The Silver Mind Podcast

This episode features the life stories and insights of Anna Margrethe Krogh-Thomsen, a loving mother of two who grew up in Denmark during the second world war watching her father and mother evade the Gestapo as part of the Danish resistance to Nazi Germany. As you’ll hear, though she understands English well, Anna Margrethe speaks Danish and is actually this podcast’s first international guest. In...

This episode feature the life story and perspectives of Maxine Curtis, a loving mother of three with a passion and talent for musical performance. Maxine grew up in Utah, where she learned to ride horses and discovered an aptitude for singing. As you’ll hear, after marrying her late husband, Don, Maxine moved to Southern California where she spent most of her life and continues to live today. Her...

This episode features the insights and life story of Ann Sorenson, mother to 5, grandmother to 21, and great grandmother to 31. Ann grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area during World War II, and would later end up living in the East Bay Area for her entire 74 year marriage to her late husband Lee; they even lived in the same house for 66 years where they raised their 5 sons. As you’ll hear, though...

This episode features the life story and perspectives of Madeline Quayle, a Utah native and mother of six who has a passion for music and whose enthuasm for life is infectious. As you’ll hear, Madeline is remarkable in her willingess to continue learning throughout her life well after the age when most people stop; for example, she decided to re-learn the piano when she was pregant with her third...

This episode features the life story and insights of Ed Quayle, a father to 6, military veteran, and lifelong artist who used his artistic skills not only in his 33’year career working for the yellow pages but also his military service. Especially on the heels of Veterans day, it was touching to hear Ed´s heartfelt gratitude for the ability to have served his country and as you´ll quickly learn Ed...

This episode features the insights and life story of Jerry Gwilliam, a father to seven, airforce veteran, and dentist whose practice in the San Francisco Bay Area spanned no less than five decades of dedicated service. Following an LDS mission to Norway, Jerry literally drew the short stick and was led into military service where, as you’ll hear, he actually had great experiences of sticking up fo...

This episode features the life story and insights of Steven Spears, a father of 5 that holds no less than two masters degrees and may just have the most interesting career I’ve ever come across. Steve started out as a Navy corpsman who was eventually brought in to help with the Naval investigative service (NIS). In fact, if you’ve ever seen the show NCIS, it was modeled after his job, with one of...

This episode features the life story and insights of Ralph Hunsaker an Arizona-raised father of three who became all-state in no less than three high school sports before playing as the starting quarterback at University of Arizona or UofA for all four years of college. As you’ll hear, Ralph then went on to lead a sucessful career in law, which culminated in serving as chief attorney for the Centa...

On today´s episode we have Sue Severson, a native Louisiana girl who has led a life of civic service that featured a decade-long stint on her community´s school board and culminated in service as mayor of her Northern California town, all while rasing five kids I might add. As you´ll hear, Sue is a go getter and even after her retirement from public life is now serving as Chairman of the board of...

This episode features the life story and perspectives of Mary Lou Clark, a 97-year-old matriarch who raised no less than 12 kids and today stands at the head of a vast, tight-knit, and ever growing group of descendents. As you’ll hear, she tragically and unexpectedly lost her husband when she was in her 50s, and has been since been an incedible example of positivity and resilience as she continues...

On today’s episode we have John "Jack" Christensen, a father to 10 and one of the military’s first wave of computer science specialists whose career featured working in the Pentagon alongside the Secretary of Defense. John’s a talented musician and natural-born father, who tragically lost his wife Nina before later remarrying.  This episode will capture the imagination of anybody serving...

On today’s episode we have Marilyn Christensen, an accomplished pianist and mother of eight who couragously packed up and left the comfort of home to raise her family with her husband in Hawaii. Marilyn is a sharp lady who breezed through undergraduate in three years and went on to get a masters in music. As you’ll hear, after raising their kids, Marilyn’s husband sadly passed away leaving her alo...

