Living Your Sparked Second Half

EP428: A new year brings a great conversation with Kay Van Norman, an internationally renowned healthy aging expert and President of Brilliant Aging, who will inspire you to create your own vitality plan to kick off 2025 right.  Kay’s work is absolutely groundbreaking. She directed the Keiser Institute on Aging, serves on global boards, and has an incredible list of publications. Her award-winning...

EP427: As we head into the holiday week, I've pulled out one of my best "Lessons Learned" episodes from 2022 when I shared my 3 biggest tips to improving conversations which I learned from going through my year-long coaching certification. I always thought I was a good conversationalist until I went through this training. Wow, was that an eye-opener!!! I learned my conversations were more about me...

EP426: Today we welcome back a previous guest, Merle Saferstein, an accomplished expert on legacy building. In this episode, she shares the story behind the development of her latest passion project, “Wisdom of the Century,” a book that captures the life lessons of 90 individuals over the age of 90.  Merle’s career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to memory, education, and the preservat...

EP425: Today’s guest is Kristin Ericksen, the inspiring founder of "Break Free, Make It Happen." Kristin spent 25+ years as a celebrity personal trainer working with high-profile clients in Los Angeles and New York City and using that experience and wisdom gained has transitioned into a new career as a peak performance coach and keynote speaker. She’s truly passionate about her mission of helping...

EP424: Today’s guest is Rebecca (Becky) Faye Smith Galli, an author and columnist who writes about love, loss and healing, and whose life story is one of profound tragedy transformed into a beacon of resilience and hope.  Becky recounts her journey marked by significant loss, including the heartbreaking death of her brother and the many challenges that followed: raising children with special needs...

EP423: In this solo episode, I talk about my recent experience of going back to the place of my birth, where I spent the first 18 months of my life and many of my summers growing up, to attend a beloved aunt's funeral in Massachusetts and the profound reflections it prompted.  I share two key lessons, involving some pretty incredible secrets, which everyone needs to hear! You see, my aunt was a se...

EP422: Today I have a returning guest, Sandy Weiner, who is the Chief Love Officer at Last First Date. She's an internationally known TEDx speaker, dating and relationship coach, author, and podcast host, and she recently released a new book, “Love At Last,” featuring 18 inspiring love stories that prove it’s never too late to find meaningful relationships.  In this episode, Sandy shares her exper...

EP421: Today’s guest is Denise Corbo, a retired educator and the founder of Storybook Treasures. Denise shares her inspiring journey from stumbling into her first teaching gig as a high school cosmetology teacher, to finding her passion as an elementary school teacher, and then to starting a nonprofit dedicated to promoting literacy and spreading the love of books to grade school children.  In thi...

EP420: Today’s guest is Paula Swope, her social media followers call Paula the most relatable self-help author ever. She is a self-empowerment leader and author of Thought Snob: The Modern Spiritual Playbook for a Better Life.  Paula shares her incredible journey of transformation, from being raised in rural Kentucky to believe her impoverished life was all that was possible, to becoming a promine...

EP419: Today’s guest is Linda Ward, a life coach and writer with a passion for adventure, self-love, and personal growth. Linda shares her incredible journey of spending three transformative months in Italy with her husband, an experience sparked by her husband's dream and their shared love for travel.  Linda reflects on major life transformations, including her divorce at age 47, and how she foun...

EP418: Today’s guest is Amy Weiland Daughters, an accomplished keynote speaker, letter writer, satirist, sports journalist, and the award-winning author of two books: Dear Dana: That time I went crazy and wrote all 580 of my Facebook friends a handwritten letter and You Cannot Mess This Up: A true story that never happened.  Known for her deep love of storytelling and human connection, Amy shares...

EP417: In today’s episode I have two special guests, Laura Smith and Tasha Lorentz, who have joined forces to create a unique event that brings together experts in the field of organization, crossing a wide range of topics - from tips on how to better organize/declutter your home, to mastering your health through meal planning, and even understanding the mindset that drives disorganization - that,...

