Episodes

What does it look like to keep growing, exploring, and breaking barriers at 79? You’re about to find out. Our guest, Nancy Shear, has been defying expectations her entire life - from sneaking into Philadelphia Orchestra concerts at 15 to becoming the personal librarian to Leopold Stokowski in a field that had very little room for women at the time. Nancy shares what it took to navigate and succeed in a male-dominated field, and how curiosity, courage, and persistence opened doors that once s...

Do you ever notice how age can feel like a barrier instead of a bridge? I’ve discovered one of the most powerful ways to dismantle ageism isn’t policy, awareness campaigns, or corporate training - it’s relationships across generations. In this episode, I’m sharing why intergenerational friendships, mentorships, collaborations, and workplace partnerships are so effective at breaking down stereotypes and creating a more age-inclusive world. When generations truly connect, amazing things happe...

What if retirement isn’t the end of something… but the ignition switch for your most powerful chapter yet? In this energizing and deeply honest conversation, I’m joined by Deborah Holliday - international flight attendant of more than 30 years, storyteller, and Founder of The Flying Treasure Hunter - to talk about aging, reinvention, and why it’s time to stop buying into the cultural narrative that says growing older means growing smaller. Deborah and I first connected after being featured in ...

What does aging with wit and wisdom really look like? In this episode, I have a delicious conversation with Melinda Blau - veteran journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and the author of The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter. At 82, Melinda isn’t slowing down ... she’s still writing, still questioning, still challenging ageism, and yes, she ran through the streets of Paris shouting, “I’m eighty!” Her energy, honesty, and humor are a power...

What if retirement doesn’t mean retreat - but rediscovering? In this episode I sit down with Judith Horn for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about adaptation, creativity, and continuing to serve after 65. When vision impairment led Judith to retire from her lifelong career as a physical therapist, her story didn’t end - it shifted. Retirement didn’t mean retreat. Instead, it opened the door to rediscovering her artistic side, creating imaginative illustrations for her grandchi...

In this heartfelt episode I sit down with bereavement specialist, grief educator, and author Patti Comeau-Simonson for a deeply meaningful conversation about love, loss, and thriving after 65. I first met Patti years ago when I helped her e-publish her first book, and it’s been a joy to witness how her life and work have evolved since then. After the loss of her beloved husband, David, when she was 46, Patti’s life took an unexpected turn - one that led her into hospice volunteering, grief educ...

What if aging isn’t something to resist ... but something to rethink? In this episode I sit down with Chris Moore, founder of Senior Remodeling Experts and a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, for a thoughtful conversation about mindset, purpose, and what aging teaches us from the inside out. After decades of working closely with older adults, Chris has seen firsthand how attitude - not age - often shapes how we experience later life. Together, we explore common myths about aging and reti...

What does it truly mean to age with purpose? In this episode, I’m joined by Robin Kencel - founding real estate broker at Compass in Greenwich, Connecticut, reigning Ms. Connecticut Senior America, and U.S. Pro-Am Ballroom Champion - for a delicious conversation about aging with intention, confidence, and joy. Robin shares how her lived experiences, leadership, and deep listening skills shaped the social impact work she’s doing today around empowered aging. We explore her Five Pillars...

What happens when women refuse to fade quietly with age? In this powerful episode of Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, I sit down with renowned feminist scholar and cultural critic Susan J. Douglas, author of In Our Prime - How Older Women Are Reinventing the Road Ahead, to explore the intersection of sexism and ageism — and why older women are uniquely positioned to reshape the road ahead. Susan shares what fueled her decades-long focus on sexism in media and culture, and why she believes gender...

What does it mean to age with purpose, curiosity, and conviction — especially while living in another country? In this episode of Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, I sit down with Robert W. Norris, a 75-year-old Vietnam War conscientious objector, longtime resident of Japan, retired university professor, and author of multiple novels and memoirs ... two of which he wrote in his seventies. Robert shares his extraordinary life journey, from growing up in Northern California to refusing to fight in the...

As soon as I turned 65, something shifted in the exam room… and not for the better. In this episode, I’m sharing my personal experience with ageism in health care - how the tone of my medical appointments changed, why the attention to my symptoms dropped, and why so many of us suddenly get a pat on the shoulder instead of real care. This isn’t just about Medicare or paperwork. It’s about what happens when the medical system quietly decides we’re “too old” for deeper investigation. I brea...

In this deeply illuminating conversation, Conscious Dying Coach Laurie Reese joins me to explore how we can approach the end of life with intention, creativity, and a profound sense of personal agency. Laurie brings over 15 years of experience as a Household Manager and Personal Assistant supporting vibrant seniors and families through major life transitions. Her compassionate philosophy — “I walk beside people, not ahead of them” — guides everything she does, from managing daily household need...

