicular exams and skin exams. Additionally, Jessica has spoken out against insurance companies before members of Congress. She is working to eliminate quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) scores, Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) and co-pay accumulators. Jessica plans to grow her efforts further by working with medical providers, patients and vendors to bridge the gaps that keep individuals from getting access to the care they deserve. Jessica has been featured on Good Morning America, Tank's Good News, USA Today, The Dave Ramsey Show, UpWorthy and several national and international media outlets. She's worked with the NFL on their Crucial Catch Campaign to promote cancer screenings, received the Hometown Hero Award from Ponce Law on Nashville's Fox 17, has been recognized by the National Breast Cancer Foundation for her leadership initiatives and was the recipient of the Mona Lisa Foundation Grant in 2023. In 2020, the NFL's Crucial Catch Campaign partnered with Jessica to spread awareness about the importance of screenings being missed during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She serves as an active committee member of the Tennessee Advocate for Breast Cancer (TA4BC) group. Learn more:https://www.feelforyourlife.com/meet-jessicahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicabaladadhttps://www.instagram.com/jessica.baladad/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/jessica.baladad/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/JessicaBaladad01/ Email: jessica@feellforyourlife.com

Renee Rodriguez helps protective mothers in a custody battle against a narcissistic co-parent to go into family court and get the custody arrangement that's best for their kids. Like Renee, these women have suffered psychological abuse at the hands of their former partners and are working to ensure their children are protected from further cruelty.Her company, Best Foot Forward, is an example of a number of things: changing careers mid-life, pulling herself up after trauma, doing it all as a single mom, and bringing a sense of adventure and a sense of humor to it all…even with a heavy subject in which she immerses herself every day! Renee empowers parents to help themselves and find a shining bright light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.Her turning point was during her custody battle for her son, after leaving a relationship rife with mental abuse. As a daughter of a Puerto Rican father whose family sought a better life on the mainland when he was 12 and a mother who only later pursued her GED, education and hard work was impressed upon her. She was the first in her family to graduate from college, the perfect Catholic student, who ended up having a child with a cruel, covert narcissist (diagnosed). She had been a performance coach for a couple decades, and switched her career to help other women succeed in dealing with their narcissistic nightmares.Now she is focused on creating reverberating change in the new field of “divorce coaching,” as a custody consultant, Violence Against Women (VAW) Advocate, and a certified instructional designer, melding it together to allow abused parents to find self-empowerment again.The Custody Blueprint® (TCB) exists to prepare protective parents for court through Strategy, Mindset and Evidence and using truth and virtue even in the face of lies and manipulation. Renee finds that moms are dependent on their lawyers to save them, and they have no real sense of how best to present their evidence in court. What really sets her blueprint apart is focusing on the mindset of dealing with a high-conflict co-parent--both in a custody battle AND as a mom trying to co-parent with a damaged individual. She addresses the shame, the guilt and the helplessness through her TCB program.Learn more:thecustodyblueprint.comhttps://www.facebook.com/thecustodyblueprinthttps://www.instagram.com/thecustodyblueprint/https://www.youtube.com/@TheCustodyBlueprint

Lana Sheppard is a business coach, author and champion for entrepreneurs ready to embrace what many fear—letting go. Her latest book, the 2nd in the Give Up Series, is Give-Up: Lift Off, guiding business owners and leaders in challenging outdated beliefs, habits and narratives that stand in the way of real success. Lana's passion lies in showing entrepreneurs how financial literacy and strategic decision-making can unlock sustainable growth in a way that's practical, engaging and unlike anything you've encountered before. Having built her success from the ground up—moving to Toronto at 17, securing a sales job with pure grit and climbing the ranks by teaching herself accounting and business strategy—Lana knows firsthand the feeling of hitting walls, feeling stuck and even becoming your own biggest obstacle. Embracing these lessons has led to her success in the last 20 years dominating the payroll and bookkeeping industry and growing and selling several businesses. Lana understands the keys of success that many pass by: why mindset matters. Through her book, workshops and coaching, she empowers entrepreneurs to release what no longer serves them and ignite what does. Her approach isn't about giving up on dreams; it's about letting go of the things standing in their way. Lana believes success truly begins when entrepreneurs stop trying to do it all and start doing the right things well. She likens it to a hot air balloon: without shedding the extra weight, there's no way to soar. Lana provides some tips for entrepreneurs and talks about the difference between coaches and mentors. While she lives in Canada, she joined us from Malaysia. Website: www.giveupbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/giveupbook LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giveup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557930963745

Marissa McKool, MPH, The Public Health Burnout Coach, is a renowned coach, speaker and advocate with a mission to help female leaders and mid-career professionals alleviate their persistent work-stress and double their free time to achieve work-life balance. With more than 15 years of public health leadership experience and a personal journey overcoming burnout, Marissa empowers women to thrive while prioritizing self-care. Marissa's coaching approach blends evidence-based strategies with feminist coaching principles and personal insights, aiming to eliminate the epidemic of burnout in public health. She teaches women how to set boundaries, reclaim control over their schedule, navigate work-life dynamics and prioritize rest and self-care—without compromising career aspirations. Her clients experience profound transformations, achieving professional milestones like promotions, significant salary increases, and improved well-being. Learn more: WEBSITE: https://www.mckoolcoaching.com/ CONTACT INFO:  info@mckoolcoaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-mckool-a9701892/

