She's Not Done Yet

It's always a treat when I (Becky Berry) get to chat with a novelist. In this episode of She's Not Done Yet I chat with author Denise Frost who writes under the name DC Frost. We cover a wide range of topics including her background, aging well, writing and publishing as a Latina author, publishing her first book (“A Punishing Breed”) at 60+, and, since we spoke 2 days after the election, the future. In 2024 the New York Times recognized DJ Arias, the protagonist in the book, as one of Four Great Fictional Detectives. I love to ask authors to share their writing process and their journey to publication. Denise talks about leveraging her own life experience to write the book. She set “A Punishing Breed” on a college campus because she spent 19 years working at a small private liberal arts college. She describes the “hermetically sealed world” of college campuses where every voice is amplified and found it a powerful background for her book. One of my favorite nuggets is her description of how she finally completed the book. She was stuck, and due to a tragic event, found herself working with a therapist. The therapist got her to commit to writing for 2 or 3 hours a day, at the same time each day. To paraphrase what Denise says, when you show up the words show up – and they did! She serendipitously met her publisher at a weeklong writing retreat. They stayed in touch. We also talk about the importance of writing groups to writers. Denise has been a member of several groups, finally finding a group of fiction writers. Finally, we talk about a couple of subjects near and dear to my heart – aging well and activism. Denise and I recorded this episode the day after the inauguration, so we had a lot to talk about. Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: ·         https://www.denisefrost.net/ ·         https://redhen.org/book_author/dc-frost/ ·         https://www.instagram.com/dcfrost_writer/ ·         https://www.facebook.com/denisecfrost Email me (Becky): shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  My LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyberrycoach/  This podcast was recorded, produced, edited, and marketed by me, Becky Berry. Thanks again for listening and sharing! Becky  

Wow, just Wow! You won't believe this conversation. I (Becky Berry) interview Linda Broenniman about her book “The Politzer Saga.” Imagine writing a history of your family that spans 300 years. Now imagine writing it after you found out that everything you thought you knew about your family was a lie. That's what Linda Broenniman did and that's what we talked about. After finding out unexpectedly that the father she thought was Catholic was instead Jewish, Linda decided to search for the truth about her family. She wanted to know more about her grandmother. The history that Linda shares in her book really does span 300 years – that's 8 generations. Not only that, she's included family trees, photographs, and other materials documenting the life of her family in Hungary. We talk about what it was like to find out that what you thought you knew about your family wasn't true and that the truth included the journey of Jews in Hungary for 300 years (I know I keep writing 300 years, but it's mind boggling – and powerful). Discovering family you didn't even know you had. Finding out your mother was a hero of Israel for hiding Jews fleeing the holocaust during World War II. One of the most striking themes in the book is the picture it paints of what it was like to be Jewish in Europe over 300 years. Linda's work highlights the recurring cycles of prosperity, prosecution, and banishment that defined the life of Jews during this time. I love that, at the beginning of each chapter, Linda tells us the familial relationship to her of the she's writing about. So, when she shares that one of her ancestors is the father of modern otology, she lists how many generations there are between her and him (the number of greats indicates the number of generations). We talk about how writing this book allowed Linda to connect with her Hungarian roots in a deep and meaningful  way. It was a great conversation. The book is totally worth your time. And, by the way, her book is on sale at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. It's that important (emphasis mine). Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Is there someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Do you have a topic you'd like me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: You can learn more about “The Politzer Saga” on the website: https://politzersaga.com/ You can also find Linda on Facebook and Instagram: @lindabroennimanauthor Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  My LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyberrycoach/  This podcast was recorded, produced, edited, and marketed by yours truly, Becky Berry. Thanks again for listening and sharing! Becky     ©2025 Becky Berry LLC dba The Cronecast Podcast Network

This is such a great conversation! In this episode of She's Not Done Yet, I (Becky Berry) chat with Suzanne Maggio, author of “Estrellas: Moments of Illumination along the El Camino de Santiago,” about what she experienced on her first walk along the El Camino. Suzanne also hosts her own podcast, From Sparks to Light – Inspiring Stories for Challenging Times. Suzanne is a university lecturer in psychology, counseling and social work and comes from a large Italian family who didn't necessarily believe in asking for help. “Estrellas” is her second book. We had a powerful conversation about how she decided to embark on the walk, the people she met, and the myriad gifts she discovered along the way – including reconnecting with her husband. We also talked about one of my favorite coaching topics – expectations. Suzanne shares with us her experience in allowing the journey to remind her to appreciate the gift of the present moment, embracing and accepting how the days unfolded and the unique nature of the people you encounter along the way. One of my personal favorite parts of our conversation revolves around the work of Henri Nouwen, particularly his Five Lies of Identity: 1 – I have what I have. 2 – I am what I do. 3 – I am what others say or think about me. 4 – I am nothing more than my worst moment. 5 – I am nothing less than my best moment – and – “We are not what we do, we are not what we have, we are not what others think of us. Coming home is claiming the truth. I am the beloved child of a loving creator.” Suzanne includes Book Club questions at the end of the book and they're not like any book club questions you've encountered before! Instead of the standard book club fare, Suzanne presents the questions in grouping that include On Leaning In and Simplicity. After you've listened to our chat, I'm sure you will want to get the book in your hands quickly! Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: Everything you need to know about Suzanne, including her podcast, here: https://www.suzannemaggio.com/ Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  My LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyberrycoach/ This podcast was recorded, produced, edited, and marketed by yours truly, Becky Berry. Thanks again for listening and sharing! Becky      