Have you ever felt the pull to let go of who you’ve been and step into a life that feels more aligned, more authentic, and more you? In this episode, I chat with Ray Martin, executive coach, global citizen, and author of Life Without a Tie, about how to embrace your later years with purpose, freedom, and joy. Ray shares the pivotal moments that led him from a successful corporate career to a life filled with adventure, self-discovery, and meaningful connection. We explore the power of self-...

✨ "I'm living my life in the best way possible, and I want to have a wonderful time as long as I'm here." ~ Erika Andersen In this uplifting and joy-filled conversation, I sit down with Erika Andersen, bestselling author of The New Old: Crafting Your Best Later Life, to explore what it truly means to age magnificently. Erika and I explore how to consciously create a vibrant, purpose-filled third act - one grounded in curiosity, community, and intention. She shares stories and insights that ...

What if the fear of public speaking wasn’t something to conquer ... but something to transform into confidence, joy, and self-expression? Guest Linda Ugelow, speaking confidence and vocal coach, podcast host, and author of Delight in the Limelight, brings us an inspiring conversation about finding your voice after 65. Once paralyzed by stage fright, Linda now guides others to speak with ease and authenticity - whether in front of a camera, on stage, or in everyday conversations. With her ba...

You’ve heard me say it before: pastures are for horses, not humans. But where did that phrase come from ... and what does it really mean? In this episode, I’m sharing the personal story behind the saying and how it perfectly captures the painful side effects of ageism. From my childhood surrounded by horses to the outdated cultural beliefs that try to send people “out to pasture” after 65, we’ll reveal the indoctrinated messages that shape how we see ourselves as we age. It’s time to ...

Who says fulfillment has to stop when your career does? A lifelong writer whose remarkable career has taken him from the newsroom to the boardroom - and now into the world of positive aging advocacy - Don Akchin’s decades of lived experiences ideally prepared him to bring us the insights and wisdom we need to thrive after 65. In this inspiring conversation, Don shares ...

What does it really mean to age boldly and unapologetically? In this episode, I chat with Angel Cicerone — entrepreneur, author, and creator of Old Broad. New Tricks. — about living out loud, staying curious, and thriving as we age. Angel shares her experience of moving to New York City at 60, building new connections, and using TikTok to challenge outdated ideas about aging. We talk about entrepreneurship, understanding money, staying tech-savvy, and finding joy in independence — even when ...

In this episode I chat with John Jay Wiley, a retired Baltimore police sergeant who reinvented himself as a nationally syndicated broadcaster. John Jay is the creator and host of Law Enforcement Talk Radio, which is carried on more than 147 AM and FM stations across the country. John Jay shares his transformative journey — from overcoming personal struggles to finding his voice as a storyteller and advocate for first responders, veterans, and their families. With honesty and humor, he opens u...

What does it look like to rebuild your life after homelessness, depression, and loss, while also dissolving the heavy weight of ageism? At 67, Lori Kirstein is living proof that adversity can be fuel for transformation. Through her Goodbye Good Girl Project, Lori empowers women to ditch the “shoulds,” find their true voice, and step unapologetically into their power. In our conversation, Lori shares how resilience, authenticity, and feminine leadership helped her not just survive, but thri...

When widowhood meets financial uncertainty, where do you begin? Meet Debra L. Morrison, a trailblazing financial expert, grief coach, and best-selling author of My Husband Died Now What? A Widow’s Guide to Grief Recovery & Smart Financial Decisions. Debra empowers widows and women over 65 with smart money strategies to reclaim their confidence, safeguard their future, and embrace the life they deserve. From investment mindset shifts to creating a financial safety net, this conversation is fi...

Boomers aren’t “bad at tech”—we built it. 🚀 In this solo episode of Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, I’m celebrating my 69th birthday (and Episode 69!) by busting one of the most persistent myths about my generation: that we struggle with technology. From manual typewriters to PCs, rotary phones to smartphones, vinyl to streaming, punch card gaming to Pac-Man, and mimeographs to Zoom, we’ve adapted to—and often invented—more tech than any other generation in history. In this episode, I share: ✨ T...

What happens when ADHD goes undiagnosed until midlife or later? And how does it affect women as we age? Thriving after 65 means embracing every part of who we are … including the parts that may have been overlooked or misunderstood for decades. In this episode of Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, I’m joined by Diann Wingert - a former psychotherapist turned coach and unapologetic truth-teller - to talk about what it really means to discover, unmask, and embrace ADHD later in life. Diann share...

If you think reinvention is impossible later in life - or that fashion and construction can’t possibly mix - Brenda “Maxx” Cumbie McGee is here to prove you wrong. In this uplifting and eye-opening conversation, Maxx shares her remarkable journey from professional model to union carpenter, and now to Founder of GottStreet Blues®, a fashion-forward workwear brand designed for women who build, weld, dig, create, and do. From her childhood spent toggling between Tonka trucks and dress-up heels, t...