Jennifer Henczel is a podcaster, author and founder of the Inspiring Innovators Club and the Women Podcasters Network, Show and Awards. Jennifer's mission is to lift women's voices and stories globally. Jennifer is known for her ability to build thriving, supportive and collaborative communities, and she teaches others how to do the same. She loves creating opportunities for women to connect and collaborate in meaningful ways. Using her proprietary “Rise Reach Results Roadmap” Jennifer provides tools, templates and trainings to help her members generate more impact and influence. Jennifer speaks about her mindset, messaging and monetization strategies for building communities, leveraging content and turning expertise into multiple streams of income. Jennifer is an award-winning leader and has won or been nominated for a number of awards. Most recently, she won the Business Podcast of the Year Award from Podcast Awards for her Women in Podcasting Show, and the Innovator of the Year Award at the Quill Podcast Awards. Learn how to "drop the hustle and join the huddle": WEBSITE: Women in Podcasting Network www.womenpodcasters.com PODCASTS: Women in Podcasting Show www.womeninpodcasting.net/podcast Inspiring Influencers Show https://www.inspiringshow.com/podcast SOCIALS: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InspiringShow YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/womeninpodcasting Facebook Groups: https://www.inspiringshow.com/groups Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.henczel/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferhenczel

Dr. Beth Kaplan is a visionary thought leader, researcher, and keynote speaker who has redefined the intersection of belonging and leadership development. She empowers companies to enhance employee engagement and retention while significantly lowering turnover costs. Beth is a sought-after consultant and advisor for Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, government, and educational institutions. She is currently pioneering a groundbreaking belonging tool with the University of Pennsylvania designed to measure belonging and predict the propensity to thrive. Drawing from more than two decades of experience as a workplace executive and extensive research on belonging and workplace trauma, Beth distilled her expertise into her debut book Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point. Named one of the world's leading experts in belonging, Dr. Beth Kaplan is sharing her insights on navigating the rapidly changing, modern workplace landscape. Her nonfiction book, Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point, combines groundbreaking research with engaging storytelling to offer a comprehensive guide for both employees and senior leaders to transform their work environments. Dr. Kaplan provides a clear, actionable framework to help individuals and organizations cultivate a sense of belonging at work while promoting mental health. Belonging is fundamental to our humanity, and the profound consequences of failing to foster it are clear. Gallup reports that more than 80% of Americans are dissatisfied with the way things are going across the board – at work and beyond. Braving the Workplace offers a valuable roadmap for many, from individuals grappling with personal belonging issues to senior leaders tackling leadership challenges and driving inclusivity. In this heartfelt and helpful book, Dr. Kaplan shares her personal journey of discovery, guiding readers through the importance of belonging in workplaces, while offering compassionate insights and practical wisdom. Braving the Workplace serves as both a mirror and a guide, helping readers recognize unhealthy work environments and providing them with the tools to make informed decisions about their professional and personal lives. Inside Braving the Workplace, readers will find:  Strategies for personal growth in finding a sense of belonging in the workplace  Practical tools to help people cultivate a strong sense of personal belonging in any environment  A step-by-step guide on how to understand the modern-day worker and lead with belonging, taking action to increase well-being and bottom-line results  Quizzes and writing prompts for self-reflection to help each reader make informed decisions about their professional and personal lives Dr. Kaplan has spent 15 years helping companies unlock success through a culture of belonging. As a trailblazer in her field, she integrates cutting-edge neuroscience with behavioral development, ushering in a new era of human connection. Her extensive expertise in learning, leadership development, and post-traumatic growth makes her a standout in her field well-positioned to write a book on the subject. “We are in a loneliness epidemic, and I don't think people know where to go or who to turn to. I wrote Braving the Workplace to help people feel less alone. My hope is that this book transforms isolation into a powerful sense of belonging for my readers,” Beth explains. For her work and insights, many call her your workplace best friend. Dr. Kaplan holds an M.S.Ed and Ed.D in learning and leadership strategy from The University of Pennsylvania. She currently lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. To learn more: https://drbethkaplan.com/ https://www.facebook.com/drbethkaplan https://www.instagram.com/drbethkaplan/ https://x.com/drbethkaplan

Alison Weihe is a founder and award-winning entrepreneur in the construction industry in South Africa over the past 25 years. The Creative Stone Company has built a reputation as an ethical design-driven company of excellence and service. In the past six years she transitioned into the coaching, speaking and writing space where she won further awards – Speaker Factor Winner 2021 of the Professional Speakers Association of South Africa (PSASA) and a Global Coaching award from the Coach Foundation and is a nominee in Women of Stature Awards in South Africa 2025 in the Coaching and Mentoring Category. As a serial entrepreneur passionate about making a difference, Alison became an Executive Partner in the Mindset Development Institute, alongside her business partner, Jabu Zwane and their growing team, recently winning a further award as one of the top empowerment companies in South Africa. Both Alison and Jabu have a deep commitment to do legacy work, build entrepreneurship education and tell the untold stories of hope and healing in South Africa. Alison has an interesting background as an entrepreneur. She was a political activist for almost 20 years in different shapes and forms, as a journalist and a trade unionist under COSATU. Alison was part of COSATU's launching Congress in 1985 and worked directly under President Cyril Ramaphosa and many other remarkable leaders of that time. What sets Alison apart is her vulnerable tone as a profound storyteller. She is known as a Soul Speaker. She believes it is her mission to use her voice as one of reconciliation, hope and healing at a seminal time in our country's history. Alison's message: Own your story, live with grace, step into the power of who you were truly meant to be. That is how we heal some of the anguish in the world, one conversation at a time. Alison joins us from Johannesburg, South Africa. Learn more: Website:  https://alisonweihe.com/ Book: Belonging – Finding Tribes of Meaning, by Alison Jessica Weihe Purchase from Amazon: https://a.co/d/6Xezlll Facebook: www.facebook.com/alison.weihe Instagram: www.instagram.com/alison_weihe/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alison-weihe/