Oh my goodness, y'all. I recorded this episode back in September and had forgotten how great it is! Amy Daughters is a force of nature. She's a fabulous writer, hilarious person, and devotedly faithful. We had so much fun recording this for you! In this episode, Amy and I (Becky Berry) talk about her memoir: "Dear Dana: That time I went crazy and wrote all 580 of my facebook friends a handwritten letter." We cover our mutual love of college football (Amy, the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and me, the University of Georgia Bulldogs) and take a minute to remind everyone that if you can talk about sports you can create connection with just about anyone! In her fandom, Amy went so far as to become a freelance writer writing about college football. What a life! We talk about what it's like to write a handwritten letter to 580 people and the significance of putting pen to paper. We delve into her pen pal relationship with Dana, a woman she hadn't seen in 35 years at the time she wrote her a letter. And the relationship that developed between the two women and their families. We talk about what it is to be faithful to a quest (not sure what else you'd call writing 580 handwritten letters...) and how we can create connections with people by showing up repeatedly. Amy is such a skilled writer that you are inside the story. I couldn't put this book down. I'll let the episode speak for itself. I know how hard it is to remember the excerpts people read in podcasts, so here are the page numbers of the one I read: pages 253, 298-299, and 304. Now go out and buy the book!! Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com.   Resources and Show Links: Everything you need to know about Amy: https://amydaughters.com Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  My LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyberrycoach/  This podcast was recorded, produced, edited, and marketed by yours truly, Becky Berry. Thanks again for listening and sharing! Becky

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with Women over 50, Becky Berry (that's me) talks with author Laura Carroll. When Laura's publicist reached out to me about interviewing Laura about her book, “A Special Sisterhood: 100 Fascinating Women from History Who Never Had Children,” I jumped on the opportunity. Women's history is one of my absolute favorite topics. And I love that Laura included the goddesses of ancient Greece to Sally Ride. Laura is a veteran writer who has written several books including, “Finding Fulfillment From the Inside Out” on changing careers and “Families of Two: Interviews with Happily Married Couples without Children By Choice.” In our chat, Laura and I talk about how she chose these 100 women from the 300+ she had researched, the importance of reclaiming women's history, and the current trends in forcing women to have children. I was particularly struck by the number of female secular martyrs she included. It's a topic a lot of books avoid. The book is fascinating, and our talk was enlightening. Hope you enjoy it! Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: Laura's website: https://lauracarroll.com X and Instagram: @lauracarroll88 Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  My LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyberrycoach/  This podcast was recorded, produced, edited, and marketed by Becky Berry. Thanks again for listening and sharing! Becky

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with Women over 50, I (Becky Berry) talk with therapist and author Marcia Naomi Berger. When Naomi's publicist reached out to me about reading her book, "The Bipolar Therapist," I was intrigued. As someone who spent 20+ years in therapy, I was interested in learning about what it was like for a therapist to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The book is beautiful, heart breaking, and uplifting. Naomi shares her journey with bipolar disorder in a time when mental health wasn't a priority and was massively, universally stigmatized.  In our interview, Naomi and I talk about the importance of close friends who are willing to speak truth to us when we're in denial. We cover the critical nature of finding the right doctor to treat you. We also talk about the importance of hearing stories of people who have struggled with mental illness. This book is a validation for both people with mental illnesses and their families and friends.  When reading the book and again in our conversation, I was particularly struck by her bravery in sharing this story.  It's important that she did because people need to know you can struggle with a diagnosis, deal with it, and overcome the negativity you've encountered around it. You can find Marcia Naomi Berger's books at independent bookstores, on Amazon (including Kindle), and at Barnes & Noble. Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: Marcia Naomi Berger's website: https://marcianaomiberger.com Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  My LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyberrycoach/  This podcast was recorded, produced, edited, and marketed by Becky Berry. Thank you again for listening and sharing! Becky

