Living Your Sparked Second Half

EP403: In today's episode, we're diving deep into a prevalent issue I’ve seen recently: the rise of mean behavior, especially targeting those who don’t deserve it but who are more accessible as online business owners. It's a topic close to my heart, as I've seen friends and business colleagues, like Nathania Stambouli, a devoted yoga teacher, and Valerie Trumbower, a compassionate nighttime doula,...

EP402: In today’s episode, I share my personal journey through a profound realization that led to a heartbreak; however, not the the kind you usually associate with heartbreak. It wasn’t a romantic breakup, but a business one that resulted in a significant professional and personal shift.  Initially contemplating this topic, I decided to draw guidance from energy oracle cards, and the card drawn —...

EP401: Meet Heather Rivera, a woman whose story is nothing short of extraordinary. I met Heather on my recent yoga retreat in Thailand and thought her story of finding her way to her authentic self, despite the pressure to be someone she wasn’t, just had to be shared as proof that true happiness can only be found when we follow our own path - no matter how winding the road may be. Raised in a cult...

EP400: In this special episode, I share the gifts I got as a result of my recent inspirational trip to Thailand, offering reflections on what I learned, what I was reminded of, and how I want to move forward in life for at least the near term, and most important, how crucial unplugging is for the soul.   I talk about my surprises with the long-haul flight, the revelations about Thailand, and the p...

EP399: In today’s episode, I’ve invited a past guest, Rita Black, who is a clinical hypnotherapist and leading expert in the fields of smoking cessation and weight loss, to join me again because our last conversation was so powerful, and it’s worth hearing again. Plus she has something special coming up that, if you’re curious about trying hypnosis for weight loss, I want you to know about. Not on...

EP398: Today’s guest is Mary Jo Hoffman, a former aeronautical engineer turned artist and photographer, who shares her transformative journey from engineering to becoming a full-time “still” photographer who engages deeply with the natural world through a daily creative practice. Mary Jo is celebrated for a 100 day project, where she commited to take one photograph of nature every day. That daily...

EP397: Today’s guest is Jeanne Blasberg, a seasoned author on the brink of releasing her third book, who shares her captivating story of starting anew at the age of 58 by bravely venturing into the realm of regenerative farming alongside her husband in a state she had never visited, leaving behind their former life in bustling Boston. Our conversation unravels the profound impact of the COVID-19 p...

EP396: I’ve been shopping on Amazon in preparation for my upcoming trip to Thailand so I thought it would be helpful to share with several of the gadgets and goodies I've recently snagged. These items are sure to make your travel experience, not just more convenient, but downright enjoyable. I've curated a list of 12 game-changing products that run the gamut, from helpful gadgets and useful gear t...

EP395: In today’s episode, I explore the profound impact of confronting mortality and emphasize focusing on filling the life you have left with meaning and joy by creating a 'Before I Die' list. Or perhaps it’s better termed “What I Want to Do More of” list? Triggered by a friend's unexpected death and another friend's close encounter with it, I reflect on the fragility of life and the necessity o...

EP394: Today's guest is Delia Lloyd, a multifaceted professional with a rich and diverse background spanning higher education, media, policy, and the nonprofit sector. My desire to have a conversation with Delia sprouted from an article she wrote about a conversation she had with a group of college friends at her 30th reunion that started with an impromptu question posed by a classmate about long...

EP393: In today’s episode, I dive deep into the realm of creativity by sharing a recent creative project I completed that brought me unexpected joy. Understanding the tendency many of us have to disregard our creative spirit in the busy, time-crunched world we live in, I emphasize the importance of recognizing our innate creativity, which often lies dormant due to the constant bombardment of infor...

EP392: Today’s guest is Jackie Parsons, co-owner of Hedonistic Hiking. With an extensive background as a tour guide since 1992, Jackie and her husband Mick founded Hedonistic Hiking in 2007. Their passion for combining gastronomic delights with invigorating hikes has resulted in unforgettable, all-inclusive tours in Italy and beyond. Jackie's journey from studying languages and leading tours in Eu...