Rebe Huntman is a memoirist, essayist, dancer, teacher and poet who writes at the intersections of feminism, world religion and spirituality. For over a decade she directed Chicago's award-winning Danza Viva Center for World Dance, Art & Music and its dance company, One World Dance Theater. Huntman collaborates with native artists in Cuba and South America, has been featured in Latina Magazine, Chicago Magazine and the Chicago Tribune, and has appeared on Fox and ABC. A Macondo fellow and recipient of an Ohio Individual Excellence award, Rebe has received support for her debut memoir, My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic & Miracle  (Monkfish Book Publishing Company, February 18, 2025), from The Ohio State University, Virginia Center for Creative Arts, Ragdale Foundation, PLAYA Residency, Hambidge Center and Brush Creek Foundation. "Writing with a physicality of language that moves like the body in dance, Rebe Huntman, a poet, choreographer, and dancer, embarks on a pilgrimage into the mysteries of the gods and saints of Cuba and their larger spiritual view of 'the Mother.' Huntman offers a window into the extraordinary yet seldom-seen world of Afro-Cuban gods and ghosts and the dances and rhythms that call them forth. As she explores the memory of her own mother, interlacing it with her search for the sacred feminine, Huntman leads us into a world of séance and sacrifice, pilgrimage and sacred dance, which resurrect her mother and bring Huntman face to face with a larger version of herself." Rebe also helps other writers. With over thirty years of experience as a writer and a coach, she shows writers the ropes, helps them build a powerful, personalized writing practice, and teaches writers step by step strategies to find their voices, become the best writers they can be, and deliver their work to the world. Rebe's essays, poems and short stories appear in The Missouri Review, The Southern Review, Parabola, CRAFT LIterary, The Cincinnati Review, Ninth Letter, South Loop Review, Sonora Review, Tampa Review, The Pinch & elsewhere. She lives in Delaware, Ohio and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Learn more: www.rebehuntman.com https://www.instagram.com/rebehuntman/ https://www.facebook.com/rebehuntmanauthor/

Marcia Dawood is an early-stage investor who serves on the Securities and Exchange Commission's Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee. She is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital, a member of Golden Seeds, and the chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), a global professional society for angel investors. She is the author of Do Good While Doing Well, Invest for Change, Reap Financial Rewards, and Increase Your Happiness. She is also an associate producer on the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money. A TEDx speaker and the host of The Angel Next Door podcast, Marcia walks the talk and holds investments in over fifty early-stage companies and funds. She is committed to expanding support for diverse companies that overcome the world's biggest problems and accelerate positive change. She is passionate about bridging the gap from early-stage inception to building thriving, profitable companies. Previously, Marcia worked in sales, marketing, and operations for Kaplan Education for over sixteen years. She received an MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School. Marcia currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, Izzy, and she feels lucky to be the stepmom to three amazing sons. Learn more and follow Marcia: www.marciadawood.com Link to buy her book https://bit.ly/3yxekKD https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciadawood/ https://www.facebook.com/marcia.dawood https://www.instagram.com/marciadawood

Rhonda Nelson, renowned patient advocate, author, speaker and philanthropist is a beacon of resilience and strength. Her charitable work spans championing equitable access to affordable healthcare, supporting those diagnosed with AERD (Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease), serving as a voice in the foster care system and encouraging women to reinvent themselves in their different stages of life. Rhonda serves on the Executive Board of Directors with the Asthma & Allergy Network, impacts legislation and speaks nationally, raising awareness for AERD. Having dealt with AERD (Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease) herself for more than twenty years, she has experienced many misdiagnoses, a near fatal struggle to find relief, a desperate search for answers and a constant journey to access proper support. Rhonda and her husband Wayne, of the Little River Band (most popular during the 1970s and still touring) tirelessly devote their time and resources to helping others to navigate this challenging medical journey frequently associated with severe respiratory disease. Rhonda is a firm believer in empowering women to pursue the dreams they have for their lives, regardless of age, while finding strength in overcoming challenges. In her book, A Different Life, Rhonda not only pulls back the curtain on celebrity life, but also offers readers the chance to hear never-before-told stories, enjoy treasured family recipes and photos all while getting a taste of all things pertaining to life on the road. In this episode, Rhonda talks about her survival story, becoming your best self during your midlife years and being your best self while facing a chronic illness. She joins us from her home in Tennessee. Learn more and follow Rhonda: https://www.instagram.com/rhondabnelson/ https://rhondabnelson.com/ https://www.facebook.com/rhondabassnelson/

Award-winning author, speaker, Gestalt Practitioner (a form of holistic, non-traditional coaching/guiding), and Patient Advocate, Risa August has been living with a pituitary tumor and rare disease for more than a decade. Risa shares her insights and perspectives on stage, offering words of inspiration to audiences. Additionally, Risa works one-on-one with clients, guiding them through the many roadblocks of life and toward living more fully inspired. Risa's book, The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike, describes her soul-healing journey riding her bike from Canada to Mexico. She currently is working on the screenplay adaptation of the book. A girl with sparkles in her hair and once an Ironman athlete, Risa still has a passion for her bike and barbells. With her genuine curiosity and love for trying new (and old) things, you may find Risa taking Bollywood or Hip-Hop dance lessons, trying a silks aerialist or boxing class, going indoor skydiving, and guiding inspirational workshops in creativity. Through her personal transformation, following brain surgery and radiation, Risa has learned and practiced removing limiting beliefs, shifting her perspective, and embracing an expansive life…a life unleashed. Having survived brain surgery, Risa says: "I believe anything is possible. I believe in miracles. I believe we each hold the power to heal." Learn more: www.risaaugust.com www.instagram.com/risaunleashed/  www.facebook.com/risaunleashed www.facebook.com/featherandsagecoaching/  www.facebook.com/risa.august.unleashed/ www.linkedin.com/in/risa-august-9b130524a https://linktr.ee/risaaugust https://substack.com/@risaunleashed