Y'all. I'm so excited that I got to chat with Diane Gilman in this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with Women over 50! We talk about her life experience, including her experience with breast cancer in her 70's.  When you listen to our conversation, you will understand why she titled her memoir Too Young to be Old. In our wide ranging conversation, we talk about being a first generation American, the importance of our families of choice, what it's like to be a silver-haired glamour girl, and pivoting from a brilliantly successful career as QVC's Jean Queen to a new career as a podcaster. Diane shares how her old ways of thinking fell away with her cancer diagnosis and she became something shiny and new. There's a truism that goes something like this: We only get more like our true selves as we get older. Diane and I are here to tell you that's true - and it's a powerful thing! She left us with 3 life lessons: Avoid living in an age ghetto. Seek out women of all ages and you'll stay relevant and contemporary. Be always alert to recognize why you're here on earth and do it. There's no calendar for life - it's what we make it. Our age doesn't matter. As we have the courage to tear down our barriers and abandon our limiting beliefs, anything is possible. We're never through learning. If you enjoyed this interview with Diane Gilman, you'll love her memoir, Too Young to Be Old: How to Stay Vibrant, Visible, and Forever in Blue Jeans: 25 Secrets from TV's Jean Queen. Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: For Diane Gilman: Website:  TheDianeGilman.com YouTube: Youtube.com/@thedianegilman Facebook: Facebook.com/thedianegilman Insta:        Instagram.com/thedianegilman Tiktok:      Tiktok.com/dianegilman4 For Becky Berry: Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  My LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyberrycoach/  This podcast was recorded, produced, edited, and marketed by Becky Berry. Thanks again for listening and sharing! Becky

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I (Becky Berry) talk with Beverly Pimsleur. After listening to the podcast, Beverly reached out to me to share her story. Beverly is the embodiment of She's Not Done Yet. She's in her late 70's, has written a memoir and is looking for an agent, and is keeping busy as an activist for the Democratic Party. We had a wide ranging conversation covering the political situation in the Ohio college where she was a professor after the Kent State massacre (1972), widowhood, taking over her husband's business as a widow in the 80's, the importance of constant activism, and we compare abortion stories that happened across a generation (Beverly's in 1962 and mine in 1982). We decided that there's no arc to activism, instead, it's a straight line in the geometric sense - the line never ends. Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  My LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyberrycoach/  This podcast was recorded, produced, edited, and marketed by Becky Berry. Thanks again for listening and sharing! Becky

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I chat with Nina Manolson, creator of Body Peace®. Nina's publicist reached out to me and I was drawn immediately to the feminist ideas represented in her approach. I was particularly excited to speak with Nina because I've always struggled with my appearance, weight, and all the things women agonize over about themselves.  Nina helps people end the war with food and body and finally feel truly at home in their body—as it is. She is known for her deeply feminist, anti-diet, body-peace approach. She brings her 30 years experience as a therapist, Nationally Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Body-Trust® Guide, and Psychology of Eating Teacher to helping women create a respectful and trusting relationship with their food and body. Her courses, coaching, and poetry positively change the conversation that women are having with their body. She also writes Body-Poems as a way to encourage a shift in the way women talk to, and about their bodies. We start with Nina reading one of her Body-Poems, She Let Herself Go (5:25). Nina started writing Body Peace® Poems because the culture is defining the conversation we women have with our bodies. Her poems reclaim our body's voices and change the conversation.  I love it when she talks about being in a practice of being at peace with our bodies. She also touches on the way we women are trained to center ourselves on others' opinions. I also share my body mantra with Nina: "Every day I treat my body a little better. I exercise a little more and I eat a little better." Nina also has a Body Peace® app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Thanks in advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links for Nina: Nina's website and Body Peace® App: https://ninamanolson.com/bodypeaceapp/ FREE Practicing Body-Peace® Journal: https://ninamanolson.com/body-peace/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/NinaManolsonBodyPeace INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/ninamanolson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ninamanolson Free Nourished Woman Nation group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nourishedwomannation Body-Peace® Poems https://ninamanolson.com/body-poems/ Free Resources https://ninamanolson.com/freebies/ Show Links for Becky: Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  My LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyberrycoach/  Thanks again for listening and sharing! Becky

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I (Becky Berry) had the great pleasure of talking with my friend Valorie Baylis. Valorie is an Atlanta-area technology veteran and digital implementation specialist who's worked at big companies (AT&T, WebMD) and small start-ups. She's currently a freelance project manager at Delta Air Lines, hence the extremely cool photo!  Valorie and I met when she attended a meeting of Next Chapter for Women, a Meetup a friend and I founded in 2016. Our meetup turned into a private group and we're still going strong 8 years later. I've also worked with Valorie as she's negotiated career changes over the last 8 years. She's brilliant - a great speaker, friend, and thinker. She's a University of Michigan alum and huge Michigan football fan. We've had a couple of moments when Michigan played UGA. Since we're really good friends, it always works out! As you listen to the podcast, you'll notice Valorie has a great voice. She's also a singer. In this episode, Valorie and I talk about the nature of friendship and how social media can help us stay connected to far flung friends. She shares a great story about a pod she and some girlfriends created during COVID that continues with daily text. I particularly enjoyed our conversation about welcoming the possibility of new friendships forming as we age.  Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  My LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyberrycoach/  Thanks again for listening! Becky