EP391: As I enter my birthday week, I was inspired to share these insights because Chris Wark, the person who has had the most impact in this journey, is offering his program, Square One, free beginning February 13th through February 22nd, and I would be derelict in my duty to you if I didn’t share this news. I am not an affiliate of his program, just a huge fan. Click  HERE  to learn how to get s...

EP390: In today’s episode, I'm thrilled to have a returning guest, Renee Langmuir. After I first interviewed her, we decided we had more to talk about so I invited her back for a great topic: parenting adult children! I have a strong suspicion this our conversation will resonate deeply with many who are navigating rocky relationships with their children who are now grown. Renee, a mother of a daug...

EP389: Today’s guest is the inspiring Ann Richardson. At 81 years young, Ann defies age stereotypes and continues to pursue her passion for writing, particularly focusing on the joys and experiences of being an older woman. In her latest book, "The Granny Who Stands on Her Head: Reflections on Growing Older," Ann shares her perspective on aging, celebrating the unique aspects of later life. As a s...

EP388: Today’s guest is Janet Gourand, the founder of Tribe Sober, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals in overcoming alcohol dependence. Janet shares her personal journey through alcoholism and explores the importance of breaking the cycle of dependency. Our conversation delves into the impact of alcohol on health, relationships, and overall well-being, shedding light on the challe...

EP387: Today I want to talk about my hottest tip for success on your 2024 resolutions and it's based on my personal experiences with setting and achieving goals. There is ONE SURE THING I've found to be the magical component that helps me stay focused and guarantees I'll achieve a goal. I have proof of this in hitting two big goals I set that I share in this episode. But in both instances, I didn'...

EP386: Can you believe it’s already the start of 2024? This marks 4 fantastic years of weekly conversations I've had with incredibly inspiring people who are proof that our second half can be so much more rewarding than our first if we simply listen to our heart and share our wisdom from our lived experiences. I’m beyond thrilled and grateful to embark on another trip around the sun with you and t...

EP385: In today's episode I share the mantra I've decided to adopt for 2024. It's what I believe every Type A (aka "Busy Doer") needs to repeat daily to shift out of the ever-growing, mindless, and often unfulfilling, tasks to a shorter, more passion-based To Do list. But it's a mantra that isn't only for Type As because if you lived by it, you would be a happier human.  You may be wondering why I...

EP384: Today’s guest is Jane Kennard, a Canadian-born, certified anxiety coach. Jane's pivot from a 20-year teaching career at the undergraduate level and 15 years in pastoral ministry to anxiety coaching after retirement and is truly inspiring. Jane shares her personal experiences with anxiety, which served as the catalyst for her vocational shift. She reflects how her own struggles and the model...

EP383: In today’s episode, I talk about a recent experience where a close friend of mine had to back out of a long-awaited trip we were going on. To be blunt, it sucked, and I was pissed at missing out on what was supposed to be an amazing girls weekend.  But guess what?! The weekend happened anyway, even though it went down a bit differently than I had imagined. And shockingly, to my previously e...

EP382: In this episode, I interview Renee (pronounced like Ree-nie) Langmuir, a seasoned educator of 34 years who unexpectedly found herself transitioning into retirement after not just one but two successful careers. Then one day, her working life abruptly ended and Renee chronicled that experience and her adjustment as a “rookie retiree” in a series of personal essays. Renee reflects on her uniq...

EP381: In this episode, I interview Karen Ericson who is an inspiration for all those seeking the courage to embark on new adventures, regardless of age. At 64, Karen has cultivated a life enriched with wisdom from 31 years as an educator, cherishing the roles of a devoted mother to three incredible children, a grandmother to an adorable grandson, and a partner in a loving marriage spanning 44 yea...

EP380: Today’s guest is Laura Alden Kamm, a beacon of resilience and a testament to the power of intuition in navigating life's challenges. You’ll hear Laura’s journey, which is nothing short of extraordinary, as she shares how she died and watched the scene unfold outside of her body,  then was sent back to the world of the living. Yep! And she shares how she woke up partially blind, but as she e...

EP379: Do you think life is better or worse for a 65-year-old than it was in 1958? And have you ever seen statistics to back up that opinion?   Well, I am excited to tell you that I came across a fascinating article I just had to share with you, and that's what this week's episode is all about. I'm sharing real data that shows how life today is different from our grandparents.  Wonder what the med...