EP416: Today’s guest is Donna Ferris, who I first met when she was a guest on my podcast over two years ago ( Episode 220 ). I invited Donna back to get an update on her life and talk about her new book, Bounce Back Stronger: Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens , which is a unique book with a workbook aspect meant to help people navigate through difficult times in life. Our conversati...

EP415: Today’s guest is Polly Angel, an expert in Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT). Polly shares her inspiring journey from an elite equestrian athlete to a certified RTT therapist, driven by her own struggles with body image which led to her discovery and interest of RTT as a teenager. In this episode, we dive deep into the mechanics of RTT, a powerful method that blends neurolinguistic progr...

EP414: Today’s guest is Laura Strachan, retired teacher, cancer survivor, and author of her first children’s book that’s coming out later this month. In this interview we delve into her transformative journey from a place of depression to becoming a beacon of light and joy. When we met in late 2020, she was unable to get out of bed so Laura's journey to becoming an author and true example of livin...

EP413: Today’s episode is a replay from an interview I did with Merle Saferstein who I interviewed one year ago, and I'm replaying it today because, as I was reviewing past episodes while taking some time off, this one felt very pertinent to my life today, AND because it's one of my most listened to episodes, I thought it was worth bringing back. Merle has dedicated her life to preserving and pass...

EP412: In this heartfelt episode, I discuss the eight crucial lessons I learned from my mother's recent death, emphasizing not just the process of dying but also some profound insights about life. The discussion covers a bit of my mother's background, which is helpful context in understanding some of the lessons, the all-consuming bond my parents had, the challenges I faced watching her demise, an...

EP411: Today’s guest is Elise Marquam-Jahns, a retired public television executive who embarked on her second act as a professional makeup artist. With 35 years of experience in public television, Elise transitioned to the beauty industry, training with a nationally renowned makeup artist and working for seven years with a major cosmetics line. In 2019, she launched her YouTube channel and began d...

EP410: Today’s guest is Joanie Marx, a three-time international bestselling author and renowned Storytelling Magician™. In this episode, we explore the powerful connection between laughter, creativity, and self-love.  Joanie shares her perspective on how many people, especially those who haven't pursued traditionally creative careers, don't see themselves as creative. She also provides her insight...

EP409:Today’s guest is Marie Morin, a licensed therapist, wellness coach, educator, and international best-selling author. Marie shares her wisdom on the complex and often painful topic of family estrangement, offering hope and strategies for healing and reconnection. Marie, who is also a mother of eight and a YouTube content creator, brings a unique blend of personal and professional experience t...

EP408: In today's episode, I share a very simple tip for how you can create a more meaningful life. You may be surprised at how easy it is, but even more shocking is the truth bomb I drop about friendships and what your future beholds IF you follow this simple tip.   To prove my point, I share examples from my past, some recent and one that happened over 30 years ago, about lives that became more...

EP407: In today's episode, I diverge from my usual topics to share one of the reasons the shitty week I had that I discussed in my last episode was even shittier.   Yes! I got scammed!   So I explain what happened and give you a couple of tips that I hope will prevent the same thing from happening to you because scamming incidents are everywhere these days and the scammers are getting smarter and...

EP406: Today I'm sharing my experience in dealing with a very challenging (aka shitty) week, and the one simple little shift I made to move out of my extremely negative mindset. Yes! positive, happy, vibrant me DOES occasionally get trapped in a negative head space. And this was one of those weeks So I'm here to share what happened and what I did, including the nasty comment I made to my husband,...

EP405: Today's guest is Dr. Gala Gorman, a licensed Acupuncturist, Naturopath, and Author who offers practical advice and programs to reverse health issues resulting from chronic stress. In this episode, we dive deep into the often-overlooked impact of stress on our health, through Dr. Gala’s personal journey and professional insights to shed light on this critical issue. Dr. Gala draws a fascinat...

EP404: Today's guest is Jane Lee Rankin, a true embodiment of resilience, passion, and community spirit. In this lively conversation, Jane Lee, who goes by Lee to friends, takes us on a journey through her extraordinary life as a first-generation farmer, cancer survivor, single mom, and the visionary behind Apple Hill Farm nestled in the breathtaking Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Lee's...