Questions for My Avó

This episode started as wanting to talk to Lynn about playing soccer as a 72 year old and evolved into much more. Not only do we talk about Lynn's willingness to try new things, from boxing to karate to golfing, and soccer (all in adulthood), we also talk about her identity as a Black woman growing up in the south and what that has meant in terms of opportunities and experiences throughout her life. We discuss her thoughts on current events and where she sees the country going. Lynn also shares advice around continuing to move as you age and inspires me to try new things. Lynn is such a joy and as she says at this point in life, she is all about fun! Host and Producer: Lena Cardoso Guest: Lynn Cover art drawing: Sierra Keeler *All views belong to the speakers

In this episode I talk with Sue. We discuss a major life shift for Sue in 2001 during her first solo journey on the Camino de Santiago. Since then, Sue has walked the Camino 29 times and even coaches others to help them do the same. We discuss Sue's barefoot lifestyle, how she has been primarily barefoot for the past 12 years, and the health benefits Sue has noticed since going barefoot. We discuss Sue's cold water exposure practices and how cold water has allowed her to better connect to herself and her breath. We discuss Sue's mission of helping others' connect back to nature and how she used TikTok to help her do that. Sue also shares some beautiful thoughts around overcoming fear, connecting to the earth, and evolving as we age. Host and Producer: Lena Cardoso Guest: Sue Cover art drawing: Sierra Keeler *All views belong to the speakers

In this episode, Janet and I discuss how she got into fitness in her 60s, how she thinks about movement, and how she has also maintained her mental fitness as she ages, still working as a statistician at the age of 79. We discuss what it was like getting into statistics (a male dominated field) in the 1960s and her reflections on being a woman in that space and continuing to work as she ages. We also discuss Janet's advice for younger women related to both movement and partnership. Janet and her husband have been married for 58 years. Janet also gives me some advice on a milestone birthday that I have coming up and shares a sweet anecdote about her dad that I keep coming back to and reflecting on. Host and Producer: Lena Cardoso Guest: Janet Cover art drawing: Sierra Keeler *All views belong to the speakers

In this episode I talk with Pennie. We discuss how Pennie got into fitness in her 60s and the changes she has noticed in her body over the last 10 or so years, specifically in terms of what her body needs and how she recovers. We discuss her fitness goals, such as doing 75 push ups on her 75th birthday, how women in her own family have influenced her, and what keeps her motivated. We also discuss Pennie's experience doing Peace Corp in Brazil in 1968 and how that changed the trajectory of her career. Host and Producer: Lena Cardoso Guest: Pennie Cover art drawing: Sierra Keeler *All views belong to the speakers

When was the last time you tried something new? In this episode I talk with Vijaya about learning to swim at age 68. We discuss what it was like to learn a new skill at that age, how she overcame her fear, how participating in activities has given her community, what it means to take care of your body as you age, and her philosophies and outlook around never giving up. Host and Producer: Lena Cardoso Guest: Vijaya Cover art drawing: Sierra Keeler *All views belong to the speakers

In this episode I talk with Judy. Judy and I talk about her career as a teacher and writer. How she continues to write, what inspires her and keeps her motivated, what it means to be useful, how she values community and connection, her volunteer efforts, and what she hopes for younger women. Host and Producer: Lena Cardoso Guest: Judy Cover art drawing: Sierra Keeler *All views belong to the speakers

In this episode I talk with Teresa. We talk about her experience taking up running as an adult, running in her late 60s, running 7 marathons, managing running with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and her advice on listening to your body and showing up. Host and Producer: Lena Cardoso Guest: Teresa Cover art drawing: Sierra Keeler *All views belong to the speakers

In this episode I talk with Dawn about her 40+ year relationship with running. What running has looked like and meant to her at different points in her life, how she manages running through arthritis and scoliosis, and her favorite running accomplishments. Dawn shares some great advice around how to stay motivated and energized while also listening to your body. Host and Producer: Lena Cardoso Guest: Dawn Cover art drawing: Sierra Keeler *All views belong to the speakers

Anyone who knows me knows that I love context. Listen to my epilogue for information on how this project came to be. I also share some reflections from Season 1 and ideas for where I want to take this podcast for Season 2 and beyond. Thank you again to the incredible women who participated in Season 1 and to everyone who helped to make this happen!

In this episode I talk with Alba about her upbringing and some favorite childhood memories, her love for Tucson and her community, her faith, her career and volunteer work, specifically her efforts around historical preservation and accomplishment as Tucson Women of the Year in 1975. We discuss current events, marriage, motherhood, her memories of her grandmother and great-grandmother, the biggest changes over her lifetime, and her hopes for future generations. Host and Producer: Lena CardosoGuest: Alba Cover art drawing: Sierra KeelerSound editing and mixing: Anthony Vito *All views belong to the speakers

In this episode I talk with Kay about her life-long love for learning, how she is keeping herself busy and engaged through distance learning courses during COVID. We discuss her upbringing in Chicago and Texas, raising her children, her 65-year and counting marriage, her time living overseas and traveling as a family, and her commitments in her 85th year of life.Host and Producer: Lena CardosoGuest: Kay Cover art drawing: Sierra KeelerSound editing and mixing: Anthony Vito *All views belong to the speakers

In this episode, I am joined by three generations. Mrs. Robinson and two of her daughters, Charlita and Wanda, along with appearances by her grandson and soon to be granddaughter in-law. We discuss their upbringings and childhood memories in South Carolina and DC, how DC has changed across their lifetimes, their closeness as a family across generations, their relationship to faith, current events, changes they hope to see, and advice in long-term partnership.Host and Producer: Lena CardosoGuest: Mrs. Robinson, Charlita & Wanda Cover art drawing: Sierra KeelerSound editing and mixing: Anthony Vito *All views belong to the speakers

In this episode, I talk with Joanne, who I have known since 2014. We talk about her childhood, some of our memories working together, her time experiencing homelessness, transitioning to housing, and managing substance use disorder. We discuss her resilience, her faith, motherhood and her relationships, the 2020 presidential election, what it means to be single and living alone, and Joanne shares some of her favorite memories. Host and Producer: Lena CardosoGuest: JoanneCover art drawing: Sierra KeelerSound editing and mixing: Anthony Vito *All views belong to the speakers

In this episode I talk with Audrey about her volunteer work, career, and her love for art and working with her hands. We also discuss how she has lived many different places and built community in each one of them, raising her children, and her marriage of 48 years and counting. Host and Producer: Lena CardosoGuest: Audrey Cover art drawing: Sierra KeelerSound editing and mixing: Anthony Vito *All views belong to the speakers

In this episode I talk with Connie about her upbringing and her career as a divorce lawyer. We also discuss her marriages and being widowed twice, how she has maintained long-lasting friendships, her reflections on faith and illness, her love for travel, current events, and her advice and hopes for future generations. Host and Producer: Lena CardosoGuest: Connie Cover art drawing: Sierra KeelerSound editing and mixing: Anthony Vito *All views belong to the speakers

Welcome to Questions for My Avó, a storytelling podcast. Each episode we hold space for women to tell their stories and share their perspectives with the goal of promoting intergenerational dialogue and connection.