Anne Alexander-Sieder is an actor, coach and podcaster, with a story as colorful as the characters she has portrayed. Eleven years ago, she relaunched her career as a 47-year-old American woman living in Germany. Today, she has racked up 48 credits on IMDb and another 98 on Crew United, Europe's answer to IMDb, appearing on screens big and small across two continents. Now, she is on a mission to shatter the disempowering myths that have been holding you back. "I was a professional actor back in the US, and nearly 30 years ago, I moved to Germany for love—not my career," Anne says. "Life took me in a few different directions, but I always felt the pull to return to acting. So, at 47, after a 16-year break (and with less-than-perfect German!), I successfully relaunched my acting career from Munich and have worked with some of the biggest production companies like Netflix, Hallmark, A24, and Occupant Film, just to name a few. When I first decided to return to acting, I didn't know where to start, so I began with training—just taking those first small steps. That foundational training became the launchpad for my career comeback. As I began booking more roles, other actors started coming to me for career guidance, which eventually led me to create Get Better Roles, a program to empower actors to get into the rooms that matter so they can land the roles they deserve. But this journey also taught me something big: so many people put their dreams on hold because they're frozen in the 'how,' waiting to feel like an 'expert' before they even begin. This realization inspired Passion Project to Pro, my program to help people turn what they love into what they do—without needing to be an expert, influencer, coach. I'm living proof that dreams don't have expiration dates." Anne offers free resources on her website, including a masterclass and workbook. Learn more: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Act_Bold   Passion Project to Pro FREE WORKBOOK: https://www.actboldtraining.com/p2  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrs.alexandersieder/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ActBold   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/act_bold/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annealexandersieder/ Websites: http://www.act-bold.com   https://www.actboldtraining.com 

Molly McNamee is a Los Angeles-based online fitness coach and the founder of MFit Workouts who believes that the secret to looking your best lies in managing your stress. She has developed a unique approach that combines sustainable exercise with lifestyle coaching, helping clients balance their hormones and manage their stress to reach their weight loss goals. Having personally struggled with anxiety, Molly understands the powerful connection between the mind and body. After hitting a low point in her own health, she created a new exercise method that not only alleviated her anxiety but also transformed her body. Now, she shares this life-changing approach through private and group coaching programs, helping people around the world find balance, feel less anxious, and finally see the results they've been working toward. Her mission is to help people use exercise to calm stress so their body can actually feel safe letting go of excess fat.  Molly helps clients rebalance their hormones and feel better about themselves. And she shows us that even small changes can bring impactful results. Learn more: https://mollymcnamee.com/Free Cortisol Training: https://mollymcnamee.com/webinar/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mfit.workouts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsmollyrae- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-mcnamee-%E2%9C%A8-81718699/

Victress Hitchcock has been an explorer all her life as a child of diplomats, a filmmaker, meditator, mother and poet. This past October, she published her memoir, A Tree with My Name On It--Finding a Way Home. It is a powerful story of healing, resilience and finding inner freedom. As the 20th century careened towards the finishing line, author Victress Hitchcock moved with her husband of 25 years from their familiar urban world to 160 acre historic ranch in the Wet Mountains, a range in the Colorado Rockies so remote no one they knew had ever heard of it. Within months, their lives unraveled, and out of the wreckage a path opened to a radically new way to be in the world fully alive with joy and sorrow. Guided by a rich concoction of Buddhist insight and horse sense, a deep friendship with a woman born on the ranch and the unlikely support of a prison meditation group, Victress began a journey that broke open her heart, shattered old concepts and defenses, and loosened the grip of lifelong fears that bound her. This is a story told with humor and grace that will resonate with anyone who has reached that moment in their lives when they are ready to tear off the bandage, and take a deep look at the old wounds, assumptions and fears that have been holding them hostage for too long.  Victress Hitchcock grew up in London, Paris and Madrid as the daughter of a diplomat. She graduated from the London Film School and spent 45 years making documentary and educational films. A long-time meditator, a poet, a mother and a grandmother, she lives in Boulder, Colorado. You can learn more about her at ⁠victresshitchcock.com⁠. Follow Victress: https://www.instagram.com/victresshitchcock/ https://www.facebook.com/victresshitchcock/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563898306552

Nicole Meline creates transformative experiences that connect you to your heart. As a mentor, leadership coach, speaker, and spirited fitness and meditation teacher, she holds space for your becoming. Nicole especially loves to work with women navigating transitions in mid-life, reinventing themselves, and celebrating the gifts of aging. Her cathartic Alter workout and meditation practices build your strength and ignite your spirit. Her digital courses are potent frameworks for growth. Nicole is also the host of the beloved Alter Podcast and Alter Journeys soulful adventure retreats. "It's my joy to mentor leaders in body and spirit to amplify your creative genius and lead with heartward vision," Nicole says. "I believe in reinvention, second and seventieth acts, late bloomers, and the underdog. In the power of spirited movement and revelatory stillness. That we are made to move and be moved in ways that astonish us, lifelong. That physical movement can be spiritually seismic. That breath and sweat are doorways to the heart— our noise-canceling headphones for the symphony of our DNA. And ultimately, the metric that truly matters is joy." She is a four time Ironman triathlete and eternal student with four master's degrees, and spent a decade in New York City as a writing professor at Columbia and Rutgers. She also is a Peloton founding master instructor. Nicole makes a home in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado with her wolf mutt Everest. She welcomes you to her offerings at nicolemeline.com and on Instagram @nicolemeline