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I (Becky Berry) talk with author Kathy Elkind about her awe inspiring trek hiking 1,420 miles of the GR5. After reading Kathy's memoir of the trip, To Walk It Is To See It: 1 Couple, 98 days, 1400 Miles on Europe's GR95. Her memoir reads like the best journal you could imagine. After reading it, I couldn't wait to talk with her! So you know, the GR5 starts in the Netherlands and proceeds through Belgium, Luxembourg, the whole length of France, and finally across the Alps. I don't think I can describe the book better than I did in my Amazon review: This beautiful work is the story of a couple walking the GR-5 for 98 days. It's a beautiful, well-written memoir with descriptions of their surroundings that bring them to life. But it's so much more. It's the story of a woman who goes out on a trek and finds herself again. I was struck with the way being outside and physically active helped Kathy reacquaint herself with her core beliefs and thoughts - and her ability to know the path even though she can't speak it. My absolute favorite part of the book is her ability to describe in concrete terms how to give ourselves self-compassion. The whole book is uplifting and inspirational, particularly the thread around her determination to come back to herself. It's more than reclaiming her inner child; it's about the woman owning the inner child because she always listened to her. Her inner child was her solace. I cannot recommend this book enough. In our interview we talk about self-compassion and sloughing off the sludge of the noises and expectations painted on us as women. We also talk about marriage and how her marriage changed and evolved on that 98 day trek. Plus, we dive into what it's like to write a book when you've had dyslexia your entire life. Enjoy! Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Resources and Show Links: Website: https://kathyelkind.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathy.elkind Instagram: @kathyelkind Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  Thanks again for listening!

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I (Becky Berry) talk with author and farmer Jane Lee Rankin about her amazing journey to her alpaca and llama farm! Jane Lee and I had a great time talking at Apple Hill Farm, her alpaca and llama and donkey and chicken and many other animals - farm in Banner Elk, NC (I said the wrong name in the podcast). You'll hear some of the animals in the background, along with the delightful wind you'll hear in the background occasionally. After reading Jane Lee's memoir, Farm Family: A Solo Mom's Memoir of Finding Home, Happiness, and Alpaca's, I couldn't wait to talk to her.  Her memoir reads like a coming of age story where she comes back to herself through her journey through cancer treatment, to motherhood, and finally to farm owner. We talk about her determination to honor her inner child, never losing sight of her and always listening to her. And, how, in the flow of her life, she comes to embody the adult version of that little girl. We also talk about the value of being grounded, and, more than that, being grounded in reality. Jane Lee shares how keeping the farm going reacquainted her with the reality of life - no matter how bad your night was, the animals have to be fed the next morning. Her story is interesting, compelling, and filled with nuggets of wisdom. Enjoy! Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Resources and Show Links: Apple Hill Farms Website: Apple Hill Farm: https://AppleHillFarmNC.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/applehillfarm Instagram: @applehhillfarmnc Jane Lee Rankin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jane.l.rankin.1 Instagram: @janeleerankin  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-lee-rankin Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  Thanks again for listening!

In this Friendship Season episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I (Becky Berry) talk with Lisa McGuire about the importance of our female friendships over time. Like so many entrepreneurs, Lisa and I met at various networking events in our local area. I've always admired Lisa's communication skills and her approach to business and life and I enjoy reading her LinkedIn posts and newsletter. She is a business coach who is strategic, savvy, and compassionate. She works with professional service providers and helps them understand who they are, how to show up, and what to say when they do. Lisa is also a mom and a grandmother. In this episode, Lisa and I talk about the value of friends who drop everything to see you when you're in town. The importance of nurturing your friends regardless of their or your stage in life. She also draws a parallel between being a female entrepreneur and a mom. For female entrepreneurs, our businesses are our babies, and they go through the same growing up process as our children. Lisa also has her own podcast: "Your Passion, Purpose, and Personal Brand." It's on all the podcasting platforms. Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: Lisa's website: https://lisamcguire.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mcguire/ Insta: @iamlisamcguire X (Twitter): @iamlisamcguire Learn more about me: My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/beckyberrycoach Instagram: @beckyberrycoach Thanks again for listening!  