On today’s epidose we have Orest Komarnyckyj, a dentist turned periodontal regenerative surgeon who built a successful practice before more recently transitioning to be a life coach for middle-aged men. Orest is a first generation American whose parents emigrated from Ukraine, and he grew up in Chicago before his family moved to Arizona. Orest is is the father of two, and as you’ll hear, has a lot...

This episode features the life story and insights of Professor Randolph Tom, a former DJ and New York Lawyer turned entrepreneurial advisor and professor who surmounted countless obstacles to lead a long, prosperous, and outwardly focused life. As a young man, Randolph grew up as one of the only Chinese-American kids living in the inwood projects of Upper Manhattan in New York City. As you’ll hear...

 On today’s episode we have Barry Hall, a San Diego-native marine and father of two who became an accomplished businessman who took two companies public and currently serves as CEO of another. Barry was born in Viriginia while his dad was serving in the Navy but grew up primarily in San Diego. As you’ll hear, though in his mid-70’s Barry remains impressively committed to both lifelong learning and...

This episode features the life story and insights of Doris Dudley, a Southern, self-proclaimed jitterbug and mother to 8, grandmother to 22, great-grandmother to 63, and great-great-grandmother to soon-to-be 16. At the time of this recording Doris is nearly 100 years old and has lived a full life, the story of which started (and continues to be written) in Virginia.  Doris has lived gracefully thr...

 On today’s episode we have Len Dreyer, a former marine turned accountant who led an illustrious career in the food industry including a 7-year stint as President and CEO of no less than Marie Calendars. In the episode, Len reflects on his full life and the busy career that often took him away from home more than he would have liked. He has valuable perspectives on what really matters in life afte...

This episode features the stories and insights of Anita Hansen, a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother extraordinaire who turned a personal family tragedy into an unrelenting determination to go out and make a difference in the lives of others. If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contac...

 On today’s episode we have George Durgin, a first generation college graduate who went on to become a Marine, aircraft maintenance officer, and distinguisehd aerospace engineer for some of the industry giants, whose career culminated in 12-15 patents on cutting-edge turbine components. Despite these achivements you’ll note that George is a very humble man, whose story starts in modest beginnings...

 On today’s episode we have Carol Durgin, a former nurses aid, mother to three, step mother to three more, and now beloved grandmother. Carol grew up in Maine, where she spent a good portion of her life. She spent many lean years as a single mother doing her best to make childhood special for her children, and is one of the most salt-of-the-earth people you’ll come across, with beautiful perspecti...

 On today’s episode we have Sharyn Larsen, an avid reader, travel lover, and former police dispatch worker who went back to school and got her teaching credential. Sharyn is a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother with 55 descendents. Though she lost her husband, her love for him continues to be apparent, and as you’ll hear, she has many wise words for how to date and marry well.  Thi...

This episode features the experiences and insights of Ann Binning, a lifelong musician and spunky matriarch that rediscovered religion and belief in Christ as a source of strength. Ann was born and raised alongside her three older brothers the San Francisco Bay Area during the Second World War. As you’ll hear, though growing up Christian she eventually lost her belief in God and came to recognize...

This episode features the life story and insights of Jan Hunt, the mother to 5 kids and a former school teacher who might just be the best example you’ll ever come across of maintaining humor and positivity in the face of some of life’s toughest challenges. Jan overcame divorce, the death of a spouse, and even the death of a child and still maintains remarkable humor and good naturedness. This epi...

This episode features the life story and insights of Criag Willardson, a Southern California beach boy who toured South America in a rock band, and went on to become CEO of a multi-hundred million dollar company who’s career culminated in him shaking hands with none other than the president of the United States. Craig is a lifelong Christian, husband, father, and grandfather who grew up in Souther...

This episode details the life story and insights from Guy Hale, a two sport college athlete, wall-street veteran, beloved grandfather, and entrepreneur who shaped the economic history of no less than China. If you have a relative or mentor over the age of 70 that you feel would have valuable perspectives for all of us, please submit their name and contact information in the link below, and we&apos...