As a distinguished beauty, lifestyle and fashion creator over 55, Lori Altermann is not just a voice in the crowd—she is a one-of-a-kind force in the social media landscape. Her devoted audience of more than 100,000 is deeply engaged and eagerly anticipates her handpicked recommendations, knowing that a product endorsed by Lori is worth every moment of their attention! With an authentic and comedic perspective that stands out from the rest, she brings a refreshing blend of insight and charisma to her daily content. Elsewhere, followers tune into the Lori Altermann podcast, to stay abreast of her top picks and strong opinions that are shared with the same zest and passion devoted to Lori's perfectly crafted martini. From the luxuries that enhance her lifestyle to the essentials that simplify it (such as her cherished tequila and coffee!), she celebrates the finer things in life with flair and sophistication. Her audience knows that endorsements from Lori are not just recommendations—they're a testament to quality and style. She's a mom of two, a proud cancer survivor, a lover of pop culture, reality tv, music and jewelry.The Lori Altermann Show: "From current events and pop culture to life in your 50s and our most unpopular opinions, we cover it all with sass, charm and a martini or two. Sip along as we interview interesting guests, commiserate on life's ups and downs and – most importantly – make you laugh." Learn more and follow Lori: https://www.lorialterman.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lori-altermann-show/id1753144361 https://open.spotify.com/show/4q2cTy4cAXmQhtvTgKVK9v?si=b6e87d047a424b97 https://www.instagram.com/lorialtermann https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCekDQ6UBrfI_BZvS2OgqCJg https://www.tiktok.com/@lorialtermann https://x.com/lorialtermann --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support

Amy Kemp is the owner and CEO of Amy Kemp, Inc. In her work within this growing company, Amy helps leaders and business professionals understand how deeply thought habits impact every part of their work and lives. As a certified Habit Finder coach, Amy has led more than 400 female business leaders through a four-month small group engagement called Encounter. This experience is designed to help clients replace subconscious thought habits that are no longer serving them with more healthy ones. She has worked through the Habit Finder curriculum with hundreds of leaders in one-on-one settings and with leadership teams at small and large companies. In addition, Amy teaches two engaging online courses each year in the fall and spring that are designed to challenge and expand her clients' understanding of themselves and to welcome new, curious people into the scope of her work. Some of the most popular topics in her library of offerings are “Money Is a Mirror” and “A Boundary Is Not a Wall.” Finally, with the launch of her first book, I See You: A Guide for Women to Make More, Have More, and Be More – Without More Work, on February 29, 2024, Amy has created an opportunity for everyone to learn and engage with her and the principles that guide her coaching. You can learn more about Amy and her body of work at www.amykemp.com. While her business and professional accomplishments are many, Amy counts all of it a loss if she doesn't invest her best time and energy in leading and loving those closest to her in #kempnation. She has been married to Ryan for over twenty years and they have three children – Avery, Anthony and Andrew. Follow Amy: https://www.instagram.com/amykempinc/ https://www.facebook.com/amykempinc linkedin.com/in/amykempinc --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support

Grace Redman is a charismatic entrepreneur, success coach and speaker with a passion for guiding entrepreneurs and high performers to shatter their self-imposed glass ceilings and elevate their success. Blending practical and holistic principles, Grace empowers her clients to harness their talents, unlock their optimal potential, and transform both their professional and personal lives. As the best-selling author of Can I Live?! Dare To Go From F*cked up to Fabulous and host of the Real Talk with Grace Redman podcast, Grace's influence extends far beyond one-on-one coaching. With more than 25 years as a successful entrepreneur in the competitive San Francisco Bay Area, she has coached and mentored thousands of professionals through her staffing firm. Her authenticity and vulnerability foster genuine connections, establishing her as a trusted leader and go-to expert in her field. Grace's resilience is legendary. She not only survived but thrived through four economic downturns and a global pandemic when many competitors closed their doors. In 2024, her perseverance paid off when her firm was named one of the top five women-owned businesses in the area. While Grace holds a Master's Degree and several coaching certifications, her most profound teacher has been life itself. Her journey is a testament to human resilience: building businesses while raising a family, navigating addiction within her household, caring for parents at the end of their lives, and overcoming a cancer diagnosis that threatened to derail her. These experiences honed Grace's extraordinary ability to guide others through their own transformational journeys. Although Grace feels fortunate for her many accomplishments, she considers raising her family her greatest achievement. In this exciting phase of her career, Grace's mission is clear: to educate and empower as many individuals as possible to break through their self-imposed limitations, step out of mediocrity, and create a fabulous life they love. Grace Redman's story isn't just inspirational—it's a roadmap for those seeking to turn adversity into triumph. Her insights on resilience, personal growth, and unlocking human potential make her a compelling voice for those seeking authentic, transformative guidance. Learn more: https://www.daretoachieve.com/ https://www.facebook.com/grace.s.redman https://www.instagram.com/gracesredman/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-redman-701a30/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-g8w_iEQbdhU-9J5sZuQSA https://www.tiktok.com/@graceredman3 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support