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I (Becky Berry) talk with my friend Amy Refeca. Amy and I met in 2019 while networking. Amy is the owner and managing attorney of Atlanta Wills and Trusts Law Group in Alpharetta, Georgia. Her firm helps women protect who and what they love the most.  We talk about how great it is to meet professionally and then become personal friends.  We cover the importance of friends who help us maintain our boundaries and how our friend groups change throughout our lives. We also touch on how realizing we have the wrong friends helps us keep on our toes, looking for people who are a fit with us. Amy shares her experience from 20+ years ago, when, as a new mother, she returned to her work in a "big law firm" a mere 4 weeks after giving birth. She was exhausted and had zero energy for making friends. One of her work friends at the firm stepped up and helped her figure out how to handle that high stress job and a new baby. Amy notes that her friend, who has become one of her ride-or-dies, is not a parent. Which, of course, led to talking about the advantage of having friends with different life experiences who bring a richness and perspective to our relationships. We both believe this is particularly important for moms with young children because we know how easy it is to find ourselves in the parenting tunnel.   Perhaps my favorite part of our chat happened when Amy shared that some of her most important friends weren't traditional friends. They were the women who hosted the podcasts and wrote the books she listened to as she shopped or watched a sporting event. When she ran out of energy and it was just too much to even consider talking to anyone, she relied on those voices in her earbuds. They became the voices in her head (this will be a podcast topic!). Amy talks about feeling like a crone most of her life. So, now that she's entering her 50's, she feels like she's coming home. And, as the wisest crones know, as we age, we get to forgive ourselves for beating ourselves up about things like not having enough friends. We realize that we did the best we could at the time and survived to tell the story. And that right there is why I created this podcast: To share the wisdom of women over 50, and to reassure our younger listeners that life is not about the mistakes we've made, it's about weaving them into our stories as powerful examples of how we've grown. Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you) or a topic you'd like us to cover? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: Atlanta Wills & Trust Law Group: https://atlantawillsandtrusts.com/ Amy's Social:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/refecas.refecas (personal) https://www.facebook.com/atlwillsandtrustslawgroup (business) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyrefeca/ (personal)  https://www.instagram.com/atlwillsandtrustslawgroup/ (@atlwillsandtrustslawgroup) X (formerly Twitter): @atlwills_trusts Email me (Becky): shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com   

Since I consider women's healthcare a pressing issue, this episode is longer, coming in at just under an hour. Listening to it is a worthy investment of your time. In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I (Becky Berry) talk with Susan Salenger, author of Sidelined: How Women Can Navigate a Broken Healthcare System. Sue's publicist reached out to me about her book. Since I, like most women, understand how broken our healthcare system is in the United States, I was intrigued. After reading Sidelined, I couldn't wait to interview Sue. In her book, she shares her research and knowledge about women's health, providing actionable strategies that can improve our health outcomes immediately. I particularly appreciated the context she created for this conversation in her chapter on how women have been regarded throughout history. It was both enlightening and disconcerting given how little has changed. At 81, Sue serves as both a role model and inspiration. In our conversation, Sue talks about the reluctance of many women to seek healthcare for themselves while not hesitating to obtain it for our families. The most powerful actionable strategy she shares is writing down a numbered list of what we want to cover when we see our doctors. Taking that list (a copy for them and a copy for us) will yield a more productive appointment - particularly if the doctor sees something on that list that is of more concern than we realize. One of my favorite parts of the book and our conversation covers the importance of getting 2nd opinions, particularly for complicated diagnoses. Sue points out that there are over 40,000 diseases and many of them have symptoms in common. She notes that it's not realistic to expect doctors to be familiar with all 40,000+ diseases, so obtaining that 2nd (or 3rd) opinion increases our chances of receiving the correct diagnosis. She also talks about one of my particular struggles with going for that 2nd or 3rd opinion, I don't want to hurt the doctor's feelings. Which by the way, is right in line with not wanting to bother the doctor, or impose on the doctor when we're not sure what's going on with our bodies!! SMH (smack my head)!! It was an enlightening and educational conversation. I hope you enjoy it. You can find Sue on her website: https://www.susansalenger.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suesalenger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-salenger-a4a02716/ Instagram: @susansalenger Tiktok: @grandma.gains Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com    Thanks again for listening!