Anne Abel is an author and storyteller. Her first memoir, Mattie, Milo, and Me, about unwittingly rescuing an aggressive dog, was inspired by her Moth StorySLAM win in New York City. It was published in 2024. Her second memoir, High Hopes Bruce Springsteen and Me, about fighting depression by following Bruce Springsteen's Australia tour, at the age of 60, even though she hates to travel and hates to be alone, won a Moth StorySLAM in Chicago. It will be published September 23, 2025, Bruce Springsteen's 76th birthday. Her credentials include an MFA from The New School for Social Research, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and a BS in chemical engineering from Tufts University. She has published on topics ranging from dogs lovable and difficult, to coping with depression, family dysfunction, generational trauma, overcoming writer's block and being a FaceTime grandmother. She has freelanced for Lilith; Philadelphia Daily News; The Jewish Exponent; Philadelphia Weekly, Main Line Life and Main Line Today, and formerly wrote a weekly column, “The Homefront,” for Main Line Welcomat. She taught English and creative writing at the Community College of Philadelphia. Anne lives in New York City with her husband, Andy, their 15-year-old rescue bischon, Chase, and Wendell, a three-month old cavapoo.  website: https://anneabelauthor.com/ tiktok: @annesimaabel Facebook: @anne.abel --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support

Detroit-area author Lynne Golodner's newest novel, Cave of Secrets arrived this August. Lynne made multiple midlife pivots in her life, moving from journalism to a complete commitment to her own writing-focused businesses. She actively chose to chase the things she most wanted — and found them. While dedicated to her own craft – 10 books and counting — she lifts up other writers in other ways, including running her own coaching, publishing and marketing businesses. She speaks with great expertise on balancing life as a writer and entrepreneur, and the culture of women writers supporting each other.  Her other books include Women of Valor, two poetry collections, and six nonfiction books, including Hide and Seek: Jewish Women and Hair Covering and The Flavors of Faith: Holy Breads. She has written thousands of articles and is a marketing entrepreneur, writing coach and host of the ⁠Make Meaning Podcast⁠. After working as a journalist in New York and Washington, D.C., Lynne returned to her native Detroit to pursue a freelance writing career and teach writing. In 2007, she created ⁠Your People⁠, a marketing and public relations company with a focus on storytelling, relationships and higher purpose. Over the years, Your People has worked with the yoga industry, nonprofits and in K-12 and Higher Education, with a specialty in Waldorf/Steiner schools. Today, the company focuses solely on guiding authors in building brands and marketing their writing. Lynne's journalistic and creative nonfiction writing has appeared in Saveur, the Chicago Tribune, Better Homes and Gardens, Midwest Living, the Detroit Free Press, ⁠Porridge Magazine⁠, the ⁠Jewish Literary Journal⁠, ⁠The Good Life Review⁠, ⁠Hadassah Magazine⁠, ⁠The Forward⁠, ⁠Valiant Scribe⁠, ⁠Story Unlikely⁠, ⁠bioStories,⁠ ⁠The Dillydoun Review,⁠ Adelaide Magazine, QuibbleLit and ⁠YourTango⁠, among many more publications. Plus, one of Lynne's creative nonfiction essays was a finalist in the Annie Dillard Creative Nonfiction contest at Bellingham Review. As a Writing Coach and Literary Instructor, Lynne teaches writing around the world, leads writers' retreats and facilitates The Writers Community. She provides 1:1 Writing Coaching and Developmental Editing services as well. Lynne fuses her Marketing expertise with her Writing background in webinars and masterminds focused on arming writers with the tools to market their work and build consistent, compelling author brands. In 2023, Lynne founded ⁠Scotia Road Books⁠, a hybrid publisher for women over 40 to bring strong stories and stronger voices to a market that often overlooks this powerful population. Lynne's novel, Woman of Valor, was the first publication produced by ⁠Scotia Road Books⁠ in September 2023. Lynne chose the name, Scotia Road Books, because of the symbolic path an author takes toward publication. Plus, Scotia – the ancient word for Scotland – represents independence, rebellion, culture and identity, knowing who you are and dedication to being your truest self. While she happens to live on Scotia Road, Lynne built the press in the image of this symbolism and layered meaning. Lynne graduated from the University of Michigan (BA, Communications/English) and Goddard College (MFA, Writing) and earned a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program through Wayne State University in 2018. She is the mother of four young adults and lives in Huntington Woods, Michigan. Lynne is at work on her next novel. Learn more: ⁠lynnegolodner.com⁠ ⁠https://makemeaning.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://yourppl.com⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠Rebel Author Newsletter⁠ https://www.facebook.com/LynneGolo https://www.instagram.com/lynnegolodner/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support