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I (Becky Berry) talk with novelist Mary Ann Noe. I'm excited to chat with Mary Ann because I'm an inveterate reader (150+ books/year) and I've always wanted to interview an author. Mary Ann is my first. Mary Ann embodies the idea of She's Not Done Yet. She's in her late 70's and has published 3 books in the last 3 years. Another one will be released in October 2024. Talk about not being done yet! In our conversation we talk about her novel, A Handful of Pearls and her newest release, Water the Color of Slate plus her other novels in process.  One of my favorite parts of our conversation occurred when Mary Ann shared how her mom gave her the first sentence in A Handful of Pearls - it's an attention-grabbing sentence! We also cover her writing process, her writing group, and, in general, the business of writing. Water the Color of Slate was released in October 2023 at a launch party hosted by Tricia's Troops, a local Southeast Wisconsin non-profit organization that supports people with cancer. Mary Ann is a breast cancer thriver. Stay tuned for more books from Mary Ann. Her murder mystery, Deserving of Murder, will be published in October 2024. It's part one of a trilogy. You can find Mary Ann's books at independent bookstores, on Amazon (including Kindle), and at Barnes & Noble online. I'm going to invite Mary Ann back to talk about Deserving of Murder when it's published.  Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: Mary Ann's blog: www.maryannnoe.com Tricia's Troops: https://triciastroops.org/  Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  Thanks again for listening! Becky

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I (Becky Berry) talk with my friend, Cheryl Cooper, and her friend, Kisha Solomon. Cheryl and I met when we started our coaching businesses back in 2015/2016. We've been each others' orbit ever since. This was my first time meeting Kisha. Cheryl and Kisha represent a cross-generational friendship, like me and my friend Kyle (Season 3 Episode 1). Cheryl is one of the most grounded, motivated, and intentional women I know. Her deep experience in life and work makes her a fabulous coach and great friend. Plus, she has a great sense of humor and knows all the best places to eat!  I loved getting to know Kisha through this interview. Like Cheryl, she's grounded, motivated, and so intentional. I also love her energy and sense of humor! In this episode Cheryl, Kisha, and I and I talk about making friends at work, acquiring mentors, and how those friendships both lift us up and inform how we move forward. Some notable moments: Being a black woman in corporate America and how to survive and even thrive (spoiler alert - it's about friendships!). A conversation about the importance of relationships - other than romantic ones! How it feels to come back together after not seeing people for a while. Being a role model for intentionally single women. How our friends reflect us back to ourselves - as we could be. One of the best things in the best friendships is the validation of our self worth we receive from those friends. A chat about the value of the complementary points-of-view we can encounter in cross -generational friendships - particularly around entrepreneurship. Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: To get in touch with Cheryl Cooper: Website: https://thecherylcooper.com Email: Info@thecherylcooper.com Insta: @thecherylcooper Facebook: thecherylcooper LinkedIn: thecherylcooper To get in touch with Kisha Solomon: Website: https://kishasolomon.com Insta: @kishasolomon Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com MAD! Workspace for Women in Alpharetta GA (where we record): https://madworkspace.co My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com  Thanks again for listening!

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I (Becky Berry) talk with my friend Aisha Flores. Aisha and I met through her husband Dan, who was my coach a while back. Aisha became a client as she moved through defining and pursuing a new career in Public Health.  We laugh at this now, but the first time I read Aisha's résumé, it was so bad that I lost it. To this day, it remains the résumé that most poorly represents the power and experience of its subject.  Aisha is brilliant, she's the definition of self-motivated, she's a mom, a grandmom, and a wife, and she's also the definition of introvert. As you listen to the podcast, you'll notice she's hesitant to talk about herself, but when she talks about her passions, she's eloquent. To me, this is the mark of a true introvert.  In this episode Aisha and I talk about friendships that go back to preschool, how our friendships change as our lives change, and how friendships can pull us from the deep end of being overwhelmed by our lives. Thanks in Advance for your help: I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, don't keep it a secret! Please tell a friend. Your recommendation is the most powerful way to help us acquire new listeners. Also, if you're listening to us on Apple podcasts, please rate and review us. Suggestions for future episodes: Have someone you want me to interview (including you)? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Have a topic you'd like for me to discuss? Email me at shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com. Resources and Show Links: THE Book on introverts: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in A World That Can't Quit Talking by Susan Cain Buttercup Steam Camp: https://www.buttercupsteam.io/ Buttercup Steam Social:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buttercupsteam Instagram: @buttercupsteam X (formerly Twitter): @buttercupsteam Email me: shesnotdoneyetyall@gmail.com MAD! Workspace for Women in Alpharetta GA (where we record): https://madworkspace.co My coaching website: https://beckyberrycoach.com 

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversations with women over 50, I (Becky Berry) talk with mypodcast co-host and dear friend Diana Bader. Diana and I met in July 2015 and started our podcast, Uniquely Brilliant (still available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc) in November of that year. To say we hit it off immediately would be an egregious understatement. When we went on hiatus in 2022 because of Diana's health, we had published 161 episodes, including many episodes during the pandemic. In this episode, we talk about our friendship, Diana's move from Georgia back to her home state (Ohio) and hometown, female friendships, and how women come together to support each other when things go sideways. Talking with Diana always makes my day! A note about Diana's photo. While I generally prefer to post photos of people without sunglasses, this photo of Diana is the most perfect representation of her I've ever seen. I hope you enjoyed this episode. Show links: Uniquely Brilliant Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1jiRXkj0Elg1nTYIbWabv9?si=1b3e13f7dce54a8c MAD! Workspace for Women in Alpharetta GA (where we record): https://madworkspace.co  

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet: Conversation with Women over 50 hosted by me, Becky Berry. I chat with my friend Michele Doyle, owner of my favorite restaurant in our town of Alpharetta, Georgia - Never Enough Thyme. Michele and I have been in each other's orbit for 20+ years. Then, when I opened my coworking space, MAD! Workspace for Women in Alpharetta, Michele became my mentor. And, as COVID shut down the world, Michele was my only business owner peer who had the added stress of having a brick and mortar facility. We commiserated with each other and kept moving. We talk about aging, friends, deaths of friends, and Michele shares stories of rebuilding circles of friends as she moved around as a Navy wife. Michele truly never meets a stranger. Enjoy!

In this episode of She's Not Done Yet, Becky Berry talks to her mentor and friend, Kyle Young. Becky and Kyle met in the 90's and have been each other's biggest fans ever since. Kyle talks about the 3rd 3rd of her life and how she continues to seek new adventures and grow.

Becky (me) talks with her great friend, Karen Kuhlke, about Karen's unique take on life. She shares her wisdom around mindset, family, unexpected events, and watching her daughter parent. Some of my favorites:  What are you waiting on to be happy? I can figure it out when I figure out the pieces. Then I know who to ask for help. The benefits of offering blessings to strangers in cars in traffic. Throughout the episode, I try to remember what you call that thing you leave behind when you move to the next plane - your legacy.  SMH. Enjoy.

Becky Berry interviews Leah Merriweather in the 2nd episode of season 2 of She's Not Done Yet. Becky and Leah talk about intuition, finding our teachers, stretching our wings,  and letting things unfold. 

To kick off Season 2 of She's Not Done Yet, the tables are flipped. Since Becky is now flying solo on the podcast, she's recruited her great friend, Leah Merriweather, to interview her. Becky talks about her crone-ness and how she works to raise the voices of her clients and the women she encounters through coaching and mentoring and just being. Sneak peek: In the next episode, Becky interviews Leah.

Welcome to She's Not Done Yet, Conversations with Crones. She's Not Done Yet, hosted by Becky Berry, amplifies and honors the voices and stories of women over 50.  Enjoy the voices of these women who've been around awhile and are dedicated to lifting people up.

Susan is Becky and Brooksie's cousin. Here's Susan according to Susan. Susan is essentially a split personality: a highly skilled journalist from big city Atlanta who now spends her time raising bees and chickens in the rural north Georgia mountains. Writing and gardening have always been her passions and somehow she managed to make a living with the former which now makes doing the later full time possible. Specifically, she spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, with 10 years of that as the business editor and three years as Home and Garden editor. Much of the rest was spent writing about everything from crack cocaine in Atlanta's housing projects to how to refinish a floor. She's also a lesbian soccer mom (mother of two young men and a young woman of whom she's very proud) with the enduring two-sided family value that can be expressed as follows: the more people who love you, the better off you are; the more people you love, the better off you are. ©2020-2021 Cronecast Podcast Network | Music ©2008 Brooksie Wells

Cindy Drummond spent the first 35 years of her life avoiding becoming an entertainer. After dropping in and out of college, waiting tables, tending bar, managing restaurants and working retail, all on her feet, Cindy found herself with a bad case of plantar fasciitis and an equally bad case of wanderlust.  So, she finally packed up her custom orthotics and her hopes and dreams, and moved to Los Angeles, where she quickly got a job…waiting tables. But luckily for Cindy, the difference between waiting tables in Alexandria, Virginia, and waiting tables in Los Angeles, is that in L.A., all the other servers are actors, writers and comics. She had finally found her tribe. Cindy first tried her hand at stand-up comedy. The stand up soon led to acting in commercials. You might recognize her as the GEICO “Spy Mom,” a recurring role since 2015. Cindy's years as a stand-up sharpened the improvisational skills she used to mold the character of “Spy Mom.” She worked alongside the writers and ad execs from The Martin Agency, who happened to be based out of her home state of Virginia. One of Cindy's favorite parts of her career is the act of collaboration. A senior copy writer said of her, “She's a better writer than I am. She kept giving us so much fun material. It would have been a shame to leave that all behind on a hard drive somewhere.” The “Spy Mom” character went on to be voted one of the top 5 GEICO characters of all time in a nationwide contest. And much to the delight of Cindy's parents, “Cindy Drummond” has twice been the answer to Jeopardy questions about the GEICO “Spy Mom.”  In addition to many other commercials, Cindy has also made appearances in film and television. She can currently be seen recurring in a guest starring role on the CBS prime time comedy “The Unicorn.” In one of her proudest and most satisfying roles to date, she appeared as Lottie Beth Hobbs alongside Cate Blanchette in the multi-Emmy nominated historical limited series, “Mrs. America,” on FX on Hulu. When Cindy is not working, she gives her time to a small non-profit all-volunteer-run animal rescue in Los Angeles called LA Animal Rescue. She says the animals keep her grateful, grounded and sane.  ©2020-2022 Cronecast Podcast Network | Music ©2008 Brooksie Wells