In the new book, Inflamed: Theory, Kathryn Walker, an accomplished nurse anesthetist and psychiatric nurse practitioner, delves into the intricate relationship between mental health and the neurological and inflammatory processes within the brain. This insightful book challenges traditional mental health theories and introduces innovative approaches to understanding and treating mental health conditions. The book covers a wide range of topics, including: The disruptive force of psychedelics in mental health The Newtonian framework of mental health and understanding conflict The cognitive dynamics of ketamine therapy Advanced mental health interventions and their implications Inflamed: Theory serves as both a chronicle and a guide, offering readers a profound exploration of the evolving landscape of mental health care. Drawing from her extensive experience as a practitioner and subject matter expert, Kathryn provides a unique perspective on how cutting-edge therapies can revolutionize the field. Kathryn is the CEO of Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness, which serves as a leading mental health and wellness company led by a comprehensive team of specialty providers. Kathryn worked at a Level 1 Trauma Center in Tennessee for nine years before attending anesthesia school at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. She practiced anesthesia of all specialties for eight years before opening the first Revitalist location in Knoxville, TN in 2018. Today Kathryn operates as a leading advocate for psychedelic medicine as she continues to advance her comprehensive skill set recently graduating with her second Master's degree in Psychiatric Nursing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Recognizing the need for community access, Kathryn founded the national mental health 501c3 nonprofit, Community Change Foundation (CommunityChangeFoundation.org). This nonprofit foundation focuses on providing financial assistance to veterans, frontline workers, and the financially disadvantaged seeking help with psychedelic therapies. Kathryn incorporated the Community Change Foundation in 2019. Recognizing the need for education and training advancements, Kathryn founded the American Association of Psychedelics (AAPsychedelics.org). This education non-profit 501c3 aims to continually bring high quality education and training to all disciplines of providers. Kathryn incorporated the American Association of Psychedelics in 2021. Kathryn is the Academic Detailer for the MetroDrug Coalition, she sits on the board for American Association of Psychedelics, Mental Health Association of East Tennessee, Herzig University, and Women in Psychedelics. Learn more: https://kathrynawalker.com/ https://www.instagram.com/revitalist  https://www.instagram.com/katwalk1217/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-walker-33a868115/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/revitalist/ Kathryn's book "Inflamed: Theory," is now available for presale through the weblink: https://www.revitalistclinic.com/inflamed  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support

International Speaker and Violinist Diane Allen is a TEDx/TED Speaker, and Thought Leader who speaks on increasing the meaning, joy and fulfillment in one's work and life by accessing the flow state. As the author of Flow: Unlock Your Genius, Love What You Do, Diane shares her insights on how to harness the power of flow. Years before neuroscientists discovered the positive impact of the flow state, Diane had already experienced its transformative power in her own career as a violinist. Diane was the concertmaster of the Central Oregon Symphony for 15 years, a beloved violin teacher for 28 years, and author of the Fingerboard Workbook series for violin, viola, cello, and bass. It was her unique approach to getting into flow, on demand, that earned her a spot on the TEDxNaperville stage and features on TED, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Associated Press, Boston Herald, Authority Magazine and Thrive Global. Today, Diane is known for her experiential Keynotes, Training, and Coaching programs that go Beyond Engagement™, featuring her three-step Flow Strategy™ system, which empowers people to get into their flow state, be in their genius and love what they do. Diane asks: "When it comes to work and life, are you spending your time doing or being? Of course, we all have to do things. But how are you being when you are doing? Do you power through your day, doing the best with what you have, only to find yourself physically drained, emotionally empty, and out of flow? Are you fully in flow, deeply engaged, exceeding your potential, feeling whole, happy, and fulfilled? Or, are you somewhere in between?" "As a violinist, playing a high-precision instrument under high pressure, I've learned that when I'm deeply engaged with the music all the 'doingness' seems to disappear and my 'beingness' takes me on an amazing ride of self-actualization," Diane says. "Getting into the music is a musician's version of getting into the flow state and while the lessons of getting into flow didn't come easily, in the end, not only have I gained flow, I've gained flow mastery. Now, as a global authority on flow, I empower people in all aspects of their lives to get into their flow on purpose, and with purpose." "It's commonly known that stress narrows cognitive focus and ideation," Diane maintains. "It can also drain overall energy, and it negatively impacts mental health. What's not commonly known is that when in flow, focus broadens, thoughts expand, and learning speed increases. Work becomes rewarding to the point where it refuels you, and flow positively impacts mental health." "Flow education is like one-stop shopping to resolve many of today's issues by reconnecting people with the humanity that already exists within them so they can be engaged, unlock their genius, and love what they do," suggests Diane. "Whether you are leading yourself, or leading others, you just have to tap into your flow." Diane can show you how. Diane joined us from Bend, Oregon, where she focuses on her public speaking career and is continuing to work on her book launch. Learn more: https://dianeallen.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianeallenspeaker/ https://www.instagram.com/dianeallenspeaker/ https://www.facebook.com/dianeallenspeaker/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZOk_r1n2X2FmbRcoiUhIHQ Free Gift: Flow Essentials: Tools to Unlock Your Best Self (Guide + Videos) https://tinyurl.com/flowstategift --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support

Vicki Larson is a longtime award-winning Bay Area journalist and the former lifestyles editor, writer and columnist at the Marin Independent Journal whose writing can be found in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post and Newsweek among numerous other publications. She specializes in writing about living and loving outside conventional models of coupling and the nuclear family, as well as busting ageist and sexist narratives about aging as a woman and women's sexuality and desire. She is the author of LATitude: How You Can Make a Live Apart Together Relationship Work, Not Too Old for That: How Women are Changing the Story of Aging, named a Best Book of 2022 by Take the Lead, and co-author of The New I Do: Reshaping Marriage for Skeptics, Realists and Rebels, named a Best Book of 2014 by PopSugar. https://www.vicki-larson.comhttps://twitter.com/OMGchronicleshttps://www.threads.net/@omgchronicles?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/vlarsonhttps://www.facebook.com/VickiLarsonJournalisthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/vickilarsonhttps://www.instagram.com/omgchronicleshttps://omgchronicles.medium.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@vlarson7 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support