Lola! Love, a classmate of Brooksie's at Hofstra University, is an author, life coach, producer, Distinguished Toastmaster, talent manager, and former dancer with James Brown. Sweet Tips from Lola!’s Lips: Fifty-Two Ways to Raise Your Vibration and Live the Life You Choose, is available on Amazon. Lola shares her wisdom with the cousins on raising your energy, doing good, and attracting the life you want to live. ©2020-2021 Cronecast Podcast Network | Music ©2008 Brooksie Wells

Nashville music manager, producer, radio promoter, and holistic guide to great careers, Kari Estrin, gives the cousins an inside look at her methods and her 50 years of success in a very male-centric field. Kari and Becky compare and contrast their roles as managers and coaches and Brooksie explains how both taking advantage of both women's skill sets have helped her career. Kari shares some insider stories about Allison Krauss and Tony Rice and we get a birds-eye view of the music business from her long and successful journey in a career that mostly barred women. ©2020 Cronecast Podcast Network | Music ©2008 Brooksie Wells

Mother, grandmother, engineer, shaman and musician, Nina Gibson, shares her life and energy with the cousins. Nina and Brooksie connected as young mothers and began to explore the way intuition worked. Nina explains how she lives her life by following her intuitive guidance and how that has changed everything. She and Brooksie have collaborated on music and the intuition workshops they've co-led for over 20 years. Nina also shares her journey as a Shaman and a professional business woman (engineer) and how those paths connect. ©2020-2021 Cronecast Podcast Network | Music ©2008 Brooksie Wells

Katherine Leask is one of Brooksie's oldest friends. In this episode, Becky and Brooksie chat with her about her journey as a successful young actor, her long break from acting, and her triumphant return in the theater production of HARRY POTTER!!!! Katherine talks about the importance of navigating the theater world using coaches and encouragement. She talks about how several coaches helped her get on Broadway as an older actor. Katherine is the living embodiment that it's never too late to learn the new technology needed to audition and get cast during a pandemic. Here's how to find her: Instagram: @thekatherineleask Twitter: @katherineleask Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherine.leask.1   ©2020-2021 Cronecast Podcast Network | Music ©2008 Brooksie Wells  

Welcome to She's Not Done Yet! Becky and Brooksie outline the goals of the podcast. The cousins are reframing the role of the Crone for the next generation. Becky shares her story of reinvention as a career coach after her husband's death. Brooksie shares about her early life in New York with Kid Creole and Bobby Darin, motherhood, and her successful reentry into the music business and success as a folk singer. Both women live crazy amazing active lives and look forward to sharing the best stories and advice from their Crone friends on how to flourish in every facet of your life as you age.

Not everything will go as you expect in life. That is why you need to drop the expectations and go with the flow of life. ~ Leon Brown Recorded April 14, 2020. What is the least thing we can do to make it better? Follow mother nature for cues on how to move forward. Surrender control in situations we can’t control. Surf the uncertainty of the situation instead of fighting it. We can only control our responses. Honor what we have instead of focusing on what we don’t. The slower pace gives us the opportunity to notice more of what is around us. Our constraints are only as small as our imaginations. The little things are the big things. As we go with the flow instead of fighting it, we get to pick and choose our way forward.

“Faith is not about everything being okay. Faith is about being okay no matter how things turn out.”    ~ Unknown Recorded March 31, 2020 We can be a phoenixes and rise from the ashes of uncertainty. We can avoid being ostriches. It’s important to remember there is always another side in a crisis situation. Uncertainty is real life right now for everyone. When we embrace the imperfection, we get through it with less damage. We are grieving our former lives. It cannot be business or life as usual. False positive encouragement makes us feel worse. As we shelter-at-home, we are getting reacquainted with ourselves – whether we want to or not. We’re experiencing a major shift as we reprioritize what is truly important to us. We can give ourselves permission to feel all of it. We can figure out what helps us get through the day and do just that, no more. Some days are just going to be better than others, and that has to be okay.

In the first episode of She's Not Done Yet, Becky Berry interviews Aisha Flores, the founder of Buttercup STEAM camp. AIsha shares her journey of constant evolution and growth. She also talks about her dedication to embracing the opportunities that appear before her. You can find information about Buttercup STEAM here: https://www.buttercupsteam.io/