Stacy Blemaster defied odds when she was told that she would never live a normal life outside of a mental health facility. After a number of incorrect diagnoses, Stacy finally found a doctor who listened to her and allowed her to open up and feel validated. Detailing her childhood, college life and mental health challenges in To Be Or Not To Be: Shedding An As-If Personality, Stacy details what it's like to have manic episodes, be in and out of treatment, deal with toxic family members who fear the stigma of mental illness and to the other side of finally healing and living a life of fulfillment and happiness as her true authentic self. Stacy is sharing her story to help others find happiness, create true relationships with others, shed as-if images and to feel their feelings. In this episode, we discuss: Defying Limits - How Stacy Overcame the Challenge of Being Told She'd Never Live Outside of a Mental Health Facility & The Stigma of Mental Illness Stop Acting - Finding Your Authentic Self on the Stage of Real Life The Power of One: Finding Acceptance from Just One Person Can Save You Stacy grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio. She received a BA from Brown University, where she majored in theater, and then went on to be licensed in counseling and human services, earning an MA from John Carroll University. She has two autistic sons and a daughter -- all now adults. She resides in Placida, Florida, with her husband, Robert and their two Golden Retrievers, Libby and Lacey. Learn more: https://stacyblemaster.com/ https://instagram.com/stacyblemasterauthor --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support

Laura Venecia Rodriguez is dedicated to helping individuals over 50 regain their mojo and “shine” with renewed purpose and passion after reaching an impasse or experiencing a major upheaval in their lives—empty nest, death of a loved one, divorce/breakup, job change, retirement, or health crisis. Her YouTube channel, Shine After 50: In Your Body, Mind, Spirit and corresponding blog and newsletter offer weekly advice and inspiration for women over 50 who want to make conscious, wise lifestyle choices so they can enjoy their entire life to the fullest. As a presenter and public speaker for decades in her federal and private sector career, Laura's speeches and seminars were consistently praised for their “superb delivery” and “fascinating, well-designed, insightful, educational and engaging” content. Laura has also delivered well-received educational, inspirational, and spiritual talks including:  “Tap the Power of Your Intuition”  “The Power of Hypnosis”  “Travel Journal Writing: Create your Ultimate Souvenir—A Masterpiece of Memories”  “Living in Love: The Greatest Romance of All” for organizations such as Unity Church of Silver Spring (Maryland), Royal Caribbean cruise line and service clubs. Laura attributes her feeling fantastic virtually all the time and maintaining her college physique and weight in her late 60s to a healthful lifestyle of which yoga, meditation, walking, strength training and rebounding on a trampoline are major pillars. Laura's recently published book (February 2023), Gentle Yoga After 50: Get Fit, Flexible, and Feel Fantastic! shares information and insights about yoga that Laura has learned since starting yoga at age 15. Reviews for the book applaud its:  Loving, mindful, and inspirational approach  Clear, concise, and easy-to-understand explanations  Step-by-step instructions  Detailed guidance and hints for yoga newbies over age 50 Laura earned her MBA (George Washington University), MA (American University), and BA (Wellesley College) and worked as a writer/researcher/speaker for the private sector and Federal government and lived in metropolitan Washington, DC for 44 years. After completing her federal career in December 2020, Laura relocated to Charleston, SC in 2021 and launched Intuitive Advising and Writing, LLC. Laura loves sharing information about ancient and contemporary practices, techniques, and wisdom to enhance the body, mind and spirit. She has trained in hypnotherapy, meditation, intuitive coaching and tarot card interpretation as a creativity tool. Despite being the consummate klutz, Laura taught herself gentle yoga at age 15 to avoid becoming a couch potato. Contact Laura at: Laura@ShineAfter50.com https://www.ShineAfter50.com Follow her: www.linkedin.com/in/laura-venecia-rodriguez-mba-ma-author-speaker-coach-intuitive-advisor-ba27a0255 https://www.instagram.com/laura_venecia_rodriguez/ https://x.com/Intuition1215 https://www.facebook.com/LauraVRodriguez https://www.tiktok.com/@laurashineafter50 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support

Kamini Wood, who grew up in a small Connecticut town as a first-generation American with immigrant parents. Early in her life, she navigated the complexities of identity and belonging. Feeling the pressure to blend in and seek external validation, she excelled academically and in helping others, driven by the belief that hard work equaled acceptance. Becoming a mother of five while pursuing a career as a certified project manager, she realized her identity was externally defined. Raising high-performing young adults, she recognized people-pleasing behaviors in her children and felt a deep calling to reclaim her authenticity and self-leadership. Seeking to realign with her true self, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and self-validation. Becoming a certified life coach, she dove into her own self-work, learning to honor her feelings and emotions without judgment. Through self-compassion and self-love, she evolved into her own self-leader. Today, as CEO and Founder of Live Joy Your Way and AuthenticMe®Life Coaching, she empowers high-performing adults and young adults struggling with self-doubt and the need for external validation. Her mission is to help others recognize their true value and stop outsourcing their self-worth Kamini is a certified life coach, helps health care workers who are always under pressure manage their work and personal lives.  She is the creator of AuthenticMe® and CEO of Live Joy Your Way - a coaching company helping high performers and overachievers who have seen success through old-rooted, traditional metrics, reestablish their relational self-awareness.  Trained in internal family systems and cognitive behavioral-based coaching, Kamini utilizes her skill set to help healthcare workers, doctors, and lawyers find the balance between work and their personal lives. Kamini is a best-selling author of Om--Life's Gentle Reminders, who holds certifications in various modalities, including life, wellness, high-performance coaching, teen life, conscious uncoupling, breath work, meditation and diversity, equity inclusion, and belonging. She is also trained in conscious parenting and coaching for children. Kamini conducts one on one coaching and has courses and eBooks available on her website. She also hosts the Rise Up -- Live Joy Your Way Podcast. Learn more and follow Kamini at the links below: Website: https://www.kaminiwood.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaminiwood/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsauthenticme/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsauthenticme/?hl